FRGNM -Chapter 282 The Deception

The purple bamboo slowly emerged from within his body. The anger on Yuwen Zhiyuan’s face eased further. He coughed and gasped, a brilliant smile spreading across his lips as he looked at those behind him.

“Father, my life was saved by you. You raised me. So now, I’m returning it to you. But… Silver Wolf is my friend, and the Purple Bamboo is a treasure they must find. I trust them—they can heal me. If… I die, then it only means I was meant to. Perhaps even as a baby, I was supposed to die, wasn’t I?”

Idiot!

Ling Ruoxi glared at him, swiftly pressing down on Yuwen Zhiyuan’s hand. As the Purple Bamboo extended about fifteen centimeters, she opened her right hand and released a surge of purple Dou Qi, cutting the bamboo cleanly in half.

The severed bamboo hovered in midair, trembling slightly.

Yuwen Zhiyuan’s expression changed drastically. He dropped to one knee; a small portion of the Purple Bamboo remained inside him, sustaining his life.

Buzz! Ling Ruoxi extended her right hand, summoning the Demon-Slaying Qin. Her long fingers plucked the strings, and a piercing, powerful note erupted, exuding boundless killing intent. While not as deep and melodious as Luo Mingyu’s playing, it carried a tremor that resonated straight from the soul.

Purple light shot forth. The remaining three Purple Bamboo fragments appeared in the air, guiding the one in front. The glow flashed, then flew into Ling Ruoxi’s storage ring. She pressed down on the Qin, exerting control.

A cold aura exploded outward as the deep, resonant melody surged.

Yuwen Zhiyuan felt his heart tremble, as though something was blocking his chest. His face darkened, and he nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, Silver Wolf’s reflexes were quick; he caught Yuwen Zhiyuan and growled, “Old man, watch carefully! Ruoxi’s medical skills are beyond what you can imagine!”

“Blue-clad, check his internal condition.” Part of the Purple Bamboo had been removed, and his life energy was waning. Ling Ruoxi could not take chances. Her eyes glinted, and she extended her hand—the silver needles appeared.

Blue-clad didn’t hesitate. His blue eyes darkened as he studied Yuwen Zhiyuan, drawing in a sharp breath. “His kidneys are near failure. Blood circulation is stopping. About an inch of Purple Bamboo remains near the heart. His body’s systems are failing, the bamboo’s energy is weakening. We must find something with life force to replace it—or his Purple Bamboo will be depleted!”

Cold light flashed in Ling Ruoxi’s eyes. She drove the silver needles rapidly into Yuwen Zhiyuan’s acupoints, focusing the purple Dou Qi into the needles, which flowed into his body.

Something with life force? She didn’t know what yet. For now, the first priority was to seal all of Yuwen Zhiyuan’s acupoints to prevent his life force from failing.

Wind swept as the needles pierced his acupoints. With a final motion, the last needle entered his point. In a backhand motion, a pill was sent down his throat.

“Why stop now?” Silver Wolf frowned, shocked. What was happening? Could it be that no one could save him?

Ling Ruoxi shook her head. “I don’t know any life force sources for now. Purple Bamboo is a rare spiritual treasure of the world that can extend life. Until it’s gone, unless we find another life-force treasure, his heart will stop beating.”

She didn’t know if Yuwen Ye’s words were a warning or a comment on Yuwen Zhiyuan—resurrecting someone without life force was defying nature. Such beings should not exist.

“Life-force treasure?” Silver Wolf’s face darkened. He quickly looked at Luo Mingyu; only he could know about this.

Luo Mingyu’s expression was calm. “Besides Purple Bamboo, there’s another treasure: the Luoshan Bodhi Fruit. It can revive the dead and extend life. Its power is similar to Purple Bamboo, but while Bamboo is natural, this fruit must bloom and mature. Even if obtained, it requires 49 days of refinement to extract its full medicinal power into a pill. I have one, but I’ve already taken it. Others must be picked from Luoshan. Is there any Bodhi Fruit in this trading hall?”

“No, there isn’t.” Those below shook their heads. Such a treasure was unimaginable for a small place like this. Even with wealth, rare spiritual fruits like this would not be here.

Luoshan… what kind of place was that? Even if they went, could they obtain the fruit in time? There was no way they could last long enough.

