What sins had I committed?
Why did I insist on bringing these little living ancestors to meet Father?
Cheng Ping'an lamented inwardly. Bringing this pack of little brats here was even more exhausting than when he had ventured alone into dangerous lands back then.
Just as Cheng Ping'an tried hard to calm his emotions and silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Art, that chattering "transmission discussion meeting" began again:
"Look, Great-Grandfather didn't react!
If it were normal times, when I praised Great-Grandfather like that, he'd have smiled until his eyes narrowed to slits. Maybe he'd even reward me with a Spirit Fruit!
So Great-Grandfather definitely didn't hear our transmissions!"
The girl who had "tested" him reached her "conclusion," her tone brimming with confidence.
"That shouldn't be...
The cultivation common sense recorded in the clan's classics couldn't be wrong, could it?"
"Little Brother Hai" was beginning to doubt his life, his voice full of confusion.
"..."
Cheng Ping'an closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and decided to ignore these headache-inducing little ones for the moment, returning his attention to his father.
He only hoped Father would not think that all the Cheng Clan's younger generation were unruly troublemakers with no sense of propriety, forever making a racket.
Just as the little fellow known as "Little Brother Hai" wore a deeply conflicted expression, secretly doubting his life as he pondered why the common knowledge taught at the clan school did not match the "abnormality" before his eyes...
Cheng Buzheng, who had stood quietly listening all this while, finally revealed a clearly discernible smile at the corner of his lips.
That smile was gentle, carrying the tolerance of one who saw through everything, along with a trace of amusement at the innocent childishness of his descendants.
He shook his head lightly. His voice was