Chapter 1720 - 885: No Way

Silence.

As Ji Jue's words were spoken, it seemed like a distant sigh was heard.

In this suddenly silent moment, no one spoke again.

An Jiu's eyes were lowered, obscured in the shadows of the hall, as if lost in thought. An De and An Neng's usual smiles vanished from their faces, replaced with solemnity.

And in this soundless silence, everything became insignificant. What Ji Jue could feel was the gaze falling upon him.

The current Family Head of the An Family, the White Deer Celestial, an unquestionable Huangji Hunter.

An Ding.

Still calm, just looking at him.

"Since you've traveled a long way to get here, it must not be a spur-of-the-moment decision, and you understand the consequences."

The Celestial sat calmly in the main seat, showing magnanimity: "The An Family is not a place where we cannot accommodate people. Since guests have come from afar, specially visiting for this.

Any opinions or discontent, speak freely."

He said, "I'm listening."

"Mr. An—"

An Ran instinctively opened his mouth to speak but heard the stern shout from behind An Ding, it was An Jiu.

The old man sternly reprimanded: "Ah Ran, the Family Head is speaking with the guest, there's no place for you to interrupt!"

Though his tone was indifferent and ruthless, speaking at this moment was already to defend him.

Even if his status did not change, when Ji Jue spoke, it was the entire An Family conversing with this presumptuous and unruly guest.

At this crucial moment, if An Ran intervened further, it would only complicate the situation.

"But..."

An Ran wanted to speak again but was stopped by Ji Jue's hand on his shoulder.

"I appreciate Mr. An taking the time to see me, allowing someone like me to explain face to face."

Ji Jue responded humbly, "The rules of the An Family, I dare not utter opinions, nor do I have the qualifications to comment. This uninvited visit is just to ask you for leniency.

I dare not discuss terms or promises under such presumption..." He paused, sighed self-mockingly: "Now, the only thing worthy to say is that if there is any command, I'll comply unconditionally."

"Command?"

An Ding remained expressionless: "I'm confused, the An Family isn't wealthy enough, but still has some spare change. Not unparalleled, but has some foundation.

Even if occasionally lacking, we wouldn't need to depend on a craftsman, right? Tell me, what could I command you with?"

"Indeed."

Ji Jue nodded, replied frankly: "That's why I'm anxious, uneasy. Even so, please consider letting me do anything, honestly!"

"..."

An Ding was silent, hesitated to speak.

Even the Heavenly People were baffled by Ji Jue's shamelessness and couldn't stay composed.

"Whether it's Ah Ning or these two useless ones, when they come home and talk about you, there's praise. Your words in Hai Province were mentioned repeatedly by An Ran in his letters, and I also felt, though somewhat naïve, still had youthful spirit...

But never thought, the Master of Glory could be so shameless."

An Ding's words turned cold: "Ji Jue, you know this is no different than begging. With your status, how do you have the face to say it?

Even if I were to chase you out with a stick now, you'd have no grounds to argue, right?"

"If such an offense leads only to being beaten out, even if left with a breath, I would be grateful for Mr. An's magnanimity."

Ji Jue, upon hearing, sincerely thanked: "Moreover, matters of face and status, how can I as a junior offer them before you?

Being able to express these words, I'm immensely grateful."

An Ding said nothing.

He looked at Ji Jue's face for a long time, seemingly sighed with emotion.

"...Alright."

His expression slightly softened, tapped the chair's armrest, said slowly: "Though the relationship between Ah Ning and you is your business, you did save her life in White Country, in the end, the family owes you a favor.

If you use this as leverage for a concession from the An Family, I can waive An Ran's punishment."

The old man paused, looked at Ji Jue:

"What do you think?"

This time, it was Ji Jue who fell silent.

Even when the Heavenly Person actively offered a mutually beneficial solution, his expression grew heavier, showing no relief.

In agonizing silence, he eventually sighed silently, lowered his head in apology: "Forgive me for being ignorant, but this is between me and An Ning, how can it be conflated?

Moreover, An Ning never owes me anything; it is I who owe her too much."

"..."

An Ding said nothing, just glanced behind Ji Jue, seemingly with deep meaning.

Ji Jue was still bewildered when he heard a faint cold snort behind him.

Instinctively turned around, but saw nothing.

Only now did he feel a faint chill on his back.

Cold sweat dripped down.

Wait, did something just happen?

If I nodded, would I lose a kidney?

If lucky, losing just a kidney might be fortunate...

"If this is the case, then let's change the subject."

The person on the dais waved his hand, continued: "Just right, there's something, somewhat a minor trouble, at this juncture I can't intervene, if you're willing to step in..."

"No, no way!"

Before the words were finished, the boy beside Ji Jue who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but speak.

All sounds abruptly stopped.

The original amiable atmosphere vanished without a trace, An Ding's smile completely disappeared.

"Ah Ran, Ah Jiu already reminded you, I'm speaking with the guest, not your place to interrupt."

He turned to look at An Ran, coldly asked: "Or do you think the family isn't lenient enough with you?"

"I... it's not, I... I..."

An Ran's face flushed red, babbled incoherently, voice shrinking under An Ding's cold gaze.

Until Ji Jue placed his hand on his shoulder again.

This time, it wasn't to stop him.

It's just encouragement.

