Chapter 65: Brothers Reunited

Gu Chuan panted. “Brat, you’re really trying to kill me. These old bones of mine are about to be shaken apart by you.”

I gave a bitter smile. “Do you think I feel any better? But at least we’re safe now. A gentleman can wait ten years to take revenge. We can always make a comeback later.” Thinking about how the two of us—commanders of the demon and beast races—had been forced into this state, I couldn’t help finding it absurd.

Gu Chuan sighed. “Maybe you still can. I have no hope left. You should know our demon race rarely lives past a hundred. At my age, it’s extremely difficult to break through again in the Heavenly Demon Art. Maybe if I could reach the eighth layer, I’d still have a chance to fight Li Feng and the others.”

I asked, puzzled, “There’s something I’ve never been able to figure out. Why does the copy of the Heavenly Demon Art my grandmother gave me not include the ninth layer’s cultivation method? Is it only in the demon race’s original?”

Gu Chuan shook his head. “No. Our original only goes up to the eighth layer as well. The further you go, the harder it becomes. As far as I know, only one of our ancestors, a once-in-a-millennia genius, barely managed to cultivate to the eighth layer. The ninth layer’s method likely isn’t something our world can possess. Even if it exists, it’s unlikely anyone could cultivate it. You’re still young—work hard. Maybe one day you can reach the eighth layer.”

So the demon race didn’t have the ninth layer either. It seemed six-winged Fallen Angels really were something only the underworld’s great demon god Lucifer could achieve.

By dawn, we’d recovered a bit of strength. We stood up from the grass, looked at the shredded strips that used to be our clothes, and burst into laughter.

As Gu Chuan used magic to heal his wounds, he said, “Kid, if you were demon race, that would be perfect. Talent like yours is rare. With you assisting him, the Beast Emperor is truly fortunate. Alright, let’s go.” Under his pure dark power, those minor abrasions had basically healed.

For safety, Gu Chuan and I walked all the way back to the small city. We each changed into a fresh set of clothes and found a restaurant, where we ate until we were stuffed. With food and sweet water in our bellies, our spirits immediately improved.

Looking at the table covered in empty bowls and plates, Gu Chuan chuckled. “I haven’t eaten like this in decades.”

Now that he’d seen Dragon God’s power, Gu Chuan no longer held any hostility toward the beast race. Our relationship drew a step closer.

“Uncle Gu Chuan,” I said, “your mental state is not good. Ever since you met those three Dragon Knight generals, you’ve been depressed. That’s extremely harmful to future cultivation. If you keep this up, your cultivation will drop sharply.”

Gu Chuan paused. “I know that. But do you think I can still pull myself together? I’m already over sixty—heading toward seventy. There’s no opportunity left for me. Maybe this is my last time coming to Dragon God. The future belongs to you young people.”

He looked at me and continued, “To be honest, aside from the Demon Emperor, you’re the only person I’ve ever admired. At your age, achieving this much is already impressive. Since you call me uncle, I’ll give you advice: don’t go back to Baiyan Mountain. There’s no chance at all.”

I shook my head with a smile. “I’m still going. It’s a challenge to myself. If I succeed, it will push my cultivation forward in an incomparable way. No matter what, I have to gamble once. You said it yourself—I’m young. That’s my greatest advantage. I’ll be careful. That day, Li Feng and the others didn’t even notice me.”

Gu Chuan sighed helplessly. “You have stubborn faith and a drive to advance. Those are the basic qualities of a strong man. Since you’ve decided, then all I can do is wish you success.”

“Thank you, Uncle Gu Chuan. If I don’t die, I’ll definitely go to the demon race to find you. There are things I must do.”

Gu Chuan froze. “What things?” After all, I’d once led troops to attack the demon race. A trace of doubt still remained in his heart.

I gave a bitter smile. “Not the time. When I reach the demon race, you’ll understand. Don’t worry—I won’t do anything that harms your demon race.”

