A Failure's hopeful Journey

You Zhichi held You Xi Wang's arms as the two of them walked through the halls. They would exchange hearty greetings whenever some relative came across them. You Xi Wang continued to maintain a dazzling smile, but You Zhichi noticed an anomaly in his eyes. As they met more relatives, he let her do all the talking and just stood beside her with a smile on his face like a good boy. This was abnormal because he was never a shy or snobby person. Though his smile and some words eased the doubts in the heart of the people and they concluded that the boy has undergone a change after his parent's demise. The two continued walking all the way to a rare green courtyard in the white estate. This courtyard was not covered with snow or had a chilly air around it. You Xi Wang felt a warm air current. The garden in the courtyard was filled with many flowers and plants. It was unknown when You Xi Wang picked up Maya in his hands.

This courtyard belonged to Chen Shaoyang and Mu Qingling. Mu Qingling was a genial lady and a pharmacist by occupation. She had retired from the forefront and would only make pills for her closest people. The pills You Xi Wang and You Zhichi had been all sent to them by their grandmother. Behind the garden stood a villa. You Xi Wang nearly mistook it for a house at earth. The exterior was very similar to those modern style villas he had seen on earth. The combination of wooden textures and Glass windows looked very eye-pleasing and matched well with the garden.

The siblings entered the courtyard, followed the stone pathway leading to the house. They were about to knock on the door when the door opened and a genial looking middle-aged woman appeared in front of them. The woman may look like she was in her early thirties, but she was seventy years old. This woman wore traditional clothing, matching her temperament perfectly. Her face was ninety percent like Chen Qianbie, and seventy percent with You Zhichi. The woman smiled as soon as she saw You Zhichi standing in front of her. She raised her hands and hugged her granddaughter in a warm embrace.

She spoke in a warm tone, "How are you, my dear?"

You Zhichi was unconsciously crying. The last time they all met was at her parent's funeral. They all stayed there for a week as they waited for You Xi Wang to wake up. They were continuously in touch via calls and messages, but the physical presence was something that can never be replaced. You Zhichi calmed down after a few seconds. She separated from her grandmother, who looked at her with a motherly smile. You Zhichi also smiled and said, "I am fine, how are you, grandma?"

Mu Qingling nodded while the smile not leaving her face. She replied, "Let me first discipline a naughty bunny then I will talk to you." she slightly pushed You Zhichi to meet her grandson. You Xi Wang liked to eat the carrots she grew on her farm when he was young, so she nicknamed him Bunny. You Xi Wang smiled weakly and said, "Grandma, did you get more beautiful while I was not here?"

Mu Qingling smiled and said, "Ah, my little bunny is still as sweet mouthed as ever. Come here and let grandma see how you have been doing after all your adventures recently."

She took a step forward and hugged her grandson, who carried a white-furred wolf in his arms. But the joy did not last too long. Her face changed as she sensed an anomaly in You Xi Wang's body. His body was shivering slightly. She was about to ask what is going on when she felt something wet on her shoulder. She mistook it for You Xi Wang to be crying. She said, "Okay, Bunny, do not cry now. Grandma is here with you, no?"

You Xi Wang was a weak person in the past and he would usually cry when in pain, so Mu Qingling's misunderstanding was fine. Things changed when You Xi Wang's shivering increased and he did not reply to Mu Qingling. She also felt that the wait of You Xi Wang's body increased a bit. She was a level 7 pharmacist and her senses were that of a mid-level Primal Soul level cultivator. She held You Xi Wang's body up and slightly pushed his body up. 

She was shocked when she saw You Xi Wang's pale face. The boy had gritted his teeth very hard and some blood flowed down his nose. His eyes were also blood red. His forehead was covered with cold sweat. Mu Qingling acted quickly and pulled him indoors and You Zhichi anxiously followed as she was also surprised to see this. 

Inside the house, in the living room on the ground floor, Yuki and the kids were waiting for You Xi Wang to come back. They were happy when they heard Mu Qingling say that they have arrived. They were all looking towards the direction the entrance was located. They saw Mu Qingling supporting You Xi Wang in her arms as they rushed inside. They were shocked before they could ask what has happened they saw You Zhichi signaling them not to. You Zhichi carried Maya on the side. Maya was also shivering, her eyes were shut tightly closed. 

Her grandmother asked, "Did something happen in the gathering hall. You Zhichi replied, "Chen Kong was influenced by the dark side, Gougou resolved the matter. Although he wanted to kill him at first but looking at the faces of the elders in the hall, he spared him."

My Qingling was shocked and so was Yuki. Celestia could understand a little, she found that Mu Qingling was in a daze and said, "Grandmother, is big brother Xi Wang okay?" her bell-like voice rang in the lady's ear and she came back to her senses. She quickly raised her hand, and a thread formed out of Spiritual energy formed and connected itself to You Xi Wang's wrist. She took his pulse and said in a solemn voice, "Why did he want to kill Chen Kong?"

You Zhichi replied, "Chen Kong used abusive words for mother and me. He also called us orphans and half-bloods, who had no right to even visit here, let alone step into the gathering hall."

