4 Second Generation, Third Generation (1/2)
A thin man in his thirties appeared before Jun Xie’s eyes. He was seated on a wheelchair with a thick layer of satin over his legs. He was staring at Jun Xie with his bright eyes. His eyebrows were like swords; they slanted upwards towards his temple. His body vibrated a natural aura of coldness and killing intent. A faint glint of contempt flashed deep within his falcon-like eyes; it was obvious even though it wasn’t much.
He would’ve been a handsome man with the qualities of a prosperous persona… if not for his disabled legs. He looked like an outstanding, fearless, and steel-bodied hero. It could be easily judged with the residual aura of the might that was evident within his eyebrows… that he was once a highly decisive and powerful army general – who commanded tens of thousands in a bloody war.
”Third Uncle?” Jun Xie stopped walking as he saw Jun Wu Yi — the man who was seated on the wheelchair. Jun Xie recalled from Jun Mo Xie’s memories that this Third Uncle had now become incapable of doing anything; except for remaining seated on his wheelchair. This was another messed-up freeloader waiting for his time to end. But, Jun Xie sensed a very familiar aura emitting out of this Third Uncle; it sent a chill down his spine.
A killing intent!
An intent so thick that it stirred even Jun Xie’s heart.
One must’ve been baptized within the fires of a hundred battles in order to possess such a distinctive fighting spirit; one must be an iron-willed war veteran who had fought his way out through mountains of corpses and a sea of blood. This aura was akin to a peerless blade’s ray of sharpness… that couldn’t be buried even after it was broken… a coercive brilliance that could shine throughout the skies.
However, that peerless blade had now been wrapped in its sheath.
Jun Xie had met – at the most – two or three individuals of such high class in his entire life. And, each one of them had held a monumental position within the military. Jun Xie held such iron-blooded and valiant generals in high regards. Grandpa Jun was also such an individual. However, he was an aged veteran whose cultivation had allowed him to restrain his aura. So, he could keep it hidden at all times. Therefore, Jun Xie had failed to detect it even though his meeting with Grandpa Jun had lasted for a few minutes.
However, Jun Wu Yi hadn’t yet achieved a state where he could successfully restrain his aura. His entire being was no different from a peerless sword. An awe-inspiring sword Qi could be felt leaking out of the blade even though it was kept under the sheath. Obviously, one needed to possess Jun Xie’s level of awareness to detect it. Ordinary men like Jun Mo Xie would never realize this… even if they were beaten to death.
This peerless sword could emit howls of the dragon in the midst of the night… even if it was cast aside and was left to hang on the wall. The howl signified a thirst for blood; a thirst that had been engraved into its bones.
”You rarely call me Third Uncle,” Jun Wu Yi raised his head. His dark eyes glanced at his nephew in a cynical manner as he asked, ”Mo Xie, it seems that you’re interested in becoming a second generation ancestor…” Jun Wu Yi wondered what was wrong with him – why did he feel like talking to a smear on the wall that couldn’t be developed.
Jun Xie looked at Jun Wu Yi’s disabled waist and legs for a long time. Suddenly, he laughed, ”You must be joking, Third Uncle. You’re the genuine second generation figurehead. I’m… at best… the third generation. A peaceful and happy life of a third generation is more than enough for me.”
[Eh? Why is this kid speaking to me in such a tone today? His words still have thorns… but they lack the arrogance and bossiness of the past.]
A sharp radiance flashed within Jun Wu Yi’s eyes; it was akin to a brilliant ray of lightning piercing through the darkness of the night sky. He shook his head as he laughed, ”Do you even know the difference between a second generation ancestor and a third generation ancestor?”
”Oh? Aren’t they the same worthless freeloaders waiting for the death’s call? Is there really any difference?” Jun Xie raised his eyebrows and said. He couldn’t help but feel saddened by looking at a respectable iron-blooded man like Jun Wu Yi – whose glare could scare even the lightning and thunder – fall into such a sorry state.
A trace of bitterness and unwillingness glimmered in Jun Wu Yi’s eyes, and dissipated. He raised his head, and placed his hands on his lap. He then said, ”No Difference? The two of them are worlds apart! The second generation ancestors are the fathers who laid the foundation with their blood… so that their sons can sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The sons won’t face any difficulty in their lives. They’ll not die as long as they are born with a mouth capable of eating. They can even enjoy a life of luxuries. But, that is not the case with the third generation ancestors.”
He looked at Jun Xie in the eye and laughed. Then, he continued, ”The so-called third generation ancestors are those who become the successors of the third generation. They are not necessarily the ones born into the third generation. That is to say… your grandfather laid the foundations… but the line was severed in the middle during your father’s era. That led our family towards the third generation. You and I would’ve been the second generation ancestors if your father were still alive; me from your grandfather’s generation… and you from your father’s. That would’ve been the only difference.
”Even if you have the determination to become a third generation ancestor… you’ll not be able to hold that position for a long time. There are no ‘trees’ for you to seek protection from; except your grandfather. But, he has grown old. So, your life as the third generation ancestor is likely to be very tough; it’s impossible for those lacking in ability and determination. So, I’m comparatively luckier than you since I’m the second generation ancestor.”