Chapter 230: with translation of chapter title

230 Once a heart demon entangles you, how many end up well!

Tushan Jiu and the two others left, departing from the Xiang household.

Before leaving, Wang Dongqing turned back and glanced at Xiang Hao sitting motionless in the living room.

The three returned to the inn in silence.

As soon as they arrived at the inn, Wang Dongqing couldn't help asking, 'What if Xiang Yichu's father chooses the Xiang family?'

Tushan Jiu shrugged, 'Then let Xiang Yichu become a cripple.'

Wang Dongqing widened his eyes, looking at Tushan Jiu, 'You're joking?'

Tushan Jiu shook her head.

Wang Dongqing opened his mouth, then helplessly scratched his head.

This matter itself is not easy; they could even break the rules and interfere in tomorrow's duel, but the heart demon belongs to Xiang Yichu himself—if he is to overcome it, he must do it himself, and besides, that is his home, those people are his family.

As the saying goes, even an honest official finds it hard to settle family affairs; how can they intervene to minimize harm to Xiang Yichu without putting him in a dilemma?

Maomao also looked at Tushan Jiu, but when she saw the confidence in her eyes, she stopped worrying.

She knew she would never let her good friend become a cripple.

Genius is never made by piling up resources; if one doesn't inherently have strong ability, no amount of resources will make them anything but a helpless Liu Dou.

The Xiang family's sacrifices are real, but why should they burden Xiang with the so-called 'selling everything' shackles? Is that what he wants? Have they asked him?

If it weren't for Tushan Jiu holding her back today, she could have overturned the Xiang family; such a household is not worth staying in.

But thinking differently, since Tushan Jiu owed the blade, this karmic debt naturally falls to her to decide.

Given her nature, even if she took no payment for that blade, she would still protect Xiang Yichu.

I just don't know what her plan is, nor how to let Xiang Yichu completely escape this oppressive life.

Tushan Jiu and Maomao met each other's gaze, then smiled slightly and blinked.

Maomao suddenly asked Tushan Jiu, 'What should we eat for lunch?'

Tushan Jiu blurted, 'Lotus root.'

Xiang household.

After Tushan Jiu and the others left, Xiang Hao went straight to Xiang Yichu's room.

Upon seeing Xiang Yichu's chaotic room, he stood stunned for a moment.

The floor was littered with shards of various ceramics, and the table originally used for drawing talismans had also fallen to the ground.

The Xiang family's secret manuals were also pressed under the bookshelf, which itself had fallen to the ground.

After scanning the room, Xiang Hao found Xiang Yichu curled up on the bed, wrapped tightly in the blanket with no gaps, as if sealing himself off in a private space.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the blanket on the bed trembled slightly.

For some reason, seeing Xiang Yichu like this, Xiang Hao felt a surge of anger.

He took a couple of steps forward, yanked off the blanket, and scolded, 'Is such a trifle worth this? You've cried since childhood, you can't handle pressure—your generation is just used to being pampered in a greenhouse, you can't even take a little wind or rain. Besides, what have we done to you? The whole clan has placed its hopes on you—what more could you be dissatisfied with? Get up, hurry and eat!'

The blanket was pulled back, and the sudden light made Xiang Yichu half-close his eyes, his head aching to the point of nausea.

Xiang Hao urged him again.

Only then did Xiang Yichu regain a bit of awareness, then mechanically crawled out of bed.

But when he saw the mess on the floor, he froze.

Immediately, scattered fragments flashed in his mind.

The image froze on him with bloodshot eyes, gazing at those shards on the floor, the corners of his mouth turning up.

He thought, 'It actually feels quite good.'

Xiang Hao frowned at Xiang Yichu, just as the blade-creditor had said—his son's condition really seemed off.

But with only this final decisive duel left to determine victory or defeat, though the Cao family appears uninvolved, they are actually watching from the sidelines, waiting to reap the benefits; if the Xiang family loses even once, they'll become a laughingstock in the trade.

