688: A Good Brother

A Good Brother

Seeing no reaction from her at all, Xing Juren sighed.  0

"I figured that you wouldn't be interested but it's quite alright. With the Frostflame Bear's corpse, we should have enough leverage to do something about this. Still, to have her freedom stripped away like this, I would not wish it on anyone", he said. 

The prince had a somber expression when watching his sister. As her older brother, he supported her, and to see her in such a helpless situation was hard to bear, especially when there was little he could do. 

"You're a good brother", she told him.

He smiled but even that was restrained. 

"I try but the elders are stubborn people, nothing short of concrete proof will do anything. Even someone like me can only do so much. "

Hearing this, the young woman thought carefully, looking at Xing Hou. 

"To think, she was in a situation like this. I don't think I can spare time to help, it might take much longer than expected too. But what if?"

An idea came to mind, an outrageous one but after that last encounter, Ming Yue felt quite confident about it.

"Will you two be staying in the kingdom?"

There was a surprised look on his face when he heard her. 

"I... yes, after the initiation is complete, we will have to return and then go through with the ceremony. That will take a month at most. It will be at this time that the elders will double their efforts in pushing for marriage", he explained. 

"A month? Alright then." 

Ming Yue said nothing more, making him curious. 

"What do you plan to do? Surely you wouldn't do anything rash, would you?"

She shook her head with a smile. 

"Of course not, I am going to prepare a gift of sorts. That's it. Perhaps a way of thanks for guiding me around and telling me more about your home."

Xing Juren couldn't help but reveal a doubtful look. But her gaze was calm and strangely reassuring, he couldn't help but feel as if things may resolve themselves. After a moment, he returned to his senses and cleared his throat. 

"Right, I should go check on my sister. We'll probably spend the night here to rest and recuperate before leaving for our home."

He looked at her once more, waiting to see what she planned to do now.

"I'd like to do the same if that isn't too troublesome. those two over there probably wouldn't leave her until she's feeling better", she replied. 

"No, not at all, how can I refuse that? Besides, those two little beasts have been helpful. It's hard to think that they were the same ones as before. I know that it's been a while since I've seen them but the difference is quite big."

"Yes, they've grown quite a bit. In any case, we should go set up camp, staying out here in the cold will do us no good."

With that Ming Yue started to move as did Xing Juren. Together, they built a nice little camp, complete with three tents and a campfire. Dinner was well on its way as Xing Hou tended to the pot while the other two foraged around. 

A hearty stew was in the works and when the bowls were served, everyone began to eat. 

"I didn't realize how hungry I was until now! To think that such a terrifying experience could do this!"

The young girl seemed to have come back to her senses, eating and chatting in high spirits. Everyone ate with a smile on their faces as the warmth of the stew filled them from within. 

During this, Ming Yue furrowed her brows before looking at Xing Juren. He perked up at her gaze as did his sister. 

"Is something the matter?" he asked. 

"It didn't cross my mind until now but the two of you practice the same fighting style. The Daystar Manual, wasn't it?" she pointed out. 

"Oh, that? We do practice the same manual but our interpretations are different. I focus on sheer brute force while she is more focused and condensed flames. It's all about the faces of the sun after all", he explained. 

"Is that so? Then training here, is it not better to find somewhere more suited for the Fire Dao?" she asked. 

"You could grow it in such a way but for body cultivators. We temper our energy just like how we temper our bodies. Even if we can produce a powerful flame, there's no point in doing it if it can go out with a little chill. Although we're both in the Sky Realm, that is only in name. Normal cultivators will focus on increasing their Quintessence Energy, building it up from one sky to the next. Body Cultivators continue to temper their bodies with Heart Energy. Each Sky is a layer on which our physical prowess improves."

To push his point forward, Xing Juren put his hand into the flames of the campfire. He grabbed some coals with his bare hands and held them up for her to see. 

"Something like this is nothing compared to the flames that come from my very being. The stronger I become, the hotter I can endure the fires. The same goes for all of the other techniques I use, my body must be able to endure their use. Tempering is the way of a Body Cultivator."

Following his explanation, Ming Yue had a few questions, ones that he was able to answer. 

Body Cultivation wasn't a popular path compared to normal cultivation. It came down to one's preference for pain, whether it was constant discomfort or enduring extreme pain for a single moment. 

After all, with such powerful bodies, taking on a heavenly tribulation was incredibly simple. As opposed to a regular cultivator who would have to use nearly all of their energy strengthening themselves. 

The more she heard about it, the more fascinated she was. 

"I know that as members of the Endless Peak Kingdom, Body Cultivation was the only path for you to take but have either of you thought about just plain cultivation?" she asked. 

For Xing Juren, it was an immediate no as he shook his head. 

"Perhaps when I was younger but thinking back on it, I don't regret taking this path. I've come to enjoy it and appreciate it. 

She turned to his sister who had a more contemplative look. 

"I do like Body Cultivation, it certainly has its perks but sometimes when I see those other cultivators take flight, I can't help but feel a bit envious. I mean we can run at incredible speeds and leap over wide distances but flying up into the skies is a sensation I might never experience. That boundless feeling must be wonderful."

Her smile dimmed a bit, reminded of her own position. Noticing this, Ming Yue changed the subject, asking more about the culture of their home. Stories of their childhood, the foods they'd eat, the places they've been. 

The sibling duo talked fondly late into the night. 

Stories of how Xing Juren picked up sewing and polished his skills, how his sister would often sneak off into the city to explore. They were fun times, simpler times, moments that they both cherished.

Ming Yue smiled at the sight of their warm smiles but inwardly, there was a tinge of loneliness in her heart. How different things would've been if she had a sibling, young or old, brother or sister. If she had someone to share these experiences with. 

Without her noticing, Xiao Yin and Hei Yue came to her side, comforting her. 

She quickly smiled, stroking their heads. 

"Alright, it's time to finish up. I'll keep watch for the night."

Xing Juren raised his hand to her. 

"No, it's fine. I can do it. Both of you should take this time to rest."

He was insistent and Ming Yue gave up, heading into her tent. 

"Good night."

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