Chapter 842

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Chapter 842: Past Events

At that time, Lu Baoyou was only ten years old, at an age of innocence. The sudden return of his father left him somewhat at a loss. Just as he was about to start accepting the other party, Lu Qiu suddenly left.

This departure marked many years without return.

Lu Qiu made the Lu family the most envied household in the surrounding villages. People in the village speculated that Lu Qiu had become wealthy outside, but because he rarely returned home, various rumors began to circulate.

Some said he had become a big boss outside and married a young wife, making Lu Baoyou’s mother a concubine; others claimed he was involved in illegal activities, earning a lot of money but was afraid to return for fear of being caught by the police; there were even whispers that he had become a wanted criminal because someone had seen him secretly storing knives and guns at home…

Young Lu Baoyou didn’t understand these things, but he could feel that others looked at him strangely.

Envy? Jealousy? Mockery? Pity?

Perhaps it was from that time that the seed of resentment took root in his heart, and as he grew older, this emotion was fueled by the rebelliousness of adolescence, becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

Lu Baoyou stood at the entrance of the small villa, his expression somewhat complex.

It had been a long, long time since he left home… During this time away, he had experienced much and had entered the realm of the Night Watchers, learning about their existence… Because of this, when he returned to this doorway, he suddenly realized that his views on some things from back then had changed.

Deep in his memory, those angry golden eyes resurfaced, and Lin Qiye’s voice echoed in his mind:

“… Do you think you can grow up safely, roam freely outside, and stand here arrogantly claiming you will kill a Night Watcher? Why is that?!

Because you are lucky? Because the world is supposed to be this way?

Nonsense!

It is because countless Night Watchers are bearing the burden for you!”

Night Watchers…

Lu Baoyou reached out, gently rubbing the heavy door, feeling suddenly weighed down.

“Hey? Isn’t this Little Baoyou?” A frail voice came from behind him.

Lu Baoyou turned around to see an elderly man leaning on a cane, waving at him from a small, low house.

Little Baoyou was Lu Baoyou’s nickname.

He recognized this old man; after all, their families were neighbors back in the day, and he often visited next door as a child. However, since he began to rebel, they had hardly interacted.

Lu Baoyou pursed his lips but politely nodded. Just as he was about to knock on his own door, the old man’s voice rang out again:

“Why didn’t you come back when your father was buried a few days ago?”

Lu Baoyou’s hand suddenly froze in mid-air.

After a moment, he stiffly turned his head to look at the old man, frowning as he asked, “What did you say?”

“I said, why didn’t you come back when your father was buried?” The old man repeated, “It’s been so many days since the burial, and all the relatives and friends who came to pay their respects have left. Why did you only just return?”

“Lu Qiu?” Lu Baoyou’s frown deepened as he quickly walked to the old man’s door. “He’s dead? How did he die?”

“Seems he died in battle.” A look of reminiscence appeared in the old man’s eyes. “That day, it was pouring rain, and several big trucks drove up from the mountain. Then many soldiers in uniforms got out, carrying a grand coffin, and knocked on your door.

In that coffin, your father was draped in a dark red cloak, covered with a national flag, and there was a shiny something… a medal?

I remember your mother and grandmother were crying so sadly.

Those soldiers gave your father a grand funeral. Everyone from our village and the neighboring village came; it was quite lively. I heard them say your father had made great contributions and was a hero of our Great Xia?”

The old man couldn’t help but sigh, “I never expected Little Qiu would be out serving in the military all these years. Our village has produced a great hero; this is a matter of great pride!”

Lu Baoyou stood frozen in place.

Lu Qiu… died in battle?

Just a couple of days ago?

“Little Baoyou, your family now…”

Before the old man could finish, Lu Baoyou suddenly turned and rushed to his home, banging on the door with force.

Soon, a voice came from inside, “Who is it?”

As the door opened, an elderly and haggard figure stood behind it. Upon seeing Lu Baoyou, who was two heads taller than her, she froze for a moment.

“Grandma…” Lu Baoyou looked at the old woman with red-rimmed eyes and spoke in a hoarse voice.

Grandma’s lips trembled uncontrollably. She stepped forward and embraced Lu Baoyou, her silver hair cascading onto his chest, choking back tears as she said, “Baoyou… why did you only just come back? Your father…”

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in mourning clothes stepped out from the villa. Upon seeing Lu Baoyou outside, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

When he saw Lu Baoyou, Lu Baoyou also noticed him.

“Grandma.” Lu Baoyou pointed at the man, “Who is he?”

“He is your father’s colleague. He helped arrange our family’s funeral…” Grandma explained.

The man walked up to Lu Baoyou, patted his shoulder, and sighed, “You must be Lu Baoyou, right? Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”

…

On the path behind the mountain, Lu Baoyou walked alongside the man.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Liu Qi, the deputy captain of the 287th squad of the Night Watchers stationed in Tanxiang City.” The man took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Lu Baoyou.

“I don’t smoke.”

“… Oh right, you’re still underage, so you can’t smoke. I almost forgot.” Liu Qi raised an eyebrow and put the cigarette back. “I heard you just returned from the Night Watchers’ training camp?”

“Yeah.”

“How much do you know about your father’s situation?”

Lu Baoyou remained silent.

Liu Qi looked at him for a moment, then smiled wryly, “It seems you don’t know anything at all, huh?”

Seeing Lu Baoyou not deny it, Liu Qi continued, “Lu Qiu, back in the day, left from our Tanxiang City…”

On the long and winding mountain road, the two slowed their pace, the gentle breeze brushing through the hills, carrying the scent of earth and greenery, as they listened to the story buried in the sands of time.

After an unknown amount of time, they reached the summit of the mountain, where a gray stone tablet stood quietly.

Lu Baoyou walked up to the stone tablet and stopped.