Chapter 63: Suppressive Parenting Is Not Wrong

Upon hearing the news that Gu Chen had successfully cleared the Nightmare-grade Bone-Burial Dungeon, a wave of deep anxiety surged through Gu Qingfeng.

Never in his entire life had he felt such an urgent desire to see his son immediately.

After returning from the wilderness, he had specifically visited the school where Gu Chen studied and spoke with his homeroom teacher, Jiang Songhua, to learn about Gu Chen's daily life. It was then that he realized how much unjust grievance his son had endured all this time.

Especially after figuring out the reason why Gu Chen killed Li Renjie, Gu Qingfeng's heart was filled with profound remorse.

If he had only understood his son's situation sooner, Gu Chen would never have been driven to the desperate path of fleeing into the wilderness.

The Lin城 Li family would certainly have never dared to bully his son.

In fact, all he needed to do was make Gu Chen's identity public, and across the entire Northern Frontier, who would dare to lay a hand on Gu Qingfeng's son?

Yet, he did nothing.

It was his own inaction that had caused Gu Chen to suffer so many hardships since childhood.

Now, not only had Gu Chen survived, but he had also conquered the Nightmare-grade Bone-Burial Dungeon—a true miracle.

Gu Qingfeng was now impatient to see Gu Chen. He had already made up his mind to compensate him twofold for everything he had missed out on over the years.

However, at that very moment, Qin Yun suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, do not be too hasty. You cannot go there right now."

Gu Qingfeng turned his head to look at Qin Yun, his expression suddenly chilling. "What? Do you mean to say you don't want me to bring Chen'er back?"

"No, Your Highness, that is not what I mean. Right now, Chen'er has just emerged from the abyss and is likely planning to return to Lin City. If we leave the city to look for him at this moment, I'm afraid we will only make a wasted trip."

"Besides, we don't even know if his anger has subsided yet. If we seek him out and he is unwilling to see us, wouldn't we become a laughingstock?"

"Your Highness, think about it. Chen'er would rather be hunted down by the Lin City Li family and flee into the wilderness than reveal his identity. In my view, he still harbors some resentment in his heart."

Gu Qingfeng's expression shifted slightly. The primary reason his son was hunted down by the Lin City Li family was that he had failed to make Gu Chen's identity public; the responsibility for that lay squarely with him.

Yet, taking a step back, even if he had not announced it publicly, couldn't Gu Chen have revealed his own background?

If Gu Chen had spoken of his lineage, even if the Li family doubted it, they certainly would not have dared to act rashly.

At this thought, Gu Qingfeng's expression darkened slightly. "Madam, what do you suggest we do then?"

Qin Yun said with a calculating glint in her eye, "Your Highness, the fact that Chen'er successfully cleared the Bone-Burial Dungeon is a wonderful thing. In my opinion, we should hold a celebratory banquet for him right here in Lin City. First, to welcome him back and wash away the dust of his journey, and second, as a way to offer him an apology."

Gu Qingfeng agreed with the first half of her suggestion, but the second half directly provoked his anger.

"An apology?" Gu Qingfeng's face instantly grew gloomy. "In this world, when has a father ever apologized to his son? If word of this gets out, how will the people of the world view me, Gu Qingfeng?"

"I have wronged Chen'er, and I will naturally compensate him twofold. As for an apology—hmph—I do not wish to hear that word again."

Gu Qingfeng was, after all, the War King of the Northern Frontier. As a sovereign whose majesty spanned the seas, how could he lower his head so easily?

He knew when he was wrong, and he could correct his mistakes, but he would never admit fault.

Qin Yun wore a troubled expression. "Then what do you propose we do? Chen'er was driven away by you. If you show no gesture, how can he be willing to return?"

Hearing Qin Yun's words, the steward Gu He silently rolled his eyes behind them. *The day of that kneeling incident, you were the one who forced him to leave with no other choice, and now you are playing the villain crying wolf first?*

*Turning the heavens and earth upside down, aren't you?*

Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brows slightly. Although he felt an intense urge to see Gu Chen, now that he knew his son's life was not in danger, he was able to maintain his composure.

