The first installment,

...

After Old Master Tang gave the command, the three Imperial Guards returned to his side; their auras reverted to the calm state of before, but the sharpness in their eyes hadn't completely vanished.

Now, nobody dared to underestimate these three plain-looking Imperial Guards anymore, and that included Xu Ling and the other scions from elite families.

"Everything alright?"

At this moment, Elder Tang's expression had considerably improved, and his gaze towards Qin Fang had become exceedingly affectionate—as if the more he looked at him, the more he liked him, and he even asked with great concern.

"I'm fine..."

Qin Fang gently nodded in response.

While such a forceful suppression of presence was indeed powerful, it mainly had a stronger effect on ordinary people, the majority of whom were Level 1. But the three Imperial Guards were at least Level 5 Experts, a difference of four full levels—solely this level suppression was extremely formidable. It wasn't strange that Xu Ling and the others were frightened.

In comparison, Qin Fang and Tang Cheng fared much better. The difference in levels wasn't too large, so the effect of level suppression was much less significant. Moreover, Qin Fang's Inner Breath was particularly potent; although he was Level 4, the strength of his Inner Breath was on par with a Level 5 Inner Sect Expert... In this way, Qin Fang was even more at ease than Tang Cheng.

"It's their duty, don't take it personally..."

Elder Tang had already been very pleased with Qin Fang, and now even more so. The effect of the bullet he held amplified his regard for Qin Fang, and his tone became unusually gentle.

Qin Fang merely smiled lightly and didn't take it to heart.

Those three guards were Elder Tang's personal protectors and had taken action purely to ensure his safety. Qin Fang harbored no ill will against them; such loyalty to one's master was a sign of true character.

Seeing that Qin Fang wasn't perturbed, Elder Tang nodded and then turned his attention to Tang Cheng, giving him a brief instruction.

"Xiao Cheng, make a trip yourself, and invite Grandpa Chu over... tell him I have something important to discuss with him!"

Tang Cheng was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting the old master to make such arrangements, and immediately asked with a puzzled tone, "Grandpa, Grandpa Chu hasn't been in good health, I'm afraid that…"

"Don't ask too many questions. Give this to him, and he will naturally come..."

Elder Patriarch Tang handed the bullet Qin Fang had brought over to Tang Cheng with great solemnity and reluctance, as if the bullet were an incredibly important treasure.

"Yes, Grandpa, I'll go right away..."

Tang Cheng also knew that the bullet probably related to something important between the two old masters; otherwise, it wouldn't have elicited such a strong reaction.

Elder Tang had a deep passion for calligraphy, and the Mi Fu's "Cold Light Manuscript" that Xu Ling had just presented made the old master exceedingly happy and he was nearly inseparable from it.

However, as soon as the bullet appeared, the old master seemed to become a completely different person. Now, the "Cold Light Manuscript" was like trash, tossed aside without a second glance as if he didn't even have the energy to care for it anymore.

Xu Ling had been extremely excited, feeling that his chances of success had greatly increased. Especially when Qin Fang presented a rusty bullet as a birthday gift, he was mockingly jeering under his breath; but in reality, Xu Ling was secretly delighted...

Yet, by this outcome, he was now deeply hurt—and it was a serious wound.

"Xiao Qin, come with me... Yong Dong, I'll leave things here to you!"

Particularly unimaginable to Xu Ling and the others was the fact that Elder Patriarch Tang actually stood up and softly took Qin Fang by the hand, as both headed towards the resting room inside the banquet hall.

As they passed by the table where Tang Feifei and the others were seated, the old master made a point to wave at Tang Feifei, beckoning his most beloved granddaughter to join them.

Qin Fang was still thoroughly confused; he did know that the bullet his mother had asked him to bring held some special significance, and his mother Qin Qing knew even more so that the bullet was related to Elder Tang...

But the question was... How could a mere woman like his mother Qin Qing have such a special connection with a great figure like Elder Tang?

It was an unsolved mystery!

Clearly, Qin Qing had hidden many things from Qin Fang, especially regarding his origin...

The group entered the resting room. Those three Imperial Guards naturally stayed close for protection. Additionally, healthcare doctors and service staff were in attendance, busy with fetching water and brewing tea.

"Qin Fang, what exactly is going on..."

Tang Feifei was also feeling dizzy. The birthday gift Qin Fang gave was a Heart Nourishing Pill, which she personally handed over to Old Master Tang, and she even watched Old Master Tang take it, curing the long-standing illness he had suffered from. But she didn't know that Qin Fang had prepared another birthday gift... and caused such a big commotion.

"I don't know either..."

