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When Jufeng and Flower Snow Moon arrived at the Residence, the night sky of the capital danced with six-petaled snowflakes. The Residence was quite large, with an independent courtyard where a few towering trees stood, now transformed into a scene of ethereal beauty.
Walking through the jade path lined with exquisite branches, Flower Snow Moon's delicate brows furrowed deeper. She had visited the elderly gentleman a few days prior; at that time, the courtyard was piled with snow along the paths, and there were plenty of bodyguards and maids around. But now, the coldness of the courtyard felt more chilling than winter itself.
Upon entering through the door, not a single person came out to greet them. Even the few large dogs that used to bark incessantly seemed to have vanished, leaving no one to guard the house.
The European-style circular dome highlighted Elder Ju's refined taste, yet such a grand architectural style now made the building appear particularly desolate. Beneath the dome, the villa had lost its former glory, resembling a flower path after a thunderstorm in early spring—chaotic and forlorn.
The high-hanging murals were faded and tattered, with only a few wall nails remaining; the solitary grand piano in the center was nowhere to be found, leaving only a long bench that mourned for its player. Famous paintings, antiques, and rare treasures had all vanished without a trace, even the gilded European Palace Columns were scarred and battered beyond recognition.
It was hard to fathom how many people had become wealthy overnight from Father Ju's lifelong collection or how one person might ascend to greatness because of it.
Flower Snow Moon witnessed firsthand the scene of abandonment and loss; her slender hands felt icy, her face etched with frost. However, considering the feelings of those around her, she dared not express her emotions too overtly. Subconsciously tilting her head slightly upward, she glanced at Jufeng's profile and was surprised to see his youthful face calm as ever.
"Isn't it strange? Why can I remain so composed when witnessing an old man's life's work being plundered?"
Jufeng's voice floated lightly in the air as he moved forward, leaving Flower Snow Moon standing still in slight bewilderment. After a moment, she came to her senses and hurried to catch up with him, her expression earnest as she sought his insight.
"The old man’s life could be considered glorious; however, he was ultimately troubled by fame and fortune. Long ago, I told him that having wealth behind you is not worth as much as a handful of earth. How could he not understand this? Unfortunately, he just couldn't see through it. What he sees before him is all expected; naturally, it was within his anticipation. If everything is destined to happen, why lament?"
As Jufeng spoke, his expression turned desolate without revealing much emotion. This made Flower Snow Moon's heart tighten with concern, yet she didn't know how to comfort him.
"Actually, someone like me has little right to mourn for the deceased. Isn’t it true that the old man was also upset with me? He sent me away; once I grew up a bit, I didn’t want to stay cooped up at home anymore. He wanted me to inherit his legacy while I preferred my freedom. So even if he possessed great wealth, who would he pass it on to?"
"If he didn’t want to die, who could make him? This is his way of expressing his resentment toward me!"
In the end, Jufeng let out a few bitter laughs filled with helplessness. However, his words fell on Flower Snow Moon's ears like an unwelcome echo.
"Actually, the old man doesn't think that much," Flower Snow Moon said as she climbed the stairs with Jufeng, carefully considering her words before speaking.
"Over the years you were away, I often came here, and the old man frequently asked about you. Although he may not fully understand, I can tell he cares about you. Perhaps when he was younger, he hoped you would inherit his economic status, but in recent years, his ambitions have faded."
"I think the reason he's willing to leave this world is more to spare you from worries and to grant you your freedom."
Jufeng paused, turning to look at Flower Snow Moon. She fell silent, her bright eyes meeting his.
"He doesn't hate me?"
"He loves you even more."
...
As they reached the second floor and turned a corner, a young couple was deeply engaged in a discussion about love and hate when an elderly voice unexpectedly broke the tranquility.
"Wind?"
"Uncle Zheng?"
Jufeng and Flower Snow Moon were interrupted by the frail voice and turned to see an old man appear from a room on the second floor. The man's face was familiar; he was Uncle Zheng, the long-time butler and close friend of Father Ju, who had lived his life without a wife or children.
"Uncle Zheng, I'm back late."
Seeing the old man reminded Jufeng of his father, who had always been inseparable from Uncle Zheng. A wave of melancholy washed over him. Father Ju had been blessed with a son in his later years, but now he was approaching his sixties, and memories of his past demeanor and laughter began to surface. Yet now, that person was no longer present.
