Chapter 9: Warmth

Ji Yichuan looked at his son, hesitated for a moment, then said, “I can only tell you this: he is a disciple of the Snow Dragon Mountain, and his grandfather is even the peak master of one of the peaks of Snow Dragon Mountain, a being at the Primordial Daoist level.”

Ji Ning’s expression changed.

“Primordial Daoist?”

“He himself is merely a Zifu Disciple, nothing to fear,” Ji Yichuan shook his head. “But the Primordial Daoist behind him… we truly cannot afford to provoke him! If we fight, the entire Ji clan will be wiped out. That’s why your mother and I never spoke of it, never mentioned a word in front of you. After your mother and I secretly returned to the Ji clan back then, we kept a low profile. However, the other side probably never even bothered to pay us any heed.”

Ji Yichuan looked at his son: “You’re grown up now, and your talent is exceptional. According to what that Daoist Mu said, you might even join the Yinglong Guard in the future. That’s why I’m telling you all this now. Otherwise… I planned to never tell you.”

“What is his name?” Ji Ning pressed.

“I will tell you when you become a Wanxiang Adept,” Ji Yichuan said. “If I die, Uncle Bai will tell you. Back then, Uncle Bai risked his life carrying your mother to safety; he also saved your life. He knows very well what happened back then.”

Ji Ning asked urgently, “You can’t tell me now?”

“What use would it be to tell you?” Ji Yichuan barked. “Would you seek revenge? That would be suicide! Be patient first, endure for a few years, and you will become calmer.”

“Remember!”

Ji Yichuan stared at Ji Ning. “Don’t let hatred blind you. On this endless earth, is there a single day without slaughter or hatred? You are destined to leave Mount Yan. Out there, on the broader lands, those great sects, great tribes, and powerful cults—none of them are easy to deal with. Snow Dragon Mountain is merely a whetstone on your path of immortality!”

Ji Ning nodded gently.

“The hopes of both the Ji clan and the Yuchi clan rest on you, understand?” Ji Yichuan said. “What your mother and I most hope for is that you will make a name for yourself on this endless earth, and make forces like Snow Dragon Mountain bow their heads in submission before you!”

“Yes.” Ji Ning nodded solemnly.

“Make your mother and me proud!” Ji Yichuan looked at his son. “My son!”

…

The autumn wind blew, and withered leaves fell.

Yuchi Xue was sitting on a long bench in front of the house. The bench was covered with animal fur, warm and soft. Yuchi Xue also had a layer of fur over her, and her face was growing paler. Holding her son’s hand beside her, she turned to Ji Yichuan standing nearby and said, “Yichuan, bring out those fur clothes.”

“Alright.” Ji Yichuan quickly went into the house and soon came out carrying a pile of fur clothes.

“These are?” Ji Ning looked at the fur clothes.

Ji Yichuan said, “Your mother has been sewing these fur clothes in her spare time these past days. Every stitch was done by your mother.” Yuchi Xue, sitting there, said softly, “It’s much slower now. It took three months to make these twelve sets. They fit your current height and size. Your mother won’t be able to accompany you in the future, so let these clothes keep you company.”

Ji Ning’s eyes stung, and tears could not be held back.

“Don’t cry.” Yuchi Xue gently stroked her son’s face. “I know. I’m almost done. I can’t hold on much longer.”

“Mother!” Ji Ning’s voice trembled.

“Your mother has experienced a lot in this life,” Yuchi Xue said slowly. “As a child, I was glorious in a great tribe; as a youth, I fled with my father; then I met your father and roamed and adventured with him; afterward, I spent ten peaceful years in the Ji clan… In this life, I had a father who loved me, sisters and brothers who loved me, a man who loved me, and you—my most beloved son. I am truly content.”

Tears streamed down Ji Ning’s face uncontrollably. He could only keep holding his mother’s hand. Her hand was no longer smooth; it had become rough, like a lifeless withered leaf.