Gu Chuan nodded. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” He started to get up.

Just then, a large crowd of townspeople rushed in from outside. Their faces were panicked and frightened. Had something happened again?

They all hurried to find seats. Only after sitting did they seem to calm down a little. Gu Chuan gave me a look. I stood and went over to a commoner.

“What happened? Why are you all so flustered?”

The man kept his head down and sighed. “A monster… a monster showed up in the city.” As he spoke, he slowly lifted his head. The moment he saw me, he screamed and toppled backward with his chair. He didn’t seem to feel pain at all—he just scrambled away on the floor, pointing at me and shaking.

“Y-you’re the one who was with that monster!”

I froze. “What monster? I’ve been eating here the whole time. Are you mistaking me for someone else?”

The man insisted, “It’s you! It’s you! It was you with that monster, fighting the city’s soldiers!”

The crowd that had just come in clustered together, staring at me in terror. More than one person claimed I’d been with some monster, smashing buildings and fighting guards.

Gu Chuan and I exchanged a startled look. I forced my voice to stay gentle.

“I really am not the person you’re talking about. Maybe I just look like him. Can you tell me what happened, exactly?”

Seeing that I didn’t seem threatening, one bolder commoner asked, “You really weren’t the one with the monster?”

I nodded firmly.

He stood up and examined me, then turned to his companions. “He really doesn’t seem to be. He looks very similar, but he doesn’t seem as arrogant and overbearing as that guy.”

I pressed, “What happened? Where did this monster come from?”

The man said, “This is what happened. Near the east city gate, a human who looks like you showed up with a monster. The monster had been wearing a cloak over its face. They were drinking in a restaurant and had a lot of wine. The monster’s cloak accidentally fell off— I was there. It was terrifying. That monster had two heads, both wolf heads. One was gold, the other silver.”

“As soon as everyone realized it was a monster, people ran. The human who looked like you and the monster chased out and clashed with the patrol guards. We were afraid of getting hurt, so we don’t know what happened after that. They might still be tangled up over there.”

My face changed. “What? A two-headed wolf?”

Gu Chuan glanced at me and sent a voice transmission. “Your companion?”

I shook my head. “I came to Dragon God alone, but from their description, that ‘monster’ really might be my friend. I need to get there immediately.”

Gu Chuan nodded. “The same two-headed wolf who fought alongside you against me before. I’m going with you.”

We rushed out of the restaurant. I pulled out my hat and put it on. Gu Chuan looked at my Mustard-Seed Bag and was startled, but he didn’t ask.

Before we even reached the east city gate, we saw that direction packed with people—townsfolk, mercenaries, warriors, mages. Waves of commotion kept erupting.

I signaled Gu Chuan, then touched down with one foot and floated up onto a rooftop. Gu Chuan followed. We leapt across several roofs, and finally saw the source of the chaos.

A ring of the city’s soldiers surrounded the center. Gold and Silver stood out like a beacon—I spotted them immediately. Beside them really was a human who looked exactly like me. He and Gold and Silver were swaying as they fought several mercenaries.

A nearby inn’s main doors were smashed, and sections of wall had collapsed. Soldiers lay on the ground in the circle—clearly knocked down by them.

The crowd was shouting, full of hostility toward Gold and Silver. Humans really were unfriendly toward non-human races.

How did Gold and Silver get to Dragon God? I had told Mother to stop them and Pan Zong from coming to find me. If they were here, then Pan Zong should be here too—but I didn’t see him.

If Gold and Silver were the playful type who caused trouble, Pan Zong was normally more steady. With him present, this wouldn’t have turned into such a mess.

Then who was that human copy of me beside them?

With those questions in my mind, I quietly jumped down and slipped into the innermost edge of the crowd.

The mercenaries fighting them weren’t weak. Each radiated strong battle qi, and different-colored qi flickered along their weapons as they struck again and again at Gold and Silver.

