Despite being founded by the Ancestor of the Wei family who named it after him, Wei Shan, the Weishan City as well as the family's era of maximum influence was long gone by now.
Even though the Patriarch of the Wei family was a peak stage Venerable powerhouse, he was getting old. Wei Yunliang was powerful, but he was stuck at the peak of Venerable realm for the last two thousand years. Those seeking to antagonize him would call him as the "Forever Venerable" behind his back. That's because nobody would dare to mock him openly. His fiery temper and martial prowess made short work of those that tried. Besides his reputation being sullied, he also had a temper when someone would dare to pick on his immediate family. That family included his wife, Zhao Shuqin, whom he still loved despite her nagging him and trying to make him give up the cultivation world in order to live a peaceful life. He loved her, but not enough to give up the life he was living. Regarding his son, Wei Yance, even though he was a middle stage Venerable, he was proud of him only for two things: for marrying his daughter-in-law Shang Yunfei and for finally giving him a grandson to spoil. But he still had hopes for a granddaughter, even though there has been six years since his grandson was born. After all, hope is what keeps people going forward. Wei Yunchen, his grandson, was a quick-witted brat pampered by everyone. And if anyone would dare bully him, it would be enough for him to go crying to his grandma. Not that would happen often, but that old woman still had her youthful fiery temper when her grandson was threatened. Her fiery temper made him fall for her tricks so long ago.
The old man was sitting at the head of the table smiling while perusing his long beard through his fingers as he was looking at his family sitting around him. His white hairs were shining in the light coming from the big luminescent pearls hanging above them from the ceiling. Each pearl had enough power stored to last a hundred years. Even though they were in decline, they still had enough fortune to live a plentiful life.
His wife was sitting on his left, also watching their family with a smile. Only when her eyes reached her son, she would scowl. She had the same hope for a granddaughter as her husband and that brat wouldn't hurry up in making their wish come true soon enough. Though her grandson was perfect, she still felt the need for a girl to spoil. As about her daughter-in-law, she was most happy with her son's choice. As a matter of fact, that was the only good choice he made in his entire life. That and giving her Chen'er. That brat knew how to wrap her around his finger.
Yance was sitting in front of his father and Yunfei was sitting at his left. He was currently whispering something in Yunfei's ear, making her blush and giggle like a little girl. Yunchen was sitting at his grandfather's right side and mother's left side. Also, he was sitted right across from his grandma. Also, as usual, his grandma and grandpa were doting on him. The most tasty food was his. Both grandparents and also his mother were stuffing his plate so that it was always full. Finally he couldn't take anymore and took the plate off the table to stop them. Everyone laughed as he ate holding the plate on his lap.
It was a normal happy family dinner. Until a servant came followed by the least favorit person Yunchen ever met in his short life. Seeing him coming into the room, everyone's mood soured. His grandfather's smile vanished, being replaced by a deep scowl. He saw his father gritting his teeth while holding his mother's hand, who flinched at his sight. Yunchen didn't like seeing his mother scared like that. Didn't like it at all. And before he could stop himself, the words came pouring out of his mouth, surprising everyone in the room, especially the man carrying the affected smile.
"What are you doing here? You weren't invited at our dinner, so it's time to leave. Now!"
The man's smile faded as he gritted his teeth, his face turning purple from lack of oxygen. He finally let out the air in his lungs with a whooshing sound. Yunchen felt his breath and made a scene of shaking his hand in front of his face in order to refreshen the air around him. His grandmother started laughing at his action while the man lost the last shred of dignity he had left. He finally couldn't endure it anymore. He was a Venerable rank cultivator after. Basic level, but still. How could he endure in silence as a brat of six years mocked him in front of everyone. And nobody did anything to stop him from acting like a pampered brat.
"Listen here, you little tailbone maggot! If nobody taught you how to behave in front of your elders, I'll teach you myself about what means to be respectful."
He raised his hands and Yunchen suddenly felt the air closing around him and felt his chest starting to cave under the pressure. He gritted his teeth while looking at his opponent and smiled mockingly. But as soon as the air pressure appeared, it also disappeared. He looked around in confusion when he saw a flash of lightning and heard a sudden boom followed by the image of the man starting to flyi across the room, ending smashed against the entrance wall, making the entire room shake. Then he slid down along the wall and when he fell on the floor started vomiting blood.
That's when he saw his grandfather. But he wasn't the usual good-natured old man from before. The long white hair was flailing through the air behind him and his eyes turned silver as lightning flickered across his whole body. His voice boomed even louder than the earlier bang.
"How dare you! You come inside my house without being invited and start picking on my grandson? Dongyi, thank your lucky stars your father was my brother, otherwise you wouldn't have gotten only some broken ribs. Now, leave before I change my mind and end your miserable life where you stand. It seems that since I retired from handling the family affairs everyone started thinking of me as a weak old man. Well, you're mistaken dear nephew of mine! And you better learn some manners yourself for the next time you're in my presence. Now leave!"
Wei Dongyi stood holding his chest while gritting his teeth and huffing soundly between his clenched teeth. With a final glare at those inside the room and especially a vicious one at the brat and the old man, left the room cursing under his breath.
Yunchen looked at his grandfather still standing by his side. Feeling his gaze, the old man released the tension from his body and finally the flickering stopped and his hair took it usual place hanging along his back. When he turned his head to his grandson smiling, Yunchen saw the usual dark brown color of his eyes has returned. He saw him lifting his hand reaching for him and he couldn't help himself from flinching, remembering what happened a few moments earlier. His grandfather saw him flinching and stopped his hand from getting closer to him. He realized the boy had seen him like that for the first time and knew his earlier actions scared him, even though he acted on his grandson's behalf. He barely managed to whisper softly.
"Chen'er, are you alright? Did he hurt you?"
The boy shook his head, finally finding the courage to look him again in the eyes.
"I'm fine grandpa. He flew away before he could hurt me."
His grandpa grinned proudly.
"He flew quite fast, didn't he? Don't worry, he won't dare lift a finger at you while I'm around. Now, hurry and go take a walk through the gardens with your mother and grandma. I have something to discuss with your father."
Yunchen saw his father's grim face and the worried looks his grandma and mother exchanged while they walked out the door to go run through the huge gardens at the back of the mansion. They walked to his favorite place close to a big tree. His mother and grandma sat in the shade, enjoying the breeze while watching him running around. Yunfei finally broke the silence between them.
"I hope father won't be too hard on my husband. After all, nobody expected him to act like that. Bullying a child was the last thing everyone ever thought of him being capable of. He was such a gentle man in the past. I don't know why he'd changed so much."
Zhao Shuqin looked at her for a moment. She liked her daughter-in-law. Even more so since she and her husband raised her since her father died so long ago. But sometimes she was too naive for her own good.
"Girl, wake up. You're a mother now. Your first worry should be your child. Your husband is a grown man who can take care of himself. But today he failed in his duty as a father. Whatever he gets, he fully deserves it. And that bastard, you'd better erase him from your thoughts."
Yunfei flinched at her sudden coldness towards her. She wasn't like that usually. She nodded while watching Yunchen tumbling through the grass.