A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

Chapter 2261 Resolute

With everyone as witnesses, Chu Lin knelt and paid his respects to the tomb by bowing three times. But Chu Lin was unaware of the identity of the person for whom the tomb was erected.

He simply trusted his Aunt Tang, Tang Yun, so he did so when she asked him to bow down. Despite the short duration of their interaction, which lasted only a year, Chu Lin had already placed complete trust in Tang Yun. Even though Chu Lin was just a child, he could perceive whether someone treated him kindly or not. During his short years of life, Chu Lin encountered many people. But when it came to those who treated him the best, there were only three people. One was his Grandma, and the second was his mother, and finally, his Aunt Tang. Furthermore, Chu Lin found it puzzling why, but whenever he was with Tang Yun, he felt he was being tenderly looked after, just like a mother would. Even though Tang Yun was strict, Chu Lin could unmistakably sense the underlying fondness and indulgence. Once Chu Lin had finished bowing, Tang Yun turned around, ready to leave.

Chu Lin attempted to go along but was stopped by Ye Yuyan.

“Lin, where do you think you're going?”

“Are you planning to go with her?”

“I'm your biological aunt.”

“Listen to me and come home with me.”

Ye Yuyan continued to have doubts and was unwilling to let Chu Lin go with Tang Yun. “Aunt Yuyan, Aunt Tang treats me very well.”

“Besides, Aunt Tang even teaches me martial arts.”

“I want to become stronger. I want to become as strong as my daddy.”

“So, Aunt Yuyan, I'm sorry, but I don't think Lin can go with you.”

With utmost politeness, Chu Lin humbly bowed and apologized to Ye Yuyan. Afterward, he quickly ran and caught up with Tang Yun, gripping her hand tightly. However, as they had barely walked a few steps, Junie blocked Tang Yun's path. Tang Yun raised her head, her eyes carrying a cold and distant look, as she focused on the unfamiliar woman standing before her. She remained silent, but her perplexed expression revealed her uncertainty about the other person's intentions.

“Hello, my name is Junie, and I'm a friend of Ye Fan.” This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Before Ye Fan left, he entrusted me with protecting his loved ones.”

“Therefore, Ms. Tang, I apologize, but Chu Lin may be unable to go with you.”

“He is Ye Fan's son, and it is my responsibility, per his father's wishes, to bring him back to India.”

Junie's expression was impassive as she directed her piercing gaze at Tang Yun. Though her words were delivered calmly, it was apparent that she would not compromise. Upon hearing Junie's demand, Tang Yun naturally refused to comply. Chu Lin was the only one she held dear in this world. Tang Yun would not give Chu Lin away to anyone. Thus, Tang Yun calmly shook her head at Junie's remarks.

“Father?”

“Considering their blood connection, he may be Lin's father.”

“However, has he ever carried out the duties of a father since Lin was born?

“Therefore, even if Chu Tianfan were present today, he would have no authority to claim Chu Lin from me, let alone you, who have no relation to Lin whatsoever.”

Tang Yun's words were delivered with a calmness that stripped Junie of any respect. Junie frowned and retorted, “Ms. Tang, don't you realize that you have no right to say such things?”

“Even though I'm not directly related, I have had a longstanding friendship with his father.”

“And what about you?”

“Who do you think you are?”

“You have no blood ties to Chu Lin and no personal bond with Ye Fan. So, why do you feel entitled to hold onto Ye Fan's son?” Junie retorted sharply, questioning with an aggressive tone. Tang Yun, however, had no intention of offering any explanation. With Chu Lin's hand in hers, she continued onward in silence.

“Ms. Tang, it seems you are set on taking him along, am I right?”

Junie's gaze became stern, hinting at a readiness for physical confrontation. Sensing the growing tension in the air, Xu Lei hurriedly walked over and advised, “Ms. Junie, it's best to let Lin go with her.”

“Even though she has some issues with Ye Fan, she is not a bad person by any means.”

“Plus, Lin mentioned that his Great-Grandma specifically instructed Ms. Tang to care for him.”

