Chapter 67: A Simple Promise, Eternal True Feelings

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Simple Promises, Eternal True Feelings

Zhenba glanced at himself and compared with the three people beside him, feeling awkward. He said to Li Hao and the two ladies, "Young Master and ladies, please wait for me a moment, I'll be right back." Before they could reply, Zhenba dashed off.

A few dozen seconds later, Li Hao and his companions heard a splash as something fell into water, then exchanged smiles. Their joyful expressions—handsome and elegant in the young man, stunning and radiant in the women—were undeniably charming.

About a quarter of an hour after Zhenba’s plunge, a handsome youth approached them. His hair was jet-black and glossy, his white robes embroidered with a splendid motif of dragons and phoenixes, a plain white jade belt at his waist, and white boots on his feet.

Sensing someone approaching, Li Hao and his companions turned around, eyes lighting up in surprise. Li Hao asked incredulously, "Are you... Zhenba?"

The handsome youth scratched his head awkwardly, smiled, and nodded, "Yes, Young Master."

His embarrassment brought a knowing smile to the faces of Li Hao and the others. Indeed, clothes make the man as a saddle makes the horse.

With his new attire, Zhenba was transformed, now exuding charisma and matching the looks of Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu.

As Li Hao and his companions appraised him, Zhenba spoke, "Young Master, let me accompany you to continue searching for your friends."

Only then did the three regain their composure, realizing their own momentary lapse. Li Hao replied, "Very well, let’s go."

On the way, Zhenba said, "Young Master, thank you. If it weren't for your words that day, enlightening me, I might still be drifting aimlessly through life."

Back then, Zhenba was lost and muddled. Li Hao had said, "We can be patient, we can yield, but one must not be cowardly." That simple truth brought positive energy to the bewildered Zhenba. After leaving, he reflected for a long time, gradually letting go of his negativity. The shadows in his heart dispersed, and he emerged anew—a different Zhenba.

The muddled Zhenba of that time was crushed by the grief of his mother's passing, longing for his father's absence, lamenting injustice and treachery when bullied, powerless against strong enemies, and frustrated by his own weakness. All these burdens weighed upon a boy barely in his teens, shattering his spirit and leaving him in a haze.

Had he not encountered the mysterious benefactor, he would have perished in the cosmic storms. If not for meeting Li Hao, who knows how long he would have remained lost.

Hearing Zhenba’s heartfelt gratitude, Li Hao felt a small sense of achievement and was deeply gratified.

He told Zhenba, "Brother Zhenba, there’s no need for such formality. In fact, my situation is not so different from yours."

Zhenba looked at Li Hao in disbelief. In his eyes, Li Hao was a positive, high-standing youth—how could they be alike?

Li Hao understood Zhenba’s look and gave a wry smile, "Brother Zhenba, you’ve opened your heart to me, so I won’t be reserved either. Making your acquaintance today lifts my spirits. Let me share my story with you."

Lu Yao, after recounting her own hardships, seemed to have matured. The innocence of youth had faded, replaced by a new maturity. Lin Xueyou quietly walked beside Li Hao, not interjecting.

Li Hao said, "My home is not here, but in a distant star region called Li Tian Star Domain. Since birth, I have never seen what my family looks like. I am luckier than you, brother—I grew up here, where everyone treats me as family. Grandpa Baicao treats me as his grandson, and I see him as my grandfather. Uncle Lu Feng, Aunt Qin—they all regard me as their child. Yao'er is like my younger sister, Xuemei like an elder sister. Recently I’ve made many new friends: Brother Lu Zhengtian, Brother Lin Huashu, and now Sister Lin Xueyou in red. And now, you as well. I feel truly fortunate. Here, I live in abundance and comfort, but I have never abandoned the belief in becoming stronger. I wish to grow powerful soon, to search for my father and mother. My grandfather, who left to find a cure for my injuries when I was newborn, never returned. I long for them every day, most of all to see what each of them looks like."

Li Hao finished, and everyone fell silent, caught in the sadness of the moment. They gazed at the scenery before them, though their thoughts were elsewhere.

After some distance, Zhenba spoke, "Young Master, I vow to follow you for life. Whether through fire or ice, I will accompany you in your search for family."

He had thought it over for a long time. Now, with no kin or ties, Li Hao’s arrival stirred a sense of shared fate and mutual understanding. He did not know if the words of the mysterious figure were true, but Li Hao gave him peace of mind, prompting him to follow. Zhenba never imagined that the destiny spoken by the mysterious person was to follow Li Hao.

It seemed as if some unseen force governed the fate of heaven and earth—life and death, abundance and want, all beneath its sway...

Li Hao, Lu Yao, and Lin Xueyou were astonished by Zhenba’s words. Li Hao looked into Zhenba’s eyes and saw the unmistakable determination there. After some thought, he said, "Then, brother, I thank you in advance. When the day comes for me to return to the Streaming Light Star Domain to seek the truth, no matter the dangers, I shall repay you with my life."

Zhenba was moved to tears by Li Hao's simple words. He bowed deeply, and all his feelings condensed into two words: "Thank you!"

