“Grandfather, what’s really going on with big brother’s injury?” Po Kong’s voice trembled slightly, his gaze darting between Sui Yun’s pale face and Sword Saint Cang Lan’s solemn expression.
“Sigh... he’s barely clinging to life,” the old man sighed. “Who told this brat to overexert himself? I’ve warned him many times not to use the War God Battle Qi anymore.”
Starlight turned urgently to Moen. “Quick, check on Brother Sui Yun! With your medical skills...”
But Sword Saint Cang Lan shook his head and waved his hand. “It’s no use. I already took him to Star-Song Forest for that reason. Although we didn’t see Angela, we consulted many priests. They could only treat the symptoms, not the cause. The medicine just now was prescribed by them.”
“That can’t be...” Po Kong rushed forward, his eyes full of pleading. “Moen, look again. Maybe the others misdiagnosed him?”
Moen nodded slightly and walked to the wheelchair. She placed her slender fingers on Sui Yun’s shoulder and released her mana.
As time passed, her brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
“It’s an origin wound caused by War God Battle Qi backlash. I didn’t expect it to be this severe,” Moen’s voice was dry. “Using ordinary healing magic will only worsen the injury.”
“That’s not right! When I suffered backlash, it could be cured. Why is it different for big brother!?” Po Kong was dazed for a moment, stumbling and leaning against the desk to keep from falling.
Seeing Moen let go, Sword Saint Cang Lan could only shake his head helplessly. He knew Sui Yun’s situation all too well. Unless Sui Yun achieved Saint Rank immediately, he likely wouldn’t survive the year with such injuries.
At this moment, Xia Duo, who had been silent, suddenly looked up. “Sister, there might still be a chance. Don’t we still have the ‘Dragon God’s Tears’?”
These words made everyone’s eyes light up.
When they were choosing thank-you gifts, Moen had asked Yserazor for his remaining Dragon God’s Tears and the formula for research. However, because they had been traveling and hadn’t found suitable materials to replicate it, she had put the matter out of her mind.
“That’s right!” Realizing this, Moen immediately took a crystal bottle from her storage space, containing half a portion of seven-colored liquid.
“Wait, do you remember what the Rift Dragon King said? If a normal person takes this, it might turn into poison! Brother Sui Yun...” Starlight reminded her.
“If you’re worried about Sui Yun’s body, don’t be. This boy has carried the War God Battle Qi in his physical body for so many years; he’s long since passed the definition of an ‘ordinary person,’” the old Duke interjected. “If it’s truly effective, you can try a small dose first. If it can really cure Sui Yun, I will reward you handsomely.”
“Alright, I’ll do my best, but I need a quiet room for the treatment.” Moen nodded.
“Then go to the next room. Po Kong, and you—stay behind.” Grand Duke Cang Lan pointed to a door on the side of the study, then spoke to Po Kong and Starlight.
Moen understood immediately. She and Xia Duo pushed Sui Yun’s wheelchair toward the next room. Xi Xi and Maela also ran after them, not forgetting to turn back and give Starlight a “don’t worry” gesture before leaving.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere in the study changed abruptly. With a wave of Sword Saint Cang Lan’s sleeve, a golden sword qi barrier instantly enveloped the room.
“Now, let’s talk about other things.” When the old man turned around, his eyes were no longer the kind eyes of a grandfather but the sharp, piercing gaze of a Sword Saint. “Has something happened to the Dragon Race? For such a young member of the royal bloodline to be traveling alone...”
Sword Saint Cang Lan had clearly recognized Xi Xi’s identity and immediately voiced his suspicions.
Starlight and Po Kong exchanged looks, knowing they couldn’t hide anything from this experienced Sword Saint. Thus, they recounted their journey in detail.
From the upheaval in Dragon Valley and the fall of the Gold Flame Dragon King to the journey to the Northlands and the appearance of the Goddess of the Earth and the Fire God...
