Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 399 - 379: My Own Decision

Zhong Hongwen responded with a noncommittal smile, his eyes filled with a profound sadness.

Soon after, he belched from the alcohol, waved his hand, and walked toward the cemetery in the back mountain.

"Linglong. Qin Qing... this time, going to the sword pavilion..."

Zhu Jirong was then informing Qin Qing and Zhu Linglong about the matters needing attention for their trip to the sword pavilion.

Cang Yuan followed his father out of Wind-Fire Academy.

His expression grew increasingly gloomy.

He thought back to the time at Tai’a Academy when he followed Qin Qing in leaving Tai’a Academy to join Wind-Fire Academy.

He also remembered the times after arriving at Wind-Fire Academy when he trained together with Qin Qing, Zhu Linglong, and others.

The training conditions at Wind-Fire Academy were poor and resources were scarce, but here, the training was pure and the relationships between people were very simple.

Everyone was like fighting with their backs to the river, united in facing a common enemy.

He recalled the time at Mount Jiuyun when everyone fought together against the disciples of Tai’a Academy, and then Luo Zeyi from Tai’a Academy brought people to attack, and everyone rose up in resistance, united by a common hatred...

"Father!"

Cang Yuan suddenly stood still.

"Hmm?" Cang Yunlan’s thick brows furrowed: "Yuan’er, what’s wrong?"

"I don’t want to go anymore!" Cang Yuan suddenly declared.

Cang Yunlan’s eyes widened, seemingly unable to believe his son’s words.

"What did you say?"

"Father. I said, I don’t want to go. I want to stay!" Cang Yuan’s voice grew louder.

From the initial whispering, where his voice seemed tangled in his throat, to later articulating every word clearly and distinctly.

"You want to stay?" Anger spread across Cang Yunlan’s face.

"Yes!" This time, Cang Yuan met his father’s furious gaze: "Father, all my life, I’ve never dared to go against your orders. Whatever you and mother said, I did; in your eyes, I was the obedient child."

"I’ve never even dared to express my own thoughts in front of you for fear of upsetting you!"

"But—this time, I must speak my true feelings. Father, I want to stay. I want to remain at Wind-Fire Academy, to stand side by side with Qin Qing, Zhu Linglong, and all the disciples of Wind-Fire Academy, and fight together!"

"Nonsense!" Cang Yunlan’s voice was stern.

"Right, maybe in father’s eyes, I am being foolish! But even if it’s foolishness, please allow me this once!" Cang Yuan looked at his father: "Father, ever since I was young, you have taught me to be a man of honor and loyalty. It is also the ancestral teaching of our Cang Clan! Now I am doing just that, because I’ve promised my fellow apprentices at Wind-Fire Academy that I’ll fight alongside them. Together, we will join the battle of Tianyong, together we will confront Tai’a Academy!"

"Now, if I withdraw midway, I would become a person who breaks his promises, heartless and disloyal!"

"Moreover, if I truly withdraw now, this matter will surely become a lifelong demon in my heart, affecting me forever from this day forward..."

"So, Father! Please give me this chance!"

As he spoke, Cang Yuan suddenly knelt down heavily before his father: "Father! My mind is made up; if you insist on taking me back, then..."

Cang Yuan was even prepared to make a vow to Heaven that if his father Cang Yunlan took him back, he would never involve himself in martial arts for the rest of his life!

But before Cang Yuan could speak, Cang Yunlan already understood what his son was about to say.

He waved his hand, stopping the words that Cang Yuan was about to utter.

"Foolish child..." Cang Yunlan couldn’t help but give a bitter smile and shook his head.

His gaze carefully observed Cang Yuan, as if seeing an unprecedented version of Cang Yuan, a son who was entirely unfamiliar to him.

"Yuan’er, you’ve grown up..."

"Your father almost doesn’t recognize you!"

In Cang Yunlan’s voice, there was a hint of helplessness and desolation.

This was perhaps a journey of the heart every father had to experience.

"Are you sure you want to stay and join the Tianyong battle with the other disciples from Wind-Fire Academy?" Cang Yunlan stared at Cang Yuan. "You can think it over carefully now. Your father will give you a quarter of an hour to consider!"

"There’s no need, Father! My resolve is firm!" Cang Yuan, however, was very adamant.

Cang Yunlan was silent for a full quarter of an hour.

Eventually, he let out a sigh of resignation.

Then, a smile appeared on his face.

"Yuan’er, you really have grown up!"

"Father came here indeed to take you back. But, on the other hand, if you insist on staying at Wind-Fire Academy, then your father... will certainly support you!"

"Really?" Joy burst across Cang Yuan’s face; he hadn’t expected his father to agree to let him stay.

Cang Yunlan nodded. "Actually, before coming to Wind-Fire Academy this time, I had already discussed your matters with the old ancestor. He said, you’re already so big, and you should choose your own path."

"So, on the way here, Father was thinking. Let Father make the final decision for you one last time, but if you insist on your own choice, Yuan’er, then Father will respect your wishes."

Cang Yunlan looked at Cang Yuan with a look of gratification. "Yuan’er, if Father remembers correctly, from childhood to now, this is the first time you’ve openly defied me. However, I won’t blame you. Since your heart is set on staying at Wind-Fire Academy and fighting alongside your friends, then——Father will support you!"

Upon hearing Cang Yunlan’s words, Cang Yuan leapt up with joy.

"That’s great, Father!"

Cang Yuan rushed over and hugged his father, even planting a kiss on Cang Yunlan’s aged face.

This made Cang Yunlan’s face instantly flush red.

"Look at you, you’re in your twenties and still acting like a little child!" Cang Yunlan feigned anger, but his heart was filled with joy.

"By the way, Father. You just said that the old ancestor also supports my staying at Wind-Fire Academy?" Cang Yuan asked again.

Cang Yunlan nodded: "The old ancestor said to follow your heart. He also mentioned that if you can overcome this hurdle, it will be a chance for you to soar!"

"Mmm!" Cang Yuan nodded vigorously. "Father, please tell the old ancestor that Cang Yuan will definitely not disappoint him! Oh... there’s another disciple in our Wind-Fire Academy, Qin Qing, who joined with me this time. He is also from Qian Country, and... the heritage cave dwelling that old ancestor left in Qian Country was discovered by Qin Qing. He received the old ancestor’s legacy and cultivated the Primordial Sword Technique!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Surprised by Cang Yuan’s news, Cang Yunlan couldn’t help but be astonished, then he slowly nodded: "Perhaps, all this is fate. If I had known this earlier, I would have surely spoken a few words to that Qin Qing."

"Father, after we win the Tianyong battle, I will come back with Qin Qing. Qin Qing also wishes to meet the old ancestor in person!" Cang Yuan said.

"Good, good!" Cang Yunlan nodded.

"Then Father... I’ll head back to Wind-Fire Academy first, and you can head back!" Cang Yuan added.

"Alright. Yuan’er, your father will take his leave now!" Cang Yunlan nodded again and promptly turned and flew away.

But he didn’t fly far, only behind a large mountain. In the blink of an eye, he stepped out from behind the mountain and stood on the edge of a cliff, watching the distant figure until it disappeared at the entrance of Wind-Fire Academy, then he slowly closed his eyes.

Perhaps, for Cang Yunlan, this was the last time he would watch his son’s retreating figure...

But Cang Yunlan had no regrets!

Because this was his son’s decision, his son’s first time defying him!

If this is the path he’s chosen for himself, then let him walk it on his own...