Transcending the Nine Heavens

ord Dharma Supreme is appreciative of talent after all.”

The Dharma Supreme gave them a small smile in response before he said, “Talent must be mine to use in order for me to appreciate them.
If not, they can be killed.
If I end up rearing an enemy, then that would truly be capsizing in the ditch, how embarrassing!”

Everyone chortled upon hearing his words.

“As for Chu Yang, the Heaven Nourishing Jade has already been stolen from him.
Even though we don’t know who the culprit is, he is definitely not someone on Chu Yang’s side.
This means that there’s no more risk of future trouble.
Furthermore, Chu Yang has already been poisoned…” With a smile, the Dharma Supreme went on, “I shall not expound any further on the importance of this battle, everyone should be well aware of it by now! All I’ll say is, the Slaying of the Tao cannot tolerate any mistakes!”

Everyone nodded gravely!

They all understood the importance of this battle; should they fail despite such a lineup, then the fate of the Nine Super Clans was basically set in stone!

With no more hope of reversing their destiny!

“Alright, you may disperse and get ready.
Prepare for the nine Supreme Martial Artists nourishing the heavens in three days too!”

The Dharma Supreme waved them off.

One by one, everyone got up.
No matter who it was, they had the same serious and resolute expression as they walked out.

The Dharma Supreme watched them leave, standing with his hands behind his back.
He said emotionally in a low voice, “How many heroes will have their blood shed for our just cause in this battle; and how many heroes will not be able to return! Everyone, I shall personally hold a banquet tomorrow night.
We shall drink to our hearts’ content with our brothers!”

A tremble went through all of the eight second grandmasters.
They wanted to say something but in the end, they didn’t.
They walked out silently.

A visibly moved look could be seen on some of their countenances.

…

In the Orchard Palace, Chu Yang sat before the window, watching the snowfall outside as he contemplated.

From the time it began, the snow had already fallen for as long as seventeen days!

Nearly half of the residences in Tianji City had already collapsed due to the inability to bear the weight of the heavy snow.

The Zhuge Clan was busy readying themselves for war, so they did not present any effective and viable solution.
Instead, it was the Diwu Clan under the Zhuge Clan who had been unsparing in their efforts to provide relief for the affected areas.

The doors opened and in walked Meng Chaoran, covered in snow.
He smiled leisurely.
“Yang Yang, thinking about the big battle three days later again?”

Chu Yang had a wry smile as he said, “Teacher, how are you feeling?”

“Me? Pretty great.” Meng Chaoran gave him a warm smile.
“Your Teacher’s wife is still in a coma; I’ve just fed her something.
While she’s still not awake, I’ve made a promise with Hanwu for some drinks, haha.”

As he spoke, he took out a plate of peanuts and a few slices of lotus root from the cabinet.
His actions were familiar and practiced.
Then, he took out a jar of wine and placed it on the table, as well as setting two wine cups opposite each other.

Meng Chaoran took a seat leisurely and picked up the wine jar, filling both wine cups to the brim.
He said passively, “Yang Yang, actually, you don’t need to worry so much… Life and death are no more than a boundary such as this.
It’s enough as long as you’ve tried your best; victory and defeat are determined by the heavens!”

Chu Yang smiled wryly at him.

“If you take it too seriously, you’ll end up caring about it; when you care about it, there’ll be pressure; when there’s pressure, your heart will be heavy; when your heart is heavy, what comes after is anxiety; and anxiety will, in turn, cause mistakes!” Meng Chaoran said passively, “What I want to tell you is — what is important is to be able to accept what happens, rather than to let go of what happens!”

“To accept what happens, rather than to let go of what happens?” Chu Yang repeated in a murmur.

Meng Chaoran’s attention was no longer on him.
He raised his cup in a gesture of invitation, as though there was a smiling somebody seated opposite him.
Meng Chaoran laughed somewhat happily as he said, “Hanwu, it’s still snowing today.
When I saw the snow, I thought of your name immediately, haha.
Dancing in the chilly snow… Come, with such beautiful scenery, how can we not drink?”

After he spoke, he emptied his cup in one gulp.
Then, he eagerly leaned over and picked up the wine cup opposite and gently poured the wine inside onto the floor.
Next, he placed it back on the table and filled it once more.
“Every time I drink with you, you never admit defeat, always so indignant and jealous as you scold me, haha.
You’ve never admitted that I’m your brother your whole life, but now, you can’t deny it anymore, can you? Hurhur… cheers…”

Chu Yang watched him, a hot feeling burning his eyes.
With great difficulty, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to, he called out, “Teacher…”

“You don’t need to say anything.” Meng Chaoran waved at him dismissively.
“I’m not crazy, nor am I deranged.
I know that Hanwu is already gone… but him having gone away doesn’t mean that our friendship is also gone and no longer exists, because I’m still here.”

“I’m here, so our friendship is still here! Our friendship is here, so my brother is still here! And since my brother is here, we must drink! And must enjoy to our fullest!” Meng Chaoran said, “Life and death are but the same.”

As he spoke, he downed another cup and held it up facing the area opposite him, chuckling as he said, “Don’t you think so, Hanwu?”

Then, he chuckled again and said, “How rare of you to actually hold the same view as me! Come, my brother, let’s drink… I’ve always thought that I owed you, but now I realize that I’m wrong.
I don’t owe you, in fact, you’re the one who owes me… You died such a heroic and unrestrained death but you made me… Never mind, we shan’t talk about that.
In any case, if we have another life, you have to pay your debt! Haha…”

A sad and forlorn feeling arose in Chu Yang’s heart.
He felt as if he could see Ling Hanwu seated opposite Meng Chaoran, in robes as white as snow, lifting his cup and emptying it with a smile.
He had an expression of utmost joy and elation on his face as he enjoyed a drink with his brother.

Chu Yang only felt a lump quickly forming in his throat.
He held his breath, walking out quietly.

Leaving this space to these brothers separated by life and death.

Quietly, he shut the doors.
From within, he could somewhat hear Meng Chaoran’s voice, as if he was asking, “What are you worried about? …”

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