Chapter 53

“That’s for sure!” Zhou Yuan spoke with absolute certainty.

“Yes indeed, that’s exactly how things should be!” Zhou Ting spoke in a confident tone.

As Elder Xing witnessed this scene, he had an extremely warm compassionate gaze, and it was instead Zhou Yin’s father, Zhou Han, who had a worrying gaze in his eyes.

As he noticed how close his daughter had grown to Zhou Yan, and even had such great plans for the future third generations of the youth in the Zhou family, he felt slightly remorseful. He said in his heart, ‘If things were truly that simple, then all will be well. However, the main branch of the Zhou family had sealed Zhou Yan’s father away and had even reaped his soul from his body, mixing it within a Blade’s Spectre…

‘That man of great potential and reputation and the first acknowledged genius of the Zhou family, Zhou Yuntian, has been in horrible terms with Zhou Wangchen so when Zhou Yan enters the main branch, it would be hard to say if Zhou Yan would be able to train in peace.

‘Would Zhou Yan be alright if there was a lack of resources in the early stages of cultivation? Although he is truly gifted, it’s just a concern that his resources will be exhausted within this crucial year.

‘On top of that, to cultivate a true genius who has a twin Qi Column requires an endless stream of resources and the main branch of the Zhou family spent most of their resources on Zhou Yuntian. It seems that Zhou Yuntian had the most control over distribution rights within the main branch of the Zhou family, so when Zhou Yan enters its walls, would he be able to receive any of those resources for his twin Qi Columns?

‘These things are very likely to occur!

‘However, things might move toward a good direction. We cannot be sure.’

Zhou Han did not make an effort to predict since he was not in a high enough realm to predict the luck and fate regarding the development of the main branch of the Zhou family, hence he was completely oblivious to anything connected to the foresight of the main branch of the Zhou family. Furthermore, he was not even able to foresee Zhou Yan’s destiny and that he would be sent to the main branch of the Zhou family. Hence, this was even more impossible to predict.

He was slightly worried, but he said nothing since the third generation of youths were able to bask in such a rare moment of joy. He was unwilling to cause any worry for the things that had not happened yet and was even more unwilling to destroy such a painfully joyous occasion that Zhou Yan single-handedly made possible.

…

Zhou Yan paid no mind to the joyous and laid back environment.

He knew the world he lived in was a cruel one and based on the collective memories of the ancient sage, the young lad was able to very clearly see the turmoil and anguish that the ancient sage had gone through. There were plenty of memories of painful betrayal as well.

There were plenty of betrayals done without reason, and it only occurred when one was left with not enough leverage.

Hence, all he could do in response to the naive suggestion by Zhou Yin was nod and smile without saying much.

Besides, he could not disappoint a beauty that was so willing to leap into his arms!

After the young lad had a brief conversation with Elder Xing and the others, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, Zhou Yao, and the rest arrived alongside Zhou Lingyi.

As of then, Zhou Yan had already grown closer with Zhou Ying, Zhou Yuan, and Zhou Ting. However, he grew significantly closer to Zhou Ying to the extent that they were becoming closer than they were during childhood.

Zhou Yan recalled that he was actually quite sensible as a child but was slightly more mischievous as he intentionally lured Zhou Ying to examine his tiny manhood, while the young rascal casually examined the tiny slit of that young lass’ special place.

He was merely four or five years of age back then. It was indeed an age of mischief.

All of these events should have faded from his memories, but after he had inherited the will of the ancient sage’s soul, fragments of memories after the age of three gradually returned to him.

The image of the girl peeing from that time still resembles what he was seeing in that moment.

As Zhou Yan recalled, embers of lust were suddenly burning in his heart as he thought to himself if he was truly that evil.

Thus, his mind drifted toward a sinister thought. He wondered if Ying’er still remembered this event, and what that special place of hers looked like now?

