C21 The Secret That Had Been Sealed for Sixteen Years

Listening to Zhang Yu's response, Zhang Sen wasn't overly surprised. He had witnessed Zhang Yu single-handedly defeat Liu Yunsheng and knew then that Yishui Town was too confining. Zhang Yu was a Divine Dragon destined to soar through the heavens and the earth; he couldn't be confined to such a small place.

"A golden scale is not a common fish, but a dragon that rises with the storm!"

"Yu, since that's how you feel, I'll take this Profound Artifact hammer for now. You've made your decision, and as your father, I'll stand by you, without question."

"But you must realize, the Vast Dragon Continent is immense, and we who live in our little corner can hardly fathom the splendor of the wider world. You may be at the Warrior Peak and capable of defeating a Great Martial Master above your level—a once-in-centuries genius here—but such talents are not uncommon among the true Overlord Level powers of the continent. Their elite may have already reached Great Martial Master status at your age, and fighting above their level is as routine to them as eating and drinking."

Zhang Yu's burgeoning pride was swiftly doused by his father's words.

"Father, I've taken your lesson to heart," Zhang Yu acknowledged, feeling no resentment, only gratitude for his father's guidance.

"However, don't sell yourself short. The Zhang family may be minor, unable to offer you much support, but that's not the case for everyone. They're born with silver spoons, receiving the finest education, consuming the best Medicine Pills, and wielding the finest weapons from a young age. Considering the vast disparity in our backgrounds, your achievements are no less remarkable than theirs," Zhang Sen said, offering further encouragement.

"As for the Vast Dragon Continent, my knowledge is but a drop in the ocean. Yet, there's something important you must heed. If you ever cross paths with someone from the eight ancient clans, avoid conflict at all costs. Should an incident occur, handle it with such precision that no trace is left behind. Otherwise, they could send someone to annihilate us completely," Zhang Sen added with a grave tone.

"Father, what are the eight ancient families?" Zhang Yu asked, his curiosity piqued by the name.

Zhang Sen hesitated, as if wrestling with his thoughts, before finally resolving to explain. "The eight ancient families are the Ao, Miao, Wei, Lie, Lei, Zuo, Yang, and Kwoo. The Aos are said to transform into true dragons; the Miaos can be reborn from ashes; the Weis are unbeatable in defense, steadfast as mountains; the Lies are fierce and unafraid of death; the Leis wield the power of the stars; the Yangs, naturally gifted in wood, are predominantly alchemy experts; the Zuos possess immortal souls and bodies; and the Kwoo family's art of concealment is without equal."

"Each of the Great Eight Families boasts a unique bloodline, a rich heritage, and even their servants might be stronger than me. But these ancient families keep a low profile, and few are aware of their existence. What you really need to watch out for are the well-known powers across the continent."

"You're probably wondering how I know so much, aren't you?" Zhang Sen paused briefly before continuing.

"It's because your mother was from the Miao family—one of the ancient clans. All this knowledge came from her."

"What?" Zhang Yu stood up abruptly, his emotions surging. It was no surprise he was so agitated; he had never met his mother and had been told by his father that she died in childbirth. Over time, the word 'mother' had become both familiar and foreign to him. Confronted with such a bombshell, it took Zhang Yu a moment to process.

Once he regained his composure, Zhang Yu's voice shook as he asked, "Then, where is my mother now?"

His lack of maternal affection hadn't quenched his yearning for it.

With a gentle touch to the corner of his eye, Zhang Sen's voice wavered as he replied, "Your mother, indeed, passed away after you were born."

A thunderous noise seemed to echo in Zhang Yu's ears, the flicker of hope extinguished, leaving a pain that anyone would struggle to bear.

"Didn't you mention that the Miao family could be reborn from the ashes? Then why did my mother die?" Zhang Yu asked, unable to hide his frustration.

"Well, it's like this: the ancient eight clans—though I suppose they should be called the seven ancient clans now—about twenty years ago, the Miao family, to which your mother belonged, came across a treasure in the Chaotic Flow Domain. Rumor has it, this treasure was connected to the Heavenly Dao of the entire Vast Dragon Continent. The Miao family spent three to four years studying it but made no headway. Somehow, the news got out, and five of the other clans, with the exception of the Lei and Mu families, banded together and ambushed the Miao family. Just like that, the once-mighty Miao family was decimated."

Zhang Sen took a brief pause, then continued, gazing at Zhang Yu, "Your mother managed to flee from those five families, but she was gravely wounded and close to death. That's when I found her, her weapon shattered and her Medicine Pills depleted, and I took her home to care for her."

"Despite her noble birth, your mother never looked down on me. Our love for each other deepened, and then you came along, even though she was in no state to have a child."

At this point, Zhang Sen was overcome with emotion, his tears streaming down.

"Your mother was determined to have you, hoping to bring our love story to a perfect close. She was well aware of the severity of her injuries and knew she didn't have much time left. On the day you were born, she could no longer hold back the tide of her wounds, and she passed away."

By now, Zhang Sen was weeping uncontrollably, and Zhang Yu's face was stained with tears.

Zhang Yu knew in his heart that the so-called treasure had to be the Creation Jade Disc he possessed. He was aware of its uniqueness but never imagined its significance was so profound—that it was the cause of a colossal force's downfall on the Vast Dragon Continent.

He vowed to keep this secret closely guarded, even from his own father.

"So, it was those five great families that led to my mother's death. Now that I'm aware of this vendetta, I swear, once I have the strength, I will exact a blood-for-blood vengeance upon them!" Zhang Yu silently resolved.

"Yu, since you were unable to cultivate before, I kept this secret from you, but now you've earned the right to know. Your journey is still long, so don't act rashly in seeking vengeance. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years. If one day you possess the strength, avenge your mother. If not, I won't insist, as our adversaries are formidable," Zhang Sen advised.

"I will heed your wisdom, Father."

"Yu, when you're out in the world, remember to take care of yourself. Don't be overly competitive and always think carefully before acting. And if you grow weary, come home. The family will forever be your harbor," Zhang Sen said, affectionately stroking Zhang Yu's head.

"Let's now go and honor your mother. She feared her identity would bring calamity upon the Zhang family, so she chose to remain unmarked even in death. I feel I have failed her," Zhang Sen expressed with a heavy heart.

Following his father to the study, Zhang Sen deftly manipulated an ancient tome on the shelf, revealing a hidden door in the corner. A secret chamber within his father's study—no wonder he had never seen him pay respects to his mother.

Inside the chamber, the ever-burning lamp kept the darkness at bay. A few steps in, they encountered a high platform with a tablet inscribed with the name of his beloved wife, Miao Fu.

Zhang Yu knelt with a heavy thump and bowed his head thrice with deep resonance.

"Mother, I have been remiss in my duties and only today do I offer my respects. I vow to seek justice for you," he pledged, bowing several more times before rising.

Accepting the incense from his father, Zhang Yu observed the immaculate tablet and the fresh offerings, realizing his father must have kept daily vigil. His father had remained a widower, an anomaly in Yishui Town.

In that moment, Zhang Yu truly grasped the depth of his father's love for his mother.