Chapter 9: The Pain of Parting II

After the words were out, Ye Qingxuan felt a weight lift from his heart.

However, he did not see the look of pleasant surprise he had expected on his father’s face.

Instead, his father looked at him deeply, patted him on the shoulder, and said

"You are my son; do you think I wouldn't know when you have something on your mind? These past few days, you’ve tried to say something several times, only to back down. Now that you’ve returned, are you preparing to say goodbye to your mother and me?"

Hearing his father’s words, Ye Qingxuan opened his mouth to speak, but his father raised a hand to stop him.

After silencing his son, his father continued

"When you were found to have spiritual roots, the neighbors were all green with envy. Your mother was so proud back then, feeling that her son had a bright future ahead of him.

The moment you were tested, your mother and I both knew that one day you would leave us; it was inevitable.

While your mother and I miss you, we do not want to become a burden to you.

Immortals and mortals live in different worlds; in the end, we cannot walk the path to the very end with you.

If we kept you by our side, perhaps your mother and I would be happy at first, but later on, we would only regret becoming the anchor that held you back."

"Father, you and Mother are not a burden to me."

Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan couldn't help but interject.

His father chuckled at this and gave him a light punch

"You brat, your old man was just using a metaphor. I just want you to understand that while your mother and I worry about you, we hope even more that you have a bright future.

Actually, you are quite like me in one way. When I was young, I also loved running to the library."

At this point, a flash of nostalgia crossed his father’s eyes before he continued

"In the library, I saw the vast world outside. Back then, I spent all day fantasizing that I was a child of destiny, that I would awaken spiritual roots and travel across all the mountains and rivers of the world.

Unfortunately, it was all just a dream. The library stirred my longing for the outside world, but my lack of spiritual roots shattered my hopes. The delusions of my youth ultimately became nothing more than a pipe dream."

As he spoke, his father gave a self-deprecating, bitter laugh.

Listening to his father’s account, Ye Qingxuan couldn't help but call out

"Father!"

But he didn't know what else to say.

His father shook his head, patted Ye Qingxuan’s shoulder again, and said

"So! Do not stop your journey for the sake of your parents; that would only make us uneasy.

If you can achieve great things out there, even if your mother and I pass away, we will do so with smiles on our faces.

Go! See the world for your old man. Take the delusions of my youth and go venture into this path of immortality!"

"Father, actually, staying by your and Mother's side wouldn't have much of an impact on my future, I..."

Ye Qingxuan almost couldn't help but reveal his special situation, but his father waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Alright, alright! Do you really think your father and mother can't live without you?

To tell you the truth, your mother and I have already discussed it.

After you leave, we’ll just have a few more children. Hehe, once your younger brothers and sisters are born, your mother and I will be lucky if we don't forget all about you!"

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan was dumbfounded.

So, after all his agonizing, his parents had already planned it all out?

But on second thought, Ye Qingxuan realized this might be for the best.

His parents were still young; if they had a few more children, the two elders would have company, and he could rest much easier.

Seeing Ye Qingxuan’s stunned expression, his father smiled triumphantly and said

"I’ve already planned it. We’ll have two, preferably a boy and a girl.

When you make a name for yourself out there, remember to look after your future younger siblings."

Ye Qingxuan’s mouth twitched involuntarily, and he quickly replied

"Right! Right! Right!"

At this, his father glanced at him and added

"Once your siblings grow up, I’ll have them give me a few grandchildren. If I had to rely on you, I’d have no hope in this lifetime, hmph!"

Ye Qingxuan felt a headache coming on.

Hey, he hadn't even left yet! Was the old man already thinking that far ahead?

But it wasn't over yet. His father continued

"I’ve heard that cultivators live very long lives!

By then, perhaps your siblings' descendants—my grandchildren or great-grandchildren—will have spiritual roots. When they start cultivating, you must be their backer and not let them be bullied!"

Hearing his father’s incredibly far-sighted arrangements, Ye Qingxuan patted his head and said weakly

"Alright! Whatever you say! Who else could you be but my father?"

His father looked smug and couldn't help but say

"Hehe, glad you know. Back in the day, before I even tested for spiritual roots, I had planned out my own path to immortality.

It’s a pity! The path I had arranged for your grandparents is now one that only your mother and I can walk!"

Ye Qingxuan looked at his father in silence.

He had never met his grandparents; he only knew that when his father was seventeen, they had been killed by a suddenly appearing demonic beast while working as laborers outside the city.

He just hadn't expected his father to have such an active imagination as a youth. He could only say that he was truly his father’s son!

Looking at his father’s smug, future-dreaming expression, Ye Qingxuan stepped forward, gave him a hug, and whispered

"Father, thank you."

How could he not know that his father was telling him all this just to ease his worries and let him leave with peace of mind?

Suddenly embraced by his son and hearing his thanks, his father’s eyes grew slightly moist. He hugged his son tightly and said

"When you're out there, take good care of yourself. Don't worry about your mother and me."

The next morning, Ye’s mother prepared a lavish meal for Ye Qingxuan, consisting entirely of his favorite dishes.

Ye Qingxuan fought back tears as he finished the table full of food his mother had prepared.

The meal lasted a long, long time—it wasn't even over when Ye Yonglun arrived!

After arriving, Ye Yonglun did not disturb the family. He simply stood silently not far from the door, watching them in a daze, lost in his own thoughts.

It was only after the meal that Ye Qingxuan noticed Ye Yonglun had arrived.

Without further delay, Ye Qingxuan hugged his parents tightly one last time, knelt down to kowtow three times, and said in a low voice

"Father, Mother, take care of yourselves. Your son is leaving."

With that, he stood up decisively, held back his tears, walked out the door, and nodded to Ye Yonglun.

Seeing this, Ye Yonglun summoned his dharma sword, transformed into a streak of light, and carried Ye Qingxuan away.

His mother, who had been crying silently, could no longer hold back. She ran out and shouted

"Xuan'er, take care of yourself! Don't worry about us! Wuwuwu!"

His father slowly stepped forward to hold her, letting her weep openly in his arms without saying a word.