Chapter 284

Chapter 284: The Decision to Abandon Revenge

Lou Tianming’s words made Lou Yun hurriedly wave his hand and say: "Dad, look what you’re saying, whatever you and Second Uncle want me to do, you just need to give orders directly to me, where is the need to discuss it with me! Before you, I’m not the clan head!"

Lou Tianming’s expression, however, was extremely serious and grave. He said: "No, I already said earlier, you’ve grown up now and are the clan head of our Lou Family. And what I’m about to say next is closely related to our Lou Family, so it must be discussed with you!"

Seeing Lou Tianming’s expression, Lou Yun knew his father wasn’t joking and genuinely had something very important and serious to tell him. So he quickly collected his thoughts, nodded solemnly, and said: "Alright, Dad, go ahead, I’m listening!"

Lou Tianming looked at Lou Tianzhi again. Their eyes met in the air, and Lou Tianzhi gave a light nod. Then Lou Tianming spoke slowly: "What we want to discuss with you is about the Nine Families and our Lou Family."

Lou Yun was stunned and said: "The Nine Families and our Lou Family? Dad, you and Second Uncle have some thoughts?"

Lou Tianming nodded and said: "Your second uncle and I have carefully discussed it. What we think is this: as long as the Nine Families no longer intend to deal with our Lou Family, then you don’t need to go after trouble with the Nine Families either!"

Lou Yun certainly understood this, for what Lou Tianming meant was quite simple: to ask Lou Yun not to seek revenge against the Nine Families anymore!

Lou Tianzhi continued: "Although we’ve all heard you say that in another world, the Nine Families not only wronged our Lou Family but essentially caused the deaths of our Lou Family ancestors. As descendants, we naturally owe it to our ancestors to seek revenge. But this matter is too distant from us now, many ages have passed. Apart from that time the Han family captured us, the Nine Families people haven’t done anything overly hostile to our Han family. Therefore, we think that instead of seeking revenge against the Nine Families, it’s better to let go of this hatred!"

Lou Yun remained silent, for this suggestion from his father and second uncle caught him off guard. He didn’t know how to respond immediately. Yet, in truth, his own thoughts aligned almost exactly with what his father and second uncle proposed. He also believed that the past events happened countless ages ago and weren’t even on the Spirit Weapon Star. As long as the Nine Families could abandon their ancestral decree and stop opposing the Lou Family people, he too could give up this hatred!

"Yun’er, never mind whether the history you learned is truly accurate. Even if we accept it as true, if we were to seek revenge, it should be against those who actually forced our Lou Family ancestors to their deaths back then—not against their descendants. Moreover, as you’ve said ourselves—aside from our Lou Family, even all the people on our Spirit Weapon Star are on a misguided cultivation path. Only the Nine Families people have always stayed on the correct cultivation path, so the strength of the Nine Families is beyond imagination."

"We also know that you truly are a cultivation genius, and you’re cultivating with the correct method. But to rely solely on you to contest the Nine Families is far too demanding and unfair to you. The outcome of such a conflict is obvious. So, if possible, we should sit down peacefully with the Nine Families people and discuss it. Have both sides abandon this hatred and coexist peacefully on the Spirit Weapon Star, each living their own lives. That would benefit everyone involved."

At this point, Lou Tianzhi and Lou Tianming stopped speaking. They kept their eyes fixed intently on Lou Yun, awaiting his final decision.

Even though they knew Lou Yun generally heeded their advice, on this matter of revenge, they couldn’t be certain. After all, Lou Yun was no longer on the same level as them. Crucially, they believed Lou Yun truly had the ability to avenge, but in their view, this vengeance was unnecessary and meaningless!

After calmly contemplating for a moment, Lou Yun nodded and said: "Dad, Second Uncle, actually I’ve thought about this idea of yours too. Originally I also considered abandoning it, but that Black Invitation of the Nine Families my big brother sent me last time infuriated me and hardened my resolve for revenge. Later, though, I realized it was just a few individuals among the Nine Families secretly colluding and not the Nine Families themselves acting against us."

"How about this: the Huangfu Family from Ghost Sea invited me to visit them last time, but I never went. After finishing my current tasks, I’ll go see them at their place. I’ll explain our thoughts to them and ask the Huangfu Family people to relay it to the other eight families. If they truly can abandon their ancestral decree and stop opposing our Lou Family, then naturally we won’t bother them either. But if any among them still wish to destroy our Lou Family, then I’ll make sure they learn our Lou Family isn’t one to be destroyed lightly!"

"What do you think of my decision?"

Lou Tianming and Lou Tianzhi exchanged a glance. Their stern expressions softened, and smiles reappeared on their faces: "Of course it’s fine. But when you go to the Huangfu Family, be cautious as well. After all, until we formally settle this, we and they are still adversaries!"

