Chapter 53 (1/2)

“That’s for sure!” Zhou Yuan spoke with absolute certainty.

“Yes indeed, that’s exactly how things should be!” Zhou Ting spoke in a confident tone.

As Elder Xing witnessed this scene, he had an extremely warm compassionate gaze, and it was instead Zhou Yin’s father, Zhou Han, who had a worrying gaze in his eyes.

As he noticed how close his daughter had grown to Zhou Yan, and even had such great plans for the future third generations of the youth in the Zhou family, he felt slightly remorseful. He said in his heart, ‘If things were truly that simple, then all will be well. However, the main branch of the Zhou family had sealed Zhou Yan’s father away and had even reaped his soul from his body, mixing it within a Blade’s Spectre…

‘That man of great potential and reputation and the first acknowledged genius of the Zhou family, Zhou Yuntian, has been in horrible terms with Zhou Wangchen so when Zhou Yan enters the main branch, it would be hard to say if Zhou Yan would be able to train in peace.

‘Would Zhou Yan be alright if there was a lack of resources in the early stages of cultivation? Although he is truly gifted, it’s just a concern that his resources will be exhausted within this crucial year.

‘On top of that, to cultivate a true genius who has a twin Qi Column requires an endless stream of resources and the main branch of the Zhou family spent most of their resources on Zhou Yuntian. It seems that Zhou Yuntian had the most control over distribution rights within the main branch of the Zhou family, so when Zhou Yan enters its walls, would he be able to receive any of those resources for his twin Qi Columns?

‘These things are very likely to occur!

‘However, things might move toward a good direction. We cannot be sure.’

Zhou Han did not make an effort to predict since he was not in a high enough realm to predict the luck and fate regarding the development of the main branch of the Zhou family, hence he was completely oblivious to anything connected to the foresight of the main branch of the Zhou family. Furthermore, he was not even able to foresee Zhou Yan’s destiny and that he would be sent to the main branch of the Zhou family. Hence, this was even more impossible to predict.

He was slightly worried, but he said nothing since the third generation of youths were able to bask in such a rare moment of joy. He was unwilling to cause any worry for the things that had not happened yet and was even more unwilling to destroy such a painfully joyous occasion that Zhou Yan single-handedly made possible.

…

Zhou Yan paid no mind to the joyous and laid back environment.

He knew the world he lived in was a cruel one and based on the collective memories of the ancient sage, the young lad was able to very clearly see the turmoil and anguish that the ancient sage had gone through. There were plenty of memories of painful betrayal as well.

There were plenty of betrayals done without reason, and it only occurred when one was left with not enough leverage.

Hence, all he could do in response to the naive suggestion by Zhou Yin was nod and smile without saying much.

Besides, he could not disappoint a beauty that was so willing to leap into his arms!

After the young lad had a brief conversation with Elder Xing and the others, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, Zhou Yao, and the rest arrived alongside Zhou Lingyi.

As of then, Zhou Yan had already grown closer with Zhou Ying, Zhou Yuan, and Zhou Ting. However, he grew significantly closer to Zhou Ying to the extent that they were becoming closer than they were during childhood.

Zhou Yan recalled that he was actually quite sensible as a child but was slightly more mischievous as he intentionally lured Zhou Ying to examine his tiny manhood, while the young rascal casually examined the tiny slit of that young lass’ special place.

He was merely four or five years of age back then. It was indeed an age of mischief.

All of these events should have faded from his memories, but after he had inherited the will of the ancient sage’s soul, fragments of memories after the age of three gradually returned to him.

The image of the girl peeing from that time still resembles what he was seeing in that moment.

As Zhou Yan recalled, embers of lust were suddenly burning in his heart as he thought to himself if he was truly that evil.

Thus, his mind drifted toward a sinister thought. He wondered if Ying’er still remembered this event, and what that special place of hers looked like now?

As the young lad pondered, he could catch a glimpse of Gu Yan’s nervous demeanor from the corner of his eye, hence all the negative thoughts faded completely from his mind. Zhou Yan immediately turned around and said while looking directly at Gu Yan, “Uncle Gu, do you… not wish to follow alongside me?”

“Yan’er… It seems you’ve seen through my emotions…”

Gu Yan said with a bitter laugh.

“Yes, Uncle Gu. If anything’s troubling you, you may tell me. All will be well. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do all I can to fulfill your wish.”

Zhou Yan replied sincerely.

Gu Yan nodded as his heart was incredibly touched.

Even though there was an obvious drastic difference in Zhou Yan’s status—even Elder Xing greeted him with a smile when speaking to him—but he still treated Gu Yan with such respect! He was incredibly moved but it was all due to that fact alone that he was even more determined in his final decision.

“Yan’er, the thing is…”

Gu Yan began to speak.

At this very moment, Zhou Yuan, Zhou Ting, and everyone around them was curiously listening to what Gu Yan had to say.

These people had always assumed Gu Yan was merely Zhou Yan’s servant, but never did they expect that Zhou Yan would treat this ‘servant’ with such respect. Not a single display of pride nor arrogance could be seen from the young lad’s behavior.

To have treated anyone with such sincere and genuine respect, in all honesty, even Zhou Lingyi was moved by his gesture. She stared at Zhou Yan, and even she was unaware of how long she had been staring at the young lad.

“I’m glad to watch you enter the main branch of your family, and knowing you’ll no longer be plagued by danger and risks assures my heart.

“However, I’m worried about brother Xiao Zhan. I wish to care for him, to be by his side, and to regain his glory once again.

“This journey to the Zhou family made me understand plenty of things. And to watch you manifest the ferocity of the pale dragon from your sword seemed to have given me some form of newfound enlightenment—it seems I’ve touched the very edges of the Blade’s Menace.