Chapter 5: Never Depend On Others
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Within the Zhou Household's forbidden grounds…
Upon entering, Zhou Yan was still dazed as though he was in a dream.
It was just moments ago that the boy's father claimed to have found a cure for the ailment that plagued him. However, in merely 4 hours, his father was laying on the cotton sheets in the chamber..
Staring at the blood-soaked body that was steeped in its own blood was terrifying. Zhou Yan found it impossible to accept such an outcome.
The silence in the forbidden grounds was deafening. Not a single hum could be heard in the room.
The head of the body in that pool of blood twitched slightly. He turned his head with great difficulty, whispering softly, "Little Yan, is that you?"
"Yes, father."
Zhou Yan felt a sting at the corner of his eyes. He focused hard and held his breath to prevent his tears from flowing, fearing that his father would have sensed his emotions if he showed them.
He slowly walked up the blood-soaked middle-aged man and knelt beside him.
As the middle-aged man opened his blood-covered eyes, his eyes still carried some of that ferocious killing intent mixed with his sharp blade essence.
However, his menacing gaze faded away the moment his gaze fell upon Zhou Yan. That ferocious gaze instantly morphed into one that was warm and filled with love. It was a gentle and kind love that was impossible to describe in words.
That was Zhou Yan's first time experiencing such fatherly love from his father. This paternal bond he shared was deeper than the trenches of any ocean. The parental care that was showered unto Zhou Yan topped even the highest peaks of any mountain.
Zhou Yan knelt, his young heart wrenched as he focused on the horrific state his father currently was in.
Zhou Yan was plagued by questions bombarding his mind. Who would harm his father to such a state? Who would put his father in such a state when he barely found the hope to get back on his feet, obliterating the hope of the entire Zhou Family?
Even though many failures befell the Zhou family, how could the main family stand idle and remain ignorant in such a dire situation?
Zhou Yan almost lost his composure in that moment.
"Yan'er. Rely only on the abilities of your own two hands and never beg for the assistance of others. Do you understand?"
The man muttered under his breath as he laid still in his very own blood.
Zhou Yan said nothing and reflected upon his growing regrets, 'Throughout these years, I have seen all the mockery and judgments within our family. Would there be anyone to beg from even if I wanted to…?'
'The very moment I was blessed from the unique encounter and inherited the will and essence of the ancient sage, I have decided to never again beg anyone…'
In Zhou Wangchen's trembling, frail grasp was an effigy. He gifted the carving to his son after making his last statement. Without hesitation, Zhou Yan immediately received the carving from his father's hands.
Zhou Yan, lowered his head and glanced at his father upon receiving the carving. He was stunned by what he saw.
Zhou Wangchen noticed the mildly stunned expression on his son's face. He focused his weakened gaze onto his son. He had a look of glee and whispered, "You noticed?"
"Yes." Zhou Yan nodded.
Zhou Wangchen was always blunt in his words. He made no exception even at this dire moment.
"I know with every passing moment; I draw closer to death. However, there is still value in my life. The main branch of our Zhou family will soon arrive to preserve the remnants of my life's breath."
"In the future, if you succeed in gaining honor from the main branch of our Zhou family, you may request that my plaguing ailments be healed by the main branch."
Zhou Wangchen's piercing eyes gazed at Zhou Yan. There was pain and remorse in his eyes. "There are things that I can't possibly explain to you. However, you must work hard."
"I do not fear death, but now, however, I can't die just yet. My only hope now is for you to reach the realm of Blade's Heart."
"Take my words to heart. Do not disappoint me. Before you reach the realm of Blade's Heart, you are not to investigate this matter and, even more so, obsess over avenging me. Lay this matter to rest. It will take some time for our Zhou family to regain a stable foothold."
Zhou Wangchen's words weighed on him as his breath became weak and shallow.
Zhou Yan's heart wrenched and throbbed with sorrow. Both his palms bled as he clenched his fists tightly.
Based on what he understood about his father, he was a headstrong person. For him to stoop down to such a level of insignificance, he must have had his reasons to have made such a choice.
From his father's words, he deduced confidently that this very choice was probably the product of charity that gave him an opportunity for power and success.
Ever since his father fell from grace, the main branch of the Zhou family always looked down on this side branch of the Zhou family. They never paid any attention to the Canglan City branch of the Zhou family. Why then, would they be involved now?
Zhou Yan was able to infer his own conclusions even if he did not know the truth and reasons behind this.
No longer was he the same naive, clueless child he once was. He inherited the will and collective memories which spanned a lifetime of the ancient sage from a land afar known as 'Earth'!
"I will remember your words, father. Rest well, for all will be well upon your awakening!"
Zhou Yan's spoken words were filled with resolve and confidence.
Not a hint of sorrow nor forced courage was shown on his face, yet what was demonstrated at this moment let Zhou Wangchen feel most at peace.
"Oh, how you have grown, Yan'er. As your father, I am proud."
As Zhou Wangchen softly uttered those words, his eyes grew heavier as he slowly shut his eyes.
Those eyes were once known for their deadly captivating abilities, for they were responsible for captivating the hearts of countless women. The instant those eyes were shut, gone were the colors of life as his essence of life was drained until nothing was left.
Alas, Zhou Yan's heart shuddered along with his soul as he felt a crushing weight falling unto him.
However, he never succumbed as he knelt on the floor.
…
Several people were also present in the forbidden chambers.
