A flicker passed through Lin Xia's eyes.
He quickly adjusted his expression, leaving behind just the right amount of fatigue and concentration on his face before rising and pulling open the heavy wooden door.
Outside, Zhu Zhan's tall figure almost blocked out the light from the doorway.
He was dressed in casual clothing. The thunderous fury he had displayed in the main hall was gone, replaced by a somewhat gloomy demeanor. His complicated gaze settled on Lin Xia.
When he saw Lin Xia's slightly "haggard" appearance and the workshop's "chaotic" research scene, a faint trace of guilt seemed to flash through his eyes.
"Uncle Zhu."
Lin Xia bowed slightly, his tone respectful, with a hint of confusion at having his research interrupted.
"Mhm."
Zhu Zhan responded, his gaze sweeping through the workshop. It lingered for a moment on the pile of ores being "researched" before he slowly spoke.
"You've been busy for quite a while. Come out and get some fresh air. Accompany me to the lakeside pavilion. Let's have a chat."
Lin Xia understood immediately, but he showed an appropriate amount of hesitation on his face.
"This Uncle Zhu, the restoration of the crown..."
"There's no rush."
Zhu Zhan waved his hand dismissively.
His tone was unquestionable, but far gentler than before.
"Your health is more important. Come."
"Yes."
Lin Xia did not refuse further.
After locking the workshop door, he followed Zhu Zhan through the layered corridors of the Zhu Estate, where light and shadow intertwined.
The golden glow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
The journey was silent, with only their footsteps echoing through the spacious courtyards.
The lakeside pavilion of the Zhu Estate stood at the center of a small but exceptionally clear artificial lake, connected by winding covered walkways.
Weeping willows and rare ornamental trees surrounded it, creating an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.
At this moment, the sun was setting in the west.
The lake reflected the crimson clouds of the evening sky and the silhouettes of the pavilion structures. Rippling waves shimmered brilliantly, creating a breathtaking scene.
Yet beneath this picturesque beauty lingered an invisible sense of oppression.
Servants had already prepared tea and several exquisite pastries on the stone table within the pavilion.
Afterward, they quietly withdrew and stood at a distance.
Zhu Zhan sat down first and gestured for Lin Xia to do the same.
He picked up a warm celadon teacup but did not drink immediately.
Instead, his thumb unconsciously traced the smooth surface of the cup as he gazed at the crimson reflections dancing upon the lake.
After a long silence.
Lin Xia did not urge him to speak.
He simply lifted his own teacup, gently blowing away the floating tea leaves as he waited patiently.
Finally, Zhu Zhan took a deep breath.
Turning back toward Lin Xia, he fixed him with a complicated gaze filled with scrutiny and inner conflict.
In the end, it all became a weary sigh.
"Xia."
He spoke in a low voice, carrying a rare sincerity.
"What happened earlier in the main hall. I was too anxious and spoke without thinking. Don't take those words to heart."
Lin Xia set down his teacup.
His face displayed a mixture of being flattered and slightly bewildered.
"Uncle Zhu, you're being too serious. That matter was my fault to begin with. I took Zhuqing away without permission, causing concern for both you and the family, and even involving the imperial family, Your anger was justified. I understand."
At those words, the muscles on Zhu Zhan's face twitched subtly.
Lin Xia's maturity and willingness to admit fault only made the trace of guilt in his heart feel even more pronounced.
Shaking his head, Zhu Zhan let out a self-mocking laugh.
"Angry? Yes, I was angry."
"But more than that I was afraid."
His eyes sharpened, as though piercing through Lin Xia's body to see something deeper.
"I only just learned from a report sent by my shadow guards that you encountered a five-thousand-year Shadow Leopard in the Silent Mountain Range."
Lin Xia sneered inwardly.
On the surface, however, he displayed just the right amount of lingering fear.
