Chapter Ch157 - Returning Home

Gongyi Tianheng went rigid.

Gu Zuo also went rigid.

How terrible! A moment of carelessness — Too casual, too natural! What was he to do!?

After that, a pair of hands softly covered Gu Zuo’s back.

Tianheng’s muffled voice carried a smiling expression: “Ah Zuo, don’t be afraid.”

Gu Zuo was stuck between lifting his head and not lifting it. After hesitating for three seconds, he still maintained this posture and silently shrank.

He absolutely wasn’t afraid! Ah, why did big brother want to tease him so much!?

Following which, Gu Zuo didn’t speak any more. Gongyi Tianheng also remained silent. Two people were just like this, where one protected the other. They sped forth on the flying boat towards the Tianwu Continent.

Several days passed. After traversing the final barrier, they reached the Tianwu Continent.

The ambient qi here was far fainter than the ambient qi of the Qingyun Continent. Gu Zuo detected the smothered qi and promptly realized why the martial artists here who departed rarely returned — Because it was too stifling! Even breathing was uncomfortable, so how could they properly live out their days here?

Merely, their return this time carried a purpose. So, they could only endure it.

Gongyi Tianheng’s senses were still a bit better because he wasn’t like Gu Zuo. Currently, his training in ambient qi absorption was one path and devouring top grade Qi Linking Pills was another path. The former was obstructed, while the latter was well-supplied. On the contrary, Gu Zuo had to endure the cultivation speed of a tortoise, and struggled to accumulate lots of medicinal qi.

Of course, what they had to do now was to first use this flying boat to find enough presents throughout the continent that could be brought back to the Gongyi Household.

Due to the might of Gongyi Tianheng, Cang Yu, and the others during the Hundred Countries Tournament, the Cangyun Empire was promoted to a second-class empire. The entire nation’s power was developing at a fast rate.

Most of all was the Royal Family. Because it had produced Cang Yu, its position in the whole empire was even more stable. As for the Gongyi Clan, because Tianheng had left some things behind and the eldest young master’s existence had never let them down, it had reliably become the number one aristocratic family only beneath the Royal Family.

Following them was the Huangfu Clan, whose luck was particularly good — Only, their development couldn’t compare to the Gongyi Clan’s. As a result, they ranked third overall.

As for the remaining three aristocratic families, they could only look up above with hope.

Of course, because the Royal Family had their means, they had already scouted some information in the Qingyun Sect and transmitted it to the empire before half a year was up. They knew that Huangfu Zhanghao had relied on that strange luck to immediately enter the Inner Sect. They also knew that Gongyi Tianheng had entered the Inner Sect through his own methods. Furthermore, Princess Yaomin was being cared for by an Inner Sect disciple, and Cang Yu had some contacts and was engaging in business… In general, everything was developing in a positive direction. The Cangyun Empire was no longer like it was before with no foundation at all in the Qingyun Sect.

Hence, the Royal Family completely green-lit the Gongyi and Huangfu Clans, so that the development of their various projects would be smooth. Because the timeframe was short, the Huangfu Clan couldn’t accomplish anything too big, but the Gongyi Clan’s influence expanded again. This made the Royal Family regard the Gongyi Clan with even more importance.

Naturally, in a world dominated by martial arts, the Cangyun Emperor wasn’t someone who had shallow horizons. Even though he witnessed the Gongyi Clan’s further rise, the policies he carried out were still to rope them in and befriend them. He didn’t devise ways to conduct any suppression. At the same time, although the Gongyi Clan developed exceptionally well, it didn’t covet the Cangyun Emperor’s throne.

On this day, Cangyun City was still like it was in the past. Numerous martial artists rushed forth one after another, wanting to showcase their skills and become attendants or guards to the imperial capital’s aristocratic families. Most of all was the Gongyi Clan due to its business growth and expansion, which had attracted manpower. As a result, there were many martial artists gathered at a large-scale Arms Drill Field adjacent to the Gongyi Mansion. All of them were competing and showing off their capabilities. Among them, there were many Bone Forging Realms. As for Meridian Condensing Realms, the numbers were unexpectedly not low.

