Chapter 31: Dramatic Change (Nine)

Xiao Yulong's words made Xiao Lie tremble all over. His pupils constricted suddenly, and he stood frozen in place. Seeing Xiao Yulong's sinister sneer, he immediately understood that the whispers he'd uttered days ago in front of his son Xiao Ying's grave had all been overheard by him!

Xiao Yulong's revelation instantly caused an uproar. Everyone gasped and turned their gaze towards Xiao Lie. When they saw Xiao Lie's extremely unusual reaction, their shock intensified manifold, and the murmuring grew louder. Xiao Che was utterly stunned, completely bewildered by Xiao Lie's reaction. Xiao Lingxi also looked blankly at Xiao Lie.

"Yulong! What is the meaning of this?" Xiao Yunhai frowned and asked in a deep voice.

Xiao Yulong turned sideways and respectfully replied, "Father, a few days ago, when I went to the back mountain cemetery to pay respects to our ancestors, I happened to encounter the Fifth Elder. He was standing in front of his son Xiao Ying's tombstone, muttering to himself... I heard him clearly. He was saying... Xiao Che is not Xiao Ying's biological son at all!"

From Xiao Yulong's previous words and Xiao Lie's reaction, people had vaguely guessed the truth, but Xiao Yulong stating it so bluntly still felt like a thunderclap out of nowhere. Everyone in the Xiao Sect was completely stunned, and those who were familiar with or friendly with Xiao Lie stared with wide eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.

"This..." Xiao Yunhai also looked astonished and immediately said sternly, "Yulong! This is a matter of lineage, you absolutely cannot speak nonsense!"

Xiao Yulong said seriously, "For such a significant matter, I would, of course, not dare to lie. What the truth is, we can find out by asking the Fifth Elder... Fifth Elder, I believe you clearly heard what I just said. If your conscience is clear, and Xiao Che truly is your biological grandson, then do you dare to swear upon all the honor your son Xiao Ying had in his lifetime?"

All eyes converged on Xiao Lie. He stood rigid, his expression growing increasingly bitter. For a long while, he remained silent, offering no defense... His son, Xiao Ying, was his greatest pride in this life. Even if he were to die, he could never swear an oath at the cost of all Xiao Ying's honor.

Xiao Che opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak. A heavy sense of oppression rapidly spread throughout his chest and body.

"Father, how can Xiao Che not be your biological grandson...? Father, speak quickly, tell them!" Xiao Lingxi frantically shook Xiao Lie's body, her voice filled with panic.

But Xiao Lie remained petrified, silent for a long time. His face quietly became dejected, and he seemed to age over a decade in an instant.

"Fifth Elder, what's going on? Is what Yulong said true?" Xiao Yunhai pressed, his brows tightly furrowed and his face agitated.

Xiao Lie slowly raised his head and took a deep, ragged breath. Xiao Yulong was forcing him to swear upon his son, Xiao Ying... This was something he could never do. Thus, the secret he had kept for sixteen years was destined to be revealed. He had thought this matter would remain hidden for his entire life, until his dying day, but he never expected it to be so mercilessly exposed so quickly, in such an unforeseeable setting, and in front of so many people.

Xiao Lie's demeanor was an admission. Otherwise, he could have sworn the oath without hesitation, silencing Xiao Yulong. Everyone in the Xiao Sect was dumbfounded. Even Xia Qingyue's eyes were wide with surprise. Xia Hongyi, who had been silently standing on the periphery, also looked astonished... Xiao Che wasn't Xiao Ying's son? How could this be?!

"Grandfather..."

Xiao Che walked up to Xiao Lie, each step incredibly heavy. Seeing Xiao Lie's face, which seemed to have aged significantly in an instant, Xiao Che felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. He struggled to remain calm and asked in a very soft voice, "Grandfather... could this... be true?"

Xiao Lie lowered his head. He looked at Xiao Che, a bitter smile on his face. In his somewhat clouded gaze, a complex emotion that Xiao Che couldn't discern was evident. "Even though you're not my biological grandson, I've always treated you as such all these years..."

His previous silence was an unspoken admission, but this sentence was a clear, unambiguous acknowledgment for everyone to hear. The Xiao Sect instantly erupted. This was undoubtedly the most explosive news they had heard in their many years in the sect.

Xiao Che stood there, utterly dazed and silent for a long time, as if his soul had left his body. Xiao Lingxi was also stunned. She vigorously shook her head and cried out emotionally to Xiao Lie, "Father! What are you saying...? Xiao Che grew up with me; he's my brother Xiao Ying's biological son, so how could he not be your grandson...? You must be joking... right?!"

A hand reached out and grasped Xiao Lingxi's. Xiao Che's expression had by then returned to normal. He looked at Xiao Lingxi, a faint smile on his face, and gently shook his head, "It's alright, Auntie. Grandfather has always been my grandfather, and you've always been my auntie. We've always been the closest family. Regardless of blood ties, our feelings won't change... So, does it really matter if I'm biologically related?"

"Xiao Che..." Xiao Lingxi's eyes suddenly became misty.

Meanwhile, a few "mad dogs" who had suddenly seized a huge "handle" against Xiao Lie began to bark wildly.

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! A junior we've raised for sixteen whole years in the Xiao Sect turns out not to be one of our own, but a wild child with outsider blood... This is the biggest joke in the history of our Xiao Sect!" roared Elder Xiao Li, his face contorted with fury.

"Xiao Lie! You brought a wild child into our Xiao Sect and let us cultivate him for sixteen years! How... how can we even describe what you've done! Sigh!" Elder Xiao Ze sighed heavily.

