Chapter 23 Why Didn't You Come Back Earlier

Blood Saber Ancestor swore profusely, "You Zhao family only know how to put on a show. A few days ago, Ancestor here was fooled by your sweet talk. Today you won't be able to deceive me again. Hurry up and bring that young lad out, otherwise, don't blame Ancestor here for taking action!"

At these words, the handsome elder's complexion stiffened, and he immediately furrowed his brow tightly.

The Blood Saber Ancestor was an Innate Grandmaster, and aside from the third grand uncle, no one in the Zhao family could match him, but the third grand uncle was already ninety-five this year, and it was still unknown whether he could be a match for the Blood Saber Ancestor.

"Do we have to ask great-aunt to take action again? But she always has been indifferent to worldly matters. And Jie is still hiding with her. If..."

The handsome elder was named Zhao Xuanyi, the current Family Head of the Zhao family, and the father of Zhao Yujie.

Just as Zhao Xuanyi was in a dilemma, a figure, old and feeble, using a jade cane for support, staggered from the rear hall, appearing before everyone.

"Haha, I was just wondering who could make such a big commotion? Turns out it's you, Chang Xuedao. No wonder!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Chang Meng immediately became much more cautious. Although he reined in some of his arrogance, he still mocked, "Old Zhao, so you're still not dead yet? But looking at you panting for breath, whether you can even draw your sword is another matter."

Unperturbed, the old man smiled and patted his cane, "The Jade Sword Young Master of the past is long dead, now there's only an old man with a solitary cane left. But I'm tired of living anyway, how about I take you with me?"

Hearing this, Chang Meng couldn't help but narrow his eyes, sitting upright and watching Zhao Zhijing with a wary expression.

Even though he was in his prime while the other was already so aged he was almost unrecognizable, no one dared to underestimate the desperate strike of an Innate Martial Sect, even if he had only a breath left in him.

"You old immortal, you dare to threaten me?" Chang Meng eyed Zhao Zhijing up and down and suddenly said viciously.

"How could that be! I just fear a lonely journey. I'm merely seeking someone pleasing to the eye to keep me company," Zhao Zhijing explained at a leisurely pace.

It was at this moment that the Taoist with a child-like face and crane hair suddenly spoke.

"Mr. Zhao has misunderstood. Mr. Chang actually means no harm. He simply saw that your family's third young master is intelligent and an excellent martial arts prospect. Overjoyed by the hunt, he has come here to voluntarily propose to take him as a disciple."

"Take as a disciple? It's more likely a lamb walking into the tiger's mouth!" Zhao Zhijing inwardly sneered repeatedly, while secretly pondering, "Why are these two so fixated on Yu Jie? Could it be that the news of Yu Jie having the Spirit Root has inadvertently leaked out?"

A family knows their own affairs best.

While it may seem he is ever-ready to take someone down with him, in reality, he was utterly incapable of doing so.

Two years ago, he had already broken his power, and all his Innate True Qi had dissipated.

But the old saying goes, a tiger, even if old, does not fall easily!

Zhao Zhijing maintained a calm expression and shook his head resolutely, refusing, "Your kindness is appreciated by the Zhao family, but our family's studies have deep roots, and our Floating Light Sword Skill combined with the Cloud Dragon Three Changes are unmatched in Ganzhou, not requiring outsiders to instruct our children and grandchildren."

After hearing this, the Blood Saber Ancestor burst into an angry laugh, "Well then, toasting you won't work, forcing you to drink a forfeit! It seems today that Ancestor here cannot refrain from taking action."

Seeing that the words had reached a deadlock, the four Zhao Family Elders and Family Head Zhao Xuanyi immediately stood up to block the other party, looking extremely serious.

The disciples of the Blood Saber Sect, likewise, showed no weakness, swiftly drawing their sabers. They only awaited Ancestor's command to strike and annihilate the Zhao family.

As a fight seemed inevitable, a hoarse old voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Who was it that said they wanted to take action in my Zhao Family's home?"

While speaking, Zhao Sheng, carrying an urn, slowly stepped into the reception hall, followed closely by the coachman Zhao Er.

Seeing the newcomer was an old man and also one-armed, the Blood Saber Ancestor couldn't help but mock, "Where did this old cripple come from? Daring to upbraid Ancestor here. Disciples, go, show no mercy!"

"Yes, Ancestor!"

The Blood Saber disciples boomed in agreement, aware that their Ancestor was out to kill for a show of power.

Immediately a group of disciples in red, holding their sabers upside down, charged at Zhao Sheng at high speed.

"Be careful!" the Zhao Family elders cried out, ready to take action and assist.

At this moment, Zhao Sheng gave the coachman a brief glance:

"Zhao Er!"

Before his words had fully fallen, the coachman Zhao Er suddenly plunged into the crowd of Blood-clothed People. A streak of emerald-colored Innate Qi Sword burst forth from his palm, and no disciple of the Blood Saber Sect could withstand this terrifying sword attack. One by one, they were decapitated and fell into pools of blood.

"An Innate Grandmaster?!"

"The Emerald Tide Technique?!"

Chang Meng and Zhao Xuanyi both exclaimed almost simultaneously.

At this time, Chang Meng, the Blood Saber Ancestor, felt as if he had just eaten a bitter melon, his mouth awash with bitterness and his heart filled with shock. "Who on earth is this person? How can a mere attendant also be an Innate Martial Sect master?"

Zhao Zhijing looked intently at the one-armed old man a few steps away, feeling incredibly familiar with him, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Zhao Sheng also looked back at the other man and couldn't help but feel emotional, saying, "Third brother, so many years have passed, and you've grown old too!"

"Ninth brother? You're Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin? How is it possible!" Zhao Zhijing could hardly believe his eyes.

Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin, had been missing for fifty years.

He had never imagined that the two would have the chance to see each other again.

Zhao Sheng said with an emotional expression: "Third brother, I am Zhao Zhiqin, I have truly returned."

After learning the identity of the newcomer, Zhao Xuanyi's whole body trembled, and his face instantly revealed an extremely complicated expression, "Is this... the grandfather father often mentioned?"

The other four Zhao Family Elders heard the newcomer claim to be the legendary third Innate Grandmaster of the Zhao family, Zhao Zhiqin.

Wasn't it rumored that he had long been dead?

Now the Zhao Family Elders were utterly confused and couldn't figure out the truth of the matter.

"Ninth, where have you been all these years? Why didn't you come back earlier? They've all died, our older brothers and elders, all dead! Even Chenggong and Chengli, these younger generations, are also gone. Now only I barely cling to life. You... why didn't you come back sooner!"

By the end of his talk, Zhao Zhijing couldn't help but let the old tears flow, his face full of misery and desolation.

Zhao Sheng's whole body shook violently, as he just heard a name he least wanted to hear.

Chenggong?!

His eldest son had already passed away. So he had ultimately chosen to return to the Zhao family.

An older person burying a younger one! There is no greater sorrow in this world.

Yet even more painful was the fact that, when his son passed away, he as a father hadn't only failed to see him for one last time but also didn't know when... it had happened.

Zhao Sheng was definitely not a qualified father.

He had once personally put his seven flesh and blood onto a carriage, and then watched, wide-eyed, as they each set off towards unknown horizons.

At this moment, Zhao Sheng's heart was suddenly filled with extreme bitterness; he had thought he was rational enough, but... he was wrong!

Just then, the Blood Saber Ancestor suddenly stood up and said cautiously, "Well... I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

Noisy!

Zhao Sheng was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by Chang Meng's interruption, and a nameless anger suddenly surged in his heart.