1 Vow

In the center of a valley, the scent of blood lingered the air. A battle of powers that shook both heaven and earth had evidently occurred from the marks and cracks that was visible on the entire realm - mountains that were there were no longer there, the seemingly deep ocean had now been dried up, cities and countries burned to the ground as ashes fell like snow accompanied with the smell of rotting bodies.

A figure of a lone man lying on his dying breath gritted and clenched his fist - he wanted to but he could no longer feel his arm, rather he lost all his limbs in the battle. His spirit did not waver yet even a strong man like Lu Nohe had lingering regrets.

He laid there in a daze, unable to move. He was bleeding from all sides and death was stepping closer and closer. He let out a sigh not because he was disheartened but because he had truly hoped he could have avenged the important people that he had failed to protect.

Lu Nohe: [In my next life, if fate would give me one more chance. I, Lu Nohe, swear by the covenant of the ancient gods and dragons, that if I fail to kill that man. Heaven will strike me and erase me from existence!"]

Well, even if he wanted to shout he could not. His vocal chord was badly damaged as well. Yet, despite that, he still shouted his very intent inside his heart hoping that one day his small wish would be heard and granted. He looked up and saw 2 moon shining its luminescent light as if to comfort the unseen tears. As he held his final breath, he summoned a locket out from his void ring and put it on his chest near his heart.

Lu Nohe: [I will give my best to protect both of you in my next life]

Seeing the picture of his wife and child. his heart ached as streak of tears fell down from his eyes.

Nerin's Pavillion

???: [ Xiao He ! Wake up!]

Noticing rapid tapping on his shoulder, he slowly opened his eyes. A husky voice that was familiar to him struck his heart. He quivered from his own assumptions making him anxious and excited but what if his assumption was real then.

???: [ D-Did you have a bad dream? ]

The voice who tried waking him asked, as if the words got stuck on her throat, worrying. Lu Nohe, still in a daze from an intense headache , noticed the tears from his cheeks so he wiped it of with the back of his palm. In reply to the question, he simply gave a small nod while looking directly at the figure in front of him.

???: [ Are you sure son?]

'You never change mother, still as doting as ever' he thought. He let out a sigh as if he had carried the burden of the entire world.

Lu Nohe: [Mother, I am a growing boy. It would embarrass me if you kept on worrying about me.]

*smack*

???: [Young man, it is natural for a mother to worry.]

A smack hit Lu Nohe in the head then his mother, Lu Ying, puffed her chest while lecturing him. Meanwhile, Lu Nohe, gave a wry smile along with a chuckle as if he was very pleased.

Lu Ying: [Listen young man, there is no such thing in the world where a parent will never worry about their kids unless they themselves are scums. Do not fear, I am not one of tho- Eh?]

While Lu Ying was lecturing her son about parental love her eyes was close the entire time as if she was pleased about something. But when she looked towards her son, she noticed his forlorn look. She gave him a hug.

Lu Ying: [Its fine.]

Upon hearing those words, Nohe, could not hold his tears from flowing out. The warmth from his loving mother who he could not protect was embracing him as if he was the most precious treasure. His face crumpled from the pain he felt from his heart. But he could not explain anything to his mother - that he had reincarnated back, that he had fought hard battles, that he had a wife and a child , that he had travelled around different realms and vanquished evil sects, that he became a supreme existence, he wanted to brag but he could not.

Despite his achievements, despite being a supreme existence, he felt it all became a waste when he failed to protect all he held dear. His mind was in turmoil and his heart felt like it would burn. Yet, the only thing he could do, was cry.

To an outsider, this scene would look like a mother doting on her son. But to Nohe, who missed this very warmth, tens of thousands of years had he walked a lonely journey carrying a burden in his heart, this was the most reassuring feeling he would never let go off.

An incense stick of time had passed, Nohe finally calmed down. With a stronger resolve and will, he would try to make things better compared to his past life. He looked at his mother as he formed a fist in his hand with a declaration in his heart

???: [ My son, my son, you were crying like a baby the entire time. Are you not embarrassed ?]

A ridiculing voice with a chuckle came from the door of his room - it was his father.

Lu Nohe: [Wa- How long have you been there?!]

The truth is, Nohe had already known that his father, Lu Dong, was there the entire time. Albeit embarrassing, he could only play out in shock in order to change the depressing atmosphere that he had started.

Lu Dong: [I can't have a son that is weak. But, crying out once in a while is not detestable at all.]

'I should not make them worry too much. I already feel happy enough.' Nohe thought.

Lu Nohe: [ I bet you can't win against me if we fought using martial arts only.]

Lu Dong: [Wha-Hooo~ Being cheeky now?]

Lu Nohe: [We will find later who is cheeky, Father.]

With a smile on their faces, accompanied with their intent to battle, the mother could only sigh in relief.