Chapter 152: Section 153: Dad!!!
The Beast Tide had receded.
After the transformation of the Beastification People, they launched a frenzied counterattack, and the Magic Beasts were outright slaughtered by them.
The Blue Dog Fox Wolves tried their best to command, showcasing exquisite tactics. If not for Zhenjin, their efforts might have had some effect.
Upon witnessing the Beastification People’s outbreak and counterattack, Zhenjin, suppressing the shock and confusion in his heart, continually hunted down the Blue Dog Fox Wolves from the rear.
The majority of the Demon Beast Army’s forces were concentrated at the very front, around the new ship.
Their strategy was to temporarily ignore Zhenjin, but the sudden appearance of the Beastification People gave Zhenjin the advantage.
...
After killing three Blue Dog Fox Wolves in succession, the only remaining Blue Dog Fox Wolf finally managed to flee far away with the remnants of its defeated army.
Zhenjin couldn’t catch up.
In fact, his Physical Ability was nearly exhausted.
The difficulty of beheading tactics was extremely high, especially in such direct battlefronts.
Having lost ninety percent of its troops, the remnants of the Demon Beast Army could no longer pose a threat. The panicked escape of the Blue Dog Fox Wolves also indicated that they wouldn’t be causing trouble any time soon.
And as soon as the Demon Beast Army had retreated, the Beastification People who had erupted in battle also collapsed, one by one losing the breath of life.
“We survived!” Many people collapsed onto the deck.
“I actually survived.” Then, even more people cried out of sheer joy.
“What the hell just happened? It’s like seeing a ghost!” Hei Juan stood on the ship, looking at the dead bodies of the Magic Beasts and the deceased Beastification People around him.
Fear still lingered on his face.
It all happened so suddenly, deeply shaking him.
Zhenjin had returned.
He still bore the appearance of the golden scorpion armor.
Because of the Beastification People, he hadn’t fully undergone Mutation in this battle.
Seeing that people like Cang Xu and Zi Di, though disheveled and slightly injured, had all kept their lives, Zhenjin couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.
But although this battle was won, the number of survivors and casualties was devastatingly high.
From the more than two hundred people, after enduring the earthquake and slaughter, only about fifty remained. There were many with light injuries, but few with severe ones, as the intensity of the battle was so high, and without a reserve force like in the Camp defense, those with serious injuries were quickly killed.
Others could afford to be caught up in their emotions, but Zhenjin, as a leader, could not.
Under his orders, people began to quickly clean up the battlefield and treat the wounded.
“The old shipwright is still breathing, and the Big guy is alive too, but it’s not looking good for him.” Someone reported shortly after.
The result was somewhat bewildering, as many people had died on the deck. Yet, this father and son outside the ship were still hanging by a thread.
In fact, thanks go to the Blue Dog Fox Wolves, whose commands had led the Magic Beasts to temporarily spare the father and son.
Zhenjin hurried over.
The Big guy lay on the ground, arms still wrapped protectively around the old shipwright, his injuries so severe that he seemed on the verge of death. The wounds on his severed legs were a mess of blood and flesh, but the bleeding had stopped on its own due to his Giant Bloodline.
The old shipwright had suffered a fatal injury, lying motionless on the ground, his face as pale as death from excessive blood loss. However, when he saw Zhenjin, his previously lifeless eyes suddenly glowed with a hint of light, obviously with something to say.
“Zi Di, is there anything you can do?” In his grief, Zhenjin turned to his fiancée for help.
Zi Di didn’t disappoint him, quickly pulling a potion from her deflated little bag.
Zhenjin took it, pouring it into the old shipwright’s mouth.
A flush of color immediately rose to the old shipwright’s cheeks.
“My Lord… Lord Zhenjin… I have a favor to ask of you. Please, you must promise me to take my son away, take him…”
“He is still alive, I will take him away. He is a true warrior!” Zhenjin immediately promised.
“No, Dad. I want to be with you!” The Big guy wailed, resting his chin on the ground, looking hopefully at the old shipwright. His injuries were too severe, leaving him without the strength to stand.
Once again, the Bloodline of the giant clung to his life.
Yet his face was resigned to death; if the old shipwright died, he did not want to live.
The old shipwright couldn’t stand up, he couldn’t even turn his head; he couldn’t see the Big guy, but he knew his son was right behind him.
The old shipwright gave a bitter smile, speaking in a voice filled with regret, sadness, longing, yet tinged with hope and blessing, “I’m sorry, son. Dad can’t take you with him.”
“But you must live on.”
“You’re still so young.”
“Dad, I’m not leaving, I want to be with you. If you die, then we’ll die together.” The Big guy’s attitude was adamant, and he had realized the inevitability of the old shipwright’s death, now in tears.
“You… fool.” The old shipwright tried to scold, but his tone was mild, sounding more like comfort and affection.
