The door was gently knocked, a clear voice entering the ears: "Akrus, it's me!"

  Though the voice was not loud, it carried an authority. Liu Sen's body slightly trembled; it was his father, who had come personally. He never used to come to his room. In the time this body belonged to Akrus, he had never visited. Why did he decide to come today?

  "It's the Second Isnd Lord!" Beth's body slightly shrank, whispering in Liu Sen's ear.

  "Akrus, are you there?" The voice outside raised a bit.

  Liu Sen strode to the door, gently opened it, and bowed deeply: "Father, please come in!"

  Beth also bowed her head, poured two gsses of water, and respectfully brought them to the window, the most suitable pce for conversation.

  The father's gaze swept over Beth's face and then over Liu Sen's. Just a simple gnce made Liu Sen feel the air become somewhat oppressive, quickly coughing and saying, "Father, please sit here!"

  The father sat down, quietly looking at the sea outside. Liu Sen also sat, pondering his father's intentions for today's visit. It definitely couldn't be because of the girl who ran out of the room crying, irritating him. Akrus had done things a hundred times more vicious without hearing of his father getting angry. Could it be that he finally noticed the fw in yesterday's lie, holding the same intention as his grandfather to teach him?

  That seemed unlikely; his disguise yesterday was exquisite, dispying all of Akrus's characteristics. He mulled over various thoughts in his mind but couldn't figure out his father's intentions. Moreover, he didn't dare to ask. A father visiting his son's room didn't necessarily have to have a reason.

  Liu Sen felt somewhat uneasy, but his father's eyes were calm, as tranquil as water. Although it seemed like he wasn't paying attention to him, Liu Sen distinctly felt that every one of his expressions fell into his father's view.

  This father did not show him the slightest favor, making Liu Sen feel more apprehensive than he ever felt in front of his grandfather.

  "Father, have some water!"

  The father didn't drink the water, as if he hadn't heard at all, but his gaze turned to face him directly.

  The door was already closed, and the obedient Beth had returned to her room, closing the door as well, leaving only this odd pair of father and son in the space.

  After a while, the father finally said, "Akrus, how long has it been since we st talked?"

  Liu Sen respectfully answered: "Father is busy with many affairs, and I can't be of much help, how dare I occupy your valuable time?" This was the most neutral answer; he obviously knew it had been several years since his father had talked to him.

  "Busy with affairs?" Father sighed, "What affairs could I possibly have? Akrus... I am a failed father!"

  "No! Your son wouldn't dare think so!" Liu Sen was slightly startled, his father was actually self-bming, which was abnormal.

  "You may not think so, but I do!" Father said, "I am not only a failed father, but in front of your grandfather, I am also not a competent son!"

  Liu Sen didn't dare to respond to this because he couldn't grasp his father's intentions.

  Father continued: "Do you know why? Because I do not agree with your grandfather's way of handling things!"

  This brief statement, like a storm in Liu Sen's heart, indicated that his father disagreed with grandfather's methods. Such a straightforward statement of courtesy meant that what he really wanted to say might be that he detested grandfather's methods from the bottom of his heart! The two major figures on the isnd were fundamentally at odds, with completely different attitudes. Why would he say this out loud?

  Father had another brother; he was not the sole heir to the isnd lord. And grandfather was a cruel person; this statement was quite risky. If his uncle's people overheard it from outside and brought it to grandfather, stirring up discord, father would be in danger, at the very least, his position as the heir would be at risk! Was he saying this to test him? To see if he would betray him to grandfather?

  Though tumultuous waves surged in his heart, Liu Sen's expression remained calm.

  "If it were before, I would not have told you this, but now I am telling you, do you know why?"

  Liu Sen: "Please enlighten me!" He vaguely guessed some reasons, but of course, he wouldn't say them out loud. This person, although his father and the biological father of this body, hadn't risen to the status of 'father' in his mind, so he couldn't speak as freely as he would with his father at home.

  "Because you have changed!" Father slowly said, "Although this might just be my personal hope, I don't want to lose this opportunity, letting you revert to your old ways!"

  Liu Sen was completely stunned. His father risked telling him those potentially crisis-inducing words, just hoping for a real change, not like the disguise he put on yesterday. He didn't like him before, simply because he was not the type of person he liked. But he couldn't change his own upbringing because grandfather was the real authority, and whatever grandfather liked, he had no right to oppose. Now, just a slight sign of change from him, and his father didn't want to miss this opportunity. The saying "a parent's love knows no bounds" applies in other worlds as well.

  "Now, tell me!" Father lifted his head, his gaze falling on him, "Have you truly changed?"

  "Father!" Liu Sen pondered for a moment, "Why do you care so much about whether I have changed? Regardless of what kind of person I am, it doesn't currently affect Wind God Isnd, does it?" He was only the third generation of Wind God Isnd, far from having the power to control the isnd's fate. Adding one more vilin doesn't make a difference, as does one less good person.

  "I can put aside the fate of Wind God Isnd, but after all, I am a father. I hope my children have a bit of humanity, even just a little!"

  Liu Sen said nothing, quietly watching the sea. The sea's waves rose and fell, as did the tides in his heart. He had previously overlooked a question: his father, who basically managed nothing on the isnd and whom everyone perhaps overlooked, thinking grandfather was the center and that following grandfather's decisions was infallible. But now he knew they were wrong, and they were wrong about one thing — time!

  Time is mysterious, and its passing inevitably brings the greatest changes. Grandfather was getting old and would eventually leave this world. Once he's gone, Wind God Isnd would fall under his father's control, even if just for a year, enough to change everyone's fate, including Akrus's!

  Grandfather could elevate him to the position of young master, and father could easily exile him or banish him. So, his position today was not at all secure! But openly acting according to his father's will might provoke grandfather's thunderous wrath, making his days on the isnd just as difficult.

  "With your intelligence, you must understand my meaning!" Father's voice was deep, "Do you wish to be the heir your grandfather desires, or do you want to be the son I hope to see? You need to make a choice!"

  Liu Sen suddenly smiled, "Father, you may not be satisfied with my answer!"

  "I know your answer!" Father stood up, striding towards the door, his expression as dark as water. He was dissatisfied, naturally choosing to be the person grandfather hoped for!

  "Wait!" Liu Sen called out loudly, "Father, why must I choose only between the two options you've given? Why can't I give another answer?"

  "Speak!" Father stopped.

  Liu Sen said, "I am already an adult. I want to be the person I wish to be!"

  Father turned around abruptly, Liu Sen's gaze clear and bright, facing him calmly. After a long while, Father frowned, "Then... what kind of person do you want to be?"

  Liu Sen shook his head, "I want to go out and see the world, maybe then I can find the answer."

  Father stared at him for a long time, finally turning to leave. He felt this son was somewhat unfamiliar, seemingly foolish yet perhaps wise, not pandering to him, but also not causing a particurly dislikeable impression. Reflecting on every word he had said, Father suddenly realized that although much was said, it essentially amounted to nothing because his son's thoughts were still unclear to him.