Chapter Thirty-Three: Head-to-Head Confrontation

Xiao Cheng harbored no affection for the old man; in fact, he had always detested his grandfather’s enigmatic airs, forever spouting high-sounding words about acting for the family’s sake, disregarding personal gain or loss. In truth, he was nothing but a man consumed by vanity. Perhaps, in Xiao Fusheng’s eyes, his reputation outweighed everything else.

That being said, there was no denying Xiao Fusheng’s abilities. He was the strongest member of the Xiao family, having reached the peak of Innate cultivation, and lingered there for nearly two decades. By now, he was invincible within that realm—though only within that realm.

The Xiao family’s unshakable status, standing strong for fifty years despite the new government’s establishment, its countless crackdowns and reforms, owed much to Xiao Fusheng’s power. Yet, the family had merely survived, not thrived. With each passing year, the family dwindled, its numbers thinning, and this too was inextricably linked to Xiao Fusheng. In the distant past, Xiao Cheng’s own father, Xiao Guoqing, was rumored to have been driven to his death, indirectly, by Xiao Fusheng.

As to what truly happened, Xiao Cheng never knew for certain. Whenever he questioned his great-grandmother, the old lady would swiftly cut him off, claiming fatigue and refusing to utter a word about his father.

When Xiao Fusheng entered the living room and sat, Xiao Cheng followed suit, making no other move—not even mustering the interest to greet his grandfather. Since the old man had come in person, it was surely for a serious matter; Xiao Cheng saw no reason to speak first. To open his mouth would be to lose the upper hand, and he would not yield his momentum from the outset. Moreover, whatever the reason for this visit, it was unlikely to be good; though what trouble precisely, he could not yet say.

Xiao Fusheng frowned at him, surprised that Xiao Cheng dared meet his gaze directly—a first. Not even this unfilial grandson, nor Wang Qiyi, a master in his own right, had ever dared meet his eyes before, cowed by his spiritual pressure.

He was astonished. Xiao Cheng, who once quailed before him, always lowering his head, now faced him without fear. When had this rascal grown such nerve?

Unleashing his spiritual sense, Xiao Fusheng probed Xiao Cheng, yet found himself unable to discern the boy’s cultivation. This only made him more certain—his mother must have given Xiao Cheng that jade pendant.

Feeling the old man’s attempt to gauge his strength, Xiao Cheng inwardly smirked. He was not at all concerned; his own spiritual sense now surpassed his grandfather’s.

The two sat opposite each other in silence, each composed, saying nothing, their eyes locked. The atmosphere in the living room grew tense and still.

Wang Qiyi, unable to fathom the state of affairs between grandfather and grandson, muttered to himself. If there’s something to be said, say it. If not, leave. Sitting around like this—what was the point? He wandered about the room, found a box of West Lake Dragon Well tea, two glass cups, and brewed a pot, pouring for both.

When it came to pouring tea, etiquette mattered. Wang Qiyi made no amateur mistakes: he filled Xiao Fusheng’s cup to the brim, while giving Xiao Cheng only half a cup, marking the distinction of status.

Watching Wang Qiyi’s deft tea-making, Xiao Cheng was a little curious—the man seemed more familiar with this place than he was.

“Do you know why I’ve come?” Xiao Fusheng finally could not bear the silence, breaking it himself. He realized that if he did not speak, this rascal would glare at him all afternoon.

“So you came just to have me guess riddles?” Xiao Cheng curled his lip. He’d done plenty lately; who knew which incident had sparked the old man’s arrival? There was no reason to confess unprovoked.

“Hmph!” Xiao Fusheng snorted, catching the sarcasm in Xiao Cheng’s tone. “Let’s put aside you beating your fourth uncle for now. What have you done to Yu Jia recently?”

After speaking, he fixed Xiao Cheng with a cold stare, confident he could spot any lie.

He had suspected for some time—lately, Xiao Cheng had stayed home, not gone out womanizing as usual. This was absolutely suspicious. The only explanation he could imagine was that this rascal had done something unspeakable with his sister-in-law!

Xiao Cheng nearly bit his tongue at the accusation. One could eat recklessly, but not speak recklessly. He’d done plenty of fighting and killing lately, but as heaven was his witness, he had never crossed any line with Sister Yu’er. The only time he’d accidentally seen her bathing was an accident. He’d even promised to buy her a box of underwear, but hadn’t had the chance to fulfill that promise.

Seeing Xiao Cheng’s silence, Xiao Fusheng assumed the worst. His beard trembled with anger—he’d suspected, but hadn’t truly believed the boy was capable of such a thing.

“You little beast! That’s your sister-in-law—how could you do such a thing? You’re worse than an animal!” Xiao Fusheng’s breath came short, his face turning pale with rage. He lashed out with a slap.

