Lin Zhan’s private jet landed directly on the helipad of the South Sea Manor in the capital.
After stepping off the aircraft, Lin Zhan thanked the pilot and then, with a flash of lightning, used the Thunder Step to rush towards the Lin Family Manor.
Upon reaching the entrance, Lin Zhan tidied his clothes, pushed open the gate, and entered the Lin Family Manor.
Zhang Lingxiu, who was preparing a meal for Lin Zhan in the house, heard the sound and opened the door to come out. Seeing Lin Zhan smiling at her by the door, she rushed into his arms, "Husband, you're back."
Lin Zhan tightly embraced the person he had longed for day and night and said gently, "I'm back, I'm back."
Looking at her familiar, delicate face, Lin Zhan kissed her deeply.
"Ahem, you're back," Lin Zhan's mother, Ouyang Xinlan, and his mother-in-law, An Rongrong, stood at the doorway, watching the young couple who were reluctant to part.
Zhang Lingxiu's face was flushed red, and she buried her face in Lin Zhan's embrace, too embarrassed to look up. She whispered to Lin Zhan, "It's all your fault, Mom saw us."
Lin Zhan burst into laughter, grabbed Zhang Lingxiu's hand, and swaggered into the house. He addressed the two mothers, "Esteemed mothers, your son has returned."
An Rongrong, like a mother-in-law doting on her son-in-law, found him pleasing to the eye. She chuckled and said, "Zhan'er, you seem to have matured a lot during this trip."
Lin Zhan replied confidently, "Mom, people always have to grow, especially after going through so much."
Ouyang Xinlan knew that Lin Zhan had killed over 2.7 million people in Fusang. Seeing Lin Zhan’s current state, she couldn’t help but worry. "Zhan'er, Mom knows some things were beyond your control, but try to shed less blood among your human brethren in the future. It will bring you peace of mind."
Lin Zhan looked at his mother's worried eyes and knew she feared he couldn't bear the emotional burden. After all, the scene had been hellish, with rivers of blood and mountains of corpses.
"It's alright, Mom. You know someone had to do it. Dad and Uncle Zhen are in the military, and our ancestor is the Human King. If they had issued the order, the repercussions would have been too great. So, it had to be me. Besides, this was a task appointed to our Lin family by our ancestor; we couldn't let others help, could we?"
Ouyang Xinlan looked at her son's determined face and tears welled up. "Zhan'er, if anything is wrong, tell Mom or everyone else quickly. Don't keep it to yourself."
Lin Zhan felt the care of his family and forced back his sorrow. "Mom, I want to eat dumplings."
Ouyang Xinlan and An Rongrong quickly responded, "Alright, alright. Mom will make your favorite dumplings for you right away. You go back to your room, take a bath, and rest for a while."
Watching his mothers busy, Lin Zhan took Zhang Lingxiu back to their room. As soon as they entered, Lin Zhan collapsed onto the bed and began to weep silently.
Zhang Lingxiu also shed tears and held Lin Zhan tightly, whispering, "Husband, cry. You're home now. It's okay. Just let it all out. Don't try to be strong by yourself."
Lin Zhan cried like a child in Zhang Lingxiu's arms, "That's 2.76 million lives! With just my word, so many people lost their lives.
Wife, do you know that at least a million of them didn't deserve to die? But I couldn't show any leniency. The King's War is about to begin, and the human race's rear cannot be in chaos. I could only use their lives to deter those lawless individuals and ensure stability in the human race's rear."
In front of the people closest to him, Lin Zhan finally let down his guard and cried out loud. No matter how great the sins of those people were, anyone would feel unbearable pain after millions died.
Furthermore, it was Lin Zhan's order, meaning that his single word had led to the deaths of so many.
Under Zhang Lingxiu's comfort, this bout of crying, coupled with the battles of the past few days, left Lin Zhan physically and mentally exhausted. He soon fell asleep.
Seeing Lin Zhan asleep with his brows furrowed, Zhang Lingxiu gently caressed his forehead. She then got up and began to remove his combat suit.
Upon seeing Lin Zhan's body covered in purple and blue bruises after his clothes were removed, Zhang Lingxiu trembled. She took out healing ointment from her storage space and began to apply it to his wounds.
During the battle against the Bone Demon Clan, Lin Zhan, eager to avenge his grandfather Lin Tian, had taken the lead in the charge. Although his combat suit and heavy armor had blocked the sharp attacks of swords and blades, they were less effective against the impact of the Bone Demons' heavy weapons and energy explosions.
After tending to Lin Zhan’s injuries, Ouyang Xinlan entered the room. Seeing her sleeping son and his wounds, the pain of a mother pierced her heart. She looked at her good daughter-in-law meticulously caring for him and, covering her mouth, ran out crying.
Coincidentally, Lin Shanhe was returning home from the garrison. Seeing his wife crying in the living room, he walked over to comfort her and said, "Zhan'er is back, isn't he?"
Ouyang Xinlan nodded and continued to cry, "Shanhe, Zhan'er is so young! He's still a child! Look at his wounds and the pressure he's under."
Lin Shanhe comforted his wife as he said, "The situation has changed. Many ancient monsters among the ten thousand races have awakened from their slumber. After the New Year, our ancestor will lead the human kings and a host of quasi-kings into the void to initiate the King's War."
"And our Zhan'er has the potential to become a being beyond kings, so he will bear even more. It's not just Zhan'er; the group of young men who teamed up with Zhan'er will also face the most brutal battles, fighting for destiny. Whichever family has more destiny will be able to awaken their ancestors earlier to protect their race."
"If our human race loses this time, there will be no more human race in the future. Therefore, Zhan'er carries the heaviest burden. These most difficult tasks can only fall to him."
Lin Zhan felt as if he had slept for a very long time. He vaguely opened his eyes and saw the face he missed the most.
Looking at the sleeping Zhang Lingxiu, Lin Zhan chuckled and kissed her.
Feeling someone kiss her, Zhang Lingxiu knew Lin Zhan had woken up. "You're up to no good as soon as you wake up. Hurry and get up, take a bath, and we'll go eat."
Lin Zhan said with a sly grin, "I wonder who's up to no good. Which little rascal took off my clothes?"
Just as Lin Zhan was about to escalate things, the Dragon Binding Rope automatically opened its spatial ability and floated out on its own.
Looking at Lin Zhan who was about to misbehave, the dragon head of the Dragon Binding Rope seemed to have its own expression.
It sighed, as if to say, This kid never learns.