Chapter 34: You Were Never Alone
The matter concerned Chu Yunfei's life and death—something that allowed for no carelessness. Even though the man before him had displayed both the Azure Void Palm and the Chasing Stars, Catching the Moon step, Chu Qing still couldn't completely let down his guard.
So the moment he saw Chu Tian, Chu Qing already had his suspicions.
Chu Tian had deliberately revealed both techniques, and that intent matched Chu Qing's own reasoning perfectly.
Only after Chu Qing exposed his identity and forced him to remove the mask did everything finally settle.
The two brothers remained silent for a time before both broke into laughter.
After the laughter faded, Chu Qing removed his own mask as well.
Chu Tian studied his face quietly until Chu Qing grew a little self-conscious. Only then did Chu Tian's eyes dim slightly as he spoke, "You've suffered these years, haven't you?"
"It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't unbearable either."
Chu Qing smiled faintly, unwilling to dwell on the topic. "What's going on between Ten Thousand Nights Valley and Tianwu City?"
"For now, it's still unclear," Chu Tian said softly.
"Just last year, both sides stayed out of each other's way. But after the new year, spies from Ten Thousand Nights Valley began appearing throughout the city.
"To warn them, Lord Wu sent a letter to Gu Qianqiu. Though the message was polite on the surface, it carried an implicit warning not to cross the line.
"Yet Gu Qianqiu replied claiming complete ignorance.
"As such incidents kept happening, Lord Wu's patience wore thin. His next letter was far less restrained, but this time Gu Qianqiu didn't even bother replying."
Chu Qing nodded, then asked, "Has Tianwu City ever clashed with Ten Thousand Nights Valley before?"
"Father mentioned that they had, but that was long before either of us were born.
"The more recent grudge began four years ago—Father and Xin Youhen crossed paths on the road. Xin insisted on sparring and ended up taking a palm strike from Father's Azure Void Palm.
"They exchanged thirty-seven moves, and Xin Youhen took two years to recover.
"Still, for such a trivial incident to spark open hostility—it doesn't add up."
"Four years ago…"
Chu Qing frowned. "It does seem unreasonable to escalate something like that into a full conflict."
"However…" Chu Tian looked at him meaningfully. "After hearing what you told Lady Wu today, I've started forming a new theory."
"Oh?"
"You found a clue in what I said?"
Chu Tian nodded but didn't elaborate. Instead, he asked, "You joined the Mirror of Retribution, didn't you?"
The question was sudden but not unreasonable.
He had seen the aftermath of Chu Qing's battles—though the techniques differed, their style bore striking similarity.
And Chu Qing himself had admitted to Wu Qianhuan that he was a killer.
A bit of reasoning was enough to connect the dots.
Chu Qing nodded, then shook his head. "I've already betrayed the Mirror of Retribution. They're hunting me across the land."
"Because of Father's matter?"
"No, something else. Father's situation was just an accident I stumbled upon."
As he spoke, Chu Qing paused. Calling Chu Yunfei "Father" didn't feel as hard as he'd expected—just as saying "big brother" earlier had come naturally, without thought.
Chu Tian smiled faintly. "That's fine. Since you've left the Mirror of Retribution, you should come home.
"Their vendetta against traitors has nothing to do with the Chu family's third young master."
Chu Qing said nothing, only lowering his head in silence.
The hope in Chu Tian's eyes slowly faded. "You don't want to come home?"
"We'll see…"
Chu Qing smiled lightly. "Let me think it through."
Chu Tian studied him for a while before nodding softly. "Alright. But Father truly misses you.
"No matter what you decide in the end… when you have the time, come home and see him."
"Alright," Chu Qing replied quietly.
After this encounter, Chu Qing finally understood—some things could never be avoided.
He had inherited the original's past, and with it came all the bonds and debts that could not be escaped.
Fortunately, Chu Tian was a reasonable man. If it had been Chu Fan standing here instead… reason would have flown straight out the window.
That blockhead would've hauled him home over his shoulder, no questions asked.
"The matter between Ten Thousand Nights Valley and Tianwu City—"
"You're being hunted," Chu Tian interrupted. "You'd best stay out of it.
"The less you interfere, the better."
He patted Chu Qing's shoulder. "Leave these affairs to Father, Lord Wu, and me. You don't need to worry."
"Fair enough."
Chu Qing smiled lightly. "Then I'll be on my way."
"Third brother," Chu Tian called out just as he turned to leave. "If you ever need to find me, enter through the southern side gate. I'll leave a gap for you.
"Once inside, you'll come straight to my courtyard."
"Got it."
Chu Qing nodded and began walking toward Tianwu City.
But as he moved away, Chu Tian's voice came again. "Wait."
"What now?"
Chu Qing turned around, exasperated. "Big brother, just say everything in one breath, will you?
"Why're you acting like some nagging old lady?"
"You brat—watch your tongue when you talk to your brother!"
Chu Tian laughed, then grew solemn. "No matter what you decide, I'll support you.
"But remember…"
He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You were never alone."
Chu Qing looked at him in silence for a while before breaking into a grin. "That's awfully sentimental. I'm leaving."
With that, he turned and vaulted into the night without looking back.
Chu Tian remained where he stood, gazing up at the sky for a long time before chuckling softly. "Stinking brat… who are you calling sentimental?"
...
When Chu Qing returned to Tianwu City, chaos had once again erupted along the walls.
Tonight, none of the Tianwu Guards were likely to get any sleep.
Back at the inn, Chu Qing changed out of his rain-soaked night gear, tossed his mask onto the table, and stared at the steady drizzle beyond the window, his expression distant.
After a while, he pulled his thoughts back to the present and sat cross-legged on the bed.
After what had happened last time, he'd learned his lesson—never open a reward chest unless he was somewhere absolutely safe.
He focused his mind, and the familiar interface appeared.
[One unopened martial arts treasure chest detected. Open now?]
"Open."
This time, Chu Qing was calm. His inner strength was sufficient; no matter what skill the chest produced, he could accept it.
Unless it was something ridiculous like the Sunflower Manual or Evil-Repelling Sword Art… that would be a real nightmare.
"Still, if it's from the system, it probably won't require self-castration, right?
"I mean, the system managed to fuse conflicting inner energies before—this little thing shouldn't be too much to ask."
As the thought crossed his mind, a new message appeared before him.
[Successfully opened. Reward obtained: Blood Blade Technique.]
(End of chapter)
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