Chapter 9, No Regrets
"Sister..." Xiaohao never dreamed that one day his sister would say such sentimental words
He quickly nodded in agreement, stood up unsteadily, and stumbled out of the living room. He arrived at the corridor of the Xiao residence, grabbed a servant, and while signaling with his eyes, shouted loudly: "Tell the kitchen to stop slaughtering pigs!"
"How do you know?!" Although the voice was soft, it struck Tianxiong like a thunderclap, leaving him astonished. He suddenly thought of something and became furious, "Was it that bastard Gaoshan who told you?"
As she spoke these words, a hint of sacred radiance appeared on Tianjiao's tender and innocent face, her eyes sparkling and translucent, as if reflecting the light that only exists in heaven. Tianxiong sensed Tianjiao's feelings; although she was unaware of many terrifying matters, he knew that his beloved younger sister, like him, had once experienced the deepest fears, yet in the end, she had also made the resolute decision to fight.
Today I received Tianxiong's sister, Tianjiao. Xiaohau's voice was unusually hoarse
When Xiong gradually awakened from his coma, he found Xiaohao kneeling by his sickbed, applying a peculiar powder to the wounds inflicted by Xiao Fu's seventy-two hidden weapons. He glanced briefly at the powder covering Xiaohao's body and suddenly realized that these powders shimmered with a metallic luster of gold and silver.
Tian Jiao seemed to scrutinize Tian Xiong's eyes like an adult. After a long while, she finally let out a long sigh and softly said, "Tian Jiao believes that brother will definitely be able to do it. My friends and I will pray for you every day on Ranger Island."
"You are crazy, laugh less!" Tianxiong snatched the medicine bottle from Xiaohau's hand and shook it desperately, hoping there was still some left inside, only to find it completely empty. "This is such a waste"
At this moment, Xiaohau was deeply moved by his sister's words, almost brought to tears, and softly said: "Today I truly understand you, sister. This feeling is wonderful."
"What can you know?" Tianxiong affectionately brushed his sister's hair and chuckled.
"Sister..." Laughing Hao, deeply shaken by his sister's words, was now left speechless.
"On the contrary, I believe I am quite likely to become a friend of Tianxiong," Xiaofu raised her head and smiled gently at her brother, "because we are probably of the same kind of people"
What is this? Tianxiong's mind was already unable to process the multitude of information brought to him by his own younger sister
Tian Xiong fiercely closed his eyes, resting his chin on Tian Jiao's delicate shoulder, and nodded vigorously.
Just as Xiao Hao's heart seemed to be flipping and frying in a hot oil pan, the steward of the Xiao residence hurriedly approached him and whispered, "There is a little girl outside, accompanied by a group of small children, claiming to be looking for Young Master Tianxiong"
At this point, the elderly butler could not help but shed tears
"Fifty-headed dragon beast!" Tianjiao said, dumbfounded
"Why don't you tell her that it is her brother who is competing with me?" said Xiaofu nonchalantly
"Brother, why are you staying in bed? Are you sick?" Tian Jiao did not respond to Tian Xiong's question, but looked at him with concern and asked.
"Oh, right," Xiaohao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "we celebrate... celebrate your arrival"
In the living room of the Xiao family, dozens of children around eleven or twelve years old were densely seated, each wearing fragmented little helmets and armor, with white cloth wrapped around their heads. Among them, several held several snow-white flags. Leading them was a beautiful girl with an oval face, large sparkling eyes, pale cheeks, a small and adorable nose, and long flowing hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a piece of white silk cloth tied around her forehead, adorned with the emblem of the Drunken Sword Village's Qingcheng Tavern. In her hand, she held a white flag, on which the four characters "Uphold Justice on Behalf of Heaven" were written in a crooked manner.
He suddenly felt the good intentions of his friend, who had sacrificed an entire bottle of the Great Luo Golden Immortal Powder to heal his numerous injuries. Otherwise, if his younger sister had seen such a terrifying sight, how could her fragile little heart bear it? His sister was inherently unable to witness any creature suffering. He remembered once, when she had a fierce argument with him for the sake of rescuing a cockroach that had crawled into the rice jar, and she cried for an entire day. If she were to see him in pain, he could only imagine how she would cry.
"This is the flag I made. I wrote 'Uphold Justice on Behalf of Heaven' on it, as it is the flag of our Heavenly Army, and also of my brother." Tianjiao said proudly, "I have heard that Gaoshan and the others do not dare to descend to the mortal realm; they are afraid of death. But my brother is not afraid of death, and I am not afraid either; we are not afraid. Brother, lead us, and let us go to the mortal realm together to save those poor souls!"
