Chapter 296: Dreamscapes and Fiery Promises

Buzz, buzz, buzz—Master Dreamer!

Enter the dream!

This is the fundamental ability of the Dao Fruit; Li Che only intended to test it out.

In an instant, his pupils shifted to a kaleidoscope of colors, as if a shattered rainbow had been mixed into vibrant pigment within them.

A swirl of multicolored mist began to curl up from behind Li Che, reminiscent of the ceaseless, smoky plumes rising from a ruined wasteland.

It was as if an invisible pulse was slowly radiating outward from Li Che’s body.

The entire world seemed to undulate ever so slightly.

Like a transparent pebble tossed into a clear pond, the calm water erupted into rippling waves.

Everything around him appeared transformed, as if Li Che had used his Tongyou technique to step into a realm of shadows.

Heaven and earth were undergoing a metamorphosis.

Countless billows of colored mist surged up all around.

After a brief struggle, Big Black Dog’s eyes slowly closed in unison with Li Che’s performance.

After all, to attend XiXi’s birthday feast, the mutt had even sacrificed its smile. Li Che wanted more, and what chance did it have to resist?

It was only a dream…

As Li Che opened his eyes, he immediately felt as if he had stepped into Big Black Dog’s dream.

All around him, the kaleidoscopic mist swirled like the eerie fog rising from the Bizarre Temple, isolating the dream space.

Li Che floated in the air as his gaze swept over his surroundings.

The scorching, searing heat distorted even his six senses, almost blurring them out.

The ground glowed a deep red; the ashen earth cracked open as if sliced by a knife, revealing terrifying crevasses like a riven chasm of the planet.

From these crevices, torrents of blistering magma erupted, boiling and surging, occasionally slapping against the edges and sending up lava fountains tens of meters high!

Looking around, the earth was marred by countless fractures, with glowing magma flowing through them, radiating an overwhelming heat.

The air itself seemed twisted, and the ground was too scorching to tread upon!

Is this Dog’s dream?!

Li Che’s gaze stiffened.

Then suddenly,

he sensed an unbearably fierce heat…

—!!!

A scorching gale howled down from above, lashing across his head.

Li Che’s hairs stood on end. Relying on his unrestricted dream control, he propelled his body upward at incredible speed.

In the next moment, Li Che’s body froze.

High up in the sky, as Li Che looked down—

he found the entire molten land trembling, with fiery magma erupting along countless cracks, like blood pulsating through veins.

The earth suddenly surged upward as if bursting from the ground, shooting straight into the clouds. The roaring gales were so intense he almost felt like he couldn’t breathe.

It turned out that the blasted, scarred terrain he’d seen moments ago wasn’t the earth at all—

it was merely the surface of a colossal being!

And that huge mass, lying there, suddenly stirred. A pair of enormous eyes slowly opened; so vast they seemed to envelop the heavens and earth.

The blurred outline of its figure emerged in Li Che’s vision.

A gigantic Big Black Dog, towering tens of thousands of feet tall, with magma coursing like blood through its veins!

This was—

the true form of Big Black Dog?!

Li Che’s breath seemed to freeze in his chest!

To witness Big Black Dog’s true form in a dream!

The massive dog-head of Big Black Dog slowly lowered, while countless stars whirled behind it in a surreal dance!

Boom!!!

Big Black Dog fixed its gaze on Li Che, and in the next instant, its enormous paw—seemingly boundless—swung down fiercely towards him.

It felt like an instant, yet also an eternity.

Li Che opened his eyes; his irises still shimmered with swirling colors, his heart overwhelmed with awe and incredulity.

His mind remained in a daze. Was what he saw in the dream truly the real form of Big Black Dog?

Could one dog suppress an entire world?

And what kind of world was that?

Hell? The netherworld?!

Li Che’s hairs stood on end as he genuinely felt the dog’s extraordinary nature. But—

he squinted his eyes; within them, multicolored light danced.

Of course, it was also possible that what he saw in Dog’s dream was merely a beautiful fantasy of the beast—although that was highly unlikely, as dreams can hold anything.

At that moment,

the tinkling sound of a wind chime reached Li Che’s ears—the kitchen curtain had been pulled aside, setting the chime into a clear, pleasing clatter.

Instinctively, Li Che turned and saw the Boss emerging with a six-layered lunchbox.

