At those words, White Rainbow froze, seeming to have guessed something, but then asked with some misgivings:
"Would he dare?"
Ninth Uncle sighed at that, then shook his head.
"To tell the truth, I'm not all that sure myself."
White Rainbow thought for a moment before finally nodding. With a solemn expression, he cupped his hands toward Ninth Uncle. "Then I'll wait another three years. During those three years, I hope you'll look after that foolish boy of mine, Ninth Uncle."
"He'll be fine with Taiping."
Ninth Uncle smiled and shook his head.
White Rainbow nodded, then suddenly looked at Ninth Uncle with renewed solemnity.
"There's one more question I'd like to ask you, Ninth Uncle."
"Ask away. I'm in a good mood tonight."
Ninth Uncle nodded.
"Why aren't you dead, Ninth Uncle?"
White Rainbow looked at Ninth Uncle, his eyes full of confusion.
"Back at the Northern Border, the wounds you suffered should have killed you."
He added.
"Have you ever considered that the Lü Sword Nine who went with you to the Northern Border that day actually died?"
Ninth Uncle looked at White Rainbow, a sly smile appearing on his face.
At those words, horror instantly spread across White Rainbow's face.
But a moment later, Ninth Uncle burst into hearty laughter again.
"You're still too honest. You believe whatever anyone tells you."
"Why... am I not dead?"
"I'm not dead?"
"No, I died."
"No, no, I'm not dead yet."
Forget-Me-Not Peak, Azure Profound Sect.
Inside an unnamed underground cavern.
Drunk, Lü Sword Nine trudged down the steps, muttering foul-mouthed nonsense as he went.
The stairway beneath his feet, leading underground, seemed to have no end. Even after walking for a long time, he still had not reached its bottom.
Only when a gust of cold wind swept