The chase went until the next morning when the spell on his forehead started to wane. Ma Qian was deadly exhausted with all that running until he saw a young man kneeling and kowtowing towards a recently burned house. The house was actually a mansion, but everything turned into nothing but ash. Just what happened?
“Father, when it was time for me to support you, I didn’t believe you. When others said you were a bad and tempered person, I believed them without investigating the facts. I was naive…..I was immature….and I was stupid. The day that I could no longer see you was the day I realized how much you have given me….how much you have sacrificed for the family…..and how much you continued providing for the family without the support or trust of the the family. Father, I realized how sad you were. I realized the pain of betrayal you’ve carried after helping those ungrateful people,” the young man said while crying in tears. He was recalling his memories, the good and the bad.
He continued, “If I could change back the time I would……, I would have done things differently but the heavens will never allow this. I have always wanted to help you, but my ignorance and the distrust that I had for you have only made you suffer all this time. I saw your aged face disappointed in me, and yet I still sensed the care you have for me. I saw your angry face, but you have always pardon my mistakes.”
“At one point, I looked down on you, believing what others had said about you. I believed I could fly on my own and proved to you when I come back stronger. But….I realized that it was too late…..I realized that behind the scenes, you’ve made great sacrifices for the family.”
“These regrets….I wished for you to give me another chance, but what good is it for if you’re no longer here by my side. This heavy sin, I will carry and embrace it all my life as a reminder of how great of a father you were to me and how great of a person you are to others. I will change…..I believe in good karma…..I will make it happen……I will make sure when you are reincarnated, you will be loved by your parents, your siblings, your wife, and your children! For now, I wish for you to let go of that burden and pain, and I will endure all of that while living in this world. I, at least, owe you that commitment. I wish for you to rest peacefully without further suffering. I want to see you joyfully smile looking ahead at the heavens!”
The young man bowed ten times slowly while on his knees. The last bow was an eternal bow of gratefulness. At this moment, the wind blew slightly. Somewhere in the sky, two ancient eyes looked down on the young man with tears. They were tears of worry, regret, forgiveness, and undying love. An old voice could be heard, “Take care, my child….” The echo of that voice was carried by the slight wind all the way to the place where the young man was bowing.
Within the burned areas, a baby flower bloomed, a miracle unaffected by the flames. A fallen leaf swayed from left to right until it fell on the young man’s hand. The sun shone brighter within that area as it was giving more energy than usual. Approval….this was an approval by the ancient eyes that disappeared a moment ago. The young man felt a tremor throughout his body as he looked at his surroundings with watery eyes. He smiled because he could feel this was a parting gift message from his father!
Within a short distance Ma Qian clasped his hands and bowed towards the burned house. And a distance away from him, Ye Tian and Xiang Jiao also clasped their hands and bowed towards the same area. They have heard everything the young man have said, and even they could feel the genuine feeling he had for his father. Ye Tian could feel the young man’s pain after having similar experiences.
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The young man continued kneeling there without a sound while recalling memories of his father. Ma Qian and the others decided to walk up to him to try to console the young man. After all, they all share something in common – No parents.
“Hey, are you okay?” Ma Qian initiated the conversation.
“I’m alright. Thank you for asking,” the young man replied.
“I’m Ma Qian, this is Ye Tian and Xiang Jiao,” Ma Qian replied back.
“It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Lin Yang,” the young man said while he cupped his hands towards them. Lin Yang had a noble and handsome face, shoulder-length smooth black hair, and wore a v-shaped collar silver robe that showed his muscular figure. The robe was cut off at the arms where it showed Lin Yang’s well defined muscular arm. He was as tall as Ye Tian, but unlike Ye Tian’s messy hair, his hair was kept neatly.
“Brother Lin Yang, we are not sure how long you’ve been kneeling there for, but perhaps your pray have been answered. If that is the case, would you like to have some breakfast with us? This will be our treat,” Ye Tian asked politely.
“Brother Ye Tian, I will have to apologize and decline your offer. I have promised to kneel here until tomorrow morning,” Lin Yang replied with a disappointed face. “This is my way of …….”
“It is fine, We understand and we respect your decision.” Ye Tian said.
“When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself,” Xiang Jiao solemnly spoke filled with a touch of wisdom.
Lin Yang looked at Xiang Jiao then cupped his hands again. He repeatedly whispered what Xiang Jiao had said as if he only understood half of the meaning but not the whole meaning. Ye Tian and Ma Qian were speechless when they heard the words coming out of Xiang Jiao’s mouth. It was so unexpected after traveling with him for the past week or so. Just who is this guy?, they all thought.
“Lin Yang, we won’t disturb you any further. We’ll come back again tomorrow morning and we will invite you again for breakfast,” Ye Tian concluded after gaining his senses from Xiang Jiao’s spoken piece of wisdom.
As they explored the city, they overheard gossiping rumors about Lin Yang.
“Did you hear? The Lin family was killed by 5 other family clans. How horrible! They were such a good and a righteous family,” one pedestrian said.
“I’ll bet those five family clans were behind that fire after they distracted some of the Lin’s family strongest fighters,” another said.
“Yeah, it’s a real shame. Only the son have survived. He should leave before they kill him as well,” an elder sighed.
“Lin Yang, the fallen noble!” another old man sadly whispered.
Ye Tian interrupted one of the elders walking by, and asked him, “Pardon elders, may I ask why the 5 family clans are trying to destroy the Lin family?”
“I’m not too sure. Probably because the Lin family controlled many of the markets and they were also influential on the capital’s ruling. They were loved and respected by the people and hated by the other major powers,” the elder expressed his assumption.
Ye Tian wondered if they should help Lin Yang or not. He might be in grave danger, considering that he’s all alone now. But Xiang Jiao said, “Let destiny fall unto place.”
“Hmpppph, screw destiny! Look how I turned out after waiting for my destiny!” Ma Qian replied grudgingly.
“Destiny does not apply to dickheads like you…” Xiang Jiao replied calmly while still walking with his palms together.
A killing intent rose up, but Ye Tian was able to calm Ma Qian down.
“If we happen to meet him again by chance, then let’s help him. If we don’t meet him, then there is nothing we can do,” Ye Tian disappointingly concluded.