Chapter 75 - 67: A Belated Apology

Chapter 75: Chapter 67: A Belated Apology

"Shouyi, you don’t need to hold back, because this time... I won’t hold back either."

"Alright."

The instant Bian Shouyi finished speaking, Zhao Lu lunged at him fiercely. In terms of Cultivation, after being boosted several times by the Blood Pill Skill, Zhao Lu had reached the realm of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Level. Although his Cultivation couldn’t compare to Bian Shouyi’s, who was already at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Level, the gap between the two had shrunk from worlds apart to within arm’s reach. The difference still existed, but it was no longer vast.

Gripping his sword with both hands, Zhao Lu brought down a powerful, heavy vertical slash toward Bian Shouyi. Bian Shouyi was incredibly familiar with this move, as Zhao Lu was also using the Bian family’s Sword Skill—the Zhengyi Sword Technique. Therefore, Bian Shouyi chose to respond with the exact same Swordsmanship.

CLANG!

The two Profound Iron Longswords clashed, instantly kicking up a massive cloud of dust. Afterward, the two fought as if they didn’t know the meaning of dodging; every move and stance was the most ferocious head-on collision. The shockwaves of their battle spread, causing many surrounding billiard tables to crash to the ground. Yet, the two acted as if they didn’t notice, both entirely immersed in the purest duel of Sword Skill.

After exchanging about a dozen blows, Zhao Lu’s breathing gradually grew ragged. He seemed to know that he would undoubtedly lose if this continued, so he immediately prepared to reveal the trump card he had practiced so hard for. Zhao Lu sheathed his sword and lowered his body, assuming the most basic drawing stance of the Zhengyi Sword Technique.

"Shouyi, actually, ever since I entered Third High School, I’ve been thinking about how I could beat you just once.

"Later, I figured it out. If I used the complete Zhengyi Sword Technique, I wouldn’t be able to surpass you even if I practiced for a hundred years.

"But if I rashly learned another Swordsmanship, given my talent, I wouldn’t achieve much either.

"In that case, I simply stopped practicing the entirety of the Zhengyi Sword Technique and solely focused on its simplest strike.

"Because only in this way could I catch up to you in this single strike, or even surpass you.

"And for this day... I’ve waited three whole years!"

As his words fell, the Profound Iron Longsword in Zhao Lu’s hand left its sheath.

BANG!

The sword he had honed for three years erupted with astonishing power at this moment. The terrifying force was so great that even the concrete floor beneath Zhao Lu’s feet couldn’t bear it, fracturing into a dense web of cracks.

Seeing this, Bian Shouyi’s pupils shrank fiercely. This was the second time since he had met Lu Chen during the mock exam that he felt pressure in Sword Skill from a peer. At this moment, this single strike that Zhao Lu had poured three years of blood and sweat into honing made even Bian Shouyi marvel.

If the essence of the Zhengyi Sword Technique was an extremely fierce and unyielding Swordsmanship, then Zhao Lu had further strengthened this characteristic based on that foundation. This strike of his left absolutely no way out for himself! It was as if this single strike was all he needed, and he didn’t have to consider anything else.

Looking at the astonishing momentum radiating from Zhao Lu, like a wild beast released from its cage, Bian Shouyi didn’t choose to retreat but instead met him head-on.

BOOM!

After a loud explosion, half of Zhao Lu’s sword was embedded into Bian Shouyi’s shoulder. Zhao Lu looked at Bian Shouyi, whose shoulder was dyed red. He withdrew his sword and asked in a complicated tone, "Why didn’t you dodge?"

Bian Shouyi replied calmly, "Why should I dodge?"

Zhao Lu fell silent. He knew that given Bian Shouyi’s understanding of the Zhengyi Sword Technique, Bian Shouyi didn’t actually need to take this strike head-on even if Zhao Lu had practiced it to the extreme. This was because the strike itself wasn’t actually fast. Yet, Bian Shouyi chose to confront it directly, leading to him falling short by half a move.

"I lost."

