Chapter 3: Separation

Xueying held her younger brother, feeling both anxious and astonished. Could this gray-robed young man really be her mother’s elder brother?

“Brother, it’s been so many years,” Mo Yangyu smiled. “It truly makes me happy to see you again. You’ve already entered the Starry Realm—have you become a Silver Moon Magician?”

“Mm.” The gray-robed youth nodded.

In the Starry Realm of magicians, there were also three major levels: Meteor, Silver Moon, and Title.

This gray-robed youth was indeed a Silver Moon Magician. Even within the clan, his status was quite high.

“To become a Silver Moon Magician by your own strength, you must rank among the top three in the younger generation of the clan,” Mo Yangyu said enviously. “Once you become a Title Magician, you’ll be truly extraordinary.”

“There hasn’t been a Title Magician in our clan yet. How difficult it is to reach the Title Stage,” the gray-robed youth sighed.

The Title Stage…

It meant possessing a unique title across the entire Longshan Empire! Such an existence was absolutely worthy of respect and terrifying, representing the pinnacle of mortals! Taking another step beyond would lead to transcendent life.

Though this Silver Moon Magician seemed formidable, capable of easily destroying an entire army, before a Title Stage existence… he would likely not even have the chance to cast his spells.

“You’ve violated the clan’s laws. You must understand, our clan has survived for over a thousand years because of these laws!” the gray-robed youth said. “Without discipline, even the most prosperous clan will eventually decline. Our clan has experienced hardship, but now it thrives again—thanks entirely to the clan rules. And those who violate the rules must be punished.”

“Tell me your decision,” the gray-robed youth said.

The atmosphere immediately turned tense. Dongbolie, the lion humanoid warrior, and Xueying, who was holding her younger brother, all felt extremely nervous.

“I am nobility, protected by the empire’s laws! You cannot arrest us against imperial law. Although you are powerful, if you violate the imperial laws… you will only meet your end.”

“Nobility?”

The gray-robed youth shook his head. “You never give up until the very end, do you? Don’t bother looking—this time, I did bring an imperial decree with me.”

Mo Yangyu, Dongbolie, and the lion humanoid warrior’s expressions all changed dramatically.

The gray-robed youth extended his right hand. A golden scroll materialized out of thin air. As he unfurled it, a mysterious force spread throughout the area. Xueying, who was holding her younger brother, could feel this force too—it felt transcendent and mystical, causing her to instinctively feel reverence.

“Imperial decree, Mo Yang Clan order: Mo Yangyu, a clan disciple, is sentenced to a hundred years of solitary confinement! Baron Dongbolie is sentenced to a hundred years of hard labor! The executor is Mo Yangchen!” The gray-robed youth’s voice echoed throughout the castle.

Mo Yangyu and Dongbolie exchanged glances, a hint of relief in their eyes.

“A hundred years of solitary confinement? A hundred years of hard labor? That’s too long, far too long!” the lion humanoid warrior cried anxiously. “A normal person’s lifespan is only about a hundred years. Even if they reach the Starry Realm, their lifespan would only be a little over a hundred. They’re already so old—confined for a hundred years and forced into hard labor for another hundred… won’t they be imprisoned and enslaved until death?”

“No, Uncle, you’re the executor! Please save my parents, save them!” Xueying, holding her younger brother, cried out desperately.

The word “Uncle” sent a jolt through the gray-robed youth’s body.

“I can’t save them. No one can save them. Our Mo Yang Clan has strict rules; no one’s pleas will work,” the gray-robed youth shook his head.

“Waaah, waaah…” Qing Shi, the younger brother in her arms, began to cry. At only two years old, he didn’t fully understand, but he could sense the heavy atmosphere around them.

Xueying wanted to cry too.

But she was more anxious. At eight years old, she was already quite mature. Her father and mother were to be confined for a hundred years and forced into hard labor for another hundred—this truly meant punishment until the day they died! Her parents, her most important loved ones!

“Please save my parents, save my parents!” Tears streamed from Xueying’s eyes. “Uncle, you must have a way, you must!”

“Xueying, don’t cry. Stone, you too,” Mo Yangyu approached and knelt down, hugging both of her sons. She turned her head toward the gray-robed figure. “Give me and Dongbo a little time, okay?”

“Alright,” the gray-robed youth nodded.

…

In a wooden cabin atop an unnamed mountain within Xueying Domain…

Thud, thud, thud…

The mountain path trembled.

