Hogg's Decision

Seeing the terrifying scars covering Linley's body, Hogg felt his heart tremble.

With trembling hands, Hogg slowly reached out to touch the nearly fatal wounds on Linley's chest and abdomen. Seeing those scars, Hogg's heart ached. His son had endured so much suffering—how had he survived after coming so close to death? Hogg did not even dare think about it.

"Linley, you..." Hogg choked up.

"Father, aren't I fine?" Linley immediately comforted him.

Hogg looked at the pile of Magic Crystal Cores representing immense wealth, then at the horrifying scars crisscrossing Linley's body like tree roots. His entire body began to tremble slightly.

He hated it!

He hated his own incompetence, his own uselessness!

After taking a deep breath, Hogg looked silently up at the sky before saying in a low voice, "Linley, you've traveled for a whole day and must be tired. Go rest early."

"Yes, Father."

Linley quietly departed, leaving only Hogg sitting silently in the candlelit hall...

Linley remained in Wushan Town for more than ten days. Even when it was time for the next term at Ernst Academy to begin, he was in no hurry to return. Hogg did not urge Linley to go back to the academy either.

On Black Mountain east of Wushan Town, beside a babbling stream, Linley sat cross-legged and quietly meditated, refining his magical power.

Earth and wind elemental essence seeped into Linley's body from all around him. His bones, muscles, and meridians naturally absorbed the elements, improving his physique. After a small portion of those earth and wind elements was absorbed, most of them were refined and eventually flowed into the dantian at the center of his chest.

Just as all rivers flowed into the sea, the elements coursing through the meridians all over his body ultimately gathered there.

Linley sat like that for half a day. When he opened his eyes, the sun had already set behind the western mountains.

These past ten-plus days were probably the most harmonious days Linley and Hogg had ever spent together.

What had brought about such a great change in Father? The Magic Crystal Cores? Father shouldn't be acting this way because of money. Or perhaps... the scars on my body? Linley thought it over and over, yet still could not determine why his father had suddenly begun treating him so well.

The phrase "solicitous care" perfectly described Hogg's current attitude toward Linley.

Upon entering the Baruch clan estate, Linley immediately spotted his father reading a book. "Father, it's getting rather dark. You should wait until tomorrow to continue reading."

"Oh, Linley, you're back." Hogg smiled as he closed the book. "You have a point. I'll read it tomorrow instead."

"Linley, you've been cultivating outside for so long. You must be thirsty." Hogg picked up the kettle on the nearby tea table and poured a cup of plain water. "Here, wet your throat. The temperature is just right—not too hot, not too cold."

"Thank you, Father." Linley's heart warmed.

For the past ten-plus days, Hogg had treated Linley like this, incredibly well. In the past, however, Hogg had always been stern and rarely showed such warmth.

As he drank the water, Linley said, "Father, I've been home for some time now. I plan to leave for the academy tomorrow."

"Mm." Linley responded.

Hogg gently instructed, "Linley, your father doesn't have much ability. The clan will depend on you from now on. The Magic Crystal Cores you gave me are also enough to cover your younger brother's expenses in the O'Brien Empire. Having reached this point, I am already satisfied. But deep in my heart, I still remember our clan's humiliation. I hope you won't forget that our clan's inherited treasure is still out there."

Linley felt his father's expectations for him. Taking a deep breath, he nodded slightly.

"I have no other desires now. I only hope that before I die, I can see the warblade 'Massacre.'" Hogg's voice was very low.

Linley sensed that something was wrong with the mood and immediately said, "Father, don't be so pessimistic. You're only forty now, and you still have a long life ahead of you. I'm confident that within ten years, I'll definitely bring the warblade 'Massacre' back and place it once more in the clan's ancestral hall."

"Ten years. Good, good." Hogg nodded gently.