Lin Feng rose; he turned away from the Emperor, his heavy cape sweeping behind him.
He didn't look at the cheering nobles or the swooning princesses.
He turned his gaze directly to the right of the dais, where General Lin Tianzong and his family stood waiting.
Ji'an's entire body went rigid and stiff. She braced herself, fighting the cowardly urge to turn around and sprint back to the carriage.
Lin Feng walked toward them, his heavy boots echoing on the stones.
General Lin didn't wait for his son to reach him. The War God, the man who demanded absolute military discipline from everyone around him, completely abandoned protocol.
General Lin strode forward, his massive arms opening wide.
"Father," Lin Feng murmured, the stoic mask of the Vanguard Commander softening into an expression of profound, weary relief.