The lion humanoid man, Tong San, anxiously rode a frost-winged beast horse. The frost-winged steed was extremely fast, and this time it wasn’t even wearing armor. From Xue Shi Castle to this mountaintop took only the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

“Zong Ling! Zong Ling!” The lion humanoid shouted loudly from afar, his voice filled with urgency.

The cabin door opened.

A silver-haired man in a black robe stepped out. Though his robe covered most of his body, a dark blue serpent tail, nearly two meters long and as thick as an average human thigh, was visible. This unmistakable tail revealed his identity—a serpent humanoid from the Orc Clan. His face resembled a human’s, clearly indicating he was of the most noble bloodline among serpent humanoids—the Six-Armed Serpent Demon!

Because he had six arms, he usually kept them hidden beneath his black robe to avoid drawing attention.

“What’s the matter, Tong San?” Zong Ling asked.

“The clan has finally come after our master, and they brought an imperial decree!” The lion humanoid was almost in tears. “Among us, you’re the smartest. Please think of a way!”

Zong Ling’s body trembled slightly, and he shook his head gently. “The Mo Yang Clan has already used the imperial decree. No one can save them now unless someone becomes a legendary transcendent being. Only then might the Mo Yang Clan release Dongbo and the others.”

“Then… then there really is no way?” Tong San was heartbroken.

He couldn’t forget.

In his darkest and most painful days, it was that young girl who had played with him, year after year. Even when they finally escaped the Mo Yang Clan, he had loyally followed without hesitation, through countless adventures and life-and-death situations. In his heart… his master was even more important than his own life!

“No way, huh? Did A Yu send you to find me?” Zong Ling asked.

“Mm, my master told me to come get you,” Tong San replied.

“Let’s go. We should see them one last time.” Under his black robe, Zong Ling clenched his fists tightly, his sharp nails digging into his palms. Whether Dongbo or A Yu, they were comrades who had shared life and death with him time and again. How could he not feel anxious and furious at this moment? But he was powerless. Due to his naturally reserved nature, he remained almost perpetually calm.

“Let’s go.”

Beside the cabin was another frost-winged beast horse. Zong Ling and Tong San quickly mounted their steeds and rushed back toward the castle.

…

Inside Xue Shi Castle.

Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu were giving final instructions to their son, Xueying.

“Xueying, this pendant is a storage treasure, containing a storage space. It’s extremely precious and rare. Its value alone is enough to rival the entire Xueying Domain,” Mo Yangyu removed the pendant from around her neck. “From today on, it belongs to you. Keep it a secret. Don’t tell anyone except your Uncle Tong San and Uncle Zong. Not even your younger brother. He’s still a child, and his mouth is loose—he might accidentally expose it.”

The territory couldn’t be taken away.

But once a storage treasure was exposed, it would easily become a target for robbery.

“Mother, you keep it,” Xueying insisted.

“Your father and I will be taken away, and all our treasures will be confiscated,” Mo Yangyu gently pricked Xueying’s finger, drawing a drop of blood. She silently chanted an incantation, and soon the blood formed a magical symbol, which she imprinted onto the pendant. Instantly, Xueying felt his spirit connect with the inside of the pendant.

Inside the pendant were some materials, gold coins, and scrolls.

“All the most important treasures in the castle are inside. Oh, and your father still has another treasure,” Mo Yangyu turned to her husband.

Dongbolie took out a golden book from his robe.

The entire book was made entirely of gold foil. Gold could endure for countless years without decaying, and only extremely valuable books would be made of gold.

“This is a spear technique left behind by a transcendent being,” Dongbolie smiled. “The basics I’ve taught you before were all derived from this spear technique! The ancient noble families each have three or four secret techniques left by transcendent beings. We only have this one, and it’s only a spear technique. That’s why I’ve been teaching you spear techniques since you were young. Study it well, and remember never to reveal it to anyone except your Uncle Zong and Uncle Tong. Haha, they were both present when we obtained this secret technique back then.”

“Mm.” Xueying took the golden book. Immediately, he felt a strange wave of energy emanating from it. With a thought, he stored it inside the pendant.

“Alright, let’s go out. Wait for Uncle Zong and Uncle Tong to arrive.”

…

Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu, along with their two children, Xueying and Qing Shi, waited in the hall. Soon, two figures rushed in.

It was Tong San and Zong Ling.

“Dongbo, A Yu,” Zong Ling wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

“Before we leave, we have to trouble you two,” Mo Yangyu smiled. “Tong San is rough by nature and can’t manage the domain well. So the domain will rely on you, Zong Ling. And the education of our two children will also depend on you.”