Gold and Silver’s eyes were hazy—they couldn’t even use half their strength. But their battle qi was still powerful, gold and silver light guarding their bodies, and they occasionally counterattacked, keeping the mercenaries from closing in for a decisive blow.

Meanwhile, the “human me” wobbled, looking around and laughing arrogantly from time to time.

That laugh sounded so familiar.

I said to Gu Chuan, “Uncle Gu Chuan, go back to the restaurant and wait for me. I’ll get the two of them out first. If this gets bigger, it’ll be extremely bad.”

Gu Chuan nodded and left.

Watching Gold and Silver, I could only give a bitter smile. Second Brother, Second Sister— you really know how to cause trouble.

I shouted, “All of you, move aside—watch me!”

I leapt into the air and plunged straight at Gold and Silver.

Because I released strong golden battle qi, the mercenaries immediately retreated. I threw a punch at Gold and Silver and transmitted to Gold:

“Second Brother, it’s me. Lei Xiang. Why did you come to Dragon God?”

Gold’s dazed eyes cleared slightly. “O-ol… Fourth… finally… found… you… Why are these people surrounding me… Heh…”

He’d clearly drunk a lot. I hadn’t used much strength—his protective qi dissolved my punch.

With my arrival, Gold and Silver stopped resisting. I grabbed Gold’s arm with one hand and reached with my other toward the human who looked like me.

That person seemed even more drunk. “Wha… what…”

He opened his mouth and sprayed a mouthful of purple gas at me.

I was shocked. This was Pan Zong?

How had he disguised himself like this?

I didn’t have time to worry about exposing things. I swept a hand, thick black fog bursting out and wrapping the poisonous gas completely—without a single wisp escaping.

I’d learned this move from Gu Chuan. It worked extremely well. If that poison had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leaked out, who knew how many would have died.

I transmitted, “Big Brother, it’s me. Fourth Brother. Don’t resist. I’m taking you out.”

Pan Zong stared at me with drunken eyes, then stopped attacking. I grabbed his body and shouted loudly:

“What demon dares cause trouble in Dragon God? Watch me capture you!”

Then I muttered, “Mustard-seed takes in Mount Sumeru—receive.”

To hide the truth, I had to gamble.

The Mustard-Seed Bag floated out. Because Pan Zong and Gold and Silver offered no resistance, they were immediately sucked inside.

There was no air in the bag, but with their cultivation, they could hold out for a while.

Since I had “captured” the city’s strange creature so quickly, the crowd erupted in shock, then thunderous applause.

I pulled the bag back and didn’t hesitate. “The demons have been subdued. Everyone disperse!”

Before the soldiers could question me, I sprang upward. In a few bounds, I vanished among the rooftops.

In a deserted corner, I stopped.

“Mustard-seed becomes Mount Sumeru—appear.”

Pan Zong and Gold and Silver were released from the bag. Stuffing them inside had drained me badly. I was already not in great shape, and now I was panting hard.

Gold and Silver and Pan Zong all shouted at once, “We almost suffocated!”

These two drunkards… honestly…

I waved my hand. A huge water sphere formed overhead and slammed down on them.

Splash—

They instantly became soaking wet. Their cultivation was deep, but they still shivered violently—and finally sobered up.

I leaned against the wall, took off my hat, and glared at them.

Gold shook the water off his head. When he saw me clearly, his eyes lit up. “Fourth Brother! Finally found you. Where is this? Why are we here?”

I glared. “I’m asking you. Why did you come here and make such a huge scene?”

Pan Zong was fully awake too. “Fourth Brother, it really is you. I thought I heard your voice earlier, but my head was spinning. Now it’s finally clear—we found you.”

I was half laughing, half exasperated. “Didn’t I leave word at home? I told you not to come looking for me. If I hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what you would’ve caused.”

“And Big Brother—why did you disguise yourself as me? And you shouldn’t have let Second Brother and Second Sister mess around like this.”

