The Tang Family was not considered exceptionally distinguished and could barely squeeze into the second-class families of Nanzhu City, far below the Murong Family.
However, as the Tang Family revered martial arts, their societal status was relatively high and their reputation was excellent. Naturally, a younger generation member like Tang Feng, who could not cultivate, would be discarded. If not for Tang Jianjun's insistence, Tang Feng might have been expelled from the family.
As for medicinal ingredients, not a single one was given to him, let alone any intervention in matters concerning Tang Feng. In the eyes of the Tang Family, Tang Feng was the embodiment of disgrace and a synonym for a plague-bringer.
They would rather he died off.
They certainly did not want to hear outsiders talk daily about how that "useless member of the Tang Family" was doing this or that. More than a decade ago, the Tang Family Patriarch had already declared that Tang Feng was no longer a member of the Tang Family, an announcement that was a significant reason for the Murong Family's demise.
As Tang Feng stepped through the great gates of the Tang Family once more, his mood was calm, his expression indifferent. To him, this place was unfamiliar; his childhood memories were long gone, probably a special form of forgetfulness, which was truly pitiable.
The issue of his birth was not his fault, yet he was bound by invisible shackles, eliciting sympathy.
"Xiao Feng, come with me to the ancestral hall. Grandfather and the others are conducting the ancestral rites, and they have agreed to allow you to acknowledge your ancestors and return to the family," Tang Jianjun said excitedly, having waited a long time for this day.
Looking at Tang Feng, whose complexion was pale, he felt a great sense of guilt. As a father, he was definitely unqualified.
Tang Feng did not respond, just observing everything around him. This scene made Tang Jianjun's heart sour; this was his son's home, yet it felt more foreign than a stranger's. No matter what, this time he had to secure some basic rights for Tang Feng.
Outside the ancestral hall, hundreds of well-dressed Tang Family members gathered together. On the rooftop, dozens of tables filled with offerings were set up, the atmosphere solemn and grand.
The elderly man standing in the center must be the Tang Family Head, Tang Wentian, behind him in a row were Tang Feng's uncles, and behind them, a dozen young people representing the Tang Family's current generation. Tang Feng actually ranked third among them; had things gone differently, his status would have been quite high.
In the fourth row were the women who had married out of the Tang Family, now considered half-blood relatives. Their status was now higher than Tang Feng's, which was an ironic twist.
It was already a modern society, yet the Tang Family still clung to traditional feudal thinking, continuing the practice of shunning their own descendants, a common tactic within the family.
The married-out women still held significant value and, though no longer considered part of the Tang Family, they had become the masters of the Tang Family.
Seeing this, Tang Feng could only scoff.
A family that could not embrace all streams will ultimately not achieve greatness and is bound to eventually disappear in the currents of history.
As Tang Jianjun led Tang Feng over, the buzz of discussion immediately rose, with onlookers sneering, fake smiles greeting, hostile stares, and indifferent expressions reflecting a variety of states.
Tang Jianjun approached Tang Wentian, "Dad, I have brought the person back."
"Mm, Tang Feng, light the incense, kneel and perform the three bows and nine kowtows, and you will be considered returned to the family," he said indifferently, his tone almost sounding like charity, which was very grating to hear.
"Xiao Feng, kneel down quickly," Tang Jianjun urged.
Tang Feng remained unmoved. He bowed deeply and then looked at Tang Wentian and the other members of the Tang Family, "I am here today to resolve a matter. These years I have managed to survive, thanks to the Tang Family's great favor. If not for my aunt, I probably couldn't stand here today. Since you have already erased me, Tang Feng, from your hearts, why should I care any longer? From this day forth, I, Tang Feng, am no longer part of the Tang Family, with no further ties in this lifetime. Continue on," he said with a faint smile and turned to leave.
A glint of sharpness passed through Tang Wentian's eyes. An uncle, Tang Jiayong, stood out and barked loudly, "Insolence! You, audacious brat, stop right there!"
