Chapter 1134 - 376: I Don’t Want You Crowned in Glory, I Just Want You Safe and Sound

"Actually, Bai Zhiyong isn’t entirely innocent. That path leads directly to the Star Cleansing Ice Crystal. If I can sacrifice myself for the Divine Land, they should face the same risks. Not to mention, they went out of their way to obtain the lockdown rights—this is their duty." Su Yue thought for a moment before pointing in the direction of the Star Cleansing Stone.

In that area, a dense horde of Short-Snare Pigs had gathered. Because the Star Cleansing Stone was broken, these beasts had gone mad.

Although Bai Zhiyong was a Rank-Seven, his Qi Blood level was appallingly weak, and he didn’t even know a single combat technique. He might not fear a single Short-Snare Pig, but it was impossible for him not to fear an entire herd. As for the other Qi and Blood Martial Artists, they were nothing but a bunch of trash.

He was a citizen of the Divine Land, and he abided by its laws. But drawing a sword wasn’t the only way to kill a few people. If the Divine Land couldn’t sentence them to death, then it would be done the Wet Realm way. It was fine for him to take risks, but those Qi and Blood Martial Artists had to do the same. It was perfectly fair and reasonable.

"Sigh, it’s true. I have nothing to say and nothing to refute." The atmosphere froze for a few seconds before Yuan Longhan let out a bitter laugh.

Su Yue was smarter than his father and more adept at using the rules. If it were Su Qingfeng, he might have killed someone directly out of impulse. But Su Yue was different; he knew how to exploit the system. Bai Zhiyong could use the rules to survive, but Su Yue could just as easily use them to strip away Bai Zhiyong’s chance at life. This kid was not simple.

Exactly! Since Bai Zhiyong had obtained the mountain lockdown qualifications, he was obligated to go in. As for whether he lived or died, that would be up to fate. In the Divine Land, it was all too normal for a Martial Artist to die in the Wet Realm.

Yuan Longhan had his selfish motives; he indeed wanted Bai Zhiyong to scrape by and live. But to reach his current position as Marshal, his greatest skill was knowing how to make trade-offs. One Su Yue was more important than ten thousand Bai Zhiyongs.

"I will notify the Zhenqin Corps and have Bai Zhiyong and his men take a trip into the bamboo forest." Yuan Longhan agreed to Su Yue’s condition. Although Bai Zhiyong would very likely die, the Star Cleansing Ice Crystal was clearly much more important to the Divine Land.

Su Yue nodded at Yuan Longhan and added, "Thank you, Marshal.

"As for whether I can venture into the Eight Races Sacred Land, I’ll listen to my dad.

"If my dad agrees to let me go, I will go.

"If he disagrees, I have no obligation to throw my life away."

Hearing this, Yuan Longhan looked at Su Qingfeng. His eyes were filled with anticipation.

Su Qingfeng bowed solemnly to Yuan Longhan. "Marshal, I’m sorry.

"If you want me to take the risk, I will go, but I refuse to be a father burying his son.

"As a parent, I don’t think Su Yue can bear such a heavy responsibility. He is still just a child.

"I reject this mission.

"I’m sorry."

The man before him was his savior. He could die for Yuan Longhan, but Su Yue couldn’t. His son had no obligation to pay off his debts for him.

"Son, my expectation for you isn’t that you’ll be crowned in glory. I just want you to be safe and sound," Su Qingfeng said, pinching Su Yue’s muddy cheek.

His son had already endured enough. The Divine Land belonged to everyone; it was impossible for his son to shoulder everything alone.

"Mm, Qingfeng, I respect your opinion and understand your thoughts!" Yuan Longhan wasn’t angry. He stepped forward and patted Su Qingfeng on the shoulder to show his agreement.

Su Qingfeng was a prisoner, and Su Yue was a student. Neither father nor son had a military duty to fulfill.

***

The ensuing events proceeded without a hitch.

Under Yuan Longhan’s orders, Bai Zhiyong and his men were escorted back into the Wet Realm. Despite Bai Zhiyong’s loud wailing and frantic cries for help, the group from the Ketone Trust Group was forcibly driven deep into the bamboo forest.

The group’s fate was miserable. The assistant was the first to be torn to shreds by the Short-Snare Pig herd. Literally torn to shreds. There was no chance of survival—the Short-Snare Pigs were all Rank-Five in strength, and even slightly stronger than Divine Land Martial Artists of the same rank. In the end, aside from Bai Zhiyong, no one survived.

But Bai Zhiyong was completely crippled. One of his legs was torn apart by the Short-Snare Pigs, and one arm was snapped off at the base. While his other arm remained attached, half of his hand had been bitten off. Relying on his Rank-Seven Qi Blood, Bai Zhiyong managed to survive, but he was left a permanent invalid. Sometimes, living was far more miserable than dying.

Su Yue also kept his promise. With the help of Su Qingfeng and Yuan Longhan, he finally succeeded in retrieving the transparent Star Cleansing Ice Crystal. Although Yuan Longhan and Su Qingfeng couldn’t unleash their Grandmaster-level strength, they were Combat Martial Artists after all. Even with low-tier Qi Blood intensity, it was more than enough for them to fend off the Short-Snare Pig herd.

"Su Yue, train hard and strive to become a powerhouse in the future." Once the matter was settled, Yuan Longhan gathered the materials and prepared to leave the Wet Realm. Without the Star Cleansing Stone, the seal on the bamboo forest had already begun to loosen. Before leaving, he offered Su Yue his sincere encouragement.

The Star Cleansing Ice Crystal was now in his hands. Although only Su Yue could achieve a 100 percent compatibility rate with it, the Research Institute could still barely adapt it for other Martial Artists to use. Thus, he didn’t force Su Yue any further.

"Mm!" Su Yue nodded.

"Marshal, I’m sorry!" Su Qingfeng still wore a face full of guilt. He knew perfectly well that the Star Cleansing Ice Crystal was best suited for his son, and that letting anyone else use it would require a massive price. However, he couldn’t let Su Yue throw his life away.

"It’s fine. Su Yue is still young and hasn’t even begun to enjoy what this world has to offer. He really shouldn’t be forced to shoulder such a heavy responsibility." Yuan Longhan patted Su Qingfeng on the shoulder.

Afterward, Yuan Longhan left the Wet Realm.

Of course, he left Su Qingfeng with a sufficient amount of Star Cleansing Stone fragments. Now, Su Qingfeng finally had enough to construct the Divine Return Tower.