Chapter 22
Within the bustling Imperial Capital of the Crimson Empire, the atmosphere remained as prosperous as ever.
Carriages traveled endlessly through wide streets while officials, merchants, and nobles moved throughout the capital beneath towering palace walls.
Inside one of the high-ranking government estates.
Zan Tianming sat quietly within his office.
The years had clearly left their traces upon him.
Unlike his immortal-like parents who remained untouched by age, Zan Tianming had already become a fifty-six-year-old man.
Faint wrinkles rested near his eyes, and strands of gray had begun appearing within his hair.
Yet despite aging.
His bearing had only become steadier and more dignified over time.
The once-lively village child had long since transformed into a respected pillar of the imperial court.
His official robes carried authority naturally, and the calm pressure around him reflected decades of political experience.
At this moment, several figures stood before him respectfully.
His two sons.
Their wives.
And the younger generation of the Zan bloodline.
The room felt unusually lively.
One of the younger children curiously looked around the office while another quietly sat beside their mother.
Meanwhile, Zan Tianming calmly placed down an official document before finally speaking.
“We will return to visit your grandfather soon.”
“He would probably want to meet all of you as well.”
The moment those words fell.
His two sons suddenly looked at each other strangely.
Then the eldest son hesitantly spoke.
“…Grandfather?”
Beside him, the second son also frowned slightly.
“Father… didn’t you say your father was already dead?”
The instant the word “dead” entered the room.
Smack!
Zan Tianming directly threw a rolled document at his eldest son’s forehead.
“Hey!”
“Don’t casually insult your grandfather!”
The two brothers instantly looked wronged and confused.
“But Father,” the second son said helplessly, “ever since we were children, whenever we asked about Grandfather, you always avoided the topic.”
“You kept saying there were ‘circumstances’ and that you couldn’t explain.”
“So naturally we thought…”
“…he already passed away.”
Hearing this explanation, Zan Tianming’s expression stiffened slightly.
Because honestly.
That misunderstanding was partly his fault.
After all, how exactly was he supposed to explain things back then?
That his father still looked like a young man despite decades passing?
That his mother and stepmother also stopped aging?
That the Patriarch of the Zan Clan was an immortal cultivator hiding within the mortal world?
Any one of those secrets leaking in the capital could cause unimaginable chaos.
Thus, for years, Zan Tianming simply avoided explaining anything.
And somehow.
His sons concluded that Zan Yunxiao had died long ago.
Then after a moment, he finally spoke seriously.
“Listen carefully.”
“Your grandfather is… different from ordinary people.”
“Once we arrive at the family manor, do not speak carelessly outside.”
His tone carried unusual seriousness.
Immediately, everyone quieted down slightly.
Even his sons realized this matter was more complicated than they originally thought.
Zan Tianming slowly leaned back in his chair after the noisy discussion.
His expression gradually regained its usual calm dignity.
“We will depart tomorrow morning,” he said steadily.
“That is enough for today.”
“You are dismissed.”
Everyone immediately stood respectfully.
“Yes, Father.”
Soon, the office gradually emptied.
Outside the office, the long corridor of the government estate was softly lit by lanterns, casting warm reflections across polished stone floors.
Zan Tianming’s two sons walked side by side, their footsteps echoing faintly as they left the office area behind.
Trailing slightly beside them was the eldest son’s wife, gently fanning herself with a delicate folding fan, her expression carrying a hint of curiosity and amusement.
Breaking the silence, she tilted her head slightly.
“Husband,” she asked lightly, “what do you think your grandfather is like?”
The eldest son, Zan Moxuan, paused for a moment before answering.
“…If I had to guess, probably a hot-tempered man.”
He shrugged casually.
“After all, Father is already strict enough. So Grandfather… he should be even worse, right?”
At this, the second son, Zan Yin, let out a small laugh.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
He lowered his voice slightly as they continued walking.
“Do you think Grandfather loses his temper easily?”
“Like… if we accidentally speak carelessly in front of him, will he punish us?”
The two of them exchanged glances.
For a moment.
A faint sense of shared imagination formed in their minds.
A strict, imposing elder.
