Chapter 194 Farewell
"Brother Simon, have you found the murderer who killed your parents?"
Shi Feiyang's voice was low and heavy, and his gaze stayed on Ximen Tianyu's face for a moment, as if looking for an answer.
Ximen Tianyu nodded, with a firm look in his eyes: "Yes, I already have clues and found some evidence. I have to complete the next thing myself."
Shi Feiyang sighed, patted Ximen Tianyu on the shoulder, and said with understanding and support: "Brother Ximen, although we haven't been together for a long time, I know you are a man of love and justice. Finding the murderer and avenging your parents is your responsibility and your wish. I respect your decision."
"And, to be honest, I'm also considering quitting the association..."
When Ximen Tianyu heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He looked up at Shi Feiyang, as if trying to read more information from his eyes.
In his opinion, Shi Feiyang is a person who has a strong sense of belonging to the Brotherhood, which can be seen from his daily words and deeds. He always stands up when the Brotherhood needs him and protects the interests and honor of the organization at all costs.
However, at this moment, his face showed an unprecedented solemnity and thoughtfulness, as if he was experiencing a fierce struggle in his heart.
As if sensing Ximen Tianyu's doubts, Shi Feiyang sighed and slowly spoke his mind: "To be honest, I joined the Brotherhood with Brother Li. We originally thought that this was an organization different from the Dao League, a place that could protect ordinary people and uphold justice."
"It was with these ideas that the fraternity at that time attracted so many aspiring people to join."
"But as the Brotherhood grew stronger, some unknown undercurrents began to surge. Power, interests, ambitions, these things that should not have corrupted our beliefs, have quietly infiltrated every corner of the Brotherhood."
Shi Feiyang's voice became a little hoarse, and he paused, as if sorting out his thoughts.
"I witnessed with my own eyes that some brothers were excluded or even disappeared because of disagreements or threats to the interests of certain people. Since then, Brother Li and I have begun to doubt whether the justice and fairness we originally pursued can still find a foothold in this organization."
"In the end, Brother Li couldn't accept the increasingly bad atmosphere at the headquarters, so he brought me and dozens of brothers who had not yet been corrupted to this remote place."
"Here, although we still use the name of the Brotherhood branch, we have long drawn a line between ourselves and those guys at the headquarters. I originally thought that we could defend this area and protect the people here from being invaded by monsters. But in the end, not only did we not defend anything, even Brother Li..."
At this point, Shi Feiyang's voice choked up, his eyes slightly reddened, obviously thinking of the days he spent with Li Jin, and Li Jin's ultimate sacrifice. He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and continued:
"Brother Li's passing was a huge blow to me. I began to reflect on what the meaning of our persistence was. Was it for a name that had become corrupted, or for the justice in our hearts that had never changed? I gradually realized that true justice should not be bound by any organization or name. It should come from the heart, protecting the weak and fighting against evil."
"So, I decided to disband the Brotherhood. Not because I'm afraid, nor because I've given up, but because I want to pursue pure justice in my own way. Brother Simon, you found the murderer who killed your parents. This is your mission and your path. And I also have my own path to follow."
Ximen Tianyu listened quietly to Shi Feiyang's story, with complex emotions surging in his heart.
Ximen Tianyu didn't know much about Li Jin, but after knowing that he was his father's best friend, he had more respect for this name. At this moment, listening to Shi Feiyang's remembrance and admiration for Li Jin, Ximen Tianyu seemed to be able to feel the deep brotherhood and their unremitting pursuit of justice.
"Brother Shi, I respect your decision. But I heard that the Dao League has already listed the Brotherhood as a cult organization, and they are likely to encircle and suppress you next. So you must pay attention to safety."
There was a hint of worry in Ximen Tianyu's words.
Shi Feiyang smiled slightly, but that smile was a bit self-deprecating: "Brother Ximen, don't worry. The first target of the Dao League's encirclement and suppression is the headquarters of the Brotherhood. They have sent several secret letters asking me to bring people to support them, but I ignored them."
"They are now even more corrupt than the Dao League, and have completely deviated from the original purpose of establishing this organization. It is better to destroy such an organization as soon as possible."
"Brother Shi, I admire your decision. In this chaotic world, it is rare to be able to maintain your original heart and not be swayed by power."
Ximen Tianyu praised with sincerity in his eyes.
Shi Feiyang felt a warm current in his heart when he heard this. He patted Ximen Tianyu on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Brother Ximen, your words are enough for me. Although we have chosen different paths, we are both for justice and faith in our hearts. I believe that one day, we will meet again on this road and jointly protect the peace of this land."
"In that case, I will take my leave now."
Ximen Tianyu bowed slightly, his eyes determined, then turned and left the Brotherhood's base.
After temporarily saying goodbye to the people and things here, a familiar feeling of emptiness once again surged into Ximen Tianyu's heart.
In the past two years, in order to search for clues about his parents, he has traveled almost all over the continent, from bustling capitals to remote villages, and he has not missed any place that might contain clues.
Whenever he said goodbye to a place, this feeling of inner emptiness would arrive as expected, as if he did not belong to this place, but was just a lonely boat drifting in the world, chasing the unreachable other shore.
"Why? Why do I still feel this way?"
At first, Ximen Tianyu just thought that he was so uneasy because he couldn't find any clues about his parents, but at this moment, he realized that this feeling of emptiness seemed to come from his deeper search for belonging and meaning.
He stopped and stood on the busy street, looking at the people walking around hurriedly. Everyone's face was filled with their own stories and pursuits. Ximen Tianyu suddenly realized that although he had been pursuing the path of revenge for his parents, he seemed to have neglected what kind of person he wanted to be and what he wanted to protect on this road.
(End of this chapter)