"Xiao Feng!" Tang Jianjun was stunned, never expecting Tang Feng's reaction to be so vehement, rendering all his efforts futile.
"What advice do you have?" Tang Feng turned back, looking calmly at Tang Jiayong.
"Truly a brute, don't you even know how to respect your elders?" Tang Jiayong yelled angrily.
Angered, Tang Feng, empowered by the Star Rush Technique, moved so swiftly that the onlookers saw only a blur. Then Tang Jiayong was sent flying, landing hard a good distance away, and everyone watched Tang Feng in astonished silence.
"If you utter another foul word, I will cripple you." Tang Feng gave Tang Jiayong a chilling glare, then turned back to the other members of the Tang Family, "Step aside."
The members of the Tang Family gasped in astonishment, involuntarily making way. The martial arts skills of the fourth uncle ranked among the top five in the Tang Family at that time; this young man had floored someone with a single punch, and they acknowledged that they were no match for him.
"Xiao Feng, how dare you!" Tang Jianjun exclaimed in alarm, angrily reprimanding him.
Tang Feng coldly swept him with a glance, "Speak another word, and I will not spare you either."
"Hahaha, excellent, truly worthy of the Tang Family's bloodline. Feng'er, let's forget the past. Stay here, and from now on, you can control the resources of the Tang Family as you please," Tang Wentian laughed heartily.
"I'm not interested. Also, I'm no longer a member of the Tang Family. Continue without me." With that, he walked away without looking back.
The uncles of the Tang Family, furious, were about to chase after him, but Tang Wentian stopped them, "He has grievances in his heart, let him go. I never expected Tang Feng to achieve such great fortune; indeed, fate is unpredictable."
With a sigh, Tang Wentian looked at the younger generation of the Tang Family and suddenly realized not one among this exceptional young generation could compare to Tang Feng, which left him deeply moved.
However, he wouldn't just keep sighing. Even if he had made mistakes, he wouldn't admit them publicly. Regardless, the Tang Family was still the Tang Family without Tang Feng.
Tang Jianjun chased after him to the doorway and stopped Tang Feng, "Xiao Feng, why do you have to do this?"
"There's no particular reason. Why pine for things we never had? Our father-son bond ends here. Live your own life from now on and don't come looking for me." Tang Feng threw a porcelain bottle to Tang Jianjun and strode off, soon disappearing into the distance.
Blood Cleansing Pill!
Tang Jianjun's hands trembled as he stared at the porcelain bottle, tears welling up in his eyes. He knew the preciousness of the elixir; even a Super Family might not be able to produce it, yet he now held three pills in his hands.
After a while, Tang Jianjun stored away the elixir, wiped away his tears, and gazed into the distance as if understanding much more; then he smiled.
His son was a dragon, not to be confined by the small Tang Family. The wider world outside was his true playground.
One day, Feng'er would soar high above the clouds—excellent, that is my son, Tang Jianjun.
From today onward, no one in the Tang Family could embarrass me. I will secure the rightful power for my son.
In Nandu Cemetery, within an ancestral hall, Tang Feng knelt on the ground.
"This is for your son. Rest well; I will take good care of your sister." Tang Feng looked at the photograph on the gravestone, his sighs never ceasing—such stunning beauty, yet her life was so tragically brief.
Boom!
A loud explosion resounded, and the sky clouded over. Tang Feng looked up at the sky and smirked, "Have you found yourself yet?"
With a slight lift of his finger, he sketched mysterious gestures in the air. Nearby, a young, beautiful woman watched Tang Feng, bewildered. It was about to rain—what was this young man doing?
Boom!
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by thunder as if exploding right next to their ears. The young, beautiful woman screamed and fell to the ground.
Tang Feng snapped out of his trance and ceased his air sketching, quickly walking over to the woman.
"Sister, what's wrong? Wake up!" Tang Feng checked her pulse and immediately understood the reason.
He swiftly tapped her body a few times, and she gradually came to. Just then, the rain poured down, drenching them both instantly.