Published: March 8, 2025
Li Chunbo stood before Xiao Chenyu, completely open and unguarded.
He acted without a trace of caution, doing it so naturally that it seemed as if it was meant to be this way. Under such circumstances, even if his opponent was not at the level of a ninth rank supreme like Xiao Chenyu, a mere eighth grade or even a peak seventh rank supreme would be enough to take Li Chunbo's life with a single strike.
How many times in his life had Li Chunbo ever been this defenseless? Did he not realize that at this moment, Xiao Chenyu was already on a different path, one that could not be reconciled?
Xiao Chenyu's sharp eyes were fixed on Li Chunbo's busy figure, growing deeper and eventually covered by a thin mist, as if he sighed gently. The calm expression on his face finally rippled with a hint of warmth as he smiled and said, "Let's do this together; it’ll be faster this way. It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, so please don’t forget how to do it."
Saying this, he crouched down and began to fiddle with the dry firewood. The two ninth rank supremes, both prominent figures of their generation, were working together—one plucking feathers from chicken legs, the other preparing firewood, mixing seasonings, and then lighting the fire...
Throughout the entire process, they didn’t use any of their own cultivation level.
They moved around each other, and either of them could easily take the other’s life at this moment without any difficulty or risk!
Yet, both remained focused on their busy work, seemingly oblivious to everything else, wholeheartedly immersed in the grand project of barbecue.
They wore serious and solemn expressions.
When the smoke finally rose, both powerful figures ended up covered in ash, and their usually stern faces were inevitably marked by a few smudges, looking at each other as they burst into hearty laughter.
Then, disregarding their image completely, they both sat down in the snow, gently tending to the fire before them. Shoulders touching, they quietly focused on turning the chicken legs, sprinkling seasonings, occasionally adjusting the fire and adding more dry wood.
Just like in the past. In the distant memories from thousands or tens of thousands of years ago, two boys had been just like this, awkwardly barbecuing for themselves, either due to carelessness or because the other was playing tricks, smearing their faces and bodies with soot like dirty little cats, yet filled with joy, free from worries and carefree happiness.
In the profound silence, the only sounds were the snowflakes drifting from the sky and the crackling of the burning firewood.
A fragrant aroma wafted up. The snow chicken legs were already half-cooked, and their barbecue skills seemed to be quite good.
Still focused on grilling the wild game, the two men remained silent, appearing patient and thoroughly enjoying the ongoing process.
After a long time, one voice broke the silence: "Second Brother, do you still remember? You taught me how to barbecue. That year, you were fifteen, and I was thirteen."
A hint of daze appeared in Xiao Chenyu's usually deep and clear eyes as he unconsciously chuckled, "Yeah, back then. Our fathers... all went missing. Nine children who simultaneously lost their fathers were gathered together for a while, and at that time... heh..."
"Those times were truly good... we were like real brothers." Li Chunbo's eyes held a warm nostalgia. “Who cared about the bumps and bruises? Even when I was being chased by that Thousand-Handed Demon, you came to rescue me, and we brothers fought together... heh... back then, Big Brother hadn’t gone missing yet, right?"
"Yeah... Big Brother hadn’t gone missing then..." Xiao Chenyu unconsciously echoed, suddenly asking, "You mean..."
Li Chunbo softly said, "I mean... Big Brother! The real Big Brother, not Ye Chenchen."
Xiao Chenyu's eyes revealed memories: "If Big Brother were still here, I believe our nine great clans would never have reached this point... but Big Brother's family disappeared inexplicably..."