That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

88. The Shadow Clan Attack

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Zhao ZhuYong, the 'Late' Eastern Dragon, stood before them all, clearly alive.

'It just isn't possible!' LanFen shook her head in denial, bif even as she did so, memory after memory, of all her encounters with Healer Wang so far, sailed into her head, and made her realize that there was really nothing to deny.

Apart from Lode City, Healer Wang had somehow always appeared wherever she was, and now that she thought about it, she wondered whether he hadn't been in Lode City as well, quietly watching them.

Healer Wang usually appeared from nowhere, whenever she was hurt, to protect her or tend to her.

Then there was also the fact that he had probably settled on the name 'Wang', because it had been her mother's family name.

But what convinced LanFen the most, was that strange pull she felt around him... That odd feeling that made him feel familiar?

Numerous questions surged through LanFen, but at the moment, she only remembered one of her mother's many wishes, "A-Liu, you take after your father a lot! I wish you could've greeted him, at least once!"

LanFen was barely aware that she had fallen to her knees, and she kowtowed to Zhao ZhuYong. "Mother wished I could greet you, at least once. She will rest a little easier, now that I've fulfilled that particular wish."

But Zhao ZhuYong had appeared right in front of her. He leaned down and took her hands to help her up. "A-Liu, I didn't reveal myself, so you will do things like this."

Shuǐ ChénLín and Lu FengHo hadn't overcome the shock either, and they hastily cupped their hands and bowed in respect.

Shuǐ ChénLín wasn't too surprised that Healer Wang was LanFen's relative, as he had guessed it earlier.

But his guess had never reached as far as him being LanFen's father. Who could have guessed that the 'Great Eastern Dragon' would still be alive?!

"Zhao Feng, won't you even let your child greet you?" Shuǐ ChangSheng's anger seemed to have evaporated, after witnessing the touching scene between them.

But though Zhao ZhuYong heard him, he never turned away from LanFen, and a soft expression had formed on his face, as he placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

He was known to have been quick with words, always having a ready response for whatever was done or said to him.

No one had certainly ever accused him of being flustered, and yet, at this moment, he was at a loss for words.

Overcome with emotion, he finally managed to say, "I never realised Xin Dao was such a large place, until I searched for you everywhere, but could find no trace... Will you forgive this old man, for not revealing who he was sooner? I am willing to atone for everything."

LanFen herself was beset with feelings she didn't understand...

First there was the warm, familiar hand on her shoulder, which felt 'unfamiliar' at the same time. Then there was the astounding fact that she didn't mind it at all, and somewhat desired it to remain there.

There was even the fact that she had always wanted that warm, reassuring, yet expectant hand on her shoulder, and she remembered what the hair ribbon symbolized.

Confused with her own strange emotions, LanFen coldly stepped away, convincing herself that she couldn't possibly be having 'daughterly' feelings, after so long.

She cupped her hands and bowed respectfully. "He-healer Wa-." She caught herself. 'See?! I'm not even sure how to address him!'

"Err... I don't know what happened, so I won't say anything... I kowtowed to you, because Mother always wanted it, so accept it as my first greeting.