9 Ch. 9 - Letting You Know What You’re Up Against!

"Don't say that!"

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet?! If you want to talk so much, why don't you use mental messages instead?"

"Sorry…"

"Regarding what you said before, I don't want to lie to you, that's why I'm telling you everything beforehand."

"… At least I had a father for a little while… Why?! Why are the happy moments always so damn short?!"

"Just because I'm about to die, doesn't mean that I'll stop being your father. Even though I've only known you for less than a week, I still think of you as my son. That is something that won't ever change!"

"How can you be so sure?"

"… I-I…"

"I want the world to know that I'm your son… I don't want them to think of me as an orphan… I don't want them to pity me or anything…"

"That's not a bad idea!"

"What?"

"You won't be able to use your real name in the outside world. That's why I should give you a new name to use in the outside world!"

"Why wouldn't I be able to use my real name?"

"Because I believe that your father is still alive… I don't know who he is, but he must be someone extremely powerful! Powerful people usually have powerful enemies.

There's probably a reason as to why you and your mother continued to live in this place, even after your father left…"

"You're right… Then, what's my new name?"

"Your name shall be… Jin Xin!"

"… Jin… Xin…"

"You don't like it?"

"… No, I love it!"

"Well that's good to hear! Then I'll write it down in the letter, so that you'll remember it!"

"Oh, right! Here!"

Xiao Huoyan took out the letter from his pocket and gave it to his father, with a smile. Seeing his dear son smile, always made Jin Long's chest feel warm.

'I truly admire this wonderful son of mine… To be able to smile like that, even after everything that he has been through, is really admirable!'

As Jin Long thought that to himself, he couldn't help to smile back at his dear son.

"If only we could stay like this forever… Smiling, happy and together… that would be perfect!"

"You're right… If only I'd met you earlier… If only I would've been born as a commoner, without all of these murderous bastards trying to kill me…"

"Didn't you say that you could now die without regret?"

"These aren't regrets… they're just wishes."

"… Maybe you're right…"

"This father of yours is always right!"

Jin Long said that with a beaming smile, yet in his heart, he could feel a pitch-black web enveloping his heart, as he fell down a dark pit… Just endlessly falling…

He didn't want to leave so soon. He knew that his dear son would feel sad, alone and, soon enough, even deep hatred.

"I'm doing this to protect you… I--"

"--I understand. I won't blame you for doing any of this…"

"Thank you for being so understanding."

"… I'll miss you a lot…"

"I'll miss you too…"

Now they were both just walking beside each other in silence. They both felt that they had a lot more to say, yet they chose to keep quiet. Jin Long could feel five familiar auras moving closer to them.

"They'll arrive soon…"

"…"

"Do you want to leave?"

"… No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then, please don't forget our promise! Think carefully before trusting someone!"

"I will!"

"Good…"

Xiao Huoyan felt something flying at a rapid speed. He felt that it was an object, and it headed straight towards his father. He didn't have time to call out, so he just acted on impulse. He threw himself in front of his father and took the arrow.

Right after that five shadows began to emerge from all around them. They'd arrive!

"What?! Why didn't the arrow hit the target?!"

"I-I don't know, I just--"

"ENOUGH!"

"You finally caught up…"

"Did you really think that escaping here would save you?"

"Well, I'm looking fine right now, right?"

"Hmm… you're right… How come you haven't died yet?"

"Didn't you come to kill me?"

"Don't flatter yourself! We just came to destroy your corpse!"

"Hahaha, then all of you must be quite disappointed right now!

"Enough with the bullshit! I asked you why you aren't dead yet, and I have yet to receive an answer!"

"Geez! I see your temper's still the same, haha!"

"Don't test my patience!"

"Fine! Enough with the screaming already!"

"I warn yo--"

"--I've been cured!"

"…"

Everyone went quiet.

"Finally, some silence! How peaceful!"

"How? HOW?!"

"Speak clearly. 'How' what?"

"How come you aren't already dead?!How come you've been cured?! You must be lying!"

"Haha, I'm not lying!"

"Then who cured you?!"

"That amazing son of mine!"

Jin Long shut his eyes and said, while turning his face up to the sky. He was now smiling brighter than ever before. He was really happy to have a son. Especially since his son was so outstanding!

'How many fathers can say that their five year old child has surpassed them since long ago?' Jin Long thought while still smiling brightly.

"Are you saying that your non-existent son cured an incurable poison?"

"Yes!"

"You can't expect me to believe a lie that obvious! Do you think I'm as stupid as you?!"

"You asked and I answered! I don't give a shit about whether you choose to believe me or not."

"If you told the truth, then where is this 'amazing son' of yours?"

"I-I told him to leave…"

"Hmm… Interesting. Qiang Da!"

"Yes, leader!"

"Chase after the child!"

"Yes, leader--"

"--Wait! Take Feng Li with you."

"… Why? Isn't he just a child?"

"You dare question me?!"

"N-no, of course n-not! I-I just don't understand--"

"You don't need to understand! Just do as I say! Do you really think that a normal child would be able to cure 'that' poison?! Use your head once in a while!"

"Yes, leader!"

"What are you standing there for?! GO!"

"Y-yes, leader!"

Qiang Da and Feng Li hurried back into the depths of the wood. They didn't know where to search. They only knew that they had to find that little boy as soon as possible!

"Hahahahaha!"

"What the hell are you laughing at?! Are you really that eager to die?!"

"Hahaha, sorry! It's just…"

"What?!"

"Do you care for your subordinates?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing special…"

"Just spit it out already!"

"Haha, fine! If you do care about your subordinates, then you better get down and pray!"

"Pray for what?! Speak clearly!"

"Pray that they won't find my son! If they do, I can promise you that they won't come back alive!"

"Hahaha! Now it's my turn to laugh! With us surrounding you, what can you possibly do to them?"

"Hahahaha!"

"You're in no position to threaten us!"

"When did I say that I would be the one killing them?"

"How old is your son?"

"… Five."

"Do you really expect a five year old little kid--"

"Don't be so quick to judge my son. He's already stronger than me!"

"How could a five year old little kid be stronger than you?! Stop kidding around!"

"It's true. I'm can't even match up to him!"

"If he's really this powerful, why isn't he here to help you?"

"Because I told him to leave."

"Then, why did you tell us all of these?"

"Haha, I was just letting you know what you're up against!"