Chapter Twenty-Four: Choose Retribution or Protection?

Upon hearing Bai Yue's explanation, Long Xingyu narrowed his eyes. He had no recollection of Bai Yue adopting a goddaughter. What had happened during the six months he was away? And why had Long Haochen come to Haoyue City to study?

If Bai Yue had truly gone to Zhennan Pass to visit a friend, he would simply go there himself to get to the bottom of it.

With Long Xingyu’s sudden intrusion, the meal had lost its appeal for Bai Yue. She prompted, "Haochen, Uncle Long and you haven't seen each other for a long time. I am sure you two have much to talk about. Xin'er, Jialu, and I will go out for a stroll; we won't disturb you."

Bai Yue pulled Li Xin and Lin Jialu away in a hurry. She truly did not wish to breathe the same air in a room with Long Xingyu.

Observing Long Xingyu's slightly grim expression, Long Haochen spoke first: "Father, where have you been all this time? Mother and I waited for you in Odin Town for three months, but you never returned. Later, Instructor Balza said he could no longer teach me anything and suggested I enroll at the Knight Temple in Haoyue City."

Long Haochen explained the reason for his absence from Odin Town, and Long Xingyu nodded slightly upon hearing it.

"What is your spiritual power level now? Have you been slacking off on your cultivation during the time I was away?"

"I am currently a level four knight. Even Hall Master Nalan was surprised by my rate of progress," Long Haochen replied, carefully weighing his words. He still remembered the last time he had boasted about his achievements to his father, hoping for praise, only to be lectured on the knight’s virtue of humility. He was very cautious this time.

"With the unique physique of the Child of Light in the Temple Alliance, your progress is naturally fast. I will instruct Nalan Shu to keep it confidential. Now, what is the story with that girl? I don't recall your mother ever adopting anyone." Long Xingyu asked with suspicion.

Regarding Bai Qian’s identity, Long Haochen recounted the story he had previously agreed upon with his mother.

After listening, Long Xingyu decided to send men to investigate Bai Qian’s background. If there were anything suspicious, he would not allow her to remain by Long Haochen’s side and interfere with his plan for revenge.

Long Xingyu handed the prepared Inheritance Rings to Long Haochen: "These two rings—one carries the heritage of a Guardian Knight, the other that of a Retribution Knight. They are gifts from me and your grandfather, respectively."

"Go back and think carefully about whether you want to be a Retribution Knight or a Guardian Knight."

Long Haochen accepted the rings and said directly, "Father, I wish to dual-cultivate as both a Guardian and a Retribution Knight. I want to protect my future companions, but I also desire the strength to challenge powerful foes head-on, just as you are able to clash directly with the Mad Demon God."

As he spoke, a look of deep affection and reverence flickered in Long Haochen’s eyes. It was not, however, directed at Long Xingyu; he was projecting the image of Feng Xiu onto him, which was why his emotions seemed so sincere.

Bai Yue had feared that Long Haochen might show the wrong emotions when speaking to Long Xingyu and provoke him, so she had shared a secret with her son: just treat Long Xingyu as his grandfather.

Following this advice, Long Haochen found it truly effective. He was no longer afraid of his father’s icy tone or his expressionless face.

...

Elsewhere, Li Xin and Lin Jialu were being led by Bai Yue, and they asked her, filled with shock, for confirmation.

"Is it true what young brother Long said just now, that his father is a Divine Knight?"

"Judging by Uncle Long’s age, he can only be the master of the Divine Throne of Doom and Slaughter, Lord Xingyu." Li Xin looked at Bai Yue with sparkling eyes.

A living Divine Knight—she, Li Xin, was truly lucky to have seen one today.

For young brother Long to have such a family background and yet remain humble, without a shred of the arrogance of a second-generation elite—the Long family indeed had excellent upbringing. No wonder they could produce two holders of Divine Thrones.

"He is a Divine Knight. However, Haochen’s future achievements will not be lower than his," Bai Yue said indifferently.

What of being a Divine Knight? If his character was poor, he was not even as honorable as the demons.

[Host, Six-Six knows you don't want to spend time with Long Xingyu, but in order to complete the plot according to the original story line, please, Host, be patient.]

"Six-Six, how much longer must I endure this!" Bai Yue said, reaching her limit.

[Host, the plot where the Child of Destiny meets Sheng Caier has not yet unfolded, so you must return to Odin Town this weekend.]

[As for when it will end, Six-Six cannot say for sure. Furthermore, according to Six-Six's observations, Long Xingyu has already become suspicious of Bai Yue, fearing that she has been abducted by the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu again.]

"..." Bai Yue rolled her eyes. Long Xingyu really had a wild imagination!

In his previous life, he had thought she and the Demon God Emperor were involved in an illicit affair, and he held the same mindset in this life.

"Qianqian, is Auntie Bai Yue really alright? If she went out, why wouldn't she leave a note or tell the neighbors?" Lin Jialu asked worriedly.

She always felt that things were not that simple. How could Auntie Bai Yue leave without even leaving a letter?

Bai Yue waved her hand and said with certainty, "My godmother is perfectly fine. She just went to Zhennan Pass to visit an old friend. As for not leaving a note, she didn't expect Long Xingyu to return either."

"As a Divine Knight, his work is very busy and elusive. According to what Haochen says, the total time Uncle Long has spent with him from birth until now doesn't even add up to three months."

Hearing Bai Yue say this, Lin Jialu and Li Xin instantly understood why they had felt the atmosphere between Long Haochen and his father was so strange earlier—like distant relatives. It turned out they were truly unfamiliar with each other!

"Young brother Long lacked his father's company in his childhood. It seems I must take even better care of him in the future," Li Xin sighed with emotion.

Although her parents could be nagging at times, they had been there throughout her entire growth. Conversely, young brother Long’s father, despite his immense power and the burden of the Alliance on his shoulders, had left his son’s childhood devoid of paternal love.

Watching the look of pity in Li Xin’s eyes, Bai Yue silently shut her mouth.

Li Xin was viewing Haochen as a poor little thing who lacked fatherly love. In reality, Haochen did not lack love at all; at least, with a father like Long Xingyu, he would prefer to have none.

...

After giving the Inheritance Rings to Long Haochen, Long Xingyu took him back to the Haoyue Branch of the Knight Temple.

He met with Nalan Shu and Ye Hua. Ye Hua was the teacher who instructed Long Haochen in combat techniques, nicknamed "Night Asura" because he was extremely strict in class and would punish students with laps at the slightest provocation. The official trainees of the Knight Temple were all terrified of him.

"Lord Xingyu, it is our honor to have your noble son studying at the Haoyue Branch," Nalan Shu said respectfully.

Ye Hua kept his head lowered, staring at his feet. Although Nalan Shu hadn't explicitly said it, he had just hinted that this was a big figure from the General Temple who could not be offended. His cultivation must be at least at the eighth rank; perhaps he was even a Knight of the Essence Gold Foundation.

"Haochen will continue to study at the Haoyue Branch until he represents Haoyue City in the Demon Hunt Squad selection. Eight years from now, I will come here to take him to the Knight’s Sacred Mountain to choose his mount. Until then, I leave him in your care," Long Xingyu commanded coolly.