Chapter 1693 — Sun Jingyan's Troubles

However, with the Gathering of the Great Families just around the corner, Wu Gonggao had to call his grandson Wu Chengtian sooner or later. In previous years, Wu Gonggao had always attended with his eldest grandson at his side. Back then, Wu Chengtian had been his pride, one of the more formidable fighters among the younger generation.

This year, though, he could only bring Wu Chendi. But fearing that Wu Chengtian might feel hurt, Wu Gonggao still wanted to take him along. Wu Gonggao had always placed great hopes in Wu Chengtian, whereas he had never been particularly fond of Wu Chendi.

Even after Wu Chengtian was injured, Wu Chendi did not suddenly become favored. Wu Gonggao merely paid him a little more attention than before. He still could not spend money as freely as Wu Chengtian had, and his allowance remained pitifully small.

Of course, Wu Gonggao had his reasons for disliking Wu Chendi.

Just before setting out for the Gathering of the Great Families, Wu Gonggao dialed Wu Chengtian's number.

"Grandfather?" Wu Chengtian had not expected his grandfather to call at this hour. Before this, he had been afraid that Wu Gonggao would phone to ask about his injuries. If that happened, he truly would not know what to say. Wei Zhao had ordered him to keep everything secret, so he had no choice but to remain silent. Even in front of his own grandfather, he could not say much.

But his grandfather had never called to ask about his condition. Wu Chengtian had secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had not expected the call to come on the eve of the Gathering of the Great Families, and so he answered cautiously. "Grandfather, is something wrong?"

"Chengtian, how have you been lately? Are you all right?" Hearing the caution in Wu Chengtian's voice, Wu Gonggao felt a sudden ache in his heart. He assumed that his grandson had lost his strength and was afraid of losing his grandfather's favor. He hurriedly reassured him, "Chengtian, you're an expert in external martial arts. Don't lose heart. Injured meridians aren't the end of the world. As long as your hands are unharmed, you can still practice our Wu family's Iron Hand Skill. And as for your meridians, Grandfather will find someone to obtain a Meridian-Reconnecting Pill for you..."

"Grandfather... I..." Wu Chengtian had never expected him to say such things, and his heart grew even more bitter. He had nearly blurted out that he was fine, that nothing was wrong, that he had already recovered. He was now an early Xuan-rank expert skilled in both inner and outer cultivation, and before long, he would even reach the peak of the late Xuan rank!

But reason stopped him. He knew that if he kept silent, his grandfather would suffer only a moment's sadness. If he revealed the truth, however, he would interfere with Wei Zhao's greater plans.

"All right, Chengtian. Don't be sad, and don't lose heart. The Gathering of the Great Families is about to begin. What do you say? Would you like to come with me?"

"I..." Wu Chengtian did not know how to answer.

"It's all right. I'm taking Wu Chendi with me this time. Why don't you come along as well? With your grandfather there, no one will dare mock you!" Wu Gonggao said. "After all, your grandfather is a mid-Xuan-rank expert. Among the great families, I still rank among the strong."

"Thank you, Grandfather... But I think I'll stay away for now," Wu Chengtian could only say.

"Very well. Don't dwell on it, and don't burden yourself with unnecessary pressure," Wu Gonggao said. "I'll hang up now. Rest easy and focus on recovering."

"All right! But Grandfather, you can rest assured that I won't disappoint you. I will become your pride. Remember what I'm saying. I always keep my word!" Wu Chengtian could not say too much, so he could only offer this oblique assurance.

"Heh heh, I remember. I'll be waiting for that day to come!" Wu Gonggao chuckled. Wu Chengtian seemed to be holding up rather well, which put his mind at ease. He had been afraid that the boy would be unable to endure the blow and do something drastic. But now, Wu Chengtian appeared to have regained his confidence.

After ending the call, Wu Chengtian let out a long breath. Looking at Wei Zhao across from him, he said, "Leader, let's begin. I want to advance. I want strength! At this Gathering of the Great Families, I will shine brightly and make our Wu family one of the very foremost among the great families!"

"Then let's begin!" Wei Zhao smiled and placed his hand over Wu Chengtian's meridians. He activated the Xuanyuan Dragon-Driving Art, while Wu Chengtian swiftly circulated his own inner cultivation technique to assist him.

Sun Jingyan was having an equally difficult time these days. After the Hidden Sun family learned that Wu Chengtian had been injured, they naturally no longer wished to betroth her to him. The old head of the Sun family broached the matter obliquely with Wu Gonggao. Although Wu Gonggao was angry, he did not say much.

He knew that asking Sun Jingyan to marry a cripple like Wu Chengtian would indeed be making things difficult for her. Besides, Wu Chengtian seemed to have mentioned that Sun Jingyan had an ambiguous relationship with his leader, Wei Zhao. Thus, Wu Gonggao did not take the matter too seriously and merely gave a few vague acknowledgments.

At a time like this, even if he could no longer form a marriage alliance with the Sun family, it would hardly be wise to make an enemy of them. Wu Gonggao's apparent compromise left the old master of the Sun family somewhat embarrassed, and he promised in return to speak on Wu Gonggao's behalf at the Gathering of the Great Families.

Wu Gonggao therefore felt that he had made an excellent bargain. He did not mention the matter to Wu Chengtian at all. Wu Chengtian had already said that he was giving up his pursuit of Sun Jingyan, so what purpose would there be in bringing it up again?

In the end, Wu Gonggao had gained an advantage for nothing. So although Wu Chengtian's injury had put him in a foul mood, the situation at the Gathering of the Great Families left him sitting securely, like a fisherman waiting for the catch.

When the Sun family first told Sun Jingyan that her engagement to Wu Chengtian would be canceled, she was not happy at all. Wu Chengtian had long since given up pursuing her and had become Wei Zhao's underling, so she had never cared much about the engagement in the first place.

That, of course, was not the real problem. The real problem was that the Sun family now wanted to marry her off to another great family in order to secure benefits for itself.

"Jingyan, I've already registered you for this year's Gathering of the Great Families. Come with me. While we're there, see whether there are any outstanding young men, and we'll find you another husband!" The caller was the old master of the Sun family. This time, in order to bring Sun Jingyan back, he had personally called her.

"Grandfather, I've already told the family that I have a boyfriend, someone I love. I want to live my own life. Please stop forcing me. I don't care about wealth or glory. I only want a quiet life." Sun Jingyan hesitated before refusing. "I don't want to become a sacrifice to a family alliance!"

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