Chapter 4: Night Talk
"Patterson!"
Linley silently recited this name. It was Patterson who had sent people to kidnap his mother back then, and over a decade later, it was also because of investigating his mother's matters that his father had been hunted down by Patterson's men, ultimately dying from severe injuries.
The murderous intent deep in Linley's heart lay dormant like boiling magma beneath a volcano, but one day it would erupt.
"Boss, let me kill this Patterson for you." The little Shadowmouse lying beside Linley transmitted mentally.
"Don't act rashly." Linley scolded through mental transmission.
Linley himself remained kneeling in the living room, as nobles filed in one after another to pay their respects to Linley's father.
*******
Linley didn't attend a single banquet that day; he stayed kneeling in the living room, observing mourning for his father.
By evening, many nobles had already left Wushan Town and returned to Fenlai City, though some remained in Wushan Town.
For instance, Cardinal Girard, and Delia... The mourning period required a full seven days.
That night, Linley ate a little food and then returned to his bedroom to continue his training.
"Linley, how do you plan to avenge your father?" Doehring Cowart, still in his moon-white robe, appeared beside him.
Linley glanced at Doehring Cowart. "Grandpa Doehring, I will definitely avenge my father's murder. Now that I know it was Duke Patterson who sent people to hunt down my father, besides taking revenge, I also need to investigate my mother's situation. Is she alive or dead..."
Killing Patterson was simple.
But killing Patterson without anyone noticing was the hard part. After all, aside from killing Patterson, Linley still needed to continue searching for information about his mother.
Doehring Cowart nodded slightly. "You make your own decisions. I just hope you don't act impulsively. Your current strength is still too weak compared to true experts. Even Patterson, with all his men combined, is stronger than you."
Linley nodded slightly.
Patterson was Clayde's own younger brother—how could he lack subordinates?
"In less than a year, I should be able to advance from a level 6 warrior to level 7. I can't waste any time." Linley sat cross-legged on the bed, and the Dragonblood battle qi within him began circulating through his entire body, causing his bones, tendons, and muscles to tremble and thrum.
Linley's bones, tendons, and muscles could be felt slowly strengthening, and the subtle Dragonblood warrior bloodline fused with them, enhancing their toughness and flexibility.
The "Dragonblood Secret Code" had only just begun to be cultivated, so progress was indeed very fast.
Under this training, Linley hardly felt the passage of time.
Around eleven o'clock at night.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!" A knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice: "Linley, it's Delia. May I come in?"
Linley was startled.
"Whoosh." Linley took a deep breath. His trembling muscles and bones returned to normal, and the Dragonblood battle qi once again settled into his lower abdomen. He looked toward the door, puzzled. "What is Delia doing here so late?"
Thinking this, Linley still said directly, "Come in."
The door opened, and Delia walked in.
Seeing Delia, Linley's eyes lit up. Her golden hair was simply pinned up, with a few strands of tassels hanging down, and her light purple dress added a touch of elegance. Linley had to admit... Delia was indeed very charming.
Especially as a direct descendant of the Rhine family, Delia clearly possessed a noble aura that Alice lacked.
"Linley, are you alright?" Delia asked softly, walking over to sit by Linley's bed and looking at him with concern.
Linley felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. "I'm fine."
Delia nodded. "When I heard about your father in Fenlai City, I was a bit worried. But... you're just as strong as I imagined."
"Thank you."
Linley then added, "Delia, is there something you need this late?"
"Idiot." Even Doehring Cowart beside him silently cursed Linley.
A girl comes to chat and comfort you late at night, and you talk like that.
Delia smiled nervously, then returned to her usual composed state. "What, can't I come talk to you without a reason? We've known each other since our first year at Ernst Institute. When did you become so distant with me?"
"No, not at all." Linley quickly said.
Delia smiled smugly, then let out a long sigh. "Linley, coming so late tonight, I do have something to tell you."
"Go ahead." Linley wondered what Delia wanted to say.
Delia said helplessly, "Linley, you know it's already Yulan Calendar 9999. In eight months, it will be Yulan Calendar 10000. The first day of every year is the biggest festival on the Yulan continent, 'Yulan Festival,' and the Yulan Festival of Yulan Calendar 10000 is obviously even more important."
Linley nodded.
But he didn't understand why Delia was bringing this up.
"Although the entire Yulan continent values the 'Yulan Festival,' our Yulan Empire values it the most." Delia continued.
Linley understood. After all, the first year of the Yulan Calendar was the year the Yulan Empire unified the entire continent. The Yulan Festival of Yulan Calendar 10000 was indeed a monumental occasion for the empire.
"My family has ordered that I must return home for this Yulan Festival. The entire empire will celebrate, and as a direct descendant of the Rhine family, I can't be an exception." Delia looked at Linley. "Linley, the Yulan Empire is too far from the Holy Alliance. The round trip will take over a year, nearly two years. I'll be leaving for my homeland tomorrow."