I saw a very lovely little girl, and I believe Tianxiong must cherish her greatly said Xiaofu with a smile
"You don't have time to take it slow!" Hearing the footsteps approaching in the corridor, Xiao Hao unceremoniously seized Tian Xiong's hands to stop him, then desperately poured the entire bottle of Da Luo Jin Xian powder onto Tian Xiong without a second thought. Where the powder fell, the wounds that were jagged and torn began to heal rapidly, as new skin and muscle filled Tian Xiong's battered body in a flash.
"Sister, sometimes I doubt whether you have a heart, whether you have feelings." Xiaohau could no longer endure it, suddenly standing up and shouting loudly
Tian Jiao suddenly leaned her head close to Tian Xiong's ear and whispered, "Brother is going to the world of Tianxia to resist the divine race"
"You think my shots were too fierce in these five matches, little brother?" Xiaofu said with a smile, shaking her head. "Actually, I was using the most proud technique of my life to pay tribute to Tianxiong, so you should tell Tianxiong's lovely sister all of this. She should feel proud to have such an amazing brother."
Xiao Hao took the opportunity to snatch the medicine bottle from Tian Xiong's hands and said loudly, "You siblings can chat slowly; I will go and have the kitchen prepare food and drinks." After saying this, he quickly disappeared through the door
Xiao Fu slightly shook her head, "You think this way, Li Bashan, Qi Ruhong, and Long Tianwang also think this way. Over the past few years, anyone who has come to challenge has thought the same, which is why none of you have been able to withstand my Five Absolute Swords, yet Tianxiong managed to do so. Do you know why?"
At that moment, the innocent and pure face of Tianjiao suddenly appeared at the bedroom door. Tianxiong was momentarily stunned by the unexpected appearance of his younger sister.
"How can I tell her, tell her, Tianxiong, that her most beloved brother is competing with my sister, and my dear sister is skillfully using her seventy-two types of hidden weapons, one by one, to pin him down." Laughao shouted wildly, "Oh, wonderful! Listen, that is the sound of your brother's screams; just by the sound, you can tell it is my sister's butterfly dart! Oh, listen to this sound; it must be the Heart-Piercing Nail! Oh, this is the Bone-Penetrating Needle! This is the Shuriken! This is the Locust Stone! This is the Willow Leaf Blade! Oh, your brother should be no different from a hedgehog right now!"
"We are all the kind of people who refuse to leave any regrets behind." A thoughtful expression appeared in Xiaofu's eyes, "I can feel that Tianxiong has exerted all his strength in our five matches, holding nothing back and giving his all."
"Why?" Tianjiao asked anxiously, "Brother, do you think we are too young? We have all been practicing diligently, and those divine clans should not think they are our match"
On the day of the hidden weapon competition, Xiao Hao squatted nervously on the empty ground at the entrance of the inner courtyard, biting his palm in anxiety. His companions from Tie Jian Village, who had been with him for several days, could no longer endure this torment and successively found various excuses to escape.
***
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Xiao Hao stared in astonishment and shook his head
The steward appeared even more anxious than Xiaohao, saying, "Young Master, that is Tianxiong's younger sister. Young Master, Tianxiong's sister looks to be no more than twelve years old; she cannot bear to see this!"
"Thank you, young master. I would like to request a half-day leave; I can no longer bear to continue," the butler said, his voice choked with tears, as he wiped his eyes and hurried away.
"I know this," Tianxiong quickly pressed his hand on Tianjiao's shoulder to stabilize her emotions. "Of course I know this. However, there is only one dragon beast, and it can only be controlled by one person. If you all wish to go, you must seek another divine dragon."
Xiao Fu seemed to completely misunderstand her brother's thoughts and asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"
Tian Jiao smiled faintly and said, "Actually, we do not like eating meat, so could we kindly ask your esteemed household not to slaughter those pigs and sheep, and let them have a chance to live? Their cries just now were truly pitiful."
"Xiao Hao, do you have something to say to me?" Xiao Fu finally placed the beloved tea set on the table and asked softly
Is that so? There was still a hint of casualness in Xiaofu's tone
"Another divine dragon?" Tianjiao said with disappointment, "Where can we find a second dragon beast?"
"This plague bird, I should turn it into three-cup chicken and eat it," Tianxiong angrily exclaimed
"Hehe," Xiaohao smiled awkwardly, suddenly recalling something, and said: "Sister, your tribute to Tianxiong is truly costly!"
