Chapter 234: Bloodline of Lei Family Village

Heh, the two brats are still pretty tough, haven't they ever been beaten?

The leading burly man rubbed his fists, grinning, and extended a big hand.

Ah—

One minute later.

Wuwu—

Li Xixi and Zhang Yujie were bound tightly, their mouths sealed with strips of cloth, and could only convey their anger through their eyes.

Let's keep searching ahead, carry those two away; they might come in handy.

The middle‑aged man with eyes blazing waved his hand and went ahead first, "That Lei Hao has gone to great lengths to escape here, surely he has some backing; we still need to be cautious..."

Yes!

The burly men narrowed their eyes, hoisted the two girls onto their shoulders as easily as carrying a chick, and strode toward the end of the path.

Is that the number of those two girls?!

On the mountain road, the female tour guide stared at the phone that rang twice and then hung up, falling into thought.

Calling back only gave a "device turned off" notice.

Those two girls couldn't have gotten into trouble too, could they? What should we do, the rescue team still needs some time to climb up...

The tour guide's face was anxious, and a chill ran down her back.

We must take a few days off when we go back and rest properly; this No‑Night Mountain is like a cursed gate, it feels like it devours people, it's terrifying.

Dad, those people didn't seem to keep up.

Hmm, Xiao Yu, don't be scared; they can't catch up to Dad. Dad will take you to find Grandpa. If you get tired, just take a nap; you'll be there when you wake up!

On a barely visible trail, Lei Hao was sprinting while cradling the little girl.

Lightning surged around his body, and he moved at blinding speed.

Xiao Yu blinked her big eyes, "What does Grandpa look like? Will he like me?"

Lei Hao flicked the little girl's nose with his hand, then laughed, "Xiao Yu, you're so obedient and well‑behaved; Grandpa will definitely like you."

Does Grandpa like Mom?

Lei Hao's steps faltered slightly, and he said nothing.

Memories of past scenes surged in his mind.

You unfilial son, you came down the mountain just for a woman?

Father, please approve us; A Yin is already pregnant.

Your blood is that of Lei Family Village, so you must obey the village's inherited rules; you dislike the village girls yet insist on marrying someone from an outside clan?!

Father, I will marry no one but her in this life.

Fine, then go down the mountain, never return; consider yourself dead.

Father, I'm leaving; take care of yourself...

Scattered memories flashed, he blinked, a hot tear slid down his cheek, and before it could hit the ground it evaporated into mist from his Blood Qi.

Dad, why are you crying?

Xiao Yu wrinkled her nose, reached out and wiped Lei Hao's corner of the eye.

No way, Dad was just blinded by the wind, Lei Hao's face broke into a smile again, his finger pointing ahead, "Xiao Yu, we're almost there; do you see the smoke rising ahead?"

Wow, what a beautiful place!

Xiao Yu's eyes widened, colors flashing within her pupils.

Father and daughter stood on the hillside, staring blankly at the small village below as plumes of cooking smoke rose.

The sun's afterglow filtered through white clouds, bathing the valley; the whole village gleamed as if gilded, and a few birds flew south across the sky.

Nothing's changed at all.

Lei Hao sighed, glanced back.

Let's go, Dad will take you into the village.

Following a small path down, they waded across a creek and entered the settlement.

The settlement was neither large nor small, roughly a hundred households.

Lei Hao entered the village with excitement; many villagers harvesting crops looked up.

Look, it's Lei Hao!

Xiao Hao is back!

Hurry and inform the village chief!

In the noisy din, a young boy raced toward the village, and on closer inspection one could see thunder bolstering his steps.

Erhu! Zhuzi!

Lei Hao walked while cheerfully greeting the villagers.

Xiao Hao, this is your girl, she's really beautiful!

An elderly woman stepped out from the fields, wiping her hands on her apron, "What's your name? Let grandma hold you!"

I'm called Xiao Yu.

The little girl wasn't shy and reached out her hands voluntarily.

Aiyo, Xiao Yu is really well‑behaved, the old woman laughed, cradling the girl, "Did the child's mother not come along?"

Lei Hao's gaze hardened, a wry smile appearing, "No, something prevented them from coming."

The old woman didn't press further, handed the girl back to Lei Hao, and said with a smile, "Go find the village chief. You haven't returned these years; I've often seen him sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought—he must be thinking of you!"

Sigh, how's my father's health?

Hearing Lei Hao's words, the old woman's smile faded, "His body is okay, nothing serious, just his legs aren't as spry as before; that's how it is when people age."

Aunt, I'm heading into the village first; please greet everyone and let those working outside come home—there might be danger later.

Lei Hao gave the old woman a word of advice, then carried Xiao Yu away.

"It seems this little Hao has come to flee disaster......"

The old woman shook her head, worry rising in her heart, and hurriedly ran to the field, shouting, "Everyone, stop for a moment, don't work yet!"

"You came?"

Inside the small courtyard were a few farmhouses; the rooms were fairly clean, and in the middle of the open space stood a stove filled with coal ash.

An old man with white temples sat by the stove, puffing on a water pipe.

"Father, I've returned."

Lei Hao stood outside the door holding Xiao Yu, his expression complex.

I never expected that after five years apart, my father would have aged so much.

Knowing the reason, he felt even more ashamed.

"They didn't come after you, did they? You see, I'm old and my legs aren't nimble—I can't help you much."

"No, I shook them off."

Lei Hao put down the little girl in his arms, saying, "Xiao Yu, quickly call grandfather."

"Grandfather!"

The little girl called out sweetly.

Looking at Xiao Yu, who was like a porcelain doll, the old man's wrinkled face relaxed considerably, and he said, "Good, Xiao Yu, come over so Grandfather can have a look."

The old man waved at the little girl, his face full of kindness.

After the grandfather and grandchild chatted for a while, the elder embraced the girl and said, "Let the villagers stay at home for a few days, don't go out, and don't let your affairs implicate others."

Lei Hao nodded and said, "Father, have there been any lightning-affinity Talent Endowed in our village these years?"

"Yes, there are quite a few," the old man said, taking a puff of his water pipe and pointing to the west of the village, "The children of the Zhuzi family and the Er Hua family are both lightning-affinity Talent Endowed; they're only three or four years old and already able to control their talent......"

After saying that, the old man glanced at Xiao Yu, sighed, and said, "This is the importance of bloodline."