Long Ba stared intently at Tan Xuan, whose blood circulation surged uncontrollably, almost bursting. Tan Xuan took out a pill and swallowed it, regaining control in less than twenty seconds.

“Ginger gets spicier with age.”

Tan Xuan pulled out another pill filled with martial power.

“Hmph, despicable! Taking forbidden drugs, aren’t you afraid of the backlash?”

“Ha, so what? The reward for your head is worth more than this.”

Just as he was about to swallow the pill, a fierce wind blew it away. Tan Xuan shouted, “Who’s there?”

“Hehe, don’t you recognize me, Tan Zu?”

Tan Xuan hesitated, worried he might offend the Tan family patriarch.

“Tan Xuan, it’s me. Apologies for my earlier tone,” Tan Xuan said respectfully, not entirely sure if it was really Tan Zu.

The patriarch rebuked, “Can’t you handle this weakling without forbidden drugs?” He hadn’t yet revealed himself.

“With you here, Patriarch, I don’t need forbidden drugs.”

Ignoring Tan Xuan, the patriarch addressed Long Ba, “Little ghost, haven’t seen you in a while.”

Long Ba felt his legs shaking and eyes unfocused, fearing the Tan family patriarch, who was beyond a great martial warrior, a martial deity.

The patriarch waved his hand, and Long Ba was pulled over by an unknown force, unable to resist. Before him stood an emaciated old man with a few wisps of hair. Although he looked frail, his grip was unbreakable. The patriarch looked past Long Ba and said, “Is this your grandson?”

“Hmph, do what you want, but don’t hurt the child.”

“Hehe, this must be the son of the Long family.”

Long Ba quickly explained, “I found him abandoned in a village and took him in out of pity.”

“Haha, why so nervous if it’s not true?”

The patriarch ordered Tan Xuan, “Take them both.”

Tan Xuan dared not hesitate, now certain it was the patriarch. He went to capture me, but another gale swept me away, even stronger than before.

Tan Xuan stood in shock.

Chapter 7: Determination

My vision was a blur, and I suddenly found myself in a picturesque village with clear mountains and flowing waters. My head felt dizzy, and I was overcome with the urge to vomit. The mysterious elder gave me a pill, and as I took it, he asked, “Feeling better?”

I slowly raised my head and weakly asked, “What happened to my grandpa?”

“Don’t worry about him. He managed to escape and is only gravely injured at worst,” the elder assured me.

Upon hearing “gravely injured,” I protested, “Why didn’t you save my grandpa earlier? Take me back; I need to save him!”

The elder chuckled, “With your strength, you wouldn’t even make a dent in anyone’s defenses. Returning would only cause more trouble. Your grandpa won’t die.”

My mind raced with images of the Tan family potentially massacring my kin. I looked up and asked the elder, “Grandpa,

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