So, he took a deep breath and finally mustered up the courage.

"Bu-but, this is my own matter."

An Ran stammered in response, raised his head, and tried hard to look at his grandfather, whom he had revered since childhood: "Brother Ji Jue came for me, if I still don't dare to speak, it would let him down.

And also...

Since it's a family matter, shouldn't it be resolved by the family? Even if you have something to assign, it should be to me... I..."

The more he spoke, the more short of breath and nervous he became.

Courage came quickly, but seemed to dissipate just as fast. It was hard to say a few words, and then he started stumbling again.

In the end, he couldn't speak a word.

With his head lowered in frustration.

"Pfft..."

Laughter that had been held until now finally burst out from An Neng and An De.

The two who were never serious couldn't hold it anymore after enduring for so long. They laughed so hard, not even caring about their father's stern look.

Even An Jiu, who stood solemnly in the shadows, had his expression soften, no longer gloomy.

When An Ran was bewildered and astonished, he finally saw the smile from his grandfather.

"Ah Ran."

An Ding reached out and rumpled his hair: "Still a good kid."

"...Wha-what?"

An Ran couldn't understand.

"After waiting so long, finally hearing the words from your heart."

An Ding smiled, without any coldness or authority, full of approval: "You're right, family matters should be resolved by the family.

If you want to pull out a nail, how can you let a friend take the lead? Saying something like this to your grandpa shows that you have grown somewhat over the years."

From the beginning, what he wanted to hear was not promises, nor conditions, nor any guarantee from Ji Jue.

But An Ran's own words.

His own thoughts.

Just like An Ran said, family matters should be solved by family members.

The same thing, if it were Ji Jue to say, no matter how humble, would be seen as a rude guest, trying to meddle in family matters and would only get a stern response.

Even if Ji Jue made all kinds of promises today, it would not be considered at all.

The An Family doesn't care.

The only way to remove the "nail" from An Ran is for An Ran himself to do it.

That's the only solution.

Nothing else works.

"Alright, since the kid is home, no need for formalities, let's eat first."

An Ding, dropping his authoritative demeanor, like an ordinary old man, waved his hand grandly, "Ah Jiu, noodles for lunch!

Get the boy a bowl too... any dietary restrictions?"

"None."

Ji Jue, being patted on the shoulder, after witnessing this Hunter Finger's test, wasn't sure what expression to make, or whether to stay serious.

What else could be said?

Just eat whatever is given.

"Silly kid, what are you standing there for, just teasing you."

An De pinched the youth's cheek, chuckling as he beckoned Ji Jue over to lend a hand.

Clearing away the obviously rarely used table and random objects, they set up the dining table again, put out some peanuts and sunflower seeds to munch on, and sat on an old bench with some history.

Watching the harmonious scene before him, the fleeting sensation in Ji Jue's perception finally faded away.

Lunch was noodle soup, with hearty toppings, braised meat soft and tender, plenty of noodles, with the option for seconds, and the atmosphere was extremely homely.

Yet, with a Heavenly People at the table, the setting was absurdly high-standard.

The old man picked up his bowl and slurped away, after finishing and putting down his chopsticks, noticed Ji Jue's frequent glancing and his expression turned mischievous.

"What are you looking at?"

An Ding laughed, "Could it be you're disappointed to have only an old man beside you, or are you looking for someone?"

"..."

Ji Jue's expression twitched, unsure what to say.

"What a pity, you came at the wrong time, these days is the practice of concealed breath, concentrated and purified, can't see outsiders... might be biting a handkerchief in anger right now."

The old man grinned widely, gloating, "Especially since your first visit was for Ah Ran. You're likely in for it when you return... would you like me to put in a good word?

As her grandpa, my words carry a lot of weight with her."

"Can you?" Ji Jue was surprised.

"No."

The old man's grin grew even wider, patting his shoulder: "Bring out that shameless spirit of yours from before, see if you can get through it, I'm rooting for you.

Ah Ran, come, let grandpa take a look!"

Seeing An Ran had finished eating, he pulled him over to sit by his side, examining him up and down, clicking his tongue in admiration: "Hmm, already resembles me a bit when I was young!"

"Dad, you..." An De and An Neng raised their heads to counter, but just as they opened their mouths, each found a chopstick in their mouths and couldn't speak.

"Mind your own food! After eating, wash the dishes."

"Today it's Brother Jiu's turn to wash."

"Then go make tea!"

An Ding glanced over: "Don't you see there's a guest? Have a little discernment!"

Instantly, the two brothers quickly picked up their bowls and ran away.

Once the two returned with tea, and after dawdling to clean up the dishes, they finally left under their father's gaze, bringing about a quiet atmosphere once more.

The old man smiled again, looking towards the well-behaved young man and his ever-present sword at his side.

"...Blade Teeth, actually it's not bad. In my opinion, with your talent, Ah Ran, it's not impossible for the Four Seasons Sword to be restored."

He sighed, suddenly asking: "But Grandpa, Grandpa's grandpa, and many, many people, worked their whole lives, painstakingly earning the title of Hunter Finger.

In terms of status, it's not inferior to the former Blade Teeth, in terms of heritage, the Bitter Day is not less than the Four Seasons."

An Ding paused, asking seriously: "Ah Ran, what you want, can Fei Guang not give it to you?"