The person who presided over this martial arts assembly was reportedly the younger brother of the Gongyi Clan Head’s eldest young master, who followed those venerable Immortal Realms to practice martial arts. In the future, this younger brother would be the definitive successor as the Clan Head — Gongyi Tianyang. This assembly was also to give that Young Master Tianyang some training opportunities to show his ability.

Although Young Master Tianyang wasn’t twenty yet, when people saw his majestic presence, one couldn’t help but commend that, “A tiger wouldn’t have a dog for a younger brother”.

Currently, that Young Master Tianyang occupied a high platform, sitting with some of the Gongyi Clan’s younger generations. With a steady gaze, he stared at several dozen victors who’d already charged to the final checkpoint.

The hired guards and attendants were basically chosen from these people this round — As for those who didn’t reach this step, it had to be seen if they had any special abilities to enter his eyes.

At a glance, the Arms Drill Field had one Meridian Condensing stage three martial artist undergoing a fight with a grade three wild beast. The battle of one man and one beast had flesh and blood flying. It was extremely desperate. To the side, there was already the ghastly sight of a heap of several corpses. It was also because of this that a person with insufficient strength wouldn’t dare bribe the other children of the Gongyi Clan to force themselves through. Otherwise, when they reached this final juncture, they could only have their lives taken as compensation.

After fighting for almost an hour, that Meridian Condensing Realm martial artist was still struggling. It was clear that he had fallen to a disadvantageous position. His body’s exterior was already badly mangled.

At this moment, several large men suddenly leaped onto the venue and dragged away that grade three wild beast. The Meridian Condensing martial artist hastily recoiled and found that he was already safe.

Gongyi Tianyang’s elegant and small face grew taut: “You pass. Accepted!”

That Meridian Condensing Realm martial artist’s face was a bloodied paste, but his expression was happy. Then, he followed another robust man to the side for healing.

Tianyang said with a cold voice: “Next contender!”

Following that, the grade three wild beast was released. The one it approached was also a Meridian Condensing Realm martial artist — As he entered the venue, he tightly clenched a long saber and swiftly went over to slay that wild beast! He appeared to have drawn from the experiences of that previous martial artist. He surprisingly wanted to end it quickly, and was completely unwilling to let that wild beast prevail!

The many spectating martial artists all watched with great pleasure.

And in the crowd, there was a handsome young master with a slender build. He faced the teenager to his side and spoke with a low laugh: “The combatant’s awareness is actually pretty good.”

The teenager looked up: “Ah, Young Master Tianyang has also become very impressive.”

The one standing beside them was a tall martial artist with a knife scar. He heard the words of the two and saw their casual bearing. He couldn’t help saying: “You two dare to casually comment on a member of the Gongyi Clan? Outrageous!”

The teenager’s tender face reddened: “Ahem.”

Meanwhile, the handsome young master raised an eyebrow, and extended a hand to vigorously ruffle the teenager’s hair.

When the knife-scarred martial artist saw this, he felt that he had made a big fuss over a minor issue just now. This was obviously a pair of pampered young masters who’d come for entertainment. Was he going to lower himself to their level? It would be troublesome to provoke them! So, he scoffed and didn’t respond to these two people who walked down different paths.

The teenager grimaced and used his hand to cover his head. He continued to face that venue and watch.

So why hadn’t they gone directly to the Gongyi Mansion, and came here first? Could it be that it was to observe Young Master Tianyang’s ability to conduct himself in public?

The handsome young master smiled, but didn’t speak. He just patted the teenager’s head.

On the field, wild beasts were still constantly battling the martial artists who were challenging the final checkpoint. Every time that wild beast’s strength seemed lacking, someone would replace it with a “fresher” one to fight and put those martial artists to the test. When reaching this point, almost all of the contenders were Meridian Condensing Realms. Their performance in actual combat would be determining their future opportunities for advancement, so no one dared to hold back.

Gongyi Tianyang’s vision wasn’t bad. Whenever the wild beasts were exchanged, and whenever those martial artists didn’t have any more strength left to fight, he’d halt things with great accuracy. Almost none of the martial artists who were accepted had received any grievous wounds. After taking some Rejuvenation Pills with godly effects, their flesh wounds would completely recover at speeds one could see with the naked eye. This hereby displayed the Gongyi Clan’s robust financial abilities and medicinal pill resources.