***
Xiao Hao fiercely grabbed his own hair and said, "I will go out to greet her, I will go out to stop her"
The following days, whether for Tianxiong, Xiaohua, or the other good youths of Tiejian Village, were certainly not pleasant days
"Sister, listen to me," Tianxiong said, turning Tianjiao to face him, and patiently continued, "If you truly wish to go to the world of Tianxia, you must be prepared to search for another dragon beast. If you want to travel with your companions, you will need to find fifty dragon beasts"
"Of course I am, at least I hope I am. However, if in the future he no longer considers me a friend, I will never hold it against him" said Xiaohao angrily
Upon hearing these words, Xiao Hao felt a pang in his nose and nearly shed tears
As I received her, the cries of Tianxiong came one after another, and I didn't even know how to explain it to her
"No," Tianjiao shook her head and said softly, "That day, the shooting star with one eye said it wanted to find a place to erase a record it had once made. I was very curious, so I let it show me."
"Sister!" Tianxiong felt a pang of sorrow in his eyes as he gently placed his hand on his sister's shoulder and softly said, "Do you know? You look as beautiful as a little angel right now"
"Good sister, good sister!" Tian Xiong sighed in relief, tightly embracing Tian Jiao in his arms, and whispered.
"Young Master Xiao, is there something to celebrate today?" Tian Jiao asked curiously
Tianxiong had his jaw shattered during a martial arts competition and was carried out of the Xiaojia household. He sought the best bone-setting master in Tiejian Village to heal him. In a leg technique contest, Tianxiong attempted to block Xiaofu's low kick with his left arm, resulting in a comminuted fracture of his left arm. This time, a renowned physician from Bikong City was invited by Xiaohua to Tiejian Village to treat him. Following the subsequent internal energy competition, Tianxiong was able to walk out of the Xiaojia courtyard without assistance for the first time. When the overjoyed Xiaohua and other youths rushed forward to congratulate him, he spat blood onto Xiaohua's face. Within the next hour, he vomited a total of three basins of blood and then fell into a coma for nearly two days.
"What does it mean?" Xiao Hao asked in astonishment
"It was as if a long-sealed window had suddenly been opened, only to reveal a vibrant rose garden outside," said Xiaohao sincerely
In Miss Xiao's boudoir, the fragrant aroma of pre-rain Longjing tea wafts through the air. At this moment, the young lady, who has achieved five consecutive victories in her competition with Tianxiong, is slowly savoring her favorite tea at the table
This sentence clearly left the children present astonished, and they began to discuss excitedly. At that moment, another hoarse and desperate cry from Tianxiong faintly echoed in the background
***
"Look at me, sister," Tianxiong said, his heart filled with unease as he fixed his gaze on his sister's eyes. "Do you trust your brother?"
Seeing the half-understanding expression on Xiaohao's face, Xiaofu let out a bitter laugh and said, "You have sparred with me in swordsmanship. Do you remember that you always conceded defeat after thirty moves, right"
According to ancient tradition, when the ranger battles against evil, they often find themselves in an extreme disadvantage. What sustains them in their struggle is this indomitable will and a heart that refuses to leave any regrets. It is truly unfortunate that Ranger Island no longer has many individuals who can match the challenges of this profession. The only one truly qualified might be Tianxiong.
"I have organized an army of fifty people, which we call the Heavenly Army. We have decided to go to the Continent of All Under Heaven with you, to drive the divine race that harms humanity back to their rightful place," Tian Jiao said decisively. She did not look at the astonished expression on her brother's face, but turned around and laid a slender white flag flat in front of Tian Xiong.
"The dust-covered window?" Xiaofu furrowed her brows, "Am I really that intimidating?"
When an ordinary person fights against an opponent who is far superior, they often fail to unleash even half of their strength, as they have already lost confidence before the battle begins. Therefore, being able to exert one’s full strength in the face of a formidable enemy is also a challenge to oneself. Xiaofu said solemnly: "If I can withstand a hundred moves, why should I give up after thirty? Perhaps during the time from thirty to one hundred moves, my opponent will show a flaw or make a mistake. Maybe I will slip on a banana peel and fall, or I might carelessly use a sword technique full of gaps, or perhaps a fleeting inspiration will allow him to devise a new sword technique that catches me off guard. As long as I have not admitted defeat, there is still hope for victory. If there is still hope for victory, why should I concede and leave myself with regrets? This belief has supported Tianxiong through five matches. If I do not unleash my most formidable moves to ensure his complete defeat, it is possible that I will be the one who loses. If there is still hope for victory, why should I concede and leave myself with regrets? This belief has supported Tianxiong through five matches. If I do not unleash my most formidable moves to ensure his complete defeat, it is possible that I will be the one who loses.
