Book 2 - Fame SpreadsChapter 33.1 - Fallout Between Brothers
Although Yuan family was not a big, influential family possessing a legacy of millenniums, it was still a family with centuries of history.
But this family had never seen the likes of an unusually strong expert. Moreover, the main clan was located near the suburban Zheng Tong county. Therefore, merely going by the influence of positioning alone, they were even inferior to Tai Cang countyâs He family.
However, precisely because Yuan family was situated at such a geographical location, and they had always been low key on top of that, they possessed such connections. Unfortunately, these connections couldnât a.s.sist them in resisting a powerful adversary.
In the outskirts of Zheng Tongâs county town, outside a huge manor, several galloping horses sounded.
After a few moments, eight fine horses arrived outside the manorâs entrance. Among these eight horses, one was particularly majestic.
This horseâs entire body was red without a single odd fur. Its color was the same as that of a plum. Upon witnessing this horse, n.o.body could resist uttering a word or two in praise.
The entrance opened soon after. An old servant walked out from inside and respectfully said, âLord, youâre finally back.â
Yuan Earnestâs complexion somewhat changed. His figure moved, placing two legs on the ground immediately, and said in a lowered voice, âSomething happened in the manor?â
That old servants shook his head. His vision s.h.i.+fted to the He Quanxin behind Yuan Earnest. As for He Yitian and He Yiming, heâd already subconsciously neglected them.
Yuan Earnest continued in a low voice, âBe a.s.sured. This is He familyâs Lord He Quanxin from Tai Cang county. With him here, even Fan Shui is nothing to worry about.â
These words were said resolutely and without a bit of hesitation. The weight of these words carried a power that could stir oneâs heart and soul.
Ever since Fan family had decided to deal with Yuan family, Yuan Earnest had been suppressed. As such, heâd used this opportunity to vent and let everybody know that the current Yuan family possessed the means to contend against the Fan family.
As expected, that old manâs face immediately lit up as he looked at He Quanxin with a gaze filled with reverence.
It was well-known that the current clan leader of Fan family, Fan Shui, was a tenth layer expert. Since this Lord of He family had the qualifications to contend against him, he must be an expert of the same rank as well.
Before such an expert, the old servant was naturally quite moved inwardly.
The news of Yuan Earnest returning home quickly spread throughout the manor. However, the even more important news was that heâd brought back a tenth layer expert with him, which undoubtedly boosted everyoneâs confidence in the manor.
When Yuan Earnest arrived in the main hall with He Quanxin, some people were already awaiting him.
A stout man stood on the stairs of the hall with a gratified smile on his face. As soon as he saw He Quanxin and the rest, he immediately stepped forward to welcome them.
âHaha, fifty years ago, this old man, together with elder brother He, left home and roamed for a full ten years in Heaven Sieve country to seek success. Afterwards, elder brother He stayed in the Heaven Sieve country. I, however, returned back to the clan. Itâs hard to imagine that it has already been more than forty years.â The old man heartily laughed, then said, âWe havenât seen each other for so many years, is elder brother He doing fine?â
He Yiming and the others immediately understood that this individual was certainly He Wudeâs old friend and also the current head of Yuan fa
mily, the old man Yuan Zeyu.
He Quanxin immediately stepped forward and kowtowed, âUncle Yuan, my father is completely fine except for his longing to see you.â
Yuan Zeyu promptly helped him up and said, âOur two families have been lifelong friends, you mustnât be so courteous.â
Behind He Quanxin, He Yiming inwardly muttered, âSeveral decades ago, perhaps you and grandfather were friends. However, after not seeing each other for so long, if the two familiesâ relations.h.i.+p hasnât been preserved through business, and if eldest uncle didnât have any use for you, you probably wouldnât have been so courteous either.â
Of course he only dared to say these words in his mind. He wouldnât dare say these words out loud in any case.
The two individuals chatted for a few moments outside the main hall before entering the hall on a polite reminder from Yuan Earnest.
