The Qin Family Ancestral Hall.
It enshrined the Predecessor Spirits who had fought for the Qin Family. The densely packed ancestral tablets numbered well over a hundred thousand.
An elderly man with a head of white hair sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. He was the Qin Family's First Ancestor. Behind him stood the other nine Old Ancestors, as well as Qin Feng's good-for-nothing father, Qin Tian.
"Progenitor, that's how it happened!"
Qin Tian knelt respectfully on the ground and recounted the whole story.
Without turning his head, the Progenitor slowly said, "Since this battle can't be avoided, then we'll fight!"
"Yes!"
Everyone looked solemn as they vowed to fight to the death.
Just then—
A childish voice broke the serious atmosphere. "Old Ancestor, you mustn't..."
"Feng'er, get out!"
Seeing Qin Feng trot in on his two little legs, Qin Tian hurriedly scolded him to leave. Making a racket in the Ancestral Hall and daring to question the Progenitor's decision was utterly improper.
"Shut up!"
The Progenitor not only didn't reproach him, but instead scolded Qin Tian. Then, smiling warmly, he turned around and beckoned to Qin Feng.
"Yes!"
Qin Tian felt terribly aggrieved.
They were both descendants of the Old Ancestor, so why was there such a huge difference between them!?
Was it because he didn't have Emperor's Talent!?
"Feng'er, what did you mean when you said 'you mustn't' just now!?"
The Progenitor gazed at Qin Feng with unmistakable affection. He adored this junior, who had always known how to win people over and often brought him tasty treats.
Unlike those other unfilial descendants, who came to see him for nothing but a fight.
Qin Feng's little face was stern. "Only fools think they can win by going to war. Even if we win, we'll be weakened. If we lose, my Qin Family will be in grave danger."
"Fools!?"
All the Old Ancestors turned to look at Qin Tian in unison, as if to say, We're not taking the blame for this. You're the Qin Family's head.
"I..."
Qin Tian's eye twitched, and a huge "what the hell" rose in his heart.
"So, do you have a way to win without going to war?"
The Progenitor immediately became interested. He wanted to hear what this eight-year-old had to say.
It wasn't the Qin Family that was trying to start a war. The Great Xia Royal Family was coming after them. This was a war over their own interests; there was no right or wrong, and negotiation was out of the question.
"Of course!"
Qin Feng said confidently, "The whole thing started because my second brother and I upset the balance and made the Royal Family feel threatened. If we can find a way to hide the two of us, then the war will have no reason to continue."
That was it!?
That was a child's way of thinking.
Even if the brothers were hidden away, the Great Xia Royal Family wouldn't let the matter rest. The only way would be for the two of them to die or be crippled.
"Exactly. Crippled!"
Qin Feng's little face grew exceptionally solemn as he took out a yellowed ancient book.
It was an ancient text he had exchanged for through the system, containing information on various rare physiques. It clearly recorded detailed information about the Supreme Bone, including the correct way to unlock its potential.
"Dig out the bone, then rise from the ashes!"
The Old Ancestors present couldn't help crying out in shock. The correct way to unlock the Supreme Bone had startled them.
When another family gained a Supreme Bone, they treated its bearer like a precious treasure. What family would be cruel enough to dig a child's Supreme Bone out, then rely on sheer willpower to rise from the ashes and attain the Supreme position?
The Progenitor fell silent for a long while. At last, Fang Chang spoke. "This plan will work!"
"What!?"
The Old Ancestors cried out in surprise. They hadn't expected the Old Ancestor to agree.
"I object!"
Qin Tian hurriedly protested. "Hao'er is only five! He's still a child. This is not the kind of pain he should have to endure at his age."
The Progenitor replied unhurriedly, "A Supreme Bone alone isn't enough to attain the Supreme position. It also takes great willpower and courage. And all things are governed by fate."
"All things are governed by fate!?"