Uncle Zheng confirmed it was Jufeng, his face, lined with wrinkles, suddenly filled with a smile. His calm and peaceful voice echoed in the villa, "It's not too late, just come back."
With that, Zheng Elder slowly turned around and disappeared into the inner room. Jufeng and Flower Snow Moon exchanged a glance and hurried to follow.
Entering the inner room, they found Father Ju's study. Zheng Elder sat on the sofa, holding a photograph. The picture was of Uncle Zheng and Father Ju with his son. Zheng Elder's eyes appeared somewhat cloudy as he stared at the photo, seemingly forgetting Jufeng and Flower Snow Moon.
Jufeng and Flower Snow Moon had been in this room more than once, but this time their feelings were different from before. Jufeng's gaze swept across every corner of the room; everything was still so tidy. Each item he looked at was like a painting, a memory. The documents on the desk were still open, and there was a framed photo displaying three people—besides Father Ju and Jufeng, there was also a Beauty, with an eagle soaring in the background.
Unfortunately, this Beauty had passed away many years ago due to illness.
One corner of the frame had been worn smooth, clearly from countless touches. One could imagine that the old man had stared at the frame many times, just like Uncle Zheng was doing now.
Jufeng snapped back to reality and approached Uncle Zheng, squatting down to ask the most serious question of the night.
"Uncle Zheng, how did the old man die?"
All other emotions had been wiped away; his tone carried a heavy bitterness after deep sorrow. No matter what, he sought revenge; even if the old man willingly faced death, he would not allow anyone to be the Executioner.
Zheng Elder lifted his head to look at Jufeng, his gaze somewhat dazed, confused, yet also relieved.
"Why bother asking about those things? I just remembered something; in the next room, your father left you something. He wanted to tell you that young people have plenty of time; you might as well go out for a walk."
With that, Zheng Elder stood up and carefully placed the photograph on the sofa. "Enough of this; Feng Cheng is too lonely by himself. I should go keep him company."
Feng Cheng was Father Ju's name—Ju Feng City, Chairman of the Greater China Economic Alliance, and also Chairman of the Chinese Football Association.
Elder Zheng struggled to walk towards the door. However, after just two steps, he suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Jufeng was quick to react, catching the old man's falling body. He placed his right hand on Elder Zheng's chest and called out repeatedly, "Uncle Zheng! Uncle Zheng!"
Flower Snow Moon hurried over as well, squatting down beside Jufeng with a worried expression.
Yet, no matter how Jufeng called out or how anxious Flower Snow Moon appeared, Uncle Zheng did not respond again.
Outside the room, heavy snow fell silently as a vehicle quietly drove into the residence, carrying with it a load of sorrow before leaving just as quietly.
Elder Zheng was gone, following his lifelong friend away, resolute and liberated. Yet this left the young man in the large room feeling an indescribable emptiness.
They were all gone, one by one, family members drifting away from him. Was he truly so unlovable that they felt no desire to stay?
If Father Ju had heard this thought, he would surely have asked how Jufeng could have been so resolute when he left home all those years ago.
The legacy Father Ju left for Jufeng was not a hefty bank check or any martial arts manual, but rather an eagle.
In his youth, Father Ju had ventured to distant planets and met Mother Ju on Magellan Planet. She was a member of a nomadic tribe from that planet, and they fell in love at first sight. They later came to Earth together, but unfortunately, due to jealousy of their happiness, it took many years before they had a child. After giving birth, she enjoyed little happiness before passing away.
Mother Ju left nothing behind except for an eagle—the one seen in the background of the photo on the desk.
However, this eagle did not belong to Earth's species. Father Ju named it Azure Wind Antelope, after a mythical divine eagle from Huaguo mythology. This is also why Jufeng named his special operations team Azure Wind Antelope.
Jufeng stood on the second-floor balcony of the villa, surrounded by the tranquil land. The Flower Snow Moon hung behind him, and snowflakes drifted down like whispers. In the vastness of the earth, he felt incredibly small.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the air, followed by a piercing howl.
For no reason, Jufeng's eyes became moist. A tear, seemingly from nowhere, fell into the thick snow.
The tear fell silently into the snow.
Facing the endless white night, Jufeng suddenly shouted out loud.
"Damn it! The sandstorms in the capital are really fierce!"
(To be continued)
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