Chapter 28: Farewell

The golden hall will come to an end this very night.

It was merely a casual lie, merely a short gathering of a few days—yet Li En felt an inexplicable sense of nostalgia.

“Everyone’s here, then.”

Three figures arrived beneath the hall.

“Miss Long Shou didn’t come.”

“She won’t come,” Li En smiled. Even without prior notice, he knew she wouldn’t appear.

She would not come to accept her own defeat—even from the start, she knew this was a contest she could never win.

She understood it, yet could not peacefully accept her loss.

“Little girl, you’re awfully proud.”

Nobles ought to be excellent, naturally standing above all others. This isn’t discrimination—it’s Long Shou’s clear self-awareness.

Noble bloodlines are vastly stronger than commoners’, endowed from birth with countless advantages; with effort, success is virtually guaranteed—so excellence and constant victory are only natural.

She could not accept her defeat—especially not at the hands of an ordinary person.

“If nobles are superior, they should bear greater responsibility. Yet today’s kingdom nobles are nothing but selfish, corrupt trash.” During a barbecue chat, Long Shou revealed her classical noble ideals.

This further raised Li En’s estimation of her status—she must be from the kingdom’s oldest noble lineage, naturally looking down on the newly risen.

Not coming to witness her own defeat is likely her way of preserving dignity. Honestly accepting the victor’s rise is her acknowledgment of the victor’s merit.

Li En didn’t think she was unaware of who the victor was in the real world—that victor was already drenched in blood, riddled with flaws—and she surely had the means to legally eliminate him.

Yet she did nothing. Not only that—she even provided covert aid to the victor.

She merely refused to attend the new king’s coronation.

“Is this being tsundere? Or some kind of unconventional justice-seeker?” Within Li En’s reasoning, someone qualified to be tested by Su Er—the justice-obsessed maniac—must be morally above average.

He suspected their meeting last night wouldn’t be the last—but without this platform, uncovering her identity would no longer be easy.

Li En shook his head. Her absence didn’t matter. What mattered now were those before him.

His gaze turned to the last one—the one he’d pulled in through backdoors.

“Shadow Judge, you know you’re good—but not good enough,” Li En said, voice tinged with regret. Truly, you were the only one who ran the whole race without a chance.

“Mm.” The woman sighed, offering no explanation.

She wasn’t weak—in fact, her combat skill was among the highest of all candidates.

Yet from the very beginning, victory was never possible for her.

But she had no regrets for having learned from the Heroic Souls, witnessed those nightmarish battlefields, seen unyielding wars, encountered these new generations of “justice,” and witnessed the changes unfolding in her homeland—she was already content.

“Take it.”

A faint red glow coalesced into a glowing orb, drifting toward her.

“These are memories—some of the hellish battlefields I’ve endured. I don’t know how long they’ll last. If you wish to experience those nightmares, whisper its name before you fall asleep.”

“I hope it helps you find your own justice and confidence.” Seeing the woman’s astonished expression, Li En continued: “You’re far better than you think. Don’t hesitate—keep moving forward.”

This was the consolation prize—but perhaps the very thing Talia needed most.

After all, this was a dream. Beyond the gifts granted by the Heroic Soul Catalog, Li En could only use his teaching authority to copy and split fragments of Su Er’s historical memories and bestow them upon her.

The most brutal battlefields, the harshest trials—often, the most solid justice is born in such hells.

Li En saw Talia’s confusion and lack of self-confidence. Such people are especially vulnerable to being misled by external or false things—he hoped this would help her discover her deepest, truest desire.

From her ecstatic expression, she clearly loved this gift.

Long Shou’s? She didn’t come, so she didn’t get one. Even if Li En thought it unimportant, rules were rules—he didn’t believe Long Shou truly needed it. That girl’s will was already unshakable.

Then his gaze turned to the remaining two candidates.

“Tch. From the start, there was never any real choice.”

He waved his hand—the most radiant Heroic Soul card was replicated once more, a pale silver card now resting between his fingers.

Li En flicked it lightly. The card spun through the hall and landed on Daimon.

“Wait—why me?!”

