Chapter Eighty-Eight: Xiaoyin Offers Advice, While Yushang Objects

Perhaps I have a way, though it would be rather dangerous, Little Conceal said hesitantly, utterly unlike his usual self. In ordinary times he said whatever was on his mind and never bothered to hide anything from anyone, but today he seemed to stop short again and again, as if he were deeply troubled. What sort of method could possibly make the fearless Little Conceal furrow his brow and wear such a mournful expression?

Even in Little Conceal’s eyes there flickered a very uneasy light, and it became especially strong whenever he looked toward Feather Sorrow. What hidden circumstances could there be here, to make Little Conceal behave so strangely? Since he had spoken of a method, there should be hope. Why did he look even more gloomy than before, with not a trace of a smile?

No. I will absolutely not agree to it! If this method only endangered me, I would not hesitate at all and would gladly agree. But I know what you are planning to do, and I will never consent to wagering your life just to win that contest! Feather Sorrow cut him off before Little Conceal could even say what the method was.

The two of them were indeed brothers whose hearts moved as one; though they said nothing in so many words, each had already guessed what the other would do. If their bond had not been so deep, they could never have shown such perfect accord. Perhaps the feeling between them had long since surpassed the affection of brothers and even gone beyond the warmth of family.

It was a bond as though the other were his missing half of a soul; if that half should vanish and never be found again, the remaining half would not live on in this world. That was why Feather Sorrow treated Little Conceal with such closeness, and why Little Conceal regarded Feather Sorrow as more important than even his own woman.

You little bastard, I haven’t even said anything yet, and you are already so eager to reject it! Where did all that decisiveness, calm, and fearlessness of yours go? How have you only just entered this treasury and already become like this? Little Conceal shouted disdainfully at Feather Sorrow, and everyone was astonished; their relationship had never been this bad before!

In truth, everything Little Conceal said was deliberate. He knew Feather Sorrow’s stubborn temper. If Feather Sorrow had no intention of doing something, then even a knife at his throat would be useless. Better to take advantage of his unsettled mood and use provocation instead; perhaps he would unexpectedly strike the softest part of Feather Sorrow’s heart and leave him unable to resist.

Alas, how could someone as innately clever as Feather Sorrow so easily fall into Little Conceal’s trap? He forced himself to calm down, then said in an even tone, You don’t need to use provocation to force my hand. We have known each other for so long; do you still not understand me? The more you try to bait me when my mind is in turmoil, the more calmly I will steady myself!

Feather Sorrow knew that everything Little Conceal wished to do was for his sake, but precisely for that reason he could not be so selfish as to disregard his brother’s life. Yes, he wanted to defeat that Night Forgotten Dust. Yes, he wanted to rise in a single stroke and shake the world. Yes, he wanted to enter that mysterious realm and uncover its secrets. But that did not mean he would lose his reason and advance by trampling over the body of his good brother!

Little Conceal gave a helpless smile, then slowly said, Looks like you brat have decided I can do nothing about you!

Yet at the same time, he was rather comforted. At the very least, it proved how important he was in Feather Sorrow’s heart. Feather Sorrow would rather lose that match and let himself fall into danger than allow even the slightest risk to come to him because of him.

Though the brat loved the feeling of victory, he would never be greedy for it to the point of abandoning the people beside him, much less cruelly sacrificing them. But that was also a fatal weakness. Little Conceal knew that if anyone threatened him with his own life or the lives of others, this brat would certainly act like a great hero and sacrifice himself to save people.

Yes, such devotion to friends was indeed moving. But one must not forget: if he always had no defense against sentiment, then he would never become the king among men. A true ruler knows when to use feeling to reach his ends, and when to cast aside sentiment to climb to the summit he seeks.

But this brat disdained such a course. He was also too ruthless in heart to do it. Though he did not lightly make use of his emotions, once he did, they became a lifetime vow, unshaken until death. Some might wonder: if he truly valued loyalty so deeply, why had he once hardened his heart and killed the woman he loved?

In truth, Little Conceal was certain that if Feather Sorrow had been conscious back then, and not under the control of the hidden obstruction within him, he would never have been able to strike down and let that wicked woman go. Alas, Heaven enjoyed toying with people like them. Through one cruel twist of fate after another, Feather Sorrow betrayed his own true heart and by a mistaken hand killed that woman, leaving himself unable to find release to this day.

If he truly could not make proper use of his emotions, then sooner or later he would be defeated by the very word sentiment and never rise again. Take this matter, for instance: because he himself would be placed in danger by this method, the brat had strenuously opposed it and refused to try. Yet he knew perfectly well that before his hidden powers were fully awakened, his chances of defeating Night Forgotten Dust were far too small.

If he went head-to-head with that man, the one who would end up wounded would surely be himself. But in order to avenge Smoke Snow Past and enter that mysterious realm, to return the miraculous pearl to its rightful owner, he once again chose to let himself bear the danger alone. This brat actually thought he was some saint or divine being, willing to set his own life aside for the sake of fulfilling another’s wishes.