Dressed in white, his hair dark and neatly tied with a cord.

It seemed he felt Li Che’s gaze, and their eyes met.

Then, Li Che caught a glimpse of the Boss’s dream.

Once again, multicolored mist rose up.

When Li Che opened his eyes, the overwhelming terror, oppression, and destructive force of Dog’s dream had vanished, replaced by something almost beyond his imagination—the contrast was stark.

Under soft orange lights, like those on a quiet park path at midnight, a restaurant stood serenely between heaven and earth.

Bathed in that gentle glow, it exuded a timeless sense of tranquility, as if time itself had paused.

Li Che was momentarily calmed. Compared to Dog’s wild, chaotic dream world, the Boss’s dream reflected his gentle and composed nature.

Li Che’s spirit eased noticeably.

He strode toward the restaurant and confidently drew back the curtain.

Ding-a-ling~

The sound echoed like chimes stirred by a gentle breeze.

It brought a serene calm that soothed his very soul.

Inside the restaurant,

Li Che saw the Boss, dressed in an impeccably tailored chef’s coat, seated calmly and watching him.

“You’re here,”

the Boss nodded.

A chill ran down Li Che’s spine.

Was the Boss…

engaging him in conversation?

Did the Boss know that Li Che had entered his dream?

The Dao Fruit’s power—

had it been seen through by the Boss?!

Ding-a-ling~

Suddenly, from behind him came the sound of tinkling chimes once more, as the curtain was pulled aside again. Footsteps echoed, followed by a clear and cool female voice.

“Boss, one bowl of noodles with two eggs, please.”

Her gentle tone carried an aloof coolness that gradually softened as she spoke.

Hearing this, Li Che’s body tensed sharply.

Turning around, he saw a graceful figure in a flowing black dress approaching from outside the restaurant.

Her sleek, raven hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her thighs, rippling softly as if stirred by an invisible breeze—a living, flowing cape.

Her refined features were accentuated by long, fluttering lashes framing eyes as dark as black dates.

Just one look at her, and Li Che felt an inexplicable familiarity well up from deep within.

That feeling spread from the depths of his soul.

His blood seemed to boil ever so slightly at that moment.

It was a sensation of deep, familial bond.

She was—

“Two eggs?”

The Boss glanced at the woman, his eyes soft yet puzzled as he asked.

The woman nodded, pulling out a chair. With her slender legs, she sat, placing her feet on the chair’s side. From a nearby utensil holder, she drew out a pair of pristine, unused chopsticks. With a crisp snap, she separated the two stuck together.

“Hurry up—I’m starving!” she declared.

The Boss’s lips twitched, “And you’re still hungry?”

“I’m really hungry today,” the woman replied, stretching casually with a chopstick in hand.

The Boss said nothing further.

“Right away.”

Then, the Boss, impeccably dressed in his chef’s attire, turned and strode back into the kitchen.

Inside, the restaurant fell silent.

Only the sizzling sound of eggs frying in the kitchen broke the hush.

Li Che collected himself, pulled out the chair beside the woman, and sat down.

The woman glanced at Li Che. In her cool, serene eyes flickered countless fleeting images.

Li Che’s eyes, still filled with swirling multicolored mists, trembled slightly.

Because in those clear, cool eyes, he saw—an endless sea of corpses and blood!

Layer upon layer of bodies, as if a slice of endless inferno had been laid bare; bright scarlet blood surged like expansive rivers merging into a blood-soaked sea!

Li Che withdrew his gaze.

He exhaled slowly, and an unexpected sadness flickered in his eyes.

Over the years…

What had this woman endured?

“Noodles are ready.”

“Eat while it’s hot.”

The rich aroma interrupted Li Che’s thoughts.

The Boss carried a bowl of noodles and placed it before the elegant, dark-clad woman.

The clear broth and the noodles, glistening like strands of dragon whiskers, were topped with two pan-fried eggs—golden yolks meeting tender whites in a dazzling display under the light.

“Dig in,”

the Boss said kindly.

Immediately, the woman lowered her head and began eating.

With each noodle she ate,

a small, clear droplet fell, shattering the mirror-like broth.

Gradually, the vibrant colors in Li Che’s eyes faded.

The Boss calmly set down his lunchbox. He then took out some rolling paper, extracted a pinch of tobacco from his worn sachet, and rolled two cigarettes.

