Chapter 67 – A Late Apology

“Shouyi, you don’t need to hold back, because this time… I won’t hold back either.”

“Alright.”

Almost the moment Bian Shouyi’s words fell, Zhao Lu’s figure rushed toward him fiercely.

In terms of cultivation, Zhao Lu had now reached the Qi Training Stage Six after several enhancements from the Blood Pill Art.

Although this cultivation level couldn’t compare to Bian Shouyi, who was already at Qi Training Stage Eight, the gap between them had narrowed from being worlds apart to within reach.

The disparity still existed, but it was no longer significant.

Zhao Lu gripped his sword with both hands and delivered a powerful vertical slash toward Bian Shouyi.

This Move was all too familiar to Bian Shouyi, as Zhao Lu was also using the Bian family’s swordsmanship—the Orthodox Unity Swordplay.

Therefore, Bian Shouyi chose to respond with the same sword technique.

Bang!

The two Xuan Iron Longswords collided, immediately stirring up a cloud of dust.

Then, as if neither knew what evasion meant, they engaged in the most ferocious head-on clashes with every Move and stance.

The aftershocks of their battle spread, causing many nearby pool tables to collapse with a crash.

Yet, as if oblivious, both were immersed in the purest duel of swordsmanship.

After about a dozen exchanges, Zhao Lu’s breath gradually became disordered.

Seemingly aware that continuing like this would lead to certain defeat, he immediately prepared to unveil the trump card he had painstakingly practiced for so long.

Zhao Lu sheathed his sword and lowered his stance.

Assuming the most basic drawing stance of the Orthodox Unity Swordplay.

“Shouyi, to be honest, ever since I entered Third High, I’ve been thinking about how to beat you just once.”

“Later, I realized that if I were to use the complete Orthodox Unity Swordplay, even if I practiced for a hundred years, I could never surpass you.”

“But if I rashly learned another sword technique, given my talent, I wouldn’t achieve much either.”

“So, I decided not to practice the entire Orthodox Unity Swordplay. Instead, I focused solely on its simplest single Move.”

“Because only this way could I catch up to you, and even surpass you, in this one Move.”

“And for this day… I’ve waited a full three years!”

As his words fell, the Xuan Iron Longsword in Zhao Lu’s hand left its sheath.

Bang!

The sword honed over three years erupted with astonishing power at this moment.

The terrifying force even caused the concrete beneath Zhao Lu’s feet to crack, splitting into numerous fissures.

Seeing this, Bian Shouyi’s pupils contracted sharply.

This was the second time since the mock exam encounter with Lu Chen that he had felt pressure from swordsmanship from another peer.

At this moment, Zhao Lu’s three-years-honed Move left Bian Shouyi in awe.

If the essence of Orthodox Unity Swordplay was extreme ferocity, then Zhao Lu had further intensified this characteristic.

Because this Move of his left no room for retreat!

As if this one Move was all he needed, with no consideration for anything else.

Witnessing the astonishing Aura emanating from Zhao Lu, like a beast unleashed from its cage, Bian Shouyi chose not to evade but to meet it head-on.

Boom!

After a loud crash, Zhao Lu’s sword was halfway embedded in Bian Shouyi’s shoulder.

Zhao Lu looked at Bian Shouyi’s blood-stained shoulder, withdrew his sword, and said with a complex tone, “Why didn’t you dodge?”

Bian Shouyi calmly replied, “Why should I dodge?”

Zhao Lu fell silent.He knew that given Bian Shouyi’s understanding of Orthodox Unity Swordplay, even if he had perfected this sword technique to its utmost…

Bian Shouyi actually didn’t need to take this strike head-on, because his sword wasn’t particularly fast.

Yet Bian Shouyi deliberately chose to confront it directly, resulting in his defeat by half a move.

“I lost.”

Almost simultaneously, both spoke in unison.

They stared at each other, momentarily stunned.

Zhao Lu looked at him and said helplessly, “Shouyi, a loss is a loss. You don’t need to spare my pride.”

“In the end, I still couldn’t defeat you…”

To his surprise, Bian Shouyi refuted earnestly, “No, I truly lost because you held back.”

Zhao Lu was taken aback, then replied nonchalantly, “If I hadn’t held back, your hand would be gone.”

“I’m already a dead man anyway. No need to drag you down with me.”

“Alright Shouyi, I’m glad you came to find me today. I have no regrets left, and it’s time to atone for my past mistakes.”

As he spoke, Zhao Lu prepared to walk out of the pool hall to surrender himself to Luocheng’s law enforcement team outside.

“Wait.”

Zhao Lu turned around puzzled, only to see Bian Shouyi dragging his injured body as he brought out the plastic bag from the game room, placing it on a relatively intact pool table beside them.

When the bag was opened, a packaged birthday cake and a yellowed note appeared before Zhao Lu.

Staring at these two items, Zhao Lu stood frozen in place.

Bian Shouyi walked over to him, patted his shoulder, and said calmly, “Though it’s a bit late… Happy Birthday.”

After speaking, Bian Shouyi supported his shoulder and walked out of the pool hall alone, leaving Zhao Lu by himself.

When Bian Shouyi reached the outside, he saw several uniformed members of Luocheng’s law enforcement team.

The leader among them was unmistakably Mu Xiaoye’s father.

Looking at them, Bian Shouyi thought for a moment before saying, “Give him some time. Don’t worry, he won’t run away.”

After brief consideration, the law enforcement team ultimately deferred to Mu’s father’s decision.

“Three minutes. I’ll only give him three minutes.”

“Alright.”

Bian Shouyi nodded and walked directly to the car his father had sent to secretly follow him.

Inside the pool hall, Zhao Lu looked at the cake on the table and immediately picked up the note beside it.

[Son, I’ve left the cake in the refrigerator. If you come back, remember to eat it. Don’t wait for Mom – it won’t taste good after the expiration date. Be good.]

Looking at the crooked handwriting on the note, Zhao Lu could almost see his mother clumsily writing while wearing an expression full of anxiety and concern for him.

Drip, drip…

At this moment, Zhao Lu felt as if something was stuck in his throat. He had so much he wanted to say, yet no words would come out.

Then he opened the cake box and, without using any utensils, began stuffing pieces into his mouth with his hands.

As if by doing so, he could force down whatever was lodged in his throat.

Regret – endless regret.

Zhao Lu not only regretted hiding out of fear, causing him to miss his final chance to see his mother.

He also regretted straying from the right path and willingly sinking into depravity.

Even if his life was destined to be a supporting role, in some people’s eyes… he had always been the undeniable protagonist.

And it was only at this moment that he truly understood.It turns out that true sorrow never lies in the moment of parting.

But in the cake left in the refrigerator, the note on the table, and… those text messages that were never replied to.

Zhao Lu wept silently while frantically devouring the small cake.

As if trying to swallow even the cake box along with it.

But cakes… always get finished eventually.

After who knows how long, Zhao Lu stared at the empty cake box, not caring about the cream all over his hands, and grabbed his hair tightly as he knelt on the floor.

In a hoarse voice, he said: “Mom… I was wrong… I was really wrong…”

“I won’t make you angry anymore… I’m sorry… really sorry…”

Some willfulness ultimately only hurts those who truly care about you.

Because others won’t care whether you’ve been wronged.

When you gaze enviously at others standing in the light, remember that some people’s light exists… only for you.

(End of Chapter)