Qin Fang also had a bitter smile on his face. If he had known it would turn out like this, he wouldn't have given it at this time. Now the birthday banquet was going sour.

"You two stop whispering. I know what you're guessing. Wait till Old Chu arrives, he'll tell you..."

Sitting on the side, Old Master Tang, who had just taken a sip of tea to calm his emotions, immediately said with a smile, his gaze towards Qin Fang and Tang Feifei growing even softer.

With that statement from Old Master Tang, both Tang Feifei and Qin Fang quieted down, their hearts filled with anticipation.

Just as Old Master Tang said, although Elder Chu was advanced in age and not in the best of health, when Tang Cheng took that bullet to him, he almost didn't wait for Tang Cheng to speak before he insisted on coming over. The people of the Chu Family tried to persuade him, but couldn't stop him at all...

This commotion was indeed a nuisance, causing the people of the Chu Family to blame Tang Cheng for causing trouble. Tang Cheng, on the other hand, complained about Qin Fang giving him trouble... His wife was from the Chu Family, and he might not even get to sleep in his own bed tonight!

Elder Chu was over ninety years old. He wasn't a leader but a scholar who educated people. Over the decades, countless students had emerged from under his tutelage, truly an example of widespread influence.

It was because of this that, although Elder Chu was not a national leader, he was still a very formidable figure. Many leaders would consider themselves his disciples, and many of them had emerged from under his wing. Old Master Chu also enjoyed the treatment of a National Scholar.

The Chu Family might not be considered a prominent clan in Capital City, but generally, people would not provoke the Chu Family members willingly, after all, such a network of connections was something many dared not ignore.

These were the pieces of information Qin Fang had received from Tang Feifei, but it only made him even more puzzled. This bullet was somehow related to these two completely unrelated Old Masters, and things seemed to be getting more mysterious.

However, confused as he was, Qin Fang knew that once Elder Chu arrived, everything would become clear.

"Where is the person? Where is he?"

They didn't have to wait too long before a vigorous voice of an old man came from outside, sounding quite hurried and anxious. The door to the rest room was almost kicked open from the outside.

Qin Fang's gaze immediately focused on the door, and he saw Tang Cheng supporting an elderly man with white hair who seemed quite frail. Elder Chu's trembling hand was holding the bullet that Qin Fang had sent out.

This man was obviously the Elder Chu they were waiting for. Although Tang Cheng had said that Elder Chu's health didn't seem very good, he appeared to be relatively healthy... But his emphatic entrance made him seem more like a general than a scholar.

"Is it you?"

While Qin Fang was taking note of Elder Chu, Elder Chu looked around the rest area and immediately focused his gaze on Qin Fang.

The room didn't have many people, just Elder Tang, three Imperial Guards, Qin Fang, and Tang Feifei—six people in total. Elder Chu would certainly recognize Elder Tang and the three Imperial Guards... As for Tang Feifei, even though he didn't really remember her, Tang Cheng had mentioned Qin Fang before coming, so he naturally ruled her out.

"Elder Chu..."

Qin Fang bowed slightly and called out respectfully. He held great respect for such a world-renowned scholar, and naturally, his tone was very polite, not to mention this Old Master seemed to know about the bullet and appeared to be aware of Qin Fang's origins...

"So alike, strikingly alike..."

As Qin Fang spoke, Elder Chu examined him very closely and then said with great excitement, "Old Tang, don't you think he looks like him..."

"Indeed, he is very similar..."

Elder Tang also nodded solemnly and said, "When I first saw him, I only felt that he looked familiar. Only after seeing this bullet was I certain... Alas, I should have realized it sooner!"

As Elder Tang spoke, he seemed quite regretful, but the more he said so, the more Qin Fang felt that the mystery of his origins was about to be unraveled.

"Elder Tang, Elder Chu..."

In the face of such a situation, Qin Fang's move, even if somewhat presumptuous, was eager not to miss this opportunity and he quickly spoke out.

"Xiao Qin, don't be anxious... sit down first. Anything you need to know, we two old guys won't hide from you..." Elder Tang waved his hand, interrupting what Qin Fang was about to say, and softly advised him.

Elder Chu sat down as well, passing the bullet to Elder Tang, but his eyes were still fixed on Qin Fang, his smile growing brighter and brighter.

His gaze made Qin Fang think it resembled the way Old Master Tang had looked at his much-loved "Cold Light Manuscript" a moment ago...

Tang Feifei, who sat down next to Qin Fang, was similarly befuddled. Qin Fang at least had an inkling about something, but she couldn't understand how her beloved could be connected to her grandfather and Elder Chu of the Chu Family... Without a doubt, all the answers to the mysteries lay with this single bullet. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), recommend it, and cast your monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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