"It's good that you can understand. I could have helped you, Ming Shu didn't have to die, Hong Xiu didn't have to die either. But some truths cannot be understood without experiencing life and death, the baptism of blood, and heart-wrenching pain. I, too, have lost so much in the past."
"I cannot protect you for the rest of your life. In the future, I will not help you when you encounter difficulties. The path of all the strong in this world is walked alone. Strength is not just in martial arts and skills, but more in your heart - unyielding and unbroken. A heart that perseveres, even in the face of a thousand hardships."
The normally nonchalant bage at this moment seemed like a life mentor guiding Xiang Chen.
"Uncle Ming, you can hate me for not helping Hong Xiu, but that was something you had to go through. I can tell you with certainty that if you choose to walk the path of the strong, you will definitely encounter such things in your future. Every strong person has emerged from countless losses, suffering, and the crucible of life and death. Saying too much won't help; you will need to experience the complexities of life and the vast world for yourself."
With two little pig trotters on his back, the little scented pig walked back and forth in front of Xiang Chen, speaking in a pretentious manner.
"I understand. Whatever I may experience, I will continue down this path without hesitation. I promised Rourou that I would become the strongest in the world. I don't want anyone to bully me or trample the things I love," Xiang Chen said, his determined gaze exceeded the maturity expected of his age.
"Well said. It seems that the experiences in recent times will elevate your life and mentality," bage said with a faint smile.
"By the way, bage, why are you so kind to me? Is it just because I am a natural demon, and you want to pass on your formidable inheritance to me?" Xiang Chen asked.
Bage was a pet pig raised by her mother, but he was clearly more than just a simple pet pig.
"It looks like you've found out," bage sighed. Suddenly, he smirked and said, "Alright, I won't hide it anymore. I'll reveal my true identity. I am your father from your past life. Come on, son, I am your father. Call me dad!"
"Pfft," Xiang Chen almost choked on his breath. Of course, he wasn't in a state to cough up blood at the moment.
"Get lost," Xiang Chen retorted with a kick towards bage.
"Hahaha, kiddo, I wish you a bright future. Travel through the world and the heavens, battle heroes and champions, drink the finest wines and eat the most exquisite delicacies. Of course, most importantly, conquer the hearts of beautiful women and celestial maidens! Master the Supreme Sword, and witness the beauty of the world," bage suddenly burst into laughter, then slowly disappeared.
"Bag, I will, but wait, you still haven't told me where Rourou is!" Xiang Chen shouted in his consciousness.
"Huh, you're awake!"
A crisp female voice echoed in his ear.
Xiang Chen struggled to open his eyes. The light in the room made it difficult to see. He called out to bage and felt a strong hunger in his stomach.
After he adjusted to the light, he called out for water and a maid quickly brought him a cup.
After drinking the water, Xiang Chen looked around. It was a white room, and he was lying on a bed, wrapped in bandages that emitted a medicinal scent. Sunlight streamed in through the window, and there was a pot of orchids on the bedside table. A pure-looking girl in a blue maid's outfit stood by his side.
"Where am I?" Xiang Chen said with dry lips.
"This is the Xia family," the maid said.
"The Xia family!" Xiang Chen was surprised. "How did I end up in the Xia family?"
"Master Xiang brought you here," the maid said.
"Master Xiang... the Xia family... is it my uncle Xiang Heng?" Xiang Chen asked in surprise.
"Yes, Master, how is your body feeling?" the maid replied.
"Uncle..." Xiang Chen's memories of a man surged to his mind.
Xiang Heng, his uncle, was originally a member of the Xiang family. However, due to a lost gambling bet between his grandfather and the head of the Xia family, his uncle had to fulfill the bet and become a son-in-law of the Xia family. As part of the bet, the Xia family promised Xiang Chen to their daughter, Xia Qingcheng.
The Xia family, one of the prominent families in the Great Merchant Nation, had always had a good relationship with the Xiang family. However, after the head of the Xiang family (Xiang Wangye), and Xiang Chen's grandfather passed away, their relationship underwent some changes.
"The Xia family... is it fate or coincidence that I ended up here?" Xiang Chen sighed, thinking of a girl from his childhood who used to follow him around.
Xia Qingcheng!
The daughter of the Xia family, who had a childhood engagement with him.
After he was diagnosed as a cultivational waste, the Xia family deliberately distanced Xia Qingcheng from him. They thought he wasn't worthy of her, while Xia Qingcheng seemed to possess a special talent and was recognized as a cultivation genius, being taken in by a well-known master.
They hadn't been in contact for four years, and the childhood affection seemed to have faded with time and their differing statuses.
Unexpectedly, he was now in the Xia family.
Xiang Chen sat up and felt no pain or discomfort.
"Ah, don't get up! You're injured. Lay down, or your wounds might reopen," the maid urged.
However, Xiang Chen got up and smiled, "I'm fine. I've been lying down for so many days; if I lie down any longer, I'll become a vegetable."
"What's a vegetable? Are you really okay?" the maid asked in surprise, watching Xiang Chen move easily despite his severe injuries.
"I have a special constitution; I recover quickly," Xiang Chen said, not entirely lying. He had always healed extraordinarily fast since he was a child, perhaps due to his demon heritage.
As he spoke, he felt the power within him had diminished. "It seems that bage has taken the inner alchemy," he thought. After all, that power wasn't truly his.
"But in the future, I will control an even greater power," he thought to himself.