Chapter 316: Sworn as Brothers

Translator: Tim Editor: Fish Creek

Xu Ping continued, “When I arrived in Liang Pu, I immediately knew the blood coral was beyond my reach. Too many martial artists were in Liang Pu, and I risked discovery. I was hunted, so I hid in Chun An. Fortunately, they didn't follow. I planned to stay another day in Chun An and then go to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, but I met you here. I'm so happy. You didn't die.”

Ye Mo laughed, “Brother Xu, I’m the one who obtained the blood coral. Those people are after me. I apologize, Brother Xu, I had many enemies and didn’t use my real name. I'm actually Ye Mo, not Mo Ying.”

Xu Ping stared at Ye Mo for a long time before exclaiming, “Brother Ye Mo, you’re amazing! I never imagined the blood coral was with you. This is incredible! Wonderful, wonderful, this is too great!”

Xu Ping actually started laughing. His eyes shone with happiness. Though he hadn’t seen the blood coral, he’d heard countless stories. To him, such a treasure was far safer in Ye Mo’s hands than anyone else’s.

Ye Mo produced a porcelain vase, poured out two Chi-Increasing Pills, and said to Xu Ping, “Xu Ping, these pills are made from the blood coral. I’ll give you two. You’re at the Yellow Level Tertiary stage. When you return, find a quiet place and take one. In half a year, take the other. These two will guarantee you reach Earth Level.”

Xu Ping held the vase, dumbfounded. After a long moment, he reacted and quickly pushed it back. “No, brother, this is too precious. I can't accept it.”

Though he pushed it back, Xu Ping’s heart throbbed with shock. A pill that could elevate one from Yellow Level to Earth Level? It was preposterous. If outsiders knew, they would slaughter anyone who stood in their way. But Xu Ping held to this principle: though he desired the pills, he knew this gift was too valuable, considering his relationship with Ye Mo.

Ye Mo pushed the vase back, saying seriously, “Brother Xu, if you think lightly of me, then don’t take them. You were willing to avenge me after hearing of my death. Giving you these two pills is nothing. I could even help you obtain Essence-Increasing Pills to reach Great Heaven state, much less these Chi-Increasing Pills. Besides, without your materials, my flying sword couldn't have been completed. If anyone owes anyone, it's me who owes you.”

Luo Xuan watched them in shock. A pill to reach Earth Level, and he gave away two? She knew their value, possessing one herself. And here were two men, one offering, the other refusing. What was this flying sword? Ye Mo also claimed he could create pills to reach the Great Heaven state. If this were revealed, the small world would be turned upside down.

“Alright, Brother Ye, if I continue to refuse, I’d be acting ungrateful. Brother Ye, if you don’t mind, let’s follow ancient custom and swear brotherhood.” Xu Ping no longer refused, taking the pills. Regardless of reality, Ye Mo was, in his eyes, someone worthy of brotherhood.

Ye Mo stood, “Of course. Let us swear brotherhood here today.”

“I have an elder brother, Xiao Changdong. Although he isn’t here, let us swear brotherhood together,” Xu Ping added, standing.

“Certainly. A man you call elder brother is a true man.” Using tea as wine, the two became sworn brothers.

Luo Xuan watched admiringly, though she wasn’t a man. If she were, she might also have sought brotherhood with Ye Mo.

“Third Brother.” “Second Brother.”

They completed the oath and stood, laughing.

“If there were a peach orchard here, you could relive the historical oath of brotherhood in the peach gardens,” Luo Xuan smiled. (TL note: 桃园结义, swearing brotherhood in the peach gardens, was a historical event of the Three Kingdoms era where three people swore brotherhood.)

Luo Xuan wholeheartedly approved of Ye Mo. Regardless of his ability to create Essence-Increasing Pills, his casual gift of Chi-Increasing Pills proved he was no ordinary person. And from what she knew, Ye Mo was certainly enigmatic, yet remarkably generous.

Ye Mo produced a curved sword he’d crafted and gave it to Xu Ping, adding three Lotus Life Seeds. “Second Brother, I made this sword for you. Try it, and these seeds. No matter how severe your wounds, as long as you’re alive, you’ll recover. Take these.”