No matter how much the old shipwright tried to convince him, the Big guy refused to change his stance.
A look of worry appeared on Zhenjin’s face. Sёar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Even if he knocked the Big guy out, he couldn’t make him want to live. He understood the Big guy; nothing could stop him from seeking death.
After a few attempts to persuade him, the old shipwright was quickly losing strength, feeling his life slipping away.
I can’t drag this out!
In a moment of desperation, a flash of inspiration struck him.
He raised his voice slightly, “Silly boy, I’m not your dad.”
“No, Dad. You can’t drive me away. I’m going to die with you. You’re my only family.”
But the old shipwright looked straight at Zhenjin, “You idiot, Lord Zhenjin… he is your dad! Your biological father!”
“?!,” The Big guy stared in disbelief, “Dad, what are you talking about?”
Those around who heard this were also shocked.
The old shipwright turned to Zhenjin, his face full of pleas.
Zhenjin fell silent and gave the old shipwright a slight nod.
The old shipwright’s eyes immediately welled up with extreme gratitude. He coughed violently, spitting out mouthfuls of blood, and continued to the big guy, “There are some things you’ve known all along, you silly boy. I am human, and you are a giant. I am merely your adoptive father. Ah… at this point, I don’t want to keep this secret hidden any longer.”
“But I also have human blood in me.”
“You fool, I’m just an ordinary shipwright. How could I possibly have any relation to a female giant?”
“There was a time, you asked me, didn’t you? You really wanted to meet your biological parents, right? Now I’ll tell you. Your real father is right in front of you, it’s him, Lord Zhenjin!”
The big guy opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the old shipwright, looking at Zhenjin.
The others maintained their silence, realizing that the old shipwright was deceitfully trying to help the big guy survive.
Zhenjin sighed, looking at the big guy, “That’s right. Big guy, you… are actually my son.”
“No, no!” the big guy shook his head, believing it to be true, but the news was too shocking for his heart, and he found it difficult to accept.
“What else could it be?” the dying old shipwright was very anxious, “Your father is stronger than you, and this poor old man is just an ordinary human. Your father also understands you, cares for you, and many times he just knocked you out, never really harming you. Do you think that’s something others could do? He admires you too, doesn’t look down on you at all. Don’t you find it strange? You want to get closer to him, right? It’s natural, because the kinship between your bloodlines attracts you to each other, unconsciously drawing close. That’s the bond of father and son!”
The old shipwright spouted nonsense, and those around him couldn’t help but grimace, holding back their reactions.
But to the big guy, every word the old shipwright spoke struck like a bell toll, each statement was an ironclad truth.
“I wanted to keep this secret because revealing it wouldn’t be good for your biological father. He is a noble, and a knight; having a bastard child like you is very dishonorable for him. But you, you silly fool, are so intent on dying with me, this poor old man, that I had to spill the beans. Forgive me, silly boy, I am just your adoptive father. You must survive, your real father is right here, now call him dad!” urged the old shipwright.
His words indeed reflected reality.
For a noble human to have such a half-giant son, it was a stain on his life, capable of ruining a noble’s reputation. Especially since Zhenjin was a Holy Temple Knight.
Now, using his impending death, the old shipwright was pleading with Zhenjin, thus garnering an opportunity.
Any normal noble would have already scolded or even whipped the senile old shipwright for spouting such nonsense.
But Zhenjin was different!
Throughout this time, the old shipwright had realized more than once that Zhenjin was a very unique noble!
He genuinely had compassion, a kind heart, and a broad-mindedness that did not befit his young age.
The old shipwright was exploiting Zhenjin’s compassion but was also deeply worried that Zhenjin would change his mind. So, while he still had a breath left, he wanted to confirm the “relationship” between the big guy and Zhenjin.
With that done, Zhenjin would have no room to back out.
Of course, the old shipwright didn’t truly believe that Zhenjin would back out, but as a father, a dying father wanted to grasp every chance to add more insurance during his last moments.
The big guy was lost for words.
He had already believed the old shipwright; in fact, he had always followed the old shipwright’s words without question.
But he couldn’t utter the words.
He didn’t know why, but he just couldn’t call someone else “dad” in front of the old shipwright!
As the old shipwright waited in vain for the big guy’s response, his vision began to darken.
“I’m satisfied to be able to leave you in the care of your biological father.”
“Survive, silly boy…”
“Survive. Be obedient, listen to your father’s words, little good boy.”
It had been a long time since the old shipwright had called him by the nickname “little good boy,” and the big guy shook violently upon hearing it.
Death was upon him.
The old shipwright vividly felt it.
“So this is what death feels like…”
“I still really want to call out ‘son’…”
But he couldn’t.
He needed to deceive the big guy.
Scenes from the past began to flash rapidly before his eyes.
Inside the hold of the Pig Kiss.
