Zhang Lan and Old Master An didn’t really have much to say to each other.
It was very dull.
It wasn’t even as good as chatting with Mo Hua, even though that kid could be a bit annoying at times.
Zhang Lan said a few lukewarm words and then got up to leave with Situ Fang.
Old Master An sat in contemplation for a moment, and then the An Family head, An Yonglu, walked in, sat down beside Old Master An, poured himself a cup of tea, and asked:
“Father, have the guests left?”
Old Master An nodded.
“Then what are you sitting here thinking about?”
“I won’t live much longer. I am considering my affairs for the hereafter.”
An Yonglu had just brought his cup of tea to his lips when he choked on it, “Father, one shouldn’t speak lightly of such matters.”
Old Master An’s piercing gaze swept over An Yonglu as he spoke slowly:
“Our An Family has been struggling against the Qian Family for hundreds of years, always at a disadvantage. In the fields of artifact refining and alchemy, we’ve all but handed them over on a platter. Only in the area of spiritual meals do we still have some edge.”
An Yonglu lowered his head; as the family head, even if it wasn’t his fault, he had to shoulder the responsibility.
Old Master An sighed and asked, “Do you know where we’re inferior to the Qian Family?”
“We’re not as ruthless as they are…”
“Qian Hong is a wolf, his son, and those direct disciples of the Qian clan are all wolf cubs. And you, and your son… I won’t say more.”
An Yonglu’s head hung even lower.
Seeing his son like this, Old Master An stopped berating him and simply said, “Do you still want your son to be the family head?”
An Yonglu raised his head, his face flushed with shame, but he still insisted, “Father, although Xiaofu might not be much capable, at the very least, he is kind-hearted and understands the bigger picture. If he becomes the family head, he might not accomplish great things, but he also won’t do any wrong.”
His son was naturally slow-witted, and if he as a father didn’t consider things for him, who else would make plans for his son?
Old Master An closed his eyes to rest and did not want to talk.
An Yonglu felt anxious inside, but, knowing it was best not to continue this topic, he changed the subject and said:
“I heard that you wanted to take in a son-in-law?”
Old Master An opened his eyes, “Not anymore.”
“Why not anymore?” asked An Yonglu in a soft voice.
“The An Family doesn’t deserve one,” said Old Master An indifferently.
An Yonglu was taken aback and felt a bit defiant inside, he quietly retorted:
“How does the An Family not deserve it?”
Old Master An raised his eyebrows slightly, “Deserve it with what?”
An Yonglu felt a slight surge of pride, “Our An Family’s property, Spirit Stones, numerous disciples, in Tongxian City, we are second to none. Even this mansion, there are countless cultivators in Tongxian City who wish to live here…”
“Oh, what’s so good about this mansion?”
“It has an exquisite layout, uses fine materials, and the Formation is one I paid a great deal of money for, drawn by a well-known Formation Master in the city. It’s almost completely impermeable…”
Old Master An sighed, “That kid on his way here, recognized all the external Formation without missing a single one.”
An Yonglu was stunned, “What?”
How did he recognize it?
This wasn’t some simple Formation commonly found on the streets; how could it be so easily recognized?
Old Master An looked at his son indifferently and said:
“Your ‘impenetrable’ Formation, in his eyes, is just like a sieve…”
Just like a sieve…
These words were like a dagger, stabbing straight into An Yonglu’s heart.
An Yonglu’s mouth hung open, unable to speak for a long time.