Not Worth It
"Xiao Gang... although his Soul Power Level can never break through level 29 due to Martial Soul Mutation, he is the most intelligent and dedicated person I have ever met who is most committed to Martial Soul Theory."
Mentioning Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong's tone softened involuntarily, even carrying a hint of admiration. "His theory of the ' Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul ' was groundbreaking at the time... We traveled the continent together, experiencing many dangers, and also gained the most precious friendship."
"I don't know when it started, but my gaze has become irrevocably fixed on that somewhat insecure yet incredibly resilient man." A bitter blush rose to her face, as if she had returned to her teenage years. "I fell in love with him, loved him unconditionally. I know he loves me too."
"Later, we decided to get married. I thought... I had finally found my own happiness." Liu Erlong's voice trembled, filled with excruciating pain. "On our wedding day, I wore my most beautiful wedding dress, waiting for him with a heart full of joy... But what awaited me was my own father, Yu Luomian, an elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
Her fists clenched suddenly, her nails digging deep into her palms, her body trembling slightly. "He announced in public... that Xiao Gang and I are cousins from the same clan! Our union is against human ethics and is unacceptable to our sect!"
"Xiao Gang... he just stood there, his face deathly pale. I looked at him, and I wanted to rush over, grab him, and tell him I didn't care! I didn't care about sect rules, or human ethics! I just wanted him!"
Tears welled up in Liu Erlong's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. "But... he glanced at me, and his eyes... were filled with shock, shame, and... avoidance. Then... he just turned around, didn't say a word, and left... never looking back."
Tears finally slid down her cheeks, but she immediately wiped them away roughly, as if disgusted by this evidence of weakness.
"I don't believe it! I'm not reconciled!" Her voice trembled with tears, yet was filled with anger and stubbornness. "The man I, Liu Erlong, have chosen shouldn't be so cowardly! He must have his reasons! He values his theories so much, his reputation... He must be afraid of implicating me, afraid of being scorned by the world!"
The wedding turned into a farce and a nightmare for her entire life. Yu Xiaogang disappeared without a trace. She fell seriously ill and became heartbroken. Later, she came to Heaven Dou City alone.
"I thought of Xiao Gang's greatest wish in life, which was to prove his theory and make those who looked down on him look at him with new eyes. He needed a place to put his theory into practice and train his students..." Liu Erlong opened his eyes, a faint but stubborn light rekindling in them.
"So, I used all my savings to found Blue Tyrant Academy. I hoped that one day his theories could flourish here. I've been waiting, waiting for him to come to his senses and return, so we can teach and nurture students together and realize his dream... I've waited twenty years."
Her voice gradually faded, eventually turning into a long sigh filled with endless weariness and waiting. The moonlight shone on her profile, which was no longer young but still beautiful, and the deep-seated devotion and steadfastness she held were both moving and heartbreaking.
She stopped abruptly, as if she dared not even utter that ominous guess. She looked up at Yan Zu, her eyes blurry with tears, as if asking him, or perhaps herself. "Yan Zu, tell me... why won't he come back? Even... just to see me?"
Looking at the usually fiery and strong-willed dean who was now as vulnerable as a lost child, Yan Zu was filled with mixed emotions. Liu Erlong's deep affection and perseverance were touching, but his stubbornness and blindness were also regrettable.
Yan Zu listened quietly, already understanding the situation, but maintained the composure of a listener.
He paused for a moment before speaking slowly, his tone filled with sincere respect. "Dean Liu's deep affection and unwavering commitment to Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, which has remained unchanged for twenty years, is something I deeply admire. This sentiment weighs as heavy as Qian Jun."
Liu Erlong slightly twitched the corners of his mouth, as if he wanted to laugh, but ultimately didn't. His eyes only grew more somber.
However, Yan Zu changed the subject, his tone becoming cautious and serious. "But... after listening to the dean's explanation, I have a few questions in my mind. Perhaps it's presumptuous, but I don't know if I should speak them."
Liu Erlong looked at him. "You say."
Yan Zu carefully considered his words and slowly said, "First of all, it is about your blood relationship with Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang. Dean, you have Mutated Martial Soul, Fire Dragon, and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang has a malignant Mutated Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, but both of you are descended from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Given Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's passion and depth of research into Martial Soul Theory, especially his understanding of family Martial Soul, did he truly have no awareness or doubt whatsoever about your possible blood relationship during the long process of getting to know you, falling in love, and even deciding to marry you?
Even though he was not valued by his family because of his Martial Soul, as a theoretical researcher, he should have been more sensitive than ordinary people to basic family genealogy and bloodline taboos.
Liu Erlong frowned slightly. This question had crossed her mind during her moments of pain and despair, but she always suppressed it immediately, unwilling to think about it deeply.
Now that Yan Zu had asked her so bluntly, the doubt that she had been deliberately ignoring resurfaced in her mind.
Yan Zu continued, "Secondly, there's the timing of Senior Yu Luomian's appearance. Why did it have to be on the wedding day, just as the ceremony was about to conclude? If he had known about this beforehand, he would have stopped it beforehand, and definitely wouldn't have waited until the wedding day, after all, he had to consider his daughter's reputation. But if he only just found out, how did he find out? This timing is far too... coincidental."
He deliberately emphasized the word "coincidence".
Liu Erlong pursed her lips. Yes, why at that time? Yu Luomian... How did he know that back then, because of her mother, she had broken off her relationship with Yu Luomian Yu Luomian even refused to call him father?
She hadn't told Yu Luomian about the wedding, and Flender didn't know who her father was either, so... there was only one person who could...
"Third," Yan Zu's voice remained steady, yet each word was clear, "On the day of the wedding, an unexpected event occurred. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang chose to turn away and left, and for the next twenty years, there was no news of him. I have no intention of judging the pain and struggle in Grandmaster heart at that time, but... leaving you alone in that awkward and desperate situation, facing everything alone, and not asking about you for the next twenty years... this sense of responsibility seems..." He didn't finish, but the meaning was already very clear.
Liu Erlong's breathing quickened slightly, and her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly.
Over the years, what sustained her waiting, besides love, was also a trace of resentment towards that resolute figure from back then, and countless excuses she made for him.
Now that it's been laid bare, the suppressed grievances and doubts surged into my heart like a tidal wave.
(Thanks to Mu Liluo for the monthly ticket support)