The most stunned was Daimon himself, who had remained silent since entering.

He had kept his head down, not wanting to witness Lari’s victory—but he still came. He was grateful to Heroic Soul Su Er for the opportunity; this recognition of justice would be his lifelong treasure.

With his head bowed, he’d even been considering who to kill tomorrow—until the moment golden light fell, and he froze completely.

He was shocked—he never imagined it would be him. I’m a butcher drenched in blood! How could I inherit the noble Heroic Soul’s legacy?!

“You’re my personal heir. If you knew what I’ve done, you’d realize what you’ve done doesn’t even compare.”

Visibly, as he cast this inheritance, the Heroic Soul grew far more ethereal.

“For me, formality and procedure mean little. Inner justice—unyielding justice—must never be bound by rules or regulations. This inheritance contains fragments of my memories and experience. I won’t waste words—only hope you never let the flame in your heart die out.”

Lari, the loser, was first stunned—she never expected this outcome. But in the end, she said nothing.

She accepted it—from within.

Even though she’d raged aloud, criticized Daimon endlessly, and still believed he didn’t deserve the Heroic Soul’s legacy.

But seeing his actions, seeing what he was changing, seeing how he planned to spend his life fulfilling this path—this legal criminal, in her heart’s judgment, must also be justice.

No—it was justice. At least, those helpless weaklings she could never protect had been saved by him.

She wasn’t foolish—just a little naive. She’d always watched everything happening in the docks: the new order, the hospital, the martial halls, the schools—all things that could change the docks’ fate, give the orphans a better future.

At least, he was stronger than her. She had stood still—he had pointed a direction.

Then… was she the one who was wrong?

“Hah, Lari, you’re more composed than I expected. I thought I’d need the proctor to convince you.”

Proctor? As everyone stared in shock, “Su Er” made an inexplicable move.

He took another fragment from the Heroic Soul card and flicked it lightly.

This time, it landed on Lari.

“This?!” Lari’s face was filled with disbelief. Wasn’t there only one inheritance?

“This isn’t my inheritance—it’s the Law Knight’s legacy. Haven’t you always envied Li En’s Judgment of Sinful Realm? Envied how he swings his blade without hesitation?”

Unlike the dramatic spectacle expected, now that they’d reached this point, Li En (Su Er) remained strangely calm.

This wasn’t about dividing a cake among contenders—it was fate delivering the most suitable heir directly to Li En’s path.

Daimon, drenched in blood—no one knew how many more crimes he’d commit. He was unfit to wield the power of law—but perfect to inherit “foolish justice.”

The other candidate wasn’t perfect either.

“You’re lost. You dare not step beyond legal boundaries—but your inner justice and morality already tell you this is an absurdly foolish path.”

Li En smiled. Perhaps this was how the power of law should be wielded—and who it should be given to.

“As an enforcer, respecting the law isn’t a bad thing. Take this power of law—it will become your new standard, your new constraint.”

Legal constraints aren’t necessarily bad. They may limit absolute justice—but they also prevent the abuse of violent enforcement.

“Learn from your senior, Li En. When you see evil, cast Judgment of Sinful Realm—then strike. Hah, it’s not perfect—but it’s the least flawed approach. I hope this world produces more Law Knights—it can at least improve this world significantly.”

The mentor spoke so much at once, he seemed weary—his form grew even more translucent.

Lari’s dazed eyes hardened. Do I have the right to wield the Blade of Judgment? Perhaps… I can use this power to decide who deserves to be struck.

“But remember! It’s still just a tool—don’t let the tool become your master!”

Lari probably didn’t understand this now—but “Su Er” hoped she’d remember.

When she faced a difficult choice, she’d recall it.

The teacher had done enough. The path had been shown. Now, the disciples must walk it themselves.

“Su Er’s” gaze turned toward the distance—where a human figure appeared.

“My proctor, my time is up. I’ll leave the rest to you—please step forward and greet them.”

“Yes, Master Su Er.”

A figure, deeply familiar to all three, appeared there.

Two were stunned; Talia smiled—as if she’d known all along.

