Jun Mo Li and Li Tonghui sat below the stage while the storyteller on stage recounted the tale.
Both youths' expressions were filled with shock and disbelief.
"When I heard the Fengdeng God's characteristics—white hair and red eyes—I immediately thought of Third Brother Jun Bai."
"No reason—just instinctively, I decided Third Brother was the Fengdeng God of Guili Assembly."
"Tonghui's expression told me he was thinking the same thing—our brother was that god who sacrificed his life to protect Guili Assembly."
The background darkened. The youths' figures appeared so small in the darkness.
Jun Bai's back appeared—but not in the form familiar to Jun Mo Li and Li Tonghui, rather with flame wings on his back and raging fire coiling around him.
[So at this point, the two older brothers already knew Jun Bai was a god.]
[Big Brother, Second Brother: A god wants to die on the same year, month, and day as us? We really have face.]
"Little Bai had secrets—we always knew that, but never dug deep. If little Bai was the Fengdeng God, then everything made sense."
"Little Bai lost his memories due to god remnants. The Fengdeng God perished together with the Dream God. Little Bai had innate divine strength—gods are born beyond what humans can oppose."
"Little Bai's sword wasn't ordinary—but what if it was a god's creation?"
"We seemed to have unintentionally discovered the truth."
The screen lost brightness. When color returned, Jun Mo Li and Li Tonghui were already back in the bamboo forest near Qingce Village.
This was the place where they had sworn brotherhood.
Li Tonghui: "Second Brother, should we find a way to get Third Brother to cancel the oath with us?"
Jun Mo Li: "Cancel the oath?"
Li Tonghui: "We can't really let Third Brother die on the same year, month, and day as us, right? That wouldn't be fair to him. I heard gods have very long lifespans."
Jun Mo Li: "After knowing Third Brother is a god, that's your only thought?"
Li Tonghui: "What else could I think? Oh—and one more thing: we have to protect Third Brother well."
Li Tonghui: "If he really is the Fengdeng God, then the food we eat was all grown by Third Brother. We have to thank him properly."
Jun Mo Li (eyes widening): "…"
Li Tonghui: "Just cancel the 'same year, month, and day of death' part. We're still brothers. You disagree? If you disagree, we'll think of another way."
Jun Mo Li: "…No, I agree."
[I think I understand why Second Brother had no issue with Li Tonghui being big brother.]
[Just hearing big brother say that feels kinda touching.]
[Knowing his brother is a god, me: My little bro is a god? I don't eat beef! Big Brother: My little bro is a god? Then he's still my little bro! I have to protect him.]
Jun Mo Li's inner voice returned as narration.
"After knowing little Bai was a god, my first reaction was—little Bai probably no longer needed my protection."
"I even thought that once little Bai learned he was a god, his relationship with us might change."
"But big brother's words made me realize one thing."
"No matter who little Bai is, he's my brother. That won't change because of anything."
"Since he's my brother, I have the duty to protect him. Little Bai's enemies are my enemies."
"The Fengdeng God perished together with the Dream God. If little Bai really is the Fengdeng God, then the culprit behind his amnesia is most likely related to a god."
"I had another reason to become stronger."
[Second Brother~ The best Second Brother in the world!]
[Most people would get scared knowing the enemy is related to a god—but Second Brother hears the enemy is related to a god: I have another reason to become stronger.]
[The three brothers' characters are gradually becoming richer, and their value keeps rising too!]
Li Tonghui's figure disappeared. The scene shifted from the bamboo forest back to the usual waterfall where Jun Mo Li practiced sword.
Jun Mo Li raised his head, his gaze gradually firming.
He gripped Mountain Severer and walked toward the waterfall, beginning to practice beneath it.
"I'm still too weak right now."
"The storyteller mentioned that practicing sword under a waterfall has wondrous effects for advancing swordsmanship."
"Since I've hit a bottleneck anyway, trying it won't hurt. If it really does nothing… we'll talk about it later."
Jun Mo Li's voice no longer sounded.
On the screen, the youth holding the heavy sword appeared beneath the waterfall. Before he could steady himself, the rushing water knocked him into the pool.
Jun Mo Li broke the surface and returned beneath the waterfall—only to be swept into the pool again by the fierce current.
Again and again, repeating the same process.
Finally, the youth stood firm under the waterfall. His body trembled under the impact, but he raised Mountain Severer and began swinging beneath the falls.
[Just watching hurts…]
[I've had the honor of trying the same thing—hurt like hell, body didn't recover for three days.]
[Second Brother has many reasons to become stronger—and he's genuinely acting on them.]
"We're almost there—the day we meet."
The female voice that had appeared fleetingly before rang out again as Jun Mo Li began swinging beneath the waterfall.
Jun Mo Li's swinging motion paused. His closed eyes opened, looking toward the empty sky.
"…"
"Who are you?"
Water streamed down Jun Mo Li's cheeks. He received no answer.
The scene changed again. Jun Mo Li walked the streets of Guili Assembly with Mountain Severer and his light sword on his back. Behind him walked the pondering Jun Bai.
[Welcome back! Phenex!]
[Mommy's big boy is finally home!]
[Has he recovered his memories? Or is this just coming to Guili Assembly to play with big brothers?]
[I see my Ganyu! Ganyu wife, turn around quick! Your senior is here!]
The plot didn't develop as the water friends hoped.
Ganyu passed by the two brothers without notice. Li Tonghui reunited with them. The three brothers left Guili Assembly and headed toward Qingce Village.
Then, on the road, they were ambushed.
That familiar scene immediately sent players back to the Fengdeng Lou event plot.
The lingering thoughts of the Dream God.
"Phenex—"
Jun Mo Li's voice rang out.
"This day… has finally come."
The three brothers, along with little Flame raised by Li Tonghui, all attacked together—but ultimately still couldn't defeat the opponent.
(Some content omitted regarding Tonghui, otherwise it'd take another half chapter.)
Even so, Jun Mo Li roared at the enemy and swung his sword toward the lingering thoughts:
"There is no Phenex you're looking for here!"
Li Tonghui followed closely, punching toward the lingering thoughts:
"Here there is only our brother—Jun Bai!"
The two wounded youths stood in front of Jun Bai, using their not-so-broad backs to shield him.
"Third Brother—His target is you. I'll hold Him off to buy you time to escape."
"Second Brother… did you already know?"
"I didn't know. But you've always been quite mysterious about your past, so I was prepared anyway."
"I'm buying time too."
"I'm the big brother—naturally I have to protect my brothers. Little Flame, take Third Brother and go."
"Phe…"
Li Tonghui and Jun Mo Li attacked together:
"Don't keep your eyes only on our brother!"
"Your opponents are us!"
The two older brothers joined forces to block the Dream God's lingering thoughts' path. Jun Mo Li's inner voice rang out:
"I knew this day would come sooner or later."
"My swordsmanship was prepared exactly for this day!"
Jun Mo Li's voice gradually faded. The screen froze on the Dream God's lingering scythe piercing through Jun Mo Li and Li Tonghui's bodies—then plunged into complete darkness.