Chapter 520: A Father’s Resolve Amidst Celestial Turmoil

Boss’s words, ethereal yet resounding, reached Li Che’s ears.

Even in the dire situation under the ominous gaze of the Three Immortals, Boss still found time to chat with Li Che.

Li Che understood that this conversation might be crucial—its outcome would determine Boss’s next move.

Somewhere, the rolled cigarette held between his lips was lit; its curling smoke swirled upward before bursting spectacularly in midair.

To continue protecting his daughter only meant that she would fall in this dreadful battle where the will of the Three Immortal Gods descended.

Or let his daughter embrace the Yulian Curse, abandon resistance, and submit to her destined fate—becoming a tool of divine will.

For Li Che, these two choices hardly required deep deliberation.

He recalled how, through the Dream Celestial Dao Fruit, he had seen XiXi embracing Yulian, suffering the curse’s might, and becoming a grim executioner under heaven’s decree—a corpse-ridden, soulless figure.

How could he ever allow his daughter to walk that path?

Could it be that, since the enemy was so overwhelmingly strong that he dared not fight back, he’d relinquished resistance, condemning his daughter to a hopeless fate?

After all his efforts to change her destiny, he now felt that fear of the enemy’s power had forced him to forsake everything…

A father who dares not fight for his daughter…

What kind of father is that?!

A ripple stirred within Li Che’s calm heart as his eyes flashed with fierce, dazzling determination.

Every muscle and sinew resounded with power!

“I will never let my daughter fall back into fate! That life is not hers. Her destiny, her future—she gets to decide!”

Li Che’s voice thundered like that of an ancient god, pummeling the air like the beating of war drums, sending shockwaves through space.

It was as if a surge of will awakened the Pure Heart Dao Fruit; wave after wave of its divine nature washed over Li Che’s body like a tidal surge.

Chaotic winds howled, seeming to burst from every pore and batter everything around.

A faint smile graced Boss’s cool, detached face.

“I knew it—you’d choose the first option,” he observed lightly.

Boss said calmly.

It was as if he had seen right through Li Che’s temperament.

Boss exhaled and fixed his gaze on the direction from which the Three Immortals had launched their assault.

Di Chan was being forcefully held back by Third Prince, while Immortal Golden Cicada was intercepted by Big Black Dog—transformed into a hellish hound—and the remaining Immortal Lotus Lamp was blocked by his golden kitchen knife.

It appeared that each of the Three Immortal Gods had a strategy to fend off the descending celestial will.

But only Boss knew that the true threat did not lie with the Three Immortals themselves; it was in the deeper meaning behind their actions.

Moreover, with Big Black Dog’s overwhelmingly potent strike, a new, genuine danger was imminent.

In Boss’s view, the descent of the Three Immortal Gods was not the actual peril—the true terror lay in the heavenly will.

Following Boss’s lifted, resolute gaze, Li Che looked on. Boss’s solemn expression weighed heavily on him.

“Since you’ve made your first choice… then fight on. Keep fighting, no matter what.”

“Sure, you might lose along the way, but at least you once fought for your daughter. A father brave enough to stand up for his daughter is far better than one who cowers.”

Boss’s voice gently echoed through the chaos.

Li Che nodded in acknowledgment.

Boss suddenly raised all five fingers; his figure grew vaguely translucent.

“Li Che, do you know what each of these two choices entails and their consequences?”

Boss turned his gaze back to Li Che.

“The first option—to keep fighting—means that XiXi will be forced to leave the mortal realm. The watchful eyes of the Three Immortals will attract the attention of the heavenly will.”

Boss’s words sent a subtle tremor through Li Che’s heart—what did it mean?

The sound of Boss’s white robe flapping in the wind made him seem one with the void, as if he had ascended to immortality.

“What does it mean to be unable to remain among mortals?”

Li Che drew a deep breath.

“Quite literally—XiXi won’t be able to stay in the mortal realm… in the Bizarre Temple, she must no longer linger.”

“By destiny, when XiXi attracts the scrutiny of the immortals, she should have already ascended to the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands…”

“So if XiXi is to mask the gaze of the heavenly will, to deceive fate, she cannot remain in the mortal realm.”

Boss said evenly.

Li Che’s body trembled violently, as if a monumental blow had struck his heart like a mighty celestial hammer.

