Chapter 251

Chapter 251: Depart To The Ninth Ruins

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

All Tang Ling had done in the past was bury the word ‘mother’ in the deepest recesses of his heart .

For a very long time in his life, he treated the uncle and aunt who adopted him as his own parents because they had looked after him as their own son . His debt of gratitude felt as heavy as a mountain .

Therefore, Tang Ling had intentionally neglected his true lineage and buried his parents in his mind . He had lived happily with a poor family despite having to struggle almost every day because he felt the warmth from them .

Sometimes, when he was young, he would think of his mother but only for a while .

He believed that his father would have abandoned him but not his mother . Whenever he thought of his mother, a couple of questions popped up in his mind and troubled him .

Mother, why did you abandon me? What obstacles forced you to make this decision?

No, I’m not blaming you . I just want to share your burden . Mother, when I grow up, I won’t be your burden anymore . I’ll hunt so you can have meat every day .

They were simple thoughts from the purest of heart .

However, as time flew by, Tang Ling stopped thinking about those questions anymore . After his uncle and aunt went missing and his grandmother confirmed their death, he never thought about his mother anymore .

However, Tang Ling still found out about his true lineage and the thoughts from his younger days rumbled in his heart . The word ‘mother’ became a strange persistence that was rooted firmly in his heart .

The lesser his mother appeared in stories about Tang Feng, the more he insisted on finding out who she was . This persistence froze into ice in Tang Ling’s heart and shielded him from his father .

He blamed Tang Feng for everything that happened to him: the pain, the suffering, and the fact that he was abandoned . He believed that his mother would never abandon him because a mother would suffer more than anyone else if she lost her child .

“That’s the end of the story . Now it is time for you to choose,” Ro Yan’s voice echoed .

Tang Ling looked up, and with his eyes devoid of emotion, he looked at Ro Yan to ask, “Do you have any cigarettes? I want a pack . ”

Ro Yan had difficulties in searching for words to reply . Why was he asking for a pack of cigarettes? Regardless, he still gave the boy a pack .

Tang Ling glanced over at Ro Li’s dull expression and Ro Xin’s complicated gaze as he lit his cigarette . After two puffs, he said, “This pack of cigarettes is the price for my bone marrow . Stop telling me about fighting along my side . I don’t know what’s the List of Seeds and I don’t care about the Dragon Army or Tang Feng . Get it?”

Ro Li scratched his head and said, “I don’t want to become a normal person, but if Tang Ling isn’t happy about giving me his bone marrow, I’ll take the pills . If he’s okay with it, from this day onwards, I’ll be his brother-in-arms and I’ll follow him wherever he goes and fight alongside him . ” A man with simple thoughts chose the simple way with no conflicts, hesitation, or dilemma .

Ro Yan sometimes felt that his son was better than him . The funny thing was that Ro Li’s answer did not even take Tang Ling’s opinion into consideration .

Tang Ling glared at Ro Li and said in a slightly upset tone, “Why the hell would I want you to follow me? Take my bone marrow and go wherever the hell you like . I’m used to being alone . ”

“No can do! Repaying a debt of gratitude is what a man does . ” Ro Li stiffened his neck and refused to compromise .

“That is Tang Feng’s business . Go talk to him then . ”

“I can’t find Tang Feng anywhere and I’ve also accepted his kindness, so if he said I’ll fight alongside you, I must fight alongside you . ”

“Okay, fine, I’m not giving you my bone marrow . ” Tang Ling slammed the table and bolted up .

“Then, I’ll take the pills,” Ro Li insisted on his stand .

“Please give my brother the bone marrow . ” Ro Xin, who had kept quiet throughout the whole story session, finally spoke as she looked at Tang Ling with a pitiful gaze, “Do you know why I learned all this herbal and medical knowledge? It’s because I know my brother was born with a defect since he was young . Even if he had Uncle Tang Feng’s bone marrow for all these years, he still feels cold like ice at night and I can’t find out the reason behind it . I know I’m such a failure, but I once swore that I would find a way to cure my brother and I’ll never forget what my brother told me . He said he would grow stronger and stronger so that he can go see the world with me .

“I know he’s trying to protect me . I know he’s trying to fulfill my dreams of learning all kinds of medical knowledge all around the world, but he doesn’t know I started on this path because of him . ” Ro Xin was unusually calm when she uttered those words, and Tang Ling was silenced by them .

