Father and Son

A violent buzz! Andy's mind reeled as if struck by lightning, jolting him awake. Yet, with a lazy glance at the black-clad figure before him, he merely closed his eyes again.

"Too weak! How is this possible? No... perhaps this is precisely why!" The Third Master imperceptibly shook his head, then crouched down. From within his long sleeve, a withered hand emerged, gently stroking Andy's head as he spoke in a deep voice, "Andy, how old are you this year?!

"Give me a bowl of Blood-Jade Juice, and I'll tell you. If not... then I'll just keep sleeping. Why waste my breath telling you? That's far too much effort!" Andy thought, completely ignoring the Third Master.

The Third Master, however, mused, "Good, spirited indeed. He can withstand my scrutiny without so much as a whimper!"

"We bear no ill will towards you; we merely wish to uncover a truth... one concerning your origins!" The Third Master gently stroked Andy's fur, his voice soft. He then took Andy's paw, meticulously examining the dark golden claws that gleamed like tempered metal. His voice trembled slightly. "You possess a profound sacred aura. Can you tell me why a Snow Wolf would exude such an essence?"

Hmph, Master said my core was modified within his sacred artifact, so it's natural I'd possess a sacred aura. But why should I tell *you*? You're not even offering me a Tili Fruit for every Gold Coin...

Still, he can perceive my hidden sacred aura... Hmm, that's quite impressive. Stronger than even Deboning! Deboning can't even discern *my* sacred aura!

The Third Master gently posed his third question, "Do you recall anything from your younger days?"

The Third Master's answer was the faint sound of snores softly escaping Andy's nostrils.

The black robe on the Third Master's person billowed without a breeze, swelling with suppressed energy.

"Refuse to speak, eh? Then I shall see for myself! And you shall witness the Secret Technique of Mount Miglio!" The Third Master suddenly grabbed Andy, pressing his own forehead against Andy's. After a long moment, he burst into boisterous laughter. "Precisely! Though you've grown weaker, within your body still resides the unique majesty of the Dragon Clan! Only three individuals in all the world can perceive this Dragon's Might, and I happen to be one of them! Ha! A sacred aura... hidden Dragon's Might... originally meant to be incredibly potent, yet now in a completely sealed state, and a Snow Wolf from the Misty Forest at that... It must be you! Hahahahaha..."

That Dragon's Might lay hidden deep within Andy's body was no surprise – after all, a Silver Dragon named Pike was originally part of the Composite Aberrant Beasts. But upon discovering the anomaly within Andy's form, the Third Master's laughter grew wilder.

His maniacal laughter reverberated through the cavern, yet not a single ripple escaped its confines! With a final peal of mirth, he removed his hood, revealing an aged yet vigorous countenance. Sword-like brows arched over hawk-like eyes, and a full mane of silver hair danced wildly, exuding an imposing aura. This was unmistakably a figure of great eminence!

Excitement, ecstasy, his laughter swelled, growing louder and louder. Finally, the Third Master tossed Andy high into the air, and as he fell, caught him in a tight embrace, two streams of pure, old tears flowing from his hawk-like eyes...

A man does not easily shed tears, save when profound sorrow takes hold!

"Child, do you know who I am?"

Andy, dizzy and disoriented from being tossed about, felt that to ensure a good night's sleep, he *must* waste some breath communicating with this Old Madman who clearly held some status. "Cough! I, Chris Andy, am a noble Snow Wolf with grand aspirations. Although captured, I demand prisoner-of-war treatment befitting my station..."

The tears on the Third Master's cheeks evaporated. He gazed at Andy with profound affection, nodding and smiling. "Excellent, your demands are perfectly justified! You absolutely should possess such a noble demeanor! But you are not my captive, you are my... son!"

Son!?

Andy's ears perked up instantly. "Hey! You can't just spout nonsense like that! I'm your son? Doesn't that make you my dad?" This seemingly redundant question signaled that Andy's characteristic slow-wittedness had resurfaced.

The Third Master gritted his teeth, squeezed his eyes shut tightly, then snapped them open. "Yes!"

Andy grew anxious, frantically recalling the Third Master's three previous questions. He hurriedly asked, "You need to be clear about this! Ever since I knew how to eat, I've been in the Misty Forest. I've never seen my parents, and I don't even know my exact age. On what grounds do you claim to be my father?"

The Third Master remained silent for a long time, then, under Andy's persistent questioning, sighed sadly. "It's understandable that you wouldn't remember me, but how can you not remember your mother? Andy, do you truly have no recollection of your parents at all?"

Andy struggled to recall, then laughed sheepishly. "Heh, parents, huh? I just remember back in the Misty Forest, three 'mother Tyrannosaurs' tried to claim kinship with me, saying I was their cousin. They also said my parents were... oh right, the Rebellious Dragon Constantine and the Divine Wolf Sophia! But that's just what *they* said, I really don't know... Hey, why did you even capture me?!"

"Unclear, unclear..." The Third Master recoiled a few steps, his emotions surging. "Then I will tell you precisely *why* you were captured! Thirteen years ago, my pregnant wife vanished in the Misty Forest! I was severely wounded and barely escaped with my life! Three months ago, I received news from Mount Miglio: Old Five's three daughters discovered a Snow Wolf with Dragon's Might in the Misty Forest, confirming it was my child, missing for thirteen years! That is you, Chris Andy! But you were on Battle God Isle then, and I couldn't verify it myself! So, as soon as I heard Francis was arriving in Newin Port, I rushed to see you, even having Adams bring you here ahead of time! And the result..." The Third Master pointed at Andy. "A sacred aura, hidden Dragon's Might, originating from the very Misty Forest where Sophia disappeared, and corroborated by my three nieces who, though greedy, are certainly not fools! A Divine Dragon-Wolf fitting all these conditions... If not my child, then whose could you possibly be!?"