"Hehe, I know. Since I dare to go, I naturally have confidence!"

Having reached an agreement on this matter of revenge not only eased the minds of Lou Tianming and Lou Tianzhi but also made Lou Yun feel a great lightness in his body. The burden of this family hatred had pressed down on him for too long—if not for his strong willpower, it might have crushed someone else long ago!

The three chatted casually for a while longer before Lou Tianzhi stood up and left, allowing father and son time alone.

Lou Tianming gazed deeply at Lou Yun for a moment, then reached out his hand to stroke Lou Yun’s head, as he used to do when Lou Yun was a child. He said with contentment: "Yun’er, time flies so fast. Just like that, you’ve truly grown up and even brought a little wife back home!"

"Dad!" Being teased by his father made Lou Yun feel somewhat embarrassed.

Lou Tianming laughed heartily and said: "What, in front of me, why be bashful? Honestly, Yun’er, this Miss Xia really is a fine match—her looks, background, and character are all top-notch, more than pairing well with you. But marriage is no game. Since you’ve chosen to be with her, you absolutely must not let her down, understood?"

"Understood, Dad, I certainly won’t let her down!"

Lou Tianming nodded. His expression suddenly turned sorrowful, and he let out a deep sigh: "Oh, if only your mother were still alive—how wonderful that would be."

This instantly cast a melancholic aura over the father and son.

Regarding his mother, Lou Yun had no memory at all. According to his father, she passed away shortly after he was weaned. He formed no bond with her; only as a child, seeing others with mothers while he lacked one, did he grasp the meaning of "mother." But growing older and now with a fiancée, hearing his father mention her naturally stirred deep sadness in him.

"A mother and son share a connected heart"—this age-old truth remained unshaken.

Lou Tianming soon realized his emotional remark had affected the mood between him and his son. He hurried to change the subject. Yet neither felt talkative now. After exchanging a few idle words, they each went to rest.

After his father departed, Lou Yun sat alone in the room, watching the dim candlelight, and his thoughts involuntarily drifted to his mother—one whom he could count as never having met.

Now, he truly wished to meet his mother just once, a hope forever unfulfilled.

After grieving for a long while, Lou Yun finally freed himself from such thoughts. He immersed his mind deep within himself and found Chang Xiang: "Brother Chang, you must have heard my conversation with my father just now, right?"

Regarding the Lou Family history, Lou Yun had heard it all from Chang Xiang’s mouth, and he trusted Chang Xiang’s words fully. In fact, Chang Xiang partly motivated Lou Yun’s desire for revenge. Since he’d made a decision to dissolve the hatred, he naturally sought Chang Xiang’s opinion.

After a moment, Chang Xiang’s voice came: "I heard it!"

"What’s your view?"

Following another pause, Chang Xiang replied: "Lou Yun, I’ve practically watched you grow up. Knowing you better than your own father, I know you’re a kind-hearted child who’ll spare others whenever possible. Revenge is your Lou Family’s own affair. Since you’ve all decided, I can’t say much. But I must advise you—the Nine Families won’t abandon their ancestral decree. So you must still prepare for any outcome."

Hearing Chang Xiang show no reproach for his decision, Lou Yun sighed in relief. Although he always called Chang Xiang "Brother Chang," Chang Xiang ranked just behind his father and second uncle—a deeply respected elder.

"En, I know. I said earlier: if they still wish to harm our Lou Family, I’ll show them we aren’t easily dealt with!"

"That attitude is good. But don’t forget: The Devour Weapons cultivation method you cultivate requires constant devouring of weapons—otherwise, death is the only outcome. Even though you’ve now found Heavenly Fire as a substitute, if Heavenly Fire isn’t available, you’ll need to devour Divine Heavenly Weapons, possessed only by the Nine Families."

Lou Yun nodded and said: "I know that. Currently my magical weapon realm is at the mystery rank. Xiao Huo harbors three kinds of Heavenly Fire. If I devour them all, my cultivation should reach the Heavenly level. Finding Heavenly Fire is ideal; if not, I must consider moving against the Nine Families. But that’s for later—take one step at a time."

Waiting silently a long while brought no further speak from Chang Xiang. Lou Yun understood their talk had ended. He then sat cross-legged to enter meditation and regulate his cultivation.

After Lou Yun entered deep concentration, Chang Xiang’s voice resounded again, though whispering only to himself: "Kid, you underestimate the Nine Families. From what I know, the Nine Families on Spirit Weapon Star could indeed maintain ties with those in that other world. So, expecting them to flout their ancestral decree is simply impossible!"