He thought of last night when he saw Ro Xin drenching his body with hot water . That scene where his sweat hung at the tip of his nose was branded in his mind . When he thought of Ro Xin’s expression as she said she was going to cure him, he could not reject such a look .

“Ro Xin . ” Ro Li’s eyes were rimmed with tears . He always thought his little sister was better than him and that he should always protect her to become a great healer or possibly a doctor .

Unbeknownst to him, the sister that always rolled her eyes at him and scolded him for his nagging was…

“Brother, go with Tang Ling . He isn’t just anyone . He will travel far and long . He will reach many places in the world and you can follow him and live an amazing life . Didn’t you always want to be a hero when you were young?”

“That’s what I am trying to do: stand by him and fight alongside him . It’s nothing much, but at least I can live up to my bottom line . ” Ro Li’s answer was firm .

Tang Ling puffed at his cigarette in frustration . He no longer wanted to argue . Fine, I’ll just give him my bone marrow and then find a chance to dump this giant loli somewhere else!

“Great . ” Ro Xin nodded .

She then looked at Ro Yan . “Dad, both Brother and I have viewed the Ro Drifter Camp as our responsibility ever since we were young . It limited our sight and bound our hearts, making us circle around the Herrocky Mountain Ridge for the rest of our lives . I know it’s unfilial for me to say something like this, but…” Ro Xin stared at Ro Yan .

Ro Li was trembling when Ro Xin said that . What is she talking about? Dad might beat her up! Everyone knows how he cares about the camp!

Tang Ling had a peek at Ro Li and could not help but sigh softly . He felt a little sad for the giant loli because an idiot like him had failed to read the situation and did not notice anything different .

Ro Yan did not say anything as he stroked Ro Xin’s hair with a complicated gaze . He was actually relieved . His son had outstanding talent . Even if his life would be filled with danger alongside Tang Ling, a man should devote his life to doing something big and meaningful . Danger could not be an excuse, and his hesitancy earlier was a joke . There was nothing to be sorry about anymore .

I guess this smart girl saw through my thoughts . Ro Yan did not say anything .

“Dad, I’ve been complaining about our lives, but today let Brother have his way . As a daughter, I want to stay with you, so you can stop thinking about sending me away . ” Ro Xin was very stern with her words .

Ro Li blinked several times in confusion . Huh? Dad is sending Xin away? Am I going out to the world? Like right now? Unfortunately, he had no answers .

Ro Yan smiled and said, “Staying back will be dangerous . Jim is making his move as we speak . ”

“It’s fine . I’m not afraid . My uncles and aunts are respectable people . I’d rather die in glory than live in dishonor,” Ro Xin replied firmly .

“As expected of my daughter!” Ro Yan went over and gave Ro Xin a hug .

“Dad, let me…” Before she finished, a tinge of sadness appeared in Ro Yan’s eyes, and the next thing that happened was a quick chop at her neck, knocking her out .

“Dad! What are you doing?” Ro Li shouted in shock .

“You…sheesh!” Ro Yan had had it with his idiotic son . He turned around to the door and said, “Aide Chen, come in . ”

Aide Chen entered the mobile home with a big suitcase which he put on the floor before stepping out .

“Tang Ling, as you can see, my son is almost helpless and my daughter is the exact opposite . Please take care of them for me in the future . If you view them as a burden, you can just walk away, but I have one request: please let them settle down in a safe place . ” Ro Yan’s eyes screamed of sadness and pleading .

Somehow, his gaze saddened Tang Ling a lot . He fished out another cigarette and let it hang at his mouth before saying, “Ro Xin is an amazing girl . She might be the one taking care of us . ”

“Should I be relieved?” Ro Yan smiled as he then stood up . “I’ve only spent so much time with you . I can’t say I know you well, and even if you don’t want to hear it from me, I have to say it—

I see Tang Feng in you . This alone assures me feel that you will be taking care of them . ” He then placed the luggage in front of Tang Ling . “There’s not much here . I’ve memorized the recipe that Ro Xin made for your medical bath, and these should be enough herbs and medicines . If it’s not, Ro Xin will take care of them along the way .

