In a wagon on the way to the Bael family's manor.

Cenn huddled at the edge of the wagon with Hog and Velin. And most of the space was taken up by Aydor, lying on a makeshift stretcher.

"When I realized he was going to use the Claws, I threw my spear at him without thinking, using the technique Uncle Hog taught me. You should have seen the look on Krinnel's face when the spear pierced through him. The blow was so hard that he fell to the ground and groaned. The whole arena was covered in blood. I thought I'd killed the bastard."

Cenn recounted to Aydor how the final fight had gone. He had already told Velin in great detail while they waited for the wagon. But as Aydor was being carried from Dr. Renol's office to the wagon, he woke up. The first thing he asked for was details of how the tournament ended. Velin could not refuse his wounded son, and it was finally decided that Aydor Cenn and Velin would ride in the wagon to tell the details of what had happened. Hog was unwilling to be left out and climbed in as well ignoring the fact that there wasn't much room for him in the wagon.

"Hehe. He got what he deserved. Too bad it wasn't from me." Aydor smiled after hearing the end of the story. "Thanks, knowing you kicked his ass makes me feel a little better."

"Come on kid, it'll be a couple of years and you'll beat that Krinnel guy without even blinking an eye. Trust me." Hog tried to cheer the boy up.

But his words had the opposite effect on Aydor. The smile disappeared from his face. And what seemed even stranger to Cenn, Velin's face darkened instantly as well. Realizing that he had said something wrong, Hog tried to correct the situation. "Hey, why are you gloomy, Aydor? It's just one small defeat. It's where it all starts, trust me." Said Hog and gently patted the boy's leg.

"I know, Uncle. Just a little tired of lying down," replied Aydor. Then looked at Cenn and as if remembering something turned to him. "Cenn so what happened to Krinnel in the end? You said the spear pierced through him. Hell, it's huge, how did they get it out?"

"Ah, what happened next? Well, I don't know..." Cenn started to answer, but suddenly he fell silent and all color left his face as if he had seen a ghost.

Grabbing Hog by the arm, he began shaking him nervously and shouting.

"We have forgotten it, Uncle Hog! We forgot my spear in the arena! I must go back for it. You can ride on without me."

But as he tried to rise from his seat, the fat man's hand came down on his shoulder.

"Take it easy." Said Hog with a heavy sigh. "Here's the thing. While you were restoring the qi, the doctor of the Kinov family said that he wouldn't be able to extract the spear from Krinnel in the arena. So they took it to the doctor's office right after the fight ended, along with your spear."

"I already thought it was left in the arena and might have been stolen," Cenn said with relief.

"That's not all. The doctor said he wouldn't be able to just pull the spear out. The damn tip was designed to leave no chance for a wounded enemy. Which makes it enter the body easily, but when you try to pull it out it tears everything in its path," Hog went into the details of the situation.

"So have them push it through to the front, the shaft is narrower than the tip," Cenn said.

"Well that's not an option either, the shaft is only slightly narrower than the tip and has a very scalloped structure. Especially since dragging five feet of spear shaft through a wound is quite an elaborate torture. I wouldn't wish that even for Krinnel," Hog said with a sad grin.

"Don't tell me that..." Cenn muttered shocked.

"Yes, you got that right. They'll have to saw the shaft at the very wound and push the spear forward. That's the only way the doctors will have a chance to save Krinnel's arm," Hog finished his explanation.

"And you let them? It's my spear, there's no way I'm agreeing to that!" Shouted Cenn.

"I'm sorry, the Senior Deacon told us to reconcile after everything that happened. And I had to make compromises. After all, for the entire city, it's just a spear. And its value can't be compared to how important a hand is to a young cultivator and hunter," Hog tried to justify his decision.

"Don't be angry, Cenn. We'll find a new shaft, even better than the old one. Give me a couple weeks, and your spear will be better than it was before." Velin intervened.

"You're a disciple of the sect now. I'm sure they'll give you something better than the uncommon spear. I can't imagine how many weapons they have in their treasury," Aydor added.

"There, Aydor, that's a good point, stop fretting over that little thing," Hog chimed in.

"But it's not a trifle, it's My spear, and I don't want another." Though it had been less than a year since Velin had given him this spear, Cenn had grown very attached to it.

"What's done is done, lad. I'll try to find a similar shaft, so you won't even notice the difference." Velin encouraged him.

Cenn only nodded in response. Knowing full well that he would be going to the sect tonight, there was no telling how long it would be before he could return home and retrieve the spear.

...

For the last couple minutes before arriving at the Bael family's estate, Velin was immersed in his thoughts on how he should inform his wife about what had happened to Aydor and what the future held for their son.

Their relationship had not been going well for a long time. Primarily because his wife, Valtira, was against Velin spending the family's resources on Cenn. After all, she believed that Aydor, as the son of the head of the family, had more rights than them.

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But the biggest problem for Velin was that she was taking her resentment out on Cenn. Turning servants, members of the Orist family, and even Aydor against him.

So now Velin was trying to figure out how to keep Cenn away from Valtira. And send him to the sect in peace. And tomorrow he would deal with how to help Aydor and calm his wife.

Anyway, Cenn was not responsible for what had happened.

When the wagon stopped and he stepped outside, he immediately saw Valtira, surrounded by several servants, walking toward the wagon. As always she looked perfect. The light makeup only emphasized her natural beauty. Her long brown hair hung down from her shoulders. Her green dress emphasized her slim figure without many curves. In the seventeen years that had passed since their marriage she had only gotten more beautiful, Velin thought.

