C6 The Father and Son Talk at Night

In the mourning hall of the House of Dawnward, Shen Wuyou followed his father inside for the first time to pay respects to his late mother.

The King of Dawnward held the offering incense, which ignited spontaneously without a flame, and placed it in the incense burner.

"Yuyan, you always wished for Wuyou to grow up healthy and happy. Can you see him now? He's become a man. Today, Wuyou has made us proud by winning first place in the King's Gauntlet, earning a reward and a fief from His Majesty. You must be overjoyed."

The King of Dawnward, a renowned warrior who had repelled the devil tide countless times, revealed a softness in front of his wife's memorial tablet that no one had ever witnessed.

It was clear to Shen Wuyou how deeply his father loved his mother.

Otherwise, with his status, character, and looks, he would have had countless suitors. Yet, for fifteen years, he never remarried, even declining matches proposed by the Empress.

"Wuyou, offer incense to your mother," the King of Dawnward suddenly said.

Shen Wuyou stepped forward, lit the incense with a fire striker, and placed it in the censer.

Then, he knelt on the cushion and deeply bowed three times before his mother's memorial tablet.

In his past life, Shen Wuyou was an orphan taken in by a foster father and had never known a mother's love. In this life, his mother had given him a taste of that love, albeit for a mere three years.

But those three years were enough to leave an indelible mark on Shen Wuyou's heart.

"Mother, I am deeply sorry. I haven't visited you once in fifteen years... I have never forgotten the night you died, all those years ago."

The King of Dawnward's expression grew somber at the mention of that fateful night fifteen years prior.

Facing his mother's memorial tablet, Shen Wuyou continued:

"People say that at my birth, I triggered a catastrophic lightning tribulation. The chaotic storm not only ruined my spiritual roots, making cultivation impossible, but it also harmed you, leading to your death three years later... Their defamation doesn't bother me. What matters is that I know the true reason for your passing."

"If I possessed the same talent for cultivation as my father, one day, we could join forces to exact revenge for you, Mother. But I don't have that gift. I can't cultivate at all, and my inability has even held my father back."

"Therefore, I must rely on my own methods to strive hard, to fulfill my dreams, and... to one day avenge you, Mother."

As he spoke, Shen Wuyou's face contorted with rage, and his voice became a snarl.

"They all think I'm unaware, but I remember it all too well! I will never forget! That man... he deserves to die. He shouldn't still be sitting there, he..."

"Enough, Wuyou!" the King of Dawnward interjected sharply.

Shen Wuyou inhaled deeply, quickly composing himself. He wiped his eyes and turned to his father, asking, "Father, no one else can hear us, right?"

The King of Dawnward gazed at his son, realizing that he had never truly known him.

"Going forward, don't speak of these matters so lightly," the King of Dawnward advised.

"I understand."

The difference between "Don't speak of these matters" and "Don't speak of these matters so lightly" was subtle yet significant.

The King of Dawnward gestured towards the chairs at the table, inviting a more formal conversation.

Seated opposite each other, the King of Dawnward said, "You've come of age and received your own fief. Whatever you wish to pursue, I support you. I will assign Chiying to accompany you."

"Chiying?" The image of a frail, timid figure who used to hide behind his father surfaced in Shen Wuyou's mind.

"Is she the Half-demon you found on the battlefield?"

Shen Wuyou recalled the first time he met the girl; his mother was still alive then, and the girl was only three or four years old, shy and scared. She had burst into tears when Shen Wuyou playfully claimed that the House of Dawnward harbored beasts that devoured demons.

"She has now become the Guard General of Drakehaven," the King of Dawnward announced.

Drakehaven was a fortress in the east, with three senior generals, four generals, and twelve guard generals beneath the City Lord.

A Guard General held a position at the sixth level and had to attain the Golden Core Realm. They needed not only the cultivation but also the capability to lead troops and manage both internal and external affairs. Chiying's rapid rise to such a significant role, despite her youth, was undoubtedly influenced by her connection to the King of Dawnward. Nevertheless, knowing his character, he would not have entrusted her with such responsibility had she not possessed the necessary skills.

Shen Wuyou was acutely aware that his father, the King of Dawnward, had assigned Chiying, his most trusted aide, to accompany him. His father likely harbored concerns about his ability to become a competent Overlord in his new fief, given his inexperience with governance and military matters. With Chiying at his side, he would at least have someone to offer guidance.

"I'm actually quite excited to meet that young lady," Shen Wuyou said with a smile.

"There's something I don't quite understand," the King of Dawnward interjected. "You had your pick of fiefs. The Southern Domain is filled with prosperous lands, and the Eastern Domain is replete with blessed sites. Each region has its own living conditions, economic resources, and cultural talents. Yet, why did you choose Redstone Bay in the Northern Wastes?"

"Redstone Bay lacks all the advantages I've mentioned. Most critically, the devil tide will arrive in three months, and without any defenses, the people will flee, and Redstone Bay could be destroyed once again. What exactly is your purpose for going there?"

Shen Wuyou's smile grew even more radiant.

"It's because, to me, Redstone Bay is a treasure, a true treasure land!"

"Father, please trust me. I won't disappoint you."

"I'll prove it to you in due time."

Seeing that Shen Wuyou was reluctant to elaborate, the King of Dawnward refrained from pressing further.

The father and son continued their conversation for another hour. Shen Wuyou was soon to depart from the Imperial City.

An hour later, the King of Dawnward gazed out the window with a thoughtful expression and said, "Alright, I've said all that needs to be said. It's getting late; you should head back to your room and rest. Remember, you have my support, and the entire House of Dawnward stands behind you. If you ever find it too difficult out there, you can always come back."

"Yes, Father," Shen Wuyou replied, feeling a twinge of emotion. He turned and made his way to the door. As he was about to push open the door to the mourning chamber, he paused and looked back.

"It may not be appropriate to say this in front of my mother, but... Father, it's been fifteen years. After I leave, perhaps you should consider finding companionship again. It's lonely to dine alone at home."