Chapter 187

Chapter 187: Gained Another Elder Brother

Not far away stood two figures, one tall and one short. The tall one exceeded two meters in height, his muscles taut throughout his body, his rugged face expressionless, but his eyes remained tightly shut. His long hair was tied into a braid, its tip fastened with a string of bells. The short one appeared slender and delicate-featured, a light smile on his face—a smile that instantly gave off an extraordinarily warm feeling.

These two stood together side by side—a pair of total opposites, both in physique and aura—yet there was no trace of strangeness to be found. Instead, a peculiar yet profound sense of harmony surrounded them.

The sight filled Leng Cangqiong and Beichen Ming with shock. These two strangers had managed to approach their very presence undetected! Had they not spoken, none among them would have noticed. For peerless experts like themselves, this was both terrifying and baffling!

Yet Lou Yun’s words soon revealed that he knew these two.

Naturally, Lou Yun recognized them—in fact, his bond with these two was far from ordinary. They were none other than Tie Sha and Wen Hou!

Long ago, while journeying to the Great Snowfield to pick the Qi Cai Xue Lian for Wan Huier, Lou Yun had encountered the notorious Left Ear Demon Wuchou in a forest. Then, the Silver Thread Sect—the mightiest force in the northern continent—descended upon them in the midst of chaos.

The Silver Thread Sect sought to kill Wuchou for the Thirteen Demon Banners he carried. Facing certain death, Wuchou gifted the banners to Lou Yun before he was slain.

Lou Yun too faced doom, but in the direst moment, Tie Sha and Wen Hou appeared, snatched him to safety, and spirited him away.

Ultimately, Tie Sha and Wen Hou took Lou Yun to meet Zhuge Mou, who invited Lou Yun to join Tianjiao—a secretive organization of Zhuge Mou’s founding.

Tianjiao held few members, yet each concealed immense power within their bodies.

For Lou Yun, that power was Chang Xiang. For the other six members, however, the source of this power remained a mystery—even they lacked full mastery over it. This very enigma stood as one of Tianjiao’s core purposes.

Following his farewell to Zhuge Mou and the others, Lou Yun became entangled in a whirlwind of events, leaving no time to ponder Tianjiao. But now, in Yao Lin Valley—the site Beichen Ming had selected for the forging conference—Lou Yun chanced upon Tie Sha and Wen Hou once more!

Regardless, Lou Yun felt genuine goodwill toward these two; Tie Sha’s strength inspired particular admiration. Thus, at this sight, Lou Yun’s joy welled up from deep within.

"How did you end up here?" Lou Yun stepped forward, thrilled.

Tie Sha, ever reticent, left the reply to Wen Hou. Wen Hou, with that same light smile, said, "Our leader sent us. He said you might face danger and we should come see if there’s anything we could assist with."

During their first encounter too, Tie Sha and Wen Hou had cited Tianjiao’s leader Zhuge Mou as their source of Lou Yun’s whereabouts. Later, Lou Yun spoke personally with Zhuge Mou, who gave him a black bracelet—enabling the leader to track the wearer’s location through it.

Hence, Lou Yun was unsurprised now. Nodding, he continued, "Listening to you earlier, it seems you already know where I’m headed?"

Wen Hou shook his head lightly. "No. When we arrived, we merely overheard a conversation between this elder brother here and this grandfather over there." He gestured toward Leng Cangqiong and Liu Feifan respectively before adding smoothly, "Since we’re here to aid you, wherever you go, we shall follow."

The terms "elder brother" and "grandfather" left Leng Cangqiong and Liu Feifan utterly speechless. By true age, Leng Cangqiong vastly preceded Liu Feifan—though their appearances suggested the reverse.

Beichen Ming couldn’t resist interjecting now: "Lou Yun, won’t you introduce us to these two young heroes?"

Lou Yun tapped his head, grinning. "Ah, my apologies! Overwhelmed with joy, I overlooked it. Come, let me make introductions!"

His introduction was unembellished: names only were exchanged, without revealing stations. Yet astonishment rippled through the others as Tie Sha and Wen Hou showed not the slightest reaction to the names Leng Cangqiong, Beichen Ming, or Liu Feifan.

Regardless of Liu Feifan’s secondary standing as Sect Leader of Gu Feng Nation’s premier sect, the other two were transcendent powers whose mere step could make Spirit Weapon Star shudder! Most people would react strongly upon hearing these names, yet Tie Sha and Wen Hou gave no sign whatsoever of recognition—baffling everyone.