“Don’t worry,” Zong Ling nodded. “Leave it to me.”

“Xueying, remember, the entire domain’s affairs will be entrusted to Uncle Zong. You can only officially take over when you turn eighteen,” Mo Yangyu looked at her son. She was worried that without assistance, the two children would soon be devoured by outsiders.

“Mm.” Xueying held his younger brother.

Qing Shi, huddled in his brother’s arms, had stopped crying but now looked fearful. He was afraid of Zong Ling and Tong San.

After all, he was only two years old. A child with a lion’s head like Tong San and a serpent tail like Zong Ling was naturally frightening.

“Mother, please tell me, where exactly is the Mo Yang Clan? How can I possibly save you?” Xueying couldn’t help but urgently ask.

“Save?”

Mo Yangyu and Dongbolie exchanged glances.

“Don’t think about that anymore. Just live well, understand? As long as you two brothers are doing well, your father and I will be very happy,” Mo Yangyu said. Save them? How strict were the laws of the Mo Yang Clan? To have the Mo Yang Clan break their laws and release them would probably require a transcendent being. Could their son become a transcendent being? They didn’t even dare to imagine it.

“Tell me, how can I do it? There must be a way,” Xueying urged anxiously.

“Wait until you obtain the Black Iron Token from the Longshan Pavilion, and I’ll tell you all the details. Then you’ll naturally know how to save them,” Zong Ling said beside her.

Mo Yangyu and Dongbolie looked at Zong Ling in surprise.

“Let’s give this child a little hope,” Zong Ling said.

Dongbolie nodded in agreement. Xueying was already eight years old, and he had always been clever. He couldn’t possibly forget this incident. Giving him a goal might be better. Dongbolie immediately said, “Right, wait until you get the Black Iron Token from the Longshan Pavilion, and your Uncle Zong will tell you everything!”

“The Black Iron Token from the Longshan Pavilion?” Xueying silently memorized it.

…

Late at night.

The drawbridge of Xue Shi Castle was lowered.

Outside the castle, a silver-armored man and the gray-robed youth stood waiting. Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu were bidding farewell to their sons.

“Xueying, take good care of your younger brother, understand?” Mo Yangyu instructed.

“Mm.” Xueying nodded, his eyes already red, tears streaming down.

“Waaah!” Xueying held his younger brother’s hand, but Qing Shi suddenly burst into loud tears.

Mo Yangyu couldn’t help herself and knelt down, hugging both of her sons tightly, showering them with kisses. Dongbolie stood silently beside her, his eyes also moist.

“Let’s go,” Mo Yangyu gritted her teeth and walked toward the gray-robed youth with her husband.

As they walked, they couldn’t help but look back.

“Waaaah! Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go!” Qing Shi cried and shouted.

Holding his younger brother’s hand, Xueying also wept, raising his voice to shout, “Father! Mother! I, Dongbo Xueying, swear… I will definitely save you back! Our family will definitely reunite, definitely! I swear! I swear, I will definitely save you! No one can stop me!”

Xueying’s cry echoed through the silent night sky.

Mo Yangyu covered her mouth, unable to stop her tears. Dongbolie also trembled, as they both stepped onto the back of the four-winged vulture.

“Let’s go,” the gray-robed youth said softly, shaking his head.

Save?

How could they be saved? Even he, as the elder brother, wanted to save them, but the clan’s rules were merciless. No one’s pleas would work on the Mo Yang Clan. It would take a transcendent being to save them.

Not only him, but even Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu themselves had never imagined their son could save them. Not because they looked down on their child, but because saving them would require a transcendent being, and transcendent beings were nothing more than legends.

“Whoosh!” The four-winged vulture flapped its wings and soared into the sky.

On the vulture’s back, Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu turned their heads to look below. At the castle gate stood the two small figures, so frail and weak. Dongbolie and Mo Yangyu’s hearts ached. How could they bear to leave their children behind?

“Live well, live well,” Mo Yangyu whispered silently. From this life onward, she would pray for her two children, hoping they would live in peace.

Xueying held his younger brother’s hand and looked up.

The vulture quickly flew into the distance, rapidly shrinking into a tiny speck in the night sky.

“Don’t go, don’t go,” Qing Shi cried.

Dongbo Xueying picked up his younger brother. “Stone, don’t cry. Don’t cry. Father and Mother are just going out for a while. They’ll come back very soon. Brother promises you.”