Chapter 180: ~Intermission~ The Letter of Hope; A Family's Redemption. Auntie Huo's Surprising Discovery of Love; A Soft Spot for Yang Wei?

Wu Fengtian untied the thin rope around the scroll and opened it.

[ Fengtian, I'm sure by the time you read this, you'll be thinking I forgot about you since I didn't return on time.

Something came up and kept me busy, but by the time you get this letter, I should be heading back to the Dragon Blossom Sect.

So, here's the deal...

I've given you everything you need to craft the Meridian Stream Pill, a fourth-grade pill that, if administered correctly, can cleanse all the corrosive impurities in Xinqi's meridians. But, I bet you already know all that. Don't rush back to the sect just yet.

Stay in Red Lantern Village and work on perfecting your pill refinement skills until you've successfully made a Meridian Stream Pill for your little sister.

When Meixiang told me that Shen Bao said he'd done everything to ensure Xinqi gets cured, I initially thought I'd be the one making the pill, but apparently, it's you. My role is simply to help, and I believe I've done my part.

Now, the only thing standing between your sister and her chance at a happy life... is you. ]

As Wu Fengtian read the letter, his face squeezed as he cried tears of joy with an almost ridiculous grin spread across his face.

"I-, I WON'T FAIL YOU, SENIOR BROTHER!"

Wu Meixiang was moved by her brother's happiness. She placed a hand over her heart, feeling at peace.

Wei Gege... you remembered, you really remembered... Thank you so much *sob* thank you, for everything.

Meanwhile, Wu Yifei looked at everything that belonged to them. She never imagined fortune would come their way so effortlessly. Overwhelmed, she sank to her knees, hands trembling as she covered her mouth while tears trickled down her cheeks. "Y-, Yang... Wei, thank you," she managed to choke out.

Wu Shu stood nearby, holding his daughter in his arms. Though he believed a man shouldn't cry, he found himself fighting back tears. His lower lip trembled, and he struggled to maintain his composure as tears trickled down his cheeks.

Y-, Yang Wei... really did this...?

Wu Xinqi, barely able to focus through her pain, noticed her father's distress. "Father, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" she asked concernedly.

Wu Shu looked down at his sick daughter, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. "No, everything's fine now, sweetheart. Everything will be fine from today onward," he assured her with a shaking voice.

Coughing painfully, Wu Xinqi felt a headache coming on. Despite her confusion, she trusted her father. Leaning in, she hugged him tightly, pouring all her love and gratitude into the embrace, despite her weak body.

By now, Wu Shu only had already made up his mind.

I'll be blunt.

My family's whole situation is my fault. If I hadn't been dumb enough to give my only trusted brother the spirit root that could've changed our lives, they wouldn't be suffering.

I always try to fool myself into thinking that if I hadn't given him that spirit root, I wouldn't have met a wonderful woman like Yifei and had three amazing kids... but no, that's just me trying to stay positive and ignore reality.

Now, my dear Xinqi was supposed to be taken by death, but it seems the heavens forgave me for my foolishness.

I was forgiven by Yang Wei.

Hours passed, and they finally arrived at the Huo Pill Pavilion, its beauty unchanged. Wu Fengtian admired the sight until he heard Wu Xinqi ask, "Haven't I been here before?"

"Yeah," he replied, recalling. "Last time you came for a checkup, we saw Pill Master Huo here. Remember? She gave you those bandages that help manage your condition."

Wu Xinqi coughed lightly, nodding. "Oh, I remember now."

Just as they were about to enter, Wu Fengtian spotted Huo Zirou deep inside the hall. When their eyes met, she smiled and hurried over to them, surprising Wu Fengtian with her warmth.

Ooo, Master is actually pleased to see me...

He greeted her with a bow and clenched fists, but Huo Zirou was more interested in Wu Xinqi. She patted the little girl's head and asked, "Little Xinqi, how are you?"

Wu Xinqi beamed and replied, "I'm doing great!"

Huo Huo Zirou playfully pinched her cheeks, "You've grown so much!"

Feeling a bit left out, Wu Fengtian raised his hand and nervously asked, "What about me, Master?"

Huo Zirou shot him a glare and retorted, "What about you..." Her tone was less than welcoming, so Wu Fengtian wisely kept quiet.

Then Wu Xinqi started coughing heavily.

Huo Zirou immediately zeroed in on her with motherly concern. "Are you okay?" she asked as she looked at the black veins appearing on Xinqi's body. "It looks like your health is deteriorating."

"Uh, Master..." Wu Fengtian attempted to speak up, but Huo Zirou ignored him, lost in her thoughts as she rubbed her chin. "I've been working hard to secure the herbs and refine the Meridian Stream Pill... but it might take a while. I still haven't gathered enough funds to purchase—"

Interrupting her, Wu Fengtian jumped in, addressing Huo Zirou directly. "Master Huo, don't worry about it," he said confidently. "I already have all the herbs and plenty of money to buy anything else needed for Xinqi's treatments. We came here so I could focus better and refine the pill."

Huo Zirou's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?" she stammered. "How could you afford the ingredients for a Meridian Stream Pill?" She looked genuinely surprised.

A Meridian Stream Pill wasn't difficult to make, but the ingredients alone cost a lot more than most fifth-grade pills.

Wu Fengtian told Huo Zirou everything Yang Wei did, while the woman stayed crouched beside Wu Xinqi. She had this sort of warm expression, like she wanted to smile but was holding back.

Each word she heard about his good deeds made her smile more and more. It reminded her a bit of her sister and brother-in-law who helped a certain poor family back at the Azure Water Realm.

Yang Wei... you're a strange, and interesting man~

Wu Xinqi chimed in, "Auntie Huo, isn't Big Brother Wei just amazing?"

Huo Zirou glanced at her and stuttered, "M-maybe, it's... it's kind of him, I suppose."

Wu Xinqi put her hands on her small hips and frowned, "Auntie, do you, like, have a thing for him?"

Huo Zirou's cheeks flushed a bit, "W-what?! N-no, absolutely not..." She glanced away, twirling her hair nervously, "But, um, he's quite competent..."

I really wanted to make sure I could help Feng's family, not because I wanted to, but because it was one of my sister's last wishes. I didn't do right by them... and I know it's my choice whether or not I want to help them. But this man, Yang Wei, he just... Sigh~ he's quite an amazing man, I'll leave it at that.

Suddenly, she noticed both Wu Fengtian and Xinqi giving her strange looks.

"WHAT?!" she blurted out defensively.