Chapter 184: Chapter 184 I’m Married Now
Tong Yan watched Yang Fei somewhat speechlessly for a long time before finally calming down.
Brag all you want, at least the kid has genuine talent and skill, his strength is seriously bad-ass already.
If given more time to grow, it’s not impossible for him to cross the great divide that I still haven’t crossed and step into the Innate Realm.
Tong Yunshu also ran over at this time, having overheard their earlier conversation, her eyes shone with fascination as they landed on Yang Fei’s face.
Indeed impressive, even Third Grandpa is looking at him differently now.
But to say he’s only exerting fifty percent of his combat power, isn’t that a bit too exaggerated?
She couldn’t help but think back to the time when she took Yang Fei to see her grandfather for treatment.
Back then, Yang Fei said a lot that sounded like boasting to her, but looking back now, maybe Yang Fei wasn’t just talking big.
At this thought, she was inwardly startled, could it be that Yang Fei is really that powerful, only unleashing half of his combat power due to his injuries?
However, Yang Fei was unaware of their grandfather and granddaughter’s thoughts; he looked at Tong Yan and said, "Senior, once I’ve recovered to sixty...er, perhaps seventy percent of my strength, you won’t be a match for me."
Tong Yan was furiously exasperated, "Kid, can you die if you don’t brag? Damn it, I’ve seen braggers before, but I’ve never seen someone who can brag like you. Even your master wouldn’t dare to say he could suppress me using just fifty percent of his strength, would he?"
Seeing his anger, Yang Fei realized he might have wounded his pride, and quickly changed the subject, "Senior, since you recognize my Qing Gong technique, you must certainly know my master’s name, right?"
Tong Yan, seeing Yang Fei looking at him with expectation, pondered for a moment, then nodded, "I suppose I know him. It turns out we’re from the same lineage, both inheritors of the Taoist way."
"Taoist way?" Yang Fei was astonished.
Tong Yan nodded and said, "Your master is a true cultivator, and my Xuanzhen Temple is also a genuine Taoist lineage, so indeed we belong to the same family."
Yang Fei hurriedly said, "Then I have even more reason to call you senior."
Tong Yan listened and, not knowing if he was reminded of something, his old face turned somewhat red.
Damn it, if this kid is truly the Fatty Taoist’s disciple, then by the Taoist way of ranking by seniority, wouldn’t his rank be the same as mine?
For a moment, Tong Yan felt a storm raging inside him, wishing he could slap himself.
Why did I tell him I knew his master, why did I say we belong to the same lineage?
But thinking about how he is friends with my granddaughter which makes them of the same generation, and going by that, it seems I really am a senior to him.
Moreover, if my granddaughter and he...
No, that’s wrong. This kid has a complicated relationship with the Qin Family girl. I don’t know whether that relationship is real or fake. Should I keep Yunshu from getting too close to him until I figure it out?
But to let such a promising young talent slip through our fingers really leaves me unwilling.
If the Qin Family can do it, why can’t the Tong Family?
If Yunshu ends up with him and with this kid’s strength, there’s no doubt he will step into the Innate Realm someday. Add the reputation of his master, the Fatty Taoist, and considering the Divine Continent Martial World, even the global Martial Arts community, who would dare to underestimate the Tong Family then?
At this moment, Tong Yan gritted his teeth, as if he had made a certain decision, his eyes ablaze as they fixed on Yang Fei.
So what if he’s married.
If need be, just snatch him away.
The Qin Family doesn’t seem to approve of this kid, and with the Zhang Family seeking an alliance through marriage with the Qin Family, if I let Yunshu snatch this kid away, I reckon many from the Qin and Zhang Families would actually thank me.
With these thoughts, Tong Yan’s determination grew even stronger.
He looked at Yang Fei and said, "You lad might be a bit boastful, but I do like your temperament. Haven’t had dinner yet, have you? How about we find a place to grab a bite and drink some wine?"
Yang Fei nodded and replied, "Yes, elder. Since you have come from afar, I will definitely fulfill my duties as the host today."