“After all, Lin is the descendant of the Chu family, and we need to honor the decision of Old Madam Chu.” Xu Lei had spent a few years living with the Chu family, which made her familiar with Old Madam Chu. While she may have had doubts about Tang Yun, how could she possibly doubt Ye Fan's Great-grandma? Finally, Chu Lin left the place together with Tang Yun.

As for Xu Lei and the rest, once they were done tending to Ye Fan's grave, they also got ready to leave. As for the King of Fighters and Sword Saint, their lives were not in danger even though Chu

Lin injured them. They found an opening and successfully fled. Ye Qingtian did not chase after them. Even if he managed to catch up, what difference would it make? He could not bring himself to take the life of his former comrade, regardless of the circumstances.

“Take these healing pills. They will help you recover from your injuries.” Ye Qingtian was about to leave, despite his injuries, but Junie came forward and offered him some healing pills she had on her.

“I appreciate the medicine,” Ye Qingtian expressed his gratitude. Junie's gaze rested upon him as she said, “You don't have to thank me. If you feel grateful, thank Ye Fan.”

“He has spoken about you to me before. He said that in China's martial arts world, you are the only person he considers a friend.” Junie's words only deepened the distress in Ye Qingtian's heart. He sighed.

“It's my fault for letting him down.”

“Back then, I wish I had believed in him, as the entire world misunderstood him.”

“Now, the situation has come to this, and we can only say that we brought it upon ourselves.” Junie replied,

“What was the use of saying all that now?”

“Gone are the dead, but the living remains.”

“Live your life to the fullest. By doing so, there will be a few more people who can pay their respects at his grave and tend to his grave too.” Junie glanced at the man, whose hair was completely white, and then turned around, ready to depart.

“Ms. Junie, hold on, please!” After a moment of hesitation, Ye Qingtian mustered the courage to speak up,

“Ms. Junie, I am aware of your esteemed reputation in the martial arts world of India and even within the Dragon God Hall. At this time, I hope you can step forward and help me stop their conspiracy.”

With earnestness in his voice, Ye Qingtian looked at Junie with eager anticipation in his eyes. At this point, martial artists from various nations' martial arts worlds had become predominantly enslaved. However, there were still some exceptions—for instance, the notable Dragon Slayers from Dragon God Hall and the formidable Supreme experts in India. If Ye Qingtian managed to persuade Junie, there was a chance of recruiting a formidable force to aid him in his battle against Chen Jiuzhou and the others.

However, Junie clearly showed no interest in Ye Qingtian's proposal.

“Ms. Junie, are you truly not willing to consider it?”

“As long as you come forward and unite the power of India's martial arts world and the Dragon God Hall, isn't it possible for us to win this fight?”

“If we don't, the world will be destroyed!”

Ye Qingtian kept on urging. Junie chuckled and remarked, “What do I have to do with the destruction of the world?”

“The Dragon God Hall was disbanded because of your coercion.”

“You self-proclaimed martial artists, who deem yourselves as representatives of justice, were the ones who forced Ye Fan to his death.”

“Now, you are asking us to step forward again, risking our lives, to help you clean up the mess that you made.”

“Do you really believe that we would do it?”

Unlike Ye Qingtian, Junie did not have as much sense of mission and responsibility in her. She did not concern herself with the lives of others; the only thing that mattered to her was that man. If Ye Fan were here, and he requested her involvement in persuading India's martial arts world, Junie would readily comply without any hesitation. However, she would ignore the rest of the people. Junie's words undoubtedly extinguished any remaining hope in Ye Qingtian's heart. He chose not to utter another word, recognizing that he had no grounds to speak further. When Junie and the others departed, Ye Qingtian was the only one left, alone in this place, with no one around. They would have chosen to surrender if it had been anyone else. They would have abandoned the conflict with the Empyrean Ranking powerhouses and forsaken their mission to halt the Dragon Gate Project.

Nevertheless, he was the War God. His lifelong commitment and endeavors revolved around the greater good of his homeland, driven by a strong sense of duty and determination. The weight of his responsibilities and the value he placed on his honor made it impossible for him to remain aloof like Junie and the others. Even with no support and facing the battle alone, he was committed to giving it his all!

“If you seek to destroy my country, to ruin this world, then you'll have to step over my body to do so!” Ye Qingtian's face hardened with resolve as he gritted his teeth.