Chapter 244

Chapter 244

"Zhuang Yu was taken away by the Fate Clan?" Bai Chenxing coldly asked Bai Hui.

Bai Hui confirmed with a nod, "Yes."

"How timely of them!" Bai Chenxing clenched his fist, his heart filled with resentment towards Zhuang Yu. Had it not been for him, he might have met Ye Shi much earlier.

If he had met Ye Shi, given the striking resemblance between Ye Shi and Xin Yang, how could he not recognize him?

Considering the adversities Ye Shi faced over the past months, Bai Chenxing's mood turned grim.

It seems Ye Shi detests Zhuang Yu immensely.

Ye Shi isn't typically vindictive. He's indifferent to the likes of Xia Kuxue and Bai Lifeng, who have wronged him. Yet, his disdain for Zhuang Yu is impossible to hide.

Thinking that he had cleansed the meridians for someone his son so despised, Bai Chenxing was filled with regret.

The Fate Clan is a unique race. They are adept at seizing and controlling destiny.

After birth, many of the Fate Clan are sent to places most conducive to the contestation of the Fate bloodline's fortune.

Bai Chenxing had heard that this race occasionally replaces infants from other families with their own children. The peculiarity of the Fate Clan is their ability to integrate other family's bloodlines. Even if suspicions arise and bloodline verification is performed, no anomalies are found. Thus, Fate Clan children grow up among the major families.

Essentially, other families invest resources in raising children of the Fate Clan.

A prominent figure from the Fate Clan has come to receive Zhuang Yu. Considering Zhuang Yu's significant background, why was he sent to the frontier lands?

Bai Chenxing gently caressed his ring, recalling the letter left by Qu Xinyang. Bai Chenxing never believed in fate, always thinking that one's destiny is self-determined. However, Qu Xinyang mentioned that Ye Shi's birth chart was unfavorable, causing Bai Chenxing to feel uneasy.

Xinyang has passed away. All he could now protect was their shared bloodline. Nothing could befall Ye Shi.

Perhaps, he should seek out that person.

 …

"Xia Ruoxue, what do you plan to do?" Bai Hui asked Bai Chenxing.

Bai Chenxing frowned slightly and responded irritably, "What do I do? What does Xia Ruoxue have to do with me?"

"But she has waited for you for so many years. Can you bear to disregard her feelings?" Bai Hui sighed softly.

Bai Chenxing scoffed, "Father, if you're so fond of Xia Ruoxue, why don't you marry her?"

Bai Hui's face turned red, retorting, "What nonsense are you speaking?"

Bai Chenxing coldly stared at Bai Hui, "I told you long ago that there's nothing between Xia Ruoxue and me and there never will be. Whatever complications you create with her is none of my concern."

Bai Chenxing clenched his fist tightly. Bai Hui, in association with Xia Ruoxue, caused trouble for Ye Shi, who is so young and vulnerable.

"How can you say that!" Bai Hui's face alternated between shades of green and red.

"Ye Shi is my son! And you, his grandfather, conspire against him with Xia Ruoxue. What is the meaning of this?" Bai Chenxing burst out.

By now, Ye Shi probably guessed his identity. He must be aware of the relationship between Bai Hui and himself, especially being confronted by his own grandfather.

Bai Chenxing shuddered at the thought of the pressure Ye Shi must feel facing his grandfather.

"Had you told me he was your son, how could I have acted this way? He's my grandson! Do you think it's easy for me?" Bai Hui lamented.

Bai Chenxing lowered his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. Everyone seemed to be right except him.

Back then, because of a momentary lapse in judgment, he left Xinyang alone in the frontier, where she died in desolation. He allowed his son to struggle under the deceitful Ye Xun. Ye Shi wasn't of Ye Xun's bloodline, so why would Ye Xun treat him well?

...

Bai Chenxing looked out of the window.

Ye Shi sat by the lotus pond, tossing out numerous mid-grade spirit stones, which were swiftly devoured by the swarm of Devourer Bugs.

Seeing the faint smile on Ye Shi's face, Bai Chenxing felt somewhat relieved. He couldn't change the past, but he could ensure Ye Shi's carefree future.

By the lotus pond, Ye Shi, unbothered by the loss of spirit stones, mused that Bai Chenxing was wealthy, gifting him numerous high-grade spirit stones.

Touching his ring, Ye Shi thought, "If only Mu Chen were here. Then someone would spend these spirit stones with me."

Mu Chen was adept at amassing spirit stones. He had always been the provider, and Ye Shi wished he could share his wealth with him.

Bai Yi watched Ye Shi from a distance. Given Ye Shi's newfound status, although the family elders hadn't said much, they likely rejoiced inwardly.

Bai Yi and Zhuang Yu's past denigrations against Ye Shi had backfired. Now, his beloved uncle Bai Chenxing looked at him with disappointment.

Without Bai Chenxing's support, Bai Yi's situation became increasingly precarious.

Bai Yi clenched his fist. His father always encouraged him to get close to Bai Jinle, but now, he's nudging Bai Jinle towards Ye Shi.

When Bai Chengfeng mentioned pursuing Ye Shi, Bai Yi dismissed it as a joke. Now, he had to reconsider.

