Chapter 244: A Call from the Chu Family
"But practicing martial arts is so tiring, and it doesn’t seem that interesting. It must be so tough to train from a young age," Su Miaoke said.
"Yeah, the disciples of Martial Arts Families don’t have it easy either. But they have one advantage over us: they have specialists to handle the Medicinal Liquids and Elixir Pills needed for Cultivation. They don’t have to refine them themselves like we do."
"Of course, that’s only for those with enough talent and strength. If their talent is too weak, it’s a non-starter. They definitely wouldn’t be able to continue on the path of the Martial Dao," Chu Feng said.
"Sigh, I feel sorry for them. During dinner, I heard this was their first time out. They’ve spent the last twenty-odd years cooped up in the mountains," Su Miaoke said with a sigh.
"There’s no other way. After all, the only reason these Martial Arts Clans have survived for so long is by relying on such strict rules," Chu Feng said.
"Oh, right, honey, when are we going back to the countryside to see our parents? I’m a little worried about them," Su Miaoke asked.
"Sure. When would be good for you? How about we leave tomorrow?" Chu Feng asked.
"Su Jun and Xiao Hao’s house is almost done with renovations. Should we wait until it’s finished before we go?" Su Miaoke asked.
"That works too. When we go back this time, I need to bring some medicinal herbs with me. I’ll have to arrange all that," Chu Feng said.
"Isn’t that easy? Just get a few big trucks to haul it all back. From now on, you can just have deliveries sent there," Su Miaoke said.
To the two of them, these medicinal herbs were treasures. Even though there wasn’t much left, they could still be used to concoct some valuable medicines.
They would be of immense help to them both.
Besides, with the underground Spiritual Fire back home, refining Medicinal Liquid would be even easier.
"Then it’s settled. I’ll go make you some soup to soothe your stomach," Su Miaoke said.
"Go on." Chu Feng nodded and started to get dressed and out of bed.
Just then, his phone rang.
Chu Feng picked up his phone and saw that the number was not only unfamiliar, but it was also from out of town.
Chu Feng found this strange and was a bit hesitant to answer.
Very few people knew this number, and Chu Feng had saved the contact information for everyone who did.
However, after a moment’s hesitation, Chu Feng answered the call.
"Hello, who are you looking for?" Chu Feng asked.
"Are you Chu Feng?" a strange voice asked from the other end of the line.
"I am. Who is this?" Chu Feng asked, his brow furrowing.
"Is Chu Yuntian your father?" the person asked again.
"He is. Who the hell are you? What do you want?" Chu Feng was starting to get agitated. The moment he heard the question, his first thought was that it might be someone from the Tang Family looking to cause trouble for his father.
Or worse, that his father was in their hands.
"Like you, my surname is Chu. Chu, as in the Chu Family," the person on the other end said.
’Chu? The Xixiang Chu Family?’ was Chu Feng’s immediate thought.
"Yes. We know all about what you’ve been up to recently. We were wondering if you might have time to come back for a visit," the person said.
"Come back? Haven’t you all been off the grid for years?" Chu Feng asked.
"Mm, as you probably know, the Chu Family nearly suffered a catastrophic disaster decades ago. Going off the grid was our only choice. But the time has come for our family to return. We will reveal ourselves to the world within a year at most!" the person said.
"What do you want with me?" Chu Feng asked. In truth, he had no feelings for, nor any interest in, this so-called Chu Family.
"Because you are one of the Chu Family! The blood of the Chu Family flows in your veins!" the person said.
"Heh, I don’t deny that, but you people kicked my grandfather out. He stopped being one of the Chu Family long ago," Chu Feng said. He didn’t care about any of this family business.
"Regarding that matter, we were indeed in the wrong. However, your grandfather later reconciled with the family," the person said.
"So what is it you want with me? Just get to the point," Chu Feng said, his patience wearing thin.
"A few days ago, the Zhao Family contacted us and told us everything you’ve been doing lately. We never expected your grandfather to have such an outstanding grandson. The Chu Family has always placed great importance on its disciples who have been lost to the outside world. And, according to our generation’s seniority, you should call me Fourth Uncle."
"Heh, what’s the point of saying all this now? When my father was out there going through all that hardship, why didn’t any of you step up?" Chu Feng’s anger flared upon hearing this.
’Back then, my father... why did the Chu Family stand by and do nothing while he suffered?’
’Now that I’m powerful, they’re extending an olive branch? They want me to return to the fold?’
"We were aware of what happened to your father back then. But our family had suffered grievous losses at the time, and we didn’t have the spare resources to intervene and help him. There was nothing we could do," the person said.
"Cut the crap. What do you want from me?" Chu Feng said impatiently.
’They’re only calling me now because they found out I captured One-Eyed and Scarface all by myself. That’s why the Chu Family is suddenly so interested.’
"We heard you’ve reached Late-stage Qi Cultivation?" the person asked tentatively.
"What does my cultivation level have to do with going to the Chu Family?" Chu Feng retorted.
He already knew the answer, of course. They were after his power. They wanted to recruit him.
After all, for these Martial Arts Families, the emergence of a powerful junior was an event of paramount importance.
Whether or not a family could produce an outstanding young talent would determine its trajectory for the next several decades, or even the next century.
The reason Chu Feng’s grandfather was expelled was simply that he had disobeyed the family’s rules and married an outsider. It wasn’t actually that big of a deal.
"Of course it’s related! You are of the Chu Family, a part of the Chu Family. I, your Fourth Uncle, want you to represent the Chu Family in next year’s Martial Arts Grand Ceremony. As long as you can win and restore the family’s honor, you and your parents can all return to the family. In the future, when my generation grows old, the Chu Family will be yours to lead," the person said.
"Sorry, not interested," Chu Feng refused. He had no memories of or emotional connection to the Chu Family. Besides...
That was all from his grandfather’s generation. He and his father had grown up in Fuhe Village and had never received a single bit of favor from the Chu Family.
"Sigh, I know you harbor resentment. If the Chu Family hadn’t run into that catastrophe back then, your grandfather would have returned to the family. Fourth Uncle hopes you will seriously consider this. After all... you still have an uncle in the family—your father’s biological brother," the person said.
"My dad’s biological brother? That’s impossible! I’ve never heard my dad or my grandpa mention him," Chu Feng said, refusing to believe it.
’If he really existed, how could I have never heard of him?’