The servants served tea. Yuan Zeyuâs vision fell on He Yiming and Yitian before he faintly smiled and said, âAfter not seeing each other for so long, elder brother He has already spread his reach so far out. Even the third generation has matured to this state.â He let out a long sigh and said, âLiling, even after bitter cultivation for twenty years, is currently only at sixth layerâs peak. However, nephew Yitian has already attained the seventh layer. Youâre indeed one of the heavenâs proud children.â
He Yitian stood up and deeply bowed towards the old man, âGrandfather Yuan, you praise me too much.â
Yuan Zeyu chuckled. But as his vision s.h.i.+fted onto He Yiming, he somewhat hesitatingly asked, âEarnest, whom of the He familyâs children is this?â
Yuan Earnest immediately said, âFather, this is brother Quanyiâs second son, He Yiming.â
(Tl: I am not sure if this was a mistake from author or intentional.)
Yuan Zeyu faintly nodded. Thinking that this was an ordinary disciple who had come to gain some experience, he didnât pay any attention to him after a simple greeting.
He Yimingâs fame in Tai Cang county had already reached the peak. Not only was he considered the number one expert among the young generation of the three influential families, many further believed that he could even be counted as number one amongst the seniors who had long since established their name in the county.
After all, during the Cheng familyâs wedding duel, He Yiming had pulled out a draw against Lin Taoli, who had previously defeated Xu Right.
However, Tai Cang county was after all quite a minor county seat. The reputation of a figure from here usually experienced a huge loss as it travelled to the regions outside. Those big clans didnât put such experts in their eyes at all. Moreover, the event of Lin Taoli suffering a loss had also not been proclaimed unbridledly. Therefore, He Yimingâs reputation had not been spread out even to the Jadeting region, much less to speak of Gold Forest country.
Yuan Earnestâs expression faintly flickered. Although he was not too clear on He Yimingâs reputation, heâd personally witnessed the latterâs strength during this timeâs journey. Be it casually throwing the chopper, or simply tossing the bandits afterwards, all of it implied a strength that he could only long for.
Although He Yitian was a seventh layer expert, as long as one was not blind, it was evident that the difference between him and He Yitian was not a small one.
Lightly coughing, Yuan Earnest said with a rather embarra.s.sed expression, âFather, nephew He Yiming is the number one expert of the He familyâs young generation.â
Yuan Zeyu then astoundedly turned his head and seriously measured He Yiming.
After a few moments, Yuan Zeyuâs complexion slightly transformed. In his eyes, He Yiming resembled an unfathomable well, the depth of which was beyond his measure.
Yuan Earnest added further oil by saying, âThe chopper that uncle He wielded back in the day had been pa.s.sed onto nephew Yiming as well.â
Yuan Zeyuâs eyes immediately brightened. As soon as he recalled that three hundred and sixty jin heavy chopper, he suddenly felt a chill deep within him, âSuch a heavy weaponâŠ. donât tell meâŠ. there is still someone else who can smoothly use this weapon apart from a guy like He Wude who possessed innate divine strength?â
However, looking at He Yimingâs appearance, he didnât strike him as a strong and bulky man in any possible way.
However, since Yuan Earnest had spoken as such, and He Quanxin and He Yitian had further preserved their calm expressions, these words must be true.
He sucked in a deep breath, âGood, heroes indeed start to emerge from a young age. This old man didnât expect to make such an error in judgement.â
He Quanxin lightly laughed and said, âSince weâve arrived, can you lay out the current circ.u.mstances?â
Yaun Zeyuâs smile somewhat stiffened. He bitterly smiled and said, âThis affair is a long and complicated one and is also my Yuan familyâs bad luck and failure.â
He Quanxin and the other two were inwardly astonished. They indistinctly felt that this affair was not as simple as they had imagined.
Yuan Zeyu heavily flicked his sleeves and suddenly spoke in a loud voice, âPrepare a feast, I wish to hold a welcoming dinner for our guests.â