Chapter 21

"Ah, Young Master Yang, if you say so, it really makes me feel ashamed," the old man bowed deeply to Rong Kexiong and introduced himself, "Young Master Kexiong, I am Rong Cai. I have served your grandfather since I was young and have been with your family for several decades." His face was full of smiles as he said, "Young Master, just call me Acai."

Rong Kexiong's gaze shifted, and he immediately said, "Grandpa Cai."

"Oh, I said it before, I can't bear it," Rong Cai waved his hands repeatedly, saying.

Rong Yiyang smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Cai, which one of us hasn't been raised by you since childhood? Although Kexiong has never met you, calling you grandpa is absolutely deserved."

Rong Cai sighed lightly and said, "Young Master Yang, thank you for thinking so highly of me."

Rong Kexiong blinked his eyes and said, "Grandpa Cai, did... Grandpa send you here?"

Rong Cai nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes, your grandfather misses you, and he also wants to meet you, his grandson whom he has never met. So he sent me to invite you back to meet the family."

"Hmph." Rong Yiyang snorted coldly and said, "He really wants to see Kexiong, but he definitely doesn't want to see me."

Rong Kexiong tilted his head, his eyes darting around, but he was smart enough not to speak.

He didn't understand the rights and wrongs within the family, but these people were his elders, and he couldn't criticize them.

Rong Cai's brows furrowed slightly, and he said, "Young Master Yang, I admit that the master has made mistakes, but do you remember your former self?"

Rong Yiyang was taken aback and said, "What was I like back then?"

"At the age of fifteen, you failed to condense true qi, so you gave up, even abandoning the practice of martial arts. The master was disappointed and sent you to the estate, setting a strict rule that you were not allowed to step into the main house until you condensed true qi." Rong Cai's expression was solemn as he said, "The master's intention was for you to reflect on your mistakes. As long as you successfully condensed true qi at the estate, he would personally welcome you back into the family. But..." His eyes suddenly widened, and his voice rose, "Several decades have passed, Young Master Yang, where is your true qi?"

Rong Yiyang's face changed, turning from green to red.

Rong Kexiong's gaze darted between the two, and he remained silent.

In fact, initially, he had no good impression of his grandfather, whom he had never met.

When their family fell into decline at the estate, they never received any care from this grandfather. But now, with his rising fame in the family, this grandfather suddenly appeared.

No matter how you looked at it, he seemed to be a petty person.

However, listening to Rong Cai's accusations, it didn't seem to be as he had imagined.

Rong Cai's face was as calm as water, and he said, "Young Master Yang, the master has a stubborn temper, and so do you. It was wrong of him to send you away for decades, but your refusal to practice true qi also hurt his heart." He paused and said, "The master has never been stingy with cultivation resources. It's your own lack of effort, who can you blame?"

His final words were stern and forceful.

Rong Kexiong's eyebrows raised, daring to speak about his father in such a way, truly...

He glanced at his father, who was tightly pursing his lips, looking stubborn, but his eyes darted around, avoiding Rong Cai's gaze.

Rong Kexiong's anger dissipated instantly.

Forget it, this is a matter between elders, and he couldn't get involved.

Moreover, deep down, he had to admit that Grandpa Cai's words made sense.

True qi is not something everyone can possess, but if a person receives good education from a young age and continuously practices martial arts, with perseverance, they will eventually be able to condense true qi.

Not being able to condense true qi before the age of fifteen doesn't mean it's impossible for life.

If his father had truly wanted to, over these decades, even with mediocre talent, he could have condensed a thread of true qi.

After all, the Rong family's martial arts were extraordinary, and he was a direct descendant, practicing top-notch martial arts. Condensing true qi was not an impossible task.

Rong Cai sighed and said, "Young Master Yang, both you and the master are people who value face. Your interactions are like a needle against a grain of wheat, always hurting each other."

Rong Kexiong lowered his head and rolled his eyes.

He thought to himself, Grandpa Cai's status in the family is indeed not that of an ordinary servant, to be able to speak such words.

What was even more remarkable was that his father obediently accepted his advice without a single word of rebuttal.

Rong Cai turned his head and looked at Rong Kexiong, his eyes full of appreciation and affection: "Young Master Yang, now that the young master has become accomplished and caused a stir in the family, this is the best opportunity for reconciliation between you and your father." He paused and said, "So many years have passed, the anger in your heart should have subsided. Even if it hasn't, can you not consider the young master?"

Rong Yiyang was taken aback and said, "Uncle Cai, what do you mean?"

Rong Cai said softly, "The family is always your support. Ah, I heard about the incident with Rong Yitie. If you had stayed at home or promptly mentioned the master's name, would he have been so reckless?"

Rong Yiyang fell silent.

"Grandpa Cai." Rong Kexiong stepped forward and said loudly, "I'm not afraid of them."

Rong Cai chuckled and said, "The young master is full of spirit, of course, you're not afraid of them. But, can we reduce such conflicts as much as possible, don't you think?"