Though Xiao Cheng hadn’t fully grasped what was happening, he sensed the old man’s intent and quickly dodged. Had that slap landed, he’d be disfigured.

Xiao Fusheng was surprised; he hadn’t expected Xiao Cheng, of all people, to avoid his blow. At his level, it was all but impossible—certainly not by a good-for-nothing like Xiao Cheng. It must have been a fluke.

“Speak plainly. I don’t like riddles,” Xiao Cheng said, angered at the old man’s continued aggression. He was no match for a peak Innate master, after all.

“Plainly? You know what you’ve done—don’t play dumb!”

Xiao Cheng was perplexed. Even a beating should come with a reason; did his grandfather no longer require one to beat him?

“Then you tell me—what have I been doing this past month? I’ve only gone out twice. Don’t tell me you believe I’ve suddenly lost interest in women?” Xiao Fusheng jabbed a finger at him.

Xiao Cheng found this laughable. Not going out to chase women was now a crime? How did that make sense?

“I’ve been cultivating at home.”

“Cultivating?!” Xiao Fusheng’s anger turned to derision. Xiao Cheng, practicing at home? Impossible. He knew his grandson’s character better than anyone—if he’d said he was addicted to online games, perhaps he’d believe it.

A month at home just cultivating? No one who knew Xiao Cheng would believe it. A man obsessed with women, sitting alone at home cultivating?

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve done to your sister-in-law! You’re a disgrace to the family. If word of this got out, where would I put my face?” Xiao Fusheng’s eyes were bloodshot with fury.

From his words, Xiao Cheng pieced together his grandfather’s suspicions and found it all absurd. Simply because he’d stayed home for once instead of chasing after women, the old man thought he must have done something to his sister-in-law. This was pure conjecture, utterly unreasonable. Not going out to harm other women was now his fault?

What logic was this?

“It’s one thing to toy with other women, but you even target your sister-in-law? Our family has treated her poorly enough—how could you bring further dishonor? How am I supposed to explain this to the Fang family?”

“Bring out some evidence before you start slandering me!” Xiao Cheng was at his wit’s end. He couldn’t outfight or outargue the old man, and he was his blood grandfather, after all.

“Evidence? Shall I call Yu Jia here to confront you? Do you have any shame? If you’re man enough to do something, own up to it! The Xiao family has never produced such a disgrace as you!”

Xiao Cheng was speechless. The stubbornness of the old generation was unfathomable—once they made up their minds, there was no changing them. But this, truly, he had not done; not only had he not done it, he had never even thought of it.

“Evidence,” Xiao Cheng repeated, unwilling to explain further. To the old man, any explanation was pointless.

“Hmph! Don’t think you’re safe just because Yu Jia covers for you. My word is evidence enough. Do you think, as the family’s only hope for succession, you’re indispensable?”

Xiao Fusheng paused, then continued coldly, “Don’t forget—modern medicine can achieve many things. Test-tube babies, for example. With just one of your cells, I could produce descendants. If I threw a few million at the problem and found a handful of women, I could have several great-grandchildren in no time. Don’t doubt my resolve.”

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng was finally shaken. Dark lines crept across his forehead. Damn this technology! The image of several children suddenly appearing and calling him ‘father’ made his skin crawl.

The old man’s meaning was clear: Xiao Cheng’s value to the family was only as a source of offspring. If necessary, he could simply produce a batch of test-tube heirs; the family line would continue, carrots or no carrots.

Xiao Cheng had to admit, the old man was cunning—he’d thought of everything. He had no doubt about his grandfather’s resolve. But he was neither an animal nor a breeding pig.

“Test-tube babies? Why, you could do it yourself. Why bother with me at all? Make a few sons for yourself. Then I’d get to call the kids ‘uncle’—wouldn’t that be fun?” This time, Xiao Cheng was truly angry.

He had never been one to let others control him, nor would he yield to threats, not even from his own grandfather.

Besides, it was the old man who drove his father to death; the deaths of several uncles and cousins were also closely tied to him. Not hating the old man was already a feat; to love or revere him was impossible.

He could show respect to his ancestors, cherish his sisters-in-law, even care for Zhuo Qinglian, but for the old man, he felt nothing but the faintest tie of blood.

Since childhood, his grandfather had called him nothing but ‘little beast,’ never once using his real name, never once showing true concern.

In the past, he had kept silent out of fear for the old man’s power. But now, things were different. Since the old man chose to lay things bare, even using test-tube babies as a threat, he saw no reason to maintain the old pecking order.

Use him to create test-tube heirs? He was no specimen, no animal. Clearly, his grandfather had never regarded him as a true grandson.

“You...!” Xiao Fusheng trembled with rage at Xiao Cheng’s defiant words. When had this wretch ever dared speak to him so?

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[Third update. No words—just rolling on the ground for your support!]