Chapter 5 (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhou Yan stepped foot into the forbidden grounds of the Zhou Household.
Upon stepping foot into these grounds, Zhou Yan was gobsmacked as he was absolutely captivated and overwhelmed by the sight of its majesty. It felt like a dream for him.
It was just moments ago that the lad’s father assigned him a task in seeking a cure for the ailment that plagued him for ages. However, in only four hourglass’ cycle of time, there his father laid, atop cotton woven sheets.
Staring at the blood-soaked body that was drowning in its own blood was indeed terrifying.
The silence in the forbidden grounds was deafening. Not a single hum could be heard in the room.
A slight twitch of the head was noticed as the body laid, completely drained of strength in the pool of blood. It took every ounce of strength that remained from that person to turn his head. With a coarse and deep voice, the person muttered softly, “Little’ Yan, is that you, my child?”
“Yes, father.”
Zhou Yan felt a sting at the corner of his eyes that was intensifying as he tried to remain focused by mustering every ounce of will to fight back the ferocity of his incoming tears. The young lad dared not show any emotions as he feared his father would be able to sense it.
Thus, the young lad inched slowly beside the blood-soaked middle-aged man and knelt beside his father.
As the middle-aged man opened his blood-covered eyes, a wave of ferocity filled to the brim with extreme killer intent and blood lust emanated from his own blade’s essence through his eyes.
However, the predaceous nature of his sharp, menacing gaze faded away the moment his eyes drifted to meet Zhou Yan. That ferocious gaze instantly morphed into unparalleled warmth filled with love. It was a gentle and kind love that was impossible to describe in words.
This kind of gentle love was a first for Zhou Yan. Never before in the countless conversations and experiences, he shared with his father did he ever felt his father’s love. This paternal bond he shared was undeniably deeper than the trenches of any ocean that ever existed in this realm. The fatherly love that was showered unto Zhou Yan topped even the highest peaks of any mountains of this realm.
As the young lad, Zhou Yan, knelt, his young heart wrenched as he focused on the horrific state his father currently was in.
At this very moment, Zhou Yan was plagued by the questions bombarding his mind. Who could it possibly be to have harmed his own father to the state of such horror? Who could have robbed his father of the glimmer of hope he worked so desperately hard to regain by harming him to such a degree, to have obliterated all hopes of the entirety of the Zhou family?
Even though, through the many failures that befell the Zhou family, how could such a majestical family stand idle and remain ignorant in such a dire situation?
Zhou Yan almost lost his composure at the instant these plaguing thoughts surfaced in his mind.
“Heed my words child, my dear Little Yan. Rely only on the abilities of your own two hands, and never in any instant will you beg for any form of assistance from any living soul. Do you understand, child?”
The man spoke with a soft but deep mutter under his breath as he laid still in his very own blood.
Zhou Yan said nothing and reflected upon his growing regrets, ‘Throughout these years, I have seen all the mockery and judgments from the common-folk which befell our family. Would there possibly be a living soul left to beg from, even if begging was my only intention and option left…?
‘The very moment I was so gracefully blessed from the unique encounter and inherited the will and essence of the ancient sage, I have decided to never again beg from any living soul,’ thought Zhou Yan to himself.
In Zhou Wangchen’s trembling, frail grasp was the hand-carved effigy. The lad gifted the carving to his son in his extremely weakened state after he made his last statement. Without hesitation, Zhou Yan immediately received the carving from his father’s hands.
The young lad, Zhou Yan, lowered his head and glanced at his father’s sad face upon receiving the carving. He was stunned at what he saw.
Zhou Wangchen noticed the mildly stunned expression on his son’s face. He focused his weakened gaze onto his son. He had a look of glee and contempt. He whispered, “You noticed, child?”
“Yes.” Zhou Yan nodded.
Zhou Wangchen was always blunt in his words. He made no exception even at this dire moment.
“I know with every passing moment; I draw closer to death. However, there is still value in my life. The majesty of our Zhou family will soon arrive to preserve what little remained of my life’s breath.”
“If there is a future, one day, if you succeed in gaining honor from the magnificent majesty of our Zhou family, you may request that my plaguing ailments be healed by the majesty.”
As Zhou Wangchen spoke to his son, he took a deep breath as his piercing eyes gazed at his beloved child. There was pain and remorse in his eyes. “There were things, things that I can’t possibly explain to you. However, you must remain determined with an unbending will of steel.”
“As I am your father, I do not fear death, but now, however, I can’t die just yet. My only hope now is for you, my beloved child, to reach the peak of a blade’s heart.”
“Take my words to heart, child, do not disappoint me. Before you reach the peak of a blade’s heart, you are not to allow the truth of this event to plague your mind and, even more so, obsess over avenging my death. Lay this matter to rest child, for it has met its conclusion. It will take some time for our Zhou family to regain a stable foothold.”
Zhou Wangchen’s words weighed on him as his breath became weak and shallow.
Zhou Yan’s heart wrenched and throbbed with overwhelming sorrow. Both the lad’s palms bled as he clenched his fists tightly.
Even though certain things mystified the young lad, what he understood about his father was that he was a man with immense powers and for him to be stooped down to such a level of insignificance, he would have to shoulder an enormous burden of unspoken reasons to have made such a choice.
From his father’s words, the young lad deduced confidently that this very choice was probably the product of charity that resulted in him being able to have the opportunity for such power and success.
Ever since his father fell from grace, the majesty of the Zhou family always acted coldly towards the branch of the Zhou family, for that branch never really concerned the matters of the Zhou family that resided in the Canglan City. Why did it worry them now?
Zhou Yan simply inferred his own conclusions as he did not know the truth and reasons for his questions.
No longer was he the same naive, clueless child the lad once was since he inherited the will and collective memories which spanned a lifetime of the ancient sage from a land afar simply known as ‘Earth’!
“I will honor your graceful words, father. Rest well father, all will be well upon your awakening!”
Zhou Yan’s spoken words were filled with resolve and determination.
Not a single hint of sorrow and forced courage was shown on the young lad’s face. However, it was through his son’s unbending resolve that was demonstrated at this moment that Zhou Wangchen felt peace.
“Oh, how you have grown my beloved Little Yan. As your father, I am proud of how you’ve matured.”
As Zhou Wangchen softly uttered those words, his eyes grew heavier as he slowly shut his eyes.
Those eyes were once known for their deadly captivating abilities, for they were responsible for captivating the hearts of countless women. The instant those eyes were shut, gone were the colors of life as his essence of life was drained until nothing was left in the presence of his voided eyes.
Alas, Zhou Yan’s heart shuddered along with his soul as he felt a crushing weight falling unto him.
However, the young lad never succumbed to his sorrow as knelt on the floor, motionless.