Ch 44: The Bonds That Temper the Heart
Grandma pulled Su Wen into a tight embrace, her frail arms somehow warm and strong.
“My little grandson…” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, “you have become our world. Because of you, we were finally able to complete what we came here for… to temper our Dao Hearts. You gave us the strength we lacked.”
Her fingers trembled as they gently patted the back of his head.
“But what we want most is for you to live happily… not weighed down by loneliness or sorrow. You deserve a life filled with warmth, not a path walked alone.”
Grandpa, standing beside them, nodded with a soft smile. The tenderness in his old eyes made Su Wen’s chest tighten even more.
Su Wen and Du Yue could only stand still, their minds blank, their hearts trembling.
Neither of them had expected this… that the two frail elders who struggled to walk on cold mornings were once Immortals. They had willingly been reborn as mortals to temper their Dao Hearts.
Su Wen’s lips parted, but no sound came out. He was truly shocked beyond anything words could express.
Still holding Su Wen close, Grandma lifted her gaze toward Du Yue. The girl’s expression was a mix of shock, worry, and something deeper... something she herself might not have fully understood.
A gentle smile touched Grandma’s lips.
She reached out, took Du Yue’s trembling hand, and slowly placed it atop Su Wen’s palm.
Her voice softened to a warm, tender whisper:
“I’m leaving my grandson in your care. Live well together… live happily, freely, without worries weighing your hearts.”
Du Yue’s breath caught, her eyes widening. Before either of them could respond, Grandma pulled the two of them into her embrace… frail arms wrapping around them with surprising strength.
“As I said,” she continued softly, “we are Immortals. Soon, our souls will return to our original bodies. We aren’t leaving forever… but it will be some time before we can see each other again.”
She gently patted their heads, her touch lingering, as if imprinting the feeling into their very souls.
“Keep cultivating. Walk your path with courage. Chase your dreams without regret… no matter where they may lead.”
A thought rose unbidden in her heart, and a faint trace of her past majesty slowly resurfaced.
‘If anyone dares to harm them… I won’t even leave ashes behind for Hell to receive.’
Both Su Wen and Du Yue nodded, still cradled in her arms, their hands entwined.
Su Wen lifted his gaze, eyes rimmed with red, and pressed a gentle kiss to Grandma’s forehead. He whispered softly,
“As my lady commands…”
A radiant smile blossomed across grandma’s face.
Du Yue looked up as well, her expression unusually serious, tinged with a hint of possessiveness.
“Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll take care of my husband… and bring him all the happiness in the world.”
The moment she said 'husband', the trio exchanged slightly awkward glances. Yet the faint smiles tugging at the corners of their lips betrayed the warmth between them.
Su Wen, on the verge of tears, felt a warmth bloom in his chest and couldn’t help but feel shy. He buried his face against Grandma’s shoulder, hugging her tightly as if to hide his emotions.
Seeing this, both grandparents exchanged satisfied smiles, as if a shackle that had long bound their souls had finally been lifted.
Then, suddenly remembering something, Su Wen looked up at Grandpa, his voice soft and hesitant:
“So… all those high-level cultivation techniques… were they given to us by you?”
Grandpa interjected with a chuckle,
“No, what we said last time was true. A bird came and dropped them in front of our house.”
He glanced at Little Sparrow, who instantly puffed up her chest, her eyes gleaming with pride, as if finally someone had acknowledged her presence and remembered to praise her for her awesomeness.
“Her origins are unrelated to us,” he continued with a grin. “That’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own.”
Su Wen stared at Little Sparrow, stunned. He hadn’t expected this tiny bird to be so special. Even Du Yue’s eyes widened; after all, she herself had been practicing those advanced cultivation techniques.
Su Wen didn’t ask any further questions… his mind too overwhelmed to handle more surprises. He decided to leave it for another time.
Instead, he scooped Little Sparrow into his hands and planted a few gentle pecks on her head. The proud expression on her face melted instantly, replaced by a shy, flustered look.
He then passed her to Du Yue, who, perfectly in step with her husband, showered her with more affectionate pecks.
Little Sparrow’s face contorted in mock irritation, though the barely-hidden smile on her beak betrayed her true feelings
Su Wen then looked at his Grandpa and snorted, "Old man, I was about to kick you out of the house; you were so annoying after all!"
Grandpa grinned,
"Brat, now that you’ve got a beautiful wife, you want to kick me out? Hah! Where is respect and filial piety in this world…"
Su Wen was stunned and, for the first time, had no comeback.
"Y-You… sigh…"
He stepped forward, grabbed his grandpa, and hugged him tightly.
"Just leave quickly already. I have a wife to love."
This time, it was the old man’s turn to be stunned. Then he hugged Su Wen even tighter, his arms trembling slightly.
Du Yue and Grandma watched the scene with warm smiles.
This was only the second time Su Wen and his grandpa had ever hugged.
The first time was when Su Wen first arrived on the mountain… and that single hug became the starting point of all the changes in their lives.