Pan Zong scratched his head. “Mess? Did we mess around? I don’t remember. Gold, do you remember?”

Gold and Silver looked at each other and shook their heads. “We drank some really good wine, and then I don’t remember anything. Fourth Brother, what happened?”

I nearly exploded. In foreign territory, they still drank like that—and afterward they didn’t even know what they’d done.

I explained what happened in the street. Gold and Silver and Pan Zong immediately looked awkward.

Silver said, “Wah… we actually drew that many people. That’s embarrassing. Fourth Brother, sorry for causing trouble.”

It was already done. Scolding them was pointless. I sighed.

“Alright. Hurry and come with me. Let’s go back to where I’m staying first.”

“Big Brother, your disguise is impressive—lifelike. Teach me sometime.”

Pan Zong grinned smugly. “You can’t learn it. It’s a natural ability I gained after breaking through to the Ultimate Realm. I can change my body’s appearance at will. Impressive, right?”

I forced a smile. “Then why did you insist on turning into my face?”

Pan Zong chuckled. “Easier to find you. Everywhere we went, we asked if anyone had seen a human who looked like me.”

“And speaking of it—when we first arrived in this city, we met a pretty young girl and a decent-looking man who was with her. That man had some skill. For some reason, the moment he saw me, he looked hostile and started yelling about fighting and killing.”

“But I wanted to avoid trouble, so I dragged Gold and Silver away. Do they know you?”

So they’d run into Ke Lan and Bai Li Xiao. Good thing they hadn’t fought, or it would’ve been even harder to clean up.

“Let’s move,” I said. “Since you can change your appearance, turn into a commoner.”

“Once we’re back at the inn, tell me what’s going on.”

Pan Zong and Gold and Silver had lost their baggage in the chaos. I pulled two sets of clothes from the Mustard-Seed Bag for them to change into, and handed the hat to Gold and Silver.

It looked awkward on them, but it was better than showing two wolf heads.

Pan Zong’s head twisted slightly, and he became an ordinary civilian. That ability really was bizarre.

I led them quickly back to the inn. We moved fast the whole way. Only after the door shut did I finally breathe.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, Second Sister—rest first. I’m going to find a friend. And don’t go out again.”

After warning them, I left the inn. Luckily, not everyone in the city had seen their rampage, and no one recognized me.

I bought another hat at a general store and rushed back to the restaurant where I’d eaten with Gu Chuan.

Gu Chuan sat alone, leisurely sipping tea, not showing the slightest worry. I walked over and sat down.

He looked up and smiled. “Handled?”

I nodded. “They really know how to cause trouble. You should come with me too. If we all stay together, we can watch each other’s backs.”

Gu Chuan said, “I planned to rest a bit first, then immediately return to the demon race. The past few days have exhausted me. Going with you to rest is fine. Let’s go.”

When we returned to the inn, Gold and Silver and Pan Zong were already snoring on my bed. I opened another room for Gu Chuan and let him rest. I stayed in my own room, sitting on the sofa in thought.

I couldn’t just leave those two idiots alone—on Dragon God territory, they could cause trouble at any moment.

Fatigue kept pressing down on my mind. Gradually, I sank into regulating the energies in my body.

As the Mad God battle qi circulated, my strength returned. My external senses woke again.

Gold and Silver and Pan Zong had woken up. They were talking.

Pan Zong said, “It’s all your fault. You two insisted on drinking. Now look at the mess.”

Silver snorted. “You drank plenty too—more than us. You insisted on competing, and that’s how it turned out. And you’re blaming us?”

Pan Zong muttered, “That wine was just too good. It was the first time I ever got drunk.”

I opened my eyes slowly. “From now on, you’re not allowed to drink in Dragon God.”

Daylight filled the room—it was probably the next morning.

Pan Zong said, “Fourth Brother, you’re awake? Sorry you had to sleep on the sofa.”

I smiled. “It’s fine. How are you? Sober?”

