Wandering Swordsman |

He looked up and saw Albert's dark robes gleaming coldly in the moonlight, his face showing an unusual urgency and respect.

"Albert?" Count Casio was startled. He had thought Albert would come to see Hua Tianyou first, but he saw him walk straight toward Shen Mo without even having time for formalities.

Count Cassio was well aware of the formidable reputation of "Seven Stars" Albert in the far west. He had naturally heard of this legendary figure at the pinnacle of martial arts.

In the far west, the Seven Stars are a power above the king, and even the king must show them deference. Yet at this moment, this one of the "Seven Stars" bowed deeply upon seeing Shen Mo, his posture as respectful as an apprentice meeting a master for the first time.

Count Casio's breathing almost stopped.

He had already been astonished by Albert's awe of Hua Tianyou, but now Albert's respect for Shen Mo seemed to be even greater.

His mind raced with turmoil: 'Albert, one of the Seven Stars, is so respectful to Shen Mo? This...this is simply unbelievable!'

"Mr. Shen," Albert's voice was deep and respectful, and he bowed slightly, "I heard you were here, so I came to see you." His eyes held an almost devout reverence, as if he were facing an inviolable deity.

Count Casio's throat bobbed slightly. He could feel the invisible pressure emanating from Shen Mo, an aura that inspired awe.

He thought to himself, 'Shen Mo, who exactly are you? How can you command such respect from Albert, one of the Seven Stars?'

He suppressed the turmoil within him, his face remaining impassive. He merely nodded slightly, a small gesture that conveyed an undeniable respect: "Mr. Shen has come from afar, and you must be weary from your journey. It is truly an honor for my Casio family. Although our residence is simple, we have prepared a quiet room. Please, sir, rest for a moment and wash away the dust of your journey."

Casio paused, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes, his voice low but solemn: "Later, I will host a family banquet at my residence to welcome Mr. Shen. Though there will be no delicacies, it is a token of the Casio family's goodwill."

Shen Mo stood with his hands behind his back, and upon hearing this, he simply nodded. His deep, cold eyes swept over Casio, as if they could see right through people's hearts: "Thank you for your trouble, Earl."

......

As night fell, the banquet hall of the Earl's mansion was brightly lit, with flickering candlelight illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.

The air was filled with the aroma of roast suckling pig, the rich flavor of black truffle soup, and the full-bodied fragrance of newly brewed wine.

The scale of this welcoming banquet far surpassed that of the banquet held a few days earlier when Hua Tianyou returned home.

To show his respect for Shen Mo, Count Casio used almost every delicacy he could find in Marseille.

On the long table, silver candlesticks cast flickering light on everyone's faces.

In the very center is a roasted suckling pig, its skin glistening with tempting oil, and next to it is a steaming bowl of black truffle soup, its aroma irresistible.

In addition, there are sashimi platters made with the freshest deep-sea fish, garnished with lemon slices and caviar, as well as plates of paper-thin, air-dried ham with curled edges and a reddish color.

The dessert is a jelly made from peaches unique to Marseille, crystal clear and like a work of art.

Count Casio personally poured Shen Mo a glass of deep red aged wine, his face beaming with smiles: "Mr. Shen, please drink this glass to the brim. May your days in Marseille be as mellow as this fine wine."

Hua Tianyou stood up, his gaze softening as he looked at his relatives sitting opposite him. His voice was clear and melodious: "My lord, let me introduce my family to you."

He first pointed to Count Cassio, a hint of respect in his voice: "This is my maternal grandfather, Count Cassio." He then pointed to a middle-aged man and woman who bore a striking resemblance, "These two are my uncle, Cassio Deo, and my mother, Cassio Henella."

Finally, his gaze fell on a pretty young girl, a hint of brotherly affection flashing in his eyes. "This is my cousin, Casio Elisa."

Then, Hua Tianyou turned to face Shen Mo, his silvery-white eyes appearing exceptionally solemn in the candlelight. He took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising, filled with an almost fanatical reverence: "This is my lord—the Heavenly Demon God: Shen Mo."

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to Shen Mo.

Count Casio paused slightly in his wine glass, a flicker of disbelief crossing his eyes. "So young...and already the master of the Heavenly Demon Sect?" His mind raced with doubt, his gaze shifting between Shen Mo's aloof face and Hua Tianyou's respectful demeanor. "Tianyou has always been arrogant and proud; what earth-shattering methods does Shen Mo possess to have him so subdued?"

Heinila held Hua Tianyou's hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry and confusion.

She couldn't believe that this young man, who looked even younger than her son, was actually the master of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, who had inherited her husband's position as the "Heavenly Demon God."

However, what intrigued everyone the most was the woman sitting next to Shen Mo.

Alice wore an elegant long dress, her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her eyes held a calm and aloof air about her first encounter with the world.

She sat there quietly, seemingly out of place with the surrounding noise, yet naturally exuding a noble air.

'Who is this woman?' Casio Henella wondered to herself, her gaze shifting between Alice and Shen Mo. 'Is she a concubine? Or an accomplice?' She instinctively wanted to ask, but seeing Hua Tianyou and Albert's cryptic attitude, she swallowed the words back.

Albert sat at the lower end of the table, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Alice, a complex sense of awe in his eyes.

He knew Alice's true identity, and he also knew the subtle relationship between her as the daughter of the Invincible Duke and Hua Tianyou.

At this banquet, Alice's identity became an unknown secret, yet no one dared to reveal it.

......

Halfway through the banquet, everyone was slightly tipsy.

Shen Mo put down the silver cutlery in his hand, calmly looking at Hua Tianyou. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "Heavenly Demon Lord, what are your plans next?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianyou paused slightly in his wine glass.

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the candlelight and landing on his mother, Henila.

In that instant, an overwhelming desire surged within him. He immediately said, "Mother, come with me! Come back to the Heavenly Demon Sect with me. There you will find the safest protection. I want you to see the magnificence of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and to enjoy the honor of being revered by thousands. I want you to be by my side, enjoying your twilight years in peace."

The candlelight flickered in his silvery-white eyes, reflecting the anticipation and trepidation deep within his heart.

However, Heinila remained silent.

She put down the spoon in her hand, raised her head, and looked calmly at Hua Tianyou. There was no ripple in her eyes, only a kind of indifference after experiencing vicissitudes.

"Tianyou," she finally spoke, her voice soft yet resolute, "the journey back to the Heavenly Demon God Sect is fraught with peril, separated by those three perilous passes. I, this old body, will not be a burden to you."

She paused, her gaze shifting to the night outside the window, as if piercing through time and space to see some distant place: "Besides... your father is still here."

She didn't say anything more, but everyone understood what she meant.

Hua Shenyong's tomb is in Marseille.

She would guard his grave, clinging to this unyielding devotion, until the end of her life.

Hua Tianyou's expectant expression froze instantly. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, it turned into a silent sigh.

The candlelight crackled, reflecting the fleeting pain and helplessness in his eyes.