Chapter 825: Who Has the Final Say

Grandmother Jia must have seen through Tang Luo's kind heart as well.

After a few more words, she was already beaming, just as if she were seeing her obedient grandson Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu also slowly woke up, looking blankly at "Jia Rong" and Grandmother Jia conversing, not understanding what had happened.

Seeing a pool of gradually congealing and drying bloodstains on the ground, he hurriedly averted his gaze, feeling disgust and horror.

Grandmother Jia took in Jia Baoyu's behavior entirely, and sighed inwardly: "You all go down."

The maids and old women servants left on orders, and the roomful of young ladies also had to leave.

But Tang Luo spoke up: "You stay. You'll all be heads of households in the future. You should listen to how things are handled; can't spend your whole lives seeking pleasure in this garden."

He forcibly kept all the Jia family members a generation older than himself behind.

Including Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and Shi Xiangyun.

The three did not bear the Jia surname, but at this moment they were treated as Jia family members by Tang Luo.

Actually there was no difference; Lin Daiyu was the Jia family's maternal granddaughter, her parents both deceased, dependent on the Jia family's Rongguo Mansion.

The four great families Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue were originally of the same breath and connected branches.

The Xue family had only Xue Baochai, a mother, and an elder brother left, also relying on the current Jia family.

The Wang family and Shi family were not so; they did not rely on the Jia family.

But Shi Xiangyun was an orphan who lost her parents early, not valued within her clan; Grandmother Jia pitied her and often brought her to reside in Rongguo Mansion.

Rather than saying she was a Shi family member, it was better to say she was a young lady of Rongguo Mansion.

Tang Luo wanted Jia Baoyu and the others to stay, and Grandmother Jia had no good way to refuse.

However Grandmother Jia also kept her personal maid Xueyan.

Tang Luo didn't mind, looking at Grandmother Jia and asking: "Old Ancestor, this Grandmaster cultivation of yours wasn't obtained through normal cultivation, was it?"

Grandmother Jia nodded: "If I had obtained it through normal cultivation, why would I hide it?"

No longer concealing, she told the whole story of how she gained this cultivation.

It turned out that before Jia Daishan passed away, he deliberately transferred his power to Grandmother Jia.

Jia Daishan was a First-Rank Martial Artist; early on he suffered severe injuries, leaving hidden ailments — Grandmaster was out of the question, and his lifespan wasn't long either.

He was actually a decisive ruthless man; he simply gave up his last few years of lingering on, transferred his power to Grandmother Jia, and forcibly created a Grandmaster who wasn't a Grandmaster.

Why transfer power to Grandmother Jia?

Naturally there was a reason: because she was the only suitable candidate.

On one hand, Jia Daishan counted as the Jia family's final glory; he contended with two nations' martial experts on the border, maintaining the Duke's title.

Unfortunately he was away year-round, with no time to discipline his sons.

Grandmother Jia detested her eldest son Jia She, doted on Jia Zheng, and the result was both sons were useless.

The Jia family's highest martial artist was Grandmother Jia; at that time she was a Qi Refining martial artist.

On the other hand, the most important reason: the power transfer method was dual cultivation transfer; besides Grandmother Jia, there really was no second candidate.

And it couldn't be given to a concubine.

Thus Grandmother Jia became a Grandmaster just like that.

Such forced growth naturally brought great hidden ailments; Grandmother Jia's lifespan not only wasn't long, she couldn't act rashly either.

A normal Grandmaster acting is acting.

Grandmother Jia acting is gambling her life; every time she acts she consumes her own lifespan.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia's Grandmaster status was kept secret; only the Emperor and the Royal Grandmasters of the Heavenly Martial Hall knew.

Grandmother Jia would not act, nor would she use Grandmaster ability to strengthen the Jia family; she only served to maintain the Jia family's prosperity.

As long as Grandmother Jia doesn't die, the Jia family can continue in glory and wealth.

The Son of Heaven was also happy to see it succeed.

"I see. Hmm, the internal injuries and hidden ailments are indeed severe." Tang Luo glanced at Grandmother Jia and said.