"Is he inside?" Valtra asked.

"Yes, he was hurt, but he's back to normal now, don't worry," replied Velin.

"Don't make a fool of me, I already know everything," Valtira replied coolly, casting him a cold glance.

At this time, Hog and Cenn climbed out of the wagon.

"You..." Valtira said through gritted teeth, looking at Cenn. "Get out of my sight. You too, you filthy trash!" She said transferring her gaze to Hog, then climbed into the wagon.

Velin gestured to Hog that he and Cenn had better leave quickly. Hog did so without a second thought, dragging Cenn with him.

Approaching the wagon Velin looked inside, where his wife was carefully inspecting Aydor's wounds.

"Ah, my boy. How are you feeling?" She asked.

"All is well, Mother, the wounds are already healed and barely hurt at all. You don't have to worry, I will be fully recovered by tomorrow." Replied Aydor.

"Ah, my baby." Said Valtira gently stroking her son's head. "We should get you home soon, you'll be much more comfortable there," saying this she nodded to Velin and climbed out of the wagon.

Calling for servants, Velin carried Aydor out with them, on a stretcher made of several cloth blankets borrowed from Renol, with which he replaced Mizra's bloodstained cloak.

And following Valtira the whole procession went to their home.

...

When Aydor was laid on his futon and all the servants had gone, Valtira ceased to restrain herself and wept, tenderly embracing her son, who lay surrounded by a dozen pillows.

Velin put his arm around his wife and tried to comfort her.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine. The Senior Deacon sent us some blood essence, so the wounds..."

But suddenly Valtira stopped crying and pushed him away from her.

"Don't hold me for a fool. I already know everything. Renol, the blood essence, the Senior Deacon, it's all bullshit! Aydor will be left crippled and there's no telling how long he'll live, all because of you and that son of a bitch!"

Velin mentally cursed Mizra, he wanted her to hear it all from him, but the old man was ahead of him with his misrepresentation of the facts.

"Mother, calm down. It's all my fault," Aydor tried to intervene.

"Oh, my boy. You don't know the whole truth yet," Valtira said sadly.

"I heard it all. When Dad and Grandpa were talking to Dr. Renol, I heard everything. I know I won't be able to cultivate and use qi anymore! But it's my fault for losing!" Said Aydor practically breaking into a scream.

"No, son, it's not your fault. Mom's right, it's all my fault and mine alone. If I had given you more attention..." Velin said mournfully.

"You think that's the only thing you're guilty of? If you hadn't given all the family's resources to Cenn, do you think Aydor would have lost to some scumbag? But you always chose in favor of some filthy servant girl's bastard over your son." Valtira hissed angrily.

"I've always done what's best for the family. Maybe I did make a mistake, but there's no way to undo that. I should have taken better care of Aydor. But please leave Cenn alone, it's not his fault. He's leaving for the Iron Fist Sect tonight, and I don't want him to think his family hates him.

Besides, if he does well in the sect, he can find a cure for Aydor. So keep your temper in check, please."

Velin looked into his wife's eyes and saw only hatred in them. There was probably nothing that could be fixed between them anymore. But at least he wanted to protect Aydor and Cenn. So that the next generation of the Bael family could live supporting each other.

Suddenly, Valtira's gaze changed. The fires of hatred were extinguished and Velin saw only pain in them. She took his hand and brought it to her face. Snuggled her cheek against his palm and asked. "Velin, tell me. Have you ever loved me?"

"I have always loved you, from the moment we first met and I still do," Velin answered without hesitation.

"And Aydor, do you love our son?"

"What a question, of course, I love him," Velin replied not understanding what all these questions were about.

"Then for my sake, for Aydor's sake you can promise me something," said Valtira in a trembling voice.

"Of course. Anything," replied Velin.

"Next time you have to choose between being a father or the head of the family. Act like a loving father and husband. Choose us," Valtira said through her tears.

"What are you talking about? I've always been..." Velin tried to reply but was immediately interrupted.

"'Stop. Just promise me that when you have to choose between Aydor and Cenn, you'll choose Aydor. Just this once. If you love us," Valtira said in a gentle, ingratiating voice.

Velin looked at his wife, then at Aydor, who had been looking at his parents in silence the whole time.

"I promise. I'll do anything for you," Velin said and hugged his wife.

"Thank you. Thank you," muttered Valtira not holding back her tears.

...

It had been a little while since Aydor had been brought to his room. And he was lying on his familiar futon. He was a little surprised at the scene that had happened between his parents, but it was a pleasant surprise. He had forgotten the last time his parents hugged, and he was glad their relationship had mended.

However, he didn't have time to think about what had happened and rejoice in the family harmony. As soon as his Father left, his Mother immediately began reprimanding him for his carelessness in battle and blaming the whole world for his defeat especially Cenn and his Father. And for the last few minutes, he lay silently staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore her admonishments.

"Are you listening to me? Aydor! I'm talking to you!" Valtira said irritably.

"Yes, Mom. I can hear you," replied Aydor tiredly.

"Now the servants will come and help you get dressed, you should be at today's dinner. And remember, whatever happens, don't open your mouth. Do you understand?"

"Mom I'm so tired and my wounds still hurt," Aydor said pitifully, trying to convince his mother to leave him alone.

"Stop whining, you're not a little kid anymore. If I said you're going to go to lunch, then you will!" Valtira said sternly.

"Okay, Mom," said Aydor doomily.

"And don't forget, keep your mouth shut, we don't need you embarrassing yourself in front of a sect representative."

"I got it, Mom..."