Chapter 12

Brief Reunion, Long Parting

The three siblings were naturally overcome with emotion after reuniting following the disaster, but being in a dangerous situation, they had to leave as quickly as possible. Ruan Qian's body was weak and he was in no condition to travel, so Ruan Ci and Ruan Rong took turns carrying him on their backs. Led by Wang Panpan, they headed out of the mountains, and the journey was relatively peaceful.

The children of the Ruan family had all practiced martial arts and were stronger than the average person. After walking for several hours, it began to rain. The Ruan siblings had never seen rain before and were naturally greatly astonished. Ruan Rong kept reaching out to catch the rainwater, either drinking it or splashing it, finding it very novel. Ruan Ci couldn't help but explain it to them briefly. Seeing the stone walls were damp and covered in moss, she sighed, "In a few more decades, Song Guo should be able to return to how it was seven hundred years ago."

"It won't take decades; a few years will be enough."

Wang Panpan, who had been wagging her tail while leading the way, turned her head and said coldly, "Ruan Ci, come here."

It was a very rare thing for a raccoon cat to be able to speak. Ruan Rong was extremely nervous, but Ruan Ci stopped her with a look, walked over, and smiled, "Panpan, thank you for your hard work."

At a mortal's pace, walking for several hours would only cover a distance a cultivator could fly across in the blink of an eye. Yet, as the three of them walked, the scenery shifted with every step, and each step seemed to cover nearly a mile. Ruan Ci saw it clearly, but Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian seemed completely unaware; this was undoubtedly Wang Panpan's supernatural power.

Wang Panpan snorted, accepting Ruan Ci's gratitude without hesitation. She licked her paw, tilted her head toward Ruan Rong, and said in an old, authoritative tone, "Bringing a few mortals along is nothing. The path ahead splits into two. The one heading north leads to Liang Guo in a day or two; we were originally going there. The southern path leads to Chen Guo and is more arduous, but I, this old one, will take the trouble to lead you that way. You heard what Liu Jizi said—that little cultivator has some substance, and his words are quite reasonable. He told you to split up, and he wouldn't be wrong."

Because Liu Jizi had called her a fellow Daoist, Wang Panpan had been won over to this extent. Ruan Ci couldn't help but look at her with a strange expression. Wang Panpan, oblivious, continued, "How you explain this to your relatives is none of my business, but I advise you not to let them know about the Donghua Sword; it will only harm others and yourself. The people of your Song Guo have all taken vows; without spiritual objects to suppress them, the cultivators of the three sects can easily sense your thoughts. Liu Jizi only has a Golden Core cultivation base; he shouldn't have mastered 'mind-reading' so proficiently, but go ask your sister if he can read everything she thinks."

Its meaning was very clear. Ruan Ci still had some questions, but she knew it wasn't the time to ask in detail, so she nodded and said, "I naturally wouldn't dare to stay with them. My brother and sister are both talented, and I cannot hold them back. But Brother Qian is very weak; after we separate, how will Sister Rong take care of him?"

Seeing her so obedient, Wang Panpan was satisfied. She glanced toward Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian, raised her tail, and slowly paced over, saying coldly, "This brother of yours was already on the verge of death when he fell into Liu Jizi's hands; his soul was about to dissipate, with only the last breath in his heart not yet exhaled. When Liu Jizi used the Thick Earth Divine Light to transform people, he must have still had that one breath left. Unable to transform him, Liu Jizi just took him along. Liu Jizi healed his wounds, but the lost vitality cannot be replenished. With his foundation damaged to this extent, ordinary immortal sects won't accept him. But fortunately, his aptitude remains; let's see if he has any predestined fate in a few years."

She extended a claw and swiped across Ruan Qian's face, leaving three shallow claw marks that oozed black blood. Ruan Qian cried out in pain, sat up halfway, and said angrily, "That hurts!"

Only after saying it did he realize he felt much more energetic. Ruan Rong was overjoyed. Although she still feared Wang Panpan, she came over wanting to pay her respects. Wang Panpan jumped away in a few bounds, leaped to the high point of the ridge, and lay there wagging her tail and licking her fur, appearing to disdain interacting with these two mortals at all. Ruan Ci pulled the two siblings under a large rock to hide from the rain. Ruan Rong grabbed Ruan Ci and burst into tears, crying, "We all thought you had run out and collided with the chaotic soldiers, and that you were already dead."

