Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 ch 9 : Sun Chengyou

"Fixing one technique alone earned me 90,000 Heaven's Fate Energy, more than all the energy I absorbed previously combined. If I could get my hands on a few more like that, reaching the Divine Soul Realm—or even the Dharma Aspect Realm—wouldn’t be a problem!"

Without understanding his thoughts, Lu Mingrong shook his head in admiration, mistaking Zhang Xuan's intentions for devotion to the academy. "That's it... I don’t have any more."

For an academy to obtain even one technique of this caliber was already unbelievable luck; expecting more was just a pipe dream. Besides, with their strength, they wouldn’t be able to keep it anyway.

Zhang Xuan looked a bit disappointed and turned to Sun Qiang, "Let's go to the next one!"

Lu Mingrong, puzzled, asked, "Mr. Zhang, is something wrong? If there’s anything I can help with, please feel free to ask."

"Nothing, just looking to earn a bit of cash," Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively, taking a few steps before stopping and saying, "Oh, right. Consider that Destiny Disk I lent you and the solution to your 'Mystic Dragon Palm' as even—we owe each other nothing now."

"Of course!" Lu Mingrong nodded.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Zhang Xuan strode away.

Though he now had over 90,000 Heaven's Fate Energy, which was sufficient for the moment, there was still money to be made. After all, enrolling in the Destiny Baptism would cost a whopping 30 million Source Coins.

Not to mention, he also intended to bring Nie Lingxi, Zhao Ya, and the others over—how could he support them without money?

Watching the two walk off, Lu Mingrong hesitated and then turned to the Wu Yunzhou Vice-Principal following him, "I’ll handle the matter of the 'Mystic Dragon Palm.' You go after them and see if they need assistance."

The vice-principal of Wu Yunzhou nodded and followed them.

Lu Mingrong finally relaxed and glanced around, "I trust everyone will keep quiet about this technique and not let it slip out..."

"Neigh~~"

The two galloping horses stopped, and Zhang Xuan dismounted, looking at the fenced yard in front of him with a hint of confusion. "Is this where Sun Chengyou lives? Can he really afford to pay a million?"

The yard was overgrown with weeds and looked filthy and neglected. The low thatched cottage seemed to have been abandoned for years, with holes in several places. No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem like a place where someone with a million Source Coins would live.

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"According to my investigation, Sun Chengyou was once a musician who served high-ranking officials, receiving numerous rewards. His own strength isn't weak either, reaching the peak of the sixth level, Organs Easing, in the Source Pool Realm. So having a million Source Coins saved up shouldn't be difficult. But why he lives here, I’m not sure..." Sun Qiang shook his head.

The limited time of just over two days had only allowed him to uncover ways to make money, but not in much detail.

"Let’s go take a look. If he can pay, great. If not, we'll move on," Zhang Xuan nodded.

They walked to the gate and knocked for a while, but nobody responded. They decided to enter.

The yard was quite large, but it was covered with overgrown grass, looking like it hadn’t been lived in for years. Before they could reach the front of the thatched cottage, they heard sobbing—a mix of male and female voices.

Exchanging a look, Zhang Xuan and Sun Qiang headed toward the sounds, arriving to see an elder lying motionless on a straw mat in the middle of the hall. His eyes were closed, breath gone. On either side, what appeared to be his children and family were wailing in sorrow.

"Could this be Sun Chengyou? Master, it seems we arrived too late..." Sun Qiang scratched his head awkwardly.

"Late? More like he passed too soon," Zhang Xuan remarked, exasperated.

According to Sun Qiang, Sun Chengyou had been injured by a Source Beast and was on the brink of death, with a million Source Coin reward offered if someone could cure him. But before they even entered the house, they saw he was already dead—what was left to treat?

"What brings you two here?"

As they were about to leave, a young man, noticing them, asked, his gaze shifting to them along with the other mourners.

"This should be the residence of Senior Sun Chengyou, right?" Sun Qiang cupped his hands respectfully, confirming with some embarrassment, "My master is skilled in healing and came to help treat Elder Sun's injuries. But it seems we’re too late. Our apologies..."

"Healing? Another so-called healer. My father was killed by quack doctors trying to get the reward! Seize them and lock them up with the others!" the young man ordered, his teeth clenched.

"Yes!"