What exactly is the method you are talking about? Brother Feather, at least hear him out before we decide together! Azure Mist, seeing the stalemate, hurried to speak in persuasion. What on earth is going on with these two? Weren’t they just fine a moment ago? Why are they about to come to blows in the blink of an eye?

Still, Azure Mist did quite envy the deep brotherly bond between them. Even she, as Little Conceal’s woman, could not, from these few scattered words alone, accurately guess what he was thinking. Yet Feather Sorrow could understand it all from a single sentence. It seemed the feeling between those two was far deeper than the feeling between Little Conceal and herself.

Heh. Strange—when did I start being jealous of a man? In truth, from the very beginning she had already seen that Little Conceal’s feelings toward Feather Sorrow far surpassed those he had for herself. At first she thought it was only because the two had known each other longer; that if she spent more time with him, it would be fine. Unfortunately, in Little Conceal’s eyes, love could never outweigh brotherhood.

Yes, Brother Feather, whatever the method is, you ought to tell us first, no matter whether it will work or not! Being kept in the dark is truly unpleasant! Cold Remembrance smiled and said teasingly. He was quite curious what sort of method could provoke such strong resistance from Feather Sorrow, and what reason could possibly be so serious that it might endanger the life of the Blood-Red Snake Spirit. He could not make sense of it no matter how he thought.

This time you finally understand the pain of those of us who are trapped in a fog, don’t you? Let’s see if you still dare speak in riddles that leave people all muddled! Smoke Snow Past, unable to be either for or against in this matter, could only laugh along with them. Still, she also laughed wickedly. It was about time this clever man tasted the feeling of not understanding at all!

Fine, if you want to hear it, then listen! In any case, no matter how you try to persuade me, I will not agree to such an absurd method! Feather Sorrow rejected the unspoken plan without the slightest courtesy, then, as if in a sulk, walked off to a corner and stood face to face with the old dean, who had long been silent and nearly forgotten, without saying another word.

Everyone had truly not expected that Feather Sorrow, who usually seemed rather approachable, would also have such a stubborn side. It seemed his true nature was just as difficult to fathom. Yet to survive in this world, one must wear many masks and cannot reveal one’s true self entirely before others; otherwise, those with ill intent would surely seize the chance to harm you.

All right, let us not argue anymore. Brother Conceal, tell us first what the method is, Blue Ice Zither said in mediation as well. If this goes on, who knows how long it will take before there is any result? But he too was very curious what kind of method could make Feather Sorrow, who had always feared nothing, hold such misgivings.

You all say that our serpent kind is the natural enemy of that venomous scorpion, that it fears our fangs and our sudden speed. Then I will transfer my spirit into the brat’s body, let that spirit merge into his blood and take root and grow there. In no time at all, it can be transformed into the Crimson Radiance True Energy, Little Conceal slowly explained to everyone.

What is so special about this Crimson Radiance True Energy? Could Night Forgotten Dust really be defeated by a trace of true energy like that? asked the Woman of Thin Frost in a doubtful tone. Though she knew a little about Little Conceal’s background, to claim that such a seemingly ordinary true energy could defeat the miraculous secret arts of the Night Calamity clan was surely far too exaggerated.

Of course my Crimson Radiance True Energy is different from the ordinary true energy you cultivate. It is innately poisonous. Unless one has a spirit seed within the body, there is no way to withstand its fierce toxin. Even in ancient times, the primordial gods themselves could do nothing against the Crimson Radiance True Energy of our clan. I do not believe some little Night Forgotten Dust can endure it, Little Conceal said, and an air of pride rose naturally in him, making him very pleased with himself.

Then by your account, anyone struck by this Crimson Radiance True Energy would be doomed! Isn’t this a very good method? Why won’t you agree, Brother Feather? Dreaming Far asked in confusion after hearing this. She did not see anything wrong with the plan. Not only would it greatly increase Feather Sorrow’s cultivation, it would also kill Night Forgotten Dust; was that not killing two birds with one stone?

But... Little Conceal started, then stopped short once more. He frowned toward Feather Sorrow, then lowered his head as though pondering something, yet still he did not continue.

Seeing this, everyone was puzzled. Why were Little Conceal and Feather Sorrow both behaving so strangely today? What hidden matter could there possibly be here?

But what? There are no outsiders here, so just say it plainly! Yu Xiaoran, silent for quite some time, finally could not hold back and asked. He had a feeling that if this brilliant scheme were truly to succeed, it would have to come at an equal price. Only, what that price would be, he really could not guess.

Brother Conceal, this is not like you. Why have you become so hesitant after only a little while, like some fussy little maid! Yin Boxuan said teasingly, seeing how grave the atmosphere had become. Yet even he could see that something was amiss. It seemed success would indeed require a price to be paid.

However, this spirit is a secret treasure of our clan, and if it is passed to an outsider without permission, it will surely invite a death sentence. Moreover, if even the slightest mistake occurs during the transfer, both I and the brat will certainly go to the Yellow Springs together. At that point, even if the primordial gods themselves came, it would be beyond saving, Little Conceal said when pressed by everyone, and all of them looked troubled after hearing it. In truth, they had guessed there would be some danger, but they had not expected the consequences to be so grave.