Chapter 248: Chapter 244: Belonging
Translator: 549690339
Facing Xu Lao Ying’s question, a hint of mockery flashed across Ji Fu’s face. He replied indifferently, “A family in ruins, where will they wander?”
Worldly wandering is a status symbol, employed by aristocratic families to flaunt their martial strength. A clan which could no longer use its ancestral name, what role would they have in this?
“Elder brother, your words are not correct. Which sacred place in the world did not start from obscurity? With your natural talent for forging the body, and possessing the Undying Bloodline, I’m confident that in the future, the Han Family will rise once more under your leadership, and return to the ranks of the sacred places of the world.” Xu Lao Ying praised sincerely.
As a great clan that delved deep into the research of bloodline, no one understood the terror of the Undying Bloodline better than the Xu Family. This unique bloodline, capable of augmenting vitality and healing wounds swiftly, was something every martial artist dreamed of obtaining.
Even a common countryside martial artist possessing this power could hope to reach the King Realm, as long as they did not overstep boundaries, let alone a sacred martial artist of the Han Family.
Bare in mind that, in terms of compatibility, the awakening of the Undying Bloodline in the body of a Han Family martial artist represents an even greater advantage than the generic Heaven-level Bloodline. Once Ji Fu reaches the King Realm and trains his Undying Battle Body to the fourth level, coupled with the regenerative strength of the Undying Bloodline-
Just give Ji Fu another hundred years, and there will be a Saint Lord-level powerhouse, an unkillable Saint Lord, no less.
Facing Xu Lao Ying’s praise, Ji Fu merely clasped his fists indifferently and said, “Younger brother, you are too kind. However, if the Han Family wishes to return, we will still need your help.”
“This.. I do not know what your younger brother can assist with?” Xu Lao Ying asked in confusion.
Ji Fu gave a faint smile, “Nothing much. I only ask that my younger brother return the Boundary Breaking Stone of the Han Family that you hold.”
A thousand years ago, when the Han Clan was ruined, they managed to retain a spark of life despite having lost many precious records. This loss and broken connection could cause even a domineering aristocratic family to dwindle to a state of impoverishment overnight, and which clan in the world could guarantee everlasting victory?
Therefore, a wise clan would choose to lay low even in their prime, hidden in the great spiritual treasury of every realm and wait for the situation to turn to their advantage.
Undoubtedly, the Han ancestors were not just among the strongest people of this continent, they were also the wisest. At the zenith of their power, they did not just takeover each minor spiritual realm and transform it into a treasury, but took the Boundary Breaking Stones and converted them into heirlooms of white jade and distributed them to their important descendants as heirlooms. If the Han Clan were ever in a crisis, as long as one member of the Han family escaped, they could infuse the white jade with heart vein blood, return the Boundary Breaking Stone to its original form, and open the corresponding minor spiritual realm.
These scattered minor spiritual realm treasuries across the mainland served as the capital for the Han Family to rise again after their downfall.
Among the countless secret treasuries of the Han family, those in Longzhou, Zhongzhou, and Yuanzhou were the most abundant, for they were held by the legitimate sons of Saint Han.
Therefore, over the past one thousand years, the Han family’s descendants changed their names and surnames, scattered across various parts of the continent to search for the white jade with the character “Han”. They managed to open more than a dozen minor spiritual realms, and for each realm they opened, the Han family could regain a hundred years’ worth of accumulated power. Regrettably, the whereabouts of the three major treasuries remains unknown to this day.
About a decade ago, Han Qianhu found a treasured jade of the Han Family in Zhongzhou, presumed to be the Boundary Breaking Stone of the Zhongzhou treasury. However, they were pursued and attacked before the treasury could be opened.
If Ji Fu hadn’t discovered Han Qjanhu’s bodyguards in Beimang a few years ago, I’m afraid this information would have been buried with Han Qjanhu’s death.
After searching in multiple directions, everyone concluded that Han Qianhu would have hidden his wife and children somewhere along the Lingjiang River. They were sure of Han Qianhu’s thought process.
