Chapter 10: The Unexpected Event

Words : 1887 Updated : Jul 3rd, 2025

Raven and Lauryn were busy in the kitchen that evening, steam filling the air. Meanwhile, Travis and Dexter sat in the living room, chatting and sipping drinks. "Last dish, braised pork! Coming through!" Lauryn called out as she brought in a steaming bowl. "Come on, Lauryn, sit down and eat with us." Travis reached out to take the dish from her. Lauryn wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled. "You and Dad go ahead and eat. Mom said she'll make a potage." "No need, there's way too much food," Travis said, glancing at the table. "Travis, your mom's in a good mood today, just let her be," Dexter said, waving his hand. Lauryn nodded, "Yeah, Mom and Dad haven't been this happy in ages!" Travis gave in and sat down. After Lauryn left, Dexter let out a heavy sigh. "Dad, what's wrong?" Travis asked, looking at him. Dexter downed his drink and sighed. "Travis, I know you weren't in the wrong today, but the law doesn't show mercy." Travis gave a helpless smile, knowing Dexter was still worried. "Dad, I told you. Even if those guys died, nothing's gonna happen to me." Dexter just stared at his son, speechless. He could tell Travis had changed a lot, but as someone who'd spent his whole life struggling, he just couldn't wrap his head around how anyone could get away with killing people. Raven and Lauryn returned with a potage and bread as he was lost in thought. Not wanting Lauryn to notice anything, Dexter quickly put on a smile. "Raven, thanks for all your hard work! Come on, sit down and have a family meal together!" "I never dreamed Travis would come home. It's a blessing! Let's celebrate. Cheers!" he said, raising his glass. Raven and Lauryn grabbed their drinks and smiled, "Cheers!" The whole family drank together, the room filling with laughter. Travis put his glass down, poured more liquor for his parents, and filled his own again. "Mom, Dad, you've been through so much all these years. This one's for you!" He knew he owed them a lot over the past ten years. Deep down, Travis promised nobody would ever mess with his family again. Dexter and Raven nodded, "Good, good." After another drink, Travis let out a long breath. "Come on, eat up! Your mom made all your and Lauryn's favorites, so help yourselves," Dexter said, grabbing his plate. With everyone in such good spirits, the family kept eating, toasting, and chatting away. Dinner went on for about an hour. Dexter, too happy, had a few too many drinks and ended up wasted, so Travis helped him to bed. Back in the living room, Travis saw Raven and Lauryn cleaning up. "Mom, Lauryn, why don't you guys relax? I'll handle this," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Get out of here. The kitchen's no place for you boys. Lauryn and I must redo it if you don't wash them right. Plus, you've had enough to drink tonight. Get some rest. Lauryn's got me covered," Raven said, waving him away. Travis just laughed and nodded. "Okay, I'll go buy some stuff." Raven nodded. "Alright, but make sure to wear a jacket. It's cold out there." Travis smiled, tightened his thin jacket, and walked out. A Nascent Realm Cultivator like him couldn't feel the cold. A few degrees below zero was nothing. Outside, it was pitch black. The neighborhood was part of the old city, so the streetlights had stopped working long ago. The cold wind swept down the empty streets, and the only sound was banners flapping on the utility poles, with faded slogans. Travis shook his head and let out a breath, then kept walking. He followed the route he remembered and soon ended up at a park. It was where he and his sister often played as children, but a decade had passed, leaving it desolate. The playground equipment that once held their laughter was now broken. He kept walking along the pebble path until he got to Sparrow Lake. He could still picture those summer days. Life was tough, but they were happy. Now, ten years later, everything seemed different. The lake's railing, long neglected, was now fenced off to prevent accidents. Travis gazed at the unchanged yet transformed scene, his heart a mix of emotions. He climbed over the railing, stepping closer to the lake. Its surface, gleaming under the moonlight, was still as beautiful as ever. Travis had grown from a naive youth to a mature man in ten years. Perhaps, as the elders said, age brings nostalgia. "Ten years..." he muttered, sitting by the lake, staring at the full moon, lost in thought. "Stop!" "Don't let him get away!" Suddenly, voices broke the silence from the woods nearby. Thanks to his cultivation, Travis could hear every word even from far away. Curious, he turned to look. Through the trees, he saw someone dressed in black, wearing a hat, and running straight toward him. The guy was fast. He was in front of Travis in no time. Under the moonlight, their eyes met. Thinking Travis was with the people chasing him, the guy's face turned fierce. "Don't get in my way!" he snapped. The man had an accent. Travis frowned and looked around. "I'm not stopping you. Go ahead if you want." "You looking for trouble?" the guy snapped, taking Travis's words as challenging. His eyes went cold, and he whipped out a knife, lunging at Travis. Travis frowned. "What's wrong with you?" Then he casually waved his hand, and the guy suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and went flying backward.

Chapter 10: The Unexpected Event

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