Promise and Hesitation

Before anyone could speak, the Emperor slammed his hand on the ground, crushing Sophia into a meat paste as the ground itself crumbled down. The entire City of Cloud experienced an earthquake and the silhouette of the Emperor, gradually dissipated after utilizing this attack, returning back to the golden parchment before it turned into dust.

Everyone who felt the Imperial Aura shivered, and the expert that controls everything behind the scenes with the name of Mistress Cloud, immediately ordered a retreat, leaving the experts of the Batian Clan and Varkaant Clan in despair as they were annihilated by the Longinus Clan.

Inside the Flowing Cloud Sect, a furious woman slammed everything inside her room into the ground, staring viciously at the jet-black robed man, she screamed, "Molox! Didn't you say that the expert that protects the Empire of Dawn is gone?! What the hell was that Imperial Aura?!"

When she felt that all-encompassing aura that forced everyone into submission, she didn't know why but she felt that she had to retreat, or else they would be completely annihilated.

Molox revealed a wry smile, he calculated that everything would go right, yet all of his plans were destroyed by the appearance of that Imperial Aura. Clenching his fists until it turned white, he coldly replied, "Mistress Cloud, I indeed said those words and even personally confirmed its legitimacy, but I didn't expect..." His expression turned frosty, "I didn't expect that they were actually waiting to lure us out..."

Fortunately for them, the expert that protected the Empire of Dawn couldn't come out from the Capital City of Cloud for some unknown reason. And so, they weren't afraid of any retaliation from the Emperor.

Grinding his teeth, Mistress Cloud walked towards the hall where the soul slips of the members of the Sect were placed. Entering deep within the hall, she arrived before a secret compartment where the soul slip of her daughter was located.

But when she opened it, she found that her daughter's soul slip was broken and looked dim. Her eyes widened in realization, 'S-s-Sophia's soul slip is...' She dropped the slip on the ground and it dissipated into dust as a scream of agony and misery echoed throughout the entire Flowing Cloud Sect.

Meanwhile, back at the Empire of Dawn, the scene of destruction that occurred was still currently in repairs. It was already a month since the upheaval. Inside a certain Estate's backyard, a figure of a young man could be seen coaxing a small young girl on his lap.

Rubbing her head, the young girl gave a small moan of delight making Dan chuckle as he continued. Behind the two, Natalie observed them with a small smile on her face, walking towards them, she brought a tray full of sweet snacks and tea before saying,

"Both of you must be tired, come here for some refreshments..." Juliet heard her mother's words and she struggled from Dan's embrace, standing up, she walked towards her mother and helped her carry the tray which made Dan and Natalie, stare at her in amazement.

Natalie sat beside them and the three looked like a normal family. Due to the life and death battle that Dan experienced last month. His figure would emanate a manly and domineering vibe, completely opposite of the boy-toy feeling that he had just several months ago.

Natalie's expression turned crimson when she realized that she was subconsciously staring at Dan's visage. Her eyes momentarily flashed in excitement, but it soon dimmed down as if she remembered something. Dan noticed her inner turmoil and he suddenly became quiet.

He was a master of dating sims and the conqueror of at least a hundred loli and thicc waifus.

He knew about her feelings, however, he knew that as a Martial Artist, his path would definitely be the path of carnage. Something that he didn't want her to experience nor her daughter. Sighing in his heart, he moved his left hand and circled it around Juliet as he held her waist.

Natalie trembled for a moment, but she didn't do anything in refusal. She just sat there, silent and tranquil.

Juliet, on the other hand, was happily eating the sweet cookies and chugging her tea. Soon, she became full and started leaning on Dan's body before eventually snoring which made Dan chuckle in response.

Ruffling the head of the adorable young girl, Dan turned around to find that Natalie was staring at him with a complicated expression.

He wasn't stupid and he knew what she meant.

Juliet was starting to recognize him as her father and ever since she was born, she never had a father figure and the bastard whom Joseph killed didn't even acknowledge her as his daughter. Inwardly sighing, he stretched his hand out and cupped Natalie's chin.

"Natalie," He said, for Natalie hated being called young auntie.

The latter's figure shivered, her eyes looked glazed with a desire that she couldn't express. Soon, tears started trickling down her eyes as Dan revealed a concerned expression, he became confused and heartbroken at the same time when he saw her crying.

"Do you know about the reason why I am like this?" She uttered in a hushed tone. Dan hung his head low, how could he not know about what she meant? Clenching his fists, he realized the determination that Natalie mustered to say those words. And as a reply, he took a deep breath and said,

"Natalie, From the first time I saw you, I was captivated by your gentle, graceful and pleasing appearance; but when we spent our time together, I found that I wasn't only enticed by your visual appearance."

"I was also captured by your determination and lovingness towards the people whom you truly loved."

"When I saw you knocking on our gates begging the guards so that you can enter my Estate, I confirmed that you thoroughly have a kind and the heart of self-sacrifice."

"Ever since then, although it was short, I enjoyed the moment that we've been together, playing with Juliet, having you cook me your specialty dishes and making Juliet sleep by singing her our lullabies..."

"I know what you feel about me, Natalie..."

"But..."

Dan's expression turned somber and despondent, Natalie's mood turned for the worse and the atmosphere became laden with a sorrowful vibe.

"But..."

"I am worried about your safety..."

"Eh?" Natalie subconsciously uttered, she didn't understand why Dan would say such thing, she had expected to be denied and what she heard instead were words of concern. Because of this, she became confused and stared blankly at him.

"My path is destined to be a path of carnage. Ever since I had a mind of my own, I knew that I have the potential to reach the apex. But I also know that in process. Those people close to me will certainly be affected and would possibly, die..."

Dan stopped, staring at Natalie who started crying once again, she leaped on his chest and snuggled tightly, not wanting to let go of him.

"It's fine..." She uttered,

"What do you mean...?" Dan blankly replied.

"It's fine, I understand, I know that with my age, I have already passed the golden age for cultivation, and no matter how much I exhaust my potential, I will never be able to reach the same level as you..."

"But please..." She lifted her head, revealing her wretched and sorrowful expression, "Please just don't abandon me and Juliet..."

"Abandon?" Dan uttered before his expression changed into anger, "Why would you think of something like that? Natalie? Ever since you lived here I have already accepted you as a part of my family, how could I abandon you?"

Natalie's figure trembled for a moment and her crying fit calmed down, lifting her head, she said, "Really? You won't abandon me and Juliet?" She said in a hushed tone and she looked like a child that was wrongfully scolded.

The adorableness that she displayed, made Dan subconsciously pat her head as the former narrowed her eyes in delight. Realizing that he forgot to reply, he quickly nodded his head and the former became reassured, but still. She kept embracing him, basking in his warmth and the manly scent that he emanated.

"Can you give me some evidence that you won't leave us?"

"Evidence?" Dan lifted an eyebrow, but before he could reply, Natalie's figure swiftly planted a deep kiss on his lips, making his eyes widen in shock as he felt her tongue, intruding inside his mouth.

The passionate kiss of the two painted a picturesque scene, moving away from Dan's lips, she said in a small tone,

"This is the first time that I shared such a happy kiss."

Her words that contained thousands of deep meanings made Dan somber as he embraced her, bringing her into his chest, "It's fine, I won't definitely abandon you and Juliet..." The two stared at each other before engaging in their passionate kiss once again.

Carrying Natalie towards the futon, Natalie spread her arms wide and embraced his head, "I'm sorry that you won't be my first..." She uttered and as the veil of the night encompassed everything along with tranquility descending on the entire city, a storm raged on inside this certain room. And it only calmed down when daybreak arrived.