......
"After all these busy years, it's finally ti to rest."
"Your father always said you were the disappointnt of the family. Now I want to apologize - you've proven yourself, while I was the real failure."
"Breaking through to Heavenly Perception only now... I'm sorry, Quan-hwan."
Hong Quan-hwan's screams and struggles ceased abruptly.
He stared blankly at his father, tears streaming from wide eyes. This was the first ti he'd received his father's acknowledgnt. Fresh chapters posted on noᴠelfire
Though it would also be the last.
Yet Hong Quan-hwan felt content. All his resentnt vanished in this mont. The proud head that had strained upward now bowed quietly. This ninth-level Earth Observation expert who could dominate entire regions now lay prostrate, face pressed to the ground, body convulsing with sobs.
Lu Ding waited until he finished speaking before responding: "Rest assured, I always keep my word."
Hong Cheng-cai smiled, bowing to Lu Ding. "I submit!" Though he wouldn't admit defeat, he acknowledged Lu Ding's superiority.
Straightening up, he spoke formally: "Master Lu, I have one small request."
"Now that I've reached Heavenly Perception... could you allow to die with dignity?"
Lu Ding naturally agreed: "Of course. Those of Heavenly Perception deserve appropriate deaths."
This answer satisfied Hong Cheng-cai. He adjusted his appearance ticulously. A breeze swept over him, smoothing disheveled hair, straightening wrinkled robes, carrying away dust and a lifeti of obsessions.
Finally, Hong Cheng-cai collected his grandson's corpse, using spiritual energy to reattach the severed head. He retrieved his son's broken arm and reconnected it.
Raising a hand, he conjured three chairs from spiritual energy. He sat center, with son and grandson flanking him. Behind them stood the Diancang Sect's grand hall, its faded grandeur still hinting at past glory.
His ceremonial preparations now complete, Hong Cheng-cai began speaking in the calm tone of an elder telling stories:
"Decades ago in Weiman Kingdom, I encountered a rabbit spirit that fled from Great Han's Youzhou Province."
"He claid to be the White General, a rabbit immortal. Though skilled in healing, he loved fighting."
"When I asked why he left Great Han, he only said he'd injured soone. Later I learned he'd wounded Lingshun 749's deputy director, who soon died from the injuries."
"That rabbit and I fought together for ten years, killing and plundering. Then over a celestial treasure, he betrayed once."
"I survived and pretended ignorance, maintaining our friendship until I repaid his betrayal. Though it should've been fatal, he escaped using so treasure."
"Only after seeing Great Han's Goat Head relic did I realize - he'd used the Rabbit Head treasure stolen from that deputy director."
Now Lu Ding understood why Lingshun never recovered. Losing a deputy director decades ago would cripple any 749 branch, especially during difficult tis when qualified personnel were scarce.
Silently, Lu Ding sentenced that rabbit to death.
Hong Cheng-cai continued: "Our friendship continued. The fool never realized I'd retaliated. When I planned another strike, I found I couldn't defeat him alone."
"That rabbit fought fiercer than any tiger, especially with the Rabbit Head's power. This treasure beca my obsession - I believed reaching Heavenly Perception would let seize it from him."
"Unfortunately..." Hong Cheng-cai shook his head ruefully.
"But no matter. Master Lu, after my death, please settle this old grudge. Send that damned rabbit to join ."
"He's currently under the Shen family's patronage in Pingshou Prefecture. You'll find him there."
Pingshou Prefecture - wasn't that Kim Yeon-ju's territory? Lu Ding had promised to help Kim Gyeong-joo conquer Diancang Sect first, then assist Kim Yeon-ju's expansion.
Perfect timing.
Two missions could rge into one.
No - three missions.
That rabbit spirit who killed a deputy director decades ago must now be near Heavenly Perception like Hong Cheng-cai had been, probably even stronger.
During his ti in Weigo, Lu Ding hadn't acquired any good skills. He hoped this Pingshou trip might reward him with sothing valuable - preferably one of the Twelve Zodiac Arts, the Rabbit Art.
Hong Cheng-cai waited patiently until Lu Ding finished contemplating. Seeing his attention return, he said: "I've said my piece. The rest is in your hands, Master Lu."
Sitting upright, head high, his eyes showed no remorse - only acceptance of defeat.
"Quan-hwan, show so spirit. Your father won't abandon you again. We'll stay together now."
Inspired by his father's words, Hong Quan-hwan straightened up and offered Kim Gyeong-joo a genuine apology: "Miss Kim, I betrayed the friendship with your mother. I hope my death brings you so peace."
Finally, father and son turned to Lu Ding together: "We're in your hands, Master Lu."
Like father, like son. Lu Ding witnessed this proverb's truth once more.
Having reached agreent, it was ti to honor their pact.
Lu Ding raised his hand, spiritual energy swirling. The surroundings transford into sunny skies over grassy fields, fragrant with earth and greenery. Three generations sat together, basking in warm sunlight, enjoying an idyllic afternoon that existed only in imagination.
"Quan-hwan, rember catching fish in the back hills as a boy? It looked just like this."
"Father, you..."
"I stood right on that slope watching you. I wanted to join you, but couldn't swallow my pride - I was the sect leader, an adult."
"Father..."
Flower-bearing trees lifted the trio skyward, their flesh nourishing buds that blood with life. Father and son reconciled in this mont, frozen forever as the floral coffin sealed with a resonant boom.
Black petals swirled down like solemn, mysterious rain. Lu Ding raised his palm, catching one as it fell.
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