Chapter 3: Hogue
The next morning, at the dining table in the Baruch family living room, Linley was surprised to find his father looking radiant, his entire demeanor completely transformed.
Setting down his knife and fork, Hogue smiled at Linley. “Linley, stay home a bit longer this time. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Let’s spend some good time together, father and son.”
Father wanted him to stay home longer?
Linley was somewhat surprised. After all, in all these years, his father had never said anything like this. Originally, Linley had planned to visit Fenlai City and perhaps see Alice as well. But now, Alice was completely forgotten.
“Alright, Father.” Linley nodded happily.
Hogue nodded with delight, though there seemed to be something more in his eyes.
……
Linley stayed in Wushan Town for over ten days, to the point where he didn’t even rush back when the new semester at the Ernst Institute began. Hogue, for his part, didn’t urge Linley to return to the institute either.
On the Wushan Mountain east of Wushan Town, beside a babbling brook, Linley sat cross-legged, quietly meditating and refining magical power.
Earth-element and wind-element energy seeped into his body from all directions. His bones, muscles, and meridians naturally absorbed the elements, improving his physique. After a small portion of these earth and wind elements were absorbed, the vast majority was refined and eventually flowed into the dantian at the center of his chest.
All rivers flow into the sea—the elemental energy coursing through his meridians from every part of his body ultimately gathered here.
Linley sat like this for an entire half-day. When he opened his eyes, the sun had already set in the west.
“Time to head back to the institute.” Linley stood up and let out a long breath. “Ever since I gave those magical beast cores to Father, his attitude toward me has become much better, much warmer.”
These past ten-odd days had probably been the most harmonious time Linley had ever spent with Hogue.
“What caused such a big change in Father? The magical beast cores? Father shouldn’t care about money. Or maybe… the scars on my body?” Linley thought back and forth but couldn’t fully determine why his father had suddenly become so good to him.
Attentive care—that phrase perfectly described Hogue’s current attitude toward Linley.
Stepping into the Baruch family estate, Linley immediately spotted his father reading a book. “Father, it’s getting dark. You should save the reading for tomorrow.”
“Oh, Linley’s back.” Hogue smiled and closed the book. “You have a point. I’ll read it tomorrow.”
“Linley, you must be thirsty after training outside for so long.” Hogue picked up the kettle on the side table and poured a glass of plain water. “Here, wet your throat. The water temperature is just right—not too hot, not too cold.”
“Thank you, Father.” Linley felt a warmth in his heart.
For the past ten-odd days, Hogue had treated Linley like this, exceptionally well. In the past, Hogue had always been stern, rarely showing such a tender side.
Drinking the water, Linley spoke up. “Father, I’ve been home for a while now. I plan to head back to the institute tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Hogue was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. “Alright then. Make sure to come back early at the end of the year.”
“Mm.” Linley acknowledged.
Hogue gently urged, “Linley, your father doesn’t have much ability. The family’s future depends on you. The magical beast cores you gave me are enough to cover Wharton’s expenses at the O’Brien Empire. At this point, I’m already very satisfied. But deep down, I still can’t forget our family’s disgrace. I hope you won’t forget either—our family’s heirloom is still out there.”
Linley felt his father’s expectations weighing on him. Taking a deep breath, he nodded slightly.
“I have no other wishes now, only to see the battle-axe ‘Slaughter’ before I die.” Hogue’s voice was very low.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Linley quickly said, “Father, don’t be so pessimistic. You’re only forty now; you have many years ahead. I’m confident that within ten years, I’ll bring the battle-axe ‘Slaughter’ back and place it in the family ancestral hall again.”
“Ten years… good, good.” Hogue nodded gently.
……
The next afternoon, Linley left Wushan Town. That evening, in the Baruch family living room, two people sat—Hogue and Hillman. The living room door was tightly shut, and on the dining table lay that bag of magical beast cores.
Hillman was stunned by the bag of cores. Hogue spoke up, “Hillman, I’ll sell these cores soon. I want you to keep the gold coins safe for me.”
Hillman snapped back to reality and quickly said, “Lord Hogue, no. How can you entrust such a huge fortune to me? Can’t you manage it yourself?”
“Hillman, don’t call me Lord Hogue. Just call me Big Brother Hogue.” Hogue’s smile was very kind.
Suddenly, Hogue stood up, facing east. “You say I should manage it myself? Haha… Hillman, you probably know the most about our Baruch family and about my affairs, don’t you?”
Hillman was taken aback. He didn’t know why Hogue was bringing this up.
“That matter has been buried deep in my heart for nearly eleven years. For these eleven years, I’ve felt like ants were gnawing at my heart. I’ve been enduring, day after day, year after year… and now, eleven years have passed in the blink of an eye.”
Hogue’s entire body began to tremble slightly.
Hillman’s expression changed. He stood up abruptly, horrified. “Lord Hogue, you mean to…?”
“Yes. I have to investigate what happened back then. I have to avenge Lina.” Hogue’s face twisted with rage, exuding a murderous aura.
“Lord Hogue.” Hillman quickly said, “Didn’t we investigate back then? The enemy’s power was enormous. Even the part we uncovered was terrifying. If you go investigate, you’ll likely lose your life.”
Hogue let out a low growl. “Die? Am I afraid of death? Hillman, you have no idea the pain I’ve suffered these eleven years—the torment of my soul. I’ve had enough. The magical beast cores Linley gave me are worth about eighty thousand gold coins. That’s more than enough for Wharton’s expenses. With this money, I have no more burdens.”
“All these years, what have I been enduring for? It was for my two sons. Now Linley has grown up, and Wharton is at the O’Brien Empire. I have nothing left to worry about.”
Hogue grabbed Hillman by both shoulders, staring into his eyes. “Hillman, even though you call me Lord Hogue, over the years, we’ve shared a brotherly bond. At this point, I hope you can grant me this.”
“Hogue, you…” Hillman was extremely anxious.
Hillman knew very well that once Hogue truly investigated what happened back then, he would likely lose his life.
“My mind is made up. Hillman, you need to understand—living like this now, I’m worse than dead.” Hogue’s eyes were reddening. Seeing him like this, Hillman felt helpless. He could understand Hogue’s thoughts.
All these years, why had Hogue always been so stern and cold?
Others didn’t know, but Hillman did. Before Linley and Wharton’s mother, Lina, died, Hogue had been a very cheerful person. But ever since Lina died, Hogue’s temperament had changed.
Although Hogue told outsiders that Lina died in childbirth, Hillman, the butler Hiri, and others still knew the truth.
“Hillman, don’t try to persuade me anymore. I’ll only ask you this: will you help me or not?” Hogue stared at Hillman.
Hillman gazed at Hogue for a long moment, then let out a powerless, long sigh. “Alright, I’ll help you.”
A smile appeared on Hogue’s face—a smile of release.