# 1683
Chapter 1683
Chapter 1676: Huo Qubing's Determination
Wu Quan opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He lowered his head, falling into silence.
In his mind, the scene from the Purification Chamber replayed—Wu "Old Dog" sitting with a group of corpses beneath a plastic tarp in the heavy rain, drinking wine while tears streamed down their faces... He remembered the moment when the storm had ceased, and they had draped themselves in black robes and charged toward the front lines without hesitation.
In the past, he could never understand the actions of Wu "Old Dog" and the 【Mediums】. But after following Lin Qiye for so long, he was beginning to comprehend it somewhat.
He was willing to use his abilities to protect the world, but calling it a lifelong aspiration would be inaccurate... In the depths of his heart, there was something more important than protecting the world.
When he had spray-painted that black umbrella on the wall during his youth, there had already been a goal worth pursuing for his entire life in his heart.
The person beneath that umbrella—that was his true lifelong aspiration.
Wu Quan didn't want to deceive Huo Qubing. After hesitating for a moment, he answered honestly:
"First protect one person. If there is strength remaining, then protect the world."
Upon hearing this response, an undisguised disappointment flickered in Huo Qubing's eyes...
He slowly stood up from the carriage. His black and gold marquis robes fluttered in the wind. He glanced at the bowing Wu Quan, then turned and walked into the carriage.
As Huo Qubing left, Wu Quan released his sweaty palm, and a self-mocking bitterness spread across his face.
Indeed, someone like him could never earn Huo Qubing's recognition.
When the others saw this, they sighed regrettably as well.
Just then, Huo Qubing's voice drifted out from inside the carriage:
"From today onward, you will change carriages with Yan Zhong and come sit with this Marquis... Though the time remaining is short, this Marquis will teach you as much as possible."
The moment this voice reached his ears, Wu Quan, who had been about to leave, froze. Then, a look of delight appeared on his face!
"Thank you, Master!"
"This Marquis is not your master, nor have I accepted you as a disciple... Simply call me Marquis, as you always have."
"Thank you, Marquis."
Though they weren't master and disciple, Huo Qubing's promise to teach him 【Emperor's Domination】 was enough. Wu Quan bowed deeply toward the carriage, his heart already filled with gratitude.
Following this, Zhan Yuwu and the others began preparing the meal. Since the horses hadn't awakened yet, they decided to take this opportunity to eat something first, saving time for the journey ahead.
"Marquis, your meal is ready." Zhan Yuwu held a portion of dry rations and walked to the front of the carriage, speaking respectfully.
"This Marquis isn't hungry yet." Huo Qubing's voice emerged from within the carriage.
"This... Marquis, once we set out, there won't be time to eat."
"This Marquis said—"
"I'll take it."
Before Huo Qubing could finish, Lin Qiye beside him took the dry rations from Zhan Yuwu. He gave the man a look, and after hesitating, Zhan Yuwu nodded and left.
Lin Qiye held the rations, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped inside.
In the empty carriage, Huo Qubing sat alone in the center. One hand pressed against his mouth, he coughed silently. Wisps of blood trickled through his fingers and dripped onto the carriage floor.
Lin Qiye looked at that pale face, his expression complex.
He pulled from his sleeve the silk handkerchief he had prepared in advance and handed it to Huo Qubing. The latter glanced at him, then reached out and took it.
"When... did you notice?" Huo Qubing used the silk to wipe away the blood, his voice hoarse.
"My nose is quite sharp. I smelled the blood when you ducked into the bushes to spit it out just now." Lin Qiye sat down beside him. "How much time do you have left?"
"At most... three more months."
"Three months, then..."
Lin Qiye sighed. "So that's why you agreed to teach Wu Quan?"
"This Marquis is already dying... If, before that happens, I can pass on everything I've learned to that child, perhaps he can go further than I did." Huo Qubing paused. "Though his lifelong aspiration differs from mine... This Marquis cannot demand that everyone become like me, can I?"
Lin Qiye gazed at him deeply. "The Marquis of Champion who gave his all and had the world at heart—such another will be hard to find in this world."
Huo Qubing slowly closed his eyes, saying nothing.
"You're not planning to let them know about this?"
"Not yet." Huo Qubing shook his head. "The Bureau of Evil Suppression has just been established. All their faith is anchored in this Marquis alone. If they learned that my days were numbered, the people's hearts... would scatter."
"Indeed."
Lin Qiye sighed. Those people in the Bureau of Evil Suppression had been screened by him. He understood clearly why these individuals with special abilities had rushed to join the Bureau of Evil Suppression—it was because of their admiration for the Marquis of Champion. Huo Qubing, in his current state, was the backbone of the entire Bureau of Evil Suppression. Because of his existence, these mystics had been able to unite as one in such a short time.
But if Huo Qubing died... Who would be qualified to lead them? Would they be willing to submit to anyone other than Huo Qubing?
"What are you planning to do after three months?"
Huo Qubing fell silent. He slowly lifted a corner of the curtain, his gaze falling on a distant corner where Gongyang Wan sat alone, gnawing on dry rations.
Seeing Gongyang Wan, Lin Qiye seemed to guess something. His brow immediately furrowed:
"Don't tell me you're planning to let her eat you?"
"Gongyang Wan's abilities are formidable. If she swallows me into her belly, not only can she take on my appearance, she can also use my 【Emperor's Domination】... If she can impersonate this Marquis and continue to command the Bureau of Evil Suppression, all problems would be solved."
"So that's why you didn't kill her?" Lin Qiye immediately shook his head. "You're insane! Do you want to be trapped forever inside her body, becoming power for her to command?"
"This Marquis's lifespan was always short. But if the Bureau of Evil Suppression can be guarded by her, it could endure for generations... In that case, what harm is there in becoming her strength?" Huo Qubing's expression was utterly calm.
"No, you can't do this! You're Huo Qubing!"
Lin Qiye immediately stood up and pulled down the carriage's door curtain, speaking resolutely. "Marquis, if you trust me, leave this matter to me to handle... No matter what, I won't let you become food in someone else's belly."
Huo Qubing gazed deeply at Lin Qiye. On that pale,虚弱的面孔，浮现出一抹笑意，虚弱的面孔，虚弱的面孔，虚弱的面孔 appeared—Lin Qiye's unwavering determination reflected back at him.
"I believe you."
He lowered his head and used the silk handkerchief in his hand to carefully wipe clean the bloodstains on his marquis robes. Driven by the power of domination, the blood throughout his body circulated, forcibly suppressing the pallor on his face.
He rose and lifted the door curtain. Standing tall before the carriage, he gazed toward the west. His black and gold marquis robes billowed in the wind, making him resemble a young giant standing between heaven and earth.
"Let's go. Set out." He spoke calmly.