“Long time no see. Hah, I thought you’d dig me out quickly—then you’d still need more practice.”

Li En’s true form appeared in the courtyard; the “Su Er” figure silently dissolved into a background puppet.

He looked at the two heirs—he’d expected a brutal, survival-of-the-fittest contest. But fate, from the start, had guided the most suitable heirs to him.

One: equally foolish justice—hope he doesn’t descend into blind madness from rage.

May his vow protect him from losing his true heart.

The other: lost yet orderly justice—he’s an excellent swordsman, perfect for carrying forward the Law Blade.

May this tool help her find the right measure of her own justice, and transcend her self-imposed limits of doubt.

His dragon eyes turned again to Daimon—something was quietly changing.

【Foolish Justice Heroic Soul Heir: Daimon, Biological Rank: Raw Stone, Status: Strength 6, Physique 6, Agility 4, Compatibility 30%, Class: First-Rank Free Holy Knight, First-Rank Classical Oath Knight.】

【Soul Technique. Born Human, I Am Honored (Aberrant Raw Stone): Shout out your inner conviction and rage—your body is fully enhanced. Your roar, your flesh, gains the potential to shatter any defense.】

Note: Your roar is a radius effect. Those who endorse your ideals gain partial augmentation.

【Note: When infused with specific willpower, your roar gains extreme offensive power. Use with caution.】

As he progresses, this Soul Power will grow stronger—and he may even learn and master Su Er’s “Holy Sword” system.

Only a possibility. How far he goes depends entirely on Daimon’s own ability.

Li En shook his head. He had fulfilled Su Er’s request. The rest of the path? Let them walk it themselves.

Now was the chance to cleanse his identity and blend in.

“Perhaps we should discuss the Tail-Cutting Case. Let me lay out the next plan—I can provide Hero’s Blood. I need your cooperation.”

Since the time has come to draw the sword, hiding any longer is meaningless; Li En had no intention of lurking behind others.

“The operation is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.” Li En smiled as he drew his sword—he had waited too long for this moment.

No matter how long the night, it must end.

As dawn neared, the Hall of Heroic Souls stood empty.

Only the fading phantom on the stage continued cheerfully grilling meat.

Suddenly, he spoke.

“I thought you’d never come.”

“Hmph, I wanted meat. An opportunity like this—where I don’t have to worry about gaining weight—is too rare!”

The girl skipped in, face scowling.

She snatched the skewer from “Su Er”’s hand and began devouring it again.

“Su Er” wasn’t annoyed; he merely smiled and silently grilled more for her.

One skewer after another, the little one ate until her mouth was greasy, and the man wiped it clean for her.

The adult and the child began chatting again, sporadically.

They talked of the past, the future, life, the daily grind.

But outside, dawn had already broken; light streamed in. Even the longest dream might now be nearing its end.

“Little girl, thank you for seeing me off.”

“Hmph, don’t flatter yourself. I only came to see if I could scavenge some of the old man’s legacy. Hmph, you really are a penniless, pitiful paladin.”

“Your eyes are red.”

Damn it, no, I’m not crying.

“What?! You’re tricking me again!” The girl truly grew angry.

“Uh… this time, it’s really true.” The old man smiled broadly.

“Liar.” The girl’s voice trembled with a sob—perhaps from anger.

“I understand well enough. I’ve raised several adopted daughters. You’re not seriously developing a father complex, are you?”

“Get lost, you lecherous old man!”

Beneath the sunlight, amid laughter and scolding, the phantom of the Heroic Soul gradually dissolved into mist.

But he smiled.

So did the one who saw him off.

Good, wasn’t it?

——

【Detected emergence of Heroic Soul heir. Heir’s soul signature locked. Personality model locked.】

【Individual name: Dimeng. Soul name: Born as Human, I Am Honored.】

【Heroic Soul Catalog V2 recording complete. Data uploaded to Heroic Soul Hall V1.】

【Heroic Soul Hall V1 verification passed. Potential assessment passed. After the heir’s death, his soul and achievements will be evaluated to determine eligibility for invitation into Heroic Soul Hall V1.】

(End of Chapter)