NOVEL NEXT Chapter 105: Rejourney Back to Tiancheng City.
The next day, the entire Wu family household was standing just outside their house, waiting to see off Yang Wei. Yang Wei was now back to being dressed in his more elegant Inner Sect robes. He was already loading some of the sacks back into his storage pouch; some of the things contained food items that he could cook and eat, and others were some rice grains that Wu Shu insisted he take with him.
Wu Yifei gave Yang Wei a concerned look and asked, "Are you sure you want to leave today? It seems so sudden. Did we do something to offend you?" She then turned to Wu Fengtian and added, "Or did Feng do anything disrespectful?"
Wu Fengtian raised his arms innocently and protested, "Mother, I would never!"
Yang Wei chuckled softly and reassured Wu Yifei, "Oh no, nothing's wrong. Something just came up back at the sect, and I need to return to answer to my Martial Sister. She needs me urgently."
Wu Yifei sighed heavily, placing a comforting hand on her chest. "I'm really not comfortable with you crossing the Thousand Monsters Forest, especially with those fiendish female cultivators of the White Serpent Sect being so active."
Wu Shu folded his arms and shook his head, telling Wu Yifei, "Yang Wei's a Star Disciple of an upper-class sect. There's no female cultivator in that sect daring enough to try and abduct him."
Wu Xinqi pumped her fist in agreement, exclaiming, "Yes! Big Brother Wei is the strongest! There's no one in the world who could defeat him!"
Yang Wei walked over to Wu Xinqi, smiling. He went down on a knee and tapped her forehead with his fingers, saying, "You have quite a lot of faith that I'm the strongest."
Wu Fengtian placed a hand on his chest, looking as though he might cry, and repeated, "Yes, quite a lot of faith..."
Both Wu Xinqi and Yang Wei looked at the silently grieving Wu Fengtian, finding it more funny than sad, and chuckled before turning back to each other.
Wu Xinqi nodded eagerly, "Of course I have faith! I can just see it in Big Brother's eyes!"
Yang Wei tilted his head and smiled, saying, "Is that so..."
Wu Xinqi was about to eagerly nod again, but she suddenly started coughing, blood leaving her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath. Wu Yifei rushed to her daughter's side, "Sweetie! Are you okay?!"
Between coughs, Wu Xinqi managed to reply, "Yes, I'll manage. I still want to see Big Brother off."
"No, you need some rest," Wu Yifei insisted. She took Wu Xinqi's hand and started leading her back into the house.
"Mommy! But I *cough* said I'm fine...!"
"Enough of that!"
Almost as though she'd forgotten Wu Yifei abruptly paused and turned to look at Yang Wei, then she smiled at him and said, "Wei'er, please stay safe. And also, don't forget to come see us soon, okay?"
"I'll try." He nodded.
As they walked away, Wu Xinqi waved at Yang Wei, "See you soon, Big Brother!" her words easily showed how eager she was for him to visit the village again.
Yang Wei smiled and nodded back, watching them until they disappeared inside.
Even Wu Shu had joined Wu Yifei and their daughter, being an equally worried parent.
Now, only Yang Wei, Wu Fengtian, and Wu Meixiang remained outside. Yang Wei noticed the worry on Wu Fengtian's face as he looked after his sister, and the way he squeezed his fists like he was trying to hold back his anger.
He then looked at Wu Meixiang and saw her also standing quietly, her head faced down as she had a completely sad look on her soft, beautiful face. She hadn't spoken to him since the day she delivered those trays to his door. So naturally, he was equally worried with her sudden coldness towards him.
"Feng," Yang Wei called to him.
Wu Fengtian turned to him, relaxing his fists and hardened face. "Yes, Senior Brother?" he answered.
Yang Wei signaled for Wu Fengtian to come closer, saying, "Come here." Wu Fengtian nodded and hurried over to Yang Wei, who then draped an arm over his shoulder and whispered, "I'm just planning to go to the White Serpent Sect for a few weeks to learn a few things about them. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."
Wu Fengtian still seemed unsure; the urgency of the trip made no sense. In full context, after Wu Fengtian told Yang Wei about the activities of the White Serpent Sect, he decided some hours after that he would be going there. And that was what led to this.
"I know you're too nonchalant to care about what they're doing to male cultivators in the kingdom, so it has to be concerning jade-like beauty."
Yang Wei sighed and lightly knocked on Wu Fengtian's head. "Idiot..."
Wu Fengtian winced and rubbed his head. "Why'd you have to hit me so hard?" Apparently, even Yang Wei's weakest knock on the head was more than enough to cause Wu Fengtian pain.
Yang Wei glanced at Wu Meixiang and motioned for Wu Fengtian to lower his voice. "Shhh! You're too loud." Then, he sighed, not liking how unnecessarily stressed out he was, "For now, I don't want to say much about my plans, but when I'm done, I'll need your help, so stay ready."
Although, one of my main reasons for going there is because of Liu Yan... so technically, he is right.
Wu Fengtian nodded eagerly. "I'm always ready."
The two shared a smile before Yang Wei turned to leave.
He waved at Wu Meixiang, but she avoided his gaze, still wearing a sad expression.
Yang Wei couldn't figure out why.
Just as he took his first steps, Yang Wei felt something holding him back, or rather, someone.
"Please... Wait..." said Wu Meixiang with a solemn expression.
He turned and saw her. "Meixiang? What's the matter?" he asked, concern weighing heavily on his voice.
Wu Meixiang gently released his hand, but before she could fully do so, Yang Wei gently grasped her soft hand tightly. She had delicate hands, almost fragile enough to snap like twigs with the right force. The way his strong hand held hers made her solemn expression turn more expressive, like she was somewhat amused but did her best to hide it.
Yang Wei approached her closely, until their bodies were mere inches apart. Her eye level was at Yang Wei's chest, so she looked up to see his smiling face, his pure white teeth, and beautiful blue eyes like sapphires.
Wu Meixiang then said, "I..." but paused, lost in his gaze.
Yang Wei reassured her, "You know you can tell me anything."
She lowered her head and asked, "Really?"
Yang Wei gently held her hand with both of his and replied, "Of course."
Meanwhile, Wu Fengtian had already chosen to leave, so he wouldn't have to vomit his breakfast.