"Very well, brother assures you that with his strength, he will definitely be able to defeat the divine race and save humanity. You just need to wait for my good news with your companions on Ranger Island, alright?" Tianxiong said with a smile
"Your family is slaughtering pigs and sheep today; is there something to celebrate?" Tianjiao explained
The leading little girl stood up, bowed to Xiao Hao, and said: "Greetings, Young Master Xiao. I am Tian Xiong's younger sister, and my name is Tian Jiao. I heard that my brother is visiting the Xiao residence in Tie Jian Village, so we came here to find him. Thank you, Young Master Xiao, for taking care of my brother these past few days"
Xiao Hao nodded slightly and said, "Continuing to compete will only lead to defeat, won't it? Why not give up early?"
"Are you referring to that bottle of Da Luo Jin Xian San? Don't pay it any mind." Xiao Fu said nonchalantly, "Next month I will go to Bi Kong City and ask that old miser Guan Tian Xing for another bottle."
Xiao Hao sat down awkwardly in front of the group of children, coughed for a long time, and then said: "Hello, I am Xiao Hao. Are you here to find the Tianxiong brothers?"
"Tianjiao certainly believes in her brother; he has never let her down." Tianjiao said with deep respect
At that moment, a piercing scream from Tianxiong echoed from the inner courtyard, sending a chill through the hearts of everyone present. Faced with Tianxiong's innocent and pure younger sister, Xiaohai almost felt compelled to draw his sword and take his own life immediately
"We have come today in hopes of meeting with my brother, as there are some very important matters I need to discuss with him," Tianjiao said, making a concerted effort to appear mature and speaking loudly.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching scream from Tianxiong echoed through the inner courtyard, causing both the steward and Xiaohau to instinctively shrink their heads
"Oh, it's nothing. I've been eating too well these past few days, so I'm just taking a nap to digest." Tianxiong quickly put on a nonchalant expression and said with a smile
Tian Jiao listened attentively, feeling a surge of compassion, and said to Xiao Hao: "Young Master Xiao, I have an unreasonable request."
Xiao Hao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and inquired earnestly, "Ah! If Miss Tian has any requests, please feel free to mention them"
"Teacher Guan ... . ... " Xiao Hao secretly mourned for Teacher Guan for a minute in his heart
"Sister, what are you doing here?" After enduring these hellish battles, seeing his beloved sister once again, Tian Xiong felt a genuine sense of being reborn.
"Does brother still have the mood to take a nap now?" Tianjiao looked at him with an expression of disbelief, her voice suddenly becoming small and mysterious, "I know why brother came to borrow the maneless horse from the Xiao family."
"You truly do not deserve to be his friend," Xiaofu said as she set down her teacup, turned a page of the sword manual, and without even glancing at him, kept her focus on the sword manual in front of her, "You do not understand him at all."
"Are you really friends with Tianxiong?" Xiaofu asked casually, taking another sip of tea, as she opened a sword manual that was placed on the table.
"Xiao Guanjia, didn't you see that I am busy? Hurry and send them away, I am not in the mood to entertain guests today," Xiao Hao said in a low voice, curled up on the ground.
"Brother," Tianjiao's voice was as quiet and gentle as a nightingale's song, instantly calming Tianxiong's anxious and angry emotions. "I have decided to go with you."
After a stick of incense, the familiar screams of Tianxiong echoed once again in the inner courtyard. Xiaohai bit down hard on his thumb, silently pleading with the heavens for the competition to end soon.
"Brother," Tianjiao suddenly whispered in Tianxiong's ear after a moment of silence, "Promise me, you must not die, absolutely must not die."
"Brother," Tianjiao said with a hint of red in her eyes, smiling happily, "You used to say I was ugly, but today is the first time you have praised me for being beautiful"
Opposite her sat the silent and reticent Xiao Hao, with a cup of tea before him exuding a tranquil fragrance. However, this young master of the Xiao family, who usually lived a carefree and unrestrained life, at this moment seemed to have lost the desire to drink tea
"Silly girl," Tianxiong said with a smile, shaking his head, discreetly wiping his eyes, "but you cannot go, none of you can go"
"Ah?" Xiao Hao replied, completely at a loss.
After pondering for a long time, Xiao Hao finally mustered the courage to give a wry smile and said softly, "You're welcome, Tian Xiong and our family are quite... quite complementary."
"The Great Luo Golden Immortal Powder!" Tian Xiong was taken aback, grabbing the laughing Hao, who was applying the medicine. "Xiao Shao, are you crazy! There are only three bottles of this Great Luo Golden Immortal Powder on the entire Hero Island. Just applying a little on me is enough; don't apply any more. ... I ... I will recover slowly, and I will be fine soon"
"Do you consider yourselves to be of the same kind?" Xiao Hao suddenly felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Upon hearing these words, Xiao Hao felt so ashamed that he scratched his cheek vigorously with his hand, wishing he could tear his face off and hide it somewhere.
"What did you say?" Tianxiong exclaimed in surprise