allonlinenovel Chapter 1661: He wasn't worth it for the past!
Chapter 1661: He wasn't worth it for the past!
Seeing the children's reactions, Mingchuan felt even more guilty, but he knew that since he had chosen to be honest, he had to make things clear.
“I took his identity and entered the Qingcheng Imperial Law Sect. My real name is Mingchuan.”
"Besides identity..."
His gaze softened and became sincere as he looked at the three children in turn: "Every little thing I did with you, teaching you how to cultivate yourselves, guiding you as you grew, watching you grow from thin and weak to strong, from ignorant to wise... it was all real."
“My care and protection for you are genuine. In my heart, you are already my younger brothers and sisters, the people I, Mingchuan, want to protect.”
He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I concealed it before because of the circumstances, and also because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it right away. Now that we have our own sect, a place where we can truly settle down and no longer need to hide, I think it's time to tell you the truth."
"I do not want to, and cannot, lead you and the Wanchuan Sect as Cang Zi'ang."
"Of course, I respect your choice. If you want to return to Qingcheng Yufa Sect, I can send you back and guarantee that you will not be bullied again."
The truth, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a tidal wave in the hearts of Jinwa, Yaya, and Chen Shu.
Shock, confusion, a hint of being deceived, disbelief at the original news of Cang Zi'ang's death, and... the long-standing dependence and trust in the person who called himself Ming Chuan—all these complex emotions intertwined, causing the three children to fall silent.
Ya Ya's tears finally fell in large drops as she looked at Ming Chuan, her voice trembling with sobs.
"Then...then the old Zi'ang brother...is he really...really never coming back?"
Mingchuan felt a pang of sadness. He knelt down, gently wiped away her tears, and said softly, "Yes, he's not coming back. But your brother Mingchuan will always be here. I will continue to protect you, teach you, and take you to see a wider world. Do you... believe me?"
His gaze was sincere and earnest as he awaited the three children's response.
For a moment, all three children fell silent.
After a long time, all that could be heard was Ya Ya's soft sobbing and the rustling of the wind through the leaves.
Mingchuan's heart also hovered slightly in the silence.
He respected any of their choices, but deep down, he naturally hoped that these children, whom he regarded as his younger siblings, could stay.
Just then, Jinwa suddenly raised his head.
This boy, who was once as thin as a monkey but is now much stronger, no longer has his usual honest and simple face. Instead, he has a kind of reckless indignation and clear-headedness on his face.
He grabbed Ya Ya, who was still crying, his voice trembling with emotion, yet unusually clear:
"Yaya, don't cry! It's not worth it for that Cang Ziang!"
He turned to look at Mingchuan, his eyes were also a little red, but his gaze was unusually firm.
“Brother Mingchuan! You’re right. The Cang Ziang of the past… he never treated us as fellow villagers, let alone as human beings!”
His words were like a floodgate opening, unleashing a torrent of pent-up grievances and resentment.
"Do you remember what kind of life we had in the early days of the Qingcheng Imperial Law Sect? Those sect disciples bullied us at will, stole our things, and called us country bumpkins! Where was Cang Zi'ang back then? He clearly saw it all, but he never did anything about it! He even felt ashamed that we embarrassed him!"
Jinwa became more and more excited as he spoke, pointing to his now sturdy physique: "Look at us now! Ever since you... ever since you, Brother Mingchuan, came, we've finally been able to eat our fill, someone has taught us real skills, and no one dares to bully us anymore! I, Jinwa, have transformed from that skinny monkey who would have been blown away by the wind into who I am today, all because of you!"
He wiped his eyes hard and said resolutely, "I don't care if you're Cang Zi'ang or Ming Chuan! All I know is that you're the one who's good to us, the one who protects us, and the one who gives us hope! I'm not sad at all about that dead Cang Zi'ang!"
“I, Jinwa, only acknowledge you, Brother Mingchuan! Wherever you go, I will go! From now on, the Wanchuan Sect you founded will be my home, and I will never go back anywhere else!”
These heartfelt, tearful yet powerful words deeply moved Mingchuan, and a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes.
He never expected that this seemingly carefree boy would be so insightful, seeing everything so clearly.
Ya Ya was also stunned by Jinwa's words. She stopped crying, stared blankly at Jinwa, then at Mingchuan, her little face still wet with tears, but her eyes gradually shifted from sadness and confusion to clarity.
Recalling all the grievances she had suffered in the past, and comparing them with the warmth and protection that Mingchuan had shown her, her young heart made its choice.
She nodded vigorously, her voice soft but firm, though slightly nasal, "Yes! Ya Ya also recognizes Brother Mingchuan! Brother Mingchuan is the best to us!"
At this moment, Chen Shu, who had been silent all along, also stepped forward.
He was more composed than Jinwa and Yaya, but at this moment his eyes also shone with a sincere light.
He bowed deeply to Mingchuan:
“Brother Mingchuan. A name is just a label. Who you are is not important. What is important is that you pulled us out of the mud and gave us dignity and a future.”
"The past Cang Zi'ang is gone, and the present you are the elder brother and sect leader we are willing to follow to the death. Apart from you, the Qingcheng Yufa Sect has little to offer us."
"From this day forward, the three of us will be members of the Wanchuan Sect in life and in death!"
The three children, in their purest and most direct way, gave the most resolute answer.
Looking at the three young yet resolute faces before him, and listening to their unwavering trust and devotion, Mingchuan felt his chest filled with an indescribable sense of emotion and responsibility.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and stretched out his arms to hug the three children tightly.
"Good! Good brother! Good sister!"
His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, "From this day forward, we are truly one family! With me, Mingchuan, here, I will never let anyone bully you again!"
"Wanchuan Sect is our home. Let's work together to build it into the most powerful sect in the Spirit Realm!"
The three children buried their heads deeply in Mingchuan's arms.
At this moment, all barriers and secrets vanished, and a bond stronger than blood ties took deep root!
For a moment, Mingchuan was even somewhat grateful for his rare moment of soft-heartedness, which allowed him to raise these three children so well in such a short time.