“Care for one?” he offered.

Li Che nodded, patted the dozing head of Dog,

walked over to the Boss, lit a cigarette, and crouched under the restaurant’s dim light.

“Every hurt my daughter suffers is because her father isn’t strong enough.

“You must become stronger…”

Li Che took a drag, exhaling slowly.

The smoke blurred his vision, as dreamlike as ever.

After a while,

“Take Dog along—I’m leaving.”

“When you’re free, bring XiXi for a meal.”

The Boss dusted off the tobacco ash, stood up, and handed the lunchbox back to Li Che, saying:

Just as Li Che was about to ask something, the Boss had already turned back into the kitchen without giving him a chance.

The kitchen was a no-visitors zone.

Seeing this, Li Che no longer pressed the matter. With a snap of his fingers, he crushed the ash, stood up; his Lotus-patterned ink robe billowed in the air as Dog stirred and snorted.

“Let’s go, Dog.”

Li Che stepped into the soft snow and called to the newly awakened Big Black Dog. Upon hearing him, the dog perked up, wagging its tail and leaving paw prints like plum blossoms in the snow.

Man and dog left the alley.

Li Che, accompanied by Big Black Dog, returned to the Elders’ Court of the Divine Sect’s Disciple City.

He tossed Big Black Dog in the courtyard and went to Taibai Peak to fetch XiXi home.

In an icy, crystalline world,

the night was as clear as day.

At Taibai Peak, snowflakes drifted gently, covering the mountain in a blanket of white.

Li Che, holding an oil-paper umbrella and wearing his gold-embroidered ink robe, strode forward amid the swirling snow.

Following the ancient stone path up Taibai Peak, every building was cloaked in a thick layer of frost,

resembling transparent glazed glass—a scene of rare beauty.

At last, he reached Taibai Peak.

A blaze of fire split across the sky as XiXi, riding the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, sped across the plaza high above the mountain.

Her speed was so incredible that after a sudden stop, she seamlessly veered—a display of unparalleled agility.

Clearly, after nearly half a year of practice, XiXi had grown adept at controlling the Mythic Weapon, the Jin Guang Wheel.

“Ahahahaha!”

“Time for fireworks!”

Amidst piercing laughter,

arrows of golden, flaming light shot down relentlessly, bombarding the snowy plaza and blooming into one magnificent firework after another.

Just as Li Che reached the edge of the mountain-top plaza, he witnessed this astonishing scene.

The vast snowy area was filled with swirling snowdrifts, the drifting powder scattering like flying stardust.

But it was XiXi, wielding the Nanwu Xiangong Xuehuo Bodhi Gatling, who was unleashing a relentless barrage while balancing on the wind-fire wheel!

She resembled an agile fighter jet gliding in the skies.

Her weapon’s six metallic tubes spun at dizzying speeds, ejecting tongues of flame and releasing intense heat, accompanied by XiXi’s ecstatic screams and laughter—it was simply wild!

Li Che couldn’t help but laugh wryly. This little girl—

“XiXi,”

he called out.

Whoosh!

“Daddy—!!!”

XiXi’s shrill cry exploded across the air. Then, as if suddenly grown taller, the little girl took a running leap, stepping on the wind-fire wheel as if sprinting through the sky straight toward Li Che!

In one graceful bound, the wind-fire wheel vanished, and XiXi spread her arms wide to embrace Li Che.

A gentle softness filled Li Che’s eyes as he opened his arms to catch her, lifting the little girl up.

Though XiXi was six, she had grown a bit taller, yet her childish round belly remained unmistakable.

However, the baby fat on her face had diminished, revealing a newfound delicate beauty.

Clinging to Li Che’s neck, XiXi began to act spoiled.

“Daddy, why are you so late? Today is my birthday—you didn’t forget, did you?”

Pouting, XiXi complained.

“I should have picked you up sooner, little birthday girl!”

Li Che laughed as he gently scratched XiXi’s small nose.

“Aren’t I here already? Daddy went to see the Boss, who kindly organized a birthday feast—and even brought Dog back to the courtyard. Now you can have endless fun with Dog.”

XiXi’s eyes lit up, “Dog’s here?!”

She had missed playing with Big Black Dog for so long.