“No corner of the mortal realm—be it even within the Minor Cavern of the Heavens—can hide XiXi’s presence. The heavenly will will sense her no matter where, as long as it falls within the bounds of natural order. That is the true magnitude of its power.”

“Thus, XiXi must venture into the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.”

Boss stated.

A heavy sorrow weighed down Li Che’s heart as his grip turned to a fist, his divine power churning in turbulent surges.

He gulped in deep, desperate breaths.

“Is there absolutely no other way?”

Li Che asked in a hushed tone.

“There is—if XiXi chooses the second option: she embraces the Yulian Curse, surrendering to her destined fate. Everything will return to order. The heavenly will will act to erase any immortal trace from the mortal world…”

“In that case, XiXi will continue her life among mortals, only to eventually ascend to the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands and confront the immortals…”

“The second option is to let XiXi remain in the mortal realm…”

“Li Che, I rarely offer a second chance, but this time I give you another choice. What will it be?”

Boss, blending with the void, moved with an otherworldly grace.

“I…”

Li Che hesitated before speaking.

He turned his gaze to where XiXi sat cross-legged on the ground, shrouded in a burning halo of black flames. Countless Yulian-like divine symbols coiled relentlessly around her fragile form.

Behind her, the Eight-Armed Three-Faced Immortal Transformation was nearly complete, yet XiXi was still waging war against the Yulian Curse…

Originally, Li Che planned to conceal XiXi in Mo City Fengdu after her transformation, isolating her so that the immortals could not trace her whereabouts.

But now, Boss’s words sent a jolt through his heart.

Even the heavenly will was focusing on XiXi?!

Could hiding her in Mo City Fengdu truly block the celestial gaze?

And even if it worked, did that mean XiXi would have to spend her life confined to Mo City Fengdu?

Li Che knew all too well that such isolation was unlikely to succeed.

For though Mo City Fengdu might block divine nature, it couldn’t suppress the flow of the Great Dao’s power…

After all, Mo City Fengdu was born of the Painted Immortal Dao Fruit—its mystic arts inextricably tied to the power of the Great Dao.

In other words, even if XiXi were hidden within its walls, while it might foil mortal detection, it could never hide her from the heavenly will.

Li Che’s heart sank: the first option meant XiXi would forsake her true self to ascend, while the second meant she would become a mere husk, doomed to wither away once the divine tide subsided.

Such agonizing choices tore at him.

How could he possibly decide?

A rush of pain welled up within Li Che’s heart.

What was he to do?

Boss, merging with the void, grew ever more ephemeral, as if waiting silently for Li Che’s decision to take shape.

Li Che’s spirit trembled.

For any father, such a decision was a crushing burden.

Closing his eyes, Li Che felt a conflagration of emotions collide inside him—his blood boiling even as his soul turned icy cold.

“What am I to do?”

The rolled cigarette still clung between his lips, burning quietly.

Ssssss—

The sound of the cigarette paper being consumed by flames echoed in his ears.

After a long moment, Li Che slowly opened his eyes.

“Time’s up, Li Che. Make your final choice.”

Boss’s cool voice rang out.

Li Che thought for a moment before suddenly appearing beside XiXi, raising his hand as a surge of Pure Heart divine energy burst forth.

It struck the top of XiXi’s head.

XiXi’s long lashes trembled as she opened her eyes and saw Li Che.

A gentle smile graced Li Che’s face, though in it lay hints of struggle and reluctant sorrow.

“Dad… what’s wrong?”

XiXi asked.

Li Che drew a deep breath and smiled warmly as he repeated Boss’s question to XiXi, letting her decide.

Sometimes, a father must listen to his daughter’s thoughts before choosing.

Mature beyond her eight years, XiXi possessed a will and insights of her own.

At these words, XiXi’s face paled as she instinctively clenched her fist…

After a long moment, her lips moved and her eyes grew resolute.

She looked at Li Che intently and said, “Dad… I don’t want to lose you and Mom, I don’t want to lose my friends, and I refuse to become an unloved, isolated child.”

Perhaps the deep, mature will of Big XiXi had explained the nature of both choices to her.

Tears began to stream from her large eyes as she bit her lip and wept softly.