As the young lad pondered, he could catch a glimpse of Gu Yan’s nervous demeanor from the corner of his eye, hence all the negative thoughts faded completely from his mind. Zhou Yan immediately turned around and said while looking directly at Gu Yan, “Uncle Gu, do you… not wish to follow alongside me?”

“Yan’er… It seems you’ve seen through my emotions…”

Gu Yan said with a bitter laugh.

“Yes, Uncle Gu. If anything’s troubling you, you may tell me. All will be well. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do all I can to fulfill your wish.”

Zhou Yan replied sincerely.

Gu Yan nodded as his heart was incredibly touched.

Even though there was an obvious drastic difference in Zhou Yan’s status—even Elder Xing greeted him with a smile when speaking to him—but he still treated Gu Yan with such respect! He was incredibly moved but it was all due to that fact alone that he was even more determined in his final decision.

“Yan’er, the thing is…”

Gu Yan began to speak.

At this very moment, Zhou Yuan, Zhou Ting, and everyone around them was curiously listening to what Gu Yan had to say.

These people had always assumed Gu Yan was merely Zhou Yan’s servant, but never did they expect that Zhou Yan would treat this ‘servant’ with such respect. Not a single display of pride nor arrogance could be seen from the young lad’s behavior.

To have treated anyone with such sincere and genuine respect, in all honesty, even Zhou Lingyi was moved by his gesture. She stared at Zhou Yan, and even she was unaware of how long she had been staring at the young lad.

“I’m glad to watch you enter the main branch of your family, and knowing you’ll no longer be plagued by danger and risks assures my heart.

“However, I’m worried about brother Xiao Zhan. I wish to care for him, to be by his side, and to regain his glory once again.

“This journey to the Zhou family made me understand plenty of things. And to watch you manifest the ferocity of the pale dragon from your sword seemed to have given me some form of newfound enlightenment—it seems I’ve touched the very edges of the Blade’s Menace.

“Hence, I can no longer accompany you on your journey to the main branch of your family. Besides, I was only a personal guard by your father’s side and hold a very low position. To be able to watch you grow is enough for me…”

Gu Yan had spoken plenty. He had also found his calling, and he no longer had the ability to protect Zhou Yan in the current state he was in.

“Alright Uncle Gu. Since you have decided, then I wish you well in the pursuit of your dreams. This is my Infinite Spatial Ring. I want you to have it.

“Within this ring holds an edict that would teach you the complete mastery of the Sword Art of Fall’s Water Heaven Piercing Blade, my knowledge in the mastery over the Sword Art of Pure Autumn, in addition to the full guide for gaining enlightenment over both the Sword’s Way of Bond and Despair and The Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade along with some Spirit Crystals… Uncle Gu, I’ve promised to let you venture out on your journey then you too, have to promise me to accept these resources and train well.

“We shall meet again someday.”

Zhou Yan’s words were sincere and it was from the very depths of his heart. His actions had touched the hearts of every single person present at that moment.

Through the young lad’s actions, there were no hints of pretentious behavior nor was it a facade. He was not pretending to act this way due to the number of people present.

Zhou Yan’s every word and every action was filled with an indescribable temperament of pure genuine feelings—it was as if the young lad had completely ignored the presence of every single person around him.

In the young lad’s world, contained only Gu Yan alone.

“Yan’er, this… This is too much…”

Gu Yan intended to refuse but Zhou Yan’s words were immeasurably sincere and the tone the young lad used was ‘weighted’.

This meant if Gu Yan refused to accept the young lad’s gift he was disregarding all of the young lad’s feelings. However, if he accepted such an exorbitant amount of resources… How could he even possibly have the heart to accept such a gift?

It was impossible for Gu Yan to be unaware of what an exorbitant number of Spirit Crystals Zhou Yan had gifted him since before his daughter had left, he received a message via flying sword telling him that his daughter received an unimaginable amount of Spirit Crystals from him and asked him not to worry…

It was all due to that reason alone that he was determined to venture into this place with Zhou Yan. A place he knew he would have a high possibility of dying!

