Whispers of a Lonely City Beyond the Heavens – Chapter 42

Ch 42: Turning into a Stone Statue

“At night, while I was in the third level of the Xuanwu Divine Realm, I unexpectedly became aware of my surroundings. That awareness was incredibly sharp—I could hear faint sounds, yet I couldn’t detect any movement from you all.

“I was startled and immediately left the Xuanwu Divine Realm. When I saw the note you left behind, I realized you had gone into the mountains to gather herbs. Child, you deliberately misled me earlier, didn’t you? You’d already made up your mind to go into the mountains on my behalf, hadn’t you?”

“Grandfather, I’m sorry,” Long Yang said in a low voice.

Perhaps it would have been better if Zhang Tianxun had gone into the mountains to gather herbs instead. After collecting the medicine, he could have hidden away to heal his wounds.

But how could I trust Zhang Tianxun’s condition? How could I possibly think everything through completely?

“You don’t need to feel guilty,” Zhang Tianxun sighed. “In truth, you were right. Neither you nor Wei Wei did anything wrong. Given my condition, it would’ve been nearly impossible for me to search for herbs in the mountains. If I’d forced myself to try, I’d likely have exhausted my true energy before finding the Rain Spirit Grass…”

He paused briefly. “After reading the note, I originally planned to re-enter the Xuanwu Divine Realm and wait for you there. That way, your efforts wouldn’t have been in vain. Besides, I’d gained a new understanding of the Xuanwu Divine Skill and wanted to experience it further.

“But just then, I heard a bird call from the sky. I recognized it instantly—it was the cry of a Sky Howling Falcon. Back on Shenlong Mountain, I’d suffered at its hands before.

“I knew the Emperor’s Heavenly Soldiers must have arrived. Fearing the falcon would spot you, I quickly grabbed my knapsack and went out to find you.

“Those Heavenly Soldiers are skilled at using animals to track. I worried that if they found me, they might trace my scent back to that house and run into you. So, I sprinkled some scent-sealing powder and left markers to help you find me.

“You found me so quickly—did you spot those markers?”

“Yes…” Wei Wei nodded vigorously. Long Yang added, “It was Wei Wei’s idea. She was the first to notice the signs.”

“My granddaughter isn’t just beautiful—she’s clever too,” Zhang Tianxun said with a smile. “When I reached the edge of the pool, I planned to cross via the Sky Plank Road. But then I heard the Sky Howling Falcon cry again. Looking up, I saw it circling directly above me.

“Once the Heavenly Soldiers heard its call, they’d rush over soon enough. But I wasn’t planning to hide—I wanted to kill it. That bird posed too great a danger to you both.

“I knew its habits, so I pretended to flee. Sure enough, it swooped down to attack. I had a few pebbles ready in my hand, and when it got close, I struck it dead with them. Just then, I saw someone approaching.

“The person who came had exceptional light body skills—it was indeed a Heavenly Soldier. I ran toward the mountain, hoping to use the trees as cover to escape, but I ran straight into an ambush.

“That person attacked me from behind. Caught off guard, I traded a palm strike with him. I put all my strength into it, sending him flying with serious injuries. But in the process, my heart meridian and qi sea were both gravely wounded…”

Wei Wei said in anguish, “Grandfather, I shouldn’t have taken the Flying Frost Sword.”

“Wei Wei, stop blaming yourself, alright? If anyone should feel regret, it’s me for not doing better. You only have me as family, yet I haven’t raised you well. I left you with someone else’s family while I went off to challenge Shenlong Mountain…”

Wei Wei let out a loud “wah” and burst into tears. Perhaps she’d always felt resentful about those past events.

“Wei Wei, good child, don’t cry, don’t cry. Stay and chat with Grandfather. It’s been so long since I last spoke with you like this. I’ve been sleeping all this time—I’ve slept enough. Today, let me talk to my heart’s content, alright?”

“Yes, Grandfather, go ahead. I’m listening,” Wei Wei said, wiping her tears.

“At that moment, I knew I was done for. But I had to find a way to see you both one last time—I just had to. Knowing how familiar Long Yang is with this place, I gathered what little scattered true energy I had left, used my light body skill to the fullest, and slipped into this waterfall.

“In my younger days, I traveled countless famous mountains and learned much about their geology. After hearing Long Yang mention this waterfall, I suspected it could be entered. Once inside, I found this spot, sat down, and used the Xuanwu Divine Skill to sustain my life, praying to the heavens that you’d find me.