Gold said awkwardly, “Sober, but hungry.”

They were clearly guilty now. Even their tone had softened.

I stood, stretched, and felt much better. I opened the door and had the server bring food. As we ate, I asked why they had come.

They explained that after leaving the Rui Prince’s Manor, they followed Mother’s advice and went to the imperial palace to demand a Dragon God map from the Beast Emperor.

The Beast Emperor didn’t want them to come—he feared it would interfere with me. But after Pan Zong demonstrated his disguise ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skill again, he had no choice but to agree.

They carefully climbed the cliff by the side of Strulu Fortress and entered Dragon God territory.

Since it was their first time in Dragon God, Gold and Silver found everything new. Fortunately Pan Zong was steadier. He changed into my appearance and kept Gold and Silver in line, so nothing happened.

They took many wrong turns, but eventually reached Baiyan Mountain as the map showed. They planned to stay in the small city for a day and then go to Baiyan Mountain to find me.

That was when they met Bai Li Xiao and Ke Lan. From Ke Lan’s words, they realized I was nearby. They were ecstatic and started searching the city for me.

They searched for days with no results. Exhausted—and with Gold and Silver’s curiosity—they went into that inn to eat and drink.

During this time in Dragon God, they had been rushing to find me and hadn’t eaten properly. Even Pan Zong couldn’t resist this time. They drank a few more cups, and that was how I found them.

From their words, I could tell their urgency came mainly from worry about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my safety. Warmth flooded my heart. My anger from yesterday vanished completely.

“…That’s it,” Pan Zong finished. “Fourth Brother, you’ve been in Dragon God for a while now. Any clues about the Beast Emperor’s five-colored radiance?”

His question made me think of the Dragon Knight generals. I nodded grimly. “I have clues, but I still don’t know what the five-colored radiance is—and I nearly didn’t live to see you.”

Silver exclaimed, “What? Haven’t you already achieved four-winged transformation? How could this happen? Even if you ran into one or two Dragon Knight generals, you should’ve been able to retreat.”

I gave a bitter smile. “It wasn’t one or two. It was three. And remember the Holy Dragon Knight Order I told you about? Three of them actually came to Baiyan Mountain.”

“And each of their cultivations exceeded the current three Dragon Knight generals. One of them even rode a dragon elder.”

“Big Brother, you know what a dragon elder’s strength means.”

Gold and Silver and Pan Zong stared at each other, speechless.

I continued, “If the three of us joined forces and used our strongest power, maybe we could take down the weakest one. But against the Dragon Knight general named Li Feng, there’s zero hope. I only just barely escaped back here.”

At that moment the door opened, and Gu Chuan walked in calmly.

“Yes. That is power neither our demon race nor your beast race can contend with.”

At the sight of Gu Chuan, Gold and Silver and Pan Zong sprang to their feet, hostility in their eyes.

I grabbed Pan Zong. “Big Brother, don’t. Uncle Gu Chuan is our friend now.”

Pan Zong glared hard at Gu Chuan—the one who had nearly killed him. “Why are you calling him uncle? Friend? What friend? Fourth Brother, did you forget I almost died by his hand?”

Before I could speak, Gu Chuan actually bowed respectfully to Pan Zong. “You are the nine-headed serpent from before. We were in opposing positions then, and I had no choice but to act. Here, I apologize to you first.”

Not only did Pan Zong freeze—even I didn’t expect Gu Chuan to apologize like that.

I said quickly, “Big Brother. With the Holy Dragon Knight Order appearing, the demon and beast races have to form an alliance again. There are no permanent enemies in this world.”

Pan Zong glanced at me, then at Gold and Silver. He sat down heavily again, still angry, but no longer standing.

Seeing the atmosphere ease, I pulled over a chair and had Gu Chuan sit.

Gu Chuan smiled faintly. “The serpent and wolf brothers may still resent what happened. That’s unavoidable.”