Yuchi Xue said slowly, “You carry the blood of the Ji clan and also the blood of my Yuchi clan. Having you as my son is my greatest pride.”

“Mother…” Ji Ning looked at his mother.

“Ning’er, will you live at Serpentwing Lake in the future?” Yuchi Xue looked at her son.

Ji Ning nodded.

As a cultivator, one always needs a place to settle. West Prefecture City was too bustling with many eyes and ears, while Serpentwing Lake was much more secluded. Moreover, there was the Water Mansion at Serpentwing Lake… he would indeed often live there in the future.

“After I die,” Yuchi Xue looked at Ji Yichuan beside her, “cremate me and scatter my ashes in Serpentwing Lake. Yichuan, you won’t be jealous, will you?”

Ji Yichuan's eyes grew moist. He forced a smile and said, "A little jealous, but after I die, my ashes will also be scattered on Wing Serpent Lake. Then we'll be together, won't we?"

Yuchi Xue smiled.

Ji Yichuan gently embraced his wife.

"Ning'er." Yuchi Xue's voice grew weaker. She smiled and said, "I want to see our Yuchi clan's Windwing Evasion. Show it to me."

"Yes, Mother." Ji Ning rose.

A pair of Dharma treasure wings materialized behind him. Suppressing the grief in his heart, he began to execute the Windwing Evasion. Ji Ning was like a roc, streaking across the sky in an instant, landing on a distant rooftop in the courtyard. Then, with another flash, he flew to another spot, his wings vibrating, his figure dreamlike and illusory.

Ji Ning exerted every ounce of his strength to perform the Windwing Evasion, for this was his mother's final request.

"Wind!"

"Wind!"

As Ji Ning moved, the wind brushing against him felt like his mother's hand caressing his face—a touch of reluctant longing.

Gradually...

Ji Ning's movements grew more and more profound, until he seemed like a true roc—swifter, freer, more ethereal. It was a roc, a roc soaring above the nine heavens. Unconsciously, Ji Ning infused the essence of wind, which he had comprehended in a single night of enlightenment, into the Windwing Evasion, mingled with a thread of deep longing, as if a bird yearned for and cherished the wind.

"A roc." Yuchi Xue's eyes lit up, and she murmured, "A roc..."

She seemed to see her brother.

That towering man, the one who had protected and cherished her since childhood—when he performed the Windwing Evasion, how similar it was to Ji Ning's execution!

"Brother." Yuchi Xue felt as if she had returned to the past.

It was a large courtyard. Her brother was practicing the Windwing Evasion, and as a young girl, she ran and called out, "Brother! Brother!"

"Little sister." The mountain-like man turned to look at her.

"Sister, Father." She saw two other figures: a refined, long-bearded middle-aged man and a cold, proud young woman—her father and her sister.

"Brother, Sister, Father... I'm coming."

The little girl ran over, to the side of her brother, her sister, and her father. Reunited. Finally reunited.

...

Yuchi Xue lay in Ji Yichuan's arms, her eyes closed.

A serene smile lingered on her face.

"Ah, ah, ah..." Ji Yichuan opened his mouth to speak but could not utter a word. He held his wife tightly, tilting his head back, yet tears still streamed down.

In the distance, Ji Ning stopped. Trembling, he walked over step by step, knelt beside his mother.

"Mother!" Ji Ning let out a low, wailing cry.

...

The sound reached beyond the courtyard. The servants outside, hearing the grief, pain, and sorrow in their young master Ji Ning's cries, understood that their mistress had passed away. They, too, could not help but bow their heads and weep. They could not forget that kind mistress.

...

Ji Ning left West Prefecture City and took up residence on the islet in the middle of Wing Serpent Lake.

Following his mother's last wish, he personally scattered her ashes into the waters of Wing Serpent Lake. From that day on, Ji Ning developed a new habit: he liked to lie in a small boat, letting it drift freely across the surface of Wing Serpent Lake.

It was as if...

he were lying in his mother's arms, so warm.