Chapter 736: Otherworld Journey (Part 7)

In Gu Ningxuan’s memory, both his great-grandfather and grandfather were stern to outsiders but kind to family members. His childhood was spent under their watchful eyes, and to some extent, they played a more important role than his father, Gu Qidong.

It was his grandfather who taught Gu Ningxuan and held his little hand as he went to kindergarten, while sometimes when his great-grandfather was free, he would talk to him about things from his youth. However... in this plane, they, they departed so early...

Because Marshal Gu’s health had just improved, he was persuaded by his subordinates to return early. Gu Ningxuan, however, did not leave; he sat cross-legged in a daze before the two tombstones for a long time, until dusk fell and a light rain began to fall.

This plane was both unfamiliar and familiar to him. It was like seeing the tombstones of the two elders, which made him feel as if his heart were being squeezed painfully, his eyes sore, wanting to cry, yet unable to shed tears.

He understood that this restraint was developed since childhood. The men of the Gu Family could bleed dry, but they could not casually shed a single tear.

"Of course, you’re here. It’s late, and it’s raining. If you stay longer, you’ll get sick. I heard from Xiaosan that he brought you here, so I thought you probably hadn’t left yet, so I came to see you."

A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice sounded above him, and Gu Ningxuan turned his stiff neck to see Gu Ningyi’s tall figure, holding an umbrella. Dressed entirely in black, only a small patch of skin was left exposed.

"Get up, it’s time to go home." Gu Ningyi extended a hand to him, his expression unchangingly indifferent, but his eyes softened.

Gu Ningxuan hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out his hand. The other used slight force to help him up. Perhaps he really had been sitting too long, for his legs were numb, making it difficult even to take a step. Seeing his embarrassment, Gu Ningyi did not force him to leave immediately.

"You stared at the great-grandfather’s and grandfather’s tombstones for so long and seemed so absorbed. What were you thinking?"

Perhaps this younger brother was still quite naive, never having experienced the baptism of war nor endured various losses, and Gu Ningyi could guess some things without being told. Unlike his current third brother, who kept everything buried inside and refused to speak out.

"How did great-grandfather and grandfather... pass away?" Gu Ningxuan finally spoke, only to find that his stupor had almost made him forget how to speak. "Was it caused by the Insect Race?"

Gu Ningyi’s lips twitched, wanting to smile but unable to, almost like crying. He knew why Gu Ningxuan was asking this. Compared to dying at the hands of the Insect Race, this brother probably hoped even more that the two elders passed peacefully in their sleep without illness or pain. But how could that be possible?

So, Gu Ningyi only vaguely answered, "Whether it was great-grandfather or grandfather, they had no regrets when they passed, having remained true to the beliefs they upheld throughout their lives. For a warrior, this might be the most ideal end."

Compared to lying on a bed quietly waiting for death to come, they would probably prefer to burn brightly at the end of their lives, to die gloriously whether in death or in life. So, while grieving for their passing, there was even more a sense of relief.

Having seen life and death so many times, naturally, it lightens one’s perception; perhaps death isn’t an end but the beginning of another life; it’s hard to say.

"Is that so... so that’s how it is..." Gu Ningxuan’s gaze shifted to the tombstones, his expression turning from confusion to growing firmness. Though he had never seen the great-grandfather and grandfather of this plane, he imagined they were great elders, just as in his memories.

They loved everything about the Alliance, and if they could still contribute something to the Alliance before death, they would have no regrets,

"Aside from that, did you think about anything else?" Gu Ningyi tried to ask, "For instance, this plane’s great-grandfather and grandfather have passed, but what about yours? Are their situations similar...?"

Gu Ningxuan was flustered as his thoughts were exposed, yet he could not escape, as he had indeed been worrying about this issue before.

"If your situation there is the same, how would you feel?" Gu Ningyi’s tone was flat, yet it held a pressing quality.

"Of course... not much different from my current mood," Gu Ningxuan replied softly. Earlier he had been caught in the rain and was soaked, and now with the wind blowing colder, it chilled him to the bone, a penetrating cold seeming to seep into his marrow and freeze his soul.