Old Jack Arrives, Rongrong Meets Grandpa Jack

Ning Fengzhi looked at their clasped hands, froze for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Good, wonderful!"

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet.

"This girl has been spoiled rotten in the sect since childhood. Even her Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, and I could never manage her. At last, someone can keep her in line."

Gu Feng turned to glance at Ning Rongrong, then said to Ning Fengzhi, "Rongrong is actually very obedient and well-behaved."

Hearing that, Ning Rongrong secretly gave Gu Feng's palm a squeeze, sweetness filling her heart.

"Come, go to the main hall with Father."

Ning Fengzhi patted Gu Feng on the shoulder.

"If your two grandpas find out about this, who knows how happy they'll be."

The three of them arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's council hall.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin were seated in their chairs, drinking tea. Seeing Ning Fengzhi enter with the two children, Gu Rong spoke first.

"Fengzhi, what good news has you smiling so happily this early in the morning?"

Ning Fengzhi walked to the seat of honor and sat down, pointing at Gu Feng and Ning Rongrong.

"Uncle Bone, Uncle Sword, these two children are together."

Gu Rong spat out the mouthful of tea he had just taken.

He stared wide-eyed at Gu Feng's hand holding Ning Rongrong's, somewhat exasperated.

"What? My precious granddaughter was just spirited away by this brat?"

Chen Xin also set down his teacup, his gaze falling on their joined hands. Though he said nothing, there was surprise in his brows as well.

Gu Feng stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the two Titled Douluo.

"Grandpa Bone, Grandpa Sword."

That form of address dispelled more than half of Gu Rong's anger.

He snorted and looked away.

"Brat, you were quick to change how you address us. But if you dare bully Rongrong, these old bones of mine won't let you off."

"Uncle Bone, stop scaring Little Feng." Ning Fengzhi cut in with a smile, then took out the Whale Rubber on the table and explained its effects to the two elders.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged a glance. Chen Xin directly grabbed Gu Feng's wrist, sending Soul Power through his body for a circuit.

"His vitality is vigorous, and his meridians are broad and resilient. This truly is not the physique an ordinary level thirty-six Soul Elder should possess."

Chen Xin nodded, surprise in his voice.

"If this item can truly be supplied in large quantities, the sect's strength will surely rise to another level."

"I'll immediately arrange for people to purchase Whale Rubber of every age from all the coastal provinces, regardless of the cost."

Ning Fengzhi made the decision without hesitation.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Gu Feng spoke up.

"Uncle Ning, since Grandpa Jack has already been brought to the foot of the mountain, I'd like to take Rongrong to see him."

Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement. "Go on, and be careful on the way. Rongrong, no fooling around."

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue, grabbed Gu Feng's hand, and ran toward the hall entrance.

Watching the two depart, Gu Rong said somewhat sourly.

"Fengzhi, you're just giving Rongrong away to that brat? I can't help feeling bitter about it."

Chen Xin gave him an indifferent glance.

"He has exceptional talent and a steady temperament. He and Rongrong are a perfect match. What gives an old bag of bones like you the right to object?"

Meanwhile, Gu Feng left the main hall holding Ning Rongrong's hand. They made their way down through the sect gates toward the town.

Half an hour later, they arrived before a small courtyard on the eastern side of the town at the foot of the mountain.

The courtyard gate stood open, and inside was a neat little vegetable patch. The soil had just been turned over.

Old Jack had rolled up his trouser legs and was holding a small iron trowel, watering the freshly planted cabbage seedlings.

"Grandpa Jack."

Gu Feng stood at the courtyard gate and called softly.

Old Jack's movements halted, and he turned to look over.

When he clearly saw the young man standing at the gate, the wooden dipper in Old Jack's hand nearly fell to the ground.

"Little Feng?"

Old Jack hurried out of the vegetable patch, vigorously wiping the dirt from his hands on his clothes.

