Lionheart

Five years later.

Year six of the Goblin Empire calendar.

White Stone Fortress, Paradise Mountain.

Jiang You was dealing with a month's worth of affairs.

These days, he usually cultivated for a month, then spent a single day handling matters of governance.

The sun was high overhead.

The Winged People official pushed the door open and entered, her expression grim.

"King, our people traveling in the north have sent word. They spotted an Eaglemen tribe numbering as many as ten thousand on a peak in the northern Bulos Mountains."

"They seem to be remnants of the Eaglemen Royal Court. Their leader is said to be the Old Eagle King's ninth prince!"

"I remember a new city built by the goblins on the river valley plain in the middle of the Bulos Mountains. Several tens of thousands of goblins live there."

"Why would these remnants of the Royal Court's Eaglemen dare to settle beside a goblin city?"

"I don't believe the goblins could fail to notice ten thousand Eaglemen living together!"

Jiang You frowned as he spoke.

"King, our people have investigated. Every year, Eaglemen have been visiting Bulos City!"

Inona answered.

"It seems the goblins are still keeping something in reserve against us."

Jiang You sneered.

"Then what should we do? Just let these remnants of the Royal Court's Eaglemen grow stronger?"

Inona asked.

"Leave them alone for now. These Eaglemen won't amount to much. The goblins won't let us wipe out their race."

"When the time is right, we'll eradicate these Royal Court Eaglemen once and for all."

"Inona, our task now is to develop our Winged People."

Jiang You spoke calmly.

Ten years later.

Year sixteen of the Goblin Empire calendar.

Jiang You was cultivating on the mountaintop. His aura was deeper and more imposing than it had been over a decade ago.

That day.

The Winged People official, still young and beautiful, suddenly came before him.

"King, a Human Race boy claiming to be your son has come to see you."

On a bluestone atop the mountain.

Jiang You's silver hair fluttered in the mountain breeze. Without even opening his eyes, he said indifferently.

"Since when did I have a Human Race son? Send him back. Can just anyone show up and call me their father now?"

"Very well!"

Inona turned to leave. She had just reached the steps.

Jiang You suddenly seemed to remember something. He opened his purple eyes and called out.

"Wait, Inona! Let him come see me!"

He had remembered that night fifteen years ago.

"Yes, King."

Before long.

A handsome Human Race boy with blond hair and purple eyes climbed to the summit of Paradise Mountain and came before Jiang You.

The two stood quietly facing each other, neither speaking for a moment.

A sense of shared blood immediately stirred within Jiang You.

Fiona really did give birth to a son!

Looking at the Human Race boy's resolute expression, Jiang You broke the silence and spoke first.

"My child, come closer."

The fifteen-year-old Human Race boy had already grown tall enough to reach Jiang You's shoulder.

The blond, purple-eyed boy obediently stepped forward.

"Mother said you're my real father!"

"That's right!"

Jiang You nodded gently.

"My son, what is your name?"

"Mother named me Lionheart!"

The boy answered.

"Lionheart? A fine name. It seems your mother wants you to become a man like a mighty lion!"

Jiang You praised the name, then asked.

"How did you get here, child? I remember the goblins keeping you under very strict control."

"Father, I rode here on a griffin!"

The boy pointed beyond Paradise Mountain, where a griffin was flying slowly through the sky.

A Winged People soldier followed at a distance beside it.

Looking at the griffin in the distant sky, Jiang You shook his head.

"That was too dangerous, Lionheart. If the goblins discover that you rode off on a griffin without permission, that's a serious crime!"

"It's all right, Father. Mother will cover for me. Besides, His Majesty Amigel's nineteenth son is a good friend of mine. Nothing will happen."

"All right, then. You risked coming here because you have something to say to me, don't you?"

Jiang You asked.

"Mother said you would definitely teach me to become a transcendent professional!"

A brilliant smile spread across Lionheart's face, positively radiant!