The Old Ancestors exchanged glances, wondering if the Progenitor had glimpsed some heavenly secret.
"But..."
Qin Tian understood the reasoning, but when it came to his own son, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
The Progenitor ignored Qin Tian and looked at Qin Feng with interest. "Hao'er can hide himself by having his bone dug out, then rise from the ashes and attain the Supreme position one day. How will you hide yourself, and later reveal your Emperor's Talent?"
Qin Feng spoke with righteous conviction. "The Eldest Young Master of the Qin Family was jealous of his second brother's talent, so he dug out his brother's Supreme Bone and took it for himself. When the Qin Family discovered what he'd done, he fled. The Qin Family's Old Ancestors flew into a rage and forever cast out Qin Feng, their rebellious son, issuing an order throughout the Ancient Wasteland to kill him on sight."
As soon as his words fell, the entire room was stunned.
They could hardly believe that the child before them was only eight years old. He was ruthless not only to others, but even more so to himself.
If Qin Hao would suffer only physical pain from having his bone dug out, Qin Feng would endure torment of both body and mind.
Not only would he be branded a traitor to the Qin Family, he would also lose its protection and face endless pursuit. He wouldn't be cleared of his name until the day Qin Hao grew up—and only if he survived that long.
Qin Feng, for his part, felt no pressure at all. A max-level Red-haired Old Monster wasn't just for show.
"No!"
As a father, Qin Tian couldn't accept this plan, no matter what.
His eldest son would have to bear the hopes of the entire family and struggle to survive outside, while his younger son would suffer unbearable pain as he grew, step by step. No parent would want their child to endure such agony.
"I'll do what a hero must, and bear a name reviled for generations. For the sake of the family, I'm willing!"
Qin Feng held his head high with righteous conviction. He almost moved himself to tears.
Just seventeen short words, and they nearly made the Old Ancestors, who had lived for thousands of years, lose their composure.
He was only eight!
He was still a child!
To spare the family a war, he was willing to step forward without hesitation, even if it meant bearing a name reviled for generations!!
With a descendant like this, how could the Qin Family fail to flourish in the future!?
"Ding-dong! A hypocritical villain like you deserves applause. Congratulations, host, you've obtained a Personal Space."
Qin Feng immediately sensed the Personal Space. It was about a thousand square meters—an essential piece of gear for traveling, killing, and setting fires.
The Progenitor tried hard to keep his composure, but his voice still trembled. "Old Ancestor knows you're a good child, but do you understand what you'll have to face if you do this? You won't get a chance to regret it!"
"I don't regret it. A sword's edge is honed through grinding, and plum blossoms bloom fragrant after bitter cold. Without weathering the storm, how can you see the rainbow!"
Qin Feng's eyes were clear, his gaze resolute.
But what he was thinking at that moment was...
Five years!!
Do you know what I've been through these past five years!?
Quit yapping!!
Hurry up and let me dig out the Supreme Bone. I want to complete the task! I want Invincible Twin Pupils! I don't want to stay home and play the good little baby. I want to leave the beginner's village and find pretty young ladies and a little wife.
"Good!!"
The Progenitor managed to force out a single word, as though it had taken all the strength in his body.
He knew Qin Feng's plan was the best one. It would minimize the Qin Family's losses, and even if the worst happened, they would only be sacrificing Qin Feng.
But if Qin Feng could hold on until that day, he would make the Qin Family even stronger.
"Progenitor, I'm begging you..."
Qin Tian hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, his eyes filled with humble pleading.
He simply couldn't bear to watch his own son be hunted down outside while he had to pretend not to care. For a father, it was simply too painful, too cruel.
"Father, don't worry. I'll definitely come back safe and sound!"
Moved, Qin Feng helped his good-for-nothing father to his feet. For the first time in eight years, he called him "Father" with genuine feeling.
That word "Father" was also a promise to him: he would definitely return and pull out his breathing tube with his own hands...
Before you continue