Thus, after half a day, besides the few fighters who were unable to defend themselves and quickly became injured, almost all of the other martial artists were accepted. Additionally, Gongyi Tianyang read out a list of names of martial artists who, although were defeated, performed well. They were worth being accepted for nurturing.

Although Tianyang’s face looked tender, the extraordinary temperament he once again displayed still made many spectating martial artists give a big “Like” in their minds.

What’s more, at this moment, the expression of that knife-scarred martial artist was very strange.

Because just when those martial artists were fighting, the handsome young master beside him would occasionally comment. Unexpectedly, each time would be extremely accurate. Compared to that Young Master Tianyang, he seemed even better. At first, he thought that this person was an arrogant scoundrel, but now it seemed that not only was this guy not a scoundrel, instead he was…inscrutable? Maybe this person was a young master of some other aristocratic family?

But just as he made this guess, there was an abrupt uproar.

The knife-scarred martial artist raised his eyes and saw that Young Master Tianyang who was originally on the high platform had suddenly jumped down. Moreover, the direction he was going towards was right this way?

In a short time, Gongyi Tianyang had already gotten close. He opened his mouth, almost like he didn’t dare believe. His tone was astonished: “Big, big brother? Why are you…”

Then, that handsome young master smiled: “Yang’er, long time no see. You’ve grown.”

To the side, the knife-scarred martial artist only felt like he’d been struck by a thunderbolt. Following that, his heart was filled with regret.

Who was the elder brother of Gongyi Tianyang? Furthermore, the elder brother had just returned? Apart from that Young Master Gongyi Tianheng who’d already become a legend, who else could there be!?

Such a person standing next to him clearly should’ve been his chance. As a result, not only didn’t he have a proper chat to give the guy a good impression, the only thing he said was a reprimand! This practically turned his intestines black with regret! If that person commented on the contestants, and commented on his younger brother, who dared to say he couldn’t!?

The knife-scarred martial artist felt like there was nothing left to live for.

Yet…

There was nothing to do for despondency. He was only a small role, so his current notions didn’t reach the ears of those reunited brothers.

Off to the side, Gongyi Tianyang’s thoughts were filled with his elder brother. Once he heard his elder brother say long time no see, he snapped out of it. The elder brother he was looking at definitely wasn’t a hallucination!

— As it turned out, he was able to see far away while standing on the tall platform. At first, he didn’t take note of others, but when he completed the matters that needed doing, he glimpsed something out of the corner of his eye. Then, he saw that person in the crowd who was like a crane amongst a flock of chickens.

That’s right, his elder brother was truly too eye-catching. Even if no one noticed him while in a crowd, so long as one looked in that direction, the first one found would always be him!

Gongyi Tianyang was unsure, so he naturally went over to look. With one glance, he discovered that he really was…real.

However, his elder brother clearly should’ve been at the Qingyun Sect practicing martial arts, so why had he suddenly appeared in Cangyun City? Moreover, he didn’t even give them a heads up?

He was a little worried that something bad had happened to his elder brother, but after looking at that leisurely expression of his elder brother, which hadn’t changed a bit, he found that he might’ve been overthinking it — Even if he wasn’t overthinking things, his elder brother was certainly able to resolve the problem.

At the same time, Gongyi Tianyang felt that he still had much to learn.

Then, Tianyang saw that there was an additional person beside his elder brother.

Fair skin and petite body, but he looked quick-witted and had a tranquil air about him. Wasn’t this the pharmacist who followed his elder brother to the Qingyun Sect?

After thinking of this person, Gongyi Tianyang promptly called out: “Brother Ah Zuo.”

Gu Zuo nodded: “Young Master Tianyang.”

Tianheng glanced at him warmly: “It’s okay to call him Tianyang.”

With Gongyi Tianyang’s recent experience, he wasn’t so stubborn and bashful like before. After discovering that his elder brother treated Gu Zuo importantly, he was very straightforward: “Brother Ah Zuo, just call me Tianyang!”

The Gongyi Clan’s bearing to Gu Zuo had always made him feel embarrassed.

Gu Zuo thought about it, and nodded: “Tianyang.”

