"How dare you speak such unpleasant words? Are you cursing Marshal Ming?" Fei Jiang stood up, his voice filled with righteous indignation.
An oppressive aura, the hallmark of the Shenwei realm, permeated the grand hall. It was a presence forged through constant warfare and bloodshed, a level rarely attained by ordinary individuals.
Tian Haiyan flinched, daring not to utter a word. She cast a pleading gaze at Ming Ya, hoping he would intervene.
Ming Zhi Tian, unwilling to let the head of the family, Ming Ya, lose face, said, "Fei Jiang, sit down."
"Yes, Marshal Ming."
Ming Zhi Tian continued, "Your aunt was just joking. Why take it to heart, indeed? Right, Eldest Aunt?"
Tian Haiyan offered an embarrassed chuckle, "Yes, yes, yes..."
For once, Tian Haiyan displayed a rare streak of backbone. Her gaze was so intense that neither Ming Zhi Tian nor Chen Bu Qi dared to meet it directly. Chen Bu Qi's future standing within the family and his life thereafter seemed assured.
A white-haired old man, bearing hidden injuries, emerged from within. His face was ashen, and his breathing was uneven, waxing and waning unpredictably.
Chen Bu Qi rose and went to help him, "Grandfather, why have you come out? Your injuries are not yet..."
Chen Huai Tian waved his hand, "It's nothing. I heard my grandson has returned. I haven't met him yet. They say he's quite a character. To see my grandson in my lifetime, I can die without regret."
Chen Bu Qi quickly said, "Zhi Tian, come, this is your great-grandfather, Chen Huai Tian. Hurry and greet him as Great-Grandfather."
Ming Zhi Tian quickly stood up and bowed deeply, "Greetings, Great-Grandfather. Your grandson pays his respects."
Chen Huai Tian nodded with satisfaction, "Good, good, good. Excellent. A fine prospect. Come closer so your Great-Grandfather can get a good look at you."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded and approached, his brow furrowing as he saw the old man, "Great-Grandfather, you... are injured, and quite severely?"
Ming Ya could not help but interject, "Zhi Tian, to be frank, your great-grandfather's injuries were caused by you."
Ming Zhi Tian's brows furrowed deeply. "What do you mean?"
Chen Huai Tian waved his hand and reprimanded, "Ming Ya, stop speaking. Today is a joyous occasion for my grandfather and grandson to gather. Do not ruin this wonderful atmosphere with your nonsensical words."
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand, "Father, continue. I want to know who dared to lay a hand on my great-grandfather."
Ming Ya sighed, "Alas, it is better that you do not know."
"Speak," Ming Zhi Tian insisted, determined to know.
Ming Ya said, "Ever since you went to the Li Shang Zhen Hai to seek revenge against Bo Li Ge and vanished without a trace, Bu Qi rushed back to the Chen family to request your great-grandfather to come out of seclusion to deal with Bo Li Ge. The outcome, as you can imagine, was..."
Chen Huai Tian sighed, "Alas, it is all my fault for being useless. Even if I had asked ten old friends to go with me, we were no match. Bo Li Ge is too powerful."
Ming Zhi Tian clenched his fist, "Bo Li Ge again... Just you wait."
Chen Huai Tian waved his hand, "Enough, let's not dwell on this disheartening topic. By the way, Zhi Tian, I haven't had a chance to prepare a gift for you yet..."
He then produced a small box and opened it. Inside was a Thousand-Grade Pill! Its medicinal fragrance was so potent that it instantly permeated the entire hall and its surroundings.
"This is..."
Everyone held their breath, as if a single inhalation would bring them immense comfort and refreshment.
Chen Bu Qi quickly closed the box, "No! This life-saving pill is your only means of extending your life, Grandfather. You cannot give it to him."
Ming Zhi Tian also spoke, "Yes, Great-Grandfather. This pill is far too precious, and besides, your grandson has no use for it."
Chen Huai Tian pushed Chen Bu Qi aside and forcefully placed the life-saving pill into Ming Zhi Tian's hand. "You may not have use for it now, but that doesn't mean you won't in the future. Take it. This is the only gift I can proudly present. Do not shame your Great-Grandfather."
Ming Zhi Tian, unable to refuse him, reluctantly accepted it, "Alright then."
He then reciprocated by presenting a whole bottle of Bone-Shaping Pills, which would be highly beneficial for an elder in his twilight years.