Chapter 333: Asking About The Past
Months ago, during the Inter Clan Tournament, Yi Chen had already heard from Feng Ning about what had happened to the Feng Clan earlier.
He knew the Feng Clanâs members were massacred, and its entire upper echelon was uprooted overnight by those of the Huo Clan.
After hearing that story and linking it with Feng Yuâs and Zhen Ruâs ages, he was more or less certain that the reason behind Zhen Ruâs injuries was the Huo Clan.
However, even then, he wanted to know the entire story behind this event, something which was not openly circulated in the clan at all.
Hearing Yi Chenâs words and the frustration that was evident in his tone, Feng Lei stared silently at him for almost five seconds, making a trace of hesitation appear on Yi Chenâs face.
However, just when Yi Chen was about to withdraw his gaze, Feng Lei finally opened his mouth.
"Yi Chen... At times, the less you know, the better it is for you." He paused for a moment and continued, "At your age, you already have enough on your plate, and you shouldnât get distracted by anything else lest you lose your focus.
As for everything else thatâs related to my family, Iâll eventually take care of everything, so instead of worrying about things that do not matter, you should fully focus on your cultivation."
"Uncle...the moment I married Feng Yu, I became a part of your family, didnât I? Now, as Feng Yuâs husband, I consider it my obligation to know everything that has happened to her family.
Otherwise, how will I be able to face her when we meet later on?
What would she think when she hears that throughout these years, Iâve only concerned myself with cultivation, not caring the slightest bit about the Feng Clan nor her fatherâs past? Just how would she feel?!"
Yi Chen exclaimed with a hint of frustration evident in his eyes as he continued.
"I refuse to be that kind of man. Even though at the moment I might not possess the strength to contribute anything significant, that definitely wonât stay the same in the coming years.
Therefore, I beg Uncle to reveal the truth to me... just who were the people responsible for injuring Father-in-law? Just what is their status, and why, after all these years, is he still unwilling to come to the Jade City?"
Hearing Yi Chenâs words, Feng Lei couldnât help but purse his lips as his grey beard swayed because of the breeze. Staring at the stony ground, he was lost in his thoughts for a few seconds before finally letting out his breath to meet Yi Chenâs eyes.
"This past which you want to know...itâs not just related to Zheng Ru but also to Yuâerâs mother, Feng Xing...my elder sister."
Feng Leiâs eyes fluctuated with emotions as he mentioned Feng Xingâs name and continued, "...Itâs something which even Yuâer isnât fully aware of, so do you still want to know about it?"
"...Then thereâs all the more reason for me to know about the truth." Yi Chen answered with conviction evident in his eyes.
"Very well then..." Feng Lei said with a short nod as he organised the details in his mind for a second before continuing, "It all started when an unaffiliated cultivator showed up in front of the Feng Clanâs doors one day.
Just like many other such cultivators, he became an external disciple of the clan, but because of his superior talent, he won several praises from the clanâs higher-ups after entering the Qi Absorption Stage when he was just thirty years old.
The person Iâm talking about was naturally your father-in-law, Zheng Ru.
Seeing the immense potential he carried, a decision was soon made by the clan elders and Zheng Ru was soon promoted to the status of an Inner Disciple, making him the first person who wasnât related to the clan by blood to gain this status."
As Feng Lei said that, he locked gazes with Yi Chen, who was actively listening to him, and said, "And after more than two decades, youâve become the second person to follow that route."
âAh...â Yi Chen was instantly reminded of the patriarchâs words during the tournament. At that, he had told him not to worry about the clan membersâ thoughts as there had already been a past precedent.
â...So, the precedent he was talking about was Father-in-law.â
Seeing the expression of realisation on Yi Chenâs face, Feng Lei continued, "It was also during this period that Zheng Ru and my Elder Sister met for the first time.
A couple of years later, both of them were chosen by the Imperial family to participate in the Silver Cloud Tournament, which ended up deepening their bonds and eventually became the very reason why my sister decided to officially annul her engagement that had been planned with the son of the Huo Clanâs patriarch.
A decision...for which our entire clan paid with blood." Feng Leiâs expression turned stern as he said those words.
It was as if the bloodied scenes from the past were racing through his mind at the moment.
Meanwhile, Yi Chen couldnât help but mutter in realisation when he heard this: "So thatâs the reason behind that massacre..."
"Yes. It seems like youâve already heard about it a little." Feng Lei nodded in agreement and continued, "At that time, because of the intervention of the Imperial family, we were saved, and an agreement was signed between our two clans."
"Yes, Feng Ning had told me that she had read about this at the clanâs archives earlier...However, at that time, she was unable to find anything related to the contents of the deal," Yi Chen stated while recalling the past events.
"Mhm." Feng Lei nodded at those words and said, "Thatâs because if words were to get out about what had happened between the two clans, both the Feng Clan and particularly the Huo Clan would lose face.
It was because of this reason that only a handful of people in the entire Kingdom were aware of what exactly had happened in that deal.
Hearing this, Yi Chenâs curiosity was also stoked as he asked the next moment, "Just what were the contents of that deal? Was the Feng Clan forced to accept harsh terms by the Huo Clan?"