The three of them then recounted their experiences. It wasn't much different from what Ruan Ci had guessed: when she ran out, Ruan Rong thought she was just feeling uneasy and didn't think much of it. A moment later, when the bell rang in front of the residence and they knew something was terribly wrong, they couldn't find Ruan Ci. Ruan Rong hurriedly packed some clothes and jade talismans, and led by an old servant, escaped into the secret passage.

In the secret passage, they encountered the personal guards sent by Zhou Ao. These guards were all immensely strong and could not be compared to the Ruan family women and children who had only studied martial arts for a few years. In the chaos, the Second Madam tore off her own wooden talisman and told Ruan Rong to take it and flee. Ruan Rong ran for a while and happened to meet Ruan Qian and several adopted children. None of them knew the way, so they hid in the passage that was originally an underground water vein, intending to wait for those people to leave before finding a way to escape. Unexpectedly, Liu Jizi drove the Thick Earth Nourishing Divine Light to illuminate the earth veins. Unlike Ruan Ci, who was hidden in the Mother-Son Yin Coffin, they had nowhere to hide and were discovered by the soldiers.

They had all escaped through the well and knew there would be no good outcome if caught, so they all fought to the death. Ruan Rong was the least injured because she hadn't had a chance to act yet; when that divine light was released, before others could react, she had already fainted. Ruan Qian had better aptitude and could withstand the divine light, fighting the soldiers in a bloody battle until a sword was thrust into his heart. He should have died, but unexpectedly, his foundation was deep, and he held on for so long with a single breath of Qi. He only felt dizzy and lost track of time, and by the time he was finally released, he was already inside the Inner Landscape World.

Ruan Rong was only slightly better off than him, having been conscious for a bit longer. Ruan Ci had overheard her conversation with Liu Jizi. As the three of them reached this point, Ruan Rong couldn't help but cry bitterly, saying, "The imperial family is the most heartless. The Crown Prince knew everything, yet he wouldn't say a word to warn us, only willing to find someone else to marry; he considered that as having tried to save our family."

She hugged Ruan Ci and sobbed, "The Zhou family even used you as an excuse, saying you were the daughter of the Lin clan that was wiped out fifteen years ago, our cousin, and that the Crown Prince taking you into the palace was because our family harbored ulterior motives—to invert right and wrong to such an extent!"

Ruan Ci had grown up in the Ruan family since she had memories. Although the Ruan family didn't treat her exactly like their own flesh and blood and Ruan Ci had her grievances, the Ruan family had always been her home. She had no interest in her own background and sighed, "This is all the intention of the Lingxiao Sect. The imperial family merely exists by attaching itself to the immortal sect; what could they do? They were kept in the dark as well, only thinking that because Zhou Ao had taken Liu Jizi as his master and had a backer, he could act arrogantly. Because their own mines had a poor harvest, they demanded the Earth Talisman from the Ruan family to seek a bountiful harvest. The Crown Prince naturally thought he could mediate such friction, but in reality, the situation was not like that at all."

She then told her brother and sister what she could about the three sects suppressing Song Guo. "Actually, even Zhou Ao doesn't know why the Lingxiao Sect demanded the Earth Talisman. Song Guo was not like this before. Seven hundred years ago, a great demon was injured and fell into South Zhuzhou..."

Regarding the matter of Xie Xie Yan Huan breaking through the barrier, it was related to the Donghua Sword, so Ruan Ci didn't mention it. Even so, Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian listened in astonishment. The people of Song Guo had been locked up for seven hundred years like frogs in a well; even the smallest things were very novel to them, and it happened to explain many questions they had had since childhood. After Ruan Ci finished speaking, Ruan Rong asked, "What about that great demon? Is it still in Song Guo?"

Ruan Ci shook her head and said, "I don't know either; it probably left. I only know this much. I met a senior in the well who said she was the most powerful great cultivator in North Youzhou. She took a liking to my aptitude and wanted to take me as her disciple. Her true body is not here, so she let Panpan lead the way to take me to North Youzhou to find her."

When she said this, Ruan Rong and the others believed it without doubt—Ruan Ci's talent was no less than her siblings'. Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian could hold talismans without a teacher, so it was only natural that Ruan Ci would be favored by an immortal master.

Ruan Rong looked at Wang Panpan and asked in a soft voice, "Is it inconvenient for us to follow?"

Ruan Ci smiled bitterly and said, "That senior has many enemies. I have no choice but to follow Panpan. Liu Jizi said it quite well; it is best if we don't walk together."