Having poured out his heart, the Third Master's shoulders slumped as if drained of all strength, and he simply gazed at Andy.

Each revelation struck Andy, leaving him dazed and disoriented, his reactions growing even slower. "Well, well, if you say so, then it must be so... But, who exactly are you?"

After all that had been said, did he *still* not know who his father was?

This child... was truly beyond hope!

The Third Master, now truly exasperated, bellowed, "Remember this: Your father is Constantine! One of the Five Peaks of Myriad Streams, the revered leader of the Five Great Divine Dragons of Mount Miglio, and among the countless Dragon Clan, the foremost individual closest to a god, second only to the Dragon God himself!"

Andy barely registered a few of the grand titles. He slowly waved a paw, laughing sheepishly. "Ah, Constantine, is it? Ha, hello there!"

Then, a thought surfaced in his mind, recalling words spoken by his Master and Sir Harry...

Heavens above! This was Constantine, the legendary Rebellious Dragon who, fearing pursuit from the Dragon Clan on Mount Wanliu back then, hadn't even unleashed his full power yet still established the name of the Five Peaks? A truly grand, eminent figure!

How... how did this eminent figure become *my* father?

Andy was utterly bewildered. After a long moment, he finally asked, "But... but they call you Third Master!"

Constantine shook his head. "Because I am also the Third Head of Thistle Valley... that very Thistle Valley which shelters rebels and villains from across the lands, yet remains shunned by the world! Back then, your mother Sophia vanished in the Misty Forest, and I was grievously wounded by the Dragon Clan, fleeing into... Never mind, those are old affairs now. Andy, first tell me, why do you not resemble the description given by your three cousins? Had I not known the clue that you'd acknowledged Francis as your master, I might have almost overlooked you!"

Thinking of the reasons behind his bodily transformations, Andy gritted his teeth. Yet, he still held Sir Harry's instructions firmly in mind—anything concerning Brockman was Master's absolute secret, and he absolutely couldn't blurt it out! Otherwise, he'd starve!

Sir Harry, wielding a Brick with a fierce expression, seemed to appear right before him. Andy's eyes darted. He laughed sheepishly, "This, well, this matter is rather complex. Could you first return me to Master, and then let Master slowly explain it to you? Also, I'm terribly hungry..."

"Master? Hmph! Enough!" Constantine suddenly bellowed, cutting Andy off. "Chris Andy, you are my son, the heir to the Number Two figure of Mount Miglio! Master? Hmph! In all the world, no one save a god is worthy of being your master!"

"But... but I really like my current Master! He gives me lots of delicious food, and besides, I'm truly starving..." Andy retorted.

"Enough!" Constantine frowned and waved his hand, a knot of distress forming in his heart—Andy was actually closer to Francis than to his own biological father!

No, this cannot stand. I must make you call me Father with your own lips!

Constantine asked Andy many more questions, but the noble Snow Wolf clung to one thought: he mustn't say too much, otherwise Sir Harry and Master would be displeased, and if they were displeased, Andy wouldn't get any food! Besides, how exhausting it was to speak so much and ponder so many things! So, again and again, Andy offered the same reply: "I don't know, I was sleeping then. Go ask my Master! Also, I'm terribly hungry..."

After a long silence, a pang of bitterness settled in Constantine's heart. What kind of situation was this? His son, closer to a human than to his own father!? He patted Andy's head, sighing. "Alright, since your identity has been confirmed, then come with me to meet Francis. I'd very much like to see by what right he claims to be the master of a descendant of Constantine!"

...

Meanwhile.

Leaving the guard detachment waiting far off, Porter strolled along the beach behind Du Chen.

The defensive fortifications of Newin Port's docks were no more; only the towering Sea Defense Fortress stood majestically, gazing out at the endless sea. On the docks, a few ships were making preparations for departure. The sailors' movements were a bit rusty, yet their spirits were high. They were about to set sail to re-chart the shipping lanes of Newin's waters, preparing for the impending trade.

A sea breeze swept by. Porter gently pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice barely audible to Du Chen alone. "Four days ago, you annihilated the vast majority of Merfolk. Yet, apart from a select few of us, no one knows it was your doing... Not even the Holy Church, though they seized this opportunity to widely propagate that the gods protected you, blessed your territory, and helped you resolve the Merfolk disaster... Now, the people of Newin regard you as a divine disciple!"

"That's what the Holy Church excels at!" Du Chen sneered coldly, gazing out at the sea, his heart sinking. In the distance, the azure water, illuminated by the scorching sun, subtly revealed a faint reddish hue.

Four days, and the bloodstain had still not fully dissipated!

The fresh blood of a hundred thousand beings!

But they deserved to die, didn't they? And... they weren't the only ones who deserved death!

Du Chen took a deep breath and stopped. "Porter, is there anything you wish to tell me? Something unrelated to Newin Port!"

Porter pursed his lips, glancing at Du Chen, then suddenly smiled. "Are you referring to the melody I played on the Sea Defense Fortress? Teacher Sherine taught me that... In fact, I also have a very mysterious senior sister; she plays even better than I do!"

Du Chen shook his head with a faint smile.

Porter blinked, then said, "Then perhaps you wish for me to explain the origins of my military and political abilities? I've told you before..."

Du Chen interrupted him with a wag of his finger, smiling. "Don't you want to ask, by what means I was able to annihilate a hundred thousand Merfolk in an instant!?"