Silver Wolf clenched his teeth. “Is there no other way?”

“No.” Luo Mingyu’s hoarse voice paused, then continued, “Wait… there is one method, but it’s very dangerous for you.”

“What does it mean? Just tell me! I don’t care about my life. Zhiyuan saved me before—now it’s my turn!” Silver Wolf roared, holding Yuwen Zhiyuan tightly. He would try anything.

Luo Mingyu nodded faintly. “Your kind, the magical beasts, have a passed-down skill called Life Sharing. Aside from a standard contract with the master, one can share one’s life with another. But it’s extremely risky—any mistake, and both of you die. You must decide carefully.”

“No need to think—I agree!” Silver Wolf said firmly, pressing down on Yuwen Zhiyuan. “Tell me what to do.”

Yuwen Ye’s fists clenched in anger. “No! Give me time—I’ll find the Bodhi Fruit. None of you touch him!”

“Father.” Yuwen Zhiyuan smiled faintly, hand on his chest. “I’m doing this willingly. I foresaw today long ago. You knew I would leave, which is why you restrained my divination, letting my friends mislead me, ruin the family, so I’d realize I cannot rely on you.”

“But Father, as Silver Wolf said, I’ve grown. I’m no longer a child. I can handle my own matters. Just as I trust them to save me, Father, may I follow them outside the Sword Pavilion and see the world?” Lying down, his face pale as paper, he smiled, insisting on his choice.

“You!” Yuwen Ye’s veins bulged; his face turned red with fury. “Even so… you want to follow them?”

“Father, I’ve always known my destiny. I was meant to die. Before that happens, isn’t it better to see outside the Pavilion, play a little? You know I love fun, so the tighter you restrain me, the stronger my desire for the outside grows. I know the dangers awaiting me—please, Father, let me go and make my own decisions.” Yuwen Zhiyuan smiled faintly. The Purple Bamboo inside him burned rapidly; when it vanished, the power sustaining him would vanish forever.

Yuwen Ye clenched his fists, suddenly feeling older, and let out a bitter smile. “You are already in control… do I really need to restrain you?”

“Thank you.” Yuwen Zhiyuan nodded, placing his hand atop Silver Wolf’s. Purple Dou Qi surged between them. He sat up, channeling his Qi, letting the energy flow through his body.

“Seal your six senses, sit cross-legged, reverse your blood flow, expel Dou Qi from your body. I will guide your blood and Qi with my Dou Qi—both our lives will be shared.” Yuwen Zhiyuan smiled, as if already knowing this companion would go with him. Purple Dou Qi surged into both their bodies like lightning.

The purple energy circulated rapidly. A golden inner core emerged from Silver Wolf’s mouth, enveloping them both in light—astounding to witness.

Crack! The inner core split into two. Blood spilled from Silver Wolf and Yuwen Zhiyuan’s mouths. Their faces turned pale. The cores merged into their bodies, ringing like a musical string in their ears.

The words Life Sharing appeared before them. Both sat cross-legged, the golden light spreading. They opened their eyes, staring at each other as if seeing more clearly than ever.

Silver Wolf raised an eyebrow. “Now, can you stand?”

“Of course! With half the Snow Wolf King’s inner core, how could I become useless?” Yuwen Zhiyuan laughed, standing quickly. The Purple Bamboo inside him vanished, replaced by half of the core within his heart. With each heartbeat, its rhythm resonated powerfully, as if anticipating Silver Wolf’s next move.

Yuwen Ye’s eyes widened like copper bells. Horror flashed across his face. “You… you teamed up to deceive me?!”

Yuwen Zhiyuan shrugged, wiping his nose with a smile. “Father, sorry, it wasn’t intentional. But your temperament… well, it suits this outcome.”

“You… you didn’t have to let everyone in the Pavilion die, did you? This…” Yuwen Ye seethed, wishing he could grab Yuwen Zhiyuan. That brat even dared to trick his father!

Yuwen Zhiyuan smiled faintly. “Unexpected, indeed. But the Life Sharing, I told them in advance. As for the Pavilion being destroyed… Father, that’s where you help everyone.”

He waved his right hand, sending a golden card toward Yuwen Ye. “Father, this card contains billions I’ve saved over the years. It’s enough to rebuild the Sword Pavilion. Thank you for helping.”