Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 508 - 279: Favor

The famine followed close behind, and Chen Xiong could only carry his sick sister as they began their escape.

Listening to Chen Xiong's gentle recount, Lu Xun felt a profound heaviness. He also understood why Old Apricot had once said that if one couldn't overcome their mental barriers, they couldn't compete for dominance in the Central Plains. Compared to people like Chen Xiong, his life seemed too smooth; before the country fell apart, he hadn't experienced any hardships and thus didn't possess the resilience these people had.

These people, insignificant as weeds, possessed a vigorous life force. Just give them sun and rain, and they could grow wildly.

Gradually, Lu Xun drifted into sleep, while the harsh coughs of Chen Li occasionally echoed in his ears.

The next morning, as soon as Lu Xun opened his eyes, he found that Chen Xiong was already gone, leaving only the shy little girl, Chen Li, who looked at him with a radiant smile, a hint of rosiness on her pale cheeks.

"Brother went to check the traps, hoping for a good catch today," Chen Li softly said.

Only then did Lu Xun realize that Chen Xiong usually set some traps in the forest, often catching small animals like rabbits, which took care of their meals for the day.

He looked at Chen Li. Although the little girl was trying hard to seem healthy, Lu Xun could feel that her condition was deteriorating. She was just putting on a brave face to keep her brother from worrying too much.

The little girl seemed embarrassed by Lu Xun's gaze and shyly lowered her head, her face turning red.

After thinking for a while, Lu Xun gritted his teeth and suddenly took out a green apricot from his pack. This was something Old Apricot had prepared for him when he was leaving, each one extremely precious, intended originally for self-defense. But now, Lu Xun decided to give it to Chen Li.

The siblings had taken him in and trusted him so much, and Chen Li's condition was really bad. So, he resolved to give the apricot to her.

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Lu Xun took out the apricot and handed it to Chen Li, gently saying, "Eat it."

Chen Li looked at Lu Xun in surprise, seemingly unclear about the situation—a simple green apricot, why was Lu Xun treating it with such solemnity?

"It can cure your sickness," Lu Xun, seeing the doubt in Chen Li's eyes, continued. After saying this, he put the apricot into her hands and then left the little cabin. He still needed to continue his journey toward Mountain Luoxia.

Chen Li stared blankly at the apricot in her hand, its fruit lush and surrounded by a rich fragrance. Even just smelling it a bit, she felt a surge of vitality coursing through her, making Lu Xun's words seem believable. If that was really the case, this apricot must be a legendary item. Surprised that Lu Xun would give it to her, she bit her lip gently, then decided to eat the invaluable fruit, not wanting to be a burden to her brother.

As for Lu Xun's kindness, she was determined to repay it. Thinking of something, a blush appeared on her face as she put the apricot into her mouth.

A warm current instantly flowed through her body, feeling as if she were soaking in a hot spring; the warmth reminded Chen Li of her mother's embrace, and she couldn't help but shed tears.

Suddenly, Chen Li felt her long-ailing body revitalized, experiencing a strength she had never known in her life.

So she threw off the tattered blankets from her body, stood up with her legs feeling incredibly strong, no trace of fatigue remaining. At that moment, Chen Li wept with joy, lifting her head to gaze at the brilliant sunshine outside the window, and murmured, "Mom, mom, can you see? I am no longer a burden."

With a loud bang, the door was forcefully kicked open. Chen Xiong's angry voice came from outside: "Lu Xun, how dare you?"

Immediately after, Chen Xiong's robust body appeared in the room. His eyes were bloodshot as he scanned his surroundings, searching for Lu Xun. Determined to tear him into pieces for daring to bully his sister, Chen Xiong was also filled with regret for so easily trusting someone else and leaving his sister here alone.

However, as he looked around, he didn't see Lu Xun anywhere. Behind him, his sister's surprised voice called out, "Brother!"

Chen Xiong didn't even have the courage to turn around. He feared seeing his sister in a disheveled state and with a shaky voice said, "What did that bastard do to you? Tell your brother, I'll avenge you."

"Brother, what are you talking about? Lu Xun didn't do anything to me," Chen Li replied, sensing that her brother might have misunderstood something and blushed as she chided him.

Hearing his sister's response, Chen Xiong finally turned around and asked, "Then why did I hear you crying outside? Don't be afraid, if he really did something to you, I'll make him pay with his blood."

"Brother, Lu Xun is a good person. Don't wrongly accuse him," Chen Li stamped her foot and said.

By then, Chen Xiong had already turned around and saw his sister standing in front of him, smiling radiantly. He rubbed his eyes and said, "Am I dreaming?"

Chen Li, seeing her brother looking so dazed, couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother, you're not dreaming. I'm healed, and from now on, I'll be a healthy person."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiong's eyes filled with tears. How many nights had he silently prayed to heaven not to take his only family away? His sister was his only tie to this world, and without her, who knew what crazy things he might do.

"Really healed, really healed," Chen Xiong examined his sister up and down, seeing that she had indeed regained her health and even the chronic illness she had since birth had vanished.

"What in the world happened here? Did the immortal show mercy?" Chen Xiong murmured to himself.

"It was Brother Lu Xun. He gave me a green apricot to eat, and after I ate it, I got better," Chen Li softly recounted everything that had happened to her brother.

Chen Xiong, having listened to her, blushed, realizing that Lu Xun had given such a miraculous gift to his sister while he had misunderstood him. Fortunately, Lu Xun didn't know, otherwise, Chen Xiong really wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Looking at his healthy sister, Chen Xiong suddenly made a decision. He solemnly said to his sister, "Since Lu Xun took out such a thing to save your life, he is our benefactor, so I have decided to accompany him to Mountain Luoxia, to repay this debt of gratitude."

For Chen Xiong, honor was not to be neglected, naturally wishing to repay it as soon as possible. Since Lu Xun was heading across mountains and rivers to a distant place, Chen Xiong, relying on his own strength to protect him, would also be fulfilling his duty of gratitude.