Father's Love, Daughter's Filial Piety?

Many years later, when Xia Lingo returned to the lecture square in Star Engraving Prefecture, he could still vividly recall that afternoon when he first met Qian Yuliu.

It was the graduation ceremony at Star Engraving Military Academy. Xia Lingo, then a first-year student, stood below the stage. At that time, he saw everyone around him as mere radishes—a view he still held. He wasn't interested in the formalities of a graduation ceremony, nor did he dislike them; he simply found them pointlessly tedious.

But when the graduate representative stepped onto the stage, Xia Lingo's gaze was instantly drawn to the young man.

"Respected teachers, dear classmates, hello everyone. It is a great honor to speak here as the graduate representative. I am Qian Yuliu from the Department of Reconnaissance and Special Operations Command."

From the very first word that left this person's mouth, Xia Lingo knew that he and Qian Yuliu were of the same kind. No matter how grand the words, there was no emotion in his speech, no respect in his eyes, and a raw, merciless quality in his voice—this person was utterly devoid of humanity.

People like them are born without knowing why they are born, and die without fearing why they die.

Like rain falling from the sky, born only to plunge to the earth, aimless, drifting with the wind.

So, Xia Lingo inquired about Qian Yuliu's movements and learned that Qian Yuliu had entered White Night through Lin Jinyao. He then approached Lin Jinyao himself, following Qian Yuliu's old path. There was no other reason; in this world, the only thing that could pique Xia Lingo's curiosity was a kindred spirit like Qian Yuliu.

However, he didn't completely copy Qian Yuliu's approach. Qian Yuliu liked to wear a mask of being cold on the outside but warm on the inside to navigate social relationships, but Xia Lingo wasn't interested in that. Therefore, the mask he wore was "transparent."

If Qian Yuliu was an idol putting on a show, then Xia Lingo was a bystander watching from the sidelines.

When Qian Yuliu joined the Statistics Department, Xia Lingo didn't follow—because he hadn't graduated yet. Besides, he didn't need to join, as Qian Yuliu was on the same side as him.

Yes, Xia Lingo didn't believe the rumors outside at all. He was certain that Qian Yuliu was an informant sent by Lin Jinyao to the Statistics Department, because Qian Yuliu had no reason to be attracted to the Statistics Department: future, honor, power—these things meant nothing to them.

Only amusement was the sole sustenance in their lives, just as Qian Yuliu was to Xia Lingo, just as... Qian Yuya was to Qian Yuliu.

Xia Lingo quietly stayed by Lin Jinyao's side, secretly observing Qian Yuliu. Whether Qian Yuliu was promoted to captain of the Statistics Department or his reputation gradually turned foul, he kept observing.

The change occurred a few nights ago, on a rainy night.

When Qian Yuliu entered Lin Jinyao's residence, Xia Lingo sharply perceived that this person was not Qian Yuliu—at least, not the Qian Yuliu he knew. Especially when Qian Yuliu shot Lin Jinyao, the trembling finger on the trigger, the reluctance in his eyes, all left Xia Lingo utterly confused.

How to put it, even if Qian Yuliu had a sex change, it wouldn't be more impactful than this.

People change, Xia Lingo knew that, but that referred to ordinary people. For cold-blooded individuals like them, only the mask changes, like patterns on a blade—whether intricate or simple, they cannot alter the fact that it is a lethal weapon.

But now... this aloof sword, Qian Yuliu, actually had a scabbard.

And because of this unsettling confusion, when Zuo Shiwen, Lin Jinyao's accomplice and friend, and the director of Star Engraving Military Academy, secretly conveyed White Night's "request" to them in Lin Jinyao's memorial hall, Xia Lingo voluntarily stepped forward to participate in this Revenge Severance.

There were some twists and turns along the way. After all, quite a few people wanted to participate in Revenge Severance to beat up Qian Yuliu, and Xia Lingo was an unassuming person who didn't say anything surprising, so naturally, there were many competitors. Xia Lingo ended up beating up a few of them, finally securing a spot.

Joining White Night, avenging Lin Jinyao—none of this concerned Xia Lingo. He just wanted to use this opportunity to have a more profound physical exchange with Qian Yuliu.

For people like them who wear masks, language is the most pale and powerless form of communication. Every word, every punctuation mark Qian Yuliu uttered was untrustworthy. Only the clash of fists and flesh could allow Xia Lingo to uncover the secret of Qian Yuliu's change.

Moreover, Xia Lingo truly believed he could defeat the current Qian Yuliu. A sword still in its scabbard, who could it possibly cut?

The result...

"Cough!"

Xia Lingo was helped up by other students. He coughed twice, feeling his hands and feet numb with pain—Qian Yuliu's Biting Combat Arts weren't for nothing. Although Xia Lingo had won a few moves, the real world wasn't like blocking without taking damage; force was reciprocal.

