675: Saying Goodbye

Saying Goodbye

"Fei'er, how are you feeling?"

"It still hurts a bit but I'll be okay, Uncle. What about Rou'er? How is she?"

Outside of the inn, both Elder Fei and Fei Xian were chatting with each other.

The young man sat upright in bed, wearing white robes. No doubt, still recovering from the attack, it seemed that they were in a hospital. And Elder Fei sat by the bedside, cutting some fruit for his nephew. He sighed at the mention of his stepdaughter before answering. 

"Haah, she's still locked up in her room, blaming herself for what happened."

Elder Fei looked up at him, studying the injuries that his nephew endured. There was a complicated look on his face but Fei Xian just smiled. 

"How silly of her. I didn't die so everything's fine!" 

His words came out cheerfully though his uncle seemed unconvinced. 

"Heh, what of Mother and Father? Have they left already?" Fei Xian's smile slowly vanished as he asked this. 

"Yes, they left after making sure that you were doing fine."

"They didn't treat you badly right, Uncle?"

Elder Fei chuckled, handing over the plate of cut fruit to his nephew. 

"The usual cold shoulder, I suppose. What should I have expected? I can no longer cultivate and I've married a former brothel worker. Compared to other noble clans, I got off quite easy."

Fei Xian looked at his uncle with slight anger, balling his hands into fists.

"Still you were one of the strongest in the clan! You could've been clan head! I can't believe they'd disrespect you like this", he argued.

But the young man felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Elder Fei shake his head. 

"Stop it, you know what it's like to be in a clan. The moment you've been deemed useless, that's it. Besides I've never liked being around there, why do you think I'm usually at the sect or training outside? That sort of life was never for me."

"But..."

"Hah, you've always been a good kid. Every time I returned, you'd come running to me, wanting to hear about my travels. That life might be behind me but I quite like what I have now. You should focus less on me and more on yourself."

"I... Yes, Uncle."

Suddenly, the two of them looked towards the windows where Ming Yue stood by, looking at them. Their eyes widened when they recognized her. 

"Ming Yue! You're fine! We heard that the peace had been attacked and you led them away but then there was no news!" Elder Fei exclaimed.

"You were gone for nearly a week!" Fei Xian added. 

She nodded before explaining herself.

"The Ascetic came to kill me but I managed to escape. However, I can't stay here for long, I don't have much time before he comes for me again. I just wanted to make sure that everyone was fine."

Her gaze fell on Fei Xian, who was bedridden. She took a moment to check but she froze, noticing something about him. He quickly noticed before nervously chuckling.

"Don't worry, Ming Yue! As you can see, we are safe and sound! Better yet, you should go see Aunt Cui and Rou'er before you go. They'll be so much happier knowing that you are alive and well!" he told her. 

Ming Yue still looked at him strangely but did not pursue it. 

"Alright then, I'll be headed for Heaven's Gate after this. If something happens, send a letter or come find me.", she told them. 

When she turned to leave, the woman looked back at Fei Xian. 

"If you can, head to the Demon Continent and look for someone named 'Hua Xiong' and tell her that I sent you. She may be able to help you."

With those parting words, her figure slowly vanished, leaving the room to go see the others. 

Exiting the hospital, she made her way to the inn where Cui Fen and Rou'er were. Flying above the city, the young cultivator looked down, scanning the rooms before spotting the room. But when she saw it, there was a sad look on her face, seeing the situation inside. 

She quietly descended, gently entering the room through the window and landing on the floor. 

The room was dark the moonlight dimly lit the insides. 

Quietly walking towards the bed, she sat down by the side of it. Both Xiao Yin and Hei Yue moved to her side. 

"Big sister, is that you?" 

The blanket stirred as Rou'er turned around, looking at her. The girl's eyes were red from crying and her voice was very meek. 

"Yes, it's me. I came to see if you and everyone else were safe", Ming Yue replied. 

"It's my fault, if I didn't rush in like that, you and Brother Fei wouldn't have ended up like that. Especially Brother Fei, if he didn't take that hit, he wouldn't... he wouldn't have..."

Rou'er's voice cracked as she tried her best to keep herself from crying again but the tears began to form. And then, Ming Yue finished her words. 

"He can no longer walk. At the very least, he'll end up with a limp."

The young girl froze up when faced with that reality as Ming Yue continued to talk.

"I went to see him and Elder Fei, I saw the condition that his body was in. Let alone walking, his ability to cultivate has been severely cut down. "

She sighed then. 

"That strike he took was no simple one, I don't know if he can fully recover. He'll need a powerful treasure but only if it exists", she said.

"No, I'll find it."

Rou'er wiped her tears away. 

"It's the least I can do to right my wrong", the young girl responded. 

Ming Yue smiled, placing a hand on her back.

"I might know a few people who could help."

She looked at Rou'er warmly before standing back up.

"I'm going to see Aunt Cui and then I must go. There is much for me to do."

Saying farewell to Rou'er, Ming Yue stepped outside with the two beasts, walking down the hall to see Cui Fen in the courtyard. She sat down quietly, looking at the starry sky. 

As the cultivator made her way to her, she turned around with a small smile. 

"Ming Yue, I knew you'd be safe." 

Her words came out calm and controlled. Despite that, Ming Yue saw her hands held together tightly. So much so that the knuckles were white. 

Walking up to Cui Fen. she sat beside her whilst the Owl and Fox nestled up between their legs.

"These two little ones have been with Rou'er all this time, comforting her as best as they could."

She chuckled, leaning over to pet them and both beasts began to purr. And she talked while doing so. 

"You have to leave, don't you?" 0

Ming Yue was at a loss for words but nodded. 

"Yes, I do."

"Is it because of what happened in the palace? You were attacked, yes?" 

"I was, I thought that I had time but it seems like I don't anymore. I'm not sure when I'll be able to come back again."

Cui Fen took a deep breath though she was a bit shaky breathing out. 

"You've grown so much and in more ways than one. You've changed my life and you've changed the lives of many. I'm sure that it'll be dangerous for you and I will always believe that you will come back alive, always. And when you do, we'll be waiting for you."

She looked up at Ming Yue, smiling but holding back the tears. 

As for the cultivator, she could only say one thing. 

"Thank you."

And they spent the rest of the night watching the stars. By the time the sun had risen, Ming Yue was no longer there. 

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