Chapter 208: Passing the Assessment

Thinking of the time that had passed like water, the few of them could not help but sigh.

"In the blink of an eye, we have all grown so old.

Back in the day, we were the same age as Long Er, just as eager to travel the world alone.

Now, we have a group of people behind us who need us to clear the path ahead."

After some lamenting, the four arrived outside Long Er's room. After confirming that Long Er was still fast asleep, the four returned to their respective rooms with peace of mind and lay down to rest.

As the four lay down, images of the four of them practicing martial arts together in childhood and risking their lives together after growing up kept appearing in their minds.

Lying on their respective beds, the four said the exact same words in unison:

"Having you all is truly wonderful!"

After speaking, the four slowly drifted off to sleep while reminiscing about their youth, each of their faces beaming with a happy smile.

The next day, after Duan Fengyun got up and finished breakfast, he strolled around the kitchen, then carried the porridge and meat buns he had carefully prepared for Long Er to Long Er's room.

He knocked on the door, but no one answered. Duan Fengyun opened the door to take a look and saw that Long Er was still fast asleep.

It seemed that yesterday's great battle had taken a heavy toll on Long Er's spirit, which was why he had not yet woken up.

Seeing this, Duan Fengyun placed the porridge and meat buns on the table for Long Er, walked to the bedside to tuck him in, and after quietly closing the door, he went to the Yishitang.

Not long after Duan Fengyun left, Long Er slowly opened his eyes. Long Er touched his slightly dizzy head and looked around the room in confusion.

Seeing himself lying on his familiar bed, Long Er did not believe it at first.

His memory only went as far as the battle with Zhu Qingtian in the Tianlao Jindi; he knew nothing of what happened afterward.

Seeing the familiar bed and the fragrant meat buns on the table, Long Er muttered:

"It must be that Dad and the others were secretly following me and saved me at the critical moment.

I wonder if that old fellow Zhu Qingtian is dead. If he isn't, I must make Dad hand him over to me to deal with.

Not only did that old fellow insult Dad, but he even wanted to kill me. I must teach him a good lesson."

"Gurgle, gurgle!"

At this moment, Long Er's stomach let out a sound of protest.

Having not eaten since the great battle last night, Long Er was already famished. Seeing the fragrant meat buns, Long Er, with his appetite greatly increased, polished off all the meat buns in one go.

As for the plain porridge on the side, Long Er did not even glance at it. As a carnivore like Long Er, he had always disdained plain porridge.

After eating his fill, Long Er could not help but worry about another issue.

"Since I didn't kill Zhu Qingtian, I suppose I haven't passed this assessment.

According to the previous agreement, if I didn't pass this assessment, it means I still have to undergo training from Dad and the others, and I still cannot go out to travel the world alone."

Thinking of this, Long Er felt a little dejected.

But then Long Er thought that if it weren't for Duan Fengyun and the others saving him, he would have lost his life long ago, let alone talking about traveling the world.

Thinking of this, Long Er felt much more cheerful.

After resting for a while, Long Er went to Duan Fengyun's room.

He knocked on the door, but no one answered. After opening the door and seeing no one inside, Long Er realized that Duan Fengyun must be at the Yishitang.

After Long Er closed the door, he walked toward the Yishitang. Along the way, he ran into many Dragon Sect disciples, and Long Er happily greeted them as well.

When Long Er arrived at the Yishitang, he saw Duan Fengyun, Nie Feng, and Wen Chouchou discussing something.

The sensible Long Er did not speak and stood outside obediently, waiting for them to finish talking.

Duan Fengyun and the other three, who were originally discussing the continued expansion of the Dragon Sect with Wen Chouchou, instantly lost their mood when they saw Long Er arrive.

However, the four of them knew the importance of the bigger picture, and their current status required them to consider the overall situation.

After confirming the next steps with Wen Chouchou, Duan Fengyun called out to Long Er outside the room:

"Long Er, come in quickly.

We are finished talking!"

Wen Chouchou, who had been completely brainwashed by Duan Fengyun and reduced to a mere tool, greeted Long Er and then trotted away happily.

Long Er bounded over to Duan Fengyun and called out:

"Dad, Uncle Shuang, Uncle Feng, Uncle Yun."

"Long Er, good boy!"

Duan Fengyun happily patted Long Er's head, truly worried that Long Er's hair might be plucked away by him like this.

Long Er looked at Duan Fengyun, then gazed at Qin Shuang and the others and said:

"Dad, I know I didn't pass this assessment; I didn't kill that Zhu Qingtian.

