Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

”He protected me, got executed by the Eastern Alliance, and his head was hung in front of the Alliance Building as a warning until the flesh rotted, while I managed to escape to the Divine Hidden Continent after much hiding.”

Upon learning about Huo Canghai’s tragic fate, Xu Xingguang felt a heavy sensation in her heart.

Though Huo Canghai was a robber who stole from the Eastern Alliance and was killed by them as a disgrace, it was his own doing.

But everyone has their selfishness.

Huo Canghai was Xu Xingguang’s father-in-law. Despite his awkward attitude towards her, he had never troubled her and acted as both a kind and stern father to Huo Wen’an.

Long ago, Xu Xingguang had already included Huo Canghai and Andariel in her ’family’ group.

Learning that Huo Canghai was killed by the Eastern Alliance and his head was hung as a warning in front of the Alliance Building, how could Xu Xingguang not harbor hatred for the Eastern Alliance?

Not to mention, in the last reincarnation, the Eastern Alliance was the main culprit in the massacre of the mortal world.

This Eastern Alliance cannot be allowed to exist.

”The old man really loved you.”

”Yes,” Huo Wen’an had to admit this point.

”Xiao Hang is the only person we can trust in the Divine Martial Realm.” Huo Wen’an took a pack of cigarettes from Yan Jingchen’s pocket, pulled one out, and bit it as he lowered his head to light it from Xu Xingguang’s pipe.

Once lit, Huo Wen’an took a few puffs before saying, ”After escaping to the Divine Hidden Continent, Ming Feng saw me wearing the Hidden Python Ring and guessed that I had some intricate connection with the Divine Hidden Dynasty, so he brought me to the Ming Family.”

”Under the cultivation of the old curator, I became the personal assistant to his grandson Ming Lan, and I continued to work for Ming Lan ever since.”

During that time, Huo Wen’an often accompanied Ming Lan to the taverns of Bai Ze Island, which is why he was so familiar with the Divine Martial Realm and Bai Ze Island.

”You were Ming Lan’s sidekick?” The image of Ming Lan’s colorful hair flashed through Xu Xingguang’s mind, making her want to laugh, ”Then you had it pretty tough.”

Huo Wen’an was also smiling, ”Despite Ming Lan’s seemingly irresponsible demeanor, he’s actually quite clever. He’s the leader of the Hacker Alliance in the Divine Martial Realm, and I plan to send Zheng Qin to him to learn.”

”He’s capable of that?” When they last met, Xu Xingguang was too focused on Ming Lan’s hair to pay much attention to him.

”Looks can be deceiving,” Huo Wen’an initially thought Ming Lan was a loafer too, but after working with him, he realized that the carefree attitude was just a persona.

”You said Xiao Hang is the only one who can be trusted. What did he do to earn your trust?”

There was a trace of pain in Huo Wen’an’s eyes as he said, ”When the Eastern Alliance and other extremist groups launched a massive attack on the mortal world, it was only Xiao Hang leading the Divine Concealment Army who went without hesitation to rescue the mortal world.”

Huo Wen’an held onto the cigarette without smoking, letting the fire burn to his fingers, causing some pain. It was only then he adjusted his grip, lowering his gaze as he spoke in a low voice, ”The entire Ming Family, and all warriors of the Divine Concealment Faction, were completely annihilated, with no survivors.”

”In the Divine Concealment Army, there are only heroes who died in battle, no defectors. So until their dying breath, none of them surrendered.”

That was the reason.

Huo Wen’an had witnessed the tragic scenes of the Ming Family and the Divine Concealment Army fighting to the death to protect the mortal world. This is why he trusts Ming Feng and guided him to find Xu Xingguang.

”Xingguang, you’ve raised an excellent child.” Huo Wen’an cast his eyes, full of deep admiration, at Xu Xingguang and said with emotion, ”No wonder you chose him; he deserves to be your pride.”

Hearing Huo Wen’an talk about the fate of He Yuanhang, Xu Xingguang felt a pang of sorrow.

Xu Xingguang’s dream was to become director of an orphanage so there would be no more orphans in the world. Throughout ten reincarnations, she had adopted many children; some made her proud, while others stabbed her in the back.

But He Yuanhang’s actions far exceeded her expectations.

He truly was a child who tugged at people’s heartstrings.

”You got one thing wrong,” Xu Xingguang supported her pipe with her right hand, bending slightly to tap it against the almost burned-out cigarette in Huo Wen’an’s hand.

Cigarette kiss.

Having been a man a few times, Xu Xingguang had had experiences of smoking, and she once thought if she found someone compatible in every way, she’d definitely want to share a cigarette kiss with them.

Huo Wen’an’s heart trembled as he stared at their touching cigarettes, hearing Xu Xingguang say, ”He’s your pride too, Xiao An.”

Huo Wen’an blinked, dryly saying, ”He’s your adopted son, not mine.” He wished to acknowledge He Yuanhang as a godson, but he dared not bring it up for fear Xu Xingguang would discover his hidden affection.