The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1531: Chapter 1629: Grandpa

“Granddaughter, you’re back,” Dugu Fengyun with his head full of white hair appeared.

The elderly head of the Dugu Family walked slowly from the end of the corridor, looking at Dugu Nian and Fang Lin with a very complex expression.

This was Dugu Nian’s grandfather, who initially strongly opposed her becoming the Crown Princess Consort of Xuan Country, but later, due to pressure, chose to compromise.

Dugu Nian never hated Dugu Fengyun, because he was the head of the Dugu Family, responsible for the entire clan, with unimaginable pressure weighing on him.

At that time, the Dugu Family was facing both internal and external troubles, even though outsiders only saw them at their peak and seemingly invincible in Xuan Country.

But in fact, every family has its own hardships.

At the time, Dugu Fengyun was already facing immense pressure against this marriage, and many within the family supported this marriage due to Lord Fenglei’s reasons, causing Dugu Fengyun to be in a no-win situation.

After all, Dugu Nian was his cherished granddaughter, how could he easily agree to marry her off to Crown Prince Zhou Yishui?

In truth, Dugu Fengyun had agreed to this marriage not because of the pressure, but because the wedding took place solely based on Dugu Nian’s own agreement.

Because Dugu Nian thought that Fang Lin had died at that time, stricken with despondency, decided to marry Zhou Yishui and then look for an opportunity to avenge Fang Lin.

At that point, Dugu Fengyun had repeatedly asked Dugu Nian if she was unwilling; he was prepared to risk his old life to ensure Dugu Nian was safely taken out of Xuan Country, and not to marry someone she did not wish to.

Therefore, in her heart, Dugu Nian did not harbor much sentiment for the Dugu Family, but her feelings for her grandfather Dugu Fengyun were profound.

“Grandfather, I am back,” Dugu Nian reined in all her authority, showing a slight smile on her face.

The smile was shallow, yet more genuine than when facing other members of the Dugu Family.

Dugu Fengyun walked up closer, smiling and nodding continually at his granddaughter: “It’s good that you’re back.”

Dugu Nian looked at her grandfather—just a few years apart, and her grandfather had truly aged, his hair had turned completely white, more wrinkles covered his face, and his posture was more stooped than before.

These seven years, her grandfather must have been constantly thinking of her.

“Grandfather, your granddaughter has come back to see you, how have you been these years?” Dugu Nian gently held Dugu Fengyun’s hand, speaking softly.

Dugu Fengyun inadvertently swept away the tears in his eyes, smiling as he spoke: “Grandfather is fine, as long as you still remember your grandfather, it’s enough.”

At this moment, Dugu Fengyun looked towards Fang Lin.

Fang Lin gave a respectful bow: “Junior Fang Lin greets the Dugu Family Head.”

This Dugu Fengyun could be considered one of the highest-ranking people in Xuan Country today, and moreover, he was Dugu Nian’s biological grandfather, naturally, Fang Lin maintained respect towards him.

“The name of Master Fang is also well-known to this old man, this bow from you Master is truly undue,” Dugu Fengyun did not put on the airs of an elder, addressing Fang Lin as Master, this was a sign of respect towards Fang Lin, as he had long been a Master of Pill, and calling him Master by Dugu Fengyun carried no fault at all.

“The Dugu Family Head is an elder and naturally deserves this bow from a junior. In front of you, sir, there is only junior Fang Lin, no such thing as a Master of Pill,” Fang Lin said with a smile.

Though aged, Dugu Fengyun’s eyes were sharp, and he prided himself on judging people accurately, having never misjudged anyone in his lifetime.

In his eyes, Fang Lin, at first glance, didn’t seem too striking, yet he possessed a restrained essence, bearing the demeanor of one who keeps his prowess hidden but is ready to act when necessary, with brilliance yet not flaunting it.

This kind of person generally achieves notable success.

Moreover, Dugu Fengyun had once witnessed the astounding battle outside Xuan City, and often heard of Fang Lin’s reputation that he built in the Upper Three Countries, hence his assessment of this young man grew more nuanced.

In Dugu Fengyun’s view, Fang Lin was a man of contradictions, rational in his actions, yet often making surprising, unexpected moves.

And indeed, he was a true desperado, heaven knows what he might do in a moment of impulse.

Allowing his granddaughter to be with such a man left Dugu Fengyun feeling both secure and insecure.

Dugu Fenglei and Dugu Xiong, among others, also rose to their feet at this time, their faces somewhat pale, especially Dugu Fenglei, who looked not only pale but also quite distressed.

He didn’t even dare to look at Fang Lin and Dugu Nian; the experience of having just narrowly escaped disaster utterly frightened him.

The three, including Dugu Xiong, looked at Dugu Nian with immense awe, surprised that she had become so formidable after all these seven or eight years.

They also harbored thoughts that, since Dugu Nian was now so powerful, perhaps she could solve the current difficulties facing the Dugu Family.

Of course, this was only what they thought in their hearts, not daring to express it outright.

It was obvious to everyone; Dugu Nian didn’t show much warmth towards the Dugu Family and might even detest the family for forcing her to marry the Crown Prince Zhou Yishui of Xuan Country in the past.

Pressing her to help could very well backfire.

Dugu Fenglei left without saying a word, the senior figure of the Dugu Family, now embarrassed in front of his junior, Dugu Nian, naturally had no face to speak any further.

Fang Lin and Dugu Nian followed Dugu Fengyun into the courtyard where he lived.

“Granddaughter, have you ever hated your grandfather? Hated our Dugu Family?” Dugu Fengyun asked with mixed feelings.

Dugu Nian smiled slightly: “I have never hated Grandfather.”

Dugu Fengyun nodded, understanding Dugu Nian’s meaning; not hating Dugu Fengyun, but whether she hated the Dugu Family or not, that was another matter.

“Please, have a seat,” Dugu Fengyun gestured, and Fang Lin and Dugu Nian sat down next to a stone bench.

Dugu Fengyun glanced at Fang Lin, harboring many doubts, after all, Fang Lin had defected from the Pill Alliance seven years ago, and thereafter, there had been no news of him, with many assuming him dead.

Dugu Fengyun didn’t ask anything, as long as he saw Dugu Nian well and Fang Lin by her side, he felt relieved.

“Why haven’t you come home all these years? Even if not returning, at least keeping in touch with the family would be good,” Dugu Fengyun said, his tone light but filled with years of longing for his granddaughter.

Dugu Nian felt guilty: “I made Grandfather worry, these years I’ve been relentlessly traveling and encountering many issues.”

Dugu Fengyun looked at Fang Lin, then at his own granddaughter, although he did not know all that had happened to them over the years, he imagined their lives had not been easy.

But it didn’t matter, as long as they were alive, that was enough.

“Grandfather, how are my parents? Are they well?” Dugu Nian asked.

PS: The second update is here; I continue to write. Last night I went to sleep early, but because I was in a bustling area, at midnight there was a deafening noise as a bunch of lost souls and ghosts came out to celebrate the new year, along with a group of foolish children on motorcycles. Here I extend my wishes to those who rev engines in the middle of the night, may they pass away sooner and be reincarnated.