Mu Qingling's body trembled. She spoke again, "Where is Chen Kong, now?"

You Zhichi again replied, "Grandma, Gougou's master took him away."

Mu Qingling noted the matter of the master but did not ask for the moment. Her main concern was You Xi Wang. She pressed some acupoints on his body and You Xi Wang's expressions eased up a lot. He opened his eyes and glanced at everyone present in the room. His gaze landed on Maya, who was in his sister's arms. He tried to raise his arm and gestured her to bring Maya to him. You Zhichi did not ask why or what and sent Maya in her brother's embrace. She was aware of the spiritual bond of equality they shared. They can help each other when they are close. 

Yuki spoke in a low and anxious voice, "Grandma, what happened to Xi Wang?"

Mu Qingling spoke in a deep and low voice, "This boy is paying the price of vow breaking."

The adult was surprised, but the children did not know which vow You Xi Wang had broken and Lily spoke up, "Grandmother, Xixi is a good person. He never breaks his promise."

Mu Qingling sighed as she squatted down beside the three children. She said, "A good person also sometimes has to break his promises so that the others important to him could stay happy."

The children nodded in understanding. They were very smart for their age. From the statement of Mu Qingling, they derived that You Xi Wang had to break his promise for someone. You Zhichi asked, "Granny, what is happening to him exactly? Can it be cured?"

Mu Qingling said, "First, call over those people from the gathering hall. They also need to know how big trouble their wish has created for my Bunny."

You Zhichi nodded and called her aunt. She spoke as soon as the call connected, "Aunt, grandma has called all of you over to her courtyard. Including granny Kelly. Gougou is not alright. Come quick." Chen Qianbei nodded, and the call disconnected. 

The two girls, Yuki and You Zhichi were very anxious when they saw You Xi Wang trembling and gritting his teeth. Five minutes later, a group of people from the gathering hall arrived. Yuki opened the door for them This house did not have any futuristic features inside. Mu Qingling preferred it that way. The five people entered the house. They all entered the hall and saw You Xi Wang's trembling figure lying on the sofa. Chen Shaoyang hurried down to his side with a worried expression. He asked, "What happened to him?"

Mu Qingling may not interfere with the family business but she has always been a pampering mother to her children, and this was his grandson lying down in front of her facing such torment. How could she let them go so easily?

She spoke in a voice so cold that it made the elders feel chills running down their spine, "You people must have been thrilled when he spared Chen Kong, right? After all, that guy is your blood. While my Bunny is an orphan in your eyes."

Chen Qianbei spoke, "Mom..." but her words were cut off by her mother. 

"Shut Up. Are you the one who claimed to be responsible for the well being of these children in front of their mother's grave?" her voice was not only cold but also very loud. Chen Qianbei fell silent and bowed her head. She was not the matriarch of the family now. The others also kept silent when they heard the first lady of the family spewing fire from her mouth.

Mu Qingling spoke again, "You want to know what he is suffering from, right? Then hear well. He is going through the backlash of breaking a vow. This is a price he is paying for sparing Chen Kong. His body is suffering from pain in all his meridians. The pain is so strong that it can break all bones inside the human body 100 times over. He is also using the spiritual bond with his beast companion to ease her pain, adding up to his own pain. Now can you imagine how much pain he is facing right now?"

The people turned pale. This was a living hell. They did not dare to estimate the extent of it. Yuki and You Zhichi rushed to his side and the children. You Zhichi asked, "Grandma, how long would it last? Can we do anything to ease it up?"

Mu Qingling said, "This state will last for 24 hours, the only thing we can do now is to place him inside a spirit gathering array with him as a target. If his spiritual energy ran out, then his bones will break. Given the pace now, he can last for two hours at max. Fortunately, we have a spirit gathering array in the family. I wonder if the elders have any objection to use the array for my grandson? After all, he is an orphan and half-blood of the family, right?"

Kelly spoke, "Eldest sister, please don't say such words. We are ashamed of our doings." her eyes were full of tears and her tone was sincere. Mu Qingling sighed and said, "What are you three old men waiting for? My child's funeral? Get the array started, you have fifteen minutes. If you are late, see how I will skin you all."

Chen Moqian and Chen Longxue shouted, "Yes, eldest sister-in-law." they ran away after shouting this, leaving only Chen Shaoyang behind. The old man stood up and said, "Ling'er..." he wanted to say something, but the lady just spewed fire, "You better keep that Ling'er to yourself right now. I will have you kneel on poisonous pine spikes. Get going."

The old man wanted to help her calm down, but his good intention was set aflame by her words. He ran away to help his brothers. Chen Qianbei sat down on the sofa and put You Xi Wang's head in her lap. She spoke with a sad voice, "I am sorry Xiao Wang, aunt let you down."

You Zhichi and Yuki consoled her while the kids sat down quietly in the hall with their gaze trained on You Xi Wang and Maya. Mu Qingling and Kelly stood together on the side waiting for the Chen brothers to tell them that the array is ready.