Han Qianhu had traveled to the southern regions after passing the Lingjiang, further confirming their speculation.
This time, Ji Fu led his men to Xiling under the guise of merchants, meticulously investigating every city along the upstream and downstream sections of Lingjiang. They were determined to find Han Qianhu’s wife and children, and get the Boundary Breaking Stone that reportedly belonged to the Zhongzhou treasury!
Perhaps Heaven was blessing the Han family. The moment they entered the city to attend the auction, they shockingly saw the Boundary Breaking Stone that had already been activated. Ji Fu was astounded at the sight.
But this precious jade was snatched up by Xu Lao Ying. Ji Fu would not have been so courteous if he didn’t cherish the friendship between the Han and Xu families from thousands of years ago, and if his counterpart hadn’t treated him with manners.
Xu Lao Ying turned pale upon hearing Ji Fu mention the Boundary Breaking Stone. He was at a loss for words.
Seeing Xu Lao Ying’s expression, a spark of anger ignited in Ji Fu’s eyes. He demanded, “Young brother, what do you mean by this? Could it be that you intend to claim the Boundary Breaking Stone of the Han family as your own?” “No, no, no… It’s just….’1 Xu Lao Ying waved his hands hastily. Before he could explain, a voice sounded from behind him.
“It’s just that you got it wrong – this Boundary Breaking Stone is now the property of the Tang Clan. Your younger brother is not in a position to make decisions regarding it.” Tang Luo strode forward holding the Zitan wood box and proclaimed.
Looking at the Zitan wood box, and then at Tang Luo’s insincere smile, Ji Fu’s face turned ashen, “Younger brother, is this your doing?”
In his eyes, the Tang family was just a vassal of the Xu family – Tang Luo, a son of the vassal family, wouldn’t dare to speak such words to him. For Tang Luo to be so bold, he must have someone backing him, and that person had to be Xu Lao Ying who was standing right beside him.
Ji Fu was filled with boundless rage and melancholy at this moment. As a sacred place betrayed by a fraternal tribe once before, Ji Fu shouldn’t have held much hope for this worldly friendship. Yet, the reappearance of such two-facedness triggered a sensitive nerve in his brain.
“I didn’t mean it!” Xu Lao Ying looked into Ji Fu’s angry eyes and said sincerely.
Before he met Ji Fu, he did indeed plan to take possession of the Han family’s treasury, as he was to become the Saint Lord of the Xu family and needed treasures to establish his power base. After his success, he would return everything to the descendants of the Han family and assist them in rebuilding the Han family.
Xu Lao Ying had this cause and effect all planned out, and believed it with all his heart. However, unexpected events followed one after another from the moment he met Ji Fu.
When they arrived at the valley, he began to think about returning the Boundary Breaking Stone, but Tang Luo instructed him otherwise.
“From this point onward, the Boundary Breaking Stone is my private property, regardless of what demands Ji Fu makes of you. You’re to tell him that you’re not the one to make decisions about this item.”
“But the stone rightfully belongs to the Han family…” Xu Lao Ying said weakly.
“It used to perhaps, but it’s mine now.” Tang Luo stated flatly, “I bought it at the auction by paying 7,010,000 gold coins.”
“No matter how much you recognize the Han family, remember this – now that this Boundary Breaking Stone is in my hands, I am absolutely not going to return it because of historical reasons.”
“If you feel really uncomfortable about it, you can give your share to Ji Fu. This is the bottom line of my attitude. As for my share, even if the Emperor of Heaven were to come, he couldn’t take it away.”
Xu Lao Ying looked troubled, “Isn’t that a bit…
“You don’t need to worry, just do as I say! If Ji Fu asks you for the Boundary Breaking Stone, don’t utter a word, let me handle it.” Tang Luo was too lazy to keep discussing with Xu Lao Ying. How could a son of a saintly person understand the hardship of the prosperity of an aristocratic family?
An opportunity to catch up with a sacred place with only a thousand years gap was right in front of him; Tang Luo would under no circumstance let it pass..