After he finished speaking, he fumbled around his sleeves and took out several bottles of medicinal pills. He handed everything over to Tianyang.

Gongyi Tianyang took it all, but didn’t open them. Rather, he properly received them. Of course, he also didn’t know that the contents within were Meridian Replenishing Pills, Bone Replenishing Pills, Revitalization Pills, as well as Anti-Aging Pills. All of them were top grade, and there were at least ten pills of every type.

With these pills, if Gongyi Tianyang used them well, they could save several lives and were worth heaps of gold.

Tianheng didn’t give Tianyang any reminders. He’d wait until after Tianyang’s scope widened. He’d naturally discover that the stuff inside was different.

After receiving the pills, Gongyi Tianyang said: “Many thanks, Brother Ah Zuo.” Then he looked to Tianheng again, “Big brother, will you return home with me?”

Tianheng smiled and said: “Naturally.”

Gongyi Tianyang was happy from the bottom of his heart. He was going to lead his elder brother back home, but as he turned around, he found that the act of him chatting with his elder brother here had been witnessed by many people. He composed himself, and curbed his lapse in etiquette just now. He turned to the few people behind him and said: “You guys bring back the people who were accepted and inform the Clan Head.”

The other children of the Gongyi Clan were those who followed Gongyi Tianyang and handled his matters. After seeing Tianheng, they were very shocked, but in any case, they were very experienced. As a result, they didn’t rashly speak nor disturb the interactions between the brothers. Once the two brothers finished chatting, they paid their respects and received Gongyi Tianyang’s orders.

Yet, Tianheng said: “I still have some things I’ve placed outside of the city. Tianyang, just send one person back to make the announcement. The others will follow me to go fetch them.”

Gongyi Tianyang didn’t object in the least and changed his wording: “Then, Tianyin will go back to notify them. Tianhe, you and the others will follow me and big brother!”

Soon after, everyone was assigned appropriately. Gongyi Tianyin promptly departed, while Gongyi Tianyang and several others closely followed behind Tianheng and walked out of the venue of the martial arts assembly.

Once their figures disappeared, those people who’d yet to leave all made countless exclamations and discussions:

“So it turns out that Young Master Tianheng has returned!”

“I heard that the imperial capital’s Ninth Prince, Young Master Tianheng, as well as Young Master Zhanghao were all chosen by Immortal Realm martial artists and taken to practice martial arts. Additionally, several large aristocratic families were not to be outdone and also picked some candidates to go get experience… Why has Young Master Tianheng suddenly come back?”

“There’s something strange going on! Maybe Young Master Tianheng had finished learning and came back to visit his family?”

“It hasn’t been half a year! Even if it was Young Master Tianheng, he couldn’t have been so fast…”

“First, don’t say that. Ever since several of the great young masters left, this imperial capital of ours has been very peaceful. Who knows when a new batch of young masters will reveal outstanding talent?”

“Who can say, who can say…”

On the other side of things, Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo rushed ahead, leading the handful of Gongyi Clan members. They arrived at the desolate outskirts of the city, between some mountains.

Within there was a huge cavern, and the sounds of heavy breathing echoed from inside.

Gongyi Tianyang was puzzled: “Big brother, this is?”

Tianheng smiled faintly: “You all go in. You’ll know when you see it.”

Gongyi Tianyang was somewhat bewildered, but still did what he was told and went in.

After Gongyi Tianhe and the others exchanged glances, although they eerily sensed feelings of intense suppression, they also clenched their teeth and followed.

None of them discovered that Gongyi Tianheng didn’t go inside.

As for the small, transparent piece of plywood Gu Zuo who would obey with the drop of a few words, his face showed an expression stuck between laughter and tears.

Wasn’t this big brother of his taking delight in evil a little too much?!

No matter what was said to make his second younger brother to directly enter the cavern, he wanted to give them a great scare…

Just as he thought this, one could hear heavy and rough panting, as well as a rising crescendo of alarmed cries from within that cavern.

“C-c-cousin!”

“This, this is—”

“Ah, wild beasts! Ah, Armor-Plated Rhinos!”

Gu Zuo covered his face while thinking about the somewhat tragic sight.

