Future Beast World: Becoming A Pampered Beauty

Chapter 539 - 478: A Bumpy Road of Love

"Mother, do you want to go see Father?" Lanxuan said softly. "The coffin was just taken away. He probably hasn’t been buried yet."

"...Yes."

’After all, I have to see him one last time.’

On the way to the mausoleum, Sang Luo’s thoughts drifted far away.

’Their first meeting was still vivid in her mind.’

’Lan Cang was the first male in this world she had truly fallen for. In the end, he couldn’t walk with her to the very end. Their story had a beginning, but no end.’

’Perhaps this was for the best. When I think of him, it will always be of his most passionate, youthful self.’

’Lan Cang probably wouldn’t have wanted me to see him as a decrepit old man, either...’

But Sang Luo couldn’t accept it. ’Even if Lan Cang had a limited lifespan, he shouldn’t have left me so suddenly, so early!’

’Can I really not escape the fate of that other timeline?!’

Sang Luo took out the Energy Crystal Core again.

’As long as I can get the Soul Pearl and the Crystal Core, I can still use the Creation Furnace to resurrect Lan Cang!’

’I want to change his fate.’

Lanxuan saw what she was thinking and said, "Mother, Father said in his last letter that he doesn’t want you to go through all the trouble to resurrect him. This is his predetermined fate. Forcibly changing fate will only burden you with unnecessary karma..."

"I didn’t promise him that, and I’m not afraid of the cost!"

If Sang Luo were truly afraid of karmic retribution, she would have never gotten this far. Hadn’t she clawed her way to the top precisely to achieve her goals?

She had nothing to fear.

Sang Luo wanted to ask her daughter to gather Lan Cang’s soul.

Zhi Xin wiped her tears and shook her head. "Mother... I tried... I, I can’t find Father’s soul..."

She’d had the same idea as her mother. The very first thing she’d tried to do after rushing here was to secure her father’s soul.

But her soul talent, which had never failed her, was useless now. She couldn’t find a trace of Lan Cang’s soul.

Sang Luo was aghast, finding it impossible to believe. "How could this be?"

’She had given the Rejuvenation Pearl to Little Zhi Xin to refine years ago. Her daughter had not let her down, successfully absorbing its power and perfecting her innate talent with the soul law. There was no soul in the world she couldn’t find, unless... that soul had vanished from the world completely!’

’Were they too late?’

’Was there truly... no chance of saving him...?’

All the strength drained from Sang Luo’s body. Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed. Fortunately, Zhi Xin caught her by the shoulders, her own grief deepening. "Mother, Eldest Brother is right. Father’s passing was fated. Some things can’t be forced. Let’s see him off on his final journey..."

"You must take care of yourself, Mother. If your health collapses, Father would be heartbroken to know."

Sang Luo closed her eyes and opened them again, forcing back her tears, and said dejectedly, "I’ll go see him off on his final journey."

In the Beast World, powerful and high-status beastmen generally opted for a grand burial rather than cremation.

The City Lord’s mausoleum had clearly taken years to build; he had long been preparing for his own departure.

Dozens of beastmen were lowering the coffin into the grave when they saw Sang Luo and the Young Masters approach. They all halted their work, awaiting orders.

Alas.

In the end, Sang Luo couldn’t find the courage to lift the coffin lid.

She wasn’t afraid of seeing a decaying body, but she couldn’t face the version of Lan Cang who had succumbed to illness.

’I don’t want that image to be my final memory of him.’

’At least this way, I can still cherish my memories of the past.’

After a long while, Sang Luo said softly,

"Bury him."

She watched as the coffin was slowly lowered into the earth, eventually disappearing under thick, black permafrost.

The man she once knew now slept for eternity.

’I always used to say he could never sit still. Now, he can finally get some rest.’

...

Following the Old City Lord’s death, Ice-breaking City and its vassal, All Star City, mourned for a full month. Then came the succession of the new City Lord: the Old City Lord’s most capable eldest son, Sang Lanxuan.

Among the three children, Lanxuan’s overall capabilities were exceptional, and he was mature enough for the role. Making him the heir to Ice-breaking City was the best decision.

Before his passing, Lan Cang had also entrusted two major cities, each with a population of a million, to his other two children, Sang Lanyun and Sang Lanxin. These cities were comparable in scale to Ice-breaking City.

After a few detours, Lanxuan had still ended up back in Ice-breaking City, following in his father’s footsteps.

It had all been so sudden. He’d been completely overwhelmed for the past month. He’d already packed his things and moved back, though he would no longer be staying in his old room in the rear courtyard. From now on, his residence would be the main bedchamber and study of the City Lord Mansion.

Sang Luo asked him, "Suilin City is too far from Ice-breaking City. It’s inconvenient to travel back and forth."

Lanxuan nodded. "Suilin City is closer to Third Sister. I’ll leave it for her to manage in the future."

"You’re not going back to Suilin City?"

Lanxuan’s expression darkened. "...No, I’m not."

Sang Luo was puzzled. "Your engagement to Heng Tao of the Ice Bear Clan?"

Summoning his courage, Lanxuan said, "Mother, I want to cancel the engagement. I won’t be seeing her again."

Sang Luo was taken aback. "Why so suddenly? Did you two have a fight? Has there been some misunderstanding?"

"...There’s no misunderstanding." Lanxuan’s smile was bitter. "I broke up with her a few months ago. I should have told you right away, but I didn’t expect Father to pass so suddenly, and it slipped my mind."

Lanxuan’s tone was firm; this wasn’t an impulsive decision. Given his personality, he would never joke about something so serious.

"I’ve already spoken to the Ice Bear Clan’s Clan Leader about dissolving the engagement. They’re reluctant and have been trying to change my mind, but my decision is final. Now that Father is gone, could you accompany me there in a few days, Mother?"

Sang Luo said, "...If you’ve truly thought this through, I won’t stand in your way. But an engagement is a serious matter. The whole city celebrated when our clans were joined. Calling it off will cause them to lose face, and there will be no going back."

"Yes, I’ve thought it through."

"Alright. Then I’ll go with you in a few days to call off the engagement."

Sang Luo didn’t have the heart to ask her eldest son directly about such a painful topic, so she subtly questioned her second son and youngest daughter. Bit by bit, she pieced together the whole story.

Heng Tao had once promised she would only ever have Lanxuan as her mate. However, during their engagement, she slept with another male and secretly pledged herself to him. But the truth will always out. Lanxuan broke up with her after walking in on them.

Heng Tao tried to win him back, but Lanxuan is incredibly stubborn; once he makes up his mind, he never looks back.

Sang Luo thought, ’...Both of my sons have had a rough go when it comes to love.’

After they returned from the Ice Bear Clan and dissolved the engagement, Lanxuan didn’t let anything show on his face, but he was clearly melancholy for some time.

It’s only natural for young people to get their hearts broken. After a while, he bounced back.

When Sang Luo casually brought it up again later, Lanxuan’s reaction was much calmer. He would even smile when he responded.

He said he would keep looking for a suitable partner and that there was no need to rush. Life was long, he said, and he was sure to find someone to truly love.

Seeing that her son had come to terms with it, Sang Luo was relieved. "You can’t dwell on past sorrows forever. You have to look forward."

Lanxuan replied, "You too, Mother."

Sang Luo froze for a moment, then smiled. "Yes."