She then pointed out the path for Ruan Rong and mentioned some differences between other countries and Song Guo, urging, "You should stay in the wilderness for now and slowly blend into a city later. Don't return to Song Guo if you can help it. Panpan says the Pure Dust-Avoiding Scripture we usually recite was passed down by the three sects. Every time we hold a talisman, we ask three questions; each question is a cause and effect. The two words 'cause and effect' are extremely mysterious. Since we have already promised to keep the precepts and laws, who knows what is in those precepts? The disciples of the three sects can easily sense your and my thoughts. Liu Jizi letting us go was his own doing, hiding it from Chen Yuzi. If the other three sects' cultivators discover we are members of the Ruan family, I'm afraid the trouble will be significant."

Although the two siblings were born into a wealthy and powerful family, Song Guo had frequent disputes, so they were not ignorant children. Ruan Rong, as the legitimate daughter of a noble family, did not hold a grudge against Ruan Ci for taking her marriage, and she saw through the fact that the Ruan family's destruction and Ruan Ci's background were actually just excuses; this was evident. Although they had never left Song Guo, or even Song Jing, in their lives, and they had nothing and had to make a living in a country they had never been to, they still showed no signs of fear. Ruan Rong mentioned Liu Jizi with a face full of hatred, whispering, "He is the mastermind behind our family's massacre. Whichever of the three of us surpasses him in cultivation in the future must avenge this blood feud."

Ruan Qian had originally been lively, talkative, and optimistic, but after this incident, his temperament changed drastically. After the sisters finished recounting their separation, he rarely spoke. At this moment, however, he spoke up in disagreement, "Just Liu Jizi? According to what Miss Ci said, he was also acting under orders, and he was a retainer of the Zhou family with no kindness or enmity toward our Ruan family. I actually think he is somewhat of a man. Chen Yuzi is the true villain. Our Ruan family supported him for many years; even if he couldn't stop Liu Jizi, these orphans like Miss Rong are the only remaining blood of the Ruan family. Just because he was afraid they would be in the way, he killed them all with one word—if we have the ability in the future, the first one to kill will be Chen Yuzi. After that, it won't just be Liu Jizi. None of these so-called three sects can be spared."

Ruan Rong felt he was being unrealistic; these three sects could suppress Song Guo, showing what a behemoth they were. The two began to argue, and Ruan Ci said, "Alright, what is there to argue about? Zhou Ao, Liu Jizi, Chen Yuzi, and the three sects—no matter who we hate or don't hate, they wiped out our entire family, which is an unfinished cause and effect. No matter how much ability we have in the future, we will settle the accounts one by one."

Previously, she was the youngest and always seemed childish in front of her siblings, but this one sentence left both of them speechless. Ruan Qian looked at her for a while and said, "Miss Ci, you have grown up, and your way of speaking is very different from before."

Indeed, when had Ruan Ci ever known what cause and effect were before? This sentence made her heart ache. She raised her hand to wipe her eyes and forced a smile, "There is no home anymore; we cannot be the same as before."

The three siblings looked at each other, knowing that parting was imminent. After this separation, who knew when they would meet again? Regardless, the days of living peacefully and together in the Ruan residence would never return. Three pairs of hands held together; both girls shed tears, while only Ruan Qian pursed his lips tightly, his expression gloomy. Ruan Ci saw the black energy lingering in the corners of his eyes and brows, making him look less handsome than before and instead somewhat sinister. She felt very uneasy, but she knew Wang Panpan would not help again, so she had to bury her worries in her heart, thinking to herself, "Liu Jizi said to let Brother Qian and Sister Rong help me, which shows Brother Qian won't die so easily. As long as he is alive, there is still a chance."

The three held hands tightly, feeling no fatigue at all. Ruan Rong tearfully gave many instructions. Seeing that it was getting late, Wang Panpan meowed on the hilltop. Ruan Ci tearfully broke away from Ruan Rong's hand, took a small pouch from her bosom, and handed it to Ruan Rong, saying, "Second Aunt told me to keep it to eat on the road... I'll give it to you!"

At this point, she couldn't help but have a crying tone. Ruan Rong took the pouch and could no longer hold back; tears rolled down like beads, and she choked, "Miss Ci, are you hiding something from us? Liu Jizi said he was sending us to you because it would be useful to you. Why don't you mention a word of it?"

