Chapter Seventy-One: Three Partings in a Day

Qin Feng possessed extraordinary spiritual perception, unmatched among his peers. Thus, the moment the newcomers entered the forest, Qin Feng immediately sensed their presence. There were many of them—it must be the people from the Huo family.

It made sense; Huo Siyin had ventured out alone at night and had not returned by dawn. With her being noticed by an elder from Shu Sword Mountain at such a crucial time, the Huo family would never allow anything untoward to happen to her.

At that moment, Huo Siyin was still fast asleep. Qin Feng’s gaze flickered; in the end, he could only dress Huo Siyin properly, then slip silently into the shadows of the woods.

Soon, Huo Zhengxiong appeared within Qin Feng’s sight, leading a large group.

“Yin’er! Who is it? I’ll kill you!” Huo Zhengxiong’s roar was like a lion’s, shaking the trees throughout the forest; birds and beasts scattered in all directions.

Seeing Huo Zhengxiong’s murderous expression, Qin Feng couldn’t help shivering, cautiously hiding without moving a muscle. Not until he saw Huo Zhengxiong take Huo Siyin away did Qin Feng sneak out of the grove and return to the Qin family estate.

He dove into his little chamber, only to find, to his surprise, that a guest had arrived.

He recognized her—it was “Aunt Xue,” Han Qingxue.

Grandfather Qin Tianzheng and Elder He were accompanying her with utmost respect.

Qin Feng was startled at first, then remembered Han Qingxue wished to take Qin Yuyan as her disciple. He sighed inwardly; what was meant to come had come at last.

As he entered, the reactions within the room were varied.

Qin Yuyan’s eyes were like a storm of pear blossoms, but when she saw Qin Feng return, her anxious expression instantly softened, and she rushed straight into his arms.

Han Qingxue, upon seeing Qin Feng, a glimmer of insight flashed across her eyes, and a hint of puzzlement swiftly passed through her gaze, as if she had discerned something unusual about him. She then bowed her head in thought.

Qin Tianzheng and Elder He looked somber.

Holding his frail, petite sister, Qin Feng’s emotions were tangled to the extreme. First Huo Siyin, and now his own sister.

Though he had long expected this day would come, the moment of parting tugged at his heart, making his nose sting with emotion.

But Qin Feng was Qin Feng—his resolve was far firmer than most, and soon he composed himself, comforting Qin Yuyan, “It’s alright, Yuyan. After you go with Aunt Xue, be sure to train diligently. When I’m not by your side, you must learn to take care of yourself. If you miss me, send word, and I’ll come see you!”

His words only made Qin Yuyan cry harder, clinging tightly to his waist and refusing to let go, sobbing aloud, “Brother, I don’t want to go! I want to stay with you!”

Qin Feng was helpless.

He glanced at the others in the room, and with a subtle gesture, the three immediately understood and left, giving the siblings some privacy.

Everyone had experienced the pain of parting, so at this moment, the three were especially sympathetic.

Especially these two children who had only each other to rely on—their plight was truly heart-wrenching.

Qin Feng’s steadfast heart was tossed into turmoil by just one word from Qin Yuyan. If there was anyone in the world who could unsettle him, besides his father, it was this little sister before him.

Just a single sentence made his heart feel as if a jar of mixed spices had been shattered inside; he was nearly driven to tears.

But Qin Feng held back.

Reason told him that leaving the Qin family was far better for Qin Yuyan than staying.

Thus, despite his pain, he spoke again, “Yuyan, you don’t want to go because you’re worried about me, right?”

Qin Yuyan nodded.

“Don’t worry, Yuyan. I have a secret I’ve never told you. I’m actually very capable now. Not just within the Qin family—even throughout the Cloud Nation—if I’m careful, no one can harm me.”

Qin Yuyan looked up in surprise.

Qin Feng smiled, worried she wouldn’t believe him, and deliberately released a bit of his aura for her to sense.

“Human Gang Realm, second tier!” Qin Yuyan immediately covered her mouth, nearly crying out in shock.

“But, brother, why…?” She began to ask, then stopped.

“Why do I still pretend to be a useless person, right?” Qin Feng laughed, voicing her unspoken question.

“Mm!” Qin Yuyan nodded, her face full of confusion.

Qin Feng sighed, his expression serious as he explained, “The Qin family in Luoyang Town is comfortable, but at best it’s only a small pond. Staying here will wear away your spirit—you’ll never become a dragon. On this trip to Tianfeng City, seeing and hearing so much, I realized that the outside world is vast. The sky lets birds fly, the sea allows fish to leap! You and I, we are not creatures of this pond. The world outside belongs to us—that is our sky, our ocean! So, whether it’s you, my sister, or me, we must eventually leave this place. Your opportunity is here; there’s no reason to give it up.”

Though she hadn’t physically matured, Qin Yuyan was not foolish; she immediately understood what Qin Feng meant.

“Brother, you’re leaving the Qin family too?” She tilted her head, asking.

“That’s right. After you leave, it’ll soon be my turn as well.” Qin Feng sighed, his gaze deep, lost in thought.

“But, brother, where will you go? Can I go with you?”

Even though she had resigned herself to leaving the Qin family, Qin Yuyan still couldn’t bear to part with Qin Feng, longing to go wherever he went.

“Where to…?”

For a moment, confusion flickered in Qin Feng’s eyes, but then a tall figure in white, sword on his back, flashed through his mind. Qin Feng shook his head.

It seemed his heart still yearned for justice; his dreams remained unfulfilled, and he was not yet free of cares.

“Yuyan, not to mention Aunt Xue’s close relationship with our father, just her coming twice herself to take you as a disciple is a kindness we can hardly repay. I know you’re a sensible girl; this time, don’t be stubborn. Listen to me—go with Aunt Xue, alright?”

Qin Feng sighed and pressed his point while her resolve was still soft.

This time, though tears still shimmered in her eyes and she was reluctant, Qin Yuyan finally nodded, biting her lip.

With their decision made, Qin Feng helped his little sister pack her things.

Just before she left, Qin Feng suddenly remembered something. He immediately took out from his storage pouch the clearwater sword he’d found at the Blood Qiyi Temple and handed it to Qin Yuyan.

Both siblings had always been of low standing within the Qin family, so they’d never had the chance to own a profound weapon. Though the clearwater sword was only a mid-grade profound tool, it was beautifully crafted and irresistible to girls. Qin Yuyan cherished it immediately, delighting in the gift, and even the sorrow of parting faded somewhat.

Qin Feng smiled, thinking his sister would never grow up. But perhaps that was best; he enjoyed caring for her.

Parting was painful, but in the end, Qin Yuyan left.

At their farewell, Qin Yuyan was in tears again, but Qin Feng was much stronger, holding back every drop. Yet when Han Qingxue took her away and was far out of sight, Qin Feng turned his back, and the tears flowed silently.

Ten years of sibling affection—how could one not weep?

After his sister left, Qin Feng felt an emptiness within. Looking around the Qin family once more, he saw only devastation and felt a sudden urge to leave, too.

Perhaps it was time to go…

Just then, grandfather Qin Tianzheng called for him.

Qin Feng’s expression became a bit strange—it seemed that whenever he thought of something, it would come to pass.

Grandfather was likely going to discuss this very matter.

Three farewells in one day.

Huo Siyin, Qin Yuyan, and himself—each was about to leave Luoyang Town, to face their own destinies. When would they meet again? Qin Feng’s mood at that moment was complicated indeed.

…