Lin Lei returned to the Baron's estate, but he locked himself away in the courtyard and refused to see anyone. Although Wotton and Nina had just gotten married, they knew Rein had fallen in battle and understood their eldest brother's current state of mind.
Within the Baron's estate, no one dared to disturb Lin Lei.
The courtyard gate was tightly shut.
Lin Lei sat by a stone table. On the table was a bottle of wine and two cups. One cup was in front of Lin Lei, and the other was across from him... but the seat opposite was empty.
Filling both cups, Lin Lei raised his own.
"Old Fourth—" Lin Lei looked straight ahead, his gaze seeming to pierce the void, though his eyes were reddened. "Rest well."
He tilted his head and drained the cup in one go.
Old Fourth was dead.
Lin Lei felt a deep, unwilling bitterness in his heart.
But after interrogating King Qoan, questioning the Dunstan family members, and even carefully observing their expressions, Lin Lei finally concluded—
Perhaps Old Fourth really had died a glorious death, unrelated to anyone.
What Lin Lei didn't know was that only three or four core members of the Dunstan family knew the truth. Ni En Dunstan, aware that Lin Lei would pay attention to others' reactions, had told no one else.
There was one other person who knew the truth: Rein's mother!
She was also the so-called 'Madam' under guard. Rein's mother was heartbroken, and Ni En knew that in front of Lin Lei, she wouldn't be able to conceal her grief. That was why there were no women in the main hall—naturally, Rein's mother wasn't there.
"Old Fourth, you were the youngest of us four brothers, yet you were the first to leave us." Lin Lei's heart felt like it was being sliced apart, and two lines of tears flowed uncontrollably down his cheeks.
He grabbed the wine bottle beside him, tilted his head, and downed a long gulp.
"Cough, cough…" Drinking so fast made Lin Lei cough. But he only coughed two or three times before tilting his head again and finishing it off.
Bei Bei and Hei Lu crouched in the corner of the courtyard, not daring to disturb Lin Lei.
"Boss, this is the fourth time he's been this heartbroken," Bei Bei thought to himself. The first time was when he broke up with Alice, the second when he learned of his father's death, and the third when Grandpa Derinkoort passed away...
One by one, his loved ones and brothers were leaving him.
It caused Lin Lei such pain, yet he knew... he had to be strong, because he still had other family and brothers. Whether for the sake of the dead or the living, he had to be resilient.
"Just let me wallow and indulge for three days."
Lin Lei laughed through his pain, opening his mouth without any restraint. He cried, drank, laughed out loud, talked to himself, reminisced about the past, or conversed with Rein...
Three days later!
*creak*— The courtyard gate opened. Dilia had stayed outside the courtyard the entire time; she'd even had someone bring out a stone bench, and she sat there reading, quietly keeping watch over Lin Lei.
Three days!
The courtyard gate had been closed for three days, and Dilia had been keeping vigil outside for three days.
Hearing the gate open, Dilia turned around with delighted surprise. Lin Lei was now dressed in a deep cyan robe, his back straight as a spear, showing no trace of his earlier despondency.
"Lin Lei—" Dilia rushed over to greet him joyfully.
Lin Lei looked at Dilia, and a wave of emotion surged in his heart. With his level of cultivation, how could he not be aware of someone outside the courtyard? Dilia had been there for the full three days.
Although he was inside the courtyard, separated from her by a gate, Lin Lei had been constantly aware of Dilia's presence.
Lin Lei suddenly reached out and pulled Dilia into an embrace.
Dilia froze.
Lin Lei had never initiated an embrace before!
Lin Lei held Dilia close, his head bowed. The fresh scent of her hair filled his nostrils, so captivating. Breathing it in, Lin Lei felt an immense tranquility settle over his heart.
As if a lone ship had finally returned to the harbor.
"Dilia, thank you!" Lin Lei's voice murmured by Dilia's ear.
Holding Lin Lei, burying her face in his chest, Dilia felt a happiness she had never known before. Years of longing at the Academy, and then a ten-year wait... now, it seemed her dream was closer than ever.
Since Lin Lei emerged from the courtyard, his relationship with Dilia had grown closer. Sometimes, a single look between them was enough to convey what was in their hearts. But Lin Lei hadn't yet broken through that final barrier, and Dilia hadn't made a move either.
"How is the Master doing?"
In the training yard behind the Baron's estate, Gates quietly asked Wotton.
A faint smile appeared on Wotton's face: "After my brother came out of the courtyard, he spent a long time walking with Miss Dilia. I just saw him, and there was still a hint of a smile on his face. I suppose his mood is better now."
Gates nodded slightly: "The Master not coming out for three days was truly worrying."
"Number Five, you think the Master is like you, ready to give up so easily?" Another burly, terrifying-looking giant of a man chuckled from nearby.
"Second Brother, why are you picking on me now?" Gates grumbled discontentedly.
Life at the Baron's estate was tranquil. Lin Lei continued his quiet cultivation as before, while also preparing to set off for the chaotic lands of the Chaos Region.
"Your Majesty, Grand Master Lin Lei is training just as he always has. There have been no other activities. Of course, he did make a single visit to the Dunstan family on the day of Lord Wotton's wedding banquet," the palace attendant reported respectfully.
King Qoan had a satisfied smile on his face.
"You may withdraw," the king said indifferently.
King Qoan knew Lin Lei hadn't done anything unusual, and his heart relaxed: "Good, good. This Lin Lei truly believes what I said is the truth."