Long Xuan'en sighed and said, his voice heavy with grief and indignation, "How vicious that wretch is! He cared nothing for the bond between brother and sister and personally sent his own sister into a land of tigers and wolves!" As he spoke, he seemed to have completely forgotten that during his own reign, he had intended to marry his daughter off to distant Shajia to secure the Western Border.
"Father, have you been well?"
Long Xuan'en nodded. "Well enough. How rare that you still remember you have a father... Ever since I came to Spirit Firmament Palace, not one of my children has visited me..." At this, an indescribable sorrow welled up in his heart, then turned into fierce anger. As Long Xuan'en grew older, his temperament had become increasingly erratic and ill-natured. After being confined on Misty Peak, prolonged loneliness had made him stranger still.
He withdrew his hand from Long Xiyue's face and suddenly clenched it into a tight fist. Through gritted teeth, he said, "When have any of you ever held me in your hearts as your father? When have you ever felt even a shred of affection for your own flesh and blood? It isn't me you respect, but the power in my hands!" His agitation suddenly surged, and he roared like a furious tiger.
Frightened by her father's sudden outburst, Long Xiyue said in a trembling voice, "Father, please calm down. Please calm down."
Her calls brought Long Xuan'en back under control. He looked at her. "Seeing me like this, do you find me ridiculous? Pitiful?"
Long Xiyue shook her head through her tears. "Father, I only wanted to see you once more before leaving Great Kang."
"You have seen me now. But I fear your visit isn't quite that simple. Speak. What exactly