"Taking Dragon Blood together with Blue Heart Grass can awaken the bloodline within your body." Linley had already ended his Dragon Transformation and changed clothes. He was now explaining things to Hogg, just as Lin Ke had told him to.
"The Dragon Blood I used for my transformation was given to me by my teacher. As for you, Father, once I become Saint-level, I'll find Dragon Blood for you and Wharton."
Linley looked at Hogg with a serious expression, but Hogg seemed rather dazed.
Dragon Blood and Blue Heart Grass could be used to create Dragonblood Warriors in large numbers.
In other words, they could produce Saint-level experts in large numbers.
The only thing limiting the number of Dragonblood Warriors was the Baruch Clan's own ability to have children.
"Linley." Hogg came back to his senses and looked at Linley beside him. "Could I meet your teacher?"
Hogg's palms were covered in sweat. He hadn't even noticed how cautious his tone had become as he spoke to Linley.
"Sorry, Father." Linley glanced at the space beside him. "My teacher likes peace and quiet, so..."
Linley didn't finish, but Hogg understood.
"I understand, I understand." Hogg nodded repeatedly, then staggered slightly as he opened the reception room door.
He looked up at the crescent moon and let out a long breath, calming himself somewhat.
"Linley." Hogg suddenly turned around, his expression dark. "The battle-axe Warblade Slaughter, belonging to my Baruch Clan ancestor—the first Dragonblood Warrior, Baruch—was sold to someone else by a profligate clan head several centuries ago."
Hogg stepped forward and came to stand before Linley. He placed both hands on the armrests of the chair and looked down at Linley.
"I want you to promise me." Hogg's face contorted as he raised his voice. "One day, you must bring Warblade Slaughter back to the Baruch Clan."
At that, Hogg paused, then rose and slowly sat in the seat of honor. "Otherwise, I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life."
Hogg had delivered that last sentence lightly, but it landed in Linley's ears with the weight of a thousand catties.
Inside the System Space, Lin Ke couldn't help rolling his eyes.
It was only thanks to Doehring's guidance and the company of the three brothers of 1987 over the next few years that Linley would be all right.
Otherwise, being raised by Hogg like this would have warped Linley.
Linley would truly have reason to say he'd escaped his dysfunctional family in the future.
It wasn't just Lin Ke. Doehring, floating beside Linley, couldn't help glaring fiercely at Hogg.
A father like that really was irresponsible.
Linley was already fairly strong for a boy from the countryside.
But in the end, he was still only eight years old.
What kind of father spoke to his own son like that?
The next moment, Doehring simply slipped into the Coiling Dragon Ring.
Otherwise, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from slapping Hogg twice.
"Don't worry, Father." Linley stood up and spoke solemnly. "I'll bring Warblade Slaughter back one day."
Although he said that, there was a trace of fear in Linley's eyes as he looked at Hogg.
It wasn't fear of a difference in strength, but of their difference in status.
A father had said something so harsh to an eight-year-old child.
If Linley hadn't spent the past year or so training consistently and studying other subjects as well, making him more mature than most children his age, he probably would have burst into tears as soon as Hogg spoke.
"Father, there's something else." Linley tried to push down the hurt inside him. "My teacher is going to take me away for a while to gain experience. I'll be back before the Magic Test."
Hogg hesitated at Linley's words.
"Will it be dangerous?"
At last, Hogg said something befitting a father. Linley simply shook his head. "Don't worry, Father. My teacher will be with me. Nothing will happen."
"When are you leaving?"
Hogg saw the tears Linley was trying to hold back and felt some remorse.
He wanted to gather Linley in his arms and comfort him, but in the end, he didn't.
"I'm leaving now." Linley finally managed to push his hurt down for the moment. "I came back to let you know."
"Go see Wharton." Hogg stiffened, then turned away from Linley. "If he finds out you've left home, he'll probably cry for a long time."
Looking at his father's back, Linley opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he turned and left.
It wasn't even noon yet. Wharton was playing with Hiri, the butler.
"Big Brother!"
When Wharton saw Linley, he ran toward him on his little legs.
"Wharton." Linley scooped him into his arms. "What are you doing?"
"Grandpa Hiri is teaching me how to wash up by myself." Wharton pointed to his cheek. "What did you do yesterday, Big Brother? I didn't see you all day."
"Big Brother was training." Linley ruffled Wharton's hair. "I'm going to be away training for a while, so you have to be a good boy and listen to Grandpa Hiri."
"What's training?"
Wharton sucked on his finger and looked at Linley in confusion.
"Training means getting stronger, so I can protect you, Wharton."
Linley thought for a long time before finally coming up with an explanation Wharton might understand.
"Grandpa Hiri." After playing with Wharton for a while, Linley handed him to Hiri, the butler. "Sorry for the trouble. Please look after Wharton."
"What are you saying, Young Master Linley?" Hiri shook his head casually. "Looking after Young Master Wharton is my duty. But, Young Master Linley, are you really leaving?"
Hiri looked at Linley, puzzled.
"Mm." Linley nodded, then ruffled Wharton's hair again. "Grandpa Hiri, I'm off. Please tell Uncle Hillman for me."
With that, Linley turned and headed straight outside.
Held in Hiri's arms, Wharton watched Linley's back as it gradually disappeared. His little mouth turned down.
"Waaah!"
The next moment, Wharton's cries rang out behind him, making Linley pause.
But a moment later, Linley continued forward.
When Wharton saw that Linley still hadn't turned around, he cried even louder.
He didn't know why he was crying. He didn't understand training or leaving.
He simply had an instinctive feeling that he wouldn't see his big brother for a long time.
After leaving the Baruch Mansion, Linley smiled and greeted the residents he met along the way.
Wushan Town wasn't very large. Although Linley wasn't walking quickly, he had left town in less than twenty minutes.
Standing at the edge of town, Linley looked back once.
As an eight-year-old child, this was the first time he had ever left Wushan Town.
Bebe poked his little head out from Linley's chest.
"Squeak, squeak~"
"Boss, leaving home?"
"That's right." Linley ruffled Bebe's head. "We'll be spending the next few months away from home."
As he spoke, Linley took one last look at the town, then turned and continued on his way.
But...
His father's harsh words, parting from Wharton, and the experience of leaving home for the first time in his life...
Linley's feelings were complicated. His nose tingled faintly.
"Oh?" Doehring floated out of the Coiling Dragon Ring. Seeing Linley's shoulders twitch, he smiled. "Has our little fellow started shedding golden beans?"
Before you continue