Please give me another assessment, Dad. This time I guarantee I will complete the mission.

By the way, Dad, how did you save me from the Tianlao Jindi?

I remember that when I was fighting Zhu Qingtian, I felt a bit overwhelmed, and then I felt as if I had lost consciousness."

Duan Fengyun and the other three were slightly startled upon hearing this; they did not expect that Long Er would not remember what happened later.

Perhaps Long Er was never meant to know, because Jiansheng had been in control the entire time.

In that case, the wording Duan Fengyun had already prepared would have to be changed again.

Duan Fengyun gave a look to Qin Shuang and the others, signaling them not to explain and to listen to him.

After receiving Duan Fengyun's signal, Qin Shuang and the others chose to keep their mouths shut, quietly watching what kind of fatherly-love story Duan Fengyun was about to tell.

Duan Fengyun smiled and began to say:

"On the day you left the Dragon Sect, your Uncle Shuang and the others and I were ultimately worried about your safety, so I followed behind you to the Huangcheng to protect you in secret.

As for the guards of the Heavenly Prison, do you think that in the majestic Huangcheng, the Heavenly Prison guards would really be as they appeared to you?

It was I who went ahead to tip off the people at the Heavenly Prison, letting them deliberately leave a loophole for you; otherwise, how could you have entered the heavily guarded Heavenly Prison so easily?

And I disguised myself as a prisoner, hiding in the corner of the cell closest to the Forbidden Land. After you entered the Forbidden Land, I quietly came to the outside of the Forbidden Land to watch you and Zhu Qingtian."

After seeing your great battle with Zhu Qingtian, I still chose to believe in you.

In the end, it was still because your practical combat experience was insufficient that you were placed in a life-or-death situation.

So, in the end, I still took action to save you. As for that Zhu Qingtian cursing me so fiercely, how could I let him live!"

After hearing Duan Fengyun finish speaking, Qin Shuang and the other two were dumbfounded. They truly had not misjudged Duan Fengyun; under his narration, a story of a loving father and a filial son appeared vividly before them.

Long Er, upon hearing this, looked ashamed. He had been single-mindedly convinced that he already had the ability to travel the jianghu, yet in the end, he couldn't even handle a prisoner in the Heavenly Prison and needed his father to step in to save him.

"Father, I'm sorry. It is because my skills are not refined that you were so worried and had to find a way to save me.

Father, from now on I will definitely study harder, and then pass the next assessment."

Duan Fengyun shook his head and said:

"There will be no next assessment; this time is enough."

After hearing this sentence, Long Er interpreted it as having another meaning.

He thought that this assessment had disappointed Duan Fengyun, so Duan Fengyun would no longer give him a chance.

Long Er lowered his head in disappointment; it seemed his path was still very long.

Seeing Long Er's disappointed appearance, Duan Fengyun instantly understood that Long Er must have misinterpreted his meaning.

He stroked Long Er's head and laughed loudly:

"Don't misunderstand your father's meaning and hold a grudge against me.

What your father meant is that although you did not complete the task I arranged for you during this assessment.

The calmness and determination you showed when facing the enemy made your father very satisfied.

After discussing it with your Uncle Nie Feng and the others, we unanimously decided to give your assessment a passing grade.

Long Er, congratulations! You have passed your assessment; you can now uphold justice and travel the world with your sword!"

Long Er, who had been disappointed, couldn't believe his ears after hearing Duan Fengyun's words.

"I passed the assessment?

I passed the assessment?

I really passed the assessment!

Wow, I can finally travel the jianghu alone and do what I want to do."

Qin Shuang, Nie Feng, and Bu Jingyun laughed:

"Congratulations, Long Er. From now on, our Dragon Gate will have a hero on his own."

"Thank you, three uncles."

Long Er said excitedly.

Duan Fengyun stood up at this moment and added:

"Long Er, regarding your traveling the jianghu, I have only one prerequisite: tell us your destination in advance.

You are not allowed to leave on your own authority without telling us.

Rest assured, we will not follow you; we just want to know your whereabouts!"

Long Er nodded solemnly and said:

"Father, rest assured.

Every time I go out, I will definitely greet you in advance. I will not let you worry."

Long Er understood Duan Fengyun's meaning; by greeting them before going out each time, the four of them would be much more at ease.

(https: //. 23xstxt. /book)

. 23xstxt. m. 23xstxt.