Chapter 8: Father Hoang Chan Giang

Hoang Minh had just returned from training on the mountain, his whole body drenched in sweat, but his mood was remarkably comfortable. At present, he could split himself into three, with one person forming seals, another pushing, and the third absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.

As he simultaneously displayed these aspects, his abilities rapidly increased. Although each split could only be maintained for 3 minutes, he continuously displayed them throughout the morning, reaping absolute benefits. Indeed, the advantage of the Multiple Image Splitting Technique was remarkable. Each split had genuine energy and could fulfill the tasks the user desired, such as reconnaissance missions. Upon successful completion, they would disappear, and the main user would immediately receive the necessary information. Alternatively, the experiences gained by the split could be utilized. It's easier to understand as if 5 people simultaneously executed a kick, it's as if the main user had executed it five times. Now, all that remained was to reach level 4, and he would be able to acquire another famous skill from Naruto. It's the perfect combination with the Multiple Image Splitting Technique. That's the Rasengan!

Hoang Minh slowly walked home and saw four sturdy horses tied up at the gate. He frowned and wondered who had come to his house, afraid that someone would cause trouble for his mother.

He hurried into the doorway and heard lively conversation. In his sight now were two muscular men chatting and gesturing excitedly. Next to them was a smaller figure with bright eyes, seemingly a scholar. In the middle of the room was a middle-aged man with slightly dark skin, solid physique, sharp eyes assessing Hoang Minh from head to toe. A familiar feeling radiated from him—could he be...his father?

Looking at Tran Thi standing behind him, gently rubbing his shoulder as she enthusiastically told the story, Hoang Minh cautiously approached. The room fell silent as it recognized him, the scholar's eyes lit up with recognition and a grin spread across his face. The remaining two people also brightened, while the man sitting in the middle appeared thoughtful, his sharp eyes assessing Hoang Minh. Feeling a bit scared by the watchful eyes of these men, Hoang Minh instinctively raised his hands to cover his chest and crotch.

The two robust men chuckled gleefully at his gesture, clearly amused. The scholar seemed intrigued, his laughter ringing out. Even the middle-aged man, Hoang Chan Giang, couldn't help but join in, shaking his head with a slight smile, his previously serious expression softening.

Twelve years ago, the name Hoang Chan Minh once resonated throughout the power circles of the Van Nam Empire. At just 24 years old, he had reached the 8th layer of Qi Stagnation, becoming the youngest prodigy in the empire with the potential to break through to the Divine Realm before the age of 50. He was the third son of the patriarch, Hoang Thai, and had the qualifications to inherit the family's leadership in the future. However, in a moment of carelessness during an elegant outing, he was ambushed by a group of masked assailants in black, who destroyed his meridians, rendering him incapable of further cultivation for the rest of his life. A glorious warrior's life was abruptly crushed.

In his fury, the head of the Hoang family, Hoang Thai, sought vengeance with all his might. Still, the involvement of various powerful factions made it impossible for him to pursue justice alone. Left with no choice, he could only bear the anguish for his son. That fateful night aged him considerably, his hair turning grey in parts. As for Hoang Chan Giang, the inability to cultivate left him in utter shock, his dreams shattered instantly. His assailants didn't kill him; instead, they crippled his cultivation and broke his spirit, reducing him from a genius to a mere mortal overnight. The complexity of the situation made retaliation impossible, not for the sake of his wife and newborn son; he had already chosen to end his life.

The entire Hoang family faced a dramatic change in fortune. Once respected and revered, they were now scorned and constantly attacked. Frustrated and angry, Hoang Thai pleaded with his father to relocate the family to the Hoang branch in Thai Minh Town, hoping for a semblance of peace and a chance for his loved ones to live well.