“Dad! I’m grown up now. I can protect myself. I’ve always dreamt of fighting by your side!”

“So I don’t want to revert to that destined path!”

“I’m ready to head for the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. Besides… if I go there, you’ll come and get me, right?”

XiXi lifted her chin, tears sparkling like crystal in her eyes.

Li Che’s heart jolted with pain as he tenderly ruffled her hair.

“Absolutely!”

“I’ll do everything in my power—bringing your mother along too—to bring you home!”

“We’ll be together as a family.”

“No one can stop me.”

Li Che’s tone was filled with determination.

BZZZZZZ—

Boss’s form grew almost transparent, as if about to vanish from this realm.

“So… Li Che, did you choose the first option?”

The white-robed Boss inquired gracefully.

Li Che nodded solemnly.

“I can’t take you and XiXi into the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands together—not just because my strength falls short, but also because of your unique nature. You exist outside the confines of destiny.”

“If you were to enter the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, you’d be exposed and draw the heavenly will upon you. That would nullify everything.”

“You must find your own way there…”

Boss’s words made it clear that by choosing the first option, he and XiXi would have to part ways.

“Rest assured, once in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Big Black Dog and I will protect XiXi…”

Boss declared.

“Then… I entrust this to you, Boss.”

Li Che clasped his hands in a formal salute.

Boss nodded.

RUMBLE—!!!

A terrifying burst of energy erupted as Li Che looked up in alarm at the darkening skies over Jingguang City.

Not only dark—it was as if an invisible force tore open the sky as a massive, blue finger emerged from a rift, descending upon the mortal realm.

Its dread pressure, powerful enough to shake the resolve of even the Three Immortals, flowed like a torrent.

Resounding clangs echoed as shockwaves rippled through the void.

Third Prince and the divine sigil clone of Immortal Di Chan collided and separated in a flash, suspended in midair.

Immortal Di Chan lifted his head, his eyes widening in astonishment.

Then, a low laugh emanated from deep within his throat: “The power of the heavenly will…”

“The heavenly will itself has descended—to correct the errant fate of the Daughter of Yulian and to set things right so that the Eighth Divine Tide may continue its surge!”

“This power, born of the heavenly will, is unstoppable—even the immortals cannot defy it!”

Di Chan laughed darkly.

Big Black Dog slammed his paw onto the massive Buddha Light, and behind that, a monk with cicada-patterned eyes folded his palms in silent indifference.

Meanwhile, the Lotus Lamp shimmered with vibrant light as a graceful, inscrutable demoness emerged, exuding tremendous, unfathomable power.

The eyes of the Three Immortals flashed with intensity as their wills trembled.

“How can the power of the heavenly will descend so swiftly? Perhaps other forces are at play…”

“This white-robed man and Big Black Dog might be the very reason the heavenly will is compelled to intervene!”

The immortal voice of the demoness, illuminated by the Lotus Lamp, resonated gravely.

Di Chan and Immortal Golden Cicada also exchanged glances, their gazes piercing.

“It seems highly likely that it’s the manifestation of Er Lang Xiansheng Zhenjun!”

Di Chan said in a low tone.

“Sure enough… so many changes. Er Lang Xiansheng Zhenjun has yet to awaken at this juncture. But judging by the reaction of the heavenly will, hasn’t he somehow regained immortal-level might in the mortal realm?”

“Between Third Prince Nezha, Er Lang Xiansheng Zhenjun, and Qitian—each of them stormed into the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands…”

“These three, emerging from lands unknown and stirring up the divine tide, I feel that to end this tide, they must be completely extinguished, their divine flames snuffed out once and for all!”

“They are the root of chaos!”

Di Chan said coldly.

“Now that the heavenly will has descended and is about to unleash unfathomable power, we can simply stand aside and watch. Let the misguided fate of the Daughter of Yulian be corrected without our intervention.”

The Three Immortals halted their actions, positioning themselves between the black void and the encroaching heavenly will, their expressions cold and detached.

Immense phantom figures of Di Chan, entwined with countless Great Dao sigils, formed chains of order.

Interlaced with Buddha Light and cicada-patterned divine markings, and as the Lotus Lamp flickered along with swaying Divine Flame, the pressure in the heavens became nearly suffocating.

Jingguang City had already plunged into an eerie, deathly silence.

