The Demon's Menu-Chapter 1079: Your Two Companions Really Are... (2)

As for the old monk from Tongshou Temple?

He was thinking of a legend passed down within the temple about an ancient kingdom.

It was a scroll, with words that were rather ominous.

The remaining patterns were even more incomplete.

Most had to be guessed by people.

But some descriptions were quite detailed.

Son of the Dragon.

Devouring heaven and earth.

"Does Jason possess such a lineage?"

"It’s not very likely, is it?"

The old monk from Tongshou Temple thought this to himself.

However, when he saw Jason pick up a roasted suckling pig, stuff the whole thing into his mouth with one bite, and then grabbed two more roasted suckling pigs, such thoughts began to waver uncontrollably.

"Perhaps... it’s not so improbable."

The old monk from Tongshou Temple thought, bringing his hands together in prayer.

Next, the old monk’s gaze turned towards the courtyard outside.

After everyone said they had eaten their fill, Hanakaiin Haru signaled that he needed to leave for a while.

As for where?

Everyone understood perfectly well.

The so-called ’King of Fighters – The KOF Tournament’ invitation, which was agreed upon, had been given to someone else.

No one would remain indifferent.

Hanakaiin Haru was no exception.

In fact, Hanakaiin Haru had been holding back his anger all along.

Hanakaiin Haru was no fool; he clearly understood why such a situation had arisen.

It was nothing more than the current ’Family Head’ exploiting loopholes in the rules.

In the Hanakaiin Family, everyone must follow the rule of ’meritocracy’.

And this rule was mostly fair most of the time.

Of course, just mostly.

About this, Hanakaiin Haru was all too aware.

That’s also why Hanakaiin Haru prepared to inquire.

However, before he could officially leave his assigned branch, he was stopped by a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was dressed in a black casual outfit, standing by the side of the road, silently watching the night sky.

When Hanakaiin Haru approached, the middle-aged man lowered his head, revealing a somewhat gentle smile.

Clearly, the middle-aged man in front of him was waiting for Hanakaiin Haru.

Hanakaiin Haru was surprised to see the middle-aged man, yet he was extremely respectful.

"Father."

Hanakaiin Haru bowed in greeting.

"Haru, would you walk with me?"

Hanakaiin Toku asked softly.

"Of course."

Hanakaiin Haru immediately answered.

Then, he followed behind his father, heading towards the garden behind the separate residence.

The garden of the separate residence was not large, but it had everything it should.

Hanakaiin Toku walked into the completely wooden gazebo, lit the lanterns inside, hung them up, and gestured for the servants to leave before sitting down on a bench.

Hanakaiin Haru then sat opposite him.

As Hanakaiin Haru took his seat, Hanakaiin Toku did not immediately speak.

Instead, he was enveloped in a bit of silence.

After a full minute, the middle-aged man suddenly spoke.

"Haru, I’m sorry."

Hanakaiin Toku leaned forward slightly towards Hanakaiin Haru.

Hanakaiin Haru immediately stood up, dodging the direction of his father’s bow.

"Father!"

Hanakaiin Haru already had some guesses in his heart, but still reached out to support his father.

"I’m sorry."

Hanakaiin Toku said once more.

"I was powerless to stop the Family Head’s decision—I received the notification, but it was after the Family Head had already decided."

"At that time, I had no power to stop what was happening; as a father, I have failed, and as a branch Family Head, I have also failed."

"I am a failure."

"After I lost the competition for the ’Family Head’, everything became your burden to bear."

"I have never offered you help."

"And I have become your burden—I have already promised to comply with the Family Head."

"I’m sorry."

Once again, an apology, and this time, Hanakaiin Toku truly bowed deeply.

Hanakaiin Haru, who had anticipated this from the beginning, wanted to stop it but was restrained by an intangible force.

He could only watch helplessly as Hanakaiin Toku bowed to him.

And when Hanakaiin Toku raised his body, the constraining force on Hanakaiin Haru suddenly dissipated.

"Father!"

Hanakaiin Haru immediately knelt down, his head pressed tightly against the floor.

As a son, Hanakaiin Haru’s upbringing made it impossible for him to accept such things.

His father had never wronged him.

He never lacked for clothing or food from childhood.

He received all kinds of elite education.

Even though it was difficult, he also saw a world invisible to ordinary people.

Moreover, in such a world, as a ’umbrella’, his father protected him from the storms, ensuring he was unharmed.

What is there to be dissatisfied with?

Hanakaiin Haru thought it was enough.

As for the grievances he suffered?

Those grievances compared with the ones his father endured.

And compared with the clan members of the branch family.

What do they really amount to?

Moreover, he had not completely lost his chance.

He still had the right to challenge through a wildcard!

Thinking this, Hanakaiin Haru took a deep breath.

"Please rest assured."

"I will help our family take over as the Family Head."

"Definitely!"

Hanakaiin Haru said decisively.

Hanakaiin Toku smiled and helped his son to his feet.

"Taking over the Family Head is important."

"But safety is even more crucial."

"All I hope is that you can live well."

Hanakaiin Toku advised.

"Don’t worry, Father."

"This time I am confident!"

"My two companions are reliable—Even if we go to fight for the wildcard team’s right to participate, the ultimate championship will surely be ours."

Hanakaiin Haru declared confidently.

The expression on Hanakaiin Toku’s face became somewhat strange.

"What’s wrong, Father?"

Hanakaiin Haru looked at his father, curiously asking.