Chapter 391: Chapter 83 Preserve the Bloodline_4
Watching Ah Dai finish writing, Yan Li marvelled, "Brother, your skills are becoming more and more refined. I wonder when I will be able to catch up to your current level. Big brother is right, once we get back, I must practice diligently."
Ah Dai smiled and said, "Both of my big brothers have such a good foundation, and with the guidance of the Judgment Chief’s method of practicing True Qi, you will surely make rapid progress."
Yan Shi took one last lingering look around and said, "Let’s go while it’s still deep into the night." He led the way, heading out of the Elf Forest. Since they had the Elf Pearl, all the illusions set up by the Elf Clan had no effect on them. They moved swiftly eastward, avoiding several patrols of elves, and finally left the Elf Forest before dawn.
Ah Dai’s affection for Xing Er was merely fraternal. Although he was now suddenly leaving and felt somewhat reluctant to part with everything regarding the Elf Clan, his feelings weren’t particular strong besides a slight sense of loss. But Yan Shi was different. His affection for Zhuo Yun ran deep. As he reluctantly left the Elf Forest, he became silent. Turning back to look at the dawning Elf Forest shrouded in morning mist, a sad look in his eyes revealed his reluctance to leave Zhuo Yun.
As they marched on, Yan Li suggested to Ah Dai, "Brother, you should come and stay with us in the Pu Yan Clan for a while."
Ah Dai shook his head and replied, "No, it’s been seven years. I need to go to the Illusive Forest to see Master Goris. My big brothers, let’s part ways here." Ah Dai was brimming with longing for Goris. He clearly remembered every moment he had spent with Goris in the Illusive Forest. It was Goris who had changed his life, who had guided him—a lowly thief—out of the City of Nino. Without Goris, there would be no Ah Dai today. Ah Dai was a man of great sentiment. Finally, he had fulfilled the elves’ charge. It was time to see his master.
Yan Shi emerged from his melancholy and the three men stopped almost simultaneously. It had already been two years since they had been together; the impending separation left them with a bitter feeling.
Ah Dai took a deep breath, stepped forward, and tightly embraced Yan Shi’s broad shoulders. "Big brother." Yan Shi reached back and grabbed Ah Dai’s shoulder. By saying less, they expressed more—the bond between brothers was evident in their silent interaction.
Ah Dai let go of Yan Shi and turned to the much shorter Yan Li, grabbing his broad shoulders. "Big Brother Yan Li."
Yan Li sighed continuously, "I really didn’t expect that we would have to part so soon. Brother, take care of yourself. When you have time, come and visit us in the Pu Yan Clan. We will all miss you."
Ah Dai nodded, remembered what the Prophet Pu Lin had said to him, and replied, "Don’t worry, my big brothers. As long as the Pu Yan Clan is in need, I will rush to your aid as quickly as I can. That was the promise I made to Prophet Pu Lin."
Yan Shi said, "Good brother, keep striving. Don’t lose heart as there is still much waiting for you to do. Take this, it’ll be of use in the Illusive Forest." With that, Yan Shi reached into his bosom and passed over his map of the continent. This map recorded almost all of the accurate routes in most regions of the continent.
"Big brother, this map is also very useful to you. If you give it to me, what will you use?"
"Take it, brother. Big brother doesn’t have any good items; it’s only this that can serve as a parting gift. We will be practicing in the Pu Yan Clan and I’m afraid we won’t be leaving anytime soon. Visit us when you miss us. I think that Prophet Pu Lin is also very much looking forward to your arrival. It would be best if you could bring Yue Yue with you the next time you come."
Ah Dai’s face turned red and he said, "Big brother, I will surely come to find you all again."
Yan Shi sighed and said, "Let’s go. Since we are going to part ways, stop hesitating. My brother, we will be waiting for you." As he finished speaking, he grasped Yan Li’s sturdy forearm, activated his fighting spirit, and bolted towards the direction of the Pu Yan clan. Ah Dai stood still, watching their tall and short figures gradually disappear from his sight, his heart suddenly felt so empty. Suddenly, he was alone again, and the feeling of loneliness made Ah Dai sad. Ever since Uncle Owen died, he left the Xi Bo clan and soon met Xuan Yue. Yue Yue could be seen as his first friend, followed by the Moon Scar Mercenary Corps, Yan Shi, and Yan Li. Yue Yue stayed in the church, perhaps it would be hard to meet again in this life, he didn’t knew the whereabouts of the Moon Scar Mercenary Corps, and now even the Yan brothers have left him. He stood there for a long time, until the sun bathed the Earth with its light, the dazzling rays pulled him back from his introspection. Yes! It was time to leave.
