Chapter 13: This Grudge Isn't Over
Spring passed and autumn came; the sun and moon flew like a shuttle.
In the blink of an eye, three years had already passed.
Things unfolded exactly as Qian Zhaoguang had anticipated. Huo Yutong's desire to move out with her mother was thwarted.
The Duchess invoked various rules and regulations, obstructing them at every turn, and even the old butler couldn't contend against her.
Ultimately, due to accumulated illness from overwork, compounded by the Duchess's constant targeting, Huo Yun'er passed away forever in the year Huo Yutong turned seven.
The only concession the old butler managed to secure was the right to move out of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion with Qian Zhaoguang and Huo Yutong after properly arranging Huo Yun'er's burial, settling down in Star Luo City.
As a Soul Saint expert and the former head butler of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, his savings were quite substantial.
Buying a small courtyard house and raising and teaching two children was more than manageable.
In fact, he had anticipated these events long ago, and all preparations for moving had already been arranged in advance.
In this regard, the Duchess offered no hindrance, even providing some convenience.
Her objective was clear: You can leave, but Huo Yun'er must die here in this Duke's Mansion where I can see it.
The blow of her mother's death left Huo Yutong without a smile on her face for a full six months. She threw herself into cultivation like mad, solely focused on the day she could stand before Dai Hao and seek justice for her mother.
She had now officially become a Rank 20+ (Two Ring) Soul Grandmaster, steadily progressing towards the rank of Soul Venerable.
Of course, Qian Zhaoguang hadn't slacked off either.
Although they had left the Duke's Mansion two years prior, his forging teacher, the old blacksmith, had numerous connections in Star Luo City.
He found another highly respected and technically skilled old blacksmith to become Qian Zhaoguang's new master. For the past two years, Qian Zhaoguang had continued his training there.
After three years dedicated to forging, his cultivation and forging skills, complementing each other, had both improved significantly.
In at most another month, Qian Zhaoguang would be able to complete the first stage of the Golden Body Art, cultivating his body to the state of a Flawless Body.
At that point, he could also escape the awkwardness of having no cultivation rank and officially begin practicing the Qi Refining Art.
Aside from his Extreme Ice Light Martial Soul remaining as quirky as ever, everything else was progressing quite well.
It was worth mentioning that Qian Zhaoguang no longer relied on random chance to activate his soul's ability; through experimentation, he had figured out how to reliably manifest the blue light blade.
It just didn't last very long.
With the mere sliver of soul power currently remaining in his body, he could only sustain it for about three seconds.
Late at night, Huo Yutong was already in her room, engaged in her mandatory daily meditation, while Qian Zhaoguang was in his own room, contemplating the days ahead.
Suddenly, the door opened soundlessly. Standing outside was the old butler.
Qian Zhaoguang looked up, pleasantly surprised.
"Eh? Grandpa, you're finally back! How did it go? Was everything successful?"
Half a month ago, the old butler had suddenly announced he needed to go out to handle some matters.
He had initially said he would be back in a week.
Unexpectedly, it had dragged on until today.
The old butler made a hushing gesture, but seemed to use too much force, sucking in sharp breaths of cold air through his teeth.
"Grandpa! You're injured!"
Qian Zhaoguang instantly noticed blood seeping from the old butler's waist area. He hurriedly helped him into the room and began pulling out medicine from his storage ring.
"Don't... don't bother... cough cough cough cough..."
The old butler grabbed Qian Zhaoguang's hand, which had already pulled out a large pile of medicine, hissing from the pain, which in his agitation triggered his old injuries again.
"Xiao Guang, I don't have much time. Listen to me carefully."
Not much time?
A loud roar echoed in Qian Zhaoguang's mind, his thoughts becoming somewhat hazy.
A severe injury to the waist, returning home twice as late as planned... this could only mean one thing.
Ambushed!
His eyes were already red. Suppressing the immense grief and rage in his heart, he replied tremblingly.
"You speak, go ahead!"
"Hck... cough cough cough..."
A mouthful of black blood spilled from the old butler's lips. With trembling hands, he removed the silver bracelet from his wrist.
"This... this bracelet contains all of Grandpa's possessions... the specifics... you can look yourself... Use it sparingly... it should be enough for you two to live on... After I die, remember to cremate my body, along with the bloodstained bedding and clothes in the room... burn everything, leave no trace behind..."
Qian Zhaoguang, possessing a Light-type Martial Soul, was inherently sensitive to certain types of power.
Being extremely familiar with the original story, he had already roughly deduced the cause and effect.
On the Douluo Continent, where cremation was not commonly practiced, the old butler instructing him to burn his body could only mean one thing besides Evil Soul Masters.
Unconsciously, the Extreme Ice Light had already manifested on his chest, emitting a coldness far more intense than ever before.
Furthermore, the temperature was still dropping.
"It was Evil Soul Masters who ambushed you, wasn't it! I will make them pay with their blood!"
Qian Zhaoguang's voice became extremely grim, the knuckles of his clenched fists cracking audibly.
The old butler weakly grasped his fist.
"The ambush... the ones who ambushed me... have already been dealt with by me. Don't try to seek revenge for me, you are no match for them... Don't go... get yourself killed... Take Yutong, live well."
Qian Zhaoguang clenched his fists tighter and tighter.
How could he possibly give up on avenging the old butler?
His only family member across two lifetimes was about to perish before his eyes. How could he remain indifferent?
Holy Spirit Cult, from this day forward, you and I are irreconcilable enemies!
But in front of the old butler, even if monstrous rage filled his heart, Qian Zhaoguang had to forcibly suppress it.
"I promise you!"
Seeing him finally agree, the expression on the old butler's face gradually relaxed.
It seemed the wound bleeding from his abdomen no longer hurt; his countenance looked incredibly serene.
"It's a pity... Grandpa won't be able... to walk with you any further... I just feel I've let down... the person who entrusted you to me..."
The old butler smiled freely, gently holding Qian Zhaoguang's hand, just like in the old days.
"Grandpa..."
Qian Zhaoguang's voice trembled. He could no longer hold back, suppressing his sobs as he wept bitterly.
Large teardrops rolled down from his eyes, hitting the ground and the bed, transforming into tiny ice shards.
The light was fading from the old butler's eyes, yet he still stared forcefully in Qian Zhaoguang's direction.
His dark pupils reflected Qian Zhaoguang's figure.
"A real man... what are you crying for? From now on, treat Xiao Tong as your own sister... Live well..."
Black blood flowed simultaneously from the old butler's seven facial orifices, his aura growing increasingly faint and weak.
His vision was blurring. His right hand waved aimlessly in the air, trying to touch his grandson's head.
Choking back sobs, Qian Zhaoguang leaned down, placing the old butler's hand against his own cheek.
Once, that hand had been so swift, so powerful; even Millennium Soul Beasts couldn't withstand the might of his fist, capable of launching hundreds of attacks within a single breath.
But now, it struggled even to straighten.
Using the last vestiges of his strength, the old butler patted Qian Zhaoguang's head just like he used to.
"A bit... cold..."
With those words, the hand suddenly dropped, as if drained of all strength.
The old butler's life force, at that moment, vanished completely.
(End of Chapter)