Within the city, not a single mortal remained—not even regular Martial Saints or those in the Divine Transformation realm could hold their ground.

Only those with a Supreme level of divine calamity could possibly maintain their stance in the city.

Yet even they, stricken by one disaster after another, were pinned to the ground by the overwhelming pressure, barely able to stand on their own.

“This… is the descent of the heavenly will…”

RUMBLE!

One by one, Supreme cultivators’ legs turned to jelly as their sigil-laden divine platforms wavered, on the verge of collapse.

This was the mighty heavenly will of the Bizarre Temple—the terror capable of snuffing out a cultivator’s life in a single thought.

BZZZZZZ—

A mass of blue fingers and twisting divine sigils descended from the rift, merging into a gigantic blue hand that blotted out the sun.

“Flee!”

Numerous Supremes flushed with rage, unable to linger any longer. They bolted away in streaks of light, aiming for a spot far from the Bizarre Temple over Jingguang City.

Some mortal cultivators also hurriedly fled Jingguang City, abandoning even the precious resources they had fought for.

“Resources are meant for those who have the life to enjoy them!”

Li Che stood by XiXi’s side as the Yulian Curse on her transformed body twisted into eerie patterns, coiling relentlessly.

Using Pure Heart divine energy, Li Che stifled the curse, offering XiXi a temporary reprieve.

However, this suppression could not last indefinitely.

Li Che sensed with Pure Heart divine nature that the curse stemmed from deep within XiXi’s soul.

To eliminate it, he would have to destroy her soul—and that was something he could never do.

Thus, he could only suppress it for now.

RUMBLE—

Li Che glanced at Boss, who had merged with the void.

BOOM—!!!

Boss, his body translucent and his white robe billowing, took a step and then vanished into thin air.

Even Li Che, bolstered by the Pure Heart Dao Fruit, felt the crushing oppression of the heavenly will.

Big Black Dog’s hellish fire markings had long receded as he swayed his head, seemingly searching for Boss.

Third Prince gritted his teeth, clutching the Fire-Tipped Spear forged from the flames of Yulian, cursing as though he could pierce the very heavens and earth!

Then—

A massive blue hand descended toward Li Che and XiXi.

It merged perfectly with the void, descending like a gentle breeze—but as it fell, every current was sucked away, compressed by its sheer force!

XiXi trembled ever so slightly.

Li Che’s Pure Heart divine energy burst forth like a lone candle flickering in endless darkness—small yet resolute!

The Three Immortals watched dispassionately from within the black void, as though enjoying a spectacle, their eyes gleaming with detached amusement.

After all, scenes of the heavenly will correcting destiny were a rare treat even for beings of their stature.

RUMBLE—!!!

The blue hand of the heavenly will crashed down like a divine blow, its surface etched with innumerable Great Dao sigils, each handprint seemingly woven from the very fabric of the cosmos—a masterpiece of divine art!

“How exquisite and flawless—this is the most intricate masterpiece of the heavens!”

Immortal Di Chan, now in human form and radiantly imposing, marveled, chains of order swirling about him in awe.

The Lotus Lamp glittered as the graceful, mysterious demoness’s eyes shone with a hint of mischief.

The power of the heavenly will pounded down relentlessly!

Everything seemed to dissolve, reverting to its original, ordered state!

It was as if an unfathomable force was weaving itself together continuously.

“Simply perfect—utterly flawless. This is the Heavens’ most brilliant masterpiece.”

Immortal Di Chan, now in human guise and robust, stood amid interlacing chains of order, marveling.

The Lotus Lamp shone brilliantly while the graceful demoness’s eyes flashed with eerie light.

The heavenly will pounded down with unstoppable force!

Everything seemed to be annihilated, reverting to the original order!

It was as if a mysterious power had woven everything together anew.

“Then—!!!”

Suddenly,

a crisp, clear sound resonated throughout Jingguang City—or rather, the entire mortal realm’s Bizarre Temple.

It was a single, clear ‘Dong’!

The sound waves rolled like the tolling of an ancient bell, echoing through a temple suspended for millennia, stirring enormous tidal surges.

“The bell?”

Li Che’s heart stirred as he sensed the oppressive force of the heavenly will fade away.

He instantly realized—Boss had acted!