Would he still retain his humanity to accept these resources after his daughter had already received plenty from the young lad?

This thought alone caused him to fall into a state of endless hesitation as he was wedged between two hard spots. If he had given Zhou Yan just slightly more than what he had already done for him, then all of this would no longer be an issue.

However, it was also due to his inability to set foot into the Zhou family household all these years that he was unable to be of much help to Zhou Yan. It seemed watching Zhou Yan suffered so much in the Zhou family caused him to feel extremely guilty.

“Uncle Gu, with the relationship we shared, do you still find the need to refuse? You’ve already allowed little Xi to follow me then there’s no need to feel estranged. ”

Zhou Yan said in a soft tone as in that single instance he was able to sense the conflicts in Gu Yan’s heart, hence he had made his move to console Gu Yan.

The heavens above would be the best witness toward the immeasurable sincere heart in this family! To have a relative this sincere, everything else would be worth it.

Zhou Yan would have no use for those resources since he had already gained enlightenment. The resources were no longer as important to him as before. Both of the slightly expensive treasures were gifted by Zhou Yuan and Zhou Ting, which were of no significant use to Zhou Yan.

As for the Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade, he had already memorized the sword art by heart.

Hence, Zhou Yan felt there was nothing too extravagant about that.

He did not say too much as all he wanted to say was in that single statement.

However, it was that single statement alone which had a massively greater impact that a million words combined.

“Yes, yes, yes indeed. Then, I will wholeheartedly accept. It seems your uncle… has climbed the social ladder.”

Gu Yan was both surprised and incredibly touched as the edges of both his aging eyes were already welling up with warm tears. Streaks of aging tears fell from his eyes.

In his lifetime, he had spilled plenty of blood but not a single drop of tear had fallen from his eyes. However, in that single instance, both his eyes stung as his emotions were seemingly uncontrollable.

…

This scene had affected plenty of people—even Zhou Xian who was known for his arrogance, had turned his head to face the opposite direction.

This single scene taught these people that every single person was still human, and was not as low as scum which anyone could simply step on! Hence, before looking down and stepping on anyone, they should take a second to ponder about how exactly the other person would feel.

This scene made every single person slightly aware of the deeper intricate meaning behind the Sword’s Way of Bond. It was as if Zhou Yan had infused the principles of the Sword’s Way of Bond in his every word and actions.

Every single word and action from this young lad was seemingly filled with the teachings and principles of the heavens!

Zhou Yan himself was an extremely handsome young lad, and now it seemed that his temperament was also outstanding, since he was also emanating a hidden yet elegant aura from the ancient sage. This alone would cause countless maiden to have an unforgettable and deep perception of the young lad.

At this very moment, the pupils chosen by Zhou Yan—Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi and Zhou Yao—were completely charmed by him as Zhou Yan’s position as their idol was unshaken and firm in their thirteen-year-old hearts!

However, Zhou Yan paid no mind to this scene since he no longer found the need to hide the emotions he felt, seeing that the young lad was never bothered by how people had perceived him to be. Hence, he would only do things according to his heart and do anything he desired to do.

Hence, while facing Gu Yan and upon realizing the determined will he had in his pursuit of knowledge, the young lad made no attempts in stopping him from leaving.

Besides, the power dynamics within the main branch of the Zhou family was slightly more complicated than usual, so Zhou Yan was unsure if Gu Yan—an outsider—had followed alongside him would be in any risk of danger since it was not guaranteed that because of Zhou Yan’s natural gifts, the members of the main branch of his family would assure that Gu Yan would never be bullied.

Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Yao, and the other third-generation of youths in the Zhou family on the other hand, were still at a very young age so if they were bullied, that would just be part of their training. However, Gu Yan was older and if he was insulted, then it would have affected him in a much greater way since he would be shamed by all.

Since Gu Yan was determined to train alongside Xiao Zhan, after Zhou Yan’s careful assessment, Zhou Yan promised him without any hesitation.