War God Long Ao

"Brother Dugu, calm down. I'll be right back."

After finding the Four Great Emperors—or, strictly speaking, the Four Great Semi-Saints as they were now—Long Ao got straight to the point. "Have you seen Snake Princess?"

The four seemed to have already guessed what was happening. Luo Tian took a letter from his robes and handed it to Long Ao, saying, "Sect Leader, Snake Princess left this before she departed."

Long Ao didn't open it. No matter what, he was only Dugu Bai's brother, not Dugu Bai himself. There were some things he couldn't do in his stead.

Long Ao returned to the main hall, handed the letter to Dugu Bai, and stood quietly to the side. For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

"Brother Dugu, what's wrong?"

Seeing Dugu Bai's expression grow more and more solemn, more and more grim, Long Ao knew this was serious trouble.

Taking the letter from Brother Dugu, Long Ao merely glanced at it before letting out a deep sigh.

It turned out Snake Princess was no ordinary person. She was the biological younger sister of the Piaomiao Palace's Palace Master, an identity she had been unwilling to reveal.

According to the letter, Snake Princess had wanted to marry Dugu Bai and live out her life in peace. However, the Palace Master of Piaomiao Palace had sent word that if she dared to marry him, Piaomiao Palace would erase Dugu Bai, no matter the cost.

Afraid that something would happen to Dugu Bai, Snake Princess could only choose to compromise, ultimately leaving the Dragon Sect to return to Piaomiao Palace.

"Brother Dugu, where are you going?"

Long Ao was startled to see Dugu Bai about to leave.

Of course, Long Ao could guess where Dugu Bai intended to go, but could that really solve the problem?

"Even if I die, I will bring Snake Princess back."

"Brother Dugu, we both know how strong Piaomiao Palace is. Can you really do this alone?"

How could Dugu Bai not know of Piaomiao Palace's immense power? But could he really choose to give up?

He couldn't.

He really couldn't.

Even if it meant death, he had to bring Snake Princess back, no matter how great the difficulties ahead.

"Brother Long, this is something I must do. If you're my brother, don't try to talk me out of it, okay?"

"Hahaha, Brother Dugu, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. Since you acknowledge me as your brother, then I'll go with you. To hell with Piaomiao Palace—what does a mountain of blades or a sea of fire matter?"

Dugu Bai's body trembled when he heard Long Ao's words.

'Long Ao wants to go with me. Can I really agree to that?'

Dugu Bai knew very well what this would mean for Long Ao and the Sect. Minor skirmishes were one thing, but if they had a complete falling out with Piaomiao Palace, the Sect would be defeated, one hundred percent. After all, Piaomiao Palace's power and foundation were plain to see.

Brothers share in blessings and endure hardships together.

But in the hearts of Dugu Bai and Long Ao, being brothers meant 'you take the blessings, and I'll take the disaster.' That was what a true brother was.

Thinking of this, Dugu Bai smiled gratefully and said, "Brother Long, for me, Dugu Bai, to have made a brother like you in this lifetime... it's been worth it."

Watching Long Ao and Dugu Bai, everyone was moved. This was what true friends, true brothers, were. Ouyang Fei, in particular, felt a pang of guilt. Once upon a time, Brother Long had treated him the same way, but what had he done in return?

Ouyang Fei knew in his heart that as long as he gave his all, he could one day win back the friendship he had lost—the so-called bond of brotherhood.

"Brother Dugu."

Waving his hand, Dugu Bai didn't give Long Ao any chance to speak. "Brother Long, if you see me as a brother, then we don't need to discuss this further. I will go to Piaomiao Palace alone. In life or death, I will be with Snake Princess. If you help me, even if we succeed in bringing her back, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life."

"Brother Long, please, let me do this my way."

Staring intently at Dugu Bai, Long Ao looked like he wanted to say something but ultimately held back. He nodded and said, "Brothers once, brothers for life. Whenever you need me, I'll be there, no questions asked. Forget Piaomiao Palace—even if it's the Long Clan, I'll fight them all the same."

Long Ao's bold and heroic words stirred everyone around them. At that moment, they were all filled with admiration for him. Who wouldn't want to be friends with a brother like that?

In no time, servants brought out a large amount of fine wine. Forgoing bowls, Long Ao and Dugu Bai each took a jar. Their eyes met, and suddenly, both men burst into laughter. Everything was understood without a word. Neither spoke; they simply began to drink heavily.

Everyone else seemed to be moved by this display of brotherhood, and one by one, they also raised their jars and began to drink. A perfectly good wedding had been senselessly interrupted by Piaomiao Palace and ended on a sour note.

Only after finishing three whole jars did Dugu Bai finally leave.

Watching the already-disappeared figure, Long Ao summoned Long Potian and said directly, "Brother Potian, I need you to keep an eye on Brother Dugu. Don't let him see you. If Piaomiao Palace dares to make a move against him, tell me immediately."

"Understood."

Without a moment's hesitation, Long Potian immediately took two men and followed. Dugu Bai and Long Potian were not in the same league at all, so Dugu Bai had no idea he was being tailed.

In the entire hall, only Long Ao remained, standing silently.

No one dared to enter and disturb him, because everyone knew Long Ao was truly furious over Dugu Bai's situation. He was only holding back out of respect for Dugu Bai's wishes.

But anyone could guess that Long Ao was like a lion on the verge of erupting, ready to explode at any moment. If nothing happened to Dugu Bai and Snake Princess, then all would be well. But if something did, everyone could well imagine what the Sect Leader would do—he would undoubtedly storm Piaomiao Palace.

He stood there quietly, not saying a word, but his expression was exceptionally grim.

CREAK.

"Get out."

Long Ao's voice was heavy and cold, but not only did this person not leave, they entered the hall instead.

Seeing that it was Ao Xue, a faint smile finally appeared on Long Ao's grim face. He sighed deeply and said, "What do you think I should do?"

Looking at Long Ao, Ao Xue's heart ached for him. He shouldered too many burdens. Everyone could only see his meteoric rise and his glamorous side, but how many could truly see the weight he carried?

Lovers, family, brothers, friends—Long Ao had to look after them all. He even chose to bury the hatchet with Ouyang Fei, who had once betrayed him. Who else in the world could do such a thing?

"Brother Ao, you're carrying too much. Don't take it all on yourself. You're not a savior; you can't take care of everyone. When you're like this, it breaks my heart. Do you understand?"

She walked up to Long Ao, her heart aching as she reached out and gently took his hands in hers, gazing at him quietly.