Mo Han stood right in front of Tian Long.
His back ramrod straight, his hands clasped behind him. His eyes burned from stress—aching, both physically and emotionally.
He didn't quite understand why the old man was making a fuss though. There were troops practically waiting at the entrance of the pavilion waiting to drag him back to the manor as if he had done something heinous.
Even the ladies were scared.
Thinking back, Mo Han groaned uncomfortably. He was sure that next time he returned, they wouldn't look at him favorably.
He looked upon his father once again, but this time instead of cold, calculating gaze—there was softness in his eyes. One that Mo Han never seen before.
"Father," Mo Han said, voice hoarse. what was he going to say? He went to see an alchemist at the brothel? and spent the whole night? Came back looking like shit?
Mo Han found it all absurd to say all that.
He hadn't expected to see his father so soon, much less in a situation like this. The air between them was thick with tension but Mo Han was unfazed as he stared back at his father blatantly.
That Tian Long's brows twitched. 'This brat has really grown some balls.' But he was still proud of the change.
"Mo Han," His father started, his tone surprisingly gentle that it left goosebumps on Mo Han's body and he grimaced. "How are you feeling?"
A slap would have been better than that question.
How was he feeling?
His body ached like he had been trampled by a stampede of bulls. But he couldn't say that because he would accept it from anybody but his father. He expected cold commands, reprimands for his recklessness, or even concerns about their reputation in blossom city.
But he was asking how he was feeling?
"Don't worry about me, father, I deserve to be punished for tainting the Ye family name," Mo Han muttered, cupping his hands and giving his father a slight bow, despite the physical agony he was in.
"I am fine." He breathed out with so much pain.
Tian Long was quick to notice. He took a step forward from his seat, and then inspected him as though he was seeing him for the first time.
The sharp, calculating gaze was gone, replaced by something that looked... almost like concern.
"You're not fine, and taint? I don't care about what the public thinks, this is my family, and right now what concerns me is you," his father said, a deep frown creasing his forehead.
Mo Han blanked out.
"What happened last night? Did the women in that awful place do this to you?" He asked while checking everywhere on Mo Han's body until the latter had enough.
Was he being serious right now?
Mo Han was taken aback. He blinked, and then chuckled bitterly.
"Someone would think that you are the best father in the world if they saw you now. You didn't call me here for me. You came for your precious reputation, didn't you? To see if I have done something unworthy of the Ye family. Did I embarrass the family enough for you to order the whole merchant troops to pick me up?"
The words left his mouth sharp and unrestrained yet he didn't regret one bit. There was a crack in his voice—tried to put a crack there since he was pretending to be hurt.
The original Mo Han had spent so long believing his father cared only for their legacy with the way he allowed Mo Feng to do this own thing. That any sign of affection from this old man felt like a cruel joke.
He couldn't even speak thanks to the abuse.
But his father who listened to everything Mo Han said, didn't react in anger. Instead, his expression softened.
"Reputation?" His father's voice held no scorn, only a weary sincerity, because he knew he was wrong. "I've spent enough years chasing that illusion, Mo Han. If anything, I want to ensure that you are all right. I apologize if I made you think you were not my son, but you are. And that...that's more important to me than any reputation or title."
Mo Han felt like throwing up. Because it sounded pretentious.
He stood there silent, watching his father to see any cold glint in his eyes and watch him laugh, but there wasn't. That fact caused his heart to thump in his chest.
"I know I've never been the father you wanted." his father continued, his voice quieter now as he took a step back and turned around, his robes fluttering in the wind. "But...I never stopped caring about you. I hated seeing you go quiet and accept the rage like it was nothing. I failed you in more ways than I can count."
Mo Han's mind was spinning. He had never expected Mo Han's father who was always cold, detached turn to this. To hear him speak like this was both unsettling and... oddly comforting.
What would the original Mo Han in this situation?
"You..." Mo Han's throat tightened, and he swallowed.
His father sighed deeply, he expected this romance, his shoulders sagged under his unsean weight. I didn't know how. All I ever knew was how to run the house, business and build something that would last. But...family?" He glanced at Mo Han, eyes filled with regret. "There is no greater punishment to what I am feeling right now."
Mo Han who didn't know what to feel was caught in the moment when his chest tightened.
Was it because he had never truly felt that love for his father?
"Just take care of yourself," his father added quietly. "I may not be able to give you everything you need, but we can always talk about everything."
Mo Han opened his mouth to say something... anything... but the words wouldn't come. He was too shocked, too stunned that he couldn't process it fully. Instead he nodded, unsure of what to say.
His father placed a hand on his shoulder, patting it. That was the first step before he dragged Mo Han to discuss about Mo Feng.
****
Once he returned to his room, silence greet him.
Bai Rong was still asleep, her breathing was now stable, soft and even. Her face was peaceful, almost innocent, despite the marks he had left on her the night before.
Guilt gnawed at him again, although this time, he was quite proud of himself.
He enjoyed the night at least.
Mo Han brushed a strand of hair from her face and gazed at her for a long moment, wondering if there was any way he could make amends for making her go through that.
He shook his head before dragging his gaze to look at the system screen floating before him.
Mo Han was quite ready this time, to check what exactly, the system gifted as a reward for the sufferings he went through.
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Passive Skill Information
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• Skill Name: Blood Ignition
• Type: Passive Combat Skill
• Rank: ★★★★☆ (Rare)
• Status: Active (Auto-triggers under specific conditions.)
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Description:
When emotionally triggered or physically injured, the user's blood surges with energy, enhancing strength and speed beyond natural limits.
Effects:
— +50% Strength & Agility (for 5 minutes)
— Aura of intimidation (Enemies below user's cultivation level suffer -20% combat efficiency)
Cool down: 12 hours.
Side Effects: Post-activation fatigue, and internal strain.
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Passive Perk Information
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• Perk Name: Beast Tamer's Touch.
• Type: Charm-Based Passive.
• Rank: ★★★☆☆ (Uncommon)
• Status: Always active.
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Description:
An aura unique to the tamer of Demon Beauties. With this, once you touch a demon, it would sense your natural dominance, lowering hostility and increasing your chances at succeeding.
Effects:
— +15% Dual Cultivation Success Rate.
— Passive Health Regeneration when in physical contact with a bonded beast.
— Emotion-linked resonance boosts compatibility.
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It was better than he imagined, even the perk. Mo Han hummed as he remembered one particular reward. The 'indestructible D**k' title. He could not help but chuckle.
The system had no shame.
Still the other rewards were intriguing. The second could prove useful in the coming days.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "What a mess," he muttered.
His mind finally reeled back to the next thing in mind: The pill that Lian Zhu had given him. He stared at it. It looked harmless enough, but after the events he went through last night, he wasn't sure about anything anymore.
The little fluff ball appeared again, this time pouting angrily at Mo Han.
[ Trust me. It's what you actually need to be able to meditate. ]
Mo Han glared at the fluff ball. "You are too eager for my liking," he muttered, before popping the lid open, revealing the pill inside.
There was no harm in trying. Was it?