C23 I Understand Now

Lo Chen remained silent, simply waiting to hear what more Lo Wushuang had to say.

Despite Lo Wushuang's typically good nature, it seemed he was struggling to keep his composure.

"Chen, after this Family Competition, please don't leave the Lo family."

Lo Wushuang couldn't resist glancing at Lo Chen after speaking, but Lo Chen responded with nothing more than a cold sneer.

"There's no need. I have my own plans after the Family Competition."

With a dismissive snort, Lo Wushuang turned on his heel and left, ignoring the meal on the table.

Yu Yuvlian watched Lo Wushuang's retreating figure, a hint of sorrow in her gaze.

"Your father doesn't visit often, Chen. Why must you be so harsh?"

Lo Chen found it hard to believe that Yu Yuvlian couldn't see Lo Wushuang's lack of affection for her. Despite this, Yu Yuvlian seemed naively devoted to her unworthy husband. Lo Chen, feeling a twinge of guilt, softly apologized.

Having lived two lifetimes, he deeply valued the preciousness of family bonds.

Yu Yuvlian looked at Lo Chen, then hesitated before asking, "Chen, do you truly have no intention of returning to the Lo family?"

Upon hearing this, Lo Chen met Yu Yuvlian's gaze and replied, "Mother, I have some matters to attend to after the Family Competition. You should head back to the Lo family first; it isn't very safe here."

After he spoke, Yu Yuvlian's expression revealed her surprise at the depth of Lo Chen's resentment toward Lo Wushuang.

"Alright... alright then."

She sighed softly, a hint of reluctance flickering in her eyes.

Seeing Yu Yuvlian's demeanor, Lo Chen felt a pang of discomfort and quickly reassured her, "When I return, I will surely visit the Lo family to see you, Mother."

At these words, Yu Yuvlian's expression softened, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

"Mother, I'll take care of this."

Noticing Yu Yuvlian preparing to clear the table, Lo Chen rose to his feet and spoke gently.

Without waiting for her response, he picked up the dishes and left Yu Yuvlian with a view of his departing back.

Yu Yuvlian watched him go, sighed once more, and then murmured to herself, "Chen has indeed grown up."

After speaking, Yu Yuvlian's face showed a hint of satisfaction.

Lo Chen, of course, missed this moment, and even if he had seen it, it's unlikely he would have commented.

Upon returning to the Lo family, Lo Wushuang was seething with rage. She slammed her hand down on the table and icily remarked, "Just as I thought, a woman from a lowly family raises children with no manners!"

In stark contrast to Lo Wushuang's fury, Lo Hao stood by with a calm demeanor.

He was well aware that Lo Chen had become the shining star of the Lo family, and no matter how furious Lo Wushuang was, she would never take it out on Lo Chen.

As another prodigy, Lo Hao realized that Lo Wushuang's wrath would inevitably fall upon his disabled brother, Lo Ding.

His pitiable and foolish brother had to provoke someone beyond his means to contend with.

Lo Hao had a clear grasp of the situation: one was intent on killing, the other on crippling.

Clearly, it was easier to save someone who was targeted for death than someone who was crippled. And while Lo Ding, now disabled, had not been rescued, Lo Chen had been spared.

"Lo Hao, go check if that waste of space is dead yet!"

Lo Wushuang's mood had reached a peak of exasperation, her words laden with severity.

"They say even a tiger won't eat its young. You're quite heartless, Lo Wushuang!"

Following this statement, Lo Ding's mother entered, flanked by two individuals clearly from her own family.

"Harlot, who gave you the right to strike at Chen during today's family tournament?"

At this, Lo Ding's mother burst into laughter. "Chen?"

"Ha! Such endearment in your voice."

She continued with a chilling edge to her voice, "Lo Wushuang, don't forget, Ding is your son too!"

Her words hung in the air as Lo Wushuang fell into a heavy silence. He didn't lack the desire to help Lo Ding, but with his spirit so severely damaged, recovery seemed nearly impossible.

"I'm aware. So what would you have me do?"

Lo Wushuang's gaze on Lo Ding's mother was icy, yet it betrayed a flicker of remorse.

"Your defiance is partly your fault, too, you know!"

"Impossible!"

Lo Wushuang swiftly cut off Lo Ding's mother mid-sentence, her eyes betraying a flicker of annoyance.

"You must understand, once a cultivator's Dao Heart is damaged, they're essentially ruined, with no hope for recovery!"

Upon hearing this, Lo Ding's mother's face brightened, and she quickly approached Lo Wushuang, pleading, "No, there's still hope for Ding Er. I know someone who can save him!"

At these words, Lo Wushuang's expression turned icy as her gaze upon Lo Ding's mother grew distant.

"You must realize that even though his Dao Heart is damaged, he's not yet doomed to become a demon hunted daily. Your actions could only lead to his ruin!"

Lo Ding's mother's face fell into despair at Lo Wushuang's response.

"I... I know, but I'm out of options!"

With that, Lo Ding's mother, overwhelmed, crouched down, covering her head in a gesture of utter helplessness.

"Forget about Ding Er. In two years, I'll ensure he becomes a wealthy gentleman, free from all life's worries."

Hearing this, Lo Ding's mother seemed to lose all reason, her look towards Lo Wushuang turning to one of sheer disappointment.

"I never asked you to kill Lo Chen and take his Holy Bone for Ding Er. I can't believe you're still refusing to help him."

Her face set in resolve, she continued, "If that's how it is, I won't insist. I'm taking Ding Er back to my maternal family!"

Lo Wushuang's eyes narrowed slightly, and several Lo family elders promptly appeared behind her.

"Young lady, your maternal family is still your family. But don't assume that returning there means the Lo family has wronged you."

Lo Ding's mother shot the elder a look and retorted, "Or perhaps I should remain with the Lo family?"

The Lo family elders fell silent for a moment, then bowed their heads.

Her words rang true; the Lo family had no place for the worthless.

Though Lo Ding's mother could depend on her maternal family to shield Lo Ding temporarily, she couldn't protect him forever.

Should Lo Ding's mother pass away, I fear Lo Ding's plight might be far worse than Lo Chen's ever was. Lo Chen, after all, was considered a simpleton, oblivious to the world around him, and few people take pleasure in tormenting a simpleton.

But Lo Ding is no simpleton. On the contrary, he's exceptionally intelligent and perceptive, which is precisely why the Lo family has invested so much in his upbringing at such a young age. Yet, it's this very intelligence that makes him a target. Those who were once at the receiving end of Lo Ding's own bullying are likely to seize the opportunity for retribution.

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