Chapter 44: The Spring of Vitality Secured! Return to the City!

[Skill Book: Summon Bones]
[Description: After learning this skill, you can summon skeletal minions to fight for you using the bones of creatures. The strength of the summons depends on the summoner's level and the quality of the bones used, up to a maximum of Gold rank, with a limit of three summoned creatures at a time.]

“Oh? To think there’s a skill book here—one of the three skills from the Dark Tide Priest,” Wang Chen remarked, surprised.

This was the very skill the Dark Tide Priest used to summon the skeletal python and the skeletal rats. The former boasted terrifying offensive power while the latter were sacrificed as cannon fodder, never fully displaying their potential.

But Wang Chen knew that no matter how weak a creature, in great enough numbers, it could become truly menacing.

Yet, this skill book seemed to have been nerfed! He could no longer summon legions of skeletal minions. Then again, that would make him an undead mage, not a life shaman.

Wang Chen tucked the skill book away, then swept his gaze over the pile of materials dropped by the skeletal rats. There was nothing remarkable among them, only quantity, so he stored them all in his ring.

He began searching the ruins. Before long, he found Xu Yong unconscious in a crevice. Checking his breath, he found it steady, and a faint smile even lingered at the corners of his mouth.

Wang Chen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Xu Yong hadn’t suffered too much; the sound of the flute had saved him.

Settling Xu Yong in a spot safe from collapse, Wang Chen decided not to wake him just yet and instead turned toward the altar amid the ruins.

The three candleholders on the stone pedestal were already extinguished, and the bubbling Spring of Life at the center flowed freely. With its restraints gone, the springwater trickled across the earth—if Nar were here, she would surely feel heartache at the sight.

Wang Chen filled a large bucket with the springwater, storing it in his ring for the journey home.

He woke Xu Yong, who came to with a dazed expression, taking a while to recall what had just transpired.

Wang Chen packed away some valuables and essentials into his storage ring to lighten Xu Yong’s load, and the two of them began the journey back.

Since they’d traversed these paths before, the return felt much swifter. They could now consciously avoid troublesome beasts.

To Wang Chen’s surprise, as soon as he had unsealed the Spring of Life, the gloom shrouding the Dark Plateau was swept away. Even the clouds overhead parted, revealing the gentle smile of the sun.

Everywhere they passed, life was being restored: withered branches sprouted buds, dried riverbeds filled once more with clear springs, and even the once-bloodthirsty beasts grew noticeably more docile.

When such creatures sighted Wang Chen and Xu Yong, they only watched from afar before scurrying away into hiding.

“Brother Wang Chen, why does this place feel as if it’s changed completely?” Xu Yong marveled. He’d suffered here for more than half a year, convinced this was a living hell. Never had he expected such a transformation.

The thriving landscape now seemed almost like a paradise untouched by the world.

Wang Chen just smiled mysteriously, guessing it was the work of the Spring of Life, but he said nothing more.

They returned to the scavengers’ encampment in the Misty Forest. It seemed the forest needed a new name—for now, the dense fog was gone, and the once-bare branches teemed with the promise of new growth. Before long, green shade would cover the land.

Wang Chen drew his Forest Gale blade. In a flash, he had swiftly tied up the remaining scavengers.

Xu Yong gathered those who had been held captive by the scavengers and explained the new circumstances. He intended to divide the scavengers’ supplies among everyone, along with some compensation.

Anyone who wished to return home was now free to do so; those with reasons to stay could remain here and start anew.

The group was stunned at first, unable to believe their ears. After a long silence, a young girl clamped her hands over her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

The others, too, wept or cheered, celebrating their newfound freedom.

They crowded around Xu Yong, each eager to shake his hand in gratitude.

Xu Yong quickly said, “I think the one we should thank the most is Brother Wang Chen. Without his plan to deal with most of the scavengers, regaining our freedom wouldn’t have been so easy.”

At this, the crowd surged toward Wang Chen.

Wang Chen looked at Xu Yong in astonishment. Goodness, he thought, I almost lost my life out there, and you make it sound like a carefully laid scheme?

Surrounded by the grateful crowd and unsure what to do with his hands and feet, Wang Chen realized Xu Yong was deliberately shifting the attention away from himself.

This seemingly simple, honest man was not as guileless as he appeared.

After a round of cheers, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Wang Chen gently extricated himself from the girl weeping in his embrace, quietly wiping her tears and snot from his chest with a paper, then set off for the city with Xu Yong.

Wang Chen was intent on completing his mission, while Xu Yong was eager to see his father again.

The others, for various personal reasons, hesitated—unsure how to face family or friends, caught in their own deliberations.

Wang Chen left the remaining scavengers in the hands of the others, confident that the rekindled hope burning in their hearts would be enough to handle a few disarmed captors.

Indeed, as Wang Chen stepped into the teleportation array, he could already hear the howls of those being dealt with by the crowd.

But so it should be—good and evil must have their due, or else why would anyone choose to restrain themselves and be a good person?

……

As the light faded, Wang Chen and Xu Yong emerged from the teleportation array.

A white-haired, elderly figure hurried toward them, voice trembling, hands reaching for Xu Yong’s face. “Xiao Yong, is it really you? Am I dreaming?”

Tears welled in Xu Yong’s eyes. “Dad! It’s me! I’m sorry I came back so late!”

Father and son embraced, weeping.

Wang Chen watched silently from the side, a gentle smile on his lips.

“Forgive me, Brother Wang Chen, for letting you see me like this,” Xu Yong said after a moment, wiping away his tears.

“It’s only natural,” Wang Chen replied with a smile. Then, turning to the old man, he said, “Sir, I’ve kept my promise and brought your son back.”

The old man nodded and thanked him repeatedly, suddenly bending down as if to kowtow.

Wang Chen hurriedly helped him up. “That won’t do, sir, it’s not right for an elder to bow to the younger.”

The old man insisted, “Such a great kindness, no thanks could ever be enough.”

“Then please, just go home and live well with your son. That will be the greatest thanks you could give me.”

Wang Chen knew that if he stayed any longer, the old man might try to bow again, so he took his leave.

“Brother Wang Chen, once I’ve cleaned up this mess, let me treat you to a drink,” Xu Yong said, taking down Wang Chen’s contact details with a cupped-fist salute.

As Wang Chen walked the city streets, the image of father and son reuniting replayed in his mind. He was happy for them, yet there was a faint ache in his chest.

“How wonderful it is, to be reunited with family,” he sighed. That had always been his childhood dream.

A moment later, the thought of a quiet, waiting figure brought a smile to his lips. “But this time, I suppose there’s someone waiting for me too.”

He quickened his pace, walking like a traveler eager to return home.