But something was odd about that bell sound…

It didn’t seem like a proper bell at all.

Below,

Big Black Dog stuck out his tongue with wide, astonished eyes before letting out a long howl skyward.

In a flash, his body burst into streaks of black light.

Moments later, he reappeared, suspended midair.

High above, a figure in white materialized, vague and ethereal, encircled by endless celestial radiance and divine mystery.

Today, Boss appeared unlike ever before—a presence so transcendent that even the Three Immortal Gods paled in comparison.

BZZZZZZ—

Celestial light exploded in brilliant cascades, dizzying Li Che as if he were reliving the very aura of his past aspirations.

“Dong—”

The sound rang out anew.

A bell?

No!

At that moment, everyone saw clearly that it wasn’t the toll of a bell at all!

It was a large pot struck rhythmically with a kitchen knife!

Dong dong dong dong—

The white-robed Boss, holding a golden kitchen knife, produced a massive bronze pot. As the knife’s handle tapped the pot, vibrations cascaded across its surface.

Ripples surged like tidal waves, disturbing the fabric of space and scrambling even the heavenly order and Great Dao sigils!

What a terrifying aura!

What kind of pot is this?!

Li Che, pressing his hand to XiXi’s head, continued channeling Pure Heart divine energy to keep her alert and sustain the moment before separation.

Both father and daughter were stunned by the unfolding battle.

“Boss… you’re incredible.”

XiXi murmured in awe.

Up to now, Boss hadn’t truly engaged—Big Black Dog had been doing most of the heavy lifting.

As for Boss…

He mostly used divine weapons to subdue his foes.

Between the golden kitchen knife and now the bronze pot,

one had to wonder—how many more tricks does Boss have up his sleeve?!

At least, the power Boss displayed reassured Li Che. In a perilous place like the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Boss’s might would undoubtedly protect XiXi!

The bronze pot hovered above Boss’s raised hand, radiating dazzling light as boundless as the celestial glow!

For a brief moment, the giant blue hand of the heavens seemed to be halted by the force of the pot’s vibration.

BZZZZZZ—

Then, high above the heavens, it appeared as though the Divine Executioner’s Blade materialized!

It was as if the heavenly will itself was incensed!

Gathering unimaginable celestial might, the blade aimed to decapitate those who shattered the natural order!

Li Che watched as the fearsome, ancient blade—with nine glowing ancient symbols pulsating on its edge, each charging with raw power—descended!

That very same blade which once fell upon the Young Dragon Emperor, bearing only one ancient symbol, now loomed enormous in disparity!

The difference… was staggering!

And what did Boss intend to do?

Defy the heavenly will head-on?!

With all nine ancient symbols fully charged, could Boss possibly withstand the descending Divine Executioner’s Blade?!

Li Che was utterly stunned.

Even the Three Immortal Gods, watching from within the black void, shared his shock!

BANG—!!

Suddenly,

a split-second tremor shook Immortal Di Chan’s divine clone.

“Something’s not right!”

“KWA—!!!”

A massive divine sound erupted as countless divine essences surged like a tidal wave!

Di Chan spat out a divine spear, blazing like a bolt of lightning interwoven with sigils of order!

Then—!!!

A streak of golden light appeared, sparks flying as it met Di Chan’s projected spear!

The golden kitchen knife! It materialized within the black void, slashing toward Di Chan’s clone’s neck!

A vague figure in white slowly took shape, woven from celestial radiance.

The golden kitchen knife spun as it cleaved along the divine spear with blinding speed!

A terrifying blade of energy split space asunder, severing the black void in two!

Di Chan’s clone was utterly incapable of defense—cleaved in two as countless Great Dao sigils shattered in an instant!

Boss, his white robe billowing, clenched his fist and hurled Di Chan’s clone aside.

A massive phantom of a bronze pot surged upward.

Shortly thereafter, from the other two black voids surrounding the immortals, white-robed figures emerged, brandishing kitchen knives.

With a simple, sweeping strike, they slashed through, vanquishing the clones.

The divine clones of Immortal Golden Cicada and the Lotus Lamp-illuminated demoness were severed, snatched up by Boss’s grasp like ingredients thrown into a colossal stew pot.

As the essence of the Three Immortals was captured within the pot,

it began to churn furiously!