Inside the palace at Taibai Peak,

Lü Taibai stood with his silver hair flowing and arms folded, smiling as he watched the scene.

“Master, let’s go! Time to celebrate XiXi’s birthday!”

……

XiXi waved her hand.

“And Third Senior Brother Dan Kuang! Come on, come on!”

In the distance, the burly figure of Dan Kuang—a mountain of a man wielding a heavy sword and with wild, purple hair—appeared.

At XiXi’s invitation, a soft smile broke across his face.

Although as a prince of Da Li Wangting and a disciple of Lü Taibai he didn’t quite fit in with the Divine Sect’s inner circle,

XiXi’s presence was like a ray of light clearing away a gloomy sky.

Dan Kuang’s heart softened, but in a mature manner he said, “I’m not coming. Happy birthday, XiXi.”

Dan Kuang muttered under his breath.

Lü Taibai shook his head, “I won’t be coming either. I’ll let your master’s wife accompany you—she has quite the appetite and should be here by now.”

“Oh!” XiXi replied without protest.

After Li Che bowed farewell to the two,

Lü Taibai continued with a smile, “I’m giving XiXi a three-day break. For these days, she can stay home and spend time with her old man and mother. Once the break is over, we resume our seclusion to break through to the Divine Vision realm.”

XiXi’s eyes shone as she made a determined fist.

“I know, Daddy!”

The little girl was clearly excited about the prospect of a breakthrough—it meant growing stronger!

When XiXi grew strong, she could even challenge Daddy! To dominate every time he got cocky!

Li Che responded with deep, resolute pride.

A six-year-old with Divine Vision—

exaggeration!

If he’d heard before of a six-year-old trying to break through to Divine Vision, Li Che would never have believed such monstrous tales!

Oh, she’s my little daughter, after all.

That was enough.

Embracing XiXi, Li Che, umbrella in hand, began his descent along the mountain path.

All the while, XiXi chattered incessantly, recounting every detail of her recent cultivation and hard work.

“I’ve been working so hard! Master often praises me and even says I might one day surpass him!

“Daddy, praise me already!”

XiXi beamed proudly, one hand clutching Li Che’s neck while the other rested on her round belly.

“No praise yet.”

“Once you surpass our Sect Master, Daddy will shower you with praise.”

Li Che laughed, always contradicting XiXi.

XiXi grew anxious, “Daddy, I’m just a kid—I’m not stupid!”

“Hahahaha—”

Li Che burst into hearty laughter.

Then, suddenly,

Li Che’s laughter ceased abruptly as he arrived at the carriage stop at the foot of the peak.

Nie Yang and Li Chengzhou sat on the carriage yoke—one large and one small—each clutching a sword, exuding a cold, formidable aura.

Next to Nie Yang’s carriage was another, quietly stationed. A lithe young man stood beside it, bathed in falling snow, holding a gift box and an oil-paper umbrella, standing silently.

Li Che’s expression fell, replaced in an instant by another entirely.

“Su Li?”

XiXi tilted her head—she recognized the young man.

As the carriage curtain lifted, Su Chuyang’s fist clenched, full of determination: “XiXi! Just wait. This year, I will definitely surpass you! I’ll rank higher in the Authentic Transmission Ledger than you!”

Li Che’s eyes swept over and noticed inside the carriage, Elder Ji Heshan—one of the four elders—nodding his warm greeting toward him.

“Elder Li—Su Li and Chu Yang have come bearing gifts upon learning today is XiXi’s birthday,” Elder Ji Heshan said kindly.

Today, Li Che’s status was far different from before.

In terms of identity and standing, he even surpassed the Inner Court’s Elder Li Chengzhou.

“Elder Ji,”

Li Che nodded.

“Elder, I’m not here to give presents—I’m here to make a declaration! I don’t like XiXi; I want to defeat her and surpass her!”

Su Chuyang balled his fist, his determination soaring.

He was still the same, just as when Su He Lian had asked him to deliver gifts to XiXi and he’d refused.

Li Che eyed Su Chuyang; this kid was quite different from the typical Su Family temperament.

Elder Ji Heshan smiled and stroked his beard, ignoring Su Chuyang.

Su Li and Su Chuyang had joined his sect; it was just a promise Su Daoling had made with many gifts.

They were here just to appear before the Sect Master’s favored XiXi and show a bit of goodwill.

