Anger and the Past He Refuses to Recall

Storm Cloud Bu was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Even after Ninth Royal Uncle saw through his intentions, he showed no fear—instead, he grew even more defiant, meeting Nolan's fury head-on.

"That's right, I'm forcing you. Forcing you to save Bella." Storm Cloud Bu roared, "Lance Quinn, you have no heart. You're not worthy of Bella's love. Bella is dying for you, and what about you? You won't even show your face to comfort her?"

At this, Storm Cloud Bu's voice choked with pain and frustration: "Lance, is there really no one in your heart or eyes but Serena? For Serena, you didn't hesitate to end the Lance Quinn persona. When you killed off Lance Quinn, did you ever think about Bella?"

To you, Bella is a responsibility, a nuisance. But do you know that for Bella, you—Lance Quinn—are her entire world? She lives only for you. No one can replace you. Without you, Bella can't go on. Do you understand..."

Storm Cloud Bu covered his face with both hands and crouched before Nolan: "Lance, don't be so cruel to Bella. She did nothing wrong."

Storm Cloud Bu broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming through his fingers. "Lance, even if Bella has wronged everyone else, she's never wronged you. I'm begging you, please, please save Bella. I truly have no other way—no way to just watch Bella die like this. Lance... I'm begging you."

When he finished, Storm Cloud Bu knelt straight before Nolan, offering up all his pride and dignity for Nolan to trample...

"Jingyun, why put yourself through this?" Vincent Su stepped forward and helped Storm Cloud Bu up. "Doing this won't make Bella love you. She'll never know what you've done for her."

"I never wanted to make Bella love me with this. I just want her to be happy, to have joy... to live." Storm Cloud Bu rose, eyes full of hope as he looked to Nolan.

If he had any other choice, he would never have dragged Bella to the Capital so recklessly.

Only Lance Quinn can cure Bella's illness. No matter how much it hurts, he must do it for her.

"Like this, Bella Qin will never love you." Nolan said coldly, his tone tinged with disappointment.

He had given Storm Cloud Bu so many chances, but Storm Cloud Bu never seized them. Instead, things only got worse.

"Compared to Bella's life, none of that matters." A flash of hope lit Storm Cloud Bu's eyes—he knew Nolan was starting to relent.

"Even if she saw Lance Quinn, it wouldn't change anything. Lance Quinn will never marry her. Most importantly, Lance Quinn is dead!" Nolan repeated to Storm Cloud Bu that he would never walk the world as Lance Quinn again.

He had already severed all ties with Liancastle, and he would never use the Lan surname again.

"Lance... as long as the Former Dynasty remnants remain, your identity will never be a secret. Serena will find out one day. All you've done now is cut ties with Liancastle—it can't erase every trace of Lance Quinn." When it wasn't about Bella Qin, Storm Cloud Bu's analysis was sharp and clear.

"My affairs are none of your concern." Nolan rose, cutting him off arrogantly. "If you want to save Bella Qin, go find Brandon Bu. I won't interfere."

Nolan strode toward the door on long legs, but Storm Cloud Bu blocked his way. "Lance, you know full well Brandon Bu is injured. He can't even get out of bed right now."

To fool Prince Damien of Southlyn and Sean, and make them believe Lance Quinn is truly dead, was no simple task. Brandon Bu really had been pushed off a mountain by a tiger. Though he survived, he'd need at least half a year in bed before he could stand again...

"Storm Cloud Bu, don't push your luck. My patience is limited." Nolan shoved Storm Cloud Bu aside, sending him stumbling into the wall, but Bu didn't even have time to cry out—he blocked Nolan's path again.

"Lance Quinn, could you try being a little human? Don't forget who carried you out of the mass grave; who taught you martial arts; who helped you escape those nightmares of drinking blood and eating flesh. Lance Quinn... you owe everything to Bella's parents. You promised them you'd take care of Bella for life—look at what you're doing now!" Storm Cloud Bu shouted the last line.

Nolan's face darkened, his deep eyes suddenly turning blood-red and feral. He seized Storm Cloud Bu by the collar, grinding out each word: "My affairs are none of your concern. Stop prying into my business."

Storm Cloud Bu didn't fear death; his face flushed red as he shouted back, "You think I want to meddle in your business? You think I want to pry? Lance Quinn, stop lying to yourself. The past can't ever be changed. What you've lived through can never be erased—not even if everyone who knows dies. Lance..."

"Storm Cloud Bu, shut up!" Nolan flung him hard against the wall.

Bang—Storm Cloud Bu hit the wall like a rag doll, then crashed to the floor, leaving a smear of blood behind.

"Lance... Jingyun—" Vincent Su turned pale with fright. Seeing Nolan's bloodshot, violent eyes, Vincent dared not say a word. He hurried over and helped Storm Cloud Bu up. "Jingyun, are you alright?"

"Cough... I'm fine." Storm Cloud Bu spat out a mouthful of blood, a mocking smile on his face. "Lance, running away won't change reality. Even if you keep ignoring Bella, you can't erase what you've lived through. Escaping won't work."

"Hmph... I'm not a coward like you." Nolan said arrogantly. "Storm Cloud Bu, you've crossed the line. Go accept your punishment."

With a flick of his sleeve, Nolan left without a backward glance, leaving Storm Cloud Bu and Vincent Su staring blankly after him.

After a long moment, Vincent Su finally snapped out of the chaos. He glanced at Storm Cloud Bu, who was ghostly pale, and sighed. "Jingyun, you went too far tonight."

"I just wanted to save Bella." Storm Cloud Bu no longer had that wild courage he showed before Nolan—only deep helplessness and confusion.

He knew this would hurt Lance, but Bella's life was hanging by a thread, waiting for Lance to save her.

"If we want to save Bella, we can think of other ways. Lance isn't heartless, but what you did will only make him resent you more—especially since you dragged Serena into it too." Vincent Su sighed heavily.

Storm Cloud Bu had talked about "the things Lance went through," but Vincent didn't know the details. Still, seeing how fiercely they fought, it was obvious those memories weren't anything worth recalling.

For the sake of a woman, Storm Cloud Bu had set aside brotherhood and forced Lance to relive a past he wanted to forget. All it did was make Lance even angrier.