Cha Eun Xiao Is Home . . .
"What?"
Cha Shuqing, Gramp Cha, and Cha Nantian all rose abruptly, a sense of urgency painting their expressions. The guard, who had caused this collective reaction, felt a twinge of panic at their dramatic response.
"What does this young man look like?" Cha Nantian inquired with an edge of nervousness in his voice.
"He's quite young, about seventeen or eighteen," the guard replied. "He has a handsome face, resembling you about seventy percent, but even more strikingly handsome." Before the guard could finish his description, Cha Nantian had already left the room in a whirlwind of motion.
"Stupid kid! Why does he have to come now when everything is in turmoil? This is not a good time…" Cha Nantian muttered to himself, his worry evident. "Foolish child... it would have been far better for you to arrive after the Cha Clan's leadership and the other clans were in disarray... Isn't this a perfect opportunity for you to capitalize on? Gosh, you are still too young. Your thinking is overly simplistic. Why do I have such a naive son..."
Gramp Cha quickly followed Cha Nantian as they both reached the gate, where two men stood.
Gramp Cha's gaze lingered primarily on the younger of the two. This young man wore white attire and possessed sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, a slender physique, and an exceptionally handsome face. His presence exuded an aura of extraordinary strength, and as Gramp Cha looked at him, he felt that this young man outshone all the other youths in the clan.
The likeness between this young man and his son was striking. In Gramp Cha's eyes, this young man bore a seventy percent resemblance to the current Cha Nantian but was an astonishing ninety percent identical to the Cha Nantian of his youth. He couldn't help but think that this young man might even be more handsome than his son in his younger years.
This extraordinarily handsome young man was undoubtedly his grandson – his true grandson, one who might even surpass his son.
"Xiao Xiao!" Cha Nantian exclaimed as he rushed forward, sounding both pleased and anxious, though an underlying trace of anger was evident. His son's abrupt return in the midst of such dire circumstances would undoubtedly provide an opportunity for turmoil within the clan.
"Father!" Cha Eun Xiao greeted his father with a warm smile. Though he was now undeniably stronger than his father, the bond between them remained unbreakable. "It's been a while, and I thought it was time to return home."
Cha Nantian heaved a sigh. "It's not a good time for your return, but what's done is done. Come in quickly. Oh, by the way, this is your grandfather – your first meeting with him."
Cha Shuqing was overcome with joy, causing his face to flush red, and his voice trembled. "You are... You are Xiao Xiao... What a handsome young man. You're even better looking than your father. Really... Good child... Good lad..."
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't completely conceal his reluctance as he responded, "Grandpa." He then turned to Cha Nantian and said, "I heard... that no one spoke up to protect us in the past."
Upon hearing this, Gramp Cha's face stiffened and darkened. In response, Cha Nantian pretended to be angry. "What are you saying? He's your grandfather."
He then whispered to Cha Eun Xiao, "You're right, but don't blame him any longer. He couldn't do anything. Because of your mother and me, your grandpa was removed from his position as Chief. Our faction suffered a significant setback within the clan... Most of the cultivation resources we used in the Land of Han-Yang were provided by your grandparents. They were stockpiling those resources for us..."
Cha Eun Xiao's countenance softened upon hearing this.
Though he recognized that the resources his grandparents had gathered hadn't significantly contributed to their cultivation progress, Cha Eun Xiao acknowledged the considerable effort they must have put forth, considering their own circumstances. He contemplated that if his grandfather had been a less compassionate father, he might have taken extreme measures to safeguard his own privilege. It was genuinely impressive that his grandfather had been willing to do so much for his father.
Indeed, not all fathers possessed the same thoughtfulness and devotion as Cha Nantian.
"Come inside, and let's talk," Gramp Cha sighed and expressed regret. "We failed to look after you... Come on, let's return home. Your grandmother will be elated when she sees you..."
Cha Eun Xiao cleared his throat slightly and explained, "This is... a good friend of mine. We met on the road, and I'm fortunate to have his protection all the way here..."
The friend in question was, of course, Han Bingxue. Han Bingxue was careful not to be impolite as he respectfully bowed and addressed them, "Uncle... or perhaps, bosses, I... Please accept my respect as a plebeian..."
Inwardly, he was conflicted. [Cha Eun Xiao has assumed this boy's body and now addresses these people as family. What about me?]
After a moment of contemplation, Han Bingxue decided to refer to them as "bosses." He had briefly considered the term "humble nephew" but ultimately settled on "plebeian." However, this choice left both Cha Nantian and Gramp Cha feeling somewhat perplexed.
[What does he mean? He appears to lack the bearing of an influential figure, speaking oddly. How could that youthful face be of any assistance? We would have no need to engage with him if it weren't for Cha Eun Xiao.]
Cha Nantian and Gramp Cha, both of whom had not yet reached the Dao Origin Stage, underestimated Han Bingxue's power due to his unassuming appearance. They regarded him as being of average strength at best.
"My son has recently arrived in Qing-Yun Realm from a lower realm," Cha Nantian said with a friendly demeanor. "He is new to the martial world. Young brother, I'm grateful for your assistance. May I inquire about your esteemed name, young brother?"