Chapter 5

Four days later, outside Jiangning City.

Luo Guan, covered in dust and fatigue, had a smile on his face.

Finally home!

He couldn't wait to tell his father that all the years of hard work had not been in vain, and that his son had successfully condensed the Heavenly Bone.

Before, it was you who took care of me.

From now on, it's my turn to protect you!

...

The atmosphere in the Luo family was heavy.

Mr. Wu from Ziyun Studio frowned, "The contract is clear. Since Luo Zhenyang signed it, the Heavenly Bone has already changed hands."

"Today is the deadline. Don't make things difficult for me."

Ziyun Studio specialized in intermediary guarantees. Though it had only been in business for a few years, it had rapidly expanded, with operations spread across major counties and prefectures.

Rumors suggested that it had powerful backing from a high-ranking official in the capital, making it a formidable force!

Luo Zhenshan knew its power, "Mr. Wu, the Luo family has its reasons for breaking the contract. Could you please convey this to the buyer? We are willing to pay triple the amount, and other terms can be negotiated."

Mr. Wu replied, "I have brought the buyer. You can discuss it yourselves."

As he spoke, laughter came from outside, "I apologize for keeping Mr. Wu waiting. I, Xu, am late!"

Seeing the newcomer, the Luo family's faces changed.

Xu Hai, with one eye and a horse-like face, sneered as he looked around, "What, you don't welcome me?" He released his aura, which felt like a heavy stone pressing down!

Mr. Wu said, "The buyer of the Heavenly Bone is none other than the leader of Qingjiang Gang, Xu Hai."

Luo Zhenshan clasped his hands, "The Luo family sincerely wishes to redeem the contract. Please, Lord Xu, show mercy."

Xu Hai pulled down his eye patch, revealing a scarred, hollow eye socket, "This eye was destroyed by Luo Lao San. I've been waiting for this day for twenty years. Are you asking me to let him go?"

Luo Zhenshan said, "Since Lord Xu is here, please name your price."

Xu Hai grinned, "No one turns down money. As the eldest brother, if you are willing to plead on behalf of Luo Lao San, I might change my mind."

"Agreed!" Luo Zhenshan took a deep breath and bowed, "Please, Lord Xu, spare my brother!"

Xu Hai shook his head, "Not enough."

Luo Zhenshan's eyebrows twitched as if bearing a heavy burden.

After a brief silence, he knelt on one knee, "I beg you!"

"Family head!"

The Luo family members cried out in shock.

Luo Zhenshan raised his hand to calm them.

Xu Hai laughed, "They say the Luo family has unyielding pride, but it's nothing more than this! I, the leader of Qingjiang Gang, will be generous and give Luo Lao San a chance. Pay ten thousand taels of gold, and the contract will be nullified."

The five elders roared, "Xu, you are too much!"

In terms of clan assets, the Luo family was worth far more than ten thousand taels of gold, but they couldn't possibly come up with that amount all at once.

Mr. Wu frowned, "Lord Xu, if you don't want to cancel the contract, don't waste time."

Xu Hai smiled, "I'm here today because of Mr. Wu's face. The Luo family can choose: pay the gold or hand over the Heavenly Bone."

Luo Zhenshan's face showed determination!

With Luo Guan in trouble and Luo Zhenyang unconscious from spitting blood, removing the bone would mean certain death.

He was the head of the Luo family, but he was also the older brother who had sworn at his mother's grave to protect his younger brother!

"Zhenhai, from today on, you will take over as the family head."

Luo Zhenhai grinned, "I love drinking, and I've caused a lot of trouble over the years. Let the fourth brother take the position."

"I don't want it!" Luo Lao Si said, "When we were on a mission and encountered the fierce bandits of Black Tiger Mountain, it was the third brother who saved me from a fatal blow. I have to do something for him."

Before he could finish, the fifth elder shouted, "Luo Guan is a fearless young man. Am I any less? Let the family head be whoever wants it, but if anyone tries to take my third brother's bone today, I'll be the first to fight!"

Xu Hai sneered, "What a touching brotherly bond! Mr. Wu, it seems we need your help."

At that moment, Luo Zhenyang's gaunt figure appeared before everyone.

"Brothers, Lord Xu is deliberately provoking us. Such a crude trick, can it really deceive us?"

"Third brother..." The fifth elder was interrupted.

Luo Zhenyang's expression was calm, "If Luo Guan is dead, I don't want to live either. In fact, if not for my son, I would have given up long ago. Today, I might be able to catch up with Luo Guan on the road to the underworld. He's always been afraid of the dark, and I can't let him go alone."

He sneered, "Trying to use a dying man to scheme against the Luo family, Lord Xu's plan will fail."

Xu Hai's face darkened, "Enough talk. Luo Lao San, fulfill the contract, and I will personally extract your Heavenly Bone!"

"Zhenyang!" Luo Zhenshan called out.

Luo Zhenyang smiled, "For the greater good, if there's a chance, brother, avenge me."

He turned and declared, "Xu Hai, if you want my Heavenly Bone, come and take it!"

Feeling the deep hatred in the Luo family's eyes, Xu Hai's face turned ashen.

"I'll grant your wish!"

Just then, a low voice interrupted, "Stop!"

A figure approached, and everyone cried out in surprise.

"Luo Guan!"

He strode to Luo Zhenyang, knelt, and bowed, "Father, I'm back. It's all my fault for making you worry."

Luo Zhenyang, as if waking from a dream, grabbed him tightly, "My son, you're alive!"

