Secrets in the Study

Night hung low, and watery moonlight spilled over the bluestone paths of Baruch Manor, coating them in a faint silver sheen.

After wrapping up the Garrison's remaining affairs, Hillman headed straight for Hogg's study. As he reached the door, he heard the faint rustle of turning pages inside and knocked softly on the wooden door.

"Come in." Hogg's voice came from within, carrying a somber note.

Hillman pushed the door open and entered. Candlelight flickered in the study, its shelves filled with yellowed ancient books, and the scent of ink and old paper hung in the air. Hogg stood before the desk, holding a thick parchment volume, his brow slightly furrowed.

Seeing Hillman enter, Hogg set down the parchment volume and gestured for him to sit, then poured him a glass of red wine himself.

"Try this. It's a fine vintage I've treasured for years." Hogg's voice was low, tinged with emotion. "I happened upon it during my travels across the continent. I thought it would remain sealed away forever."

Hillman accepted the glass and took a sip, the rich aroma of wine spreading through his mouth. He did not rush to speak, knowing Hogg must have summoned him to discuss something important.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Hogg turned toward the desk, picked up the thick parchment volume, and held it out to Hillman. "Take a look at this."

Hillman took the parchment volume. It felt heavy in his hands. On its dark brown cover, several large words were written in an ancient script-"Chronicles of the Dragonblood Warrior."

His pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart gave a violent thump.

Dragonblood Warriors!

This was the Baruch Clan's greatest secret, as well as the obsession Hogg had always kept buried deep in his heart.

Hillman opened the parchment volume. The writing inside was equally ancient, recording the origins and legacy of the Dragonblood Warriors. From the first Dragonblood Warrior's sudden emergence and continent-shaking might to the clan's gradual decline and retreat into anonymity, every page bore the weight of glory and the ravages of time.

"We of the Baruch Clan are descendants of the Dragonblood Warriors." Hogg's voice rang out, heavy with feeling. "I've never spoken of this to anyone. I haven't even told Linley or Wharton."

Hillman raised his head and looked at Hogg.

A trace of pain and helplessness flashed through Hogg's eyes. "Back then, I was full of ambition and wanted to restore our clan's glory. But only when I truly began practicing our inherited cultivation art did I discover how terrifying the bloodline's backlash could be. My cultivation stalled at Sixth-Level Warrior, and I could no longer advance even an inch. Even my body suffered damage."

"I couldn't accept it, but what could I do?" Hogg gave a bitter laugh. "The Radiant Church's wariness of Dragonblood Warriors has never diminished. Once our identities are exposed, all that awaits us is utter destruction. So I chose to live in seclusion in Wushan Town, wanting only for the children to grow up safe and sound."

Hillman set down the parchment volume, his heart filled with mixed emotions. At last, he understood Hogg's restraint and hardships over the years.

"Then why tell me all this today?" Hillman asked.

Hogg looked at him, his gaze sharp and resolute. "Because you've changed."

"The old you had courage to spare, but you weren't meticulous enough. Yet lately, in reorganizing the Garrison and guiding Linley's cultivation, everything you've done has shown foresight." Hogg paused before continuing, "Especially the importance you place on Linley. I've seen it and taken it to heart."

"Linley's talent far exceeds anything I imagined." A trace of pride flashed through Hogg's eyes. "The power of dragonblood in him is even more concentrated than mine was back then. I know he's destined to be extraordinary. But I'm old now, and I no longer have the strength to keep him safe."

At this, Hogg rose and solemnly clasped his fist in his other hand toward Hillman.

Startled, Hillman hurriedly stood and reached out to steady him. "Hogg, what are you doing?"

"Hillman, I know you're someone I can entrust this to." Hogg's voice held a pleading note. "I hope you can help me keep Linley safe and awaken his Dragonblood Warrior bloodline, so that the Baruch Clan's glory can shine again through him."

Seeing the earnestness in Hogg's eyes, Hillman felt warmth well up within him. He nodded firmly, his voice ringing with conviction. "Hogg, rest assured. I, Hillman, swear here and now that I will keep Linley safe for the rest of my life and help him earn the name of Dragonblood Warrior. I will never let the Baruch Clan's tragedy repeat itself!"

This was not merely a promise to Hogg, but also his own mission in this second life.

Hearing this, much of the anxiety in Hogg's eyes faded. He let out a long breath, as though an immense burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He picked up the Chronicles of the Dragonblood Warrior again and handed it to Hillman. "This parchment volume records the cultivation methods of Dragonblood Warriors and the key to Bloodline Awakening. Now, I'm entrusting it to you."

Hillman accepted the parchment volume, feeling that it had grown even heavier in his hands.

[Ding! Host has obtained "Chronicles of the Dragonblood Warrior," triggering hidden quest: Bloodline Legacy]

[Quest objective: Assist Linley in completing his Dragonblood Warrior Bloodline Awakening and breaking through his warrior realm]

[Quest rewards: Dragonblood Body Tempering Art, three Intermediate Strength-Boosting Pills, 10 Skill Points]

[Failure penalty: None]

The system notification sounded in his mind, and joy stirred in Hillman's heart. The Dragonblood Body Tempering Art-this was exactly the cultivation art Linley needed.

"Oh, and there's this." As though remembering something, Hogg took a small wooden box from a desk drawer. When he opened it, a crimson pill lay inside, giving off a faint, fresh fragrance.

"This is a Dragonblood Pill. I happened to obtain it during my travels across the continent," Hogg explained. "It can gently nourish the bloodline and is of great benefit to a Dragonblood Warrior's awakening. Once Linley's cultivation reaches a certain level, give it to him."

Hillman accepted the wooden box and carefully put it away. With this Dragonblood Pill, Linley's path to Bloodline Awakening would surely be much smoother.

The two talked for a long time, moving from Linley's cultivation plan to Wushan Town's defensive arrangements, then to strategies for dealing with the Radiant Church. The longer they spoke, the more they found themselves in accord.

Outside the window, the moonlight grew ever stronger, while the candles in the study continued to flicker.

When Hillman left Baruch Manor, the night breeze brushed the hem of his clothes, and the parchment volume and wooden box in his hands seemed to burn with heat.

He looked up at the night sky, its scattered stars like Linley's future path, full of light and hope.

But Hillman knew that road was destined to be anything but smooth. The Radiant Church's sinister reach and the various powers across the continent could all become obstacles to Linley's growth.

Yet he was not afraid.

He tightened his grip on the parchment volume, a glint of resolve flashing through his eyes.

With him there, with the Garrison growing stronger by the day, and with the Baruch Clan's legacy, Linley would surely break through every obstacle and become a Dragonblood Warrior whose might shook the continent.

And he, Hillman, would always stand behind Linley as his staunchest support.

The night deepened, and Wushan Town sank into slumber. Only Hillman's footsteps sounded through the silent streets, fading farther and farther away.