Ruan Ci could vaguely guess Liu Jizi's good intentions. Xie Xie Yan Huan had cut down the Zhou Tian Sword Seed for her, but the next generation of sword seeds would eventually grow up. By then, no matter which sect she was in, perhaps there would always be someone more suitable to replace her. The only cultivators in the world connected to her by blood could only be Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian. But how could she drag her siblings into this huge vortex? She just shook her head and said, "Don't ask in detail. I have Panpan, but you don't. You know too much; if you are caught by the three sects' cultivators, we will implicate each other."

She knew that if she said 'you will be implicated by me,' Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian would certainly be willing. She could only speak this way so they wouldn't pursue it. One sentence blocked her siblings' mouths, and she whispered, "Take care of yourselves—be well! After this parting, it is best if we never meet again."

As she spoke, she hardened her heart, turned around, and called out, "Panpan, let's go!"

Wang Panpan meowed, stretched, and jumped to the fork in the path to the south. Ruan Ci looked back several times and saw Ruan Rong leaning in Ruan Qian's arms wiping tears, while Ruan Qian was saying something to her, seemingly comforting her. She couldn't help but say, "Sister Rong, don't lean on Brother Qian; he is not well. You must take good care of him—"

As she was speaking, she took a step out and was already at the path entrance. Knowing Wang Panpan's supernatural power had taken effect, she hurriedly turned back and waved to her siblings. Ruan Rong's eyes were filled with tears as she suddenly threw the small pouch in her hand toward her with force, shouting, "Take it to eat on the road!"

Ruan Qian also shouted, "Miss Ci, don't cry! Even if you go to the ends of the earth, you are still surnamed Ruan. Our Ruan family—blood—is—noble—"

Ruan Ci was indeed their cousin. Ruan Qian and Ruan Rong knew this, yet they still regarded her as a member of the Ruan family. Ruan Ci felt both warm and pained in her heart. Ruan Rong also stopped her sorrow, waved to her with tears and smiles, and shouted, "Wait for us to gain ability to come and help you—we are willing to be used by you—we said it, the cause and effect are established, we will definitely be able to meet again—"

Ruan Ci grabbed the pouch, and it felt half as light in her hand; she knew Ruan Rong had taken some out, thinking to use it to mourn their elders or for their meeting the next day. She stuffed the pouch into her bosom, sniffled to hold back her sobs, held the sword hilt firmly, and followed Wang Panpan step by step into the distance. Looking back, she saw her siblings also walking into the rain toward the north. Both sides walked in opposite directions, gradually moving further apart in this desolate world. From now on, the world was vast; if there was no predestined fate, who knew when they would meet again?

She tried her best to endure, but tears still fell onto the sword hilt, creating ripples of light. Ruan Ci kept reaching behind her back to wipe her face, looking utterly disheveled. Wang Panpan didn't look back, but as if she could see, she said with disdain, "If you want to cry, just cry out loud!"

Ruan Ci shook her head and said, "I'm not crying, I'm not crying... Brother Qian is right, the Ruan family blood is noble, I'm not crying, I'm not crying..."

She finally sobbed one last time, lifted her head, and took a deep breath, "No more crying, let's go!"

Wang Panpan tilted her cat head, glanced at her, and sneered, "You're quite stubborn, then let's go."

She flicked her tail and led Ruan Ci, appearing and disappearing among the mountains. In one night, they were out of Song Guo.

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Updated. I also really like the scene at the end of this chapter where the three of them part ways and walk in opposite directions!!! Sorry to keep you all waiting!

We had spring pancakes at home today, and I was wondering if this is also a Southern specialty. It seems like people in the North don't eat it as a home-cooked meal anymore, and even if there are similar foods, they aren't called spring pancakes...

. Thank you to the little angels who gave me overlord votes or irrigated with nutrient solution between 2020-07-02 11:55:48 and 2020-07-03 12:04:50~

Thank you to the little angel who threw a deep-sea torpedo: Man You Jing Ren Ju x1;

Thank you to the little angels who threw grenades: Yu Yu Wan Yao, Urge me to update x1;

Thank you to the little angels who threw landmines: Xiaoxiao x6; Li Li He Ping, Zhen, yewei, You Yu Xue Ye, Qi Ran, Yi Huang, Bu Jia La Ti Dao Qie Ji Tui, Qing Yi, Ming Ji x1;

Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Feng Juan Kui x60 bottles; Cheng Huang Ju Lv x40 bottles; cxygz x30 bottles; nana, Xiao Hua x10 bottles; Kuang Xiao Er Wang x5 bottles; Qiaqia, Cheng Bi, 32941881 x1 bottle;

Thank you all very much for your support; I will continue to work hard!