However, I am well aware that my ancestor is not mad. When I was young, he wanted to lead me to Daoism, and he also tempered my body. It’s a pity that in the end, I had no destiny with Daoism and was more drawn to the battlefield.
You just wait here; I will go check. I think it might be the scent of blood from the Elegant Garden that disturbed my ancestor’s meditation."
"Who dares to be so audacious in my Tian Family’s domain! Tian Bokai, where are you? Where are you!"
An elderly man with entirely white hair and beard stood atop the Taoist temple, shouting loudly. If one were to look closely, they would see his eyes were already completely murky. If Zheng Fan were here, he would definitely think this old man had severe cataracts, the incurable kind.
Of course, Zheng Fan would never discriminate against the blind. After all, there was a particularly disagreeable blind person in his own household.
The old man’s mind was somewhat muddled, and the Daoist robes he wore were tattered and torn. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
He had secluded himself for decades, single-mindedly pursuing Daoism. In the early years, his food and drink were always supplied by the Tian Clan. However, later on, the Tian Clan’s servants discovered he had suddenly stopped eating. The food sent over one day would be returned the next, untouched.
Tian Bokai had once entered the Taoist temple specifically to check on him. After coming out, Tian Bokai merely instructed that food no longer needed to be sent.
If it weren’t for the occasional sounds of laughter or scripture recitation from within, the Tian Clan members might have truly believed this ancestor had passed away. But this refusal to eat or drink was indeed exceedingly strange.
"Someone! Where is Tian Bokai? Where has everyone gone? Someone!"
The old man kept shouting, and visible wisps of green light swirled around his body.
Lord Jingnan walked to the entrance of the Taoist temple and bowed deeply.
"You... Who are you?"
The old man faced Lord Jingnan, sniffed suddenly, and said, "This scent... it’s so familiar. Little Mirror, is that you, Little Mirror?"
"Replying to Ancestor, it is Wujing, come back to see you."
"Ahahaha, Little Mirror, so you are home! Ahaha, that’s good, that’s good. Although you didn’t seek the Dao from me back then, I know your talent for martial arts has always been exceptionally high.
With you at home, I imagine nothing can go wrong. The scent of blood I smell now must be from those scoundrels who dared to invade and attack, right?"
"Replying to Ancestor’s words, the scoundrels have already been killed by Wujing."
"Hmm, they deserved to be killed, deserved to be killed! That’s fine then, that’s fine. I thought something serious had happened. Hehe, as long as you’re home, what do I have to worry about?
By the way, speak to your father for me. He’s getting on in years; he shouldn’t be so reluctant to relinquish power, nor should he keep taking concubines left and right. At his advanced age, isn’t he ashamed of himself? Isn’t that just holding back those young maidens?
Tell him to come find me here tomorrow. If he wants to live a few more years, he should accompany me in chanting Daoist scriptures. He should also hand over the family affairs to you by now."
"Replying to Ancestor, Father... will not be able to come tomorrow."
"Father... should already be gone."
"What? That rascal Bokai is already gone? When did this happen? Why did no one inform me? Oh, right, I told you all not to send food twenty years ago."
"Just now? Little Mirror, are you saying those scoundrels who came to our door... have killed Bokai?"
"Despicable! How dare they! Which family made a move? Was it the Situ Family or the Wu family? No, could it be the Barbarians? That’s not right either... could it be... the Ji Family?"
The old man was silent for a long moment.
"My eyes have been blind for many years, and now my ears are getting worse. I can barely hear clearly anymore. Little Mirror, what did you just say?"
"It was Wujing who led the Jingnan Army to exterminate the Tian Clan."
"You... you... you! This is outrageous!!!"
Green light erupted from the old man’s body. The tiles on the roof of the Taoist temple were instantly pulverized, and a surging aura began to emanate from him.
"Little Mirror... Little Mirror, why... why would you do such a thing?"
Lord Jingnan reached up and unfastened the clasps of his collar. His blood-red cloak billowed in the wind and drifted to the ground.
At the same time, he slowly said, "We, the Yan people, have guarded the East against the Barbarians for hundreds of years. It is time we went out to see the world."
Thank you to ’She Who Transforms into Mahesvara’ for becoming the 71st Master of ’Morin’. Many new supporters joined and tipped during the period after the novel went premium. Thank you all for your support, thank you.
Also, could I trouble you for some recommendation votes and monthly tickets? Because I (Dragon) have been writing quite a lot recently, our word count has already far surpassed the number of recommendation votes. Reputation is important, after all!