Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

The master's spasms lasted for quite a while. After a moment, Yu Luomian slowly loosened his grip on Liu Erlong's neck, allowing this ungrateful daughter to glare at him with hatred.

"As you requested, I've destroyed his meridians. From now on, you two can be spiritual partners," Yu Luomian said indifferently.

"Yu Luomian, you're not human!" Liu Erlong's eyes burned with rage, and she roared, "Why can't you just let me and Xiaogang be together, why?!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Luomian trembled with fury, his face turning livid. He suddenly looked up to the sky and let out a long, angry laugh, "Erlong, you're willing to disown your father for this worthless man. Fine, just fine. If you hate me so much, then hate me to the end."

"Didn't you say you wanted to be spiritual partners with this trash? I've changed my mind. Initially, I only damaged his meridians out of consideration for the past. But now, I won't hold back."

As he finished speaking, Yu Luomian lifted his right leg and aimed a fierce kick at the master's abdomen.

"No!" Seeing that Yu Luomian was about to completely cripple Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong cried out in panic. In a flash, she stood in front of Yu Xiaogang, releasing her spirit power, which formed a protective barrier in front of her.

However, despite the seemingly strong defense, Yu Luomian's kick showed no mercy. His foot shattered the barrier and sent Liu Erlong flying. Blood sprayed from her mouth as she was thrown into the air.

Warm blood dripped onto the master's face, and the electric shock that had knocked him unconscious began to wear off. He slowly opened his eyes, the scent of blood filling his nose. As he turned his head, he saw Liu Erlong lying nearby, covered in blood.

"Erlong!" Seeing the woman he loved so severely injured, the master cried out her name. He crawled on all fours, desperately trying to reach her.

However, Yu Luomian didn't give him the chance. Though Liu Erlong had blocked his first kick with her body, the second one was inevitable.

With a loud crash, the master was sent flying, crashing through the wall and landing heavily on the grass outside. Blood streamed from his nose and mouth, leaving him looking utterly pitiful.

"Yu Xiaogang, I must admit, in some ways, you've surprised me." Yu Luomian slowly approached the master, his eyes filled with disdain. "Look at you now. With your pitiful strength, do you still think you can protect Erlong?"

"Compared to twenty years ago, you've done nothing but grow old. After all these years of researching Spirit Theory, have you found a solution to spirit mutation?"

"Oh, I forgot, you're just a waste. All your research material comes from the family's archives and the Spirit Hall's libraries."

"No… it's not like that, I… haven't…" The bloodied master instinctively tried to refute Yu Luomian's mocking words, but to no avail. Yu Luomian had no interest in his explanations or excuses.

"Enough. For the sake of our family ties, I'll give you a choice: either you do it yourself, or I'll do it for you." Yu Luomian took out a sharp blade from his sleeve and tossed it in front of Yu Xiaogang with a cold, menacing smile. "Since you're so determined to be with her, I can't allow my bloodline to be tainted."

"From now on, you two are no longer part of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Whatever you do, the family won't interfere. You and Erlong can do whatever you want. I'll just pretend I never had this unfilial daughter. But you… You carry the bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. For the sake of the family's honor, you know what you must do."

"Uncle… uncle…" Yu Xiaogang tried to say something, but Yu Luomian knelt down, stabbing the blade into the ground in front of Yu Xiaogang's head. He sneered, "Will you do it yourself, or should I help you?"

"Don't worry, your meridians are already damaged. You won't feel any pain."

Struggling to lift his head, blood blurred Yu Xiaogang's vision, but he could still make out the sharp blade in front of him. It seemed that only through this would he find relief. "All these years, I've never once been brave for Erlong. This time, even if I lose my manhood, I will never fail her again!"

With that, Yu Xiaogang grabbed the blade, its sharp edge gleaming coldly, promising a swift, precise cut.

"At least you're acting like a man," Yu Luomian said as he stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes. He glanced at Liu Erlong, who was crawling weakly out of the house, a look of regret flashing across his eyes. But he quickly suppressed it, letting out a sigh before turning and walking away.

...

"Xiaogang… how could you be so foolish?" Liu Erlong cried bitterly as she held the master in her arms, her tears falling uncontrollably.

"Erlong, you know I've always been a coward, afraid to face my feelings for you." The master reached out to caress Liu Erlong's face, forcing a smile. "But now, I can finally love you openly. As long as I can love you, I'm willing to give up everything. Didn't you say we could be spiritual partners? For me, that's more than enough."

Liu Erlong's vision blurred with tears as she looked at the master's bloodied face. Her heart ached with sorrow as she held him, her tears flowing endlessly.

"Xiaogang, you're such a fool. I've waited for you for over twenty years, but now you've become like this. What am I supposed to do now?" Liu Erlong sobbed, her heart breaking. Although she had spoken of being spiritual partners, without a physical connection, how could they sustain their relationship?

Yu Xiaogang shook his head and said weakly, "Erlong, my uncle has always despised me, calling me a coward and a failure. But today, I've proven him wrong. I'm no longer that failure, Erlong. For you, I'm willing to give up everything."

"In a way, this isn't so bad. I won't run from our relationship anymore. Even though we can't be like a normal couple, I will always stay by your side, loving you."

At this moment, Liu Erlong was overwhelmed with grief. The idea of being spiritual partners had sounded noble, but without physical connection, how long could such a relationship last? Sometimes, spiritual love couldn't compare to the reliance on physical intimacy.

From a distance, Flender watched the two of them crying together. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to say anything. He had witnessed Yu Luomian's ruthless actions, and now, with things as they were, he could only pretend that nothing had happened.

...

As evening fell, in a clean room, Yu Xiaogang lay in bed. Beside him, a white-robed healing spirit master was treating him. As the healing spirit power flowed into his body, his complexion gradually improved, though it remained pale.

On the side, Liu Erlong and Flender watched in silence. The events from earlier still lingered vividly in their minds, but out of pride, no one spoke.

Liu Erlong had already found the best healing spirit master in Heaven Dou City to try to restore Yu Xiaogang's abilities, but unfortunately, the results were the same: there was no way to heal him.

"Erlong, Xiaogang will recover, I'm sure of it." Flender tried to comfort Liu Erlong in a soft voice, not wanting to see her so heartbroken.

"Flender… what am I going to do with Xiaogang in this state?" Liu Erlong collapsed onto Flender's shoulder, crying bitterly.

"Sigh…"