Chapter 1562: Yan'er's Surname

Hearing the voice from mid-air, everyone turned to look back.

They saw a figure looking at Wang Yan with a smile, slowly floating down from the sky.

As soon as Wang Yan saw the person, he exclaimed with joy, rushed forward, and shouted, “Master–”

It turned out that the person flying over was Wang Yan’s master, Dragon Emperor Zuo Hong.

Seeing Wang Yan rush forward, Zuo Hong patted Wang Yan’s shoulder and said, “Yan’er, you did not disappoint your master. I didn’t expect that over time, your cultivation would match mine. However, cultivation level is secondary; what makes your master glad is that you could overcome the Heart Demon, stay true to yourself, and not be misled by King Yama.”

Wang Yan smiled and said, “Master, these attributes are all thanks to your guidance.”

Zuo Hong laughed loudly, “Good boy, I didn’t expect to miss mentioning your smooth-talking as a virtue.”

Wang Yan smiled and said, “Master, I truly speak from the heart.”

However, Wang Yan became slightly nervous and asked, “Master, I have a question for you. Is my father really Jiang Yikang?”

Although moments ago, Wang Yan bravely defended his father’s identity against King Yama, now he appeared nervous in front of his master, especially after asking this question, watching Zuo Hong anxiously for an answer.

Zuo Hong nodded and said, “You’ve asked me this many times, but now I believe I can give you an answer. Your father is indeed Jiang Yikang.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan’s face immediately showed a complex mix of tension, excitement, enthusiasm, and disappointment.

Meng Po, confirming her suspicions, smiled and nodded, thinking, “I’ve always wondered, besides Jiang Yikang, who else in the world could be such an extraordinary young man. It turns out he is indeed Jiang Yikang’s son. But why is his surname Wang, not Jiang?”

Not only Meng Po but the others also harbored doubts, and Wang Yan likewise asked, “Master, why is my surname Wang and not Jiang?”

Zuo Hong smiled and said, “That’s a question for you to ask your father.”

“What, my father is coming?” Wang Yan asked urgently.

“Yes, he should be here soon. He asked me to come first to stop you from going to Barbaric Pass.”

“Why?” Wang Yan asked curiously.

“Because the enemy at Barbaric Pass is too powerful, Yan’er, you are not his match.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan showed a contented smile and said, “So my father has been watching me all along. But as my father is such a hero, how could I stop moving forward because of a powerful enemy? I must go to Barbaric Pass before my father arrives.”

Seeing Wang Yan determined, Zuo Hong’s face changed, and he hurriedly urged, “No, Yan’er, in the Three Realms, besides your father, no one can defeat him.”

Wang Yan, embodying the War Dao, couldn’t suppress his urge to fight upon hearing of a strong enemy, and disregarded Zuo Hong’s advice, turning to leave.

But as Wang Yan turned, he suddenly noticed someone standing behind him.

Wang Yan had no idea when this person stood there, as if they’ve been there all along, watching him.

Startled, Wang Yan carefully observed this person.

He saw the person had a fair complexion, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, and always wore a faint smile.

With a kind smile, this person looked warmly at Wang Yan.

Upon seeing this person, Wang Yan froze. Though it was his first time meeting this person, he felt an inexplicable familiarity from deep within.

Especially those warm eyes, making Wang Yan feel as if his heart was melting.

The others also saw the person behind Wang Yan but sensed an overwhelmingly powerful aura.

Behind this person stood twelve men and women, each exuding power comparable to Zuo Hong.

Everyone was surprised, wondering when such a powerful person appeared; is this the mighty Pass Master from Barbaric Pass Zuo Hong mentioned?

Just then, unexpectedly, Zuo Hong and Meng Po simultaneously shouted, “Jiang Yikang, brother.”

Hearing the name “Jiang Yikang,” Wang Yan’s body trembled violently, his entire body tensing up.

“Jiang Yikang?”

“Could it be–this person in front of me–is my father?”

Just then, the man called Jiang Yikang smiled and said to Wang Yan, “My Yan’er, you did not disappoint your father.”

“You…you… are really my father?” Wang Yan’s voice trembled, his body involuntarily shaking.

Although earlier facing the mighty King Yama, Wang Yan didn’t even blink, but now he seemed entirely different.

“My child, I am indeed your father.” Jiang Yikang smiled, reaching out his broad palm to Wang Yan.

Now, Wang Yan saw the palm stretched towards him, but his gaze froze on one finger.

Because that finger was exceedingly familiar to Wang Yan.

Back at the Prison Suppression Pass under Mozi Academy, he was nearly killed by Zhao Liangdong’s Demon Saint’s strike.

But a finger stretched from the void not only saved him but also turned the Demon Saint’s strike back into a bead, saving his life.

For years, Wang Yan had wondered whose finger it was.

But today, seeing Jiang Yikang’s finger, Wang Yan immediately recognized it as the same one that saved his life—it was his father’s.

Moreover, Wang Yan also recalled that his Starlight Ring, the small wooden sword from Net Shrimp Island, and One World given by his master were all from his father’s hand.

Over the past twenty years, although his father never appeared, he never neglected Wang Yan, silently watching over him.

“Father–” The last bit of resentment in Wang Yan’s heart vanished instantly, and he rushed forward, kneeling before Jiang Yikang.

Jiang Yikang smiled, helped Wang Yan up, and said, “Yan’er, you suffered over the years. Back then, I told your mother; an eaglet can’t grow strong without facing storms. Today, I see my Yan’er has grown up.”

Witnessing the father-son recognition, everyone around smiled.

Then, Zuo Hong said, “Brother Jiang, you can tell Yan’er now why his surname is Wang.”