"You child, how did you end up in Heaven Dou City?"

"When Sect Master Ning sent people to fetch me, I thought I was dreaming."

Old Jack came closer, seized Gu Feng's arm, and looked him over from head to toe. Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to relax.

"You've grown taller, and stronger too."

"You must have suffered a lot out there all by yourself."

Gu Feng let Old Jack hold him, his tone gentle.

"I made you worry."

"I've joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now, and Uncle Ning treats me very well. You can live here in peace from now on."

Old Jack nodded repeatedly, his eyes slightly red.

The abandoned infant he had found at the village entrance all those years ago had not only become a Soul Elder, but had also been accepted as a core disciple by one of the Upper Three Sects, famed throughout the continent.

Even rarer was that, despite achieving such great success, this child had not forgotten him, an old country man, in the slightest.

Gu Feng turned slightly and drew over the girl who had been standing quietly beside him.

"Grandpa Jack, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Ning Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong wore a simple, elegant white dress today, without a trace of the young miss's airs she usually had in the sect.

She stepped forward a little and called out sweetly.

"Hello, Grandpa Jack. I'm Rongrong."

Old Jack froze where he stood, at a loss for what to do.

The girl before him was exceptionally beautiful and carried an air of nobility. At a glance, she was clearly a young lady raised in luxury by a top-tier great sect.

"Good! Wonderful!"

Old Jack came back to his senses, grinning from ear to ear.

"For Little Feng to find such a beautiful and sensible girl as you is truly the blessing he cultivated in a past life!"

Ning Rongrong felt a little embarrassed by the praise. She quietly moved closer to Gu Feng, a faint blush rising in her cheeks.

At noon, Old Jack busied himself cooking.

Ning Rongrong voluntarily ran to the stove to help add firewood. Though she clumsily smudged a patch of black ash onto her face, she did not complain a single word.

Gu Feng sat nearby picking vegetables, while the house was filled with the warm, bustling air of everyday life.

After lunch, the sun in the courtyard gradually climbed higher.

Gu Feng looked at the sky, rose to his feet, and bade Old Jack farewell.

"Grandpa Jack, Rongrong and I still have to return to the sect to train this afternoon, so we have to leave now."

Old Jack saw them all the way to the courtyard gate, holding Gu Feng's hand and repeatedly urging him.

"Little Feng, when you go to a big place, be steady and honest."

"You must train hard. Live up to the sect's regard for you, and live up to all the hardships you've endured over the years."

"Grandpa is doing very well at the foot of the mountain. Don't worry about me. In my heart, Grandpa cheers for you every day."

Gu Feng took half a step back and gave Old Jack a proper, deep bow.

"Grandpa Jack, take care of yourself. I'll come see you again before long."

Ning Rongrong also bowed in farewell.

"Goodbye, Grandpa Jack. Next time, I'll bring you the best osmanthus cakes in Heaven Dou City."

The two walked side by side along the mountain road back to the sect.

Ning Rongrong looped her arm around Gu Feng's, then asked curiously.

"Brother Feng, Father prepared such a large residence in the sect estate. Why didn't you bring Grandpa Jack there to enjoy life?"

"This little courtyard at the foot of the mountain is quiet, but how could it be as comfortable as living inside the sect?"

Gu Feng slowed his pace to match hers.

"Grandpa Jack farmed in Holy Soul Village for his entire life. He's used to a life of working at sunrise."

"If we brought him into a grand residence and had servants surrounding him every day, he would only feel uncomfortable all over."

"Look at how he was in the vegetable patch just now. Living happily is what matters most."

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"So that's how it is. I always used to think that if something was the best, others would definitely like it."

Gu Feng casually rubbed the top of her head.

"The fact that you can think of that now already makes you very smart."

Ning Rongrong raised her hand and slapped his away, her tone adorably indignant.

"Stop brushing me off with things you'd say to a child. I'm not stupid!"