"You knew he was a wild child, yet you kept him in the Xiao Sect, letting him enjoy the treatment of an Elder's grandson! Xiao Lie, you've deceived our entire sect for sixteen years! If it hadn't been for Yulong's fortunate discovery, we might have been kept in the dark for our entire lives. By then, the Xiao Sect's lineage would have been mixed with outsider blood! Xiao Lie, do you understand what a grave sin this is?!" Elder Xiao Cheng pointed at Xiao Lie, his old face flushed with agitation.

Second Elder Xiao Bo cursed, "No wonder, while our Xiao Sect disciples all have extraordinary talent, suddenly such a waste with crippled profound veins appeared! So, this 'waste' the Xiao Sect raised for sixteen years turns out to be a wild child! If this gets out, our Xiao Sect will become the laughingstock of Flowing Cloud City!"

It wasn't just the Four Elders; the middle-aged generation, including the deacons and stewards affiliated with the four Elder factions, also stepped forward, mercilessly accusing Xiao Lie. In an instant, Xiao Lie became the target of everyone's scorn.

"Fifth Elder, this... this... sigh!" Xiao Yunhai's expression shifted several times before he let out a long sigh.

"Heh heh, what a truly absurd spectacle I've witnessed. The Xiao Sect, which has worked so hard to develop to this point, actually has a wild child mixed in from who knows where! Even I feel ashamed for you!" Xiao Kuangyun spoke, his voice still sharp and unpleasant. He glanced at Xiao Che and said indifferently, "Today is the Xiao Sect's assembly. Besides members of the Xiao Sect, only invited guests are permitted. There's no room for extraneous individuals! Sect Master Xiao, what are you waiting for? Get this wild child out of here! From now on, he is never to step foot in the Xiao Sect again!"

"Ah... this..." Xiao Yunhai's face showed a hint of "unwillingness," but after a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and turned to Xiao Che, saying, "Xiao Che, the Fifth Elder has admitted you are not his grandson, and you have no bloodline of our Xiao family within you... Although our Xiao family has raised you for sixteen years for nothing, you were unaware of this for those sixteen years. If we were to demand anything from you, it would clearly make us seem heartless and petty... Go. Leave our Xiao family immediately. From now on, you will owe us nothing, nor will you bear any grievances. You are never to step foot in our Xiao family again!"

All eyes focused on Xiao Che again, many sighing silently in their hearts. Yet, there was not a trace of pleading or sadness on Xiao Che's face. After hearing Xiao Yunhai's words, he merely smiled faintly, a calm and sarcastic smile. "No need for the Sect Master and Elders to trouble yourselves. Since I don't belong to your Xiao Sect in the first place, I will leave... and I'll leave immediately!"

He stood before Xiao Lie, his gaze trembling. After a long pause, he asked, somewhat bewildered, "Grandfather... if I am not your grandson, then who are my biological parents?"

Xiao Lie had long known he would ask this question. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. "I don't know. Ying'er found you outside. Even he didn't know who your biological parents were..."

"..." From the flickering, complex light in Xiao Lie's eyes, Xiao Che knew this wasn't Xiao Lie's true answer. He must know something about Xiao Che's real background, but in front of so many people, he simply couldn't say it.

With a thud, Xiao Che knelt heavily before Xiao Lie and said sincerely, "Grandfather, though I am not your biological kin, for these past sixteen years, you have treated me far better than your own. You raised me, nurtured me, protected me, and expended countless effort and care on me. This sixteen years of kindness is something I can never repay in my lifetime. I have always been incredibly fortunate to have such a good grandfather as you. Although I only learned today that I have no Xiao family blood, what does it matter? You are my grandfather, and I am your grandson. Even if our blood differs, this bond of kinship will forever remain in my heart! As long as you don't disdain me, Grandfather, I will always be your grandson!"

These words caused a tremor in everyone's hearts. Xiao Lie's eyes quietly welled up. He nodded heavily, then in a hoarse voice, said "Good," and reached out to help Xiao Che up. But Xiao Che avoided his hand, bent his upper body, and kowtowed three times deeply to Xiao Lie.

"Grandfather, Auntie, after I leave, no matter what happens, please take good care of yourselves and stay healthy..."

When Xiao Che stood up, his forehead was already bruised. Yet, the smile on his face remained as gentle as a warm spring breeze. He turned around and walked calmly towards the main gate. He didn't want to leave... because his grandfather and auntie were still here, and he wanted to protect them with his life... but he had to leave. Otherwise, his grandfather and auntie would suffer unforeseen repercussions. Moreover, even if he wanted to stay, he would inevitably be forced out.

"Xiao Che!"

From behind him came Xiao Lingxi's tearful cry. Xiao Che's steps faltered slightly but didn't stop. He didn't look back, resolutely heading towards the gate... No one knew the profound layers of anger, resentment, and murderous intent hidden beneath his quiet, peaceful exterior at that moment...

He possessed an extraordinary mind and composure, but he lacked power... Without power, he couldn't fight back, couldn't protect his grandfather and auntie, and didn't even have the strength to struggle... He could only be expelled like this... On the day he was reborn, his desire for power was merely an instinctive pursuit of great strength. But now, his yearning for formidable power was hundreds, even thousands of times more intense than it was then...

He yearned for immense power to protect his grandfather and auntie, to wipe away all disgrace, to make everyone who showed their ugly faces today regret it, to see Xiao Kuangyun die a miserable death... and even to make the entire Xiao Sect pay a price that would never be forgotten!

"Please... ensure the safety of my grandfather and auntie..."

As he passed by Xia Qingyue, Xiao Che spoke in a voice only she could hear. This man, who exuded mystery and arrogance in every aspect, revealed a deep plea in his eyes as he spoke those words... Perhaps he had never begged anyone in his entire life, which made his plea particularly piercing. Xia Qingyue's heart trembled heavily, and she felt a momentary sense of suffocation... Almost involuntarily, she slowly nodded.