Jian's POV

After delivering Xiōngdì to my father, I tried my best to keep out of the situation.

A few days ago, when Xuan Jiejie had revealed the truth to me, I had run to father, intending to tell him everything. Had it not been for her stopping me in the nick of time, I would have undoubtedly done just that.

I am glad Xuan Jiejie had sworn me to secrecy that day. For, if I had done what I was planning on, it would have put Xiōngdì's life in jeopardy. Father hadn't forgiven him, nor had he forgotten how he had raised his sword to him. However, I could see that he still adored him. I was not the only one who had noticed that.

Jiejie had wanted to visit the mortal realm to seek out Xiōngdì and her son. I was against it. 'Father will think you have betrayed him as well if you do that.' I had warned her; luckily, she had listened. However, she had made me pledge that, if and when Gege returned, I must stand by her even if it meant standing against our father.

I had agreed. I had to. I wanted to right the wrongs my jealousy had caused.

"General." Someone rushes towards me out of breath, putting a stop to my musings. "General, I think the Jade Emperor is going to kill him...General YiJun."

"What!? Isn't Xuan Jiejie with them now?"

"No. She left. The screams started after that." He informs.

"General Jian, you need to save YiJun. We have information that Hei Chi is gearing up to attack us. You saw the condition of our guards at the Golden gates in, didn't you? No one except YiJun can save us."

His words agitated me for a fraction of a second,  but then I turn and see who it is.

"Elder Meng, please calm down. Father won't hurt Xiōngdì...he can't." I reassure him; nonetheless, the seed of his doubt takes root in my mind. I call a passing guard and instruct him to escort the old man to his quarter.

Elder Meng was the guardian of the eternal tree. For him to have left his position next to the source of all life in existence and rush over to me meant trouble. I dash towards the throne room at once.

Still, a few hundred meters away from my destination, the screams of agony fall on my ears. I run faster and soon, arrive in the room. I find the white floors smeared in blood. My eyes follow the rivulets of red and come to rest on my Xiōngdì's bloodied form.

"Father!" I call, but it's like he can't hear or see me. Fury masks his countenance. Instantly, I leave the place and run to Jiejie's place.

When I reach Kunlun mountains and enter her cave, I find her on the verge of collapsing. However, before I can relay my words, she loses conciseness.

An idea takes form in my mind, and I return to my father's side, "Father, something has happened to Xuan Jiejie!" I yell to get his attention.

As expected, my sister's name pulls him out of his haze of fury. He turns to me, "What did you say?" His hands fall to his side and his brows knit.

I bow and repeat myself. Panic replaces rage, and without as much as a second glance at Xiōngdì, my father rushes to Kunlun mountains.

Having averted the disaster, I crouch next to my brother. "Why did you let him do this to you?" I ask, letting my tears flow. "Why did you not give him the truth?" I demand, taking in the damage done by the binds of agony. I wipe his sweat-drenched forehead, but instead of answering me, he holds my hand, "What happened to Meimei?"

I feel like laughing. Even in this condition, all my brother was concerned about was Jiejie. "She is fine. I lied to father. I couldn't think of any other way to make him stop."

"Ah-Jian," he shakes his head slightly and tries to smile. I can tell he is in immense pain. "Didi, you shouldn't have done that. Father will be upset. Go and apologize at once."

Ever the loyal one, Xiōngdì, why are you like this?

"I will. Just let me help you to your chamber first." I reply, wrapping my arms around him to help him up.

"Didi..." he shakes his head, and struggling out of my grip, he adds, "Helping me will only serve to anger him more. He is not done with me. Every punishment he thinks I deserve, I will bear it gladly."

"For Xian?" I enquire, and he smiles, "For heaven, Didi. I know you think I betrayed you, but that wasn't my intention. I have never stopped being on heaven's side."

His breaths falter, reminding me of what father had done, but like always, I listen to him. "Fine. I will take father's permission." I inform him and leave for Kunlun.

Once there, I wait for the perfect opportunity to enquire about his plans. His reply puts me at ease, and I leave the sacred mountains.

On returning to the throne room, I find my brother unconscious.

How much did he make you suffer, Xiōngdì?

Without involving anyone, I carry him to his room. I lay him down on his bed, which had been without an occupant for nineteen years, and send for Elder Meng.

The old man shakes his head, "I am afraid only Xuan can heal him." There is a hopelessness and disappointment in the old man's voice that I had never heard before. It makes me wonder what else he was hiding.

"Elder, please tell me everything." I beg, and he leaves a long sigh, "The poison that is circulating through him now will consume him if he is not treated at the earliest. I am afraid that the damage to his spirit...his core is already irreversible."

"No." I shake my head. "I can't accept that. Elder, you are as old as father; there must be something you can do."

"I wish I could, General, but the elixir of life will not work on him. He is...tainted." The old man informs, then with one last disappointed look at Xiōngdì, he leaves.

What tainted you, Xiōngdì?

Was it Xian?

What sins did you commit?

What will father say if comes to know about it?

My mind reels, and my heart aches. I can tell that the road ahead will be wrath with troubles. But what can I do? I am the youngest, after all.

"Ah-Jian," My sister's urgent voice pulls out of my thoughts. The right side of her face is swollen. She must have tried to stand up to father or defy him. I voice my question, but realize that I already had the answer. Jiejie dismisses my concern, and reminding me of the promise I had made to her, she urges me to fulfill it.

"Jiejie, I am with you, but I am afraid Xiōngdì will not go against father. He did not even allow me to move him till I had father's permission."

Jiejie purses her lips. I had never seen her like this. It reminded me of Xiōngdì when he used to talk about leading our soldiers to face the scum of the underworld.

"Ah-Jian, I heard that Elder Meng was here. What did he say?"

I fill Jiejie in on all that the Elder had told me and everything I had witnessed first hand. Nothing I say comes as a surprise to her. When I am done, she closes her eyes, letting a single tear free.

She sits by my brother's head, and catching the tear on the tip of her finger, she places it on his bloodied lips. Raising her hands, she cages Xiōngdì's face between her palms and mutters an incantation under her breath.

A faint glow emanates from her fingers and enters our brother. The steadily growing light becomes so bright that I feel the need to shield my eyes, but I don't.

Jiejie leans in, and their foreheads touch. The blood covering our brother's motionless form vanishes, leaving his wounds healed and his robes spotless.

She smiles; her hands return to her side, and she whispers, "Wake up, Gege." Her eyes seek mine next, "He will be fine." She informs, holding out her hand to me. No sooner do I take it that her eyes swim with tears; she coughs up blood and slumps into my chest.

"Jeijei! What did you do!?"

{Note:- That's it for this update.

What do you think happened to Xuan?

Will Heavenly Father change his mind before it is too late?

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