“Now that you’re both here, safe and sound, I can only thank the heavens.”

Zhang Tianxun looked at Long Yang. “Now, tell me about your experiences. Where did this wooden box come from? How did you manage to gather so much Rain Spirit Grass—and even Jade Marrow Stone Fungus? That’s rarer than the Rain Spirit Grass itself.”

Long Yang recounted his and Wei Wei’s journey. Zhang Tianxun was stunned. “How could you two be so reckless as to steal spiritual medicine from Tian Weihu? The imperial court might label you as the top imperial criminals—what are we going to do?”

In his agitation, his breathing grew heavy and rapid. He had already left the Xuanwu Divine Realm.

“Grandfather, I’m sorry. All I can say now is that I’ll do everything I can to protect Wei Wei. Beyond that, I truly can’t promise anything more.”

“Grandfather, don’t worry—I’m not afraid. I just beg you not to die, don’t leave me behind…”

Zhang Tianxun closed his eyes and thought for a moment before sighing, “May the heavens protect the virtuous.” Opening his eyes, he said, “Long Yang, I release you from the oath you made to me earlier. Instead, I ask you to take care of Wei Wei for the rest of her life. Will you agree?”

Long Yang froze for a moment, then said solemnly, “Grandfather, rest assured, I promise you. As long as I live, I’ll ensure Wei Wei’s safety and well-being for her entire life.”

Zhang Tianxun let out a long breath, then turned to Wei Wei. “Wei Wei, I want you to always listen to your Brother Long Yang, alright?”

“Grandfather, I promise, I promise. Please, hurry and enter the Xuanwu Divine Realm…” Wei Wei cried out, watching Zhang Tianxun’s face age rapidly.

“Wei Wei, be good. Now, eat that stone fungus. I’ll teach you a few mantras, and you can practice them here.”

With tears in her eyes, Wei Wei swallowed the stone fungus in a few bites. Zhang Tianxun recited several mantras, and as Wei Wei sat to cultivate, her body suddenly swayed and she fainted beside him.

Long Yang cried out in alarm, “Wei Wei!”

Zhang Tianxun smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, she’s fine. The Jade Marrow Stone Fungus has a calming and hypnotic effect. As her energy circulated through her body, it sped up the effect, causing her to fall asleep.”

Long Yang let out an “ah,” realizing Zhang Tianxun had done this intentionally, though he didn’t understand why he’d wanted Wei Wei to sleep.

Zhang Tianxun pulled out one of his own hairs, looked at it, and sighed. “This waterfall stretches three thousand feet, but my white hair feels three thousand yards long. Yangyang, I didn’t want Wei Wei to see me like this.”

Long Yang stared blankly at Zhang Tianxun. At that moment, his true energy was nearly depleted, and his appearance grew even more aged. The wrinkles on his face deepened, his cheeks hollowed, and even the shape of his skull became starkly visible.

“Long Yang, I’ll also teach you a few mantras. These are my new insights into the Xuanwu Divine Skill. Memorize them well—they might be useful to you in the future.”

He recited the mantras, and Long Yang silently committed them to memory.

“Long Yang, take Wei Wei and leave. From now on, I can’t guide your path…”

Zhang Tianxun closed his eyes and waited a moment. When he opened them again and saw Long Yang still standing there in a daze, he smiled. “I see. You want to see me off on my final journey. Very well, I’ll enter the fourth level of the Xuanwu Divine Realm—a level I never dared to cultivate before. Neither life nor death, neither thought nor non-thought, free of pain…”

He closed his eyes again, and this time, they stayed shut.

Long Yang reached out with a trembling hand and touched his face.

Cold and hard! Like a stone statue carved from turtle-shell stone, like an ancient mountain god seated cross-legged.

Xiao Hei tilted its head back and let out a mournful “woo woo,” its voice filled with sorrow and unease.

“Grandfather, safe travels!” Long Yang knelt and kowtowed three times. Then, he slung the two knapsacks over his shoulder, picked up the Flying Frost Sword, lifted Wei Wei into his arms, and carried Xiao Hei on his back. Stepping to the edge of the waterfall, he let the rushing water sweep him downward.

His body plummeted rapidly. Just as he neared the Shadowless Pool, a strange, familiar dizziness—one he’d experienced many times before—overwhelmed him once more.