26 A Shocking Memory

Gu Yan's face was incredibly pale and every fold of his wrinkles that were etched on his face reflected all the sorrow and despair he had experienced.

His eyes twitched uncontrollably and he wanted nothing more but to open them in order to greet Zhou Yan. However, even this simple act alone proved to be difficult to him.

He was determined while he struggled to open his eyes once again. Although these actions were simple and easy for most, it appeared astoundingly difficult for him. 

This man had a head full of snow-white hair. Due to the fatigued state he was currently in, his entire demeanor seemed a lot older and frail. However, he managed to open his eyes.

The instant he opened his eyes, through the glimmers from his gaze a ray of Blade's Essence that was similar to a flash of lightning. This glare felt tense and there was a flash of lightning that swiftly approached Zhou Yan. At the same time, he noticed the compassionate and gentle look on Zhou Yan's elegant face.

This face was familiar to him. However, the face looked slightly more arrogant and confident than he remembered.

Hence, the tension that was exerted from his gaze gradually faded back into his normal compassionate gaze. The fierce gaze that was present moments ago had all faded into nothingness. 

"Little Yan... I didn't expect it to be you. It's really you... all these years, have you... have you been well?" Gu Yan mumbled with a heavy yet caring tone in his voice.

"Uncle Gu, I have been well, indeed. Rest your worries now," Zhou Yan said while walking toward him in order to gently help him to stand.

Although his condition looked grim at this moment, his injuries were lighter than what Feng Lingqing sustained. Judging from the state of his condition, it seemed that his agony was only in intervals and was not a continuous series of agonizing torture.

Zhou Yan was relieved after observing the series of changes in Gu Yan's condition.

"That's good to hear. In recent years, the Gu family has fallen hard. Our family has never paid you a visit in all these years because we can't even enter the Zhou family's home anymore since we lost all positions of power. We are now left without status... It's my fault... your uncle is useless... and the truth is, your uncle… I know the struggles and sorrow you went through all these years in the Zhou family."

Zhou Yan's heart was moved by Gu Yan's words.

In this world, some tried to pretend and hide their flaws, but eventually, their true colors would show, just like the Elder of Lore, Zhou Wuyan. Some only had to say little to show the utmost sincerity from deep within their bones, just like Gu Yan. 

Zhou Yan was no longer a child since he inherited some of the ancient sage's personality. His perception was more sensitive than any people. It was at this moment that he was able to sense the self-doubt and self-blame within Gu Yan's heart. As a result, he was touched by Gu Yan's genuine feelings.

Any person who was refused entry by the Zhou family would obviously be displeased since they were still a Lord of their respective families. Although they were not as grand and powerful as the Zhou family, these people were not without any status. After being completely rejected to the extent of not even able to set foot through the main doors of the Zhou family…

However, based on Gu Yan's statements, there was not even a slightest hint of blame toward the Zhou family. Instead... it was sincere and genuine feelings of regret. It was the regret of not being powerful enough.

Just by a couple sentences alone, Gu Yan's position within Zhou Yan's heart was firmer and higher than before.

"Uncle Gu regarding the matters of the Zhou family, the truth is, the Zhou family had, without doubt, wronged you. If I were blessed one day to be the Lord of the Zhou family, I promise you, this debacle will never be repeated ever again."

Zhou Yan avoided bringing up his matters and only stated his current status within the family. It was a subtle message to Gu Yan to inform him about the position he held within the Zhou family. Since he was unable to make any significant decisions on his own, he indirectly reassured Gu Yan that these matters were never related to him and he was never an ungrateful person. 

"Yes, I understand the kind of friend I've made. The only thing is, the more dire the situation is, the more I worry about your father... but now that I see you wearing this spiritual affinity armor, it seems like they were not bold enough to cause that much sorrow and hardship onto you. Hence I may rest my worries."

It appeared that Gu Yan had misunderstood the whole situation.

"Father, this armor of spiritual affinity, truth be told, it was brother Zhou... well, the family was absolutely cruel to brother Zhou…"

Gu Xi was unable to hold her emotions back and as a result she interrupted her father's statement. However, she only summarized the gist of the whole situation that happened to Zhou Yan, indirectly explaining the relationship Zhou Yan shared with his family.

"Outrageous! How utterly outrageous. These people are all purebred b*stards. How could they not think. If it wasn't for brother Wangchen, their Zhou family would've never been as glorious as they are today. These people are…"

"Sigh, Yan'er, your uncle's uselessness has caused you so much sorrow. I actually thought that I've been watching over you in silence all these years. However, it turns out that you've been through so much sorrow, and it's a shame that I had no clue what you had gone through!"

It was obvious through Gu Yan's gaze that both his eyes were filled with remorse and guilt. All the hatred and anger that burned mere moments ago were extinguished, and all he was left with was an endless remorseful look in his eyes.

The sorrow-filled look in his eyes was similar to the wrinkles of a worm which burrowed deep within the folds of his wrinkles. It was a deeply rooted pain and sadness.

"Uncle, have faith in me. Trust me. All will be well. Look at me now, don't I look healthy and well to you?"

Zhou Yan gently patted Gu Yan's back since it had been ages for him to remotely feel the unconditional love and compassion of a father. It seemed that Gu Yan treated Zhou Yan like his own son. Even though he felt these feelings as a child, they were never as genuine and deep compared to what he felt now.