So, when Xia Lingo watched Qian Yuliu turn around and demand the next round of Revenge Severance immediately, he suddenly understood.

Qian Yuliu hadn't put on a scabbard at all.

He had simply started using his blade as a bludgeon.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain why he could still fight so energetically—Qian Yuliu's injuries had to be more severe than Xia Lingo's. Xia Lingo was now unable to stand due to pain the moment he disengaged from combat, but Qian Yuliu could still fight!

What did this indicate?

It indicated that Qian Yuliu had reached a higher state, an inhuman state that Xia Lingo couldn't comprehend!

The mask he wore could even deceive the senses and block pain!

Others only saw the first layer of Qian Yuliu's perverse behavior; Xia Lingo saw the second layer, Qian Yuliu's fundamental change in character. He never expected Qian Yuliu to be on the fifth layer—not only had he not become as superficial as common people, but he had become even more unfathomable!

Qian Yuliu was now an even less human existence than he was!

"Qian Yuliu, until we fall to the earth, I will keep watching you," Xia Lingo said, panting.

Hearing this, Le Yu paused.

What did that mean? Was it a death declaration? Did they want to find an opportunity to jump off a building with him and die together?

Ugh, anyway, Star Engraving Prefecture didn't have many tall buildings. He wouldn't go to tall buildings in the future.

Sigh, Qian Yuliu, you truly are a man burdened with sins... Le Yu sighed, looking at the last avenger.

He just wanted to finish things here quickly and then go to the Medical Officer Department to find a strong old medical officer for a massage. Although he wasn't in pain now, he felt so sore and weak, it was really uncomfortable, like he'd been beaten up—which, in fact, he had been.

But things clearly wouldn't go as Le Yu wished. He had to be extra vigilant when facing this last avenger.

Lin Jinyao's daughter, Lin Xue.

"After this battle, the Lin family's ties and grievances with you will be severed, and no further trouble will arise." Lin Xue cupped her hands, her expression indifferent. "If I win, I ask Captain Qian to kowtow facing north, with no other demands; if I lose, the Lin family ancestral home will be yours."

At these words, the onlookers gasped in surprise.

"Xue'er!" Gao Jin, who had just woken up, was shocked when he heard this. "That's Teacher's—"

"My decision is made. Please do not disturb my Revenge Severance." Lin Xue quietly looked at Le Yu. "The Patrol Guards will testify for me; my verbal promise is valid. Uncle, please forgive Xue'er's willfulness."

The grim-faced middle-aged man, Lin Xue'en, sighed, drew the long sword from his waist, lightly grazed his palm, and let the blood drip.

"Since my elder brother passed everything to you, I, Lin Xue'en, will not say another word about how you dispose of the Lin family ancestral home. If I go back on my word afterward, let this sword cut through my heart."

Le Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. One major flaw of the Revenge Severance policy was this: the avenger, aside from expending one legitimate revenge opportunity, suffered no real consequences if they lost. If the one being challenged by Revenge Severance lost, at best they had to apologize, at worst they had to pay compensation. Either way, they were at a disadvantage.

Therefore, some more honorable avengers, in addition to stating what would happen if the challenged party lost, would also propose what they themselves would pay if they lost. However, this type was quite rare, as there truly weren't many people who could maintain their composure and principles after losing parents or close friends.

Of course, there were also avengers who would constantly offer high stakes, baiting the challenged party not to surrender. This kind of "fishing" was legally recognized; it was a case of "one willing to hit, one willing to take it."

But there was another scenario: when the stakes offered by the avenger far exceeded the compensation the challenged party would pay. This usually implied only one possibility: making a promise to solidify one's resolve.

I promise this will happen if I lose, but I will absolutely not lose!

As Lin Jinyao's only legitimate daughter, Lin Xue naturally had the right to dispose of the Lin family's ancestral home. The value of the Lin family's ancestral home far surpassed Qian Yuliu bowing his head once.

In fact, if it weren't for the mission, Le Yu would have immediately knelt down and kowtowed to trick her into giving him a house. It would be like kowtowing to Lin Jinyao anyway, just treating it as his first seven days' remembrance.

Looking at Lin Xue, Le Yu was momentarily lost in thought.

According to his and Yin Yinyin's plan, if there truly was a mole among the Lin family disciples, they would definitely participate in Revenge Severance to compete for the qualification to establish the White Night branch.

Among the three avengers now, Gao Jin was utterly useless, and while Xia Lingo was strong, they were just Qian Yuliu's devoted fan. Neither had anything to do with a mole.

And now, Lin Xue had offered the Lin family's ancestral home, clearly not believing she would lose!

Could it be that the real mole was... Lin Xue?