9 Ch. 9 - They Have Arrived

"Do not say that!"

"Did I not tell you to be quiet?! If you want to talk so much, why do you not just use mental messages instead? My cultivation is high enough to be able to do that too you know!"

"Hehe, sorry!"

"Regarding what you said before, I do not want to lie to you, that is why I am telling you everything beforehand."

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

"Just because I am about to die, does not mean that I will quit being your father. Even though I have only known you for very short time, I still think of you as my son. That is something that will never change!"

"How can you be so sure?"

"… I-I…"

"I want the world to know that I am your son… I do not want them to think of me as an orphan… I do not want them to pity me or anything…"

"That is not a bad idea!"

"What?"

"You will not be able to use your real name in the outside world. That is why I should give you a new name to use in the outside world!"

"Why would I not be able to use my real name?"

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

I believe that there is probably a reason as to why you and your mother continued to live in this place, even after your father left…"

"You are right… Then, what is my new name?"

"Your new name shall be… Jin Xin!"

"… Jin… Xin?"

"You do not like it?"

"… No, I love it!"

"Well that is good to hear! Then I will write it down in the letter right away, so that you will 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 could not help but to smile back at his dear son.

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

"You are indeed right… If only I had met you earlier… If only I would have been born as a commoner, without all of these murderous bastards trying to kill me…"

"Did you not say that you could now die without regret?"

"These are not regrets… they are just wishes."

" Oh... I suppose you are right…"

"This father of yours is always right!"

Jin Long said that with a beaming smile, yet he felt as if a dark web was enveloping his heart, as he fell down a dark pit… Just endlessly falling…

He did not want to leave so soon. He knew that his dear son would feel sad, alone and, soon enough, deep hatred.

"I am doing this to protect you… I--"

"--I understand…"

"Thank you for being so understanding."

"… I will miss you a lot…"

"I will 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. Soon, Jin Long could feel five familiar auras moving closer to them.

"They will arrive soon…"

"…"

"Do you want to leave?"

"… No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then, please do not 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 did not 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 had arrived!

"What?! Why did the arrow not hit the target?!"

"I-I do not know, I just--"

"ENOUGH!!"

"You finally caught up…"

"Did you really think that escaping all the way here would save you?"

"Well, I am fine right now, am I not?"

"Hmm… you are right… How come you have not died yet?"

"Did you not come to kill me?"

"Do not flatter yourself! We just came to destroy your corpse!"

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

"Enough with the bullshit! I asked you why you are not dead yet, and I have yet to receive an answer!"

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

"Do not test my patience!"

"Fine! Enough with the screaming already!"

"I warn yo--"

"--I have been cured!"

"…"

Everyone went quiet.

"Finally, some silence! How peaceful, haha!"

"How? ... HOW?!"

"Speak clearly. 'How' what?"

"How come you are not already dead?! How come you have been cured?! You must be lying!"

"Haha, I am not lying!"

"Then who cured you?!"

"That amazing son of mine, haha!"

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?"

"Just because you have yet to meet him, does not mean that he does not exist. Use your brains, please!"

"You can not expect me to believe a lie that obvious! Do you think I am as stupid as you?!"

"You asked and I answered! I do not 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? Is he not just a child?"

"You dare question me?!"

"N-no, of course n-not! I-I just do not understand why--"

"You need not 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 forest. They did not 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 is 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 will not find my son! If they do, I promise you that they will not come back alive!"

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

"Hahahaha!"

"You are 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--"

"Do not be so quick to judge my son. He is already much stronger than me! Even when I am in my best condition, he is strong enough to kill me without even moving an inch."

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

"It is true, believe it or not. Even I am not his match, so do you really think that your subordinates can take him down?"

"If he is really this powerful, why is he not here to help you?"

"Because I told him to leave."

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

"Hahahaha, I just thought that it would not matter since you are all going to die here soon!"