Chapter 510: Chapter 24 Family Issues_2
Qin An finished his fish soup with a sigh and said, “Alas, this is quite a curious matter! May I be so bold as to ask, how much do you know about the Qin family of the imperial capital?”
“I must tell you, I hadn’t heard of them before yesterday. I grew up in the south, and later I was imprisoned in the heavens. When it comes to the imperial capital, aside from knowing that the emperor’s surname is Chi and the city is called Divine Capital, I really have no concept of it.”
“I presumed you hadn’t heard of them, for the Qin family is not exactly a household name to the public…” Qin An slowly began relating his family’s circumstances.
According to Qin An, the so-called Qin family of the imperial capital was an ancient clan with tremendous influence both in the court and the martial circles. Since ancient times, the Qin family had been deeply trusted by the emperor. Elites born into the Qin Clan were tasked with heavy responsibilities in the court and also served as instructors in many important institutions, imparting martial skills. They were the emperor’s elite troops and also one of the representatives of the Yong Guang Empire in the inner world.
In the world of martial arts, the Qin family carried the legendary aura often found in wuxia novels. They were known as the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarchs, the leaders of the martial community. Every year, the major sects, forbidden grounds, and factions of the Yong Guang Empire would send their elite disciples to the capital, eager to take away the title of “Martial Arts Supreme,” yet the Qin family had never known defeat. The Empire’s martial studies flourished amidst these annual challenges, and the position of the Qin family in the martial world remained as solid as a rock, forged through one victory after another.
“…Such is the family Little Qian comes from.”
The two chatted and ate until most of the dishes on the table were gone after the lengthy introduction. Gongsun Ce keenly noted that although Qin An displayed no obvious emotions when speaking, there was a natural and unforced pride in his eyes and brow. His demeanor was strikingly similar to that of Qin Qianbai at times, which only solidified his belief in their familial relationship.
This sense of pride was something he was quite familiar with. Even the most humble knight would exhibit a similar sentiment when speaking of the Knight Order. It was not arrogance, but a rooted confidence in one’s heart, a certainty in one’s power, achievements, and rightful strength.
“I think I understand your family situation now,” Gongsun Ce said. “Then how did she manage to run away from home?”
With a bitter smile, Qin An said, “Actually, it’s quite simple. The very morning she awakened her superpower, she fought her way out from her family’s inner courtyard. Except for her parents who held back, all her uncles and brothers who tried to stop her were knocked out cold. How could they hold her back?”
Gongsun Ce imagined the scene: early in the morning, the little sister walking out of the house, beating up anyone she encountered—uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters all knocked out with a groan. The girl, dressed in casual clothes, walked away with confidence, leaving behind a courtyard full of martial arts masters and influential court officials with bruised faces…
“She’s quite filial, eh… No, I mean, cough!” Gongsun Ce cleared his throat, “Surely not? With such a distinguished and venerable clan, how could…”
“First off, Little Qian’s talents are truly extraordinary. Years ago, she had already surpassed most of her elders, and now there is no one in the clan who can surpass her in martial arts,” Qin An shook his head. “Secondly, some years ago, the clan went through an incident which I really do not wish to elaborate on too much, I’ll just mention the outcome. The entire Qin family suffered a great defeat, and most of the younger generation lost their spirit, unable to recover to this day.”
…What kind of event could have caused such a blow to an old Impermanence Skill society.
Perhaps the Qin family was struck by a Dragon Disaster in recent years?
Gongsun Ce stopped his wild speculation and said, “Qin Qianbai was already impressive, and your family is in such an awkward situation now… I get it. Those sects and forbidden lands you mentioned before must have taken the opportunity to seize the title of the world’s number one… and your family urgently needed someone to step up…”
Gongsun Ce furrowed his brow, “They didn’t make Qin Qianbai take on the role, did they?”
Damn it, the young lady is only in high school this year; a few years back, she might not even have been in middle school. Even in Cangshou, superpower users of her age are rare in street brawls.
Qin An didn’t respond directly. He placed a chopstick on top of his bowl and pressed lightly on the middle of the chopstick with his finger.
“A person who is not in adversity will hardly be spurred to move forward. The responsibilities on one’s shoulders and the expectations one carries will transform into a driving force for striving and advancing.”
With a slight release of his hand, the chopstick sprang up like a rubber band, joyfully flying into the air.
He waited for the chopstick to fall back and once again tapped it on the stick.
“But if one must bear too many responsibilities, with expectations piled on too heavily, a burden that should be carried by ten, by a hundred, is placed upon the shoulders of one individual…”
The chopsticks bent downwards, issuing a creaking groan as if about to snap under an unbearable load.
“That person is very likely to sink in adversity, to bend and fracture under pressure, unable to bear the burden.”
Qin An let go just before the stick could break. Yet the chopsticks now seemed affected; they had bent in the middle, no longer standing straight when propped up but looking listless, dejected.
“Should we blame that person for not being strong enough?” Qin An asked, “or is the fault with others, who presumptuously placed too much burden on that person’s shoulders?”
Gongsun Ce looked at that chopstick, his tone unconsciously turning colder.
“Mr. Qin, seeing as you understand so clearly, why then did you let matters get this far?”
“I’m buried in work on a daily basis, lacking in care; I haven’t been home for a long time, missing in attention.” Qin An set down the chopsticks and sighed, “They’re all excuses! When elders ignore a child’s feelings, even if they come up with ten, a hundred plausible excuses, can they change the facts that already exist, can they correct the mistakes that have been made?
A mistake is a mistake, yet it wasn’t until this child ran away from home that I suddenly realized how much these errors had accumulated…”
“I too have become a stubborn and foolish adult.”
The young man across the table seemed spirited, but as he spoke these words, there appeared to be a hint of despair.
Gongsun Ce was about to say that you should tell Qin Qianbai all this yourself, but immediately realized that Qin An actually cared deeply about his little sister’s situation.
If Qin An were not deeply regretful and heartbroken, why would he personally come searching for someone in the heavens, and why would he seek out an ordinary young man to confide all these secrets and express these feelings?
He remembered the conversation between Qin An and the old chef. “It’s not easy being an elder!”
Now, it seemed the phrase was echoing Qin An’s own heart.
“You shouldn’t blame yourself too much… Ah, it’s not my place to say.” Gongsun Ce smiled wryly, “I still don’t understand, is practicing martial arts that important?”
“It is of utmost importance. The very reason for the existence of the Qin family in the Divine Capital hinges on it.” Qin An stated this unequivocally.
Gongsun Ce intuitively felt that there was more to those words than he understood. But Qin An didn’t seem inclined to say more, and he didn’t want to pry indiscreetly.
Gongsun Ce silently ate his meal until the main dishes on the table were finished, and the old chef came out to serve them a sweet soup.
The dessert was a milky white peanut pudding. Gongsun Ce gave a couple of compliments to open the conversation. “… Mr. Qin, you mentioned there was another matter?”
“This visit wasn’t just about private affairs at home.”
Qin An glanced out the window at the slowly revolving urban nightscape. The Cangshou District was peaceful and serene under the night sky, seemingly unconnected to the daytime commotion of the streets.
“Brother Gongsun, you have witnessed its changes since its very inception, and so I want to ask for your opinion.” Qin An began earnestly, “What do you think of the current state of the city of Cangshou?”