With a quick response, five or six men rushed out from the house, encircling Zhang Xuan and Sun Qiang.

These men were all at the Body Tempering Realm. While not exceptionally strong, they weren't weak either. More importantly, despite wearing simple clothes, their eyes held a steely gaze—a clear sign they’d been through battle, possibly even killed before.

These men had likely been blooded soldiers.

"What’s the meaning of this? All we did was come to offer medical help—since when is that a crime?" Sun Qiang’s brow furrowed as he scanned the group around him.

"Not a crime, but I despise con artists like you," the young man sneered, gesturing, "Take them!"

The crowd closed in on Zhang Xuan.

Just then, a clear voice called from inside the house, "Brother, what are you doing?"

A young woman in her early twenties appeared.

Dressed in plain clothes, her face was exceptionally beautiful. Her red-rimmed eyes, teary expression, and delicate, sorrowful appearance made her look as fragile as a flower.

"Yu’er..." The young man frowned.

"I understand that you're upset over Father's passing, but that’s no reason to take it out on strangers."

The young woman turned to Zhang Xuan, apologizing, "Sir, I’m terribly sorry. My father was in good spirits just this morning, but a healer came by later, saying he could treat him. Father took the medicine, but his condition worsened, and he passed. My brother is distraught and may have acted impulsively. Please forgive him."

"I’m not acting impulsively! My father was sick, and as his children, we were desperate. But ever since we announced a million-Source Coin reward, we’ve had countless 'healers' showing up. But how many of them actually knew what they were doing? They were all opportunists," he sneered.

"My brother isn’t wrong. When Father was critically ill, no one dared treat him. But the moment we announced a million-Source Coin reward, so-called master healers swarmed in, all claiming to have miracle remedies. We had over ten people with secret family formulas alone—how could we possibly trust them?"

A second young man, kneeling by the body, chimed in.

"I understand, but this gentleman has just arrived. He hasn’t done anything wrong. We mustn't vent our frustration on innocent bystanders," the young woman waved her hand, dismissing the guards.

The young man gave a reluctant nod, "Fine… let them go."

"Thank you," the young woman said. "I’m sorry, sirs, but my father has passed. There’s no further need for treatment."

"If nothing is done, he really will be dead," Zhang Xuan shook his head.

From their conversation, he had pieced together the situation.

The million-Source Coin reward had proven far too enticing, drawing so-called 'healers' to the house, each claiming to have unique remedies. Initially, Sun Chengyou might have trusted them, but after trying several 'miracle cures' with worsening results, it had become clear they were mostly frauds, desperate to cure a hopeless case in hopes of a reward.

"What do you mean?"

The young woman was stunned.

"What I mean is, your father’s breath has only temporarily stopped—he’s not truly dead yet. If you bury him now, though, it will indeed be the end," Zhang Xuan stated.

From his examination using the Eye of Insight, he could tell that, while the elder lay unmoving with a rigid body, there was still a faint breath left.

"He’s... not dead?" the young woman gasped.

"Don’t spout nonsense! Father’s heart has stopped beating; how could he not be dead?" the young man scoffed.

"His pulse may have stopped, but his breath hasn’t. If we act now, he could be saved. Any delay, however, and he really will pass, beyond the help of any healer."

Zhang Xuan’s words brought silence. Everyone stared at the elder, lying on the straw mat, his face turning a ghastly blue. Could he really still be alive?

"Ignore him! We may not be doctors, but we can tell life from death, can't we?" the second young man barked.

"Indeed, these are charlatans, lying just to get money," scoffed a middle-aged man who seemed to be the steward.

"Believe it or not," Zhang Xuan shrugged and turned to Sun Qiang, "Let’s go."

They had just begun to leave when the young woman called out, "Sir, please wait! If you say my father isn’t dead, do you know a way to save him? If you can bring him back and cure his ailment, the million-Source Coin reward will be doubled!"

The young man frowned, "Sister, are you seriously trusting this charlatan? Have you forgotten that Father’s condition is due to frauds like him?"

"Brother, with Father’s condition as it is, what could be worse? Since this gentleman says he can save him, I want to give it a try," the young woman responded firmly.

Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but respect her courage. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? And can you make this decision on behalf of the family?"

"Yes," the young woman nodded.

"Alright then," Zhang Xuan replied, stepping toward the hall and approaching Sun Chengyou lying on the ground.

Author's Note