While speaking, he seemed somewhat uncertain and looked at Tong Yan, "But I did kill Tong Jianzhou and fought against Tong Fujun, so I’ve offended the Tong Family. Are you really able to let bygones be bygones, elder?"
Tong Yan waved his hand and said, "They’re not my sons or grandsons. I’m not too heartbroken about it. And, I’ve been displeased with them for a long time."
Yang Fei: "..."
Tong Yunshu: "..."
In the end, it was Tong Yunshu who first collected herself and asked cautiously, "Third Grandpa, are... are you serious?"
Tong Yan huffed, "Competition for the succession of the family is inevitable, and it should be fair and just, using proper means. But Tong Fujun and Tong Jianzhou took a crooked path and could even do such things to their own kin, which is lower than pigs and dogs."
After a pause, a cold light flashed in Tong Yan’s eyes as he said coldly, "Moreover, they colluded with outsiders. In order to obtain powerful support, they surely promised many benefits to the other party, which is tantamount to inviting wolves into one’s house. The Tong Family will inevitably be destroyed by their hands one day."
Tong Yunshu looked at Tong Yan in surprise and said admiringly, "So it turns out that while Third Grandpa was at Xuanzhen Temple, you knew everything about the family affairs and could see through the current flaws of our clan."
Tong Yan said, "I just didn’t want to be bothered by worldly matters and was devoted to pursuing martial arts; that doesn’t mean I’m really ignorant about the family’s situation. These years, your grandfather has been too arrogant and vain. He thought making some money was impressive, not realizing that to us martial artists, wealth is just a pile of numbers, something that can be taken at any time. If the Tong Family wants to secure its position, or even advance further, it needs to produce talent from within, not rely on external forces."
Tong Yunshu nodded and said, "You’re absolutely right, Third Grandpa. But Grandpa has been too indulgent with the clan members these years, unwilling to let the family endure hardships. As a result, our Tong Family hasn’t produced any true martial arts masters for two generations, with no one capable of carrying the banner."
Tong Yan looked at her approvingly and nodded, "The girl has a good eye and can see the issues within the Tong Family. Hence, the future burden of the Tong Family falls on you. Can you handle it?"
Tong Yunshu was startled and her entire being became confused, "Me?"
Tong Yan nodded.
Tong Yunshu hurriedly said, "I can’t. I can help with managing the family business, but to control the whole family... After seeing your battle today, I realized how weak I am without martial arts. I can’t manage the entire Tong Family, especially when you, Third Grandpa, are still here. With you around, nothing can happen to the Tong Family."
Tong Yan asked, "What if I die?"
Tong Yunshu’s whole body shivered, and her face turned pale instantly.
If the Tong Family lost Third Grandpa, the stabilizer, it could be devoured by other forces any minute.
"No, that won’t happen. Third Grandpa, you’re still so vigorous, you’ll live a very long time," Tong Yunshu hurriedly shook her head.
Tong Yan sighed softly and said, "Even though I still have some years to live, after all, the Tong Family needs someone to grow up and take over. Girl, there’s not a single promising one in this generation of the Tong Family, so it all depends on you."
"I really can’t," Tong Yunshu waved her hands frantically.
If she had previously thought herself capable of controlling the vast Tong Family and leading it to greater heights, the events of the past few days had given her a deeper understanding of the Martial World, and she realized the immense pressure that came with being the Tong Family Head.
Hehe, if I say you can, then you definitely can. You may not know martial arts, but as long as you have someone supporting you, no one would dare to touch the Tong Family," Tong Yan said, looking towards Yang Fei.
Tong Yunshu also looked at Yang Fei, and her pretty face flushed with color.
Yang Fei had been feeling a bit embarrassed listening to them discuss the Tong Family matters right in front of him; now that Tong Yan and Tong Yunshu both looked at him, piecing together what had been said, he was suddenly bewildered.
What are you looking at me for?
I... I’m a married man already.