The old Sword Saint listened quietly. A rare trace of melancholy appeared on his usually impassive face. “What a pity. For that old dragon to fall under such circumstances... you all have actually done very well.”
After a brief sigh, his tone shifted. “Furthermore, what do you think of those beastkin at the city gate?”
Po Kong frowned and thought for a moment. “I heard Quick say they came specifically to watch the Magic Grand Arena... and they wanted to discuss something with us...”
“Hmph!” The old Sword Saint let out a cold laugh, and the temperature in the study plummeted to freezing. “Since when did those beasts become so interested in elemental magic? You actually believed such a clumsy excuse?”
“Grandfather, are you saying they have other intentions for this trip? But there are fewer than fifty beastkin... they wouldn’t come to the Royal Capital just to die. And there seems to be someone of very high status in their group, so I don’t think...” Po Kong replied.
“And you? What do you think?” Unexpectedly, the old Duke suddenly looked at Starlight.
Starlight’s heart skipped a beat at the sudden question. “My thoughts are similar to Po Kong’s. Assuming there really is someone of high status with them, they shouldn’t be doing something so detrimental to everyone, right?”
But the old Duke snorted. “You two are still too young. Remember... those who are not of our kind are sure to have different hearts!”
“Since they’ve come so openly, they must have made thorough preparations. It’s not convenient for me to step in for certain matters, so I hope you two will keep an eye out.”
“Also, I heard your name is Starlight-White? What is your relationship to Arthur White?”
Starlight’s heart jolted. He answered softly, “Wait... that is my father.”
“No wonder... there is indeed a resemblance. I didn’t expect him to have an heir. What happened back then was truly regrettable.” Hearing Starlight’s answer, the old Duke’s gaze softened once more.
“You knew my father?”
“Is it that surprising? Though it’s normal that you wouldn't know. In the campaign against the Demons sixteen years ago, your father Arthur was the Chief Mage of our army’s Second Legion. Unfortunately, they encountered the Sea Demon while pursuing the remnants of the Demon army. I... didn’t make it in time after all...”
“This...” Starlight fell silent. He had never imagined he would learn about his father’s past here, in this way.
Po Kong looked at his grandfather in shock. “Wait! No wonder the surname ‘White’ sounded familiar when I met Little Star. It turns out...”
The old Duke gave a bitter smile and nodded. “Yes... we lost too much in that battle, including your two uncles. If only I could have arrived a bit sooner...”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Starlight sighed softly. He knew he couldn’t direct his anger at anyone.
“Starlight, you’re here to participate in the Magic Grand Arena too, right? I owed your father a favor. If you can achieve a good enough result in this competition, I will give you a chance to enter the War God Secret Realm.” The old Sword Saint said solemnly.
“Whoa! For real? Grandfather, didn’t you say only those with the War God bloodline could enter? Was that a lie?” Hearing this, Po Kong’s eyes widened.
“War God Secret Realm? What is that?” Starlight asked, puzzled.
“It is one of the cores that has allowed the House of Mars to endure for ten thousand years, and the greatest foundation that keeps the War God clan strong,” the old Duke said. “Your master, Carlos Noah, once entered it.”
“Opening the secret realm does indeed require the War God bloodline as a catalyst... but if I am willing to pay a certain price, it is not impossible to send you in.”
Starlight nodded solemnly. “I will give it my all.”
The old Duke pondered for a moment before continuing, “One more thing. Regarding your father’s title of Viscount... it was reclaimed by the royal family after he passed away. If you are interested, I can petition His Majesty to restore it.”
“There’s no need for that. A title... doesn’t really mean much to me. I’d rather know if there are any other members of my family still around,” Starlight asked.
“As far as I know, you should be the only direct descendant of the House of White left, though there might be some distant branches...” The old Duke frowned slightly. “Why, do you wish to find your kin?”
Starlight looked out the window at the darkening sky. “No, I just wanted to know if there’s anyone else in this world who shares the same blood as me...”
...
Rate on N.U.
