The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 98: Return to the Village

Not long after Han Li left Rainbow Cloud Mountain, Sect Leader Wang announced that he had taken Li Feiyu as his final disciple and officially appointed him as the head of the Outer Blade Hall. From then on, he showed great favor and trust in Li Feiyu. Moreover, several years later, when Han Li's third uncle accidentally committed a serious mistake that violated gang rules—an offense that should have cost him his life—Sect Leader Wang overruled all objections and ensured his survival.

As for Sect Leader Wang himself, during subsequent gang conflicts, he encountered formidable enemies and suffered severe injuries multiple times, each time left hovering on the brink of death. Just when everyone thought he wouldn't last much longer, he miraculously recovered every time, thanks to a pill from a jade bottle, and was soon back on his feet. This aroused envy in others, who asked him about the name and origin of the medicine, but Wang Juechu always evaded the question, refusing to explain. Naturally, those who tried to obtain the pills left empty-handed.

It wasn't until many years later, on his deathbed, that Wang Juechu finally revealed the name of the pill—the "Essence Nourishing Pill." By then, only three pills remained in the jade bottle. Yet even these three pills sparked a bloody storm, bringing considerable trouble to Wang Juechu's descendants! But that is a story for later.

Meanwhile, Li Feiyu was staring blankly at a few small bottles and a note in his hand. When he had returned from Zhang Xiuer's place that morning, these items had mysteriously appeared in his room.

The note was left by Han Li, and its contents were simple: he had left the Seven Mysteries Sect and might never return. The medicine in the bottles had been carefully prepared and should help extend Li Feiyu's lifespan. He hoped Li Feiyu wouldn't refuse it.

At the end of the note, Han Li had drawn a smiling face of himself. Beside it was a message wishing Li Feiyu and Zhang Xiuer an early marriage and many children.

After staring blankly for a while, Li Feiyu suddenly rushed out of the room and climbed to the peak of the nearest small mountain.

From the summit, he anxiously gazed toward the main gate of the Seven Mysteries Sect, but all he saw was a vast expanse of greenery—no trace of any human figure. After standing motionless for a long time, Li Feiyu sighed and finally murmured in a lonely voice, "Take care... and safe travels."

Then, he slowly descended the mountain, his unhurried figure appearing exceptionally solitary and melancholy.

Meanwhile, a horse-drawn carriage was traveling eastward along an ancient road.

Han Li and Qu Hun were seated inside. Though the four-wheeled covered carriage had ample space, only the two of them occupied it, as Han Li had paid three taels of silver to rent the entire vehicle.

The wooden carriage looked somewhat shabby and worn on the outside, but the interior was neatly kept. The two horses pulling it were in their prime, galloping briskly and making the carriage move swiftly.

It was precisely these two qualities that had convinced Han Li to spend the three taels of loose silver. Normally, such a carriage would earn only a little over one tael after several days of continuous work.

The coachman was an ordinary, dark-skinned, and lean middle-aged man who wasn't much of a talker. Unless Han Li initiated conversation, he remained silent—a trait that Han Li found quite satisfactory.It must be known that the Qu Hun by his side was unusually tall and wore a bamboo hat that obscured his face, giving off a mysterious aura. If some talkative person were to ask about him, dealing with the inquiries would be quite troublesome.

Perched on Han Li's shoulder was the yellow-feathered "Cloudwing Bird." This highly intelligent little creature had its eyes half-closed, seemingly in the midst of resting.

At the other end of the carriage sat Qu Hun, carrying a large bundle on his shoulder. Inside, apart from some spare clothes, were heavy items like gold, silver, and various bottles and jars.

As for the Magical Artifacts, letters, and books obtained from Doctor Mo—items of great importance—Han Li carried them close to his body, fearing they might be lost.

Now, Han Li sat quietly in the carriage, listening to the creaking of the wooden wheels, his expression calm and unruffled. He felt no sorrow over leaving the Seven Mysteries Sect.

If there was one thing that made Han Li slightly reluctant to leave, it was his close friend Li Feiyu. However, the latter should have already received his farewell message and the Secret Medicine he had prepared for him. He hoped the medicine would take effect, allowing his good friend to enjoy life a little longer.

With this thought, Han Li stretched and leaned his back against the carriage wall, beginning to doze off. He had already instructed the coachman to head for the small mountain village where he was born.

Though he knew it was impossible, he still wished that upon opening his eyes, he could see the faces of his parents and siblings.

It had been so many years since he left his parents! Even their faces had grown somewhat blurred in his memory. That was why, before venturing far from home, he had to see his parents with his own eyes—otherwise, he would never be able to leave with peace of mind.

"I wonder how Little Sister is doing. She must be sixteen or seventeen now, a grown woman! The last letter from home mentioned she was already betrothed and had received betrothal gifts." As Han Li drifted into sleep, a small, thin figure appeared in his mind—a figure that had always followed behind him, calling out in a childish voice, "Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother."

"Time truly flies..."

Han Li finally fell into a deep slumber, enveloped in a warm and comforting atmosphere. This time, he slept soundly and peacefully, just like when he was a child, with his parents watching over him and shooing away the mosquitoes.

Five days later, as Han Li walked along the dirt road, he finally caught sight of the all-too-familiar village in the distance.

The low mud walls, the rows of straw stacks, and the bumpy little paths—all of these had haunted his dreams, and now they appeared before his eyes in reality.

Suppressing his excitement, Han Li had the coachman stop the carriage far outside the village, leaving Qu Hun inside as well. He himself strode quickly toward the village entrance, his heart pounding harder the closer he got.

This involuntary surge of emotion was something Han Li hadn't felt in a long time!

(End of Chapter)