The Old Patriarch's Passing
Life returned to normal once again.
Yang Xiyue has now completely integrated into the Xiao Household and become a member of the Xiao Household.
However, what annoyed Xiao Lin was that Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue, the newlyweds, always liked to show off their affection in front of him, which was very annoying!
Finally, after enduring it to the point of exhaustion, Xiao Lin drove them all to the Misty Cloud Sect.
Anyway, Xiao Zhan is now the second disciple of Yun Shan, so Misty Cloud Sect is practically his home.
Rather than letting this young couple waste their days at home, it's better to let them have some fun in the Yun Shan.
Moreover, Xiao Zhan's cultivation has been delayed for more than half a year, and it's time to continue his efforts.
The cultivation atmosphere in the Xiao Household was ultimately not as active as that in the Misty Cloud Sect.
Sending this young couple to the Misty Cloud Sect would allow them to focus some of their attention on cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue had been married for more than half a year.
On this day, Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue, a young couple who were cultivating at the Misty Cloud Sect, received a letter from the Xiao Household family.
When Yun Shan handed the letter from the Xiao Household to Xiao Zhan was initially puzzled as to why the Xiao Household would suddenly contact him.
However, after reading the letter, he stood there stunned, speechless for a long time.
"A-Zhan, what happened?"
Seeing her husband's strange appearance, Yang Xiyue quickly asked.
However, Xiao Zhan still did not respond to his wife's question.
This made Yang Xiyue anxious, so she snatched the letter from her husband's hand.
After reading the letter, Yang Xiyue finally understood why her husband had acted this way.
Having been married into the Xiao Household for more than half a year, Yang Xiyue naturally knew how much the contents of the letter would affect her husband.
"Xiao Zhan, you've finished reading the letter. There's still some time; you and Xiyue should return to the Xiao Household as soon as possible."
Seeing his disciple staring blankly, Yun Shan deliberately added a hint of Dou Qi to his voice.
Only then did Xiao Zhan finally come to his senses.
"Yes, teacher, I'll go back to the Xiao Household with Xiyue right away! Teacher, senior sister, please take care!"
After regaining his senses, Xiao Zhan, holding his wife's hand, hurriedly bowed to Yun Shan and Yun Yun, and left Misty Cloud Sect without even packing any luggage.
Traveling day and night, they arrived back at the Xiao Household in less than half a day.
"Young Master, Young Madam."
Along the way, Xiao Household clansmen greeted the two from time to time.
However, both Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue could see that the atmosphere in the Xiao Household was quite somber!
Everyone's face seemed to be suppressing something.
Of course, this was also evident on the faces of Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue, who rushed back in a hurry.
As he walked through the halls he knew so well, Xiao Zhan felt an indescribable heaviness in his heart.
Thinking of the contents of that letter home, his heart ached even more.
Soon, Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue arrived at a small courtyard.
At this moment, most of the Xiao Household's Leadership were already gathered around the courtyard.
Similarly, a look of sorrow lingered on the faces of these Leadership Xiao Household.
The couple, Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue, who had rushed over, nodded to the Xiao Household's Leadership members and then gently pushed open the tightly closed door not far away.
The first thing that came into view was a tall figure.
"Zhan'er, Xiyue, you're back?"
Turning around, it was none other than Xiao Lin!
"Dad! ×n2"
The couple bowed to Xiao Lin, their father-in-law.
Xiao Lin waved his hand dismissively.
"Sigh~, you all stay and keep the old clan chief company, he probably won't make it through the night--"
Xiao Lin's heavy voice reached Xiao Zhan's ears, causing his heart to tremble.
Then, Xiao Lin stepped out of the room and gently closed the door.
"Is it Zhan'er and Xiyue-- "
Not long after Xiao Lin left the room, the old man who had been lying on the sickbed slowly opened his eyes and spoke.
The old man on the sickbed was none other than Xiao Dongcheng, the patriarch of the Xiao Household family.
That's right, the letter from the Xiao Household to the Misty Cloud Sect described the critical illness of the old patriarch Xiao Dongcheng.
This explains Xiao Zhan's unusual behavior and the scene of the couple rushing back to the Xiao Household.
Similarly, this explains why the Xiao Household is reacting this way.
"Grandpa Chief, it's me and Xiyue who's back."
Upon hearing Xiao Dongcheng's weak voice, Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue quickly stepped forward and walked to the bedside.
Seeing Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue return, Xiao Dongcheng's tired face showed a relieved smile.
The three chatted inside until nearly sunset before Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue finally came out.
However, when they came out, Xiao Lin and other Leadership of the Xiao Household, who had been in the courtyard, could see that Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue's eyes were red, clearly indicating that they had been crying.
Seeing this, Xiao Lin didn't say anything to comfort him, but simply patted his son on the shoulder.
When faced with the pain of separation and death, no amount of comfort can truly help.
Furthermore, despite Xiao Lin's calm demeanor, his internal grief was no less than Xiao Zhan's.
However, as the patriarch of the Xiao Household, he did not show these things.
The old clan chief Xiao Dongcheng, slept soundly for a while, and didn't wake up again until evening.
The first thing he did upon waking was to see Xiao Lin.
When Xiao Lin stepped into the old patriarch Xiao Dongcheng's room again, he found that the other man had actually sat up on his own!
A final burst of energy before death!
This term suddenly popped into Xiao Lin's mind.
"Chief!"
Xiao Lin shouted in a trembling voice.
"How many times have I told you? You're the head of the Xiao Household family now. Sigh, why won't you listen?"
Xiao Dongcheng's rambling voice rang out.
"Then, clan leader, just keep repeating it a little longer, and maybe I'll remember it."
Xiao Lin did not reveal his inner feelings.
"Hahaha, you, you!"
Xiao Dongcheng pointed at Xiao Lin, shook his head helplessly, and chuckled.
Afterwards, Xiao Lin and Xiao Dongcheng chatted in the room for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
At this moment, fatigue once again appeared on Xiao Dongcheng's face.
Seeing this, Xiao Lin opened his mouth, and at this moment, even he couldn't help but feel his eyes redden.
"You don't need to be sad for me. I've made it this far; you should be happy for me. To witness the Xiao Household's resurgence, Zhan'er's marriage, and your own outstanding achievements—what more could I ask for?"
After saying this, Xiao Dongcheng's eyes were already in a state of healing but not yet closed.
Unable to bear witnessing this scene, Xiao Lin quietly turned his head away and wiped something on his face with his sleeve.
"The Xiao Household's growth is too rapid these days; they need to keep a low profile. My funeral shouldn't be a big affair. Xiao Lin, the Xiao Household's future rests on your shoulders—"
The old man's last words faded away until they were no longer audible.
And his eyes were completely closed.
This elderly man, who dedicated his entire life to the Xiao Household, was still thinking about the Xiao Household until his very last moment.
After gently laying the old patriarch Xiao Dongcheng's body flat on the bed and tidying his clothes, Xiao Lin came out of the room.
"Respectfully bidding farewell to our ancestor!"
A unified sound emanated from the Xiao Household.
This also signifies the end of the life of Xiao Dongcheng, the patriarch of the Xiao Household family.
That night, a shooting star streaked across the sky!
It is said that every person represents a star in the Starry Sky, and every time someone dies, a star falls.
Perhaps this is true?