C13 Beginner Slash

Elder Han could have used his Martial King prowess to coerce the Xu family into submission. However, that would have branded him a bully, which would be detrimental to the growth of his sect.

Failing to resolve this issue for Huo Siyan would leave Elder Han, a member of the Extreme Martial Sect, feeling deeply frustrated.

"Elder Han, I accept your challenge! In three years, I'll be waiting for you at the Extreme Martial Sect!" Huo Siyan's voice was cold and resolute.

Although her words might sound like an exchange between lovers, everyone understood the gravity of her declaration—it was a vow of a battle to the end, where only one would emerge victorious.

"Siyan!" Qiuya reached out to Huo Siyan, unable to contain her concern. Even the young man from the Extreme Martial Sect looked shaken, his gaze towards Xu Ming filled with a sense of impending doom.

Elder Han, initially caught off guard by Huo Siyan's challenge, regained his composure and responded softly, "Very well." Realizing his momentary lapse, he offered a courteous gesture, "Ladies and gentlemen, I take my leave."

Elder Han departed swiftly, his hurried exit resembling that of a man fleeing from a predator. It wasn't until he was well outside the Xu family's estate that he dared to look back, a shiver of apprehension crossing his face as he muttered, "Move quickly, the Xu family has concealed masters!"

"Concealed masters?" Huo Siyan and her companions were bewildered but chose not to linger. The young man, filled with indignation, suggested, "Should I go and eliminate that boy?"

The idea seemed to intrigue Huo Siyan, while Qiuya grew visibly anxious.

Elder Han glanced back and warned, "If you're not afraid to die, then go—but remember, we came to Four-direction City without the Sect Master's knowledge. We can't afford to escalate this situation, or we'll both pay dearly."

Meanwhile, within the Xu family's guest hall, the third elder's voice thundered, "Xu Ming, do you realize you nearly brought ruin upon our family? Elder Han is a Martial King-level powerhouse. If he had taken action, no one in our Xu family could have stood against him!"

"Wow, the third elder sure knows how to throw his weight around when it comes to his own people," Xu Ming remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "When there was an enemy at the gates, I didn't see the third elder so much as squeak. Yet, every word he utters is aimed at us. Could it be that the third elder has already sided with the enemy? Or perhaps he's plotting to use them to snatch the Patriarch's Position?"

His words cut to the bone.

Xu Ming didn't mince his words; he harbored no fondness for the third elder.

With an enemy at their doorstep, the third elder and the great elder were more focused on undermining Xu Sheng than rallying together to face the common threat.

Such a person, always more vicious in internal squabbles than the last, now flexed his power over his own people as soon as the external threat had subsided. This was the epitome of hypocrisy and a tragedy for the Xu family.

"Even though I'm considered worthless, I understand honor and shame. I know that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. I'm also aware that a family divided cannot thrive and will ultimately collapse under the weight of its own internal conflicts."

"Though deemed worthless, I have my duties. Moreover, I've made my stance clear. The disgrace I suffered earlier is mine to bear alone. If it has brought shame upon the family, I can only offer my apologies. In three years, I will let my actions speak for themselves and reclaim all that was lost."

With a cold glance sweeping over the entire hall, pausing briefly on Xu Sheng, Xu Ming turned on his heel and strode out, declaring, "Fortunes ebb and flow; a reversal of roles can happen in the blink of an eye. It's better to offend a man in his twilight years than to trample on the aspirations of the young."

"Isn't my current downfall just another trial? To see the world for what it is, to understand the fickleness of human relationships—what lies ahead is my unstoppable ascent."

Xu Ming's voice lingered in the hall, but all he left the onlookers with was the sight of his retreating figure.

As they gazed upon Xu Ming's youthful silhouette, the hall remained silent, lost in thought. "Fortunes may shift, and the downtrodden of today may rise tomorrow. Today's hardship is but a trial, a lesson in the harshness of the world, paving the way for a future resurgence."

The sound was so powerful it provoked deep contemplation.

A youthful voice revealed the profound truths of life.

Reflecting on Xu Ming's behavior in the hall today, everyone was struck by a thought: "Could someone deemed worthless actually speak such words?"

"Did I overdo it today?"

Xu Ming ambled toward the farm, mulling over the day's events. With the issue settled, the Xu family would no longer offer him refuge. Lingering in a den of intrigue would only compound his woes.

"Come out—I know you're there."

Out of the blue, Xu Ming tensed, then relaxed, speaking casually to the foliage behind him as he came to an involuntary halt.

The sound of rustling leaves broke the silence. A figure emerged from behind Xu Ming, wearing a look of curiosity and a slight smile. "I didn't expect you to be somewhat capable. But tell me, Ming, have I failed to show you enough care over these past ten years? Do you harbor resentment?"

"Resentment?"

At Xu Sheng's words, Xu Ming offered a wry smile. "Why would I feel resentment? Would someone resent another who is a stranger and holds no significance in their life? It's like expecting a passerby on the street to show concern—it would be absurd and make one seem unhinged."

