Chapter 672: Farewell, Forgive, Forget

Venerable Lord Sword, Snow, and Frost were still recuperating in the house Yun Yang had arranged for them. Their injuries had completely healed by now and their cultivation base had recovered as well. Even then, they had taken no action after knowing about the intense fight for the dragon hide treasure map.

They were not even the slightest bit interested in the matter.

"What's our next step?"

"I have no idea. I only wish to repay Young Master Yun's favor and retire from the martial world. Nothing is better than spending the rest of our days peacefully!"

"What about the seal upon us?"

"What is there to worry about the seal? I'm not concerned about it anymore. The only thing on my mind now is to search for a decent burial spot and send Saber and Ice over as well. Whenever the seals on us are triggered, let us sever our meridians there and go on our way quietly."

"As for our death and what follows, including the God's Bones that lie within us... those are in the future. We won't be able to plan or become overly concerned about them. Being dead means being dead to everything."

Venerable Lord Snow said softly, "Indeed. I am thoroughly sated with the martial world, with this mortal realm. Now, I really don't want to stay here for a moment longer."

Venerable Lord Sword and Frost let out a long sigh with their heads lowered.

It had been only a few days, but three of them looked worse for wear. It was like they had aged by several decades; despite their healed injuries and recovered cultivation base, their physical states were no better than they were before. They were akin to three withered old men who were already laid out in coffins, waiting to finish their last breath, no hint of life contained within their husks.

"It has never crossed my mind before this that the Four Seasons Tower's three Venerable Lords would end up like this," Venerable Lord Snow said with a self-depreciating chuckle, "It's a chaotic and bloody mess outside, but here we are, actually chatting over tea and wishing to retreat from the martial world..."

Venerable Lord Frost and Sword responded with a bitter chuckle of their own before heaving a deep sigh.

"This is probably what it feels like when one no longer has a target and purpose. Our initial intention - to serve the organization devotedly - has come to naught. This heart beats no more; I've grown tired of this life. Even if I were still alive, I am just left with a few more puffs of air. I don't have the patience to look out for these battles and assassinations in the martial world; let the eager ones fight over worldly affairs..."

Knocks were heard from the outside before Yun Yang entered, carrying dishes and wine.

"Young Master Yun," the Venerable Lords greeted him on their feet.

From their initial hostility and disdain, to respect and now, gratitude, the relationship between these three men and Yun Yang was inexplicably complicated.

"I've come today to send all of you off," Yun Yang spoke with a smile, "Let me propose a toast to all of you, wishing that you rejoice beyond this worldly realm from now on."

Venerable Lord Snow spoke faintly, "We appreciate your kind intention but we'd never leave without doing anything for you in return."

He stared into Yun Yang's eyes and spoke slowly, enunciating each word carefully, "We'll only consider retiring after we repay what we owe you. Otherwise, we'd fell indebted even when we are once again recluses in the forest. When the heart isn't at ease, how can we rejoice?"

"Actually, I do have something to ask for your help with this time. You may consider this as us helping each other; it's a win-win situation," Yun Yang replied with a smile.

The three Venerable Lords' eyes shone. "Do speak, Young Master Yun."

"Ma-i Sect." Yun Yang said as he laid down the dishes and wine, "All of you should be aware of their location. What I need your help on is... for Gold Hook Ma-i's name to be erased from this world."

"Nothing in Ma-i's headquarter lives, nothing alive escapes!"

Yun Yang reiterated, "This is the favor I ask of the three of you."

Venerable Lord Snow did not look troubled at all, and immediately acceded to the request, "Alright! Leave this to the three of us. Even if all three of us perish, we will complete young master's request."

"My fellow Venerable Lords might have misunderstood me. The sect leader, patriarch, sect elders, and elites from Ma-i Sect have left their operation and are now on their way to Tiantang City."

"I'll take care of these people. What I need you to target are those left behind in the house of Ma-i!" Yun Yang said.

"That would be an even lesser problem then!" Venerable Lord Frost spoke in a sinister tone, "The Ma-i Sect is destined to fall. Their millennial legacy shall no longer exist!"

Yun Yang picked up a goblet and said with a smile, "We shall not meet again after today's farewell. I wish all three of you contented solitude and ease, away from the worldly realm!"

"Thank you, Young Master Yun." The three men stood up and bowed.

All four of them clearly comprehended that after leaving to demolish the Ma-i Sect, Sword, Snow, and Frost would never come back. They would take diverging paths then, putting away whatever that had happened between them in the martial world.

"Please wait, Young Master Yun," Venerable Lord Snow said as he entered the room with the other two Venerable Lords.

Yun Yang was taken aback, unable to figure out why the three men had asked him to stay. After a moment, low grunts could be heard from inside. This caused Yun Yang even more puzzlement.

Almost instantly, the copper scent of blood washed over the vicinity as the wind blew softly.

Venerable Lord Snow appeared before Yun Yang, drained of all color. Three bloody bones laid in his hand. Behind him, Venerable Lord Frost and Sword looked equally pale, coated with blood.

The looks they gave the bones nestled on Venerable Lord Snow's palm were incredibly complicated.

"These three pieces of bones are... the Bone of Snow God, Bone of Sword God, and Bone of Frost God that have been nourished for years within us using our Qi, blood, and mystical skill," Venerable Lord Snow spoke, pained, "This is the Bone of Ice God Young Master Yun gave me before."

"These four pieces of God's Bones... they shall all be passed to Young Master Yun in preparation for the future."

Yun Yang's head swirled, so shocked that his scalp was tingling with numbness. He stood up abruptly and asked, "What are you doing? You..."

Venerable Lord Snow smiled. "We know that Young Master Yun is kind-hearted. We stood on the same ground; we know that you can't bear to see us mutilate ourselves, but we're destined not to be able to run away from Four Seasons Tower's hounding. The tower will hunt for these four pieces of God's Bone regardless of what we do. Nonetheless, we are still indignant."

"So, we shall add to Young Master Yun's troubles in our final moment of parting."

Venerable Lord Frost was holding in the pain of his wound but spoke with a grin, "Young Master Yun is a noble of Yutang and the military immensely favors you. Perhaps you'll have the opportunity to see Lord Supreme Cloud in the future. If Young Master Yun doesn't want to safekeep this controversial item, pass it to Supreme Cloud the next you see him. We believe that these bones will be of use to him somehow."

"I know. I understand too. It's just that... will your action be detrimental to your combat powers?" Yun Yang replied with a concerned nod.

Venerable Lord Snow answered nonchalantly, "If we are to face the Ma-i Sect that has been deprived of its elites, our partial combat strength will be more than enough."

The three Venerable Lords raised their goblets in unison.

"Young Master Yun, the martial world is perilous. Take care."

"Take care!"

Yun Yang emptied his goblet.

"We bid you farewell."

The three men bandaged their wounds efficiently and waved with a smile, leaving without bringing anything with them.

Yun Yang watched the trio's retreating figures in silence but his heart was beating loudly. It was as if a part of his past, a part of history, was eternally sealed in his memory with the departure of these three men.

"Take care!"