Upon hearing that Li Hao planned to leave, Lu Yao grew agitated, her alluring eyes brimming with tears.

She murmured, "Brother Li Hao, when you leave, please don’t abandon Yao’er!"

Her straightforward plea left everyone in silence.

Love, mysterious in its origin and unknowable in its end.

Li Hao pondered for a long time, his heart unwilling to leave the girl before him. It was as though he had made a silent resolution.

He looked at Lu Yao seriously and said, "Yao’er, my path ahead is long and fraught with danger. I don’t know what hardships await, and I lack the confidence to protect you. You’ll be safest here in Lu Jia Mountain Star Domain. Let me fulfill my wish first, then I’ll return for you. Is that alright?"

Lu Yao, tears in her eyes, shook her head resolutely. "Precisely because your path is long and difficult, and the hardships unknown, I must stay by your side. Who knows—I might even help you in the future!"

Lin Xueyou and Zhenba were deeply touched by Lu Yao’s unwavering devotion to Li Hao.

Li Hao then said, "If Yao’er comes with me, what about Grandpa Baicao, Uncle Lu Feng, and Aunt Qin?"

Lu Yao replied with an answer that made everyone laugh and cry: "When I’ve helped Brother Li Hao fulfill his wish, I’ll return to see them!"

Lin Xueyou watched their struggle and said, "Li Hao, when the time comes, just take Yao’er with you. I trust you to protect her."

Li Hao knew Lu Yao had set her heart on wandering the world with him. If he left her behind and slipped away, she might even search for him alone. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

He recalled a year ago when he snuck off to the Five-Star Cavern to play with the eccentric elder without telling her. She searched for him alone in the Sacred Medicine Hall’s forest, got lost, and sat at the foot of a tree crying. In the end, Uncle Lu Feng had to personally search for her and bring her back. Since then, every time Uncle Lu Feng saw Li Hao, he would glare and snort. That old man had been at odds with Li Hao ever since.

After recalling these events, Li Hao finally decided to take this silly girl with him for peace of mind. Having made up his mind, he said to Lu Yao, "Very well. I promise you, Yao’er, when I leave, I’ll take you with me. But not yet—it may be a long while, and I need to strengthen myself first, gain the power to protect us."

Hearing Li Hao agree not to abandon her, Lu Yao’s gloom vanished completely. She wiped her tears and said, "I knew Brother Li Hao wouldn’t leave me behind."

Li Hao was torn between laughter and tears, thinking, "What do you mean, 'wouldn’t leave you'? I was going to, but I just couldn’t."

Looking at Lu Yao, Li Hao forced a difficult, awkward smile.

With Lu Yao’s troubles settled, it was Lin Xueyou’s turn.

Lin Xueyou eyed Li Hao with a calculating smile that made his heart race. He wondered, "What is she scheming now?"

Then she said, "Li Hao, do you keep your promises to your sister?"

Li Hao thought for a moment, inwardly muttering, "I don’t recall agreeing to anything special!" He replied, "A gentleman never breaks his word. I, Li Hao, always honor my promises."

"That’s best," Lin Xueyou said, her smile triumphant.

Lu Yao sensed something was off between Lin Xueyou and Li Hao after their separation. She couldn’t pinpoint it, so she watched them in confusion.

Lin Xueyou asked, "Li Hao, do you remember saying that if your sister isn’t afraid of hardship, you’d take her with you to Li Tian Star Domain? Do you remember?"

Li Hao suddenly recalled, inwardly thinking, "Oh no, oh no. Who knows what this enchantress is up to now. I did joke at the time: 'If Sister Xueyou isn’t afraid of hardship, I won’t mind the trouble.' I truly did say that. Could it be—could it be—she wants to go with me?"

He quickly dismissed the idea, thinking, "Li Hao, what are you imagining? You’ve only known each other for a day—how could that be?"

Li Hao denied his suspicions and said, "I think I did say something like that."

Lin Xueyou’s enchanting eyes blinked as she gazed at Li Hao. "You’re taking Yao’er with you, but I worry you’ll bully her. So, I’ve decided, after much thought, to go with you. First, for fun; second, to supervise you so you don’t bully Yao’er."

Lu Yao quickly protested, "Thank you, Sister Xueyou, but Brother Li Hao doesn’t need supervision. He won’t bully me."

The girl’s innocent thoughts were rare, but they left adults helpless.

Lin Xueyou glanced at Li Hao, whose expression felt strange, though he couldn’t discern why.

Lin Xueyou said to Lu Yao, "Yao’er, let’s chat privately about your brother Li Hao’s hidden side. How about it?"

Li Hao interjected, "Sister Xueyou is knowledgeable and wise. With her along, we needn’t worry about danger; she’ll solve everything for us. Isn’t that right, Sister Xueyou?"

Having achieved her aim, Lin Xueyou gave a happy smile. "Of course."

Little did she know who would protect whom in the end.

Lin Xueyou was only teasing Li Hao—there was no secret to share with Lu Yao. But Li Hao’s own anxiety about his desire’s avatar made him nervous, his face flushed, fearing Lu Yao would discover this side of him and be upset. So he interrupted Lin Xueyou, preventing her from stirring trouble.