Li Che’s expression turned cold. “Elder, do you know what the Su Family is like?”

Elder Ji Heshan remained composed, his voice calm and sincere: “Rest assured, Elder Li. XiXi is no ordinary girl. As the Sect Master’s direct protégé and your cherished treasure, the Su Family wouldn’t resort to unscrupulous methods. This time, Su Li genuinely adores XiXi and wishes to court her. That’s why I brought him along.”

“Not considering Su Family’s pride, Su Li is also my disciple under Ji Heshan. As a master, I want to help my disciples—”

Li Che cast a cold look at Elder Ji.

“Su Li pays his respects, Elder Li.”

“Upon learning it’s your birthday, XiXi, I specifically picked out a gift. I hope you like it.”

Su Li, tall and with features hinting at a sword-like brow and starry eyes—a sign of his innate talent in Huang Jianjiu’s style, already with considerable cultivation as an Inner Sect disciple—

XiXi frowned, “I don’t like it.”

Su Li paused, “XiXi—”

Li Che interrupted sharply, “XiXi said she doesn’t like it. Take your gift and leave.”

After speaking, Li Che, without looking back, ushered XiXi into the carriage.

On the carriage yoke, Li Chengzhou stood silently clutching his sword, while Su Li, holding his gift with both hands, wore an expressionless face.

What sort of fellow thinks he can be friends with my dear XiXi!

Once Li Chengzhou perfects his swordsmanship, a single swing will fell them both!

My XiXi must be protected by Li Chengzhou!

Outside in the snow, Su Li trembled, gritting his teeth as if summoning courage, and rushed forward with his gift in hand, “XiXi, look at the gift I prepared for you!”

But,

before he could reach the carriage,

Nie Yang snorted coldly as a terrifying, master-level pressure fell like a crushing weight, pinning Su Li down. The gift he held smashed to the ground, revealing an exquisite sword beneath its wrapping.

“Nie Yang—Su Li is my disciple,”

suddenly, on the plaza, the swirling wind and snow stilled as a formidable primordial energy surged violently.

The carriage curtain flew open, revealing Elder Ji Heshan’s now icy expression.

Li Che had already refused him. How could you, a mere carriage driver, dare to bully his disciple?

“Elder Li, it’s just a token exchange between children. They’re only offering a small gift—there’s no need to make such a scene,”

two long fingers emerged from behind the carriage curtain and gently lifted it.

Sitting quietly inside, Li Che fixed his gaze on Elder Ji Heshan.

“Elder Ji, don’t you understand what kind of people the Su Family really are?!”

“Don’t even think of making a move on my daughter.”

“Otherwise—the Sect Master won’t be able to protect you!”

Li Che slowly raised his face, his eyes chillingly distant as he looked at Elder Ji Heshan in the opposite carriage.

In that instant, the swirling snow above seemed to embody an ominous killing intent!

Elder Ji Heshan suddenly felt a chilling cold cascade over him, as if his heart was being squeezed by a giant hand, threatening to crush it at any moment.

He quickly withdrew his hand. The curtain fell, severing Li Che’s gaze, and Elder Ji Heshan slumped against the soft carriage back, gasping heavily.

“This—is Li Che?”

“How could one person exert such overwhelming pressure?!”

“No! This is—Ma Mian!”

“Old Nie, let’s go.”

The curtain dropped. A calm voice emanated from inside the carriage.

Nie Yang immediately drove the carriage; its wheels crushed the fallen snow as it sped away from the plaza.

In the snowy expanse, Su Li trembled uncontrollably, barely able to stand.

That terrifying pressure of a supreme grandmaster was something even Elder Ji Heshan couldn’t counter.

Su Li’s arms shook, his pupils contracted as he stared at the ground, shivering incessantly.

Then,

he turned to look at a sacred sword crafted with painstaking care by the Master of Divine Weapons, engraved with the character “Xi.”

But with a sharp crack,

that divine weapon shattered into powder.

“Daddy, Su Li is so annoying!”

“XiXi doesn’t like him! He’s too weak—can’t even win a fight against XiXi. What a loser!”

“But Su Chuyang at least has some backbone. Every time he challenges XiXi, he ends up battered!”

Inside the carriage, XiXi clutched Li Che’s arm, murmuring.

Li Che nodded gently, as if a storm of killing intent had just dissipated like an illusion.

