The old man is sick? Impossible! The old man is in great health; how could he possibly be ill?
“Aunt, don’t joke around…” I started to say, but suddenly stopped. My aunt had never lied to me. Even if she wanted me to return to the Xia Family, she wouldn’t use such a flimsy excuse. Moreover, her tone was unusually anxious; it seemed the old man really had fallen ill!
I spoke into the phone with some urgency, “Aunt, I’m coming back right now!” After saying that, I hung up!
“Tang Shuyao, I have something important to attend to. Please let Sister Lin and the others know that today’s meal will be handled by Qin Mengdie!” I said, preparing to leave the apartment.
Tang Shuyao was taken aback for a moment. It seemed I had never spoken to her so seriously before. She didn’t continue to be unreasonable and softly said, “Then you need to come back quickly! Otherwise… otherwise, I’ll be angry!”
As I ran out of the apartment, I made an OK gesture.
I found a secluded corner, first reversing my True Qi to cast the Invisibility Technique, then directly using the Air Walking Technique to fly toward the Xia Family.
Old man, you must not have any issues!
The Xia Family still maintained its position as the leader among the Four Great Clans, and it could be said that it was entirely because of the old man.
If the old man fell ill, then the Zhao Family would definitely take action.
With my cultivation level at the initial stage of Lunar Reflection, my speed was quite fast. Before long, I arrived outside the family’s entrance.
I found a hidden spot, withdrew the Invisibility Technique, and approached the entrance.
“Who are you? Stop!” The guard at the entrance blocked me and shouted loudly.
I had been away for too long, and during my time in the Xia Family, I had hardly stepped outside. Except for the higher-ups of the Xia Family, very few people had seen my face. Plus, after my cultivation, I had changed quite a bit, so it was normal that these two guards didn’t recognize me.
“I am Xia Tian!” I announced my name to the two guards. Although most people hadn’t seen me, they should know the name of the Young Clan Head, Xia Tian.
Moreover, I noticed that both guards had surprisingly high cultivation levels. Although they were only at the initial stage of Yellow Rank, it still shocked me. They were just gatekeepers, yet they had such cultivation levels. It seemed the family’s strength was far beyond what I had imagined.
The two guards exchanged glances, seemingly communicating something, then nodded and began to surround me.
“Young Master Xia Tian has always stayed within the clan. Since you won’t tell us who you are, we have no choice but to be impolite!” One of them said as he aimed a kick at me.
This kick was surprisingly powerful; why was the Xia Family’s vigilance so severe? Was it because the old man was sick?
Smack!
I caught the foot that was aimed at me and said, “I have urgent matters and no time to waste with you!” After saying that, I released his foot. They were from the Xia Family; I had no need to harm them.
Bang!
Just as I stepped onto the stairs, a gunshot rang out behind me.
I turned around to see one guard firing a shot into the sky while the other pointed a gun at me, saying, “Take another step forward, and we’ll shoot!”
“Everyone, put your guns down!” Suddenly, my aunt’s voice came through.
The two guards immediately put their guns away and said in unison, “Second Miss!”
“Xia Tian, you’re back!” My aunt excitedly hugged me.
I sighed, “I’m back…” Remembering the old man’s situation, I quickly said, “How is the old man? Hurry, take me to see him!”
My aunt nodded and took my hand as we left.
I noticed that two bodyguards were following my aunt, all at the mid-stage of Yellow Rank. This kind of situation was something I had never seen before. What on earth had happened?
Moreover, along the way, there were constantly guards patrolling. Old man, what exactly is going on with you?
The Xia Family hadn’t changed much; the buildings were grand but not ostentatious, and the bluestone path had become increasingly smooth.
The old man’s house was in a corner of the Xia Family. Ever since my dad became the clan head, he had lived a pastoral life in a simple old-style cottage, surrounded by flowers, plants, and a vegetable garden.
After my dad passed away, the old man returned to the world, but he still preferred to live here.
The flowers and plants were thriving, clearly cared for daily, and the old man never allowed servants to help.
Suddenly, I began to doubt whether the old man was really sick.
Or perhaps he was genuinely ill, but it had come on too suddenly.
“Dad, Xia Tian is back!” My aunt knocked on the door and called out.
Before long, the old man’s voice came from inside, “Come in…”
Though his voice sounded a bit weak, I felt a surge of anxiety and hurried into the room.
The room was filled with a strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine, which suited the old man’s character. He never went to the hospital or took Western medicine; he only believed in traditional Chinese medicine. By the bed was Old Wu, the old man’s personal physician and also the housekeeper of the Xia Family.
“Old Wu, what’s wrong with the old man?” I asked anxiously, looking at Old Wu.
Old Wu sighed, didn’t say a word, just shook his head and walked out of the room.
My heart instantly felt like it was being squeezed painfully. Although the old man was a bit strict with me, it was all for my own good. When I ran away from home because of that incident, I only wanted to upset him. I never thought that when I saw him again, he would be in such a state.
“Little Tian…” The old man’s voice came through. I quickly walked to the bedside and held his hand.
After my parents left me, my only family was the old man and my aunt. The old man’s illness seemed really serious.
“I… cough cough, am about to leave…” The old man’s voice was very weak, as if he was running out of energy.
I suddenly felt regret. I shouldn’t have argued with him back then or done something as childish as running away from home.
Tears flowed unconsciously as I said to the old man, “Grandpa, you have to believe me; you won’t have any issues!”
“You… it seems you haven’t called me that in a long time!” The old man forced a smile and said.
Indeed, ever since the old man brought up that matter, I hadn’t called him Grandpa in a long time.
“Little Tian, listen. After I’m gone, the Xia Family will be in your hands. Remember to maintain the Xia Family’s current position…” The old man’s words were unbearable for me to accept.
I shouted loudly, “That’s impossible! You’ll get better!” Tears fell even faster.
I directly used my True Qi and began to explore within the old man’s body. My True Qi should be able to heal him; it must work!
But… things turned out to be far beyond my expectations. No matter how much True Qi I input, the old man’s complexion still didn’t improve.
“Little Tian, remember, you will be the head of the Xia Family in the future. Do you really not want to listen to my last words?” After saying this, the old man began to cough violently again.
I quickly said, “I promise you!” I was afraid that if I didn’t agree quickly, the old man would leave this world sooner.
Who would have thought that after the old man finished speaking, he suddenly sat up and laughed heartily, saying, “Alright, then it’s settled! Tomorrow we’ll hold the ceremony for the new clan head!”
Uh… what’s going on? Wasn’t the old man just very weak?
“You… you’re not already…” I was so shocked I couldn’t find my words.
My aunt also started laughing beside me. Suddenly, I seemed to understand something. Could it be that my aunt and the old man had teamed up to trick me?!
“Old man, you… you tricked me!” I shouted at the old man.
The old man looked at me with a smug expression, “It’s you who’s devious; what can you do about it? Don’t forget, you just agreed, and your aunt and Old Wu were both watching!”
As soon as the old man finished speaking, Old Wu walked in from outside, also wearing a smile.
Damn! It turns out that old ginger is indeed spicier! I was completely fooled like this! Where is the justice in the world!