These words had Qilin Hao screaming internally. Of course, he wanted her things. This sword was made for her cub and she could only forge one for him so why would she let him keep it?
"I can't do that," she replied bluntly as she took a step forward as though to grab it.
A wicked smile appeared on Qilin San's face as he sheathed the sword. Caressing the sheath he gazed up at her and said, "I can give it to you and... I can also leave your husband and cub alone but in exchange, you have to lead my army to conquer this world.... How about that?"
Qilin Hao pressed her tongue hard against her cheek as she glared at her father. Of course, he wanted to use her despite having Qilin Kai in his grasp. She could care less for this world as long as she can live peacefully with her cub and husband. She had no special attachment with anyone in this world except her family but it didn't mean she would easily accept being used by her father.
With her thumb pointing backwards at Qilin Kai she said, "But you have him so what do you need me for. Isn't he your successor?"
When she said that Qilin Kai raised his head slightly recalling how he was tortured by his uncle ever since that pot of successor was placed on his head. His internal organs suddenly ached when he thought of those unpleasant memories.
When his eyes met Qilin San's he lowered his gaze abruptly terrified that his true feelings would be read by this crazy person.
"Yes..... yes I do but.....," replied Qilin San before shifting his gaze at his daughter, "you are more ruthless and great at killing. I need someone like you to put those weaklings in their place. So what do you say?" As he said this he made an action as though handing over the sword while gently rubbing his lips with his thumb.
Qilin Hao looked at the sword then at him before saying, "You know how to find me," before grabbing the sword and directly walking out.
Qilin San grinned as he watched her figure disappear through the door. He then got up and beckoned Qilin Kai over. Qilin Kai obediently walked over but his body stiffened a little when Qilin San draped his arm across his shoulders.
Pulling him towards the edge of the platform he said, "This position will be yours in the future... all I need you to do is be obedient. Do you understand?" Of course, Qilin Kai understood but the question was that could he really endure after fifty years of freedom?
***
Below the platform on the streets of this unusual city, the concord vigilantly stood in place following their king's orders. Ji Wen patiently waited for his wife as he held his passed out son in his arms. He sincerely hoped his son will handle the news that his lover was gone better than he did when he lost Qilin Hao.
Lan Wu on the other hand wasn't dealing with this loss well. Huishe Yue was gone and the moment he realised that he knew that his feelings had gone past that of a facecon ages ago.
Unable to accept this new reality he decided to go and take a walk. He didn't care that he would be surrounded by Qilins that could kill him at any moment. He walked down the street disappearing into the crowd without any of the Concord members noticing.
He emerged from the crowd at the end of the street and after walking for a short period of time he found a relatively dark corner and squatted down as the sting in his eyes grew stronger. Rubbing his eyes he sat there looking lost.
He should have known the moment he was willing to sacrifice everything and stand up to Ji Wen for Huishe Yue that this wasn't some ambiguous friendship but love. Now that he realised it when the person was gone he couldn't help but let out his frustration.
While he wallowed in his pain he felt a soft cloth being placed on his arm. Slowly raising his head he saw a boy no older than fifteen standing in front of him. In his hand was a handkerchief with a Huishe family symbol embroidered at the corner.
His eyes were swollen like he had been crying which made Lan Wu embarrassed. He was the captain of a ship and part of a formidable fleet that was revered by masses yet here he was competing with a little boy on who could shed more tears. "Thank you," he whispered grabbing the handkerchief before standing up.
"It's okay," the boy said as he lowered his gaze looking at his feet, "are, are you lost too?"
Lan Wu's brow arched upwards when he heard this. Thinking of the chaos just now he sincerely hoped this boy's parents were around this city and not in Niuq. If they were in Niuq then that meant this boy would be all alone. Thinking he could ask some of these Qilin clan members for help in finding his parents he asked the boy, "Do you know your parents' name?"
The boy raised his head suddenly and said, "I am looking for my father. He was supposed to be here with grandfather. I hoped I could surprise him but I got lost."
When the boy raised his face that's when Lan Wu got to observe the young one's face clearly. His face looked familiar somewhat but he couldn't place the face. He had most definitely seen the person before but who it was he had no idea.
"My father's name is Huishe Yue and grandpa was supposed to pick him up today at the portal but I got lost before I could catch up."
Lan Wu's heart shattered into pieces when he heard this. He couldn't believe it and so he stuttered, "Yo-your fa-fa-father is Huishe Yue?"
Hearing this the little boy got excited as he said, "You know, you know my father. Can uncle take me to him?"
Lan Wu, "...."
Can someone tell him how he is supposed to react to his lover having a love child? In his opinion this kid looked nothing like Huishe Yue but what if he looks like his mother?
The rational thing was to walk away as he was in love with the man but he also felt sorry for this child who had found himself in the wrong world without a family.
Feeling weak at the knees he squatted down again with his head buried between his knees. He was a captain leading a crew of over twenty men but he was squatting on the ground again feeling lost.
Concerned for this uncle the little boy half knelt before him and placed his hand on the man's arm before inquiring, "Little uncle.... are you okay? If you don't know him that's okay.. I can go find him by myself."