This was a group of pitiful, unlucky cousins…

However, it seemed that Tianheng’s little brother was a bit more resilient in this respect?

Following that, the cavern echoed with the sounds of tapping footsteps. It looked like several people were being chased by something behind them as they ran out with flying speeds. They cut sorry figures as they gasped for large breaths.

Gongyi Tianyang, who was the fastest, had just recovered from his shock. At this moment, he opened his mouth while forcing himself to remain calm: “Big brother, what’s going on with that herd of Armor-Plated Rhinos inside?”

Gongyi Tianhe and the others were having a lively discussion where everyone was talking all at once:

“They’re all grade four wild beasts or stronger…”

“The suppressive force of that leader made it hard for me to breathe. What grade was it?”

“What were they doing in that cavern? Fortunately, they didn’t attack.”

“Cousin, are we going to take advantage of their lack of response and get out of here?”

Gongyi Tianyang took a deep breath: “Silence!”

Sure enough, those Gongyi Clan children all shut their mouths.

Gongyi Tianyang pulled a long face: “You guys, don’t you see that none of those wild rhinos attacked? Big brother wouldn’t deceive us. There’s certainly a reason for making us enter the cavern.”

Gu Zuo silently roasted: Ah, yes. There’s a reason. He wanted to play a prank and scare you guys.

Meanwhile, Gongyi Tianheng smiled with gratification: “Sure enough, Tianyang has made progress.”

After he said this, he whistled.

In a split second, the earth shook. From within that cave entrance, a wild beast with an extremely large build appeared as its hooves continuously struck the ground. Its eyes, which were the size of copper bells, swept its surroundings and fell upon Gongyi Tianheng. However, it docilely lowered its head.

The members of the Gongyi Clan all widened their eyes.

Gongyi Tianyang said with astonishment: “Big brother, it has already been subdued by you?”

Tianheng had a smile on his face as he nodded.

Gongyi Tianyang: “!”

The other Gongyi Clan children: “!!!”

Suddenly, they felt that the elder brother who returned was enshrouded with a fantastic halo — If it was said that they once revered him, then now they felt that there was even more mystery beyond their reverence.

Gongyi Tianyang’s eyes shined: “Big brother, are you already a Xiantian martial artist?”

Once more, Tianheng nodded with a smile.

In the blink of an eye, a joyous mood spread among the numerous children of the Gongyi Clan.

A Xiantian martial artist! After leaving for just half a year, he was a promoted Xiantian martial artist!

This really was — Too inconceivable!

Seeing them with these looks, Gongyi Tianheng’s tone was still unhurried: “Right now, Ah Zuo has also already become a Xiantian Realm pharmacist.”

This time, the lines of sight of the Gongyi Clan children all uniformly fell upon Gu Zuo.

Gu Zuo thought about retreating.

These gazes were a little too dazzling! But he quickly realized that this was about his big brother improving his own position in front of his household. Then, he quickly nodded: “My luck was good.”

Gongyi Tianyang slowly exhaled: “Congratulations, big brother. Congratulations, Brother Ah Zuo.”

The rest of them also came over to offer their congratulations.

Immediately following that, under the roar of that wild rhino that had been tamed by Tianheng, numerous shadows continuously popped out of the cavern. One beast after another appeared before them…

Outside of the Gongyi Mansion, ten reclusive Gongyi Clan members, who usually stayed in the Inner Courtyard all year round, were all crowding around the gateway.

At the forefront was an extraordinarily charming and beautiful woman, whose eyes were slightly red. Her hands firmly clasped the hands of the husband beside her. She softly asked: “Dearest Husband, didn’t Tianyin say that Heng’er has already returned? Why hasn’t he come home?”

The anticipation in Gongyi Yan’s heart wasn’t any less than that of his wife and children. At this moment, he forced himself to calm down and said soothingly: “Didn’t Tianyin say that Tianheng went out of the city to handle something? He’ll return quickly. Also, you mustn’t get flustered. If not, I’m afraid that when Tianheng returns, he’ll have to blame this husband for not looking after you.”

Gongyi Zhuoyue twirled his beard. There was also some anxiety in his eyes.

Suddenly, he looked far into the distance and strained his ears to listen.

Over there…

T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.

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