“Lei Xiang is right—there are no permanent enemies. Before coming here, I never imagined I would lower myself to apologize to anyone. Even before His Majesty, I never bow.”

“But for the demon race and your beast race to continue surviving, we must cooperate again.”

“Many of our demon warriors died by your hands as well. If their families all held hatred forever, if our two races stayed like fire and water, then the only beneficiaries would be Dragon God’s humans.”

“Only now do I realize how childish and ignorant our attacks on Dragon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠God were… sigh.”

Pan Zong’s expression softened. “Is it really that terrifying?”

Gu Chuan said bleakly, “Yes. With me and Lei Xiang—two four-winged Fallen Angels—and the four two-winged Fallen Angels I brought, we barely escaped with our lives, and we were badly wounded. With my cultivation, I couldn’t even withstand a single move from Miefeng War God Li Feng.”

Gold and Silver and Pan Zong stared at each other. They didn’t know who Li Feng was, but they knew Gu Chuan’s strength. Even with Pan Zong’s Ultimate Realm breakthrough, he still wasn’t Gu Chuan’s match. If Gu Chuan couldn’t take one move, it was unbelievable.

I said, “Uncle Gu Chuan is right. If I hadn’t ambushed from the side, we would’ve all died there. And in the Holy Dragon Knight Order, there are two even more terrifying figures beyond Li Feng.”

Gu Chuan stood. “I came to say goodbye. I must return to the demon race immediately and report this to His Majesty.”

“Wolf brother, serpent brother—whether you forgive me or not, I still hope you can persuade Lei Xiang to give up that five-colored radiance. You have no chance. He’s young—maybe later he’ll have a chance.”

I stood too. “Uncle Gu Chuan, you’re leaving now?”

Gu Chuan nodded. “Don’t escort me. I’ll go alone. I’ll be waiting in the demon race.” With that, he drifted away.

Gu Chuan left, but Pan Zong and Gold and Silver sat unmoving. His words had shaken them. They still couldn’t believe there was someone who could defeat Gu Chuan in a single move.

I shook Pan Zong. “Big Brother.”

Only then did he snap out of it. “Ah! Fourth Brother—was everything he said true?”

I nodded gravely. “Yes. All of it.”

Silver asked, “Fourth Brother, that old man just said you’re still going back. Is that true?”

I nodded. “Yes. Even if there’s almost no chance, I still have to try. If I just leave like this, I’ll never have any hope of reaching Li Feng’s realm, and I’ll never become a peerless powerhouse. So I have to go.”

“You’ve rested enough. Return to the beastmen kingdom now. If I don’t die, I’ll come find you.”

Gold slammed the table. “What are you saying? Did you forget we’re sworn brothers? A few Dragon Knight generals, that’s all. We’re going with you.”

“I don’t care what Gu Chuan says. If I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, I won’t believe humans have that kind of power.”

He turned to Pan Zong. “Big Brother, are you coming? Silver and I have decided—we’re going with Lei Xiang.”

Pan Zong smiled faintly. “With Gu Chuan’s standing in the demon race, he wouldn’t lie casually. I believe him.”

“But as the big brother, how can I watch my brother go risk his life alone? I’m going too. One more person means one more chance.”

“Big Brother… Second Brother, Second Sister…” I was so moved I couldn’t speak.

Pan Zong grinned. “Fourth Brother, don’t say it. Since we didn’t persuade you to leave, you don’t try to persuade us. If we’re brothers, stop wasting words.”

I looked at Pan Zong, then at Gold and Silver, and nodded hard. “Alright. Then the three brothers of ours will storm Baiyan Mountain together. This will be the most thrilling stretch of our lives.”

In that instant, I decided that even if I died, I would protect them.

Pan Zong and Gold and Silver stood up. The three of us stacked our hands together in the air. A bond thicker than blood spread through the room.

Five-colored radiance—whatever you are, we’re coming.

Li Feng—no matter how strong you are, we’re coming.