"Yes that beast was truly formidable. If Larvitar hadn't risked its life and erupted with its full strength, and if we hadn't been fortunate enough to find a suitable terrain within that mineral vein to take advantage of then perhaps..."
Zhu Zhan stared at Lin Xia, seemingly judging the truthfulness of his words.
However, Larvitar's astonishing combat strength had been witnessed firsthand by the shadow guards.
A seven-year-old boy leading a six-year-old girl and surviving the claws of a five-thousand-year soul beast was already an extraordinary stroke of luck. Yet Lin Xia and his Martial Soul, Larvitar, had actually killed it outright. That alone was enough to overturn common sense.
"That mineral vein..."
A trace of probing intent entered Zhu Zhan's voice.
"It contained materials essential for repairing the Star Radiance Crown."
Lin Xia answered frankly. There was no point hiding it.
"The quality was extremely high, and the reserves were astonishing. I ventured deep inside precisely because I was searching for a replacement core material needed for the crown's restoration. Phantom Star Glazed Crystal contains pure stellar energy. While it is far inferior to the original gemstone, with special treatment it may temporarily stabilize the crown's core and buy time to search for a truly compatible replacement."
His explanation was half truth and half fabrication, clearly emphasizing his purpose for seeking the material.
A sharp glint flashed through Zhu Zhan's eyes.
Lin Xia's explanation perfectly justified why he had taken Zhu Zhuqing into such a dangerous place, it had been for the Emperor's mission.
That reason was enough to erase most of the blame for leaving the estate without permission.
In fact, it could even be considered a merit.
"So that's how it is..."
Zhu Zhan slowly nodded.
The tension in his expression eased another degree.
He looked at Lin Xia's youthful face, which already carried an extraordinary steadiness beyond his years. Then he glanced at the Larvitar beside him, which was tilting its head curiously while watching the koi swimming in the lake.
The last trace of condescension he had once felt due to Lin Xia's background in the Blacksmith Association vanished completely.
This child was anything but ordinary.
His future would be limitless.
Building a close relationship with him or even tying him to the Zhu Family would bring far more benefits than disadvantages.
With that thought, Zhu Zhan made up his mind.
He picked up his teacup and took a sip, seemingly choosing his next words carefully.
Silence settled over the pavilion once more.
Only the rustling of willow branches in the breeze and the occasional splash of a koi breaking the water's surface could be heard.
After a long while, Zhu Zhan set down his teacup and released a deep, lingering sigh.
The sigh seemed to come from the depths of his soul, carrying an inescapable heaviness and sorrow.
He no longer looked at Lin Xia.
Instead, his gaze drifted toward the setting sun at the far end of the lake.
The crimson glow painted his stern profile in warm colors, yet it could not dispel the gloom in his eyes.
"Xia."
His voice was low and hoarse.
It sounded as though he were speaking to himself, yet also confiding in Lin Xia.
"Do you know sometimes when I look at Zhuqing. when I see those eyes that resemble her mother's more and more each day... when I watch her grow up..."
He paused, suppressing the emotions surging within him.
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the stone table until his knuckles turned white.
"I keep thinking, if only Heaven had shown a little mercy and she hadn't inherited that cursed Hell Civet Martial Soul. how wonderful that would have been."
The final words came out painfully slowly and with tremendous force.
Each syllable seemed to carry the weight of a thousand pounds, laden with profound helplessness and struggle, squeezed out through clenched teeth.
At this moment, he was no longer the cold and imposing Patriarch of the Zhu Family.
He seemed more like a father whose throat had been seized by fate itself, powerless to resist.
Lin Xia's heart shook violently.
He had imagined that Zhu Zhan might try to win his favor because of the crown's restoration materials.
He had imagined that Zhu Zhan might apologize for his earlier reprimand.
He had even imagined subtle attempts at recruitment.
But never, not even once had he imagined that Zhu Zhan would reveal such deep pain and conflict, the anguish of a father laid bare before him.
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