Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Parting Is for a Better Reunion

Beneath a large bluestone, a small pile of firewood crackled as it burned. On either side, Y-shaped branches were stuck into the ground, holding the leg of some unknown beast over the flames. It was golden-brown and tempting, sizzling as fat dripped from it.

The rich aroma drifted through the air, attracting the covetous attention of many wild animals, and even Demon Beasts, from the surrounding forest.

However, the two men sitting by the fire seemed oblivious to it all, instead drinking wine and laughing merrily.

"Brother Zhu, it’s only been a few years, and yet both of us have broken through to Foundation Establishment. This is truly a joyous occasion," Song Changsheng said with a touch of emotion as he poured himself a cup of wine.

He didn’t have many friends, and Zhu Yiqun was a rare confidant. After the initial surprise of seeing him reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, all that remained was happiness.

On the path to eternal life, there are four great elements: Dharma, wealth, companions, and land.

"Dharma" refers to the correct methods of cultivation, the very foundation and prerequisite for it. "Wealth" refers to the necessary resources to support one’s cultivation. "Companions" refers to good teachers and friends who share the same aspirations and can support each other. "Land" refers to an ideal place for cultivation, what is often called a Cave Heaven Blessed Land.

Little Fatty was such a good teacher and friend on Song Changsheng’s cultivation path—someone he could rely on to go further. That’s why he was genuinely happy to see him break through to Foundation Establishment.

"Sigh, I still can’t compare to you. When we first met, you were only at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, while I was already at Qi Refining Great Perfection. I never thought you’d be the one to break through first. It’s enough to make a guy die of frustration."

Little Fatty said with mock anger, skillfully turning the roasting spit in his hands.

"Hahaha, doesn’t that just prove my talent is greater than yours?" Song Changsheng laughed heartily.

"Hey, don’t get so full of yourself. If it weren’t for how special my Dao Foundation is, I would’ve definitely been faster than you."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow and said, half-joking and half-serious, "Oh, really? Did you form a Dao Foundation of the Great Dao?"

Little Fatty immediately glanced around, looking guilty, then said mysteriously, "This is just between you and me. Don’t you dare tell anyone."

The look in Song Changsheng’s eyes changed instantly. He knew the other man wouldn’t play this kind of joke on him. Since he’d said it, it was almost certainly true.

He found it hard to believe. It wasn’t that he was so arrogant as to think he was the only one who could form a Dao Foundation of the Great Dao, but Little Fatty had done it in such a short amount of time, only a fraction slower than himself.

After all, the only reason he had been able to form a Yin Yang Dao Foundation so quickly was because of his special Heart Method; it had very little to do with his own innate aptitude.

A Heart Method like that was a matter of fate, not something one could actively seek out. For Zhu Yiqun to have formed a Dao Foundation of the Great Dao so quickly, there had to be another reason.

He had never quite been able to see through Zhu Yiqun, and now, the fog of mystery surrounding him only seemed to have grown thicker.

Seeing Song Changsheng’s dumbfounded expression, Zhu Yiqun’s chubby face broke into a wide, happy grin. He nudged Song Changsheng with his elbow and said, "Alright, enough with the act. Don’t think I don’t know. It’s not like you don’t have one."

Song Changsheng was even more surprised now. "How did you know?" he blurted out.

Little Fatty tossed his hair back smugly. "Because I saw you in action," he said, his expression triumphant. "At your Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony."

"Even though you were using that gourd as a cover, I’ve got a sharp eye. I could tell at a glance that you were using Yin Yang True Intent."

It suddenly dawned on Song Changsheng. ’So that was it. This guy’s eyes really are sharp. So many people were there, and none of them noticed, but he saw right through me.’

’But on second thought, this guy was never normal to begin with. It shouldn’t be that surprising he figured it out.’

He laughed and punched him playfully on the chest. "You! I thought you didn’t get the invitation. Why didn’t you come find me for a drink?"

Zhu Yiqun grinned and joked, "Drinking with you is too expensive. You nearly ate me into poverty last time."

"Hey, talk as if you haven’t had your fair share of my wine," Song Changsheng said, giving him a sidelong glance. "So, what brings you here today?"

Little Fatty suddenly fell silent. He sprinkled his special blend of spices on the roasting meat, and after a long moment, said quietly, "I’m leaving."

"Leaving?" Song Changsheng was startled.

"That’s right. I’m going to find my old man. I didn’t have the strength before, so I would have just been a burden to him. But it’s different now. I’m going to help him.

"Too many people want to kill him. He’s the only family I have left. I can’t let him face all that danger alone," Little Fatty said, carving a large slice of meat from the golden-brown beast leg and handing it to Song Changsheng.

For a moment, even the fragrant roasted meat seemed to lose its flavor. Song Changsheng was silent for a while before asking, "Do you know where he is?"

"Not for sure. Someone said they saw him in Bian Province. I plan to check out Luoxia City, and if I don’t find him there, I’ll search the other provinces."

"Sigh... I wish you good luck." Song Changsheng raised his wine cup, offering a sincere blessing.

"My luck has always been good." Little Fatty raised his cup and drained it in one go.

After that, silence fell over the scene, broken only by the sound of the two men chewing the roasted meat.

"I’ve heard that a One-armed Swordsman has appeared in Bian Province these past two years, slaying demons and devils everywhere. I suspect it’s Xu Yunhe. I might even run into him on this trip to Bian Province."

After picking the last scrap of meat clean from the large bone, Little Fatty stood up and wiped his hands.

A resolute face suddenly appeared in Song Changsheng’s mind. He realized it had been several years since he’d last heard any news of him.

"If it really is him, that would be a good thing."

He quite admired the man. Besides, the legacy of Hee Yunxuan’s Sword Dao was very likely with him.

"I’ll know if it’s true once I get there and ask around. Who knows when we’ll see each other again after this. Here, take this jar of seasoning," Little Fatty said, stretching languidly as he handed a half-fist-sized jar to Song Changsheng.

Seeing Song Changsheng just staring, he glared and said, "What, you think it’s too little? Let me tell you, this is the upgraded version. It’s priceless."

Song Changsheng snapped out of it and quickly took the jar. He then took out a small shield and said, "Since you’re leaving, I don’t have much to give you, but this is a Celestial Spirit Shield. Take it for protection."

"Huh, a Tier Two Low Grade Defensive Magical Artifact? Not bad, not bad at all! This will come in handy." Zhu Yiqun accepted it with a beaming smile. He glanced at the orange glow on the horizon, then turned to Song Changsheng and solemnly cupped his fists. "Changsheng, I’ll take my leave."

"Brother Zhu, next time we meet, I’ll treat you to some good wine."

"Hahaha, alright! I’m off!" Little Fatty took a step forward, commanding a black wok to fly him toward the horizon.

Watching Zhu Yiqun’s retreating figure, Song Changsheng felt a pang of melancholy. ’On a journey like this, there’s no telling if he’ll find fortune or disaster, life or death.’

In the end, Song Changsheng didn’t try to talk him out of it. If their places were switched, and his own grandfather or mother were being hunted by enemies, he would certainly make the same choice.

"Good luck. I’ll be waiting for you to come back for that drink."

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