Xiang Hao pondered, could the heart demon the blade-creditor spoke of be because he wouldn't let him take the Nan Cheng exam?

If that's the case, as long as I first agree to let him take the Nan Cheng exam, then later I can slowly persuade him—after all, a child is still a child, and will ultimately listen to his parents, since only they have his best interests at heart.

Thinking this, Xiang Hao patted Xiang Yichu's shoulder, softened his tone, and said, 'Little Chu, how could Dad harm you? We're doing this for your own good; I hope you can understand my difficulties. As for applying to Nan Cheng, Dad agrees.'

Upon hearing those words, Xiang Yichu finally showed a reaction, turning his head toward him, lips moving slightly but making no sound; a flicker of expectation seemed to flash in his eyes.

But in the next second, Xiang Hao said, 'As long as you win the final duel.' The last glimmer of light in his eyes was completely swallowed by darkness.

Xiang Yichu answered with an 'uh,' 'I know, I will win to the end—no, sacrifice, one, all, cost.'

He spoke those last words slowly, but each carried endless killing intent.

'Wouldn't it be fine to just kill them all?'

'Kill Luo An, kill the Cao clan too, and the Xiang family would forever be first.'

'Then you could rest.'

That voice in Xiang Yichu's mind appeared again, and his eye sockets uncontrollably reddened.

Xiang Hao thought he was pleased, thinking, 'A child throwing a tantrum just needs a sweet to be pacified; after all these years of careful cultivation, if his son can't even overcome this little heart demon, wouldn't all their effort be wasted?'

'Come on, Dad had the kitchen make you a fifty-year-old Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to nourish you; your room's stuff can be tidied up later, you don't need to worry—after eating, come back and review thoroughly, prepare for tomorrow's final duel.'

Having said that, Xiang Hao walked out first.

Xiang Yichu vigorously shook his head, one hand gripping his thigh tightly; the voice in his head had lessened somewhat.

He watched that familiar back, then silently followed.

The meal took only twenty minutes; the moment he set down his chopsticks, Xiang Hao urged him, saying the room had been cleaned and he could return to review.

Xiang Yichu nodded, rose, and left the dining hall.

The others at the table all put down their chopsticks, turning their gazes toward that frail figure.

Xiang Baihu felt some pity, couldn't hold back, put down his chopsticks, and told Xiang Hao, 'Chief, you really can't keep pressuring Little Chu; he can't take it anymore.'

Xiang Qionglong sighed and said, "Family Head, although you are the head of the Xiang Family, you are also our elder brother; we have always obeyed your commands, but we have seen how Xiao Chu, this child, has borne the Xiang Family's hopes since childhood, and we have seen how he has managed all these years; Captain is right, if he continues like this he will collapse."

"Today I heard the words of that Tushan Family girl; that is a heart demon—once a heart demon entangles someone, few end well."

Xiang Hao sat upright, fell silent for a moment, then said: "The prophecy of the She Dao Ren; if one can discern its heavenly secret, it is an opportunity. I have already placated Xiao Chu; I promise him that if he wins this time, I will let him apply to the Nan Cheng Office. Rest assured, he is the Young Sect Head of the Xiang Family; he will surely be able to shoulder the main beam."

He raised his head and glanced at the doorway where Xiang Yichu's figure had disappeared, sighed, and said: "Forget it; I also thought about this on my way to the restaurant just now. As long as he preserves the Xiang Family's reputation this time, if he wants to apply to Nan Cheng, let him apply to Nan Cheng. After all, there he is always the Xiang Family's genius Young Sect Head; achieving results would also bring glory to our Xiang Family, and it would also fulfill his wish—isn't that what he wants?"

Xiang Baihu and Xiang Qionglong exchanged a glance, both feeling helpless.

Is the reputation of the Xiang Family really that important?

Is it more important than Xiao Chu?

Besides, does Xiao Chu really just want to apply to Nan Cheng?

Xiang Hao glanced at them and added: "As for the heart demon mentioned by the She Dao Ren, which cultivator doesn't have some? As long as it can be controlled, it's not a big problem."