The Missing Brother

“Disappeared?” Ji Ning’s heart clenched. He pressed urgently, “When did he take a Dao-companion? Who was she? And he vanished over twenty years ago—couldn’t you find any trace at all? Did you ask Heavenly Treasures Mountain for help?”

The Diancai Immortal could see how agitated his disciple was. “After you won first place in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, some of the Black-White College members returned. Mu Northson came back to Anchan City as well. He spent most of his time studying puppetry, but occasionally he’d meet with Beishan Baiwei and other young talents of Anchan City. At one of those gatherings, he met a female disciple of the Thousand Rivers Sect, Realperson Yu Xia. They hit it off, their feelings grew deep, and soon they became Dao-companions.”

“They were a deeply devoted couple. Many of the young cultivators in Anchan City envied them. It was quite a celebrated romance.”

“Then one day, Mu Northson and his Dao-companion simply vanished. Usually, when Black-White College disciples go out to temper themselves, they inform the College or leave a message. But Mu Northson and Realperson Yu Xia left no word at all. They just disappeared.”

“Our Black-White College investigated, asked the Beishan clan of Anchan for help, even sought aid from Heavenly Treasures Mountain. But we couldn’t find a single trace.”

“It was as if they had vanished from this world entirely.”

Hearing this, Ji Ning grew even more anxious. “For over twenty years… not a single clue?”

“None.” The Diancai Immortal shook his head.

Ji Ning’s heart sank.

Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Junior apprentice-brother Northson wasn’t that irresponsible. Forget everyone else—he and Ji Ning were true blood brothers! If Northson had some major reason to leave for a long time, he would have left a message for Ji Ning at the very least.

“Over twenty years… even Heavenly Treasures Mountain, hailed as the number one intelligence network, found no trace of them at all,” the Diancai Immortal said. “Mu Northson’s parents died early, so he has no attachments. But Realperson Yu Xia had a clan, elders, a living father. Still, there was absolutely no word from her either.”

“But don’t panic yet,” the Diancai Immortal added.

“What about their life tablets?” Ji Ning pressed.

A disappearance this long likely meant death.

“Mu Northson’s life tablet hasn’t shattered, but his Dao-companion’s has,” the Diancai Immortal said. “The fact that neither left any message suggests they encountered a sudden, special situation. And since Mu Northson has survived over twenty years, it’s unlikely he’ll die easily.”

Ji Ning was deeply worried.

Northson’s Dao-companion was already dead. That meant whatever danger they faced when they vanished was terrifying.

“He’s still alive. I suspect he’s trapped in some special place and can’t get out yet,” the Diancai Immortal said.

“Mm.” Ji Ning nodded.

No matter what, he had to find a way to investigate.

“Go back and rest. I’ll be going into seclusion,” the Diancai Immortal said. “These three sword manuals you gave me have been quite enlightening. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important. This seclusion will take some time. Once it’s over, I’ll probably begin my tribulation.”

“So soon?” Ji Ning hadn’t expected that even after gifting three sword manuals, his master would still be in such a rush.

“These three manuals should allow me to elevate my swordsmanship by another level in a short time. But that’s only because it builds on my years of accumulated insight. To improve further would take centuries, maybe more… I have a feeling I can’t wait that long,” the Diancai Immortal said softly. “The vague pressure of that impending threat forces me not to delay any longer.”

Ji Ning nodded solemnly.

After parting with his master, Ji Ning returned to his personal peak in the Black-White College, Northmi Peak.

A grand feast had already been prepared in the main hall.

Earlier, while Ji Ning was chatting with the Diancai Immortal, he had sent the Whitewater Hound and Little Qing back to Northmi Peak first.

“Senior apprentice-brother.” Three figures in the hall bowed respectfully. A small figure also knelt. “Greetings, Master.”

Ji Ning swept his gaze across them.

The three included the honest but now much more burly youth, Meng Yan. Beside him was the tall, lean youth, Yun Zhou, whose eyes were deep and far more steady than in years past. Next to them stood a woman in black gauze, her watery eyes still brimming with endless allure. She held a child by the hand. This was the once-youthful and vibrant Yun Lu.

“Oh?” Ji Ning’s gaze fell on the child.

“Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning… this is my child, Yun Yi,” Yun Lu said nervously.

“Decades have passed, and you have a child now.” Ji Ning nodded with a smile. “Meng Yan, it seems you have real talent in Fiendgod Body Refining. You’ve already reached the Wanxiang stage. Yun Zhou, not bad either.”

With that, he took his seat.

“Sit,” Ji Ning said with a smile.

They all sat down.

“When we heard that Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning won first place in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, and that your Primaltwin killed a Loose Immortal, we were all thrilled and in awe,” Yun Zhou said with a laugh. “We finally get to see you today.”

Ji Ning nodded calmly. “By the way, how have you all been these past years? And what of Wei Fang, Wang Wei, and Ming Yang?”

When he had first left, he had taken on six retainers: Meng Yan, Yun Lu, Yun Zhou, Wei Fang, Wang Wei, and Ming Yang.

