Yan Wanjun could be called the Xiahou family's greatest victim. His youngest son had been cornered by the Xiahou family, ultimately ending up in the Infinite Prison to suffer the torments of purgatory for all eternity.
His most talented granddaughter had been cursed by the Xiahou family since childhood, afflicted with the Hundred Lives Heartbond Curse. Though the curse had finally been lifted after all those years, her fate had long been sealed — she was destined to be a cultivation cauldron for Xiahou Zong.
And now, Shao Yuan had sworn brotherhood with his most beloved grandson, clearly providing him tremendous help. The Xiahou family intended to take Shao Yuan away as well.
If Shao Yuan were to be taken, Yan Wanjun felt that his grandson Yan Qingsang would once again lose a vital pillar of support and a trusted companion.
Yan Wanjun was old and shrewd enough to see that ever since Shao Yuan had appeared, his grandson had improved dramatically in every respect.
People were influenced by their surroundings without even realizing it. If one spent time with a person of outstanding character, even someone lacking in presence would gradually improve.
And Shao Yuan was clearly the kind of person who could make Yan Qingsang better and more exceptional.
Yan Wanjun's only hope now rested on this grandson. If his grandson's future were also blocked off, then Yan Wanjun would truly have nothing left.
He didn't know what crazy things he might do. He didn't know whether he would still have any motivation to keep fighting for the Yan family.
To fight, one needed a reason to fight. If everything and everyone he loved and cared about had been destroyed, then what motivation could possibly remain?
And so, Yan Wanjun's stance was firm — this time, he would not agree, no matter what.
Yan Wanchong also sighed: "Patriarch, if Shao Yuan truly is that important to our Yan family, we absolutely cannot make concessions this time. Otherwise, our Yan family will really become nothing more than a blood bank for the Xiahou family. They'll drain us however they please. This is nothing less than stripping our bones and sucking out our marrow. Sooner or later, our Yan family will be completely emptied out."
"One shouldn't put it that way," Yan Wanyou interjected. "Shao Yuan is indeed outstanding, but he's an outsider after all. Offending the Xiahou family for the sake of an outsider hardly seems worthwhile."
Earlier, when Yan Wanyou had wanted to marry his granddaughter to Jiang Chen, he had greatly admired the young man. Now that his granddaughter had been rejected, that admiration had long since turned into displeasure.
As a result, he wanted this outsider kicked out of the Yan family — out of sight, out of mind. Appearing weaker before the Xiahou family was already the norm for the Yan family; losing a little more face wouldn't make much difference.
But within the family itself, this could serve as a blow to his old rival Yan Wanjun. In Yan Wanyou's eyes, there was nothing wrong with that.
It had to be said that Yan Wanyou's viewpoint had its share of supporters.
Several clan elders aligned with Yan Wanyou spoke up one after another: "Indeed, Patriarch — Shao Yuan is talented, but is he talented enough for our Yan family to go to any length to keep him? Think about it: if we handed Shao Yuan over to the Xiahou family, then our conflict with the Yaochi Sect would surely be resolved, wouldn't it? The Yaochi Sect's grievance is with Shao Yuan, not with our Yan family, right?"
"At Yuntuo Mountain, so many renowned survey experts were completely helpless. Shao Yuan may have some skill with ancient jade, but that doesn't necessarily mean he has any expertise in mining, does it?"
Yan Wanjun could no longer sit still upon hearing this.
"What utter nonsense are you all spouting? What do you mean the Yaochi Sect's grievance is with Shao Yuan? The Yaochi Sect is upset because the championship was snatched away by our Yan family! Do you really think the Yaochi Sect has a grudge against Shao Yuan personally? I dare you to hand Shao Yuan over to the Yaochi Sect — they'd be grinning from ear to ear!"
This wasn't Yan Wanjun talking nonsense.
What truly irked the Yaochi Sect was the loss of the championship, not any personal vendetta against Shao Yuan.
Someone with clearly exceptional talent in alchemy — how could the Yaochi Sect possibly refuse to welcome such a person with open arms?
Only someone with a flawed mind would believe the Yaochi Sect was targeting Shao Yuan rather than the Yan family.
"Elder Wanjun, we understand your protective feelings toward Shao Yuan — he is Qingsang's sworn brother, after all. But all things must be weighed against the interests of the family."
This lofty accusation was slapped on him directly, labeling Yan Wanjun as someone who would disregard the family's interests without a second thought.
Yan Wanjun flew into a rage and bellowed: "What exactly do you mean by that? That I disregard the family's interests? If I disregarded the family's interests, would I have led troops to Yuntuo Mountain? If I disregarded the family's interests, would I have sacrificed my own granddaughter? If I disregarded the family's interests, would I have let my own son be thrown into the Infinite Prison? Every last one of you — you talk big while standing there without a care in the world, but what have any of you ever done for this family?"
"This old man has only one grandson left. If anyone still wants to cause trouble over this, I'm ready to go all out. We'll go down together if we have to — let's see who's afraid of whom!"
"The Ancient Jade Assembly was my grandson who brought glory to the Yan family. The alchemy wagered contest was also pushed forward by my Qingsang's own determination. Which of the things that brought face to this family didn't come from my line? Every one of you talks a good game when it comes to making snide comments, but when the family needed you, where were you all? Hiding in your shells, every last one! I don't want to embarrass you, but at the Xiahou family's birthday banquet, certain so-called geniuses put on a truly pathetic performance, didn't they?"
Yan Wanjun's fury had been thoroughly ignited.
Over the years, how much had he, Yan Wanjun, sacrificed for the sake of the family's interests? And how many in the family had ever shown a shred of gratitude toward his branch?
He could say with certainty — not a single one!
And so, it was perfectly understandable that Yan Wanjun's temper had run so hot.