Once the Geng brothers confirmed that Mo Wushuang's partner's injuries could be treated, the two were overjoyed and hurriedly congratulated him.
"Brother Mo, this truly calls for celebration. You've stayed by your wife's side through thick and thin all these years, and Heaven has finally opened its eyes! Heaven has finally felt the depth of your devotion, Brother Mo!"
"That's right, Brother Mo. Heaven has taken pity — your wife's recovery is finally within reach."
The Geng brothers shared a life-and-death bond with Mo Wushuang, and they both bowed to Jiang Chen. "Young Master Zhen, our two brothers have never bowed to anyone in this life — only to Brother Mo. You've cured the ailment that weighed on his heart, and that is a debt of tremendous gratitude. We will remember this favor."
Jiang Chen could see that the Geng brothers were straightforward men of great courage, and that their bond with Emperor Wushuang was genuinely forged through blood. He smiled and said, "You two are too righteous for your own good — why act so formal with me?"
The Geng brothers were blunt men through and through, the type who didn't understand all those roundabout dealings. That was precisely why they had chosen to live as carefree independent cultivators. With their strength, they could easily have founded a major power. But they'd opted for the wandering life precisely because their rough temperaments didn't suit the game of diplomacy and flattery.
Emperor Wushuang saw the bewildered looks on the Geng brothers' faces and burst out laughing. "Brothers, this Young Master Zhen here calls me brother as well. I call him little brother, he calls me big brother. So between us, there's no need for all that formal thanking. We're all brothers — why be polite?"
The Geng brothers suddenly understood. Elder Geng laughed heartily. "Good, good. We're all brothers, all brothers. Who'd have thought the Geng brothers would end up calling the young lord of Peacock Sacred Mountain a brother? How wonderful! Well, Young Brother Zhen, you're exactly our kind of people."
Emperor Wushuang said solemnly, "Brothers, we've been through life and death together. I won't hide this from you — Brother Zhen here has another identity."
"What?" The Geng brothers were stunned.
"Remember what Eternal Sky Capital and the Scarlet Cauldron Central Region did?"
"Of course we do. Eternal Sky Capital has been going steadily downhill — attacking a lower region, of all things. Our two brothers find that beneath contempt." The Geng brothers shook their heads repeatedly, their tones tinged with disdain. "Brother Mo, I recall you don't think much of Eternal Sky Capital either, right?"
"Never mind that for now. What I want to tell you is this — Brother Zhen is none other than Jiang Chen of the Myriad Phenomena Region's Dan Qian Palace. He's the man with a bounty on his head from Eternal Sky Capital. Since we're brothers, I won't keep it from you. However… this matter must be kept absolutely secret."
Hearing this, the Geng brothers were thunderstruck, staring at Jiang Chen with shock written across their faces.
"Young Brother Zhen — you're that fellow who was hunted by Eternal Sky Capital and made them lose face time and again? Ha! Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! We heard you'd fled to Liu Li Royal City. So you really did go — and you've been thriving there! It's practically the stuff of legend!" Elder Geng roared with laughter.
Second Geng chimed in with admiration: "Incredible! No wonder you're the kind of man who can call Brother Mo his brother. Whether you're Jiang Chen or Young Master Zhen — we, the Geng brothers, claim you as our brother!"
The Geng brothers held Emperor Wushuang in the highest regard and had always treated him like their own elder brother. By extension, they were equally fond of and protective toward Jiang Chen.
"I'm deeply honored. Brothers above — please accept a bow from this younger brother." Jiang Chen didn't stand on ceremony either. It was rare to meet so many forthright men, and he was more than willing to befriend them.
The four chatted and laughed together, growing extremely close in a short time.
"Brothers, the reason I've called you here today is that I have something I'd like to entrust to you." Emperor Wushuang didn't beat around the bush.
"Brother Mo, just say the word — our two brothers will give it everything we've got." Elder Geng thumped his chest.
Second Geng nodded. "Absolutely."
"Here's the situation…" Emperor Wushuang laid out the matter in full.
"That's all? Escorting these two friends back to Liu Li Royal City? Brother Mo, Young Brother Zhen — rest easy. Leave it to us two brothers."
"Young Brother Zhen, you've gone to such trouble for Brother Mo's sake. Asking us for a small favor like this — how could we possibly refuse?"
Emperor Wushuang said, "Brothers, this mission is of great importance. Consider this favor one that I owe you."
Jiang Chen quickly interjected, "Brother Mo, what are you saying? The Geng brothers are doing this on my behalf — naturally, the favor is mine. Here are two Pine Crane Pills. They're among the more unusual things I happen to have. Consider them a meeting gift for you both."
The Geng brothers were startled. "How can we possibly accept?"
Jiang Chen shook his head, his tone absolutely firm. "You must. This is a small token of my sincerity. I don't have many Myriad Year Pills to spare, but giving them to you two is something I do willingly."
The Geng brothers were left momentarily dazed, uncertain of what to do.
The Pine Crane Pill — they had just heard Emperor Wushuang mention it and knew it was an exceedingly rare elixir, one that was nearly impossible to obtain across the entire human domain. Most people had never even heard of it.
Both brothers were Royal Realm powerhouses, and who knew how much hope they had of ever reaching the Great Emperor Realm. With two Pine Crane Pills in their possession, they could at least extend their lifespans by a thousand years. That was undeniably tempting.
Yet they hadn't even begun the escort and were already receiving gifts. Between brothers, given their straightforward nature, they felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Take them," Emperor Wushuang said unexpectedly. "We're brothers, and this is Young Brother Zhen's genuine gesture of goodwill. You may find them useful someday — take them. This is a tremendous favor, and you'll have your chance to repay it. If Young Brother Zhen ever suffers any injustice in Liu Li Royal City in the future, could you two brothers just stand by and watch? If he ever seeks to rebuild the Dan Qian Palace, could you sit idle?"