Chapter 21 — From Ruins to the Dharma Lord's Throne

The news of Black Flame being controlled spread quickly throughout the valley, through every line of Black Toai soldiers who were confused and didn't know what to do next. Without orders from a leader, there is no one reputable enough to maintain the fighting spirit of an army built on fear and blind loyalty to a single individual.

The general commanding the Bạch Dực Alliance, seizing the opportunity, immediately ordered the entire army to advance, not to massacre but to surround and call for surrender. "Black Knight, your leader has been captured! If you lay down your weapons now, the White Wing Alliance pledges to treat humanely and consider leniency for those who have not directly committed serious crimes!"

That call, combined with the extreme confusion of losing their leader, caused most of the Hắc Toái army to quickly lay down their weapons and surrender. Only a handful of fanatically loyal high-ranking subordinates, including Armored Generals, attempted to organize resistance, but were quickly overwhelmed by the large and elite coalition forces.

On the highest balcony of Blood Moon Tower, Dịch Phàm stood looking down at the scene of mass surrender taking place, a feeling of relief mixed with exhaustion filled his body. He turned to look at his parents, who were still holding each other tightly, unable to believe that the seventeen-year nightmare was finally over.

"Son," Liễu Thanh Hà said, her voice trembling, reaching out to touch Dịch Phàm's face as if to make sure this wasn't another dream. "You have grown into such a strong and brave young man. I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you all these years."

"It's okay, mom," Dịch Phàm replied, tears rolling down uncontrollably. "The important thing is that we found each other. From now on, I won't let anything separate our family anymore."

Tần Hạo Nguyên placed his hand on his son's shoulder, his eyes filled with pride that could not be expressed in words. "I followed all the developments through Black Flame's story, even though he only revealed what he wanted. But I can clearly see that you have not only inherited the strength, but also the steadfast heart and compassion that we always hoped you would have."

From below, Tuyết Nhi signaled the rest of the group — Bạt Sơn, Nhược Đông, Tịch Dao, Vũ Khanh — to go up to the balcony to witness this emotional moment of reunion. The whole group stood silently, some unable to hide their tears at the sight of a family being reunited after many years separated by war and crime.

"We did it," Bạt Sơn said, his voice choked, patting Dịch Phàm's shoulder. "I never thought one day I would witness something as wonderful as this."

Tịch Dao quickly wiped away the tears that suddenly fell, trying to maintain her usual tough look but was not completely successful. "Don't look at me like that. I'm just getting dust in my eyes." The whole group laughed at that clumsy excuse, a laugh that relieved all the tension and fatigue accumulated during the long journey.

Nhược Đông, although quiet as usual, also smiled slightly, her eyes were gentler than ever as she looked at the reunion scene before her eyes. "This is what we all fought together to achieve. I'm proud to have been a part of this journey."

In the following hours, the White Wing Alliance forces quickly established order at the Blood Moon Tower, rescued hundreds of other prisoners held by Hắc Toái over the years, and sealed the entire forbidden magic research area that Hắc Diễm had built, completely preventing the possibility of anyone continuing to plot to break the ancient seal at the Ancient God Ruins.

Among the rescued prisoners, there were many border magicians who had gone missing at the same time as Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà many years ago, people whose families had long given up hope of finding them. Scenes of reunion took place throughout the valley, tears and laughter mixed together, turning the battlefield once tinged with death into a place witnessing dozens of small miracles at the same time.

Vũ Khanh, with his inherent meticulousness, took the time to coordinate with Bạch Dực Alliance officers to compile a complete list of rescued prisoners, ensuring that no one was missed during the chaos. Nhược Đông and Tịch Dao assisted the medical team in caring for the injured, while Bạt Sơn used his Earth spirit to help clear the rubble blocking the exits to the detention areas.

Hắc Diễm, despite being completely stripped of his power and strictly detained, still maintained a cold and careless attitude as he was escorted through the crowd of coalition forces cheering for victory. When passing by Dịch Phàm, he stopped for a moment, his eyes looking at him with an indescribable complexity.

"You won, Dịch Phàm," he said, his voice no longer as arrogant as before. "But remember, the injustices I have endured still exist somewhere on this continent, in many different forms. If you truly want to prevent someone like me from appearing again in the future, make sure that justice is not just for those lucky enough to be born into luxury."

Dịch Phàm was silent for a moment, considering those words. Even though it came from someone who had committed countless crimes, the statement still contained a kernel of truth that he could not deny. "I will remember that," he replied, his voice serious. "But that does not erase the crime you have committed. You will pay the price of justice, just as you deserve." Hắc Diễm did not respond, just nodded slightly, letting the guards escort him forward, disappearing into the group of prisoners being moved towards the Bạch Dực Alliance's prison camps to wait for the official trial.

The general commanding the Bạch Dực Alliance approached Dịch Phàm, his face filled with respect. "Dịch Phàm, thanks to you and your comrades, a continent-wide war disaster was averted. The White Wing Alliance will never forget this achievement. I will personally report to the alliance's supreme council about what happened today."

"I just hope it ends here," Dịch Phàm replied, his voice still shaking from the emotions pent up all day long. "I just want my family to be reunited and live peacefully."

"That will definitely happen." The general nodded. "But I'm afraid, after what you've done today, the entire continent won't let you live a normal life easily anymore. You've become a symbol, Dịch Phàm, whether you want it or not."

As the sunset fell over the valley, dyeing the sky in a brilliant orange-red color, Dịch Phàm stood with his parents, Tuyết Nhi and all his teammates, looking towards Blood Moon Tower, now under the control of the coalition, a symbol of a dark chapter in the continent's history that had finally closed.

"We have done the impossible," Tuyết Nhi said, standing next to Dịch Phàm, her hand naturally held his hand as if it was something that had always belonged to them. "The war has been averted, your family is reunited. Now, a new chapter awaits us all." Dịch Phàm nodded, squeezed her hand tightly, his eyes looked towards the distant horizon, where Tinh Quang Magic Academy was waiting for them to return, bringing news of a victory that would forever be engraved in the history of the entire Thương Nguyên continent.

That night, the whole group set up camp right in the valley at the foot of the Blood Moon Tower to rest before heading back the next morning. Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà, even though their bodies were still weak, still insisted on sitting by the fire with their son all night, listening to Dịch Phàm recount every detail of the seventeen-year journey he had gone through without them by his side.

"I have suffered a lot because of my parents' absence," Liễu Thanh Hà said, her voice filled with sadness when she heard about the years of being despised at Te Ban Institute. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there to protect you."

"Mom, don't blame yourself." Dịch Phàm held his mother's hand, his voice sincere. "It was those difficult years that forged me into the person I am today. And finally, we found each other. That's the most important thing."

Tuyết Nhi sat quietly observing that warm moment from afar, a rare gentle smile blooming on her lips. This was the image that she had imagined for many months, since the first day she decided to accompany Dịch Phàm on this thorny path, and now, witnessing it with her own eyes become a reality filled her heart with an indescribable happiness.