Chapter 2776 - 2770: Return

"I know you’re a smart person. Right now, don’t let emotions take over. You just need to leave with your son; avoid any thoughts of revenge,"

"Although the Abyss of Darkness and the Two-headed Snake Clan have promised to spare your child, surely some individuals won’t be satisfied with this outcome. I believe you are aware of what actions they might take,"

"Therefore, the sooner you leave, the better. I’ve said all I wanted to say. The rest of the journey is for you and your son to walk alone. I’m optimistic about your son, but currently, he’s just an angry child, of no use to our Clan of Darkness,"

"Without strength, there is no power to speak. Only with formidable strength can one attain a matching status. I eagerly await the day your son becomes useful to our Clan of Darkness!"

After succinctly finishing this last sentence, An Ye’s figure turned and instantly disappeared from An Tian’s sight.

An Tian stared blankly at the departing Clan Leader, his mind replaying those words, eventually swirling into a silent emotional turmoil. He said nothing more, just bowed deeply toward the direction of the grand hall.

...

Upon hearing the truth of the past events, An Jiao was already in tears. Sitting with the old man on the stone bench outside, tears unknowingly flowed from his eyes. An Jiao couldn’t remember how many years it had been since he last shed a tear, this was the first time in centuries.

He had considered various possibilities, why he and his father hadn’t been punished. Perhaps his father broke them out and escaped from the Clan of Darkness, but such thoughts were too absurd because regardless of the extent of escape, the clan would certainly not let them go.

An Jiao also thought maybe they hadn’t discovered the true origin of the explosion. After all, the Taboo Formation at the time was believed to be known only to him, perhaps they hadn’t uncovered the truth, leaving them unable to catch anyone, and thus let the matter die.

But An Jiao never fathomed the truth was that his father, to save him, kneeled in the heavy rain for ten days and nights, resorting to begging the people of the Abyss of Darkness and the Two-headed Snake Clan to spare him.

Only then did An Jiao finally understand that he survived the severe incident, escaped the death penalty, achieved today’s accomplishments and garnered today’s honors all because of his father kneeling in the rain night, swallowing his pride.

An Jiao closed his eyes, recalling his father’s demeanor and smile. He could hardly imagine how his resolute and brave father could lower himself to kneel and beg in the rain.

Disregarding what the clan thought of him, sacrificing his dignity, even throwing it away for the slimmest chance to save his son.

During those ten days and nights, An Tian didn’t know what the outcome would be, nor whether his actions could save his son’s life, yet he unwaveringly knelt down, bowing again and again with great determination.

He begged the Abyss of Darkness, the members of the Two-headed Snake Clan, even Clan Leader An Ye himself. Regardless of how far he walked or how many times he bowed, his father’s sole belief in that heavy rain was to ensure his son’s survival.

Even if it required sacrificing his own life, it was worth it!

It was only at this moment that An Jiao eventually recalled the afternoon he woke from severe injuries, seeing his father in the canyon, and wondered why there was a scar on his father’s head. Yet his father remained calmly and composedly, even though not long before he’d endured what might have been the greatest humiliation of his life in the rain.

An Jiao remembered his father’s words to him that day: "There’s no need to talk about that day’s events anymore, I know everything. I know you were forced, those people compelled and bullied you, leading you to use the Taboo Formation,"

"I don’t blame you at all, never thought you did anything wrong. I know my son is innocent. Before coming here, someone told me to advise you to think thrice before acting, about the consequences of your actions,"

"Father believes this advice is correct, but today I have something more important to tell you. When others bully you,"

"When you can endure no more, do not endure further!"

"All men are born equal, the only difference is strength, not nobility. Father intends to tell you today that we have never been inferior people, but equal to them, and you must remember father’s words,"

"Although you should think thrice before acting, when you can endure no more, do not endure further. When you can bear the consequences, go ahead,"

"Sometimes we need to consider the consequences, sometimes we don’t!"

"In this lifetime, the most important thing is to fight for yourself. Your future is yours alone!"

"Father’s greatest pride and joy in this life is having you as his son, regardless of your achievements, you are my pride, my life’s honor."

On that afternoon upon hearing his father’s words, An Jiao, though not entirely understanding the meaning, still cried.

It was only now, upon knowing the whole truth, that An Jiao comprehended the profound intentions embedded in his father’s words back then, he cried again. Not for any other reason, but because he finally understood his father’s heartfelt intentions.

Father had long known why An Jiao used the Taboo Formation back then. Although his impulsive actions resulted in his own severe injury, killing two people, and severely injuring another, causing tremendous trouble for his father making him suffer humiliating requests for forgiveness to save An Jiao’s life.

Despite these adversities, during those years of practicing with his father, he never brought up the matter, nor uttered any complaints, but continued to provide An Jiao the greatest support and trust.

This unwavering support, trust, and long-term training companionship eventually resulted in the Arcane Master who shocked the Dark World, gaining fame even spreading to other worlds. Letting races of other worlds know that the originally most valorized, not proficient in nor even belittling the Arcane Arts and formation of the Dark World, actually did produce a naturally gifted Arcane Master adept in Arcane Arts with expertise in formation—An Jiao!

Years later, after making a breakthrough in research, An Jiao confidently returned to the Clan of Darkness with the results of his years of diligent research.

But this time he wasn’t returning for revenge, he was returning to find someone.