"Alright, then. We shall not discuss this any further. Yan'er, since you're here now, you should head to town with Little Xi and perhaps by doing so, it might put your mind at ease. The events that have happened in the past shall be left in the past, alright?

"When you're here, you don't have to feel like an outsider, Little Yan. Please, make yourself at home. We are merely a small family, and since we fell from grace, the people here will never judge an outsider, so what is ours is also yours," explained Gu Yan caringly.

"I understand uncle. However, there is something you might be wrong about. It seems that the Gu family isn't as pure and simple as you'd think," Zhou Yan expressed seriously.

At the same time, the agonizing pain in Gu Yan's expression earlier appeared to have slightly recovered.

"Hmm? Do explain Little Yan."

Gu Yan seemed slightly shocked. However, he believed everything that Zhou Yan said. It did not matter how long it had been since he had seen him. However, judging from what had happened to his father, it would be impossible for him to not place his full trust in Zhou Yan. His single question was seemingly able to sense that something unfortunate had happened to his own daughter, Gu Xi.

"We shall discuss this matter later. Uncle, who was the one who attacked you?" Zhou Yan questioned.

Gu Yan let out a gentle sigh while he explained calmly, "Although your uncle was just a person of low status, I was still your father's loyal personal guard. I was beside your father when he was conquering the lands, and an insurmountable amount of lives had fallen by my blade! It's only natural for others to seek me out for vengeance. Thus, how would I be able to know who was actually behind this attack? All I could do was fight whatever they had in store for me."

After hearing his uncle's explanation, Zhou Yan chuckled and said, "I know you are a man of honor, uncle, and a bloody battle to the death has never fazed you. You are, in fact, just like my father. Your reputation and notoriety had such a powerful impact in this world, and to have been ambushed to such an extent, wouldn't you be glad to seek out the men for vengeance?"

Gu Yan's face cracked a slight smile after hearing Zhou Yan's statements. He replied, "Indeed. I did think about it but, it did not matter who came for me as whoever dared to ambush me would only perish by my blade, but... now, I've been mortally wounded, and of course, it's natural for me to feel frustrated. However... how can I possibly track that person down in my current condition?"

Zhou Yan's expression grew serious after hearing Gu Yan's statement. He said, "Although your physical state no longer allows you to avenge yourself, there are still plenty of people left in the Gu family that would be glad to do such a task for you, right?"

"Hehe, those people… almost all of them had perished. The only people left in our Gu family are us… the few old bones and some third-generation pupils." Gu Yan closed his eyes as he spoke.

Zhou Yan remained silent for a moment and said, "Little Xi told me that this was all done by the Yang family?"

"Indeed, it was the Yang family. It was Yang Qingtan who attacked me, but I hold no ill will towards this man."

After contemplating for a long while, Gu Yan opened his eyes.

Zhou Yan replied, "Why not?"

Gu Yan remained silent and said nothing.

"Are you worried that if I were to cross blades with Yang Qingtan, I would be putting myself in a position of absolute danger?" sighed Zhou Yan. The young lad was not a fool. Thus, he could only conclude that.

"No... Yang Qingtan faced me in a battle of honor. This lad has always been a man of principle. This man was never known to implore methods of leaving his victims in a state of agony without robbing them of their lives. Those were never his ways!" Gu Yan shook his head as he replied with a firm voice.

Zhou Yan was puzzled. He said, "Uncle, after all, it was he who had harmed you to such an extent. Why are you still defending this man? I am confused."

"You don't understand him. When I first crossed paths with him, he was still a boy," said Gu Yan in a serious tone as he recalled his memories.

"Back then, I saw him in the rapid and violent waterfalls within the mountains of Heavenly Prophecies. He was fighting against the current, stubbornly attacking the upstream current.

"He was known as the abandoned and disgraced child of the Yang family back then…

"He kept lunging upward on the rapid streams of the waterfall, over and over again with a broken, dull sword in his hands.

"It was back then that the determined look in his eyes touched me deeply!

"I can never forget about that look in his eyes even after all these years. That gaze was branded deeply into my soul. Nothing can erase that."

"Back then, I told him that if he kept suppressing the natural potential of his body, he would be destroyed, and it will only end in a result of him being a useless piece of trash."

"He was biting down on his lips so hard that streams of blood dripped down his mouth. This young man did not even bother to look at me. He merely said, 'I am already known as the living trash of my family, and I was also exiled. Nothing can be worse than the predicament that I am currently in. Why does overextending my body's potential result in destroying myself? Who gets to dictate that by doing so, it would never break the shackles of my true potential? I refuse to believe that I would only be a failure!'

"The raging current of the waterfall was as fast as lightning, and with the impact of the waves, even I, back then, would not be able to withstand more than a couple hours. That sheer force was one that was capable of breaking bones and severing tendons. It was ferocious and indomitable!

"Every time this young man was impacted by the full force of the waterfall, he kept trying to reach higher, and every time, he would be forced down by the violent waves.

"There I stood, watching the young man for two hours, and he had never once given up. However, he was also unable to succeed. His body, on the other hand, was already a bloody mess, and it was a painful sight to witness indeed.

"Spring had gone, and fall was approaching, but he was still determined. Until one day, I didn't see him there. I had, in fact, saw him standing at the peak of the waterfall.

"His body was covered in a tattered mess of clothes and in his hand was a short, broken blade. However, he seemingly radiated the majestic aura of a legendary Blade's Emperor!

"A fifteen-year-old man had completely broken through four realms, and this man had awakened his Blade's Menace!"