Ah Dai unfolded the map Yan Shi had given him, found his location, and from here he just needed to cross through the Province of the Yalian Clan and continue north until he reached the Empire of Tian Jing. Then crossing through the DeLun and Varangian Provinces of the Empire of Tian Jing, he would be able to arrive at the place where the Illusive Forest was located, within the Varangian Province. Under the sunlight, Ah Dai took a leap, touched the ground with his toes, and sprinted towards the north. Each time he jumped, it would carry him more than ten meters away. In a while, he had disappeared on the grasslands at the junction of the Tian Yuan Clan and Yalian Clan.
After ten days, at the Wind Tribe of the Yalian Clan. A group of Yalian people were gathering the cattle and sheep they had killed to air-dry and cure, which would become their food for the coming period. Among these people, a tall young man with black hair and eyes attracted the most attention. He worked quickly, and single-handedly lifted a full-grown bull weighing seven or eight hundred pounds, which was almost the work of four or five robust Yalian men. This young man with black hair and eyes was Ah Dai. Upon entering the territory of the Yalian Clan ten days ago, he had found himself completely penniless. The money he and Yan Shi had won at the casino in the Empire of Sunset City was all stored in a card only valid in this empire. In order to send Ah Dai to the church in time, Yan Shi had completely forgotten about the money exchange. Later, when they sent Xing Er back to the Elf Clan, they used almost all the remaining money to buy horses. Only upon entering the territory of the Yalian Clan did Ah Dai realize that he didn’t even have the money to buy a steamed bun. The Yalian Clan was almost entirely made up of vast grasslands with no cities, let alone a Mage Guild. Therefore, naturally, he could not get a monthly salary. Helplessly, he could only rely on his physical strength to look for a job in this larger Wind Tribe of the Yalian Clan. Ah Dai’s demands were not high, as long as he could save some food that would suffice until he got into the Empire of Tian Jing. He calculated that by tonight, he would probably have enough.
The Yalian Clan was a very hospitable tribe. Even though Ah Dai was different from them, they didn’t reject or discriminate against him. Especially when Ah Dai, trying to demonstrate his strength to the people here, lifted a whole bull, it almost shocked the entire Wind Tribe. Warriors are always loved, no matter where or when.
"Bang." Ah Dai threw the dead bull from his shoulder onto the ground, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said to the elderly Yalian who was partitioning the beef, "Uncle Feng Nu, is it enough?" The old man nodded at Ah Dai and said, "It’s enough, it’s enough. Ah Dai, you’re a hard-working young man. Since you came, our efficiency has become much higher. You should rest now. Here, have some sheep’s milk." As he spoke, he threw a leather bag made of cowhide to Ah Dai.
Ah Dai opened the plug, poured the somewhat fishy sheep’s milk into his mouth, and drank happily. While drinking the sheep’s milk, he gazed at the bustling Yalian people, his heart was inexplicably relaxed. Among this simple tribe, there were no disputes. Everyone was busy doing their tasks. After living here for ten days, Ah Dai’s body and mind were unprecedentedly relaxed. He thought, maybe this plain life without intrigues was the best for him.
Uncle Feng Nu smiled and said, "Ah Dai, why don’t you stay in our Wind Tribe, you’re so capable, Uncle will help you find a beautiful wife. There are many pretty girls in the tribe who have taken a fancy to you. Haha."
Ah Dai gave a shy smile and said, "I’m sorry, Uncle, I have a lot of things to do, I can’t stay in the tribe for too long. Maybe, I will leave tonight."
Feng Nu frowned and said, "Why, don’t you like the life in our Wind Tribe? Here, as long as you work hard, you definitely will get the corresponding rewards. If you leave, Uncle will miss you."
Ah Dai looked towards the direction of the Empire of Tian Jing and murmured, "No, I really like it here, but I have reasons why I can’t stay. I’m sorry, Uncle. I will miss you guys too. If there’s a chance in the future, I will definitely come back to see everyone." After saying this, he turned around and left to continue his work for the day.
Watching Ah Dai’s tall figure leave, Uncle Feng Nu sighed and murmured, "Yes, how could a person like you live an ordinary life like this! Go on, venture into your world. If one day you feel tired, this place will always be a shelter from the wind for you."
Ah Dai’s figure trembled slightly, but he didn’t stop, he just kept moving forward.
Nightfall settled, and the people of the Wind Tribe had returned to their tents to rest. The bustling grassland during the daytime was now enveloped in silence. The temperature at night was much lower than during the day, and only the fires inside the tents could bring warmth to the hard-working Yalian people. Ah Dai tidied up his things in the tent, the hard work of the past ten days had rewarded him with three sets of ordinary clothes and enough food. He stored all these things in the bag containing Dragon’s Blood, touched the Sword of Hades on his chest, took a deep look at Uncle Feng Nu who appeared to be fast asleep, sighed softly, and quietly left the tent.
