Published: March 8, 2025
Mo Tianji was right; this spark truly ignited from King Chuyan. However, it took much longer than he anticipated, which left this master strategist almost pulling his hair out in frustration...
In the Ao Family.
The sudden visit from Xie Danqiong surprised the Ao Family greatly.
Regardless of the circumstances, he was the eldest young master of the Xie Family and their future heir. Although the Xie Family was slightly weaker than the Ao Family, they could not afford to be careless.
Thus, the reception from the Ao Family was very warm.
Patriarch Ao Tianxing even personally welcomed him. Given that his son would eventually take over the Ao Family, securing such a major ally was undoubtedly beneficial.
"Young Master Xie, haha... how is your father?" Ao Tianxing asked kindly.
"My father is well, thank you, Uncle Ao, for your concern!" Xie Danqiong responded respectfully, bowing deeply as a junior would, and said, "I have always had a close friendship with Brother Xieyun. We worked together at Dingjun Mountain and I have missed him dearly after so many days apart; I specially came to visit, and I hope Uncle will excuse my boldness."
"Well, what crime is there in that?" Ao Tianxing stroked his beard and smiled amiably, saying, "It's commendable for young people to be loyal and righteous. It is indeed a great fortune for him to have a friend like you."
He paused for a moment and added, "However... my son Ao Xieyun has gone to the Extreme North Wilderness and has yet to return..."
"Ao Xieyun..." Xie Danqiong's eyes widened in surprise at the name.
"Since Young Master Xie is here, why not stay a few more days? The scenery of the Ao Family is quite delightful," Ao Tianxing smiled and continued, "Besides, Xieyun has been gone for several months now; he should be on his way back. Perhaps he will return in a few days and you can spend time together."
"In that case, I will impose on you for a few days longer, and I would appreciate hearing your teachings, Uncle," Xie Danqiong agreed smoothly.
Thus, Xie Danqiong made himself at home in the Ao Family, enjoying great food and delicacies, living a life of utmost comfort.
Days turned into more than ten, yet Ao Xieyun had still not returned.
The Ao Family began to feel that something was amiss.
Why hadn’t he come back?
After staying a few more days, Xie Danqiong took his leave, claiming he was feeling unwell. Ao Tianxing insisted on keeping him and even called for a family doctor to check on him; Xie Danqiong had no choice but to agree to stay for another three days. However, the very next morning, Xie Danqiong suddenly fell into a coma, hanging by a thread...
The doctor took one look and jumped in shock, quickly reporting to Patriarch Ao Tianxing. When Ao Tianxing arrived and saw Xie Danqiong entirely purple, his eyes almost bulging out, with chaotic internal energy and a ruptured dantian, his meridians on the brink of collapse...
Ao Tianxing was startled.
If this young master of the Xie Family were to die in his home, it would be a major disaster...
The Ao Family immediately summoned all divine doctors to treat Xie Danqiong; however, as they examined him, each one shook their heads and sighed, helpless...
They could only use vital energy to temporarily sustain his life. Other than that, there seemed to be no viable solution.
Ao Tianxing's heart was filled with regret! If only he had let him leave a few days ago... now, they were stuck with this problem...
"Uncle Ao, do not worry. I have... had this... chronic illness since childhood... that has no possible... cure... cough cough cough..." Xie Danqiong weakly 'comforted' him, "It just requires... a skilled... cough cough cough expert... to infuse a bit of... cough, vital energy, for a period of time... cough cough cough and I will be fine..."
"A period of time? How long is that?" Ao Tianxing asked urgently.
But Xie Danqiong's head tilted, and he had already fainted.
Ao Tianxing was left with a dark expression. A period of time? Damn! You little brat, a day is a period of time, and a year is also a period of time; a lifetime... is just another period of time.