Rong Yiyang pursed his lips, seemingly hesitant.

Rong Cai sighed lightly and said, "Young Master Yang, I've heard some things about you. You can bow to outsiders, can't you also admit defeat to the master once?"

Rong Yiyang's body trembled, his face turning ashen.

Over the past decades, he had experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships. Even when he brought Rong Kexiong to the Testing Hall and faced Rong Jieming, he had to be humble.

Moreover, after the conflict with Rong Yitie and his son, his first thought was to resolve the matter peacefully.

Years of trials had worn down his sharpness.

But when it came to his family, he could never bring himself to lower his pride.

This mindset was not unique to him but was widespread.

Many people, no matter how poorly they fared outside, always put on a brave face in front of their family, treating their relatives differently from outsiders.

This, in fact, was a sign of weakness.

After a long time, Rong Yiyang sighed deeply and said, "Uncle Cai, you're right. We'll go with you... to see him."

Rong Cai laughed heartily, looking extremely pleased.

The three of them stood up and bid farewell to Rong Jieming.

Since Rong Cai entered the mansion, Rong Jieming knew he couldn't keep the two of them. He personally saw them off at the gate and gave them a generous gift. He also set a date for their next meeting.

For Rong Kexiong, who was destined to become a renowned Spirit Gatherer in the family, he went to great lengths to win his favor.

The Rong family's main residence was almost like a town. They walked for half an hour before reaching their destination.

Rong Cai stood in front of a mansion, lowering his voice, "Young Master Kexiong, your grandfather is Rong Jielin. You have two uncles and three cousins, one cousin sister, and one cousin sister."

Rong Kexiong nodded heavily, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

These people were not ordinary Rong family members; they were true relatives. The young Rong Kexiong, not yet fifteen, was eagerly looking forward to the meeting.

Rong Cai gently knocked on the iron gate, which immediately opened wide.

Rong Yiyang stood at the gate, his expression a mix of joy and sorrow, extremely complex.

"Ah, Young Master Yang, come in." Rong Cai gently pushed him from behind, and Rong Yiyang, caught off guard, stumbled inside.

Rong Kexiong looked at Rong Cai in surprise, realizing that this old man was not to be underestimated, and his strength far exceeded that of Rong Yitie.

"Uncle Three..." Inside the gate, a young man in white quickly approached and bowed deeply to Rong Yiyang, saying, "You finally decided to come home."

Rong Yiyang's expression was rather strange. He glanced at Rong Cai, wanting to complain but not daring to speak. When the young man in white greeted him, the knot in his heart finally unraveled.

"Ah, Kaihua, it's been so long. Your martial arts skills far surpass mine," Rong Yiyang said with a sigh.

Rong Kaihua smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Three, you flatter me." He waved his hand and said, "Younger brothers and sisters, come and greet Uncle Three."

"Yes, we greet Uncle Three."

Behind Rong Kaihua were two men and two women. The older man and woman had a reserved demeanor, clearly having achieved true qi. The other two were about the same age as Rong Kexiong, and they were staring at him with curiosity.

"No, no." Rong Yiyang waved his hands repeatedly, finally showing a smile.

"Brother Three, it's good to have you back."

Two middle-aged men came out from the inner room, both bearing a resemblance to Rong Yiyang. One was slender, and the other was somewhat overweight.

"Brother One, Brother Two." Rong Yiyang stepped forward and bowed deeply.

The leading middle-aged man laughed and lifted him up, patting his shoulder heavily. Then, his gaze fell on Rong Kexiong, and he said with a smile, "This must be Nephew Kexiong."

"Exactly." Rong Yiyang said, "Kexiong, this is your Uncle One, Rong Yihé, and Uncle Two, Rong Yiyīng. Go and greet them quickly."

"Yes." Rong Kexiong responded and respectfully greeted them.

After a round of greetings and introductions, Rong Kexiong learned the names of these people. From their conversation, he also learned the true reason for his father's estrangement from his grandfather.

Rong Yiyang was the third son in the family. As the youngest, he was doted on and lacked discipline in his youth.

Although Rong Jielin had taught him martial arts, Rong Yiyang always found ways to slack off. By the age of fifteen, he had not condensed true qi. Enraged and disappointed, Rong Jielin sent him to a remote estate and set a rule that he was not allowed to step into the main house until he condensed true qi.

Rong Yiyang, being stubborn, gave up on martial arts and stopped practicing.

Thus, the father and son remained at odds until today.

The third generation of the Rong family had six members. The eldest, Rong Yihé, had three children: a son, Rong Kaihua; a daughter, Rong Kaimei; and another son, Rong Kaiyi.

The second, Rong Yiyīng, had a son, Rong Kaile, and a daughter, Rong Kailong.

As for Rong Kexiong, he was the fifth in the family.

After the brothers and sisters greeted each other, the twelve-year-old Rong Kailong, curious, asked, "Fifth Brother, are you really a Spirit Gatherer?"

Instantly, all conversations and reminiscences stopped, and everyone's gaze focused on Rong Kexiong.