Xu Sheng's face darkened, a flicker of sorrow in his eyes. "So, the resentment runs deep in your heart."

"Do you need anything else? If not, I'll be on my way."

Xu Ming rolled his eyes, finding Xu Sheng's pretense and lack of understanding for a son craving paternal affection all too apparent.

It was a shame that, aside from the first two years of Xu Ming's life—before he had memories—Xu Sheng had indeed devoted much effort to enhancing his son's bloodline. But once Xu Ming turned two and Xu Sheng ascended to the Patriarch's Position, that care ceased.

Xu Sheng distanced himself from his favored concubine and his young son, leaving them to endure and ultimately perish amidst the scorn of others.

The man who should have been their shield never once made an appearance.

The despair in the hearts of the mother and son was too profound for mere resentment to capture.

Xu Sheng, watching his youngest son walk away as if he were a stranger, felt his eyes sting with tears. His fists clenched tightly, his breathing quickened. "You don't understand the agony in my heart," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Regardless of whether Xu Ming was listening, Xu Sheng continued to follow him, pouring out his heart. "Marrying your mother nearly cost me the Patriarch's Position. When you were born with only a Grade Three Bloodline, suitable just for cultivation, I knew the odds. An ordinary Grade Three Bloodline rarely breaks through to Martial Dao Grade Nine, to become a Martial Disciple."

"I had hoped to elevate your bloodline to at least Grade Six, even Grade Five would suffice. If you could advance to Martial Disciple within my lifetime, the Xu family would take care of you. But despite two years of exhausting the family's resources and countless Spirit Pills, your bloodline remained at Grade Three."

"You're intelligent; you must realize that if I kept investing in you, the family would disapprove. They might even become hostile, potentially to the point of violence."

"This is my way of protecting you."

Xu Sheng spoke earnestly, wishing for Xu Ming to stop, to look at him, to understand. But Xu Ming remained unresponsive, walking at an even pace until, after Xu Sheng had finished, he finally halted at the sight of the farm ahead. He turned to face Xu Sheng, his expression revealing his inner turmoil.

Xu Ming grasped the gravity of Xu Sheng's words. For the sake of power and position, sacrifices must be made, often of those deemed insignificant. Tragically, Xu Ming and his mother fell into that category.

There might still be love, but their perspectives and methods were irreconcilably different. Whether it was the previous occupant of his body or himself, Xu Ming could not accept this.

As Xu Ming had pointed out, if someone treats you as a stranger, does their concern—or lack thereof—hold any significance?

For Xu Ming, Xu Sheng was no more than a stranger.

"We're approaching the farm now. Today is an auspicious day; my mother's grave is being relocated. Will you attend?"

Xu Ming was filled with a sense of anticipation, his gaze intently fixed on Xu Sheng, hoping to glean something from his reaction. Unfortunately, Xu Ming was met with disappointment. Xu Sheng's expression remained impassive as he posed an off-topic question, "Did you use the Explosive Essence Pill to defeat Xu Yang?"

Caught off guard, Xu Ming hadn't anticipated this line of inquiry. It was clear that Xu Sheng's primary concern was Xu Ming's level of cultivation and, more importantly, his own reputation.

As the patriarch, Xu Sheng had the entire farmstead under his control, and it was likely that he was even more informed about Xu Yang's defeat than Xu Le. Naturally, if Xu Ming had truly bested Xu Yang through his own prowess, his cultivation level would have to be above Martial Dao Grade Seven. In that case, Xu Sheng could rightfully bring Xu Ming back into the Xu family fold.

However, if Xu Ming had only triumphed over Xu Yang with the aid of the Explosive Essence Pill, then it was best to maintain the status quo in their father-son relationship.

Despite this being mere speculation on Xu Ming's part, he admitted, "Yes, I relied on the Explosive Essence Pill."

"I see." Xu Sheng cut him off before he could elaborate further, his demeanor turning frosty, "You managed to bury your mother on the farm, accomplishing what I could not. Impressive."

"Is familial affection really that fragile?" Xu Ming watched Xu Sheng's retreating figure, a sense of relief washing over him, "I knew you'd react this way."

Xu Ming's heart grew colder, the brief opening in his emotional defenses slamming shut once more.

As Xu Ming had predicted, for Xu Sheng, the allure of power outweighed the bonds of family. Had Xu Ming claimed his victory over Xu Yang was due to his own strength, Xu Sheng would not have walked away. He would have faced any pressure to ensure Xu Ming's mother was laid to rest in the family's ancestral burial ground.

Conversely, with Xu Ming's victory attributed to the Explosive Essence Pill, he held no value in Xu Sheng's eyes. Even a father would cast aside his own son.

"This bond of kinship has been severed by your own hand," Xu Ming said with a chilling tone. "I'm not sure if the fault lies with you or with me. From now on, I will harbor no more illusions."

Xu Ming turned and strode away, his steps growing increasingly resolute. "That's good. Once I've proven myself, fulfilled my mother's wish, and resolved this body's deep-seated obsession, I'll take my leave."