Chapter 241: Little Uncle’s Little Desires

“I just followed some elders here, hoping you may let me accompany you to just see the view. I have always wished to set my gaze upon the Starry Sea before the end of my inevitably short life.”

Yang felt Senior Brother Qing An freeze next to him as Senior Brother Lu Feng’s eyes twitched.

“You want to go to the Starry Sea with my Junior Brothers?” Senior Brother Lu Feng asked with a raised eyebrow, his expression incredulous.

“As I said.” Little Uncle looked back with the same fragile expression. “Setting my gaze upon the magnificence of Starry Sea has always been a dream of mine.” His expression grew heartbreaking as he tentatively asked. “Nephew Lu Feng…do you disdain my weak constitution?” 

His eyes turned watery, tears brimming at the lower lids of his eyes. “If nothing else, I can use this useless body as a shield if my nephews come across any danger.” A wide smile spread across his lips, completely in contrast with his still wet eyes, giving a tragic, heartbreaking impression. “It would be my greatest fortune if I could offer this pitiful life to defend my juniors.”

If anything, Senior Brother Lu Feng’s expression became even more displeased. “I dare not disdain you, Little Uncle. I was merely surprised by your wish to join this journey. It has been some time since you last left the sect.”

“With my feeble cultivation and delicate health. How can I dare to impose on others?” Little Uncle smiled self-deprecatingly.

But imposing on us is okay?

Yang was no expert in reading the complex undercurrents of emotions, especially when it came to these old monsters, but he was getting the impression that he had been cast as an unwilling extra in a theatrical play.

And old monsters they were. They may be his Senior Brothers, but Yang was well aware there was an ocean-wide difference in experience, age, and power when it came to Yang and his Senior Brothers. This Little Uncle of his was even more of a special case, closer in age to his Senior Brother Xiao Zhan but a person of his Master’s generation, making him even more elevated in the sect hierarchy. 

Looking at his Senior Brother Lu Feng’s displeased expression and the ever increasing mirth in Senior Brother Qing An’s eyes it was clear the peaceful days were over.

“Little Uncle,” Senior Brother Qing An grinned, “you are more than welcome to join this journey. The more the merrier.” 

Senior Brother Qing An looked admiringly at him. “We can always use your wisdom even if your frail health won’t allow you to do strenuous activities.”

Little Uncle looked at Senior Brother Qing An as if he had shown him a ray of hope in the darkest of moments. “I will join you, dear Nephew. You don’t know how much your invitation means to me.”

“Augh! Augh”

Since when did it become an invite? Yang marveled.

Senior Brother Lu Feng looked tired but refrained from saying anything.

“When are we leaving?” Little Uncle asked as he got comfortable in his seat.

“We will leave in a couple of days once Senior Brother Lu Feng is free of his duties, as we plan on staying together for the initial part of the journey,” Senior Brother Qing An explained.

“You are not planning on venturing to the Starry Sea, Nephew Lu Feng,” Little Uncle asked, his brows furrowed.

“With most of my Junior Brothers out in the world, it's best I stay in the Sect to support Senior Brother Xiao Zhan,” Senior Brother Lu Feng replied.

“Doesn’t he already have Luo Yun Xi?” Little Uncle blurted out, and Senior Brother immediately looked pissed.

Yang watched warily, realizing Senior Brother Lu Feng really lacked the patience of Senior Brother Fan Xiao. If it had been Senior Brother Fan Xiao, the response would have only been a dead flat stare.

Little Uncle also seemed to realize he had misspoken as he delicately corrected himself, accompanied by a cough. “I mean, Xiao Zhan has Luo Yun Xi, Yan Zheng, and the younger ones to aid him. Virtuous Nephew, Lu Feng should not forgo opportunities.”

“Senior Brother Yan Zheng is in close door cultivation.” Senior Brother Lu Feng still didn’t look impressed, though the tense atmosphere was dissipated with the arrival of the rest of his Senior Brothers.

“Little Uncle!” Senior Brother Zhen Hao practically bellowed as he stepped inside, followed by the rest of his Senior Brothers, who quietly filed in behind him. He halted and got a worried look on his face before he reached Little Uncle’s side and knelt down so he was eye level with him.

“Did I scare you?” Senior Brother Zhen Hao looked worriedly as he took out a handheld fan and waved it towards Little Uncle’s face. “Forgive me, I was too overjoyed to see you and lost my decorum.”

Little Uncle looked pleased as he weakly smiled and became boneless against his seat with a hand on his chest, as if overcoming a great fright. “Don’t apologize, dear Nephew. Seldom does anyone get as happy to set their sight on me as you do.”

Senior Brothers Fan Xiao, Yuan Shen and Song Weilong bowed and greeted Little Uncle and Senior Shao You before taking seats around the table. Everything was scaled down compared to Senior Brother Lu Feng’s residence, so it was a tight fit with all of them around the table.

“What are you doing in Junior Brother Chen Yang’s residence, Little Uncle?” Senior Brother Yuan Shen asked.

“Nephew Yang was kind enough to welcome me in his residence despite not knowing me.” Little Uncle let out a small smile. “And Nephew Qing An graciously invited me to join you in your journey to Starry Sea.”

“Did he?” Senior Brother Fan Xiao asked flatly, looking at Senior Brother Qing An, who let out a sheepish smile.

“Well, I am thrilled to have you as a part of this trip, Little Uncle,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao declared happily.

Senior Brother Fan Xiao ignored Senior Brother Zhen Hao entirely as he asked, “Did Qing An inform you that this will be a long trip? We are not in a hurry and plan to travel leisurely, taking in the local sights?”

Little Uncle looked even more delighted. “That sounds even better. There are a couple of places I would like to visit on the way, even an auction in the Crimson Iris City.”

“Oh,” Senior Brother Qing An raised an eyebrow, looking curious. “Anything interesting you are looking to buy?”

“A few treasured herbs to extend my life,” Little Uncle said wistfully as he gazed into the distance before his gaze met Senior Brother Qing An’s and he smiled. “With Nephew Fan Xiao there, I can rest assured no ill-intentioned cultivator would rob me of my gains.”

Suddenly his gaze shifted to Yang. “Nephew, have you been to an auction before?”

“I never had the chance, Little Uncle,” Yang admitted.

“Then I will certainly buy you a treasure of your choice as a gift.”

Yang immediately shook his head. “No need. No need, Little Uncle.”

“It is disrespectful to refuse, Junior Brother,” Senior Brother Fan Xiao admonished.

“Indeed,” Senior Brother Lu Feng looked at Yang in disappointment. “Little Uncle is our elder and wealthy enough to buy us all treasures thrice over without it making a dent in his purse.”

Yang saw Little Uncle’s eye twitch, but he maintained the smile on his face.

“Of course,” Little Uncle said with a strained smile on his face. “It is only right that I buy treasures for all my nephews.” His gaze swept over all of them. “All of you can select an item, and I shall purchase it for you.”

“Augh. Augh!”

This time Little Uncle looked like he was about to faint again.

“Many thanks, Little Uncle,” Senior Brother Lu Feng saluted. “I shall also make sure to follow you all to Crimson Iris City. I wouldn't want to insult you by leaving before accepting your generous gift.”

“You are…thoughtful, Virtuous Nephew.” Little Uncle let out a pained smile.

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