Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 287

Volume 3 - Chapter 35: Ji Leping - Part 2

Ji Yunge stepped forward and bowed deeply.

Nearby, Ji Tianchao and the others also hurriedly followed suit, bowing respectfully.

The younger members of the family directly knelt to the ground, paying their respects.

In an instant, the only person standing tall in the hall was Ji Daoxin, while everyone else either bowed or knelt on one knee, their heads lowered.

Ji Daoxin gazed quietly at Ji Yunge. After a long pause, he let out a soft sigh and said:

"These last moments of your life, do whatever you wish to do. There’s no need for these formalities anymore."

Ji Yunge's eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded. "Thank you, Patriarch."

Their conversation echoed in the silent hall like a thunderclap on a clear day.

Standing next to Ji Yunge, Ji Tianchao and his blood brothers all visibly trembled as they stared at the Patriarch in shock.

"Patriarch, what do you mean..."

Noticing Ji Daoxin slightly shaking his head, Ji Tianchao felt his heart quiver. Turning to Ji Yunge, he asked:

"Third Brother, what last moments? Weren't you back to stay?"

Ji Yunge sighed inwardly. At this point, there was no way to hide the truth. He explained his situation in detail.

When everyone heard that Ji Yunge had been deeply corroded by the River of Death and would soon dissipate completely, they were struck dumb. Many who had been overjoyed to see his return were now covering their faces, weeping bitterly.

"No! This can't be true!"

Ji Tianchao roared, his entire body trembling, unwilling to accept this revelation.

To have just reunited, only to face an eternal farewell?

Then, a thought struck him suddenly. Ji Yunge had earlier asked them to take care of "that child."

Why not take care of the child himself?

It was because he would be gone forever!

Realization dawned on Ji Tianchao, and his eyes turned red as tears welled up. His face was filled with sorrow as he asked:

"Third Brother, why? Why must it be like this?"

Ji Yunge sighed once again and gently patted Ji Tianchao's shoulder. "Tianchao, when I’m no longer here, you must assist the Patriarch well. Guard the Ji family and avoid being as reckless as I was."

"But Third Brother, you've always been steady and composed! I was the reckless one..."

Ji Tianchao's voice broke with a hint of a sob.

Ji Yunge smiled faintly. "We’re both old now. Why are we still crying like children?"

As he spoke, he patted Ji Tianchao's shoulder again, hinting at the importance of maintaining composure. For the two revered War Gods of the Ji family to display such sorrow, it was unbecoming.

Turning to Patriarch Ji Daoxin, Ji Yunge recounted the matter of Li Hao in detail.

Ji Daoxin’s expression shifted slightly with surprise, but upon seeing the solemnity in Ji Yunge's gaze, he understood this was a final plea.

Sighing inwardly, Ji Daoxin nodded faintly. "I will consider this. If that child is as exceptional as you claim, he can become one of the Ji family's future prodigies. However, if his strength falls short... I can only guarantee his survival."

Hearing this direct promise from the Patriarch, Ji Yunge knew it was the most he could hope for. He exhaled in relief.

"Thank you, Patriarch," he said, bowing deeply.

"In your last moments, you choose to plead for a child. Do you have no other wishes?" Ji Daoxin asked. "Back when you died in battle, you rendered great service to the Ji family. Whatever you desire, just say the word."

Ji Yunge smiled and replied, "What I wanted, Patriarch, you’ve already bestowed. These children are all doing well. That’s enough for me to rest in peace."

Seeing this, Ji Daoxin regarded him with a profound gaze. "Go then. Light incense for the ancestors, and do whatever you wish to do."

Ji Yunge nodded and bowed once more, expressing gratitude to his uncle.

Then, he looked at his brothers, whose faces were filled with grief, and smiled.

"I rarely return. Don’t all look so gloomy. Crying twice for me isn’t worth it..."

"Third Brother!"

Hearing this, the brothers’ sorrow deepened.

Ji Yunge's son stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion:

"Father, you will forever be my pride. Mother has cried for you day and night, far more than twice!"

Ji Yunge's heart trembled slightly. Looking at his wife and seeing her tear-filled eyes, he understood her unspoken pain. Once again, he had hurt her deeply.

A sudden ache filled his chest as if something had been torn apart. He tried to muster a carefree smile but found it impossible.

In the end, he turned away from everyone and said quietly: "I’ll speak with the Thirteenth Ancestor for a bit."

With that, he stepped into the ancestral hall.

...

...

As news of Ji Yunge's return spread, more and more people gathered atop the sacred mountain.

Soon, they learned that while Ji Yunge had returned, he couldn’t fully reintegrate into the Ji family and would soon dissipate.

Furthermore, the family’s War God, Ji Yunge, had been trapped in the River of Death and was rescued by a young man.

Ji Yunge’s praise for Li Hao quickly spread throughout the Ji family, and everyone knew this young man was an unparalleled prodigy.

Not long after, a group of young figures descended the mountain, flying down the snowy white steps to the grand mountain gate.

There, they saw a boy standing in the grass outside the gate, seemingly strolling around and observing the surroundings.

"Hey!"

A young man in luxurious clothing shouted at Li Hao, "Are you the one who brought back the War God Ji Yunge? What are you looking around for?"

Hearing this, Li Hao slowly turned his head. He was about to explain that his name wasn’t "Hey," nor was it "Chu Yuxin."

However, when he noticed the cold and piercing gaze of the young man, he lost the inclination to speak further and remained silent.

At that moment, more figures came rushing from behind. Among them was a middle-aged man who quickly approached when he saw the young man surrounded by members of the Ji family’s younger generation outside the gate.

"You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you? I was sent to escort you up the mountain."

The middle-aged man smiled warmly at Li Hao. He had been sent by Ji Yunge’s sixth brother to receive him.

"Not too long," Li Hao replied, returning the man’s courtesy with a faint smile.

Though the wait had been a bit extended, Li Hao hadn’t found it dull. Instead, he had taken the opportunity to thoroughly examine the Ji family’s sacred grounds, marveling at every tree and blade of grass.

"So, this is where my mother once lived..." he thought to himself, his curiosity and wonder evident.

"You can just call me Ji Boduan," the middle-aged man introduced himself. "How should I address you?"

Li Hao was about to reply when he paused. Initially, he thought of saying "Ji Hao," but considering the unfriendly attitudes of the younger generation nearby, he decided it would be wise to withhold some information for now.

Then, he remembered another name—a name prepared for him by someone special but never used.

"Just call me Ji Leping," Li Hao said.

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