"I am the patriarch of the Lan Family, one of the Ten Guides of the Hades Circle."
John Chou smiled faintly at Lan Yin in front of him and asked a question.
"Are you not afraid of death?"
Lan Yin shook his head, glancing back at the people behind him. Everyone from Hades Village watched Lan Yin in tense silence, as if grasping at a lifeline. Leonard Lane hung his head, silent, while Julian Lu seemed to want to speak but was held back by Wendy Hsieh, who gripped him tightly.
Do whatever you wish.
But Zane Zhuang immediately walked over to Yin Choujian's side and began to speak.
"Young master, why not take him back and torment him slowly? Let him serve Violet Swallow for the rest of his life."
Immediately, the Blue Wraiths lurking nearby began to stir, shouting out all sorts of ways to torment Lan Yin.
"Fine. Since someone has stepped forward, I won't trouble the others. I'll give you the greatest punishment of your life."
A streak of blood-red particles appeared in John Chou's hand.
"Bloodbane Power, huh? Hehe, it's been a long time since the boss used that."
Ronan Wu spoke, and the other Blue Wraiths immediately grew excited. Lan Yin didn't understand what they meant, but he knew that the blood-red thing before him was ominous—he had never seen such a bizarre power.
"This is the path you've chosen, Lan Yin. Walk it well, and stop blaming the heavens. Fate is fair to everyone."
With a sharp sound, John Chou's finger pierced Lan Yin's shoulder. Instantly, Lan Yin's eyes widened and his consciousness began to blur. He saw the smile—and a trace of helplessness—in John Chou's eyes.
In a daze, Lan Yin regained consciousness, but his entire body was drained of strength. Suddenly, he felt water droplets on his face. He tried to wipe them away but couldn't move; his limbs were numb. He saw blood, like fine beads of sweat, seeping from the skin on his chest—a chilling sensation rose from deep within him.
Lan Yin became a cripple. He could do nothing but lie in bed all day, his skin constantly oozing blood. Though there was little pain, even moving a finger was impossible. Judy Luo cared for him, weeping daily.
Yet Lan Yin's heart was strangely calm. He didn't feel sadness over needing help with every basic need. To restore the Lan Family's reputation as quickly as possible, Leonard Lane sent their people to soul-gather in places overrun by evil ghosts, even risking conflict.
Leonard Lane saw nothing wrong with this approach. He appointed capable Lan Family members, and within months, their reputation improved. When he sent their people into Hall of Bloodbane territory, some advised caution, but Leonard ignored them, dispatching their strongest.
The clash with Hall of Bloodbane happened just last month. By the time Hades Circle realized the gravity of the situation, John Chou and his people were already at the Lan Family estate.
Lan Yin shouldered it all. Except for his wife and two young children, not a single soul from Hades Circle showed him any kindness.
Lan Yin, who hadn't seen the sun in days, sat quietly in a corner of the courtyard, gazing into the distance. He didn't understand what Bloodbane Power truly was, but he knew this force was slowly killing him, destroying all his strength. Yet as one of the Hades Circle Born, he could not die—only wander endlessly between life and death.
"Lan Yin, how is your body holding up?"
Lan Yin glanced sideways at Julian Lu, who was walking toward him. Julian was the only one who tried to help that day, and rumor had it he taught Leonard Lane himself—writing and arithmetic included.
"Sorry. My words mean nothing now. No one can remain unscathed after Bloodbane Power invades their body. Lan Yin, I truly feel sorry for you. I knew what those people were teaching your son would lead to, but I didn't stop them. You..."
"Enough."
Lan Yin muttered, and Julian Lu fell silent, quietly sitting beside him.
"Go back to Hades Village."
Julian Lu shook his head.
"The Luo Family hasn't had any major issues lately. I want to stay here for a while and see if I can help you."
Lan Yin gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He knew no one could help him—except himself.
Leonard Lane's attitude shifted slightly—he no longer shouted. Whenever he saw Lan Yin, he would lower his head and leave quickly.
After many days, Lan Yin grew tired of Julian Lu's chatter and stayed inside, refusing to go out. His wife smiled again, wiping the beads of blood from Lan Yin's skin.
"Husband, Leonard joined us for dinner today! Can we all eat together again tomorrow?"
Lan Yin shook his head, but blood suddenly gushed from his mouth and eyes. He coughed and gasped violently.
"Please help Leonard. He's still so young, and I can't teach him anymore like this. We're his parents."
Judy Luo shook her head.
"Maybe Leonard has already grown up."
Julian Lu finally entered Lan Yin's room, relentlessly recounting stories from Leonard's childhood. Gradually, Lan Yin understood why his son resented him so deeply.
Because of Lan Yin's failure—and his past betrayal of the Hades Circle—everyone in Hades Village knew about it. Even though Leonard was groomed as a Guide, he still had to live among other children of the Hades Circle. He was ostracized, no matter how hard he tried. Everything Lan Yin had done was branded onto Leonard, who studied and trained relentlessly to prove himself.
Even members of the Lan Family criticized Lan Yin. In such an environment, Leonard had nowhere to vent his feelings. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he bore all his father's burdens.
Winter arrived, and snow fell gently. After getting Julian Lu drunk, Lan Yin finally enjoyed some peace. He sat in his wheelchair, quietly gazing at the hazy sun behind the clouds, watching the drifting snowflakes.
[Skipped: Irrelevant system message]
Two years had passed, and his body remained unchanged, showing no signs of recovery. He was still a cripple, unable to do anything—he relied on his wife for everything, from eating to dressing.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded. Lan Yin looked up—it was Leonard Lane, looking anxious and holding a letter. But as Leonard passed Lan Yin, he said nothing, then slipped and fell in the snow.
"Leonard, don't rush when you walk. No matter how urgent it is, a little delay won't hurt."
Lan Yin smiled as he spoke. Leonard got up from the ground, standing still, his face complicated.
"Oh, I know."
With that simple reply, Lan Yin exhaled a long breath of white mist and smiled as he looked at the white plum blossom in the corner of the courtyard, joy lighting up his face.
Leonard was talented. Another two years passed, and the Lan Family's reputation in Hades Circle soared, all thanks to Leonard's tireless work.
With a smack, a snowball hit Lan Yin. Julian Lu rushed over in a panic.
"Sorry, Lan Yin. Hey, you two rascals!"
Snowballs pelted Julian Lu—it was Lan Xin and Lan Yi, two mischievous kids in their teens. Julian had taken over teaching them the ways of the Hades Circle, working hard and meticulously, if a bit long-winded. He repeated lessons until the kids remembered every detail.
"Xin, Yi, come here."
The two children, giggling, ran up to Lan Yin and placed a little snowman in his hand. Though he couldn't feel it, Lan Yin smiled with contentment.
"Did you have a good talk with the Holy Spirits today?"
The children nodded. Lan Yin had often told them to believe in the Holy Spirits, assuring them they'd always be protected.
That night, Julian Lu started rambling again, telling stories of haggling at the market. Lan Yin listened quietly, while the children laughed at the table. Judy Luo fed Lan Yin sips of wine from her glass.
"Actually, the people of Hades Circle owe you a lot, Lan Yin."
Suddenly, Julian Lu's tone changed, his voice choking up. Lan Yin just smiled.
"There's no such thing as owing or not owing."