“Waaah, waaah…” The cries of an infant drew a bunch of sailors to investigate.
“My God, look what I’ve found!” the old shipwright exclaimed as he carried an infant out from a corner.
“Good Lord, it’s really a child!”
“Someone gave birth aboard the Pig Kiss, leaving a child behind for us.”
“Which heartless bastard did this?”
“Must be a bastard child, just abandoned like that, such a cruel mother.”
After a burst of discussion, they all turned and left.
The old shipwright was stunned, holding the child, “Hey, what are we going to do with this little guy?”
Some of the other sailors shrugged irresponsibly, others laughed heartily, “Old Four, you found this child, it’s your responsibility now.”
“Bullshit!” the old shipwright was furious, looking at the infant in his arms as if holding a hot potato, he was tempted to toss it aside.
The sailors dispersed, none wanting to be involved with this trouble.
Out of desperation, the old shipwright had no choice but to bring the infant to the Captain.
“Poor little guy, being born into this world was your misfortune.”
“Perhaps you should grant him relief; how could we possibly care for a child on board?” said the Captain of Kiss.
The old shipwright shook his head, he couldn’t bring himself to do it!
“Then, when we reach port, find a suitable person and leave the child in their care,” the Captain suggested.
The old shipwright nodded at that.
But how could he find a suitable person?
The Pig Kiss docked at ports often, but the stops were very short. In such a short time, in unfamiliar places, it was difficult for the old shipwright to find a trustworthy and appropriate person to entrust the child to.
“We’ll just have to see at the next port.” With that thought in mind, the baby stayed on the Pig Kiss under the old shipwright’s care.
“Damn it, pooped again! Eats a lot and craps a lot too.” The old shipwright grimaced as he changed the baby’s diaper.
“He’s got a fever. What should I do? What on earth should I do?” The old shipwright was frantically looking for remedies.
“Why won’t you stop crying? Are you hungry? But you’ve just been fed.” Unable to find the reason, the old shipwright resorted to singing a lullaby, “Good baby, don’t cry, good baby, don’t fuss, let me take care of you…”
The surrounding crew burst into laughter, “Hey, shipwright, that’s a love song, not a lullaby!”
Time passed, and a year later, the baby started to show extraordinary traits.
He could eat too much.
So much that it was more than the shipwright could handle.
The cabin was a complete mess, and the still infantile Big Guy continued to rummage through boxes and drawers.
“What are you doing, you little troublemaker!”
“Ah, you ate all my tobacco? You idiot, idiot!” The old shipwright slapped his bottom hard.
Thump.
The old shipwright collapsed on the deck.
“Oh my God!”
“You’re crazy, shipwright. You gave all your rations to that baby, and you’re still doing such heavy work, fainting from hunger on the deck.”
“You should be thankful, the sea is calm today.”
“Why are you working yourself to the bone? I really don’t get you.”
“In my opinion, you should have dumped him a long time ago!”
The crew shook their heads in incomprehension.
“I should throw him away, but to whom?”
…
Late at night.
The old shipwright was awakened by pain.
“Why are you biting me? You imbecile, I’m not a female, I don’t have milk!”
The injured and infuriated old shipwright targeted the still-small buttocks of the Big Guy and gave them a fierce smack.
Big Guy: “Wah wah wah…”
Docked.
The old shipwright went to the bar.
Seeing an acquaintance, the bartender smiled, “Old shipwright, do you need rum or beer?”
“Got milk?”
The bartender was startled.
“Breast milk is fine too.”
The bartender froze, then took a fresh look at the old shipwright, “Old man, your tastes have changed drastically, what kind of shock did you get?”
The fellow seamen laughed.
“He’s lost his mind!”
“It’s all for his ‘son’.”
“That’s definitely a little monster, I’ve never seen a baby who could eat so much! My God, eats more than I do.”
…
“What on earth have you done? My God!” Half a day later, the shipwright, looking at the deck covered in cracks and even holes, tore at his hair, almost crazy with frustration.
Big Guy sat squatting at the side, puzzled, “Dad, you told me to ‘work hard’.”
Captain of Kiss’s face turned dark, “Throw him away. If we keep him, one day my deck will be gone, my sails will be gone. Who knows, I might wake up from a nap and the whole ship’s gone!”
The old shipwright pleaded desperately, but the captain was resolute.
Thump.
The old shipwright bent his knees and knelt down, “Whatever the cost, I will compensate for it all! I can build ships, isn’t that why you hired me in the first place, Captain, for my skills?”
The captain squinted his eyes, looking down at the shipwright, “If I’m not mistaken, you’re still in debt to me, right? Before long, you would have been able to pay off your debt and be free again.”
“Then extend my debt period!”
The captain scoffed, “At your age, with your current salary, counting this damage, it will take you another three years of work for me to pay off your debt. But in these three years, will Big Guy not make mistakes?”