Almost at the same time, the two spoke in unison. They looked at each other, both stunned.

Zhao Lu looked at him and said helplessly, "Shouyi, a loss is a loss. You don’t need to save my face.

"In the end, I still couldn’t beat you..."

Unexpectedly, Bian Shouyi rebutted seriously, "No, it is indeed my loss, because you held back."

Zhao Lu paused, then said nonchalantly, "If I didn’t hold back, wouldn’t your arm be gone?

"I’m a dead man anyway; there’s no need to drag you down with me.

"Alright, Shouyi. I’m very happy you came to find me today. I have no regrets left, and it’s time to atone for the mistakes I’ve made."

Saying that, Zhao Lu prepared to walk straight out of the billiard hall and surrender to the Luocheng Law Enforcement Team outside.

"Wait a minute."

Zhao Lu turned his head in confusion, only to see Bian Shouyi dragging his injured body. He brought that plastic bag out of the arcade room and placed it on a relatively intact billiard table beside him. As the plastic bag was opened, a packaged birthday cake and a small, yellowed slip of paper appeared before Zhao Lu.

Looking at these two items, Zhao Lu froze in place. Bian Shouyi walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said calmly, "Although it’s a bit late... happy birthday."

After saying that, Bian Shouyi clutched his shoulder and walked out of the billiard hall alone, leaving Zhao Lu there by himself.

When Bian Shouyi arrived outside, he saw several members of the Luocheng Law Enforcement Team in uniform. The one leading them was none other than Father Mu. Looking at them, Bian Shouyi thought for a moment before saying, "Give him a little time. Don’t worry, he won’t run."

The Law Enforcement Team members pondered for a moment, and ultimately, Father Mu made the decision. "Three minutes. I’ll only give him three minutes."

"Alright."

Bian Shouyi nodded and walked straight to the sedan his father had sent to secretly tail him.

Inside the billiard hall, Zhao Lu stared at the cake on the table and immediately picked up the note lying next to it.

[Son, I put the cake in the fridge. Remember to eat it if you come back. You don’t need to wait for Mom, because the cake won’t taste good once it passes its expiration date. Be a good boy.]

Looking at the crooked handwriting on the note, Zhao Lu seemed to see the image of his mother clumsily writing on the paper while her face was filled with anxious worry for him.

DRIP DROP, DRIP DROP...

At this moment, Zhao Lu felt as though something was stuck in his throat. He had so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn’t vocalize a single word. Subsequently, he opened the box containing the cake. Without using any utensils, he directly grabbed chunks of it with his bare hands and stuffed them into his mouth. It was as if, by doing this, he could swallow down whatever was caught in his throat.

Regret—endless regret. Zhao Lu didn’t just regret hiding out of fear, thereby missing the chance to see his mother one last time. He also regretted straying down the wrong path and willingly allowing himself to fall into depravity.

Even if his life was destined to be a supporting role, in the eyes of some people... he had always been the undisputed protagonist. It was only at this moment that he understood. So true sorrow never stemmed from the moment of parting. It was seeing the cake left in the fridge, the note left on the table, and... the text messages that had never been replied to.

Zhao Lu wept silently while frantically devouring the modestly sized cake, acting as though he wanted to swallow it whole along with the box. But a cake... would always be finished eventually.

An unknown amount of time passed. Zhao Lu stared at the empty cake box. Ignoring the cream smeared all over his hands, he forcefully grabbed his hair and dropped to his knees on the floor. In a hoarse voice, he cried out, "Mom... I was wrong... I was really wrong...

"I won’t make you angry ever again... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry..."

Certain acts of willfulness could only ever hurt the people who truly cared about you, because others wouldn’t care whether you felt wronged or not. When you enviously watched others standing in the light, the light in some people’s eyes... was only you.

PS: I originally just wanted to strengthen the villain a little bit and casually lay some groundwork for the main plot of the second phase. But as I kept writing, I realized I wrote too much buildup... Pang Hu will pay attention to this in the future. My habit of being overly sentimental flared up again...