Delin Cowart

Back in Wushan Town, Hogg had completely absorbed the remaining medicinal power, and his strength had broken through to the Late-Level Seven Warrior stage. Hillman had also advanced to the Mid-Level Seven Warrior stage, while even Nade had reached the peak of Level Four Warrior. All of them had grown stronger.

A week later, Linley returned to Wushan Town carrying the family warblade, Massacre.

"Linley?" Hillman spotted Linley from afar. After casually giving Raleigh and Roger, who were beside him, a few instructions, he immediately ran toward Linley and gave him a bear hug.

"Uncle Hillman, I haven't seen you in so long." Linley was delighted as well.

"Haha, come on, let's go home first. Lord Hogg will definitely be very happy to see you." Hillman laughed heartily, then headed into Wushan Town with Linley.

"Young Master Linley." Raleigh and Roger also called out warmly from afar.

"Uncle Raleigh, Uncle Roger." Linley waved to them, then headed toward his family estate with Hillman.

"Linley, you even brought back a bundle. It's so bulky—what's inside?" Hillman noticed the bundle on Linley's back and asked with a smile.

Linley gave a mysterious smile. "A gift. A gift for my father!"

Linley also noticed that Hillman had grown stronger.

"Linley, come in with me. I have something to tell you, about your father." Hillman spoke solemnly.

Hillman said gravely, "The cavalry unit behind us will be arriving soon. Don't let others know about your family's affairs for now. Come with me first."

"Uncle Hillman, I know what to do."

Linley's expression was as still as water, but he took a deep breath. His entire demeanor returned to normal. As he crouched down and once more held the warblade Massacre in his arms,

Linley heard the sound of hoofbeats outside.

That cavalry unit from the Bright Church had finally arrived.

Linley turned back and gave them a cold glance, but ignored them. He merely said to Hillman, "Uncle Hillman, lead the way."

"Alright."

Wharton followed Hillman to the ancestral hall. Hillman pushed open its doors and looked at Linley. Holding the warblade Massacre, Linley stepped inside with a calm expression.

Linley saw Hogg seated at the front. Hillman then went out and shut the doors. Only the three members of the Baruch clan remained in the ancestral hall, and Linley walked before Hogg and knelt.

"Father, I have brought back the family's inherited treasure." As he spoke, he handed the warblade Massacre to Hogg. Hogg accepted it excitedly. "Our family's inherited treasure has finally been recovered. There is hope for the revival of the Baruch clan!" Hogg cried out excitedly.

"Linley, get up. You've worked hard."

"It wasn't hard, Father. It was what I should have done."

Linley glanced at Wharton beside him.

"Big Brother, you're finally back. I'm Wharton. We haven't seen each other for many years," Wharton said.

"Yes, it's been seven or eight years. You brat, you've grown as tall as me. Have you been well these past few years?" As he spoke, he pulled Wharton into an embrace.

Afterward, Linley told Hogg that he could transform into a Dragonblood Warrior. After they chatted for a while, Hogg had Linley go greet the knights of the Bright Church and return to the ancestral hall that evening. He also told him not to mention him. Though Linley was puzzled, he still did as Hogg instructed.

That night, Linley, Hogg, and Wharton sat inside the Baruch ancestral hall.

Hogg spoke first. "Linley, do you still remember your mother?"

"Of course. Didn't you say Mother died in childbirth?" Linley asked in confusion, not knowing why his father had suddenly brought this up.

"Hahaha... Died in childbirth? Linley, your mother did not die in childbirth. Claire abducted your mother and offered her to the Bright Church, where she was killed." Tears streamed down Hogg's face. "And all of this was bestowed upon us by that damned Bright Church!" Just imagine it—having the Church one sincerely believed in turn out to be the culprit that had torn one's family apart. No one could accept that.

Afterward, Hogg told Linley all of his plans and had Linley announce news of his death.

Wharton took the Orchid Heart Grass from Linley and used it together with Thunder Dragon blood to trigger Hogg's Dragonblood Transformation. Wharton also gave Linley a Foundation-Building Pill and manuals for cultivating earth, fire, water, and wind. When Wharton took the Foundation-Building Pill, he gave one to Bebe as well, and taught Bebe manuals for wind and darkness.

"Alright, come out! Must I invite you personally? Delin Cowart, Earth-Element Saint-Domain Mage of the Puang Empire!" At these words, Delin Cowart froze. With Wharton's understanding of souls, he naturally understood Delin Cowart's feelings at that moment.

"How did you know? I don't think I leaked even the slightest trace of my aura!" Delin Cowart asked.

"Don't forget what happened at Ernst Academy! Don't worry, I won't harm you. You are my brother's grandfather, which makes you family!" Wharton said gently.

"Alright. No matter what, I am already a dead man, so I will not care about so much." Delin Cowart looked at Linley on the ground and spoke deeply.