With death looming, Tian devoted final strength to his three children.
Each dawn, he summoned them into frost courtyard. Even as cold winds battered, he carried them lessons only he could give.
To Xuan, firstborn with spear: "Your heart burns bright. But remember frost never rushes—it smothers flames patiently. Let patience guide your spear, not fire. A clan leader must wait for right moment."
To Mei, daughter whose runes brimmed creative frost: "Your strength is not mere combat but creation. Write, record, carve our heritage deeper than I. Let knowledge be your weapon. If frost breaks, your runes will keep us alive."
To Yu, youngest, prodigious already: "Yu… you shine too bright. The world fears brilliance. Hide your flame in frost until time is right. Learn to bend, not break. The most eternal frost is never the loudest."
The children bowed, eyes damp, absorbing his shaking words that seemed carved into soul more than manuals.
At night, he would collapse in Yuexin's arms, coughing blood, whispering: "Engraved… they carry me already."
And Yuexin sobbed knowing—these were last etchings of his life.
🔥 End of Chapter 49