Grandmother Jia's vomiting blood just now wasn't because Tang Luo injured her, but because she injured herself by acting.

Others kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred themselves.

Grandmother Jia kills a thousand enemies, loses fifteen hundred herself.

But it's already very good; wanting to injure a Grandmaster is no easy matter.

"But it can be treated." Tang Luo's next words made Grandmother Jia's expression change.

"Rong'er, what did you say?"

"I can treat it; once cured, Old Ancestor, you'll be a normal Grandmaster." Tang Luo said lightly.

"Is this true?" Grandmother Jia asked.

The rest of the people also wore faces of surprise and joy.

Tang Luo nodded: "The残篇 of the Six Desires Demonic Division Scripture also records some powerful martial techniques and accompanying martial arts; among them happens to be a life-saving method."

Don't ask; if you ask, it's the Six Desires Demonic Division Scripture.

But Grandmother Jia's face restrained the surprise and joy, she shook her head: "Improper. The Imperial family's side..."

It is improper; this pseudo-Grandmaster of hers, the Son of Heaven is happy to see it succeed.

But a complete, normal Jia family Grandmaster is absolutely not what the Son of Heaven hopes to see.

The Jia family having her, one pseudo-Grandmaster, is enough.

Any more would be a disaster instead; even slightly stronger martial artists are best not had.

Grandmother has no ambition to rise high; maintaining the current glory and wealth, not having to scheme and fight with others, shutting the door to enjoy herself, ignoring everything outside — that is her greatest wish.

This wish has now been realized.

Grandmother Jia naturally doesn't want to ruin it, creating complications out of nowhere.

Only a pity...

"Nothing wrong with it." Tang Luo waved his hand, overbearing to the extreme, "What I intend to do, no one can stop. If Gu Ling has any dissatisfaction, let him come and tell me."

By the way, I got information about the imperial family from Zhu Bajie's side.

And he directly called the emperor by name, not taking it seriously at all.

Hearing it made others' hearts tremble; Grandmother Jia reminded: "Rong'er, you should still be cautious—within the Ning and Rong mansions, there are more than just one or two ears and eyes."

There won't be any ears and eyes around Grandmother Jia—however you put it, she is a grandmaster with the strength to fight.

But elsewhere...

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia's expression changed: "Rong'er, your matter—"

Jia Rong handles things indiscreetly—well, one could say his conduct is arrogantly extreme, utterly unaware of what concealment means.

His affairs, I fear, the emperor already knows.

Tang Luo said indifferently: "Knowing is knowing—I originally planned to go anyway."

He stood up and walked to Grandmother Jia: "Ancestor, I'll treat your injuries now; later I'll go to the palace. No matter what, I must reclaim the duke's title. Otherwise, our ancestors will be disgraced."

Speaking, he reached out and pressed his hand on Grandmother Jia's head.

His clothes and long hair fluttered up without wind.

Grandmother Jia's clothes also moved without wind, her breath surging.

Transforming into a howling wind, even pushing aside the nearby mandarin ducks.

Treating an injury with such mighty presence!

This is a grandmaster!

After a few minutes, Tang Luo released his hand, the initiation complete—Grandmother Jia's hidden ailments and dark injuries vanished entirely; from now on, she is a normal grandmaster.

Beside him, Ao Yulie secretly shook his head. Having come to the Red Chamber world, his principal wife is Qin Keqing, yet the first initiation was given to Grandmother Jia.

Master, you really ought to pay more attention.

Wait—when we arrived, it was night; perhaps at that time, the master had already undergone initiation...

Ao Yulie thought, and instantly his brows danced with color, taking on a hint of Jia Huan's aura.

Fortunately, he reacted immediately, withdrew it, and matched Jia Huan's outstanding appearance—indeed worthy of being called a handsome young man.

Of course, he still can't compare to Ao Yulie himself.

He pondered having the master add some supplementary disguise techniques in the Six Desires Soul-Separation Chapter, so he could act in his original form later.

Tang Luo said: "This move is called 'Immortal's Hand on My Crown, Bound Hair Receives Longevity'—first use, and the effect seems good."