Xu Ping took the curved sword and tapped it against the table corner. The corner shattered. He stared at the sword, amazed. “A fine sword! I didn’t expect Third Brother could craft weapons as well.”

Luo Xuan saw the sword’s sharpness and recoiled. It was a divine weapon, yet Ye Mo gave it away so easily.

Ye Mo watched Xu Ping accept the gifts and asked, “Second Brother, what did you hear? Why were you forced to Chun An?”

Xu Ping said hatefully, “The He Liu Sect. Those bastards are atrocious. A few days ago, I heard they were going to Beijing to exterminate the entire Ye family for revenge. I just happened to overhear it. Of course, I wouldn't ignore such a thing…”

“What?” Ye Mo stood abruptly, his eyes blazing with killing intent.

Although he wasn’t closely connected to the Ye family, his sister, Ye Ling, and brother, Ye Zifeng, were still there. The He Liu Sect sought to destroy his family. They were asking for death.

“Third Brother… are you from the Beijing Ye family?” Xu Ping suddenly realized.

Ye Mo’s face was grim as he nodded. “Though I’m not a Ye family member now, my brother and sister are still there. If anything happens to them, I will uproot the He Liu Sect.”

“Third Brother, let’s go to Beijing. Even if it costs my life, I won't let those He Liu Sect bastards succeed,” Xu Ping’s face changed, full of regret. He hadn’t realized the Beijing Ye family was his Third Brother’s family.

Ye Mo shook his head. “Second Brother, if they’ve already acted, going now is useless. If not, I’m sufficient. I’ve killed several Earth Level masters, so this time, it should be all Earth Levels. You can’t help now.”

Xu Ping nodded. He wasn’t unhappy. He'd seen Ye Mo's power. Ye Mo was incredibly strong, easily killing two Black Level Peak Stage masters. Now, he claimed to have killed several Earth Level masters. His power had surged drastically. Was he a Great Heaven Level master?

“Second Brother, do you have anywhere to go? If not, go to Flowing Snake. I’ve established a company there called Luo Yue. You can cultivate peacefully.”

Xu Ping immediately agreed, “Okay, I’ll wait for you at Flowing Snake.”

Ye Mo nodded. “The company collects spirit items and makes pills. Second Brother, don’t worry, I will help you reach Great Heaven for certain.”

Then, Ye Mo turned to Luo Xuan. “I apologize, Luo Xuan. I must return to Beijing immediately. If possible, I’ll help you find the book tonight. Otherwise, you’ll have to search alone. I'll return your book first.” Ye Mo produced the Ni Luo Sutra and gave it to Luo Xuan.

Luo Xuan took the book. She didn’t know where Ye Mo had kept it, but she nodded. “I understand. It’s fine if you don’t help. I know what I’m looking for. I might find it in half a day. If I do, I’ll save it for you. If I’m not home, go to Ying Hua Temple, thirty miles east. I’ll wait for you there.”

Ye Mo and Xu Ping hadn’t hidden anything during their conversation. And perhaps influenced by them, she thought little of it and told them her location.

The three parted. Xu Ping headed to Flowing Snake, Luo Xuan to the library. Ye Mo found a clear space, mounted his flying sword, and sped towards Beijing like lightning.

…

The Beijing Ye family. Though Ye Mo’s actions had changed its demeanor, it was no longer the arrogant family it once was. People no longer saw the young masters flaunting themselves in the streets, but those in the know understood the truth.

Only those powerful in Beijing knew that despite the Ye family’s changed demeanor, they were far stronger than before.

No family would entrust its leadership to a man in his twenties, but the Ye family had. Their current leader, Ye Zifeng, was only twenty-three, a unique case.

Those in the know didn’t laugh at the Ye family; Ye Beirong’s move was brilliant. Since Ye Zifeng assumed leadership, the Li and Qiao families eagerly sought favor. In the recent election, support for the Ye family surged. Even Han Zaixin visited Ye Beirong several times.

This was because people knew Ye Zifeng had an incredibly powerful brother, Ye Mo.

But today, the Ye family mansion was eerily silent. It was surrounded by anti-violence police, and the scent of blood hung in the air.

The Ye family mansion was locked down; no one was allowed near.