They were the Lord of the Zhou family, Zhou Wuzhen, The Elder of Lore, Zhou Wuyan, The Grand Elder, Zhou Wuwei, The Hand of the Grand Elder, Zhou Wuhen. They were followed by Zhou Lingyi, Lady Genius of the Zhou family, and Zhou Lingyao, the most powerful in three generations and ranking second in talent within the Zhou family.
They simply spectated from the side. Hence, not a single word was spoken.
It was only until Zhou Wangchen was at the brink of death did the Lord of the Zhou family, Zhou Wuzhen sighed as he walked over to Zhou Yan's side and reached out to pull Zhou Yan to his feet.
"Grandfather…"
Zhou Yan stuttered. He assumed deep down that this situation was even more complicated than he had thought.
"Worry not, your father is simply trapped in a deep slumber, he will recover someday."
Zhou Wuzhen could no longer bear his sadness as that was all he was able to say. However, these spoken words sounded shallow and patronizing.
Zhou Yan's body was trembling as he hated himself for the first time in his life. He cursed as he resented his weakness!
If only his skills and prowess were as capable as that ancient sage was for his mastery of the 'Art of The Formless Fist.' With the sage's ability for spatial destruction, a single wave of his hand was able to split mountains. If he only was as powerful as the sage, then not a single soul, living or dead, would dare bring any form of harm to his father!
The only thing he could do was to once again clench his fists tightly. He felt nothing as his fingers penetrated deeper into his palms.
Zhou Wuzhen let out a long sigh as he conjured a unique blade of light from the palm of his hand. The edge of his blade stretched as far and as wide as his thumb. The instant this tiny blade of glimmering light was unsheathed, an indescribable concentrated blade's menace engulfed the entire Canglan City, instantly filling the city with an aura of death.
Feeling the full brunt of that violent blade's menace, both Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao's expression instantly grew pale. Sensing the imminent dire situation, the Elder of Lore surrounded them with his invisible aura of protection, suppressing the wave of menace in a timely manner.
At the same time, the Grand Elder's hand unleashed their aura of protection on Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao, suppressing the wave of menace even further.
Zhou Wuzhen, being the wielder of such a weapon of majesty, felt indifferent as he was unharmed and untouched by the raw blade's menace.
Unfortunately for the poor man, Zhou Yan, he was abandoned by the three elders present.
However, even in the face of such a raw and unchained blade's menace, Zhou Yan's unbending will never allow the young lad to fall victim to the majestic blade.
His body trembled violently like a tiny ship trapped in a vicious storm about to be decimated. However, his back was straight as the spine of a quill. His will was like that of refined steel, where emotions of sorrow, despair, hopelessness, and guilt failed to break him.
It seemed that nothing in this realm that befell him could force him to bend!
It was too at this moment, did the Elder of Lore realize that the stubborn young man was uncared for..
His heart fluttered at the sight. He noticed this young man's face was an expression of calm, along with a deep, focused gaze. His eyes were like a deep pool void of ripples! His face was pale as it seemed to be plagued by an unnatural ailment. This very scene resembled Zhou Wangchen in his years of glory!
Zhou Yan's tender lips were pursed tightly, forming a straight line. At the edge of his lips were trails of bright red bloody that dyed his lips into a line of bright scarlet color.
His nose was slightly raised, causing this young lad's pale face to look even more emaciated.
His current expression reminded everyone of the shocking event that took place years ago when Zhou Wangchen swore an oath by shaving his head. His very expression on that day resembled how his son currently looked!
Be it in the past or present, in Zhou Wuyan's mind, his look was, in fact, the most elegant and stunning beauty he ever laid his eyes on.
Perhaps, the only distinction was that Zhou Wangchen then was at his peak while Zhou Yan currently could only be considered as a trash that had exhausted its usefulness.
The Elder of Lore stared at Zhou Yan with pity and sorrow. With a silent sigh in his heart, he said, "Yan'er, come over here. Let's not disturb the Lord's sealing ritual now, alright?"
As simple as what was said, Zhou Yan could not refuse when he heard the last line.
Zhou Yan silently nodded as he forced every inch of his heavy body to move to the elder's side.
In an instant, a wave of mysterious energy swept him, lifting with it the unbearable heavy burden he carried. As Zhou Yan was relieved of that weight, at that moment, he felt as though his body was floating. It stirred something deep within him.
He however, paid no attention to the incident as he merely stood idle, observing the bright, blinding light seemingly comparable to the very light of the sun alone, engulfing his father.
As his father's body was entirely shrouded by this blinding light, his body was absorbed into this blade of majestic light as though entering a dark void.
After that, the light pierced through the roof with a single 'swoosh' forcing its way through every layer of resistance and zipped across the boundless night sky like a comet and disappeared without a trace.
The atmosphere in the forbidden chambers was tense, and not a single soul present made a sound.
However, the silence was broken with a series of coughs.
The Lord of the family, Zhou Wuzhen, was coughing out blood which then dissipated into a pink mist and rose into the air.
"My Lord…"
"My Lord, your health…"
"My Lord, are you…"
The Elder of Lore, Grand Elder, and the Grand Elder's Hand were genuinely concerned and worried about the Lord of the Family.
"Worry not, I have some spiritual medicinal pills provided by the scholars of medicine from the main branch of the Zhou family. I will quickly recover and might even advance in my training."
Zhou Wuzhen waved his hands, gesturing every elder to quell their worry.
The trio of Elders, the Elder of Lore, Zhou Wuyan, the Grand Elder, Zhou Wuwei, the Hand of the Grand Elder, Zhou Wuji were relieved after hearing what Zhou Wuzhen said.
-- Gift
received