Linley understood her meaning.
For over a year, he and Delia probably wouldn't be able to see each other.
Delia looked at Linley, bit her lip, and then said, "Linley, before I leave, could I have a hug?"
"A hug?" Linley was taken aback, looking at Delia.
Linley was very clear about Delia's feelings for him. But because they had known each other since their first year at Ernst Institute, Linley saw Delia as a close confidante. After what happened with Alice, Linley's heart had been frozen over.
Meeting Delia's gaze, Linley nodded.
Delia's face lit up with a smile. She reached out, wrapped her arms around Linley's neck, and leaned forward, pressing her body tightly against his. Her cheek gently touched Linley's.
Linley could even feel their breathing.
He also caught the alluring scent of Delia's perfume. Especially as their faces touched, the warmth of their skin transferred... giving Linley a strange, special feeling.
"Linley, thank you." Delia whispered in his ear.
Linley didn't respond.
Delia slowly straightened up, but her eyes remained locked on his. Halfway up, she paused. When their eyes were only five centimeters apart, she stopped.
Abruptly, Delia leaned in.
Her lips pressed against Linley's. Linley was stunned.
Delia didn't give him time to react. She quickly pulled back, glanced at him, and then hurriedly ran out of Linley's bedroom.
"Boss, you got kissed!" A small head popped out from the blanket beside him—Bebe, staring at Linley.
"You, go to sleep." Linley scolded through mental transmission.
Bebe grumbled a few times and burrowed back under the covers. Linley stared at the bedroom door Delia had left through. He could still faintly smell her body fragrance, and his skin seemed to remember the gentle warmth of her cheek.
He touched his lips. Linley felt a warmth in his heart, like the cozy feeling of chatting late at night with Alice on the two-story balcony.
"Delia..."
Shaking his head, Linley pushed away the stray thoughts.
"Linley." Doehring Cowart looked at him with interest. "When you were little and first went to Ernst Institute, the first time you saw that little girl Delia, I said she was a beauty. I told you to pursue her. Regret it now?"
Linley frowned and glanced at Doehring Cowart.
"Alright, I won't say any more." Doehring Cowart's white beard twitched, and he turned into a streak of white light, entering the Coiling Dragon Ring.
Linley stopped overthinking. He sat cross-legged on the bed again and began meditating to train his mental strength.
The next morning, Delia led the Rhine family's entourage and left Wushan Town. Linley didn't see her off; he remained kneeling in the living room, observing mourning.
In the blink of an eye, Linley's seven-day mourning period had passed.
Aside from Yale and Linley's other close brothers, only two major figures remained in Wushan Town—Girard and Lampson.
As Cardinals, Girard and Lampson usually had little to do; minor matters were handled by their subordinates. Their days were leisurely, and they often toured the outskirts of Wushan Town, occasionally entering Wushan Mountain.
In the morning, the residents of Wushan Town gathered on both sides of the street, watching.
The forces of the Radiant Church and the Dawson Conglomerate began to move.
"Big brother Yale, second brother, fourth brother, I have something to discuss with Lord Girard and the others." Linley said to his brothers, then left the Dawson Conglomerate's carriage and entered Cardinal Girard's carriage.
Lampson also entered. The two Cardinals and Linley shared a carriage.
This carriage was specially made for a Cardinal, with plenty of interior space. The three of them could even lie down and sleep comfortably.
"Linley, have you made a decision?" Girard smiled at Linley.
Earlier, Linley had told Girard that he needed to discuss joining the Radiant Church with his father. But now that Hogg was dead, Linley had no one to consult. It was time to give his answer.
"Lord Girard, Lord Lampson, I am still young. I think... let me temporarily assist His Majesty Clayde for now, without formally taking a position in the Church. When the Church needs me in the future, you can summon me at any time." Linley said.
Girard and Lampson both smiled.
His Majesty Clayde? Clayde was the king of the Fenlai Kingdom, and Fenlai City, the capital, was also the Holy City of the Radiant Church. The Fenlai Kingdom had to obey the Church's commands.
Linley assisting Clayde was equivalent to serving the Radiant Church.
"Very good." Lampson was the first to laugh. "Linley, this is a very wise decision."
Neither Lampson nor Girard knew that Linley's main reason for this choice was to investigate his mother's matters. Only by getting involved in the affairs of the Fenlai Kingdom would he have more opportunities to deal with Duke Patterson in the future.
Girard also smiled and said, "You are now considered a member of our Radiant Church. By the way, you don't yet have the earth and wind magic incantations for levels 7, 8, 9, and forbidden spells, do you?"
"Yes." Linley nodded. "I only deduced the incantation for the Flight spell from magical principles."
Girard said approvingly, "Deducing the Flight spell incantation isn't too difficult, but being able to infer it from the Levitation spell is quite impressive. Linley, rest assured. When I return to the Church, I will soon send someone to deliver the earth and wind magic incantations for level 7 and above to you."