Chapter 537 - 537: He Came to the Zhao Family as a Child?

"Something that belongs to my Jiang Family?"

Jiang Xinghai was stunned. 'Something from the Jiang Family is being kept by the Zhao Family?'

'What could this mean?'

It spoke volumes about the relationship between the Jiang and Zhao families.

'Just what kind of profound friendship did his grandfather, Jiang Long, and Zhao Wenxiang share?'

After a brief pause, Jiang Xinghai followed.

Shen Zhengye and Yu Zhuo remained standing outside the door, not following them any further.

From the conversation between Jiang Xinghai and Zhao Wenxiang, they seemed to have indirectly gleaned many well-kept secrets.

Besides, they knew full well that some things were not for them to see or hear.

Jiang Xinghai followed Zhao Wenxiang from the residence, winding their way to an ancient, austere ancestral hall.

The Zhao Family Ancestral Hall!

Standing at the entrance to the ancestral hall, a wave of long-sealed memories washed over Zhao Wenxiang. He couldn't help but say with a self-deprecating smile, "After the Jiang Family's calamity, I swore that if I never met a descendant of the Jiangs in my lifetime, I would never set foot in here again... Fortunately, you've appeared."

"Elder Zhao, forgive me for asking, but how were you so certain I was a descendant of the Jiang Family at first?" Jiang Xinghai had been holding back this question for a long time and felt he had to know.

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Wenxiang stroked his white beard and laughed heartily. "Young Xinghai, haven't you noticed how much you resemble your grandfather?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" A jolt went through Jiang Xinghai.

'Is he indirectly telling me that my father isn't Jiang Wendong, but that I'm Jiang Long's son?!'

'Isn't that the most ridiculous thing in the world?'

"It's quite normal to resemble one's grandparents, isn't it?"

Zhao Wenxiang seemed to understand Jiang Xinghai's wild train of thought. He turned to the side with a smile and said, "Besides, you, your father, and your grandfather—all three generations are remarkably similar. Have I said anything wrong?"

"Well..."

Jiang Xinghai was mortified. It was true.

He bore a strong resemblance to his father and a slight resemblance to his grandfather. The blood ties were undeniable.

He was the one whose thoughts had gone astray.

"Besides, when you were three, your grandfather brought you to my home. I remember the vermilion mole between your eyebrows."

Zhao Wenxiang stared intently at the spot between Jiang Xinghai's eyebrows. "So many years have passed, yet that vermilion mole is still the size of a sesame seed. It hasn't changed at all."

"What!"

Jiang Xinghai was stunned all over again. It was true! He did indeed have a vermilion mole between his eyebrows!

'I actually came to the Zhao residence as a child?'

He struggled to recall any memories from when he was three and had no impression of it whatsoever.

"Back then, my Zhao Family was still living in the city."

Zhao Wenxiang looked toward the ancestral hall again. "But after your grandfather brought you over, I made my decision and moved our entire clan here."

A great sense of confusion suddenly arose in Jiang Xinghai.

'From the sound of it, the Zhao Family's relocation was related to the Jiang Family... or maybe, specifically, to me, Jiang Xinghai?'

"Come in."

Zhao Wenxiang pushed open the doors to the ancestral hall.

As they stepped inside, a desolate air washed over them.

On the altar, a dozen or so ancestral tablets of the Zhao forebears were displayed.

"When your grandfather brought you here all those years ago, he entrusted this to me. He said that one day, you would come knocking to retrieve it."

After a brief silence, Zhao Wenxiang retrieved an ancient wooden box from a hidden compartment in the altar. "And sure enough, you did come to my door on your own."

'Was Grandfather a Fengshui Master? Could he really predict events twenty years in the future?' Jiang Xinghai was dumbfounded.

Zhao Wenxiang simply smiled without offering an explanation. "It's time this was returned to its rightful owner. Take it."

He solemnly handed the wooden box to Jiang Xinghai.

The gesture was like entrusting a precious treasure to its long-awaited master.

With a solemn expression, Jiang Xinghai accepted the wooden box with both hands.

The wooden box was very light, as if it were empty.

However, he could faintly sense a peculiar power emanating from within it.

It felt like an ancient, deeply concealed power, quietly awaiting his discovery.

A strange excitement surged through Jiang Xinghai, and he felt an urgent desire to open the box.

However, the box was seamlessly constructed, with no visible lid or keyhole.

"Your grandfather said that to open it, not only must you infuse it with the blood of the Jiang Family, but your cultivation must also reach the Great Perfection of the late-stage Celestial Destiny Realm."

Zhao Wenxiang gave Jiang Xinghai a meaningful look, then began to light incense for his own ancestors.

Jiang Xinghai stood frozen to the spot, not daring to make a sound and disturb him.

After a moment, Zhao Wenxiang looked up and turned around. "And you, you are already in the late stage of the Celestial Destiny Realm, just one step away from Great Perfection."

"I think I can give it a try," Jiang Xinghai said seriously.

He possessed the ability to fight those above his rank; perhaps it was possible.

"You'd be better off finding a secluded place to open it alone." With that, Zhao Wenxiang stepped out of the ancestral hall.

Jiang Xinghai followed him. "I think opening it here is perfectly fine."

Zhao Wenxiang's voice was sharp. "Young Xinghai, in the future, even if you meet other surviving members of the Jiang Family, you must remain vigilant. Never be quick to trust anyone—and that includes me. Do you understand?"

Jiang Xinghai nodded silently.

'Is Elder Zhao hinting that besides me, there are other survivors from the Jiang Family?'

'And what's more, that this survivor has already betrayed the Jiang Family and poses a great threat to me!'