“I, well…” Yun Zhou glanced at Meng Yan and Yun Lu.

“Brother, you speak,” Yun Lu said.

Meng Yan also nodded.

Yun Zhou turned to Ji Ning. “Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, it’s been over forty years since you left Northmi Peak. After you left, we six all worked diligently. Meng Yan showed real talent in Fiendgod Body Refining, so he focused on that and rarely went out. Ming Yang, Wang Wei, Wei Fang, and I often ventured out to train.”

“Among us, Wang Wei was originally quite strong, but his potential was limited, and his progress slowed. About a decade ago, while out training, he was killed by another Zifu Disciple at perfection,” Yun Zhou said.

Ji Ning sighed.

Wang Wei… he was originally Beishan Baiwei’s loyal guard. Simple in appearance, Ji Ning had once held some expectations for him. But as time went on, Ji Ning found that Wang Wei had changed after entering the Black-White College. He had been somewhat disappointed. Now, the man was dead.

“Wei Fang had exceptional talent—higher than any of us,” Yun Zhou continued. “But he formed a Dao-companion bond with a female cultivator from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Realm. They had some entanglements, and in the end, he was killed by that woman’s senior apprentice-brother.”

“What?” Ji Ning was startled.

He had heard of Dao-companions who fell into bitter feuds, betrayal, and even killed each other.

But he never expected it to happen to one of his six retainers!

“And Ming Yang?” Ji Ning asked. “Is he dead too?”

“Ming Yang went back to his hometown long ago,” Yun Zhou said. “Judging by what he said when he left, he probably won’t return. He’ll likely stay there for good.”

Ji Ning nodded slightly.

“Yun Lu became Dao-companions with a young master of the Donghe clan, Donghe Qingyun,” Yun Zhou said, clenching his teeth in anger. “That Donghe Qingyun was a rare genius, even managing to enter our Black-White College. Because he loved using swords, he was even praised as the ‘Second Northmi Immortal.’ But compared to you, Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, he’s nothing!”

Ji Ning drank his wine, listening quietly.

“My sister and I both misjudged him. Donghe Qingyun came from a major clan, and though he was young at first, after entering the Black-White College, he started running with the noble scions of Anchan City. He even bought a bunch of maidservants and would beat and curse my sister. She finally had enough, left him, and brought Little Yi back to Northmi Peak. Donghe Qingyun wanted to cause trouble for her, but he didn’t dare push things too far, afraid of you, Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning,” Yun Zhou said.

Yun Lu sat lower down, her eyes red-rimmed. She said quietly, “I’ve embarrassed you, Senior apprentice-brother.”

Ji Ning felt a pang of sadness.

Yun Lu was an absolute enchantress. When she first entered the Black-White College, men like Wei Fang, Ming Yang, and Wang Wei had all pursued her. Many ordinary disciples had also sought her hand. But her standards were high, and she turned them all away.

In the end, she chose a genius of the Donghe clan who was also a formal Black-White College disciple.

And this was how it turned out.

“Meng Yan is the strongest among us now,” Yun Zhou said. “He’s shown real talent in Fiendgod Body Refining. The Wufeng Immortal even accepted him as a disciple, making him a formal Black-White College disciple. He was given his own peak, but he’s always stayed here and never moved out.”

“Oh?” Ji Ning looked at Meng Yan in surprise. He smiled. “A formal disciple? Old Wufeng has a sharp eye. If he sees potential in you, the future looks bright.”

“If you hadn’t let me enter the Black-White College back then, I don’t know where I’d be today,” Meng Yan said honestly.

Ji Ning nodded.

Not a trace of arrogance. It seemed that among his six retainers, Meng Yan was the one who would shine brightest.

“That accounts for the other five. That leaves me,” Yun Zhou said with a grin. “After years of training, I realized I still love puppetry most of all.”

Ji Ning was contemplative.

Six retainers.

Two dead. One returned home. Yun Zhou kept a low profile. The enchanting Yun Lu was living alone with her child. Only Meng Yan, who had originally been the weakest, had soared and become a formal Black-White College disciple.

When Ji Ning returned to the Black-White College, many disciples saw him walking and talking with the Diancai Immortal.

Word spread, and Heavenly Treasures Mountain learned of it quickly.

“Ji Ning, the first-place winner of the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, has returned to the Black-White College after vanishing for over thirty years.”

“Hurry.”

“Send the message out.”

Over a thousand cultivators were dispatched to relay the intelligence.

Across the entire Grand Xia world, too many forces were watching Ji Ning. Not just Nine Lotos, Xiyue Commandery Princess, the Shaoyin clan, and others who had ties to him. Many hidden powers had long set their sights on this mysterious first-place winner who had vanished. Everyone knew how extraordinary that Immortal Fortunes Assembly had been.

After all, two of its participants had been chosen as personal disciples of Daofathers. And Ji Ning had been the champion—yet he hadn’t joined any of Crimsonbright Daofather’s disciples. He had simply disappeared.