"You're alive, you're really alive!"

Tears streamed down his face.

Luo Guan's eyes reddened, and he respectfully said, "Father, I have condensed the Heavenly Bone in the Heavenly Fire Abyss. I haven't let you down."

"Good! Good!" Luo Zhenyang was both surprised and delighted, "To see you like this, I have no regrets even if I die!"

Luo Guan said, "I haven't fulfilled my filial duty yet. You must stay alive. Today's trouble is because of me, so I will handle it."

He stood up, "I will pay ten thousand taels of gold to redeem my father's contract. I promise."

"But I need time to gather the funds. Please, Mr. Wu, give me a few days."

Mr. Wu replied, "If Lord Xu agrees, I can give you up to three days within my authority."

Xu Hai sneered, "Can a child's promise be trusted? What if the Luo family can't pay in three days?"

Luo Guan said, "Then I will give you my Heavenly Bone!" He stepped forward and looked directly at Xu Hai, "The Luo family has two Heavenly Bones. Just give me three days."

"If Lord Xu insists on harming my father today, I, Luo Guan, will spend my entire life, by any means necessary, to kill you."

"I swear, I will keep my word!"

Xu Hai's eyes twitched, locked by Luo Guan's icy gaze, feeling a chill in his heart.

This kid is a tough one!

The Luo family can't possibly come up with ten thousand taels of gold in three days. It's better to destroy this kid now to prevent future trouble.

"Fine, I agree!"

After they left, Luo Zhenshan smiled bitterly, "Luo Guan, you're too impulsive!" He took a deep breath and said, "Elders, come with me to the ancestral hall for a meeting!"

"You, go back and take care of your father. This is an adult matter."

No matter what, the Luo family couldn't let Luo Guan and his father be harmed, but ten thousand taels of gold was a mountain pressing down on everyone.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only father and son.

Luo Zhenyang said, "Guang, after we talk, I will go to Mr. Wu to complete the contract." He waved his hand, "Don't stop me. This trouble is because of us, and we can't drag the entire Luo family into it. Ten thousand taels of gold, your uncle can't afford it."

Luo Guan raised his hand and drew a line.

Pfft—

A straight sword mark appeared on the ground.

"This..." Luo Zhenyang gasped.

Luo Guan respectfully said, "Father, I had a special encounter in the Heavenly Fire Abyss. Don't worry about the contract. I have a plan to solve it."

"Instead, I'm concerned about your health. Let me check you first."

He grabbed his father's wrist, "Teacher, please."

Silently, a thread of sword qi entered.

Luo Zhenyang looked at his son, who was focused, and felt increasingly amazed.

After a moment, the sword qi retreated, and Luo Guan said, "Teacher, how is it?"

Xuan Gui paused, "You're tough, but your father is even tougher!"

He sighed, "The severe injuries from years ago should have killed him, but he survived."

"Even if he survived, he only had a few years left, but he has managed to live until now."

"His organs are damaged, his meridians are broken... his body is riddled with injuries. I don't know how he has managed to endure, but every day and every hour for him... well, it's like being cut and scraped!"

"Kid, take good care of your father. He's a good father." Xuan Gui's voice became low, as if thinking of something.

Luo Guan was heartbroken, knowing his father had endured all this for him.

"Teacher, can my father be saved?"

"Yes, but at a great cost."

"Whatever the cost, I will save him!"

"Good kid, I haven't misjudged you. I'll help your father ease his pain."

Luo Guan opened his eyes and looked at his father's aged face, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Guang, you're an adult now. Why are you crying?" Luo Zhenyang smiled, "I know my condition. Seeing you like this, I am content."

Luo Guan's voice was hoarse, "Father, you've suffered so much these years." He took a deep breath, "Your injuries can be treated!"

Luo Zhenyang's eyes widened.

"Really, I'll treat you first. Get some rest."

Half an hour later, Luo Guan smiled, seeing his father's relaxed expression as he slept soundly, free from pain.

After eighteen years as a son, he finally had a chance to repay his father!

Next, he needed to find a way to earn money.

"Teacher, any suggestions?"

Xuan Gui said, "Where is the money in Jiangning City?"

Luo Guan replied without hesitation, "Jinding Auction House!"

"Let's go there and figure it out when we get there."

Luo Guan thought for a moment, put on a large black robe, and quietly left the Luo family compound.

Half an hour later, he appeared outside the Jinding Auction House and bought a ticket.

As a leading commercial house in Jiangning City, Jinding was powerful and unafraid of trouble. Many participants concealed their identities to avoid trouble, so the guards let Luo Guan in after a brief look.

The auction hall was already half full. Luo Guan found a corner to sit and opened the auction catalog.

Soon, the lights dimmed, and a tall woman in a fiery red dress walked onto the stage.

She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen, but her slightly plump figure suggested she was in her late twenties. Her every move was full of charm, and her large, smiling eyes made hearts race.

"Welcome, everyone. My name is Jin Ya, and I recently took over the Jiangning branch of Jinding Auction House."

"I hope you will support us in the future. Without further ado, let's start the auction!"

With a few brief words, Jin Ya gracefully left the stage, drawing many admiring glances.

Xuan Gui teased, "Kid, snap out of it!"

Luo Guan's face turned red, "Teacher, please continue."

"This woman has a hidden illness we can exploit. Turn to page twenty-one in the catalog. When the auction starts, bid without hesitation, regardless of the price..."

Xuan Gui outlined the plan, and Luo Guan thought about the details.

As they discussed, the auctioneer took the stage.