“This must be Wu Feng from the Heaven Alliance, the Heavy Sword Master. I never thought that even hiding in a small place like the Wang family, I could still receive such a great expert…”
Wang Changfeng coughed dryly, his expression somewhat stiff. He now seemed like an outsider, as no one was speaking to him, leaving him with a feeling of being ignored.
“Lord Wang flatters me. I’m merely here to secretly protect the young master. Fortunately, you chose the right side just now; otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to stand here and chat peacefully right now!”
Wu Feng smiled. Although Wang Changfeng had hesitated for quite some time, he ultimately chose to side with Xiao Yufan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have even bothered to acknowledge the head of the Hidden Wang family.
“Indeed, indeed. Although I admit my judgment has been poor, I could still see through the Hidden Guo family’s sinister ambitions. Besides, the young master is Master Situ’s grandson; I wouldn’t want anything unexpected to happen to him here!”
Faced with such blunt words, Wang Changfeng could only offer a helpless smile. None of the Heaven Alliance’s three supreme experts were easy to deal with. The Heavy Sword Master, Wu Feng, might even have surpassed the Later Heaven stage, far beyond his ability to resist. Moreover, Wu Feng was senior to him by a generation, so such words were naturally justified.
“You’re still as hypocritical as ever. Now that you’ve lost the Hidden Guo family’s support, are you trying to switch sides to the young master now?”
For some unknown reason, Wang Wei suddenly felt a bit of pity for this man. Carrying the entire burden of the Hidden Wang family was no easy task. Yet, no matter how pitiable he was, Wang Wei felt no compassion.
“Xiao Wei, can’t you still let go of what happened more than ten years ago? I already know I was wrong. Can’t you forgive me, your father?”
Once again sharply rebuked by Wang Wei, Wang Changfeng’s face instantly aged several years. A man in his forties looked like a frail old man on the brink of death, as if Wang Wei’s heart had been pierced by needles.
“Father? Do you deserve that title? From the moment you abandoned my mother and me, I no longer had a father. Now, I only have hatred for you!”
Wang Wei had never imagined that he would one day cry again at the word “father.” In comparison, Xiao Yufan was much luckier, at least having caring foster parents who looked after him, and now he had reconciled with his biological parents.
“I don’t deserve to be your father, but I’ve already received the punishment I deserved. Your mother and aunt have left me, your grandfather is nearing the end of his life, and you refuse to acknowledge me as your father!”
A bitter smile appeared on his face, filled with regret and hatred. Wang Changfeng laughed. Only he knew how exhausting it was to carry the weight of the Hidden Wang family alone. He was well aware of how many people in the family were waiting for him to collapse.
Wang Wei’s body trembled violently. He stood there, stunned for a moment, his lips quivered, but he offered no rebuttal…
“Is that old man really dying soon?”
Even now, Wang Wei refused to call him “grandfather.” Because it wasn’t just his father’s fault that he and his mother were cast out—it was also that old man’s doing. Thus, he hated him just as much.
“He’s been suffering from chronic illness, and since he hasn’t broken through to the Later Heaven stage yet, he doesn’t have much time left. To think that our Hidden Wang family has fallen to this state!”
Wang Changfeng didn’t show any anger at Wang Wei’s words. He knew Wang Wei harbored hatred, and unless that hatred was released, he would never truly accept being part of the Hidden Wang family.
“If you two hadn’t been so heartless back then, everything might have been different—completely different!”
A hysterical roar seemed to release all his pent-up emotions. Hearing that the old man was nearing death, all his hatred was about to vanish, for despite his refusal to admit it, that man was still his grandfather, bound by blood.
“Your grandfather’s greatest wish is to see you one last time before he passes…”
Sighing, Wang Changfeng knew that whatever he said now, Xiao Wei wouldn’t listen, thinking he was just making excuses.
“He really wants to see me?” In an instant, the fortress Wang Wei thought was unbreakable crumbled at these words. Seeing this, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but smile slightly, secretly hoping that Wang Wei could finally let go of his hatred.
“Truly. If you can forgive him, please go inside and see him. Perhaps, there won’t be another chance…”
Seeing Wang Wei’s conflicted and struggling expression, a glimmer of joy appeared on Wang Changfeng’s face, but soon it was replaced by worry. The Hidden Wang family was in a precarious situation, and his heart was already weary.
“I…” For a moment, Wang Wei didn’t know what to say, standing there motionless.
“Go in and see him. After all, deep down, he’s still your grandfather, isn’t he? Don’t let regret consume you, and don’t let hatred leave you with lifelong sorrow!”
At this moment, Xiao Yufan finally spoke, and clearly his words carried weight with Wang Wei. After hesitating briefly, Wang Wei nodded and turned toward the inner hall.
Wang Changfeng glanced gratefully at Xiao Yufan, saying nothing. After all, everyone has a heart of flesh and blood. Wang Wei had softened, but his own heart was filled with guilt. For so many years, he had never given Wang Wei any love or care.
“You all can go into the main hall and rest first. Xiao Wei might not come out for a while.”
No matter what, he was quite satisfied with this outcome. As long as Wang Wei no longer harbored so much hatred toward the Hidden Wang family, perhaps that would be enough for him…
Glancing at Wu Feng, the Heavy Sword Master, and receiving a nod from him, Xiao Yufan also nodded. Although Wu Feng was under his grandfather’s command, Xiao Yufan knew he still needed to maintain a certain level of respect in front of such a powerful figure.
As for Qinglong, he carelessly walked into the hall. He felt some sympathy for Wang Wei’s plight, but thinking about his own situation—completely alone—he wasn’t much better off. If it hadn’t been for that incident leading him to meet Xiao Yufan and joining the Secret Division, he might still be wandering aimlessly.
Entering the main hall, Wang Changfeng put on a smile. In his eyes, the presence of the Heaven Alliance was reason enough to do so, for within the Heaven Alliance not only was there the old master, but also many powerful experts. These people could easily reduce the Hidden Wang family to ruins, even if the Hidden Wang family also had some inner-force experts who had broken through to the Later Heaven stage.
The reason Xiao Yufan stayed behind wasn’t only for Wang Wei’s sake; he also wanted to learn more about the Ancient Martial Arts Competition through Wang Changfeng…
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