XiXi’s large bright eyes blinked as she continuously looked at Li Che, her tender face beaming with a radiant smile.

“Daddy, you were so cool just now!”

XiXi chirped happily.

Li Che ruffled her hair, “Just ignore them. The Su Family isn’t worth your attention, and neither is Su Chuyang.”

“Simply ignore them,”

he added.

“But what if they keep pestering you? They’re all Inner Sect disciples and will always interact—it’s such a hassle,” XiXi said, tilting her head in a troubled manner.

Li Che’s eyes flashed. Clearly, the Su Family had set some schemes on his dear XiXi.

But XiXi’s status was no ordinary one. As the direct protégé of the Sect Master and the cherished daughter of Li Che—the only Divine Condor Half-Saint on Shendiao Ridge—her position was unmatched by any ordinary wonder child.

If the Su Family dared act on their lecherous designs, even Lü Taibai’s wrath would be unbearable.

Yet if the Su Family merely sought a marriage alliance to leverage their influence in Divine Capital—like sending their girls to serve the elite—

rumor had it that the Su Family had indeed established connections there: one daughter had become a favored consort of the Great Realm Emperor, and another had joined as a concubine to the Third Prince.

After all, the Su Family had ruled over Daocheng for three thousand years. Now, shifting their focus to Divine Capital, they were forging new alliances. It was said that one of their top martial artists, at the peak of Qihai, presided over the Divine Capital’s interests, backing their two daughters with his might.

And XiXi’s identity and standing made her the perfect counterstrike against the Su Family.

Li Che’s gaze turned icy as he patted XiXi’s head gently, smoothing away the frown born of too much attention.

“Don’t worry. With me here, I’ll take care of everything.”

Li Che’s voice was tender as he assured her.

XiXi looked up, smiling brightly and rubbing her head.

Gradually, Li Che’s eyes grew empty and cold.

“Su Family—

on your birthday, XiXi, there’s no room for bloodshed today.”

He returned to the Elders’ Court of the Disciple City of the Divine Sect without pause, undeterred by the wind and snow.

“Wow—Dog!”

XiXi flung her arms open and laughed boisterously.

Big Black Dog, previously listless, immediately leaped up. Its paws hit the ground, and it bolted forward under the dim light outside the restaurant.

Man and dog collided in the snow, both bursting into joyous laughter.

Inside the Elders’ Court, friends gathered early to celebrate XiXi’s birthday.

Familiar faces from Jin Guang City—Sang Guanyin, Bian Yuanlong, Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Xiu, Hai Chaosheng—and prodigies like Yun’e, Zhou Peng, Tie Shancai, and other gifted ones were all there.

The little ones, long unseen, chattered nonstop, creating a raucous noise that threatened to shake the roof apart.

Li Che, Li Qingshan, and Old Chen sat under the eaves, watching XiXi play in the snow with her friends, proudly displaying her cultivation through her round belly.

In a fleeting moment, his mind drifted back to the image of that dark-clad woman in the Boss’s dream.

The one who had appeared battle-worn, stepping over a massacre of corpses and blood.

Gradually, determination returned to Li Che’s eyes.

In this life, with me as your father, I’ll tread through any sea of corpses for you.

“Kids, time to eat!”

At the table, a tablecloth was already spread out. Zhang Ya emerged from the kitchen with a variety of stir-fried dishes.

Li Che also brought out the six-dish meal packaged by the Boss.

The six-layered lunchbox, holding six dishes, symbolized the Boss’s blessings for XiXi’s sixth birthday.

“XiXi, come—your mother made birthday noodles just for you.”

“You must finish them.”

Inside the kitchen,

once everyone sat at the table,

in XiXi’s bright eyes,

Zhang Ya stepped out gently from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of noodles.

She gently placed the bowl in front of XiXi.

“Happy sixth birthday, my dear XiXi.”

Zhang Ya pressed a tender kiss on XiXi’s forehead and said softly.

Li Che joined, wrapping his arms around his wife and daughter.

In a moment of reverie,

he recalled that vision from the Boss’s dream—the ink-dressed woman.

The one who appeared as if covered in wounds, treading over a sea of corpses and blood.

Li Che’s eyes hardened with resolve.

This life, as long as I’m here—

I’ll shoulder every burden for you.

“Everyone, dig in!”