Chapter 155: A Long Time

To be honest, it is a truly wonderful feeling to know that my good brothers are still thinking of me. I quickly replied to Li Zijian:

"I'm fine now, brother. I've woken up."

After waiting for a while, neither of them replied. I put on my shoes and pushed open the bedroom door.

My great-uncle was the same as ever, sitting on the stone stool reading a book, though there was a bit more weariness in the corners of his eyes. Seeing me awake, he looked pleasantly surprised and quickly put down his book to walk toward me.

"Well, well, kid, you sure know how to sleep."

I smiled and nodded, then looked at Nangong Xi, who had followed him over.

"Brother, you're finally awake!"

I ruffled Nangong Xi's hair, and she gave me a cheeky grin.

My great-uncle pulled me over to the stool and poured me a cup of cool mountain spring water.

"Ah, as long as you're awake, that’s what matters. You really shouldn't act so recklessly in the future."

He had intended to lecture me, but seeing that I had just woken up, he softened his tone.

"It's alright, didn't I wake up just fine?"

I gulped down the cool, slightly sweet water and poured myself another cup. I hadn't eaten or drunk much during this time, and I could feel the hollowness in my stomach.

"By the way, what happened to that band of bandits?"

I had spent a month in bed all because of them. If any had escaped, I would track them to the ends of the earth to finish them off.

"They're all dead. Not a single one left."

Hearing this, I nodded in satisfaction. It was good that they were gone.

"You know, those bandits were all battle-hardened veterans. Even if they weren't great generals capable of fighting a thousand, they were far more skilled than others at their level."

"The fact that you survived and even managed to kill several of them has already spread through the local cultivation circles. Disciples from Tianyang Mountain even came by specifically to check on you, and they told me you must go visit Tianyang Mountain when you have the time."

I couldn't quite fathom it. I had only killed a few heinous bandits—how had I become a big celebrity? It seemed I would have to be more careful in my future actions. The news had clearly traveled quite far if even the disciples of Tianyang Mountain had heard.

"Alright, don't think about it anymore. You've just woken up and essentially cheated death. Stay home and recuperate properly for a while; don't go running around."

I understood what my great-uncle was saying. As long as the Ghost King didn't start acting up, I would certainly stay on the mountain for a few more days.

Just then, I heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the courtyard. Instinctively, I stood up.

My great-uncle pressed me back down, and I saw who was outside. It was Chen Chen and Li Zijian, both of them carrying a large pile of things.

"Distinguished guests have arrived! I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, ha ha ha..."

I stood up and walked toward them, cupping my hands in a salute.

"Oh, come on, Brother Yao, you don't have to be so formal with us!"

I invited them to sit on the stone stools. They set their things down, and Li Zijian explained, "My father heard about your heroic deeds. Since you've just recovered from a serious illness, I had to come see you. My dad insisted I bring these things—these are tonics... and these are high-quality fruits..."

As Li Zijian listed off the items, I could see that his father was really showing me great respect. Just the fruit alone included varieties I had never seen before, and the tonics were piled high.

"Lin Yao, I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."

Chen Chen wasn't great with words, but this was his way of showing his concern; he even offered a bow.

"Enough, enough. We're brothers. It's a small matter, all in the past."

Chen Chen looked like he was about to tear up. We grown men spent some time catching up in the courtyard.

"I'm going to start cooking. Everyone is staying for lunch!"

My great-uncle, not wanting to disturb us, went to the kitchen. Nangong Xi, being very sensible, saw the guests and immediately went back to her room to continue her cultivation.

"Sit down and let's talk."

I gestured for them to sit. As soon as we were settled, I asked Li Zijian, "Where's Uncle Li? Why didn't he come?"

Li Zijian took a small sip of tea and replied, "He and my father had some business to discuss today, so he didn't have the time."

It didn't matter; the fact that Li Zijian and Chen Chen could come was already good enough.

"By the way, how did you get captured?" I turned to ask Chen Chen. He gave a complicated sigh.

"Old Chen told me everything. He was just about to reach home when a group of people put a black hood over his head and dragged him away. He tried to fight back, but the leader seemed to be at the Spirit Lotus realm and knocked him out with a single punch."

I nodded. So that was how it happened. Those bandits deserved to die.

"You're a big hero now, you know. Don't forget to take us under your wing when you get powerful—I want to be a hero too..."

Li Zijian was still being his usual irreverent self, grinning at me. I playfully threw a punch his way and thought for a moment.

"Actually, I don't even know how I became a 'big hero.' Didn't I just kill a few bandits?"

Li Zijian must have done his homework. "You don't know, do you? That small bandit den started with just one person and slowly grew to a dozen. I heard they kept changing their hideout, so even the scouts in the cultivation world couldn't find them. You’ve helped everyone by removing a major threat."

I had only intended to rescue Chen Chen, yet I had stumbled into this and somehow became a hero.

"Oh, right. Have you heard that the Xia family is planning to attack Tianyang Mountain soon?"

My heart skipped a beat at the news. My hand, which had just picked up the water cup, froze in mid-air. It was one crisis after another.

"What's going on?" I asked, putting the cup down.

Li Zijian looked smug. "Seems there's something you don't know after all, despite being a guest elder of Tianyang Mountain..."

I felt like swatting him. Seeing me raise my hand, he ducked his head, then started speaking seriously.

"Normally, even five Xia families couldn't take Tianyang Mountain. But this time, the elders of Tianyang Mountain have all gone down the mountain for their scheduled training. The mountain is empty, which gives the Xia family an opening."

"When exactly is this happening?"

After all, I had history with Tianyang Mountain. When I needed them most, they were willing to help me. Plus, as a guest elder, I couldn't ignore this. However, having just recovered from a major illness, I felt physically drained. But that was just who I was—I could never forget a kindness, so I had to help.

"I heard it's in two days."

Thankfully, the time wasn't too tight. I planned to make the trip to Tianyang Mountain over the next day or two.

"Brother Yao, if you're going, can you take us with you? Chen Chen has been feeling guilty about this all month."

Li Zijian and Chen Chen were now at the sixth level of the Spirit Flower realm, just one step away from the Spirit Lotus realm. If the situation wasn't too dangerous, it would be a good chance for them to gain some experience.

"Alright. But safety comes first. Stay here at my place for the next few days; there's another room over there."