The Yun family's Patriarch smiled coldly, but his words carried a hidden meaning, like a yin-yang riddle.
Patriarch Huo's temple twitched in irritation, yet he forced himself to stay composed, giving a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes as he stared at the Yun family's Patriarch.
"It was all an accident. The elder from my Huo family was already wounded. Otherwise, how could just two outsiders kill him?"
At this point, he had no choice but to desperately save face. At least he would stop rumors from spreading too badly. The higher one's status, the more they cared about saving face.
The Yun family's Patriarch didn't press further and switched back to discussing compensation. After a fierce battle of words, they finally agreed on a reasonable amount.
The Yun family's Patriarch left satisfied with the settlement.
"Those two outsiders are talented. We should find them and bring them into the Yun family."
Once he stepped outside the gate, the Patriarch immediately ordered the elder beside him. The elder looked puzzled. "Patriarch, do those two alchemists really have something special?"
The Yun family's Patriarch smirked.
"Nothing special. I just want to give Patriarch Huo some trouble."
The elder fell silent.
After the Yun family left, Patriarch Huo's face darkened. He gave orders and prepared to return to the forbidden ground. But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered the map Song Wanníng had given him.
He pulled out the map. A red dot was moving, marked with the name: Huo Jinchuan.
The red dot was moving north, in the opposite direction of the Huo family's territory.
"What exactly is that damn girl up to?"
Patriarch Huo narrowed his eyes, unable to guess Song Wanníng's intentions, and unsure if the map was a trick. What if he was being played again?
That would make him look foolish.
But every time he thought of Meng'er losing all hope of resurrection because of Huo Jinchuan, the rage in his heart wouldn't fade.
"Forget it. Those two haven't come out yet. I'll just go see what that damn girl is up to."
After some thought, he decided to follow the map's lead. He set off toward the marked location.
Meanwhile, Huo Jinchuan had no idea danger was approaching. He had barely recovered most of his injuries, but a hidden illness remained inside, needing time to heal.
Fearing Patriarch Huo would come after him, he had just regained some strength and was looking for a place to hide.
After days of hardship, he finally found a very concealed secret passage. The passage was beneath a swamp, layered and well-hidden, impossible for outsiders to find easily.
This perfect hiding place was something he had accidentally discovered years ago during his travels, making it ideal for him now.
Huo Jinchuan sat in the dark passage, his gaze heavy. Having been in this world for hundreds of years, he was no longer the carefree person from his past life. Long-term repression had caused mental issues.
This was also why he had been unable to ascend. Talent without matching temperament only held one back. He had always wanted to kill Patriarch Huo because he was the main reason for his unstable temperament.
Huo Jinchuan exhaled heavily, suppressing his rage, then closed his eyes to cultivate. He had to work hard to improve his strength. Strength was the only thing he could rely on.
But less than an hour into his cultivation, a sudden feeling of dread struck him. He snapped his eyes open just as a fierce palm wind slammed toward his face.
Huo Jinchuan was shocked and hurriedly drew out a treasure to defend himself, but the palm wind still blew him off balance and slammed him into the wall.
Stars exploded before his eyes, and it took him a long time to recover.
"Hmph, you really are hiding here."
Patriarch Huo's figure stepped from the shadows into the light, his face frosted with coldness. His dark eyes were filled with murderous intent, chilling to anyone who looked.
Huo Jinchuan rolled off the wall, coughing up blood, panic flickering across his face.
Such a hidden place—how did the old man find him?
"What, did you really think you could escape?"
A mocking smile curled on Patriarch Huo's lips. He waved his hand, dropping a formation plate. A formation quickly appeared, enveloping the two of them. Huo Jinchuan's heart sank deeply. The danger was worsening.
"What do you want?"
He clenched his fists tightly, stormy emotions brewing in his eyes. Along with frustration toward himself. If only he was stronger, he would have taken down the old man long ago. He wouldn't have been pushed into such a desperate situation.
"Huo Jinchuan, you caused Meng'er's death and, together with those two, destroyed her hope of resurrection. Do you think I will spare you?"
Patriarch Huo's eyes held no trace of fatherly love—only endless hatred and disgust.
"If it weren't for Meng'er's blood flowing in you, I would have strangled you the moment you were born!"
His hatred was real.
If not for Huo Jinchuan, Meng'er wouldn't have died and would still be by his side. No one could make up for centuries of pain.
But to Huo Jinchuan, these words were a joke. He struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth, then bluntly revealed the truth.
"Do you really not know why Mother died? You failed to protect her. She was poisoned because of you. And yet you blame a newborn child—me. You are good at shifting blame."
Huo Jinchuan had wanted to say these words for a long time.
"To ease your conscience, you pushed responsibility onto me. What a man!"
Bang—
In the next moment, Huo Jinchuan was slapped hard again, flying into the wall with a violent crash that shook the building. He tumbled down, bones cracking painfully.
One arm was broken, bones piercing the skin—horrifying to see.
Blood poured down endlessly.
Pain contorted his brow as he quickly took a pill.
Still furious, he kept shouting curses.
"Even if you beat me to death, you can't hide your incompetence. You couldn't even protect the woman you loved. What kind of man are you?
And you blame the child born to your beloved woman. If I were Mother, I'd regret meeting you in this lifetime!"
By the end, he roared loudly.
For centuries, he had endured this old bastard!
Who could understand his pain?
"You—say that again!"
Patriarch Huo was surrounded by killing intent, his eyes void of any reason.
He glared fiercely at Huo Jinchuan, raising his hand to slap again.
Pfft—
Huo Jinchuan was thrown out again, unable to get up, coughing up blood in great gulps.
Madness flickered across his features.