“I, Li Er, will not disappoint you and Mr. Chu. I promise to do my best to protect your son and bring him up. I swear on my life that I will do my utmost to shield him from any harm!” Li Er prostrated himself in front of Qiu Mucheng.
Lei San followed suit and swore, “I will do the same!”
Chen Ao, his reddened eyes still brimming with tears, similarly promised he would lay down his life for the task.
After that, all of them sat down and had a long talk.
“Won't you reconsider your decision and head back to Yunzhou with us, Mrs. Chu? In comparison, you will be safer going there with us than staying in Jiangbei. We are really worried Chu Sect will come after you.” Before they take their leave, the three men made one last attempt to persuade Qiu Mucheng to change her mind.
She gave them a small smile and stood her ground.
“Don't worry, Mr. Li. I am merely a small fry, a commoner who has no influence nor power. Chu Sect, being one of the superpowers in the world, will not waste their time and energy coming after an insignificant person like me. Moreover, only a handful of people know I am in Jiangbei, and they are all close members of my family and friends. So even if Chu Sect wants to come after me, it will not be easy for them to find me.” Again, she turned them down.
In the end, Id Erand his companions left for Yunzhou with only Fan Junior, while Qiu Mucheng remained in Jiangbei.
“Mommy, I will come back and visit you often...” Fan Junior promised, then gave his mother three respectful bows before getting into the car to head to Jiangdong with Li Er.
It was a common parting scene, with promises and hopes of meeting again. However, sometimes that could be the last goodbye.
As time flew by, memories would fade and promises would be forgotten. All things had to come to an end.
On the way to Jiangdong, the luxurious car sped on the expressway at full speed in the dark.
Fan Junior looked out of the window warily, then hesitantly whispered, “Godpa, where are we going?”
“We are going home,” Li Er replied.
“But I just left home!” The little fella was puzzled.
Li Er shook his head. “That is not your home! Jiangdong is your real home, the home that your daddy built for you.”
“Daddy? What is his name?” The little boy repeated that unfamiliar word. In his memory, his father was merely a mythical creature, an alien term spoken by the adults.
“His name is Chu Tianfan. Rememberthat, my boy. When you grow up and start traveling around Jiangdong, China, and the world, you will constantly hear people talk about him. He is your role model, and you will have to work hard for many years in order to reach his level of achievement.”
“However, we believe someday you will attain greater heights than him. You must do that, as you have to finish your dad's unfinished work. Only you can do that!” Li Er replied firmly, with a determined look in his eyes.
As he spoke, the old man's mind flashed back to that bloody evening, and those cold, evil faces.
Chu Sect, you caused Mr. Chu's death, but thankfully he left us his heir. Your glorious days will not last. Just wait and see. It may take ten years or even twenty years, but someday, his son will lead Dragon God Hall down the same path and fulfill his dad's dreams. Everyone in Jiangdong will be behind him!
Li Er clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh. His intense hatred for Chu Sect burned as he recalled the death of Ye Fan. He was determined to protect Ye Fan's son, come what may.
The boy was their last hope, the last spark that could set the world ablaze, just like what Ye Fan had envisioned in his Operation Ablaze.
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