The older they got, the livelier they became

Wang Zhuo dropped to one knee and helped Tian Jinzong roll up his sleeve, exposing the stump where his wrist had been severed.

Looking at the wound that had long since healed, Tian Jinzong said in a low voice, "We still don't know who those people were. They captured me and tortured me for Huaiyi's whereabouts."

"But I really didn't know, so they destroyed my meridians and my limbs..."

"Now I'm nothing but a cripple..."

"..." The sight of those horrifying wounds made Zhang Chulan feel even worse, and he lowered his head dejectedly.

"So that's what happened."

"It was all because of my grandpa that you..."

Seeing him blame himself, Tian Jinzong hurriedly interrupted, "Silly boy, don't misunderstand. I'm not telling you this to complain..."

"After I was injured, I couldn't practice those punching and kicking arts anymore. But that let me focus entirely on meditative practice instead. My Pure Tranquility Skill has improved greatly these past few years."

Lu Jin walked up with his hands on his old waist and teased him with a laugh. "Yes, yes, I've heard. Once you settle into meditation, you don't come out for months."

"They say you haven't slept a wink in all your decades on this mountain..."

Tian Jinzong retorted sourly, "What nonsense. It's called having no desire for food when your qi is full, and no desire for sleep when your spirit is full. My spirit and qi are both whole and abundant now. I really don't need sleep to nourish my body anymore..."

"That's what makes you an old character. The older you get, the more you've got up your sleeve~" Wang Zhuo's sudden remark nearly made Lu Jin and Zhang Zhiwei burst out laughing.

Zhang Chulan, who had been on the verge of tears, froze, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Tian Jinzong chuckled helplessly, then looked at Zhang Chulan. "Child, although we don't know how you've all gotten through these years..."

"I know it couldn't have been easy."

Those words broke through Zhang Chulan's defenses again, and tears of pent-up hurt streamed down his face.

He couldn't tell outsiders about all the hurt he had suffered over the years. He could only bottle it up inside.

"Your grandpa was always a slippery one. Of course he knew Master would protect him if he returned to the mountain. But he didn't want to bring disaster upon his fellow disciples, so he would rather spend his whole life hiding from place to place..."

"Grandmaster!" Tears pattered down Zhang Chulan's face as he knelt again.

"Do you blame your grandpa?"

"No, I don't blame him. I just never knew why..."

"I never knew..."

His words were filled with hurt and resentment, and his body trembled as he sobbed.

Seeing this, Wang Zhuo pushed Tian Jinzong a little farther forward, bringing him closer to Zhang Chulan.

His heart aching for the boy, Tian Jinzong continued to comfort him. "Back then, he had no one to turn to either. He couldn't tell you about these things..."

"Ah, that big-eared rascal. Why did he have to do that? If he'd brought you all to Mount Longhu sooner, you wouldn't have had to struggle so much."

"All these years, my senior brother and I have never blamed him, let alone held a grudge."

Thud!

Zhang Chulan kowtowed firmly before him.

"Grandmaster!"

Looking at him like this, Tian Jinzong couldn't help chuckling, feeling both tenderness and helplessness.

"Huaiyi's grandson is our grandson too. Chulan, no matter how this tournament turns out, the Celestial Master Mansion will always be your home."

"If Zhang Zhiwei ever treats you badly, just tell Grandpa. I'll blast Phoenix Legend at the bastard every day when he tries to meditate!"

Zhang Zhiwei's aged face fell. "..."

"Listen, junior brother, what did I ever do to any of you? You're all using me to throw your weight around, aren't you?"

"Believe me, I'll use you as a dart to knock down something for a snack."

Meanwhile, Lu Jin was so moved that he shed tears, wiping them away with a handkerchief. "Damn it, you know how easily I cry, and you still pull this whole long-lost-family reunion on me."

"Old Tian, Old Zhang, congratulations. You've got yourselves a grandson."

"No problem. If one isn't enough, count me in too." Wang Zhuo, who was pushing the wheelchair, leaned in and rested against Tian Jinzong's shoulder.

"Other people have lots of grandsons like the Calabash Brothers. Having lots of grandpas is a talent too. We can call ourselves the Calabash Grandpas."

"You little brat, you really can spout nonsense. Calabash Grandpas, my foot!" Lu Jin couldn't help laughing as he scolded him.

"I haven't agreed to take you as my grandson yet."

"Hey, Grandpa Lu, how could you not love a handsome young fellow like me? Fair enough, a grandson-in-law..."

"Stop, stop. I'd rather take you as a grandson."

Zhang Zhiwei laughed heartily too. "Well now, this old Taoist would certainly love that."

"Who wouldn't love getting a grandson for free?"

"..."

Watching them gathered in such a happy circle, Feng Baobao felt something she couldn't put a name to.

She couldn't describe it or express it. It sat in her chest, making her feel stifled.

Feng Baobao stared at them in silence, then turned and left the room.

"Oof, I need to pee. Take your time chatting, Grandpas. Your grandson is heading out." Wang Zhuo showed no reserve at all, calling them Grandpa outright before promptly making his escape.

"Ha, you little rascal. Go on!" Lu Jin didn't think much of it.

Zhang Chulan hesitated briefly, then relaxed when he saw Wang Zhuo follow her out. He continued asking, "By the way, Grandpas, could you tell me the names of those thirty-six seniors back then...?"

Feng Baobao walked out holding the bag of chips, staring blankly at the chips inside.

The young people gathered around quickly turned to look when they saw someone come out.

Xi, a blond boy with a childlike appearance, craned his neck and teased her without a hint of politeness. "Hey, girl, what are those people in there talking to Zhang Chulan about?"

But Feng Baobao ignored him completely and continued on her way.

Seeing Xi get snubbed, Hidden Dragon and Bai Shixue couldn't help snickering.

Mocked by his companions and ignored by an old woman.

How could the proud, arrogant Xi stand that? He spun around and reached for her shoulder.

"I'm talking to you! Didn't you hear me?!"

Whoosh!

Wang Zhuo appeared beside Feng Baobao in an instant, put an arm around her shoulders, and casually reached into the bag of chips to help himself.

Buzzz!

The furious Xi's pupils contracted sharply, as though he had seen some prehistoric beast.

His hands were clearly less than five centimeters away, yet they couldn't seem to advance another fraction, as though they had hit an invisible wall in a game.

"Little brother, my big sister isn't in a good mood right now. Could you keep it down?"

Wang Zhuo turned his head with a smile, and his Conqueror's Haki sent Xi flying several meters away.

Terrifying black-and-red electricity swept toward him.

"You're! Liu Guanyi!!!"

Xi, who had been so arrogant a moment ago, trembled all over, cold sweat pouring off him.

He might have had the courage to try his luck against someone else, but he truly didn't have the nerve to take on Liu Guanyi.

This was the ruthless man who could swing Wang Bing around like nunchucks!

"If you can't learn your place, I'll use you as a snap pop." Wang Zhuo's smile didn't reach his eyes as he lowered his head to look at Feng Baobao.

"Feeling down, Bao'er? Give me a couple of punches to let it out if you need to."

"You...!" Xi's neck flushed red, but he still didn't dare make another threat.