“Don’t be foolish!”
“He’s a simpleton, never learns anything, and only messes up what’s already working.”
“At this rate, you’ll never pay off your debt in your lifetime.”
The old shipwright suddenly raised his head, straightening his upper body, “Then let it be a lifetime!”
The captain was momentarily taken aback.
…
A boarding battle had just ended, blood flowed across the deck.
The shipwright bandaged Big Guy’s wounds, “I told you, don’t just charge in blindly, you fool!”
“But they were hitting dad! They’re bad guys!” Big Guy retorted.
“Now you’ve learned to talk back!” the shipwright glared at Big Guy, “Damn it, we’re out of potions. The blood won’t stop! Damn it, damn it.”
“Dad, don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt,” Big Guy consoled.
“Shut up!” The shipwright instinctively slapped Big Guy on the head, but realizing his mistake, he quickly pulled back most of his strength.
Late at night.
On deck, the Big Guy’s snores shook the heavens.
The old shipwright sat in front of him, looking at the bandages on his body, sighed, and whispered to himself, “It’s not that Daddy is heartless, silly boy.”
“To stay on this ship, it’s not easy.”
“No one likes to keep a burden; you have to contribute.”
“Your dad, my body is getting weaker by the day. I hope that one day, without me, you can still survive on your own.”
…
After a tender moment.
The Lady urged the old shipwright, “I’ve been a widow for many years, and I have a small estate outside Garden City. Come with me, there are no storms on the estate, and with my support, you could even build a small ship yourself. I know that’s what you dream of.”
“But I must leave him behind, right?” The old shipwright sat on the bed, bent over, looking toward the door.
He knew that outside the door was the Big Guy, surely squatting on the ground, staring eagerly at the door.
“Of course.” The Lady’s attitude was decisive, “A bastard mixed with Giant Bloodline, and a fool at that. If I took him back to the estate, everyone would laugh at me.”
“Then I refuse!” The old shipwright shook his head, equally determined.
“This is the third time I’ve offered,” the Lady frowned, displeased, “Are you sure? You have no blood relation to him.”
“I am sure, esteemed Lady,” the old shipwright sighed, “I might be able to live without him, but he can’t live without me. In this world, he only has me.”
“To be favored by you, Lady, is the luckiest thing in my life. I am very grateful to you, thank you.”
The Lady’s voice turned cold, “Do you know what you’re giving up?”
The old shipwright looked at the cabin door and smiled, “And do you know what I’ve gained?”
…
The effect of the potions wore off, the old shipwright’s eyelids grew heavier, he struggled to keep them open.
His body spent the last of its energy, an unparalleled fatigue enveloped his mind and body.
“So tired, I can finally rest this time.”
“But…”
“I’m worried.”
“Is this all I can do?”
“Lord Zhenjin, he’s no ordinary person. As long as he lets slip a little from his hands in the future, he could support the silly boy. After all, the silly boy is quite capable.”
“He acknowledged my lie, and I believe in his character.”
“There’s just a bit of regret.”
“I wish, at the end of my life, to hear it just one more time.”
“To hear it just once more.”
“Even just one time would be good…”
The old shipwright’s breath grew weaker and weaker.
The Big Guy propped up his upper body, using his hands to support himself, failing to struggle towards the old shipwright.
Seeing his father walk towards death, he paused midway, immense grief flooding him like a towering tsunami.
Besides the sorrow, there was endless loss and panic.
The support that helped him survive in this cruel world was gone.
The tender support that helped him face the world’s cruelty was gone.
He felt as though he was falling from the sky, like a fragile, withered leaf drifting in the abyss.
As large as his body was, his heart was equally fragile.
At this time.
Zhenjin stepped forward, kneeled on the ground, facing the Big Guy, and spread his arms to embrace him.
The Big Guy was stunned; in that moment, his drifting heart felt like it touched the solid ground.
The young man sighed, softly saying, “If you want to cry, just let it out.”
The corners of the Big Guy’s mouth turned down, his lower lip covered the upper, and it trembled uncontrollably.
He tried to hold back, not wanting to cry.
Because when he was very young, he cried noisily on the ship, which was quite annoying, and was gently advised by the old shipwright.
The Big Guy bit down hard on his upper lip, but tears were already flowing.
After a moment of silence.
The pain and grief in his heart eventually made it impossible to hold on.
“Daddy!!!” He suddenly let out a roar.
Utter anguish, extreme heartache.
Then.
“Wahhhhh!” he cried loudly in Zhenjin’s arms.
His cries were hoarse, the sound waves spreading through the rubble, resonating on the shattered ship, echoing in the rainforest.
In the battle, the urgently lit bonfire was still burning.
Under the firelight, the old shipwright breathed no more.
But his mouth seemed to curve slightly, as if…
He was smiling.