Grandmother Jia wanted to speak but hesitated—feeling this unworthy descendant had taken her as a "poison tester"?

Before Grandmother Jia could say anything, Tang Luo walked outward: "Come on, Ancestor—wait a moment."

His steps stopped; he took out a pile of《Great Power Monkey King Fist》, making people curious how he produced them.

Even the inner pockets of his clothes couldn't hold so many booklets.

"This Great Power Monkey King Fist is also a supplementary martial art from the Soul-Separation Chapter—take it and practice well. In three days, I'll personally examine you; if you achieve nothing—"

One can't help but ask: Is the《Six Desires Soul-Separation Chapter》you mentioned truly a fragment?

Tang Luo didn't finish his words.

Grandmother Jia almost pushed him away.

Go, go, go—just here scaring her precious grandson and granddaughter.

Grandmother Jia swore she had never seen such an irresponsible great-grandson; better let Gu Ling worry instead.

The two boarded the carriage and headed straight for the palace.

Tang Luo originally disliked the slowness, planning to directly "soar" to the palace and then "soar" back.

As a martial arts master, leaping over eaves and running on walls, soaring high and low—these are basic operations; if he can run on rooftops, he certainly won't touch the ground.

This is the dignity of a master.

But Grandmother Jia stopped him, saying if he wanted her to run all the way to the palace on the roof, she'd rather bang her head and die.

Everyone went their separate ways; below the nine springs, they would meet the Jia ancestors again to sort out right and wrong.

Tang Luo muttered a few "old stubborn" remarks, then they rode together in the carriage, again nearly killing Grandmother Jia with anger.

He once suspected this brat cured him just so he could boldly anger her.

An eighty-something grandmaster is hardly old and frail—casual anger causes no problems at all.

The carriage arrived before the palace and stopped; Tang Luo and Grandmother Jia got down.

A middle-aged man was already waiting: "Old Lady."

"Thank you, Master Xiang, for waiting." Grandmother Jia said.

This middle-aged man is named Xiang Bin, one of the three grandmasters serving the imperial household.

"No matter—His Majesty already awaits in the Martial God Hall; please follow me." Xiang Bin smiled, showing no trace of grandmaster arrogance.

Instead, Tang Luo nodded casually, looking extremely arrogant.

Xiang Bin didn't mind.

The Martial God Hall is not merely a palace; it is actually the imperial clan's "Martial Arts Institution."

Under it are the Martial Suppression Hall, Martial Practice Hall, and Offering Hall.

The place Xiang Bin brought Tang Luo and the others to is the Martial God Drill Ground.

Besides the surrounding iron-blood soldiers, there are four others, each towering like cliffs and peaks, bearing the aura of grandmasters.

Standing foremost is a man in dragon robes—undoubtedly the Emperor of Great Qian, Gu Ling.

Appearing around thirty, his actual age exceeds fifty; his martial cultivation is fourth-rank Qi Refinement, having reached the level of true qi protecting the body.

The other four are all grandmasters, each and every one.

The two Imperial Clan Grandmasters, the two attendants.

With Xiang Bin, who was leading the way, all the Imperial Clan Grandmasters were present.

"Your Majesty." Jia Mu performed a respectful bow.

Halfway through the bow, Gu Ling, who had been silent until then, suddenly smiled, stepped forward, and supported Jia Mu: "Old Lady, performing such a great salute would break me."

In that one bow and one sentence, both sides already understood each other's intentions.

Oh, it turns out they both just wanted peace—that's a good thing.

After helping Jia Mu up, Gu Ling looked toward Tang Luo.

Tang Luo returned the gesture perfunctorily, clasping his hands with no respect: "I have seen Your Majesty."

Gu Ling's pleasant mood from Jia Mu's respect instantly vanished, but he still said: "This is the Jia family's qilin, Jia Rong?"

Hmph, ignorant child! I'll make you understand right away who holds power in this Great Qian!

Tang Luo stared at Gu Ling, and silently thought to himself: "Soon you will know who holds power in this world."