Chapter 30: Great Upheaval (Part 9)

Xiao Yu Long’s words made Xiao Lie tremble all over, his pupils suddenly constricted, and he stood frozen in place.

Looking at Xiao Yu Long’s sly, cold smile, he finally understood—the whispered words he’d heard at his son Xiao Ying’s grave all those years ago… all of it was meant for him to hear!

Xiao Yu Long’s words erupted like a thunderclap, and the entire hall erupted in chaos. Everyone stood with their mouths agape, eyes fixed on Xiao Lie. But when they saw his extraordinary reaction, their shock multiplied a hundredfold, and the murmurs of their voices grew louder.

Xiao Chen stood utterly still, his mind reeling as he noticed Xiao Lie’s response. Xiao Ling Xi also fell silent, staring blankly at Xiao Lie.

“Yu Long! What is going on?” Xiao Yun Hai furrowed his brow and asked in a low voice.

Xiao Yu Long stepped aside, bowing respectfully: “Father, a few days ago, I visited the mountain graves to pay respects to our ancestors, and I happened to meet the Five Elders. There, at Xiao Ying’s tombstone, he was muttering to himself about something… I heard it clearly. He was saying… Xiao Chen is not Xiao Ying’s biological son!”

From their earlier words and Xiao Lie’s reaction, they had all begun to suspect this truth, but Xiao Yu Long’s blunt declaration struck them like a bolt from the blue. Every member of the Xiao Clan stood in stunned silence, and those closest to Xiao Lie—his friends and confidants—stared with wide, disbelieving eyes.

“This…” Xiao Yun Hai’s face was a mask of shock. He immediately grew serious: “Yu Long! This is a matter of bloodlines—we cannot speak such things lightly!”

Xiao Yu Long replied solemnly: “Such a great matter—I would not dare speak a single false word. The truth, if anyone knows, is the Five Elders. I believe you’ve heard me already. If you truly believe Xiao Chen is your grandson, then swear by all the honors your son Xiao Ying earned in life!”

All eyes turned to Xiao Lie. He stood rigid, his expression growing increasingly bitter. After a long pause, he said nothing, offered no defense… his son Xiao Ying had been his greatest pride. Even in death, he could not bring himself to swear by his son’s legacy.

Xiao Chen opened his mouth but could not form a single word, a crushing weight of guilt spreading through his chest.

“Father, little Chen—how could he not be your grandson? Father, quickly, tell them!” Xiao Ling Xi shook Xiao Lie’s body frantically, her voice laced with panic.

But Xiao Lie stood like stone, unmoving. Slowly, his face grew pale, as though decades had drained from his appearance in an instant.

“The Five Elders, what is happening? Is what Yu Long said true?” Xiao Yun Hai’s brow was knitted with agitation as he demanded answers.

Xiao Lie slowly lifted his head, taking a deep breath. Xiao Yu Long had forced him to swear by his son Xiao Ying… something he could never do. Thus, the secret he had hidden for sixteen years could no longer stay buried. He had assumed this truth would remain concealed until his death, but he never imagined it would be exposed so soon, in such a public and merciless manner.

Xiao Lie’s expression had spoken for itself. If he had anything to say, he would have said it without hesitation, sealing Xiao Yu Long’s words. Every person in the Xiao Clan stared in awe. Even Summer Qing Yue, usually silent, was wide-eyed with disbelief. And from the periphery, the ever-watchful Summer Hong Yi showed a rare, stunned expression… Xiao Chen was not Xiao Ying’s son? How could this be?!

“Grandfather…”

Xiao Chen stepped forward, each footfall heavy with sorrow. Looking at him, Xiao Lie seemed a decade older in that moment. Xiao Chen felt a bitter ache in his heart. He forced himself to stay calm, speaking softly: “Grandfather… is this really true?”

Xiao Lie lowered his head, meeting Xiao Chen’s gaze. In his blurred eyes, there was a complex emotion Xiao Chen could not fully grasp: “You are not my biological grandson, but these years, I’ve always treated you as such.”

The silence had spoken its truth. This final statement was a clear, undeniable acknowledgment.

The Xiao Clan erupted in chaos. It was, without question, the most explosive revelation they had ever heard.

Xiao Chen stood motionless, no sound escaping his lips, as though lost in thought. Xiao Ling Xi also fell silent, her body slack. She shook her head frantically, shouting at Xiao Lie: “Father! What are you saying? Xiao Chen grew up with me—he’s my brother Xiao Ying’s biological son! How could he not be your grandson? You must be joking… right?!”

A hand reached out, gripping Xiao Ling Xi’s. Xiao Chen’s face had regained its usual composure. He looked at Xiao Ling Xi, a faint smile touching his lips as he gently shook his head: “It doesn’t matter. Master, you need not trouble yourselves. Since I never belonged to your Xiao Clan, I will leave… right away. No matter what happens, protect yourself and your health…”

Xiao Chen’s expression remained unchanged, calm yet bitter.

Xiao Sheng stepped forward, his steps heavy. After a long pause, he asked in a voice barely above a whisper: “Grandfather… if I am not your grandson, then who are my real parents?”

Xiao Lie had long anticipated this question. He closed his eyes, shook his head: “I don’t know. Xiao Ying found you outside, and even he doesn’t know your parents.”

“…” From the depths of Xiao Lie’s eyes, Xiao Chen sensed something unspoken—his true past, something he knew but could not voice in front of so many.

A sharp *thud* echoed as Xiao Chen knelt heavily before Xiao Lie, his voice sincere: “Grandfather, my love for you has always been greater than blood. These sixteen years, you’ve raised me, protected me, and given me everything. I’ve been blessed to have you as my grandfather. Though I’ve just learned I have no blood ties to the Xiao family, it changes nothing. You are my grandfather, and I am your grandson. Our bond transcends blood. As long as you accept me, I will always be your grandson!”

All present felt a deep stir in their hearts. Xiao Lie’s eyes grew damp. He nodded solemnly, his voice hoarse: “Good.” He reached out to help Xiao Chen rise, but Xiao Chen turned away, kneeling deeply to bow three times.

“Grandfather, mistress… after I leave, please take care of yourselves, stay healthy…”

When Xiao Chen stood, his forehead bore a bruise, yet his smile remained gentle as a spring breeze. He turned and walked toward the door, his steps steady. He wanted to stay—because Grandfather and Mistress were still there, and he longed to protect them with his life. But he could not; staying would bring unforeseen consequences to them. And even if he wished to remain, they would force him out.

“Xiao Sheng!!”

Xiao Ling Xi’s sobbing voice echoed behind him. Xiao Sheng paused, but did not stop, did not look back, and walked resolutely toward the door… Beneath his calm, peaceful exterior lay a storm of fury, resentment, and a thirst for vengeance…

He possessed extraordinary intellect and cunning, but lacked strength. Without power, he could not resist, could not protect Grandfather and Mistress, nor even struggle. He could only be driven away.

On the day he was reborn, he yearned for strength—that desire stemmed from the innate human longing for power. Now, his craving for strength was a hundred, a thousand times greater than before…

He wanted power to protect Grandfather and Mistress, to erase all disgrace, to make every person who had shown their true faces today regret their actions, to make Xiao Kong Yung die a painful death… even to make the entire Xiao Sect pay a price they would never forget!

“Please, protect Grandfather and Mistress… please…”

As he passed near Summer Qing Yue, Xiao Sheng whispered something only she could hear.

This enigmatic, proud man revealed a deep plea in his eyes—perhaps he had never begged anyone before in his life, making his request all the more desperate. Summer Qing Yue felt a sudden rush of breathlessness, almost unconsciously nodding.