The afternoon sunlight streamed through the wooden windows of Baruch Manor and spilled across the oak table in the sitting room, lending the ale on it a faint golden glow.
Hogg sat at the table, holding a rough clay cup, his knuckles whitening slightly with the force of his grip. He gazed out the window at Linley, who was practicing magic while playing with Bebe in the courtyard. A trace of warmth flashed through his eyes before a heavy gloom clouded them again. These days, watching Linley advance by leaps and bounds in magic and gain such an intelligent Shadowmouse as a companion had brought him comfort, but the obsession buried in his heart for so long had also surged ever more fiercely.
Hillman entered with a jug of freshly brewed ale. One look at Hogg told him that he was brooding again. He filled Hogg's cup and asked gravely, "Brother, are you thinking of Lina again?"
Hogg trembled and raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. All these years, he had never given up searching for his wife, Lina. Back then, he had taken Lina, who had only recently given birth to Wharton, to the capital of the Fenlai Kingdom to worship. It had been their last outing as a complete family, and the beginning of a nightmare. Lina had been inexplicably abducted from their hotel in the capital. Hogg had reported it to the authorities and pursued the matter, only to meet obstacles at every turn. Every lead seemed to have been severed by an invisible hand. In the end, he could only return to Wushan Town with endless regret.
"Hillman." Hogg's voice was slightly hoarse. He rose and bowed deeply to Hillman. "I know you've already given so much over the years for the Baruch Clan, for Linley and Wharton. But I... I truly can't bear it any longer."
Hillman hurried to support him, his brows drawing together slightly. "Brother, there's no need for such formality between us. Whatever it is, just say it."
"I want to ask you a favor." Hogg's gaze was earnest, his voice carrying a hint of pleading. "Help me find out where Lina is. After all these years, I still feel certain she's waiting somewhere for me-for me and our two sons."
By the end, Hogg's voice had choked up. Over the years, he had seen Lina countless times in his dreams, only to wake to a room full of cold emptiness. That helplessness followed him like a shadow, weighing on him until he could scarcely breathe.
Looking at Hogg's haggard face, Hillman sighed inwardly. As someone who knew the plot of the original story, he naturally knew the truth behind Lina's abduction, and how terrifying the forces involved were. It had not been some marquis acting out of lust, but a conspiracy led by the Radiant Church and secretly advanced by Clayde-Lina possessed an exceptionally pure soul, making her an ideal candidate for the Radiant Church to sacrifice to the Light Overgod.
At the time, Clayde had only been a duke of the Fenlai Kingdom. To curry favor with the Radiant Church and secure its support in taking the throne, he had not hesitated to set his sights on Lina. He had ordered his trusted subordinate, Duke Paterson, to abduct her, then offered her to the Church in exchange for lavish rewards. The affair had been carried out in utmost secrecy, with the Church backing it. As a noble from a declining house, Hogg could never have uncovered the truth.
The reason Hillman had never mentioned it over the years was that he feared Hogg would recklessly seek revenge against Clayde and the Church once he learned the truth. That would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock. Not only would he fail to rescue Lina, but he would also plunge the Baruch Clan into utter ruin.
But now that Hogg had asked him directly, continuing to conceal it would be far too heartless.
Hillman considered for a moment, then said gravely, "Brother, it's not that I know nothing about this. But the affair had far-reaching connections, and behind it stood a colossal power neither of us could contend with. If I told you rashly, I feared I would bring harm to you and the entire clan."
Hogg abruptly raised his head, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes as his body trembled slightly with excitement. "You know? You really know where Lina is? Is she... is she still alive?"
Hillman nodded, his tone solemn. "Lina should still be alive. Those who abducted her weren't bandits or thieves. It was Clayde, who was then a duke of Fenlai, and the mastermind behind him was the Radiant Church."
Hogg's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief. "Clayde? The Radiant Church? Why? Our Baruch Clan has never provoked them!"
