SWNOVELXO chapter 420
“Good boy, good boy.” Liu Bo brushed the snowflakes from Longtian’s shoulders. “The journey back from Tianluo Sect is long; you must be hungry. It’s mealtime—come, sit down, and I’ll serve you some rice.”
“Mm…” Though Liu Bo was not related by blood, Longtian had long regarded him as a grandfather.
The two shared the New Year’s Eve dinner, with Longtian occasionally sharing tales of his adventures during missions. He refrained from mentioning matters within the sect, for every day at Tianluo Sect was spent either cultivating in the jade pendant space or dealing with various troubles.
Especially the issue of being targeted by Bai Song, which Longtian would never reveal; he did not want Liu Bo to worry for him.
The meal lasted an hour, and Liu Bo, in high spirits, had drunk quite a bit of wine.
As night deepened, Long Tian helped the slightly inebriated Liu Bo to bed before returning to his own room.
In the humble wooden chamber, a few pieces of barely usable furniture stood, worn yet remarkably clean, evidence of daily tidying. Long Tian locked the door, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He swore he would make a name for himself before Liu Bo’s time came, to find the heavenly treasures that would allow Liu Bo to break through and become a cultivator.
——
At dawn the next day, the village was alive with the sound of gongs and drums, firecrackers exploding, and lion dances, all brimming with joy.
After rising, Liu Bo did not knock on the door to call for Long Tian. Instead, he stepped outside, where light snow fell from the sky. Though the air was frigid, it could not dampen the festive spirit of the approaching Spring Festival.
“Fugui, we’ve slaughtered two hefty pigs and prepared plenty of game. Remember to call Tian’er to the village chief’s courtyard for the feast,” an old man, about Liu Bo’s age, approached him as he stepped out.
“Sure.”
“Fugui, Tian’er isn’t a child anymore. Once he joins the Tianluo Sect, he may come home less and less. What do you think about having him leave a seed behind? That way, when he’s gone, you won’t feel so lonely.”
Liu Bo shot him a glance: “If you want to introduce your granddaughter, just say so. Besides, Tian’er is a cultivator now; the seed he sows is of celestial origin. Can your granddaughter handle that?”
“Of course, of course.”
“Don’t bother me.” Liu Bo shook his head, eyeing the old man’s granddaughter, who wore an oversized vest and had a figure that spread sideways.
On the morning of the Spring Festival, one must pay respects to the ancestors. As Liu Bo made his way to the ancestral hall, many approached him to chat, their conversations all revolving around Long Tian’s celestial seed.
After all, who wouldn’t want a cultivator in their family?
After a round of perfunctory exchanges, Liu Bo arrived at the ancestral hall and lit incense to pay his respects.
Just as he turned to head back and prepare breakfast for Long Tian, he noticed a middle-aged man in a long robe, exuding an air of ethereal grace, standing at the entrance of the hall—clearly a cultivator.
Beside the middle-aged man stood the village chief, who introduced him: “This is Liu Fugui, who raised Long Tian.”
“Hmm…” The middle-aged man scrutinized Liu Bo from head to toe, pondering for a long moment before nodding. “Indeed, your visage bears the mark of destiny.”
“May I ask who you are, sir?” Liu Bo, not daring to be disrespectful, spoke with great reverence.
“I shall not reveal my name, but you have nurtured a cultivator of considerable potential in Long Tian, a deed of immeasurable merit. Though I merely pass through this place, fate is a curious thing. This gift I bestow upon you can grant you longevity, free from the afflictions of illness.” The middle-aged man produced a beautiful pearl.
The village chief and the curious villagers, drawn by the commotion, could not help but reveal their greedy and envious gazes.
Yet, they dared not seize the moment; after all, there was Dragon Heaven watching over Liu Bo. At most, they would shamelessly linger around Liu Bo’s home, hoping to bask in the treasure’s ethereal aura, seeking to extend their own lifespans.
Liu Bo, filled with trepidation, declined the offer.
“Take it,” the voice urged, “as I said, your merits are boundless. This treasure holds value for you mortals, yet for us cultivators, it bears little effect; it is not particularly precious.”
Having once walked the path of a warrior, Liu Bo understood well that there were no free lunches in the heavens. But the gaze upon him was unwavering, and he dared not refuse.
“Thank you, immortal.” Liu Bo accepted the orb, intent on hastening home to inquire of Dragon Heaven what it was. If it were a cursed object, he would discard it; if it truly was a treasure, he would see if Dragon Heaven had use for it. If not, he would keep it for himself.
As Liu Bo hurried towards home with the orb in hand, the village chief quickly forced a smile, saying, “Liu Fugui is a good man at heart, but having been a warrior, he carries a certain wariness. I hope the immortal does not take offense.”
“Not at all. Once he experiences the benefits of the treasure firsthand, he will surely express his gratitude. You must not let greed take root, or misfortune shall follow.”
“Of course.” The village chief nodded repeatedly, and the villagers echoed their promise to remain free of greed.
“I have some talismans here. Return home now, gather all your kin in the living room, and affix these to the beams. Thus, the talismans shall protect you, ensuring a smooth year ahead.”
Upon hearing this, the villagers hurriedly took the talismans and rushed home.
The village, once filled with the clamor of drums and gongs, fell into an eerie silence.
A pack of fools.
The middle-aged man squinted, watching Liu Bo, who was already at the village’s edge, preparing to enter his home, a glimmer of mockery flashing in his eyes.
—
19 Assassins Strike
After circulating his inner energy for several cycles, within the mystical space of the jade pendant, Dragon Heaven opened his eyes. The old immortal had mentioned that Liu Bo was seeking him, and from the tone, it seemed he was quite anxious.
Stepping outside, Dragon Heaven opened the door, just as Liu Bo hurriedly produced the exquisite orb, barely waiting to explain the reason.
The old man of the fallen immortals issued a warning: “This pearl has been tampered with! There’s poison inside!”
Upon hearing this, Long Tian snatched the pearl, intending to hurl it out the window with all his might, but it was too late.
In an instant, the pearl erupted with a cloud of toxic smoke. Long Tian had been prepared, already channeling his breath-holding technique. But Liu Bo was unaware and unable to react; he quickly collapsed to the ground.