He had not closed his eyes in sleep for a day and a night in his quest to find Gu Chen.

Yet, through Qin Yun's words, he suddenly realized something: Gu Chen had no intention of coming home.

Could the brat still be holding a grudge against him?

Recalling all the accusations Gu Chen had hurled at him in the Gu family's main hall that day, a flash of anger suddenly flared up in Gu Qingfeng's heart.

His own son would rather be hunted down, rather live in exile in the wilderness, rather risk his life entering the abyss than come to seek him out as his father?

Was he planning to completely sever ties with him?

At this thought, Gu Qingfeng could not help a surge of annoyance. Even if he had been somewhat strict with Gu Chen over the years, it had all been for Gu Chen's own good!

As the saying goes, steel is forged through a hundred temperings. Although Gu Chen had suffered for eighteen years, look at his achievements now—which of his peers could ever accomplish what he had?

Ask across the entire Divine Xia Empire, which Level 10 class professional could clear a Nightmare-grade abyss purely by their own strength, without relying on the resources of guilds or noble houses?

From ancient times to the present, only Gu Chen had done so!

And this precisely proved that his educational philosophy was correct!

His oppressive style of education was not wrong!

If not for those hardships that forced Gu Chen to undergo a metamorphosis, he would likely have long since faded into mediocrity among the masses.

Thinking of this, a surge of irritation welled up in Gu Qingfeng. It was his education that had elevated Gu Chen to his current heights, yet not only did Gu Chen lack any sense of gratitude, but he was actually still resenting him.

"Hmph, this brat has been roaming outside since he was young, picking up all sorts of unruly habits and losing his sense of right and wrong. If he isn't severely disciplined while he's young, who knows what kind of catastrophes he might cause in the future."

Qin Yun smiled faintly. "I think you are simply too strict with Chen'er. Suppression, suppression—Chen'er is your son too, why is it I never see you suppressing Ci'er?"

Qin Yun's words appeared to be pleading Gu Chen's case, but the mere mention of Gu Ci only solidified Gu Qingfeng's determination.

His younger son, Gu Ci, had grown up by his side, excelling in both character and learning, gentle, filial, and restrained.

He was certain that if the exact same situation had happened to Gu Ci, it would never have escalated to the point of cutting ties as Gu Chen had done.

"Ci'er was brought up by my own hands; he has always been filial to his parents and has never caused any trouble. Why would he ever need suppression?"

At this, Gu Qingfeng let out a cold snort. "As for Chen'er, I have neglected his moral guidance over the years. Although he has achieved a modest success now, if we fail to correct his course in time, he is bound to bring disaster upon the realm in the future."

After consulting briefly with Qin Yun, Gu Qingfeng made up his mind.

Gu Chen was the legitimate eldest son of the Northern Frontier Royal House; this rebellious temperament had to be thoroughly crushed, otherwise, how could he ever entrust him with ruling the Northern Frontier in the future?

Nearby, the steward Gu He listened to their exchange, feeling a growing chill in his chest.

No wonder Gu Chen would rather enter the abyss than return to the Gu family. With this kind of oppressive education, just thinking about it felt suffocating.

Go home?

Return just to continue enduring blame and suppression?

Any sane person would refuse to choose such a life.

Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then ordered in a low voice, "Xu Lai."

Xu Lai's body trembled, and he hastily bowed. "Your Highness, this humble servant is here!"

"What is the deal with Gu Chen's recommendation quota?"

"Please forgive me, Your Highness. This humble servant will immediately issue a city-wide proclamation and secure the recommendation quota for Young Master Gu Chen at the absolute fastest speed."

"No need. Gu Chen is my son; he does not need to occupy a quota from your Lin City. Go and tell Gu Chen that if he still wants the recommendation quota for Capital University, he must come to Gubei City to see me."

"Understood. This humble servant will certainly convey Your Highness's words to Young Master Gu Chen."

Without another word, Gu Qingfeng flicked his wide sleeve and turned to leave.