“Li Che, behold my final dish for XiXi…”

“I call it: A Chaotic Stew.”

Boss’s calm, even tone punctuated his words.

It was as if the divine clones of the Three Immortals were nothing more than cabbage tossed into a stew.

Li Che’s mind reeled, a twitch at the corner of his mouth; Boss’s humor was chillingly dry…

BOOM—!!!

The bronze pot expanded, assimilating the captured immortal essences into a perfect, whirling blend of pure Great Dao sigils, boiling within the pot.

Big Black Dog let out a long, honking howl, transforming into a demonic hound—its body etched with glowing, molten patterns, surging like a river of magma!

He hefted the bronze pot and charged headlong at the Divine Executioner’s Blade looming above the heavens!

BOOM—!!!

All nine ancient symbols flashed in unison as the fully charged Divine Executioner’s Blade came crashing down,

and in an instant, it was severed inside the bronze pot.

Under the blade’s force, immortal essences were obliterated bit by bit, as order itself began to crumble!

Li Che was awestruck by the sheer, terrifying technique before him.

BZZZZ—

Boss, in his billowing white, reappeared at Li Che’s side, this time with an unlit rolled cigarette between his lips.

Big Black Dog’s legs trembled noticeably, a subtle shudder betraying his strain.

Sensing Li Che’s gaze, Big Black Dog grunted and steadied himself, though his movements quivered even more.

It was time to depart; the Three Immortal clones had heroically stalled the heavenly will’s assault for only a brief while.

With the celestial gaze momentarily misled into thinking the Daughter of Yulian’s fate had been corrected, it was time to venture into the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

Boss said calmly.

His words echoed as XiXi’s tears flowed; Li Che released his grip as the lingering Pure Heart energy within her fought to suppress the Yulian Curse…

“Don’t worry—Dad is always here.”

Li Che smiled gently as he ruffled XiXi’s hair, his eyes filled with tender warmth.

“Think of this as you growing up and honing your strength. I will soon come with Mom to find you… our family will always be reunited.”

XiXi’s eyes lit up with hope, never doubting the truth in her father’s words.

She believed—she always had, for her father had never broken his promises.

This time would be no exception!

Then—

Boss’s normally impassive face darkened as he clutched the cigarette between his lips.

“Dog, now!”

Big Black Dog immediately hoisted XiXi onto his back. Boss pressed lightly on her, and instantly the Yulian Curse that had been flaring on her body was subdued once more.

“Let’s go!”

Boss shot Li Che a long, earnest look.

Li Che’s eyes remained fixed on XiXi, carried by Big Black Dog.

“You should be able to find a way into the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, right?” Boss asked.

Li Che, with solemn determination, nodded.

“Rest assured—I will find a way!”

Even if there’s no path, I will carve one out!

BOOM—!!!

Without another word, Big Black Dog, carrying XiXi, vanished in an instant.

Boss, too, stepped gracefully—just three strides—and reappeared at the site where the three immortal clones had been felled within the black void.

The three voids merged to form an ancient gateway.

Third Prince, standing atop his Wind-Fire Wheels and wielding his Fire-Tipped Spear, charged forward without hesitation.

The trio—and the dog—plunged into the black void.

Above the heavens, the bronze pot that had once blocked the Divine Executioner’s Blade clattered, shrinking rapidly as if blasted away.

It transformed into a streak of light that spiraled into the void.

The Divine Executioner’s Blade then descended with horrifying force!

Yet…

Faced with such terrifying, obliterating power,

Li Che’s black robe whipped around him, his dark, sturdy hair swirling wildly.

He stared blankly at the black void, now shattered and vanishing under the blade’s impact…

Terrifying turbulence raged, oppressive forces thundered, and explosions echoed unceasingly.

And Li Che, seemingly oblivious,

watched as scenes of XiXi’s life—moments from her very first year, a rapid slideshow of memories—flashed before his eyes.

Li Che’s fingers clenched into a fist.

“XiXi, wait for me!”

“And also…”

“It’s the immortals of the Dark Heavenly Court, Hei Xumi, the Xie Yao Cave, and the Pantheon’s immortals…”

Li Che closed his eyes tightly.

Then slowly, he opened them again.

“I only ever wanted to watch you grow up in peace…”

“Why must you all force my hand?!”