Chapter 603: Tempering?

"Me? Continuing the family line?"

Le Zhuang seemed as if he'd heard a funny joke and was about to mock, but just as he finished speaking, he saw Xuanqing Daozhang's displeased expression and hurriedly changed the subject, saying:

"Uncle, you know I bear a sea of blood hatred; it's not just that I haven't dealt with Zhu Xing— even if I eliminated that brute Zhu Xing, I still have to guard against the Zhu Clan's retaliation. How could I dare to take a wife and have children? Isn't that a burden on others?"

At his age, he was at the tender age of yearning; over the years, though he had never been with a girl, there were a few he liked. Since he had never met them, his so‑called liking was merely a lust at sight. Encouraged by his grandfather, he had even thought about approaching the girls he liked.

During that time.

His grandfather often taught him the art of courting girls, even citing how he had pursued his own grandmother as an example.

He was initially hesitant, but after his grandfather's repeated encouragement and an inexplicable inner drive, he tried the methods his grandfather gave to pursue the girls he liked; unfortunately, without exception, each attempt ended in failure.

He was angry and resentful, once asking why one or two (girls) wouldn't even be willing to make contact, always sending him back and forth; he claimed his leg was crippled, but he was good‑looking.

Until then.

What he heard about the exceptions was mostly the same: their family had tangled with Zhu Xing. Though Zhu Xing wasn't currently doing anything to them, no one could guarantee that if Zhu Xing thought of their family, he wouldn't cause trouble. Even mere contact, let alone a relationship, could entangle them.

Offending Zhu Xing or the Zhu Clan naturally made them unwilling to have much contact with him.

One, two, three or four failures completely shattered his pride; at that moment, all he could think of in his mind was avenging his parents, leaving no room for any romantic feelings.

Continuing the lineage?

Or better not to bring disaster upon others!

Anyway, the old Le family had been poor for generations; they didn't even have a gold mine, let alone a profitable craft. Even if they continued the lineage, it would be useless, only ensuring that each generation remained impoverished and bullied, unless a miracle occurred, there would inevitably come a day when the family line was extinguished.

Since then.

The Le family's line was bound to be cut off someday; why not end it here?

"You're right; your most important task now is to master your skills and avenge your parents!"

Xuanqing Daozhang looked at Le Zhuang's demeanor; how could he not see that he was resisting the idea of continuing the lineage? He opened his mouth to say something, but a glance at the surrounding neighbors made the words at his lips instantly swallow back.

He didn't know why Le Zhuang opposed continuing the lineage; after all, it was his grandfather's dying instruction, and he knew Le Zhuang was a filial child.

Logically, one shouldn't defy a grandfather's final words, but he still did, indicating there were unavoidable reasons.

Forcing Le Zhuang to speak out in front of a crowd would easily cause him to lose face.

Though he was older, he wasn't the kind of old‑fashioned relic stuck in the past!

As for Le Zhuang's concern about Zhu Clan's retaliation, he had recently learned that the Zhu Clan was in contact with the river god of Liang Shui He, which stirred a bit of worry in his heart.

Not to mention that the current Zhu Clan even has an Imperial Attendant at the Golden Core stage, unlike the Zhu Clan when he left.

The Zhu Clan now was many times stronger than it had been then.

Originally, he was still pondering how to protect Le Zhuang so that he could avenge his parents without suffering Zhu Clan's persecution.

He hadn't expected.

The old Le family finally had something to boast about—no, it was their Wenjun who made a name, becoming the saintess of the Yin Yue Sect.

The Yin Yue Sect was formidable; even though they were in the netherworld, he had heard of them in the mortal realm.

He didn't know Wenjun's cultivation level; after all, decades had passed, and with Wenjun's innate Yin body plus the Yin Yue Sect's support, she wouldn't lack cultivation resources.

Even just a few decades would cause her cultivation to surge dramatically.

Frankly, compared to him, the difference would be night and day.

However.

The great power that separates the yin and yang realms is extraordinary; even if Wenjun has talent and resources, merely a few decades might not suffice.

Crossing the yin and yang realms to stand up for the old Le family.

But given the Yin Yue Sect's might, requesting a sect strongman to intervene, using her status as the sect's saintess, is still feasible.

This novel continues...

"Since that's the case, why does that girl Wenjun, in the netherworld, respond to Le Zizhen and his spouse, learn of their experiences, and even without her own power, cross the yin‑yang realms to defend the old Le family, and can still call upon a Yin Yue Sect master to act!"

In Xuanqing Daozhang's mind, countless speculations arose, yet he didn't think that once Wenjun became the Yin Yue Sect's saintess, she would no longer recognize her mortal identity.

If that were so, he wouldn't have arranged for Le Zizhen and his spouse to work in the Underworld, eat imperial rations, nor have them come to receive Le Wenmao, that unremarkable man.

Wenjun, no matter the time or place, always clings to past sentiments!

If Wenjun didn't act this way, there must be a reason!

Xuanqing Daozhang's peripheral glance fell on Le Zhuang; a flash of insight sparked in his mind, his eyes brightened, and he mused, "I understand!"

Wenjun, upon learning that Le Zizhen and his spouse met a tragic death at Zhu Xing's hands, and that other members of the Le family might still suffer Zhu Xing's persecution, did not summon a Yin Yue Sect strongman to cross the yin‑yang realms and defend the old Le family; she intended to temper her grandson, even if it meant Le Zhuang would face near‑certain death, and she didn't mind.

Since she resides in the netherworld, even if Le Zhuang perished at Zhu Xing's hands, she has the ability to retrieve him; she possesses a backing power.

Naturally, she can grind Le Zhuang to the brink of death; once he truly matures, it would be a boon for the perpetually poor old Le family, leaving a legacy for future generations in the mortal world.

Gu Liangong originally wanted to ask about the situation of Guimen Guan; even though he knew he couldn't invite Xuanqing Daozhang to perform Soul Salvation for himself at his own funeral, and even if he could summon him, Xuanqing Daozhang might still not be able to summon Guimen Guan, yet his heart always held unrealistic expectations.

Even if that hope had only a one‑in‑ten‑thousand chance, he was unwilling to give up.

He never imagined.

He actually heard Xuanqing Daozhang and Le Zhuang's conversation, discussing Le Zhuang avenging his parents.

Gu Liangong could not forget how formidable Zhu Xing and the Zhu Clan were, so he hurriedly said, not daring to let Xuanqing Daozhang and Le Zhuang continue discussing how to seek revenge on Zhu Xing:

"Kumu Daozhang, since old Le's wandering soul has already departed, do you think we can bury old Le so he can rest in peace early?"

(End of Chapter)