Chapter 797 - 798: Nangong Wentian
Hearing Nangong Wudi’s words, everyone present was both shocked and angry, especially Elder Lin, whose eyes filled with murderous intent.
He had never expected the Zhantai Family to be behind this, nor had he expected them to go to such lengths. What was it all for? Even if it were for love, it shouldn’t have gone this far. After all, Nangong Wenxue was already married and had a child. For Zhantai Wuwei to do such a thing... it was simply pathological!
"And that’s not all," Nangong Wudi continued. "We couldn’t reveal a single word about it. If we had, the Zhantai Family would have retaliated just the same. Elder Lin, to be honest, the Zhantai Family was already prepared for a do-or-die confrontation with our Nangong Family back then. Moreover, if our two families were to truly come to blows, it would be an even match. Neither side would be able to overcome the other, and both would suffer devastating losses. For the sake of the Nangong Family as a whole, my father decided against fighting the Zhantai Family to the death. For this, I am deeply sorry."
Looking at Elder Lin, Nangong Wudi bowed slightly to express his apology.
Elder Lin nodded, understanding the dilemma. If he had been the one making decisions for the Nangong Family, he might have done the same, so he did not blame anyone.
"It’s alright. I understand the decision you made back then," Elder Lin said, looking at Nangong Wudi.
Hearing this, Nangong Wudi nodded. "Thank you for your understanding, Elder Lin. That’s why, even if you hadn’t come today, I would have let Wenxue leave to meet Guodong and Lin Kuang."
"Mm, I understand. But I’m still puzzled. Why would Zhantai Wuwei do this? What was his goal?" Elder Lin asked with a frown.
Hearing Elder Lin’s question, Nangong Wudi shook his head with a bitter smile. "I’m sorry, Elder Lin, but I’m not very clear on that point either."
"Perhaps I know," Nameless interjected.
Among everyone present, Nameless was the most mysterious. He understood Qimen Dunjia, the Heavenly Machine Technique, and things that even some Ancient Martial Arts experts were unaware of. Nameless’s rise had been sudden, and his origins were a complete mystery. For this reason, practically no one in the Ancient Martial Realm dared to offend him.
"You know? What’s the reason?" Elder Lin asked, his tone heavy.
"If I’m not mistaken, the technique Zhantai Wuwei cultivates must be the Heartless Art—to sever love, to sever desire, to sever all emotion. This is a requirement for cultivating the Heartless Art. I have even read in ancient records that if someone could perfect the Heartless Art, their strength could surpass the Ninth Layer Ascent and reach that legendary Realm! For the martial fanatic of the Zhantai Family, this is likely the only reason he would risk a war with the Nangong Family! Otherwise, why would they break ties with the Nangong Family over a woman? But for that martial fanatic, everything is for the sake of Martial Arts. I think this explains it."
Nameless looked at the assembled crowd and continued. Some people would do anything for the sake of Martial Arts. Members of the Demon Sect, for instance, wouldn’t hesitate to use human blood and bodies as cauldrons for their cultivation; their methods were monstrously evil. Compared to the Demon Sect, what the Zhantai Family did was child’s play.
Hearing Nameless’s words, Diwu Baiyu, Elder Lin, and Nangong Wudi all looked shocked. The realization that cultivating the so-called Heartless Art could allow someone to reach that legendary Realm was an immense shock to them all.
"Is this true?" Elder Lin asked in disbelief.
"Yes. I am over ninety percent certain of it. The martial fanatic of the Zhantai Family isn’t a fool. Why else would he make such a decision?" Nameless stated, looking at the crowd.
Hearing his words, everyone nodded once more.
"No matter the reason, the Zhantai Family owes my Lin Family a debt, and it’s time to settle the score! It just so happens the Zhantai Family is also dispatching people. I’m going to pay them a visit and demand an explanation from that old geezer!" Elder Lin said coldly, his eyes flickering with killing intent.
As the patriarch said, this was a debt the Zhantai Family owed the Lin Family, and it demanded a reckoning. Elder Lin could not let his son and grandson be wronged, and he absolutely would not let his daughter-in-law be wronged either!
"Elder Lin, our Nangong Family will also send people this time. Now that you are here, and with Brother Liu’s Wumi Building fully supporting Lin Kuang, it’s truly time we demanded an explanation," Nangong Wudi added.
His sister had suffered such injustice for so many years. A rage had always simmered in Nangong Wudi’s heart, one he had been forced to suppress. Now, he could finally unleash it!
"Wudi, you don’t need to go. Let this old man go with these other old-timers."
At that moment, a faint voice rang out, its resonant tone suggesting a man in his prime. As the voice fell, an elder walked into the hall from outside.
"Well now, old fellow, I thought you were in closed-door cultivation with no plans of coming out," Diwu Baiyu said with a teasing smile upon seeing the newcomer.
"You’re still out here alive and kicking, you old rascal. I figured these old bones of mine should get some exercise too, right?" the elder replied with a laugh.
Just then, Nangong Wudi and Nangong Wenxue walked over. "Father. Father," they said, bowing.
"Rise. Wenxue, you’ve been wronged all these years. Don’t worry, this time your father will settle the account with them properly!" Nangong Wentian said, looking at his daughter.
"Thank you, Father," Nangong Wenxue replied as she stood up.
"Why be so formal with me? Aren’t you going to introduce me to my grandson?" Nangong Wentian said with a smile, his gaze shifting from Nangong Wenxue to Lin Kuang.
Hearing this, Nangong Wenxue nodded quickly. "Kuang, come here quickly. This is your grandfather. Come and greet your grandfather."
Lin Kuang walked over promptly at his mother’s call, bowing as he said, "Hello, Grandfather."
In truth, after hearing Nangong Wudi’s explanation, Lin Kuang no longer blamed the Nangong Family. He understood the situation. To sacrifice half of the family for just two people... If he were in their shoes, he would have had to endure it too. How could he possibly blame them?
"Haha, good! Good grandson, well done!" Nangong Wentian said with a hearty laugh, patting Lin Kuang’s shoulder. He was clearly in high spirits.
Hearing the praise, Lin Kuang stood there a bit awkwardly, unsure of what to say, so he chose to remain silent.
"Old fellow, you’ve finally shown your face," Elder Lin said with a smile. He was no stranger to Nangong Wentian. After all, their families were joined by marriage.