“Other than that, there are more Ro family teachings in here . Tang Feng had the right to learn it, and so do you . If you want, you can ask Ro Xin for it anytime . Every book is open for you to read . ” Ro Yan paused before he looked at Ro Li . “Remember what I said and tell Ro Xin that I said so . ”

Ro Li finally understood what was going on . His father was bidding farewell to them and it saddened him to know that, but he did not know how serious things were or what the farewell meant .

“I’ll take a look at them . ” Tang Ling accepted the offer because he longed to be stronger whenever possible because of what he shouldered .

“Mmm . ” Ro Yan nodded and said, “Ro Xin’s note is also in the luggage, and so are her healing tools . I’ll also put the bottle with the remaining bone marrow for Ro Li inside together with the pills . You can turn him into a normal person whenever you like . ”

“No need for that . I’ll give him my bone marrow . Is the recipe inside?” Tang Ling asked .

“Yes, there are also some other things inside and I’ll let you find out by yourself . In short, time is limited and the camp is a complicated place . The few people you met today might have associated themselves with the outsiders,” Ro Yan warned .

Tang Ling raised a brow . “The Stardust Council?” It was just a wild guess . As he made his way here, the feeling in his heart grew stronger and he realized that the Stardust Council’s influence was everywhere . Even a small Drifter camp could not escape from their grasp .

A tinge of shock flashed in Ro Yan’s eyes . He knew? Is Tang Feng’s son this extraordinary? Regardless, he nodded to assure Tang Ling, “Yes, it’s them . ”

Tang Ling hesitated for a moment and suggested, “Uncle Ro, you can actually leave with us . ”

“Do you think I can? Or do you think I will?” Ro Yan was moved and his eyes gave him away as he believed that his bet on Tang Ling was the right one . However, he could not and would not agree to the suggestion . His answer stated his intention clearly .

“Dad, you!” Ro Li finally grasped the situation, feeling dejected and nervous . He shouted, “No, you must leave with us . If you don’t, I won’t either . ”

“You stupid knucklehead, you’d better go as far as you can! I’m not leaving, but it doesn’t mean that I’m going to die . You can just come back when you get stronger! Think about your sister . Think about what she has to face here! Jim has always had his eyes on her . Don’t you want to protect her? Are you just going to leave her in Tang Ling’s hands?” Ro Yan shouted in Ro Li’s face .

Xin? Xin… Ro Li circled around anxiously and punched the wall all of a sudden . He turned back to his father with a teary face . “Dad, you aren’t going to die, right? Right? I’ve been so depressed ever since Mom died of sickness . I…”

“Of course, I’m not dying! What do they get by killing me? They just want the camp . ” Ro Yan chose to keep the truth from Ro Li although the enemy might be after the family teachings and possibly the secrets to the Ninth Ruins .

“Really?” Ro Li wiped his snot .

“Nonsense! How dare you nag me?! Your sister is waking up soon . ” Ro Yan glared at his son .

Ro Li dared not argue anymore . Instead, he squatted aside and continued sobbing .

Ro Yan looked at Tang Ling . “I really should man up . I’m done, so go now . Ro Li will bring you to the Ninth Ruins and you can leave through there . ”

“Why there?” In confusion, Tang Ling explained, “Uncle Ro, I have something that I must do and I have to get to the Darkness Port . ”

“Really? That’s not a bad choice either . You will pass the Ninth Ruins if you are heading to the Darkness Port . ” Ro Yan could not help but knock on his forehead lightly . “Fate is always scary and the destined child is probably scarier than fate itself .

“Do you know that the Stardust Council will scour the earth for you guys after this? If you don’t go to the Ninth Ruins, you’ll never outrun the search . The Ninth Ruins just so happens to the sure path to the Darkness Port, but I’m afraid it is also an opportunity of sorts .

“Tang Ling, fate prepared this for you . I really look forward to your future and I’ve also started to look forward to Ro Li’s . Unfortunately…” Ro Yan’s eyes had never looked so miserable before .

The Ninth Ruins? Tang Ling was baffled by the question, but he knew it was not time to ask . Since Ro Li was leading the way, he would have to go to the Ninth Ruins . After Ro Xin woke up, he might be able to get some useful information .

With that in mind, Tang Ling nodded and said, “Let’s go to the Ninth Ruins then . We leave right away . ”

He started to pack his stuff and Ro Li pitifully lugged the big luggage that Ro Yan had prepared for them before lifting Ro Xin up .

We’re leaving right away?