Someone terrifying enough that even their disciplined father would behave carefully in front of him.
Then suddenly.
They all chuckled softly at the same time, as if amused by their own assumptions.
“Let’s stop guessing,” Zan Moxuan said with a grin.
“We’ll find out tomorrow anyway.”
Zan Yin nodded.
“True. No point thinking too much.”
With that, the three of them gradually parted ways at the corridor intersection, heading toward their separate quarters.
The next morning arrived beneath a calm, pale sky over the Imperial Capital.
A faint mist still lingered between the tall buildings as the city slowly awakened carriages rolling, guards changing shifts, and merchants opening their stalls.
Inside the government estate, Zan Tianming stood at the main gate in full official attire.
Behind him were his two sons, their wives, and the younger generation of the Zan bloodline, all neatly prepared for departure.
Zan Tianming glanced over the group once more, then spoke firmly.
“Remember what I said.”
“Be respectful. Do not speak carelessly. And when you see your grandfather… do not judge him by appearance alone.”
The children nodded eagerly, though curiosity still burned in their eyes.
Especially Zan Moxuan and Zan Yin.
They still carried the image they had formed yesterday a strict, hot-tempered old man who would likely be terrifying upon meeting.
Zan Tianming did not correct them further.
It would be easier for them to understand once they saw the truth themselves.
He turned slightly toward the carriage.
“The carriages are ready.”
“Let’s depart.”
With that, the group began boarding.
The estate guards respectfully opened the gates, and soon the carriages rolled forward onto the wide capital roads.
As the convoy of carriages moved steadily out of the Imperial Capital, the road ahead was supposed to be calm and uninterrupted.
But suddenly.
A figure stepped directly into their path.
The horses slowed. The guards immediately tensed.
Standing in the middle of the road was a young man with disheveled hair and a turbulent aura, his eyes locked onto the carriage with disbelief and anger.
“Shenyuu!”
His voice cracked with emotion.
“Get out here!”
“How dare you… how dare you betray me?!”
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Zan Tianming opened his eyes.
Zan Moxuan and Zan Yin both leaned forward in confusion.
“What’s going on?” Zan Moxuan asked.
Before anyone else could respond.
A calm voice came from within the carriage.
A woman gently lowered her fan.
It was Zan Moxuan’s wife.
Or rather.
Shenyuu.
She glanced outside through the curtain, her expression completely unbothered.
Then she spoke softly, almost lazily.
“Don’t call me Shenyuu so casually anymore.”
A slight pause.
“My name is Zan Shenyuu now.”
The young man outside visibly trembled.
Shenyuu continued, fanning herself lightly as if discussing something trivial.
“As for betrayal…”
She looked at him with a faint, indifferent gaze.
“You should know the answer better than anyone.”
“Someone like you no talent, no background, no future…”
“What made you think I would stay with you? Also don't misunderstand, I don't like you.”
Her words were calm.
But every sentence landed like a blade.
The man’s expression slowly collapsed.
Because deep down.
He knew she wasn’t lying.
She had always been ambitious.
And in comparison to the rising Zan Family, he had indeed been left behind.
Inside the carriage, Zan Moxuan’s eyes widened slightly.
“…Wife?”
But Shenyuu didn’t even look at him.
Instead, she simply closed her fan.
“I chose a better path.”
Outside, the man stood frozen in place.
His fists trembled.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
Anger, humiliation, heartbreak all mixed together, yet none of them could turn into action.
Because the gap was already obvious.
Not just in status.
But in world itself.
After a long silence, he finally lowered his head.
“I see.”
That was all he said.
Then he stepped aside.
The convoy resumed moving.
Carriages rolled forward, passing him without stopping.
Wind brushed past as wheels turned, and the Zan Family convoy gradually left the scene behind.
Inside the carriage, silence lingered for a moment.
Zan Yin quietly muttered,
“That was intense.”
Zan Moxuan slowly leaned back.
“Our family really attracts strange situations.”
“Sister, I didn't know you are quite popular,” Zan Yin wife said.
At the front, Zan Tianming simply closed his eyes again.
Then calmly said,
“Continue forward.”
And just like that.
The incident became nothing more than a brief interruption on their journey home.