Zhuang Yu was taken away by the Fate Clan. Bai Jinle and Bai Chenxing terminated their adoptive relationship, causing her status to plummet.

Bai Yi hung his head, thinking, "Aside from Ye Shi, no one in the Bai family seems worthy of me."

The Bai family prioritized males over females. The twins held a lower status. To preserve the family bloodline, Bai women could only marry within the family, while Bai twins could seek brides freely, but could only wed Bai women.

Bai Jinle approached Bai Yi mockingly, "Like what you see?"

Bai Yi frowned, "What are you talking about?"

Bai Jinle laughed sarcastically, "Can't you understand? Ye Shi! Admit it, you're smitten."

Bai Yi responded, "Don't spout nonsense."

Bai Jinle snorted, "I'm not speaking nonsense. You know deep down that's exactly how you feel."

Bai Yi frowned, remarking, "Jinle, look at what you've become. I barely recognize you now."

"The person I am now, there's indeed no need for you to recognize," Bai Jinle replied with a dark tone.

Bai Chenxing's attitude towards her changed drastically, causing her status in the family to plummet. Who knows how many were reveling in her misfortune behind her back.

Over the years, as Bai Chenxing's adopted daughter and a direct descendant of the Bai family, she was the center of attention. Countless people envied her in the open and secretly.

Now, having fallen from grace, everyone was eager to step on her while she was down.

Even the attitude of Bai Yi's father changed. He used to treat her kindly, but now, he felt that Bai Yi was targeted by Bai Chenxing because of her.

Initially, she was in favor of recruiting Ye Shi. However, Bai Yi and Zhuang Yu believed Ye Shi had poor character and strongly opposed it.

To support Bai Yi, she changed her stance, siding with Bai Yi and Zhuang Yu against Ye Shi. As a result, now, everything seemed to be her fault.

"Bai Jinle, stop causing a scene," Bai Yi said.

Bai Jinle gave a cold chuckle, replying, "You're right. From start to finish, it seems I've been the one making a fuss."

...

Inside the pavilion.

Ye Shi was deftly wielding his flying sword, executing the Wind and Rain Sword Technique to perfection.

"Impressive, truly impressive. At this level, you deserve to be considered the best among the Bai family's younger generation."

Ye Shi halted his swordplay, turning to see a man in tattered clothes, wearing worn-out straw sandals, a mischievous smirk gracing his lips.

Ye Shi observed the man, thinking: The Bai family actually has someone who dresses so poorly? But then, the richer they are, the more they might like to feign poverty. This guy must be incredibly wealthy.

"Who are you?" Ye Shi asked curiously.

"You're Bai Chenxing's son, you can call me Uncle Chengfeng," Bai Chengfeng replied with a smile.

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "What brings you here, Uncle Chengfeng?"

"I do have something," Bai Chengfeng answered, waving a ragged fan and grinning.

Ye Shi, intrigued, asked, "What is it?"

Bai Chengfeng waved his hand, revealing a stack of portraits, "These are the promising young men of our Bai family. Want to take your pick?"

Ye Shi furrowed his brows, questioning, "Uncle Chengfeng, what do you mean by that?"

"Whichever one you fancy, I'll play matchmaker for you," Bai Chengfeng stated matter-of-factly. "You can choose more than one. Being the son of my genius brother, Chenxing, you're special. Picking a few won't hurt. My, you're a fortunate nephew! Others don't have this privilege."

Ye Shi glanced at the portraits and his eyes narrowed. The very first picture was of Bai Yi.

Ye Shi's face contorted, feeling the urge to throw up.

"Any of them stronger than me?" Ye Shi inquired, looking at Bai Chengfeng impassively.

Bai Chengfeng's smile faltered a bit; Ye Shi had just advanced to the Five-Star Martial Emperor level, equal to Bai Yi.

Despite Ye Shi's young age, his Array Infusion technique was profound, giving him the capability to challenge those beyond his level.

"None here can match you," Bai Chengfeng admitted awkwardly.

Ye Shi smirked coldly, remarking, "In that case, keep them away from me. It'd be unfortunate if I, by accident, had to eliminate one or two."

Bai Chengfeng looked at Ye Shi with a bit of helplessness, saying, "Nephew, why so brash? You're so formidable that finding someone among the younger generation who can best and marry you is indeed a challenge!"

Ye Shi smirked arrogantly, "Those who can't defeat me yet wish to marry me are deluding themselves."

Bai Chengfeng: "..."

"Really, won't you reconsider? Look at this Bai Yi, a genuine heartthrob. He's the pride of our Bai family, having charmed countless ladies of noble birth in Zhongzhou. Look how handsome he is!" Bai Chengfeng rattled on like a gossipy matchmaker.

Ye Shi snatched the portrait from Bai Chengfeng's hand, reducing Bai Yi's picture to ashes.

"Uncle Chengfeng, I have zero interest, absolutely none, in being with someone who's Zhuang Yu's cast-off," Ye Shi emphasized, staring intensely at Bai Chengfeng.

Bai Chengfeng: "..." It was the first time he heard someone refer to Bai Yi in such a manner, and he found this assessment quite novel.

Bai Yi's reaction upon hearing Ye Shi's comment would certainly be interesting.