Ron's words left Rayleigh stunned.
Explain the detailed process?
Here?!
In front of all these people??
Rayleigh had just been about to refuse when he turned his head and saw Homelander, Deep Sea, and the others staring at him eagerly.
They looked exactly like studious children, desperate to absorb new knowledge.
But…
Talking about that in public was downright humiliating, alright?!
"Ahem…"
"My ultimate techniques are not passed down lightly!"
"If you want to learn…"
"Call me father, and I might reveal a little."
Rayleigh curled his lip, putting on a mysterious, unfathomable expression.
However…
He had underestimated just how twisted Homelander could be.
Without the slightest hesitation, Homelander said seriously, "At your age, you could practically be my father."
"So…"
"Calling you that wouldn't be much of a loss."
"Father."
When those final two words echoed through the tavern—
Rayleigh spat out a mouthful of liquor.
The rest of the tavern's patrons were equally dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Was learning something new really worth that much sacrifice?
Sensing the strange looks around him, Homelander took a sip of his drink and calmly explained,
"I never met my parents growing up."
"I was locked in a company laboratory and injected with large amounts of Compound V."
"Not long ago, I finally met my father."
"I thought from then on, I would have family."
"But…"
"He called me a weakling who only knows how to cry—and tried to kill me!"
As he spoke, he slowly stood up and looked at Rayleigh with absolute sincerity.
"I heard you don't have a son either."
"If you don't mind…"
"I'd like to take care of you in your old age."
The tavern fell even more silent.
Deep Sea's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
Wasn't this going a little too far?!
Good grief—this felt like some pirate-version family drama unfolding right at the bar. Ron, standing behind the counter, raised an eyebrow, sensing something wasn't quite right.
Yet…
Homelander's words struck deeply at Rayleigh, who had no children of his own.
After a long pause, Rayleigh finally said slowly, "Fine. You can take care of me in my old age."
"Come with me."
"I'll pass down everything I've learned in this lifetime."
Rayleigh rose and pulled Homelander toward a side table, beginning a private lesson.
Deep Sea tried to sneak closer to eavesdrop, only to be glared back by Homelander.
For a full twenty minutes—
Homelander called him "Father" again and again, flattering him until Rayleigh was completely at ease.
Rayleigh practically wanted to hand over every technique and secret he possessed.
The moment the lesson ended—
Homelander felt enlightened. The past decades of his life suddenly seemed wasted.
He stood up, thin lips pressing together as a strange smile curled at the corner.
"Old man."
"Finally got everything out of you."
"All that 'father' this and 'father' that—I almost made myself sick."
Rayleigh's mind went blank.
So…
Everything just now had been fake?
Before Rayleigh could fully process it, Homelander loudly repeated everything Rayleigh had told him.
Especially Rayleigh's nighttime frustrations—and his less-than-satisfactory experiences.
After hearing it all, everyone suddenly understood.
So that was it.
Calling him father, acting pitiful—going in such a big circle—just to reach this moment.
Though some felt a trace of sympathy for Rayleigh—
They still quietly took out small notebooks and carefully wrote down everything Homelander recited.
By the time Rayleigh regained his senses, it was too late.
He couldn't win in a fight.
And if he cursed Homelander out, he might just get beaten senseless again.
"Sigh…"
Rayleigh let out a long sigh and silently walked away.
Under the glow of the setting sun—
His once-straight back looked slightly hunched, somewhat desolate.
Just as he was about to leave the tavern—
A massive claw grabbed hold of him.
It was the Holy Lord.
"Brother, want revenge?"
His voice was still low and chilling, though he tried to soften it.
Rayleigh nodded firmly. "I do!"
"Then go."
The Holy Lord removed the Ox Talisman, the Rabbit Talisman, and the Horse Talisman from his body and handed them over.
Originally…
He had considered giving Rayleigh the Dog Talisman as well.
But on second thought—
If Demon Dragon took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, that would be disastrous.
"Thank you!"
Rayleigh's eyes grew misty as he hugged the Holy Lord tightly.
The image was almost too beautiful.
Even Ron, known for his sharp tongue, couldn't help but think: a warm-hearted demon and his pirate wife.
Meanwhile—
Homelander was still bragging loudly, his tone dripping with mockery.
Suddenly—
Rayleigh's voice sounded beside him.
"Having fun?"
Homelander froze.
Before he could react, he was hurled straight out of the tavern.
Moments later—
Explosions erupted several kilometers away.
Among them… were Homelander's screams.
Seeing this, Deep Sea let out a long breath.
Good thing he hadn't mocked Rayleigh earlier.
Otherwise, he'd be getting beaten too.
Still—
Compared to the knowledge they'd written down, even taking a beating might have been worth it.
Deep Sea, Gray Wolf, the Holy Lord, and the others quietly put their notebooks away.
...…
The rumbling outside lasted from sunset until nightfall before finally subsiding.
It was clear Rayleigh had been truly furious.
Revealing techniques was one thing—
But exposing his nighttime inadequacies?
That was unforgivable.
This was a matter of a man's dignity.
When Rayleigh finally dragged a half-dead Homelander back into the tavern, returned the talismans to the Holy Lord, and thanked him, he left without another word.
During that time, the other patrons gradually departed as well.
Seeing how late it had grown, Ron prepared to close up for the day.
Just then—
The system's mechanical voice sounded in his mind:
[Ding. Customer: Bald Qiang has completed his confession.]
[Customer Bald Qiang: Logging Techniques, Inventive Ability… Host may select one ability.]
[Ding. Customers: Holy Lord, Homelander… have completed their confessions.]
Ron said softly, "Select Inventive Ability and integrate it now."
As soon as he finished speaking—
A torrent of knowledge flooded forcefully into his mind.
As for the others—
Ron chose Homelander's Heat Vision and the Holy Lord's Rat Talisman.
Once all abilities were fully integrated—
Ron was just about to wash up and go to sleep.
Suddenly—
A lazy voice sounded beside his ear:
"I want to know… how do you say 'sweeter than me' backward?"
Ron: "???"
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