"Because of Lina's soul." Hillman's voice was low. "The Radiant Church has been gathering people with pure souls to sacrifice to its Light Overgod. To secure the Church's support and ascend the throne of the Fenlai Kingdom, Clayde offered Lina to the Church in exchange for its secret arts and backing. That offering was what allowed him to become king so smoothly and break through to become a Ninth-level Warrior."
"A soul sacrifice..." Hogg murmured, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms and blood dripped between his fingers. "Clayde! Radiant Church! I will never coexist with you!"
He felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Anger and fear intertwined, leaving his entire body cold. The Radiant Church was one of the mightiest powers on the Yulan Continent, and Clayde was now the king of Fenlai, wielding immense authority. As a mere Sixth-Level Warrior, Hogg did not even amount to an ant before them.
Hogg slumped into his chair, his eyes filled with despair. "Then what am I supposed to do? Am I only to watch helplessly as Lina falls into that den of evil?"
"It isn't hopeless." Hillman's voice was steady and strong, carrying a convincing force. "My strength has improved recently, and I've reached the ninth-level peak. Before long, I'll be able to touch the threshold of the Saint-level. Once I break through to the Saint-level, I'll accompany you to the Fenlai Kingdom. The Church may be powerful, but it isn't invincible. As long as we're strong enough, the day will come when we can rescue Lina."
At this point, he shifted his tone. "But before that, you must improve your own strength. The Baruch Clan's bloodline carries the glory of the Dragonblood Warriors. Its members are by no means ordinary. Over the years, you've neglected far too much of your training for Linley and Wharton, and to keep this household going. From today onward, I'll personally guide your training. I'll teach you every combat technique and all the cultivation experience I've gained throughout my life."
Hogg jerked his head up, his eyes full of disbelief as tears spilled uncontrollably. "What did you say? You're going to guide my training?"
He knew Hillman's strength. Hillman was the strongest man in Wushan Town, and receiving his personal guidance was an opportunity countless people dreamed of.
Hillman nodded, his tone firm. "That's right. Brother, a man of the Baruch Clan shouldn't be so despondent. Lina is waiting for you, and Linley and Wharton need a strong father. Starting tomorrow, you'll train with me. I'll devise a training plan tailored to you and help you break through to the seventh level as soon as possible, and even become an Eighth-level Warrior. As long as we brothers join forces, with Linley's talent added to ours, one day we'll make Clayde and the Radiant Church pay the price they deserve!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Hogg said it three times, trembling all over with excitement. He rose and bowed deeply to Hillman. "Hillman, words of thanks cannot express such a great debt! If we can rescue Lina someday, I, Hogg Baruch, will repay you many times over!"
Hillman helped him straighten and smiled faintly. "Brother, there's no need to say that. If your father hadn't taken me in back then, I would long since have become a wandering ghost by the roadside. Protecting the Baruch Clan, you, and the children is simply my duty. Besides, Linley has great potential. I don't want him to suffer the same regrets as us someday because he lacks the strength."
The sun sank in the west, its lingering rays stretching their shadows long.
In the courtyard, Linley was still enthusiastically practicing Earth Spike. Earthen-yellow light flickered in his palm, and sharp spikes of earth thrust precisely out of the ground one after another. Bebe darted around his feet, occasionally rubbing his little head against Linley's ankles or curiously sniffing at the spikes emerging from the ground.
Watching his son, Hogg felt much of the gloom in his heart dissipate, replaced by fiercely burning resolve. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with thorns, and the Church's shadow loomed over him like a mountain. But for his wife, his sons, and the glory of the Baruch Clan, he had to grow stronger!
Standing beside him, Hillman watched the scene, a trace of gratification flashing through his eyes. He knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long. Both Hogg and Linley would have to endure countless trials before they could truly set foot on the path to the pinnacle.
And he would be their staunchest support, protecting them every step of the way.
Before you continue