Now having been introduced, an idea bloomed in Lou Yun’s mind. He turned to Leng Cangqiong. "Elder Brother, for the trip to Biko Island, only myself and these two companions need go. I must trouble you once more to watch over my Lou Family and spare me worries."

Leng Cangqiong didn’t answer at once. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Beichen Ming, who stared back in bewilderment—Surely he doesn’t intend me to guard Lou Family?

Moments later, Leng Cangqiong addressed Beichen Ming directly: "Beichen Ming, will you accept my proposal? If yes, the three of us become brothers henceforth. If not, face me in battle. Best me, and you may adopt my brother as foster son."

This backed Beichen Ming firmly into a corner. Fear wasn’t the cause—Leng Cangqiong’s point struck true. Though Beichen Ming yearned to claim Lou Yun as foster son, even Leng Cangqiong himself had settled for a brotherhood bond. Insisting on paternal ties would warp relationships irreparably hereafter.

After lengthy, agonized deliberation, Beichen Ming stamped his foot fiercely and heaved a long sigh. "Enough! Brothers it shall be. Lou Yun, having another elder brother—do you object?"

Becoming sworn brother outweighed foster son by leagues! Without hesitation, Lou Yun nodded vigorously. "Of course I’m willing! Bonding with you as brother lifts my standing undeservedly high!"

Leng Cangqiong let out a cold huff instantly. Lou Yun grasped the implication—he must abandon thoughts of being a nobody. He was Leng Cangqiong’s sworn brother; there could be no talk of "overreaching" in any alliance he formed.

Beichen Ming smiled, shaking his head as he regarded Leng Cangqiong ruefully. "Are you fully satisfied now?"

Leng Cangqiong kept his tone neutral. "Truthfully, you are the one to gain full satisfaction. Consider this: Lou Yun bears the Lou surname, is rooted in the Lou Family. Even as your foster son, he’d never become heir to the Beichen lineage or carry your legacy forth. But as your sworn brother? He bears obligation to aid you in finding the perfect heir. I know he will seek such a candidate. And whether it be him or you, this heir to the Beichen clan shall want for nothing in care and tutelage."

Lou Yun leaped to add support: "Indeed! I pledge to find someone far better suited than I to inherit your legacy!"

For Leng Cangqiong—a man of few words—to deliver this lengthy speech was remarkable. Naturally, the reason was clear: beneath that stern exterior, he discerned Beichen Ming’s genuine affection for Lou Yun. Through Lou Yun’s sake alone did he offer this counsel—counsel steeped in logic Beichen Ming could grasp. That logic soon bloomed undeniable within Beichen Ming’s mind.

His obsession with Lou Yun had sprung from weary years finding no suitable heir. Should Lou Yun indeed unearth such talent one day, that heir would inherit both Beichen Ming’s weapon-forging lineage AND enjoy Lou Yun’s guidance! Thus would they combine the legacies of two houses—an undoubted boon for Beichen Ming!

As this resolution settled, Beichen Ming’s bitterness melted into self-consciousness. Rubbing his hands, he conceded, "My thoughts lacked depth indeed. Nonetheless, Lou Yun—my vow stands: from this hour forward, I entrust all foundations to you. You hold sovereign authority over subsequent arrangements!"

Lou Yun opened his mouth in refusal, but Leng Cangqiong deftly intercepted: "Enough. These affairs may be settled later. First, swear brotherhood—urgent matters beyond this demand our counsel."

Thus, under Leng Cangqiong’s direction and witnessed by all present, Beichen Ming and Lou Yun formally became blood brothers. So Lou Yun gained yet another elder brother. Though Leng Cangqiong didn’t participate in the oath this time, Beichen Ming—like Lou Yun henceforth—would render him the title of "Elder Brother."

Now bound by oath, Lou Yun broached his unvarnished wish: to relocate the entire Lou Family to Yulu Mountain Manor. Beichen Ming boomed in laughter: "Third Brother! As I promised moments ago—I bestow my inheritance upon you entirely. Dispose of it as you see fit!"

After lengthy deliberation amongst the three, they decided: Beichen Ming would dispatch escorts, and Leng Cangqiong himself would personally oversee the journey, moving the Lou Family wholesale to Yulu Mountain Manor.

One huge weight slid from Lou Yun’s heart—the crisis over his family resolved! Yet now another burden rose: during his family’s removal, escorted by Tie Sha and Wen Hou, Lou Yun himself must voyage to the distant sea isle of Biko Island and face those who’d delivered the Black Invitation of the Nine Families!

That lone lock of hair—whose head had it come from? More chilling yet: which of his female friends did the Nine Families target? Uncertainty wrenched Lou Yun’s heart.