# Chapter 30: Drastic Change (9)
Xiao Yulong's words made Xiao Lie's whole body tremble, his pupils suddenly constricting sharply, and he stood there frozen.
Looking at Xiao Yulong's sinister sneer, how could he not understand that the whispers he had uttered that day in front of his son Xiao Ying's grave... had all been heard by him!
Xiao Yulong's words caused an uproar on the scene. Everyone's mouth gaped open as their gazes turned to Xiao Lie. And when they saw Xiao Lie's far-from-ordinary reaction, their shock multiplied several times, and the volume of discussion likewise rose.
Xiao Che was completely stunned. When he noticed Xiao Lie's reaction, his entire mind went blank. Xiao Lingxi was also expressionless, staring blankly at Xiao Lie.
"Yulong! What is this about?" Xiao Yunhai frowned and asked in a deep voice.
Xiao Yulong turned sideways and said respectfully, "Reporting to Father, a few days ago when I went to the back mountain cemetery to pay respects to our ancestors, I happened to encounter Fifth Elder. At the time, he was standing before his son Xiao Ying's tombstone, muttering to himself... I heard him very clearly. He was saying... that Xiao Che is not at all Xiao Ying's biological son!"
From Xiao Yulong's earlier words and Xiao Lie's reaction, people vaguely guessed at this fact, but now Xiao Yulong stated it so bluntly, it was still like a thunderclap out of nowhere. Everyone in the Xiao Sect was utterly stunned. Even those familiar and friendly with Xiao Lie had their eyes wide open, their faces full of disbelief.
"This..." Xiao Yunhai also showed a shocked expression, then immediately said sternly, "Yulong! This is a matter concerning bloodlines, you must not speak recklessly!"
Xiao Yulong said seriously, "Such a major matter, how would I dare to utter a single falsehood? As to what the truth really is, why not ask Fifth Elder... Fifth Elder, I think you have already heard my words clearly. If you have no guilt in your heart, if Xiao Che is truly your biological grandson, then dare you swear an oath upon all the honors your son Xiao Ying achieved in his lifetime?"
All eyes focused on Xiao Lie. He stood there stiff as a board, his expression growing more and more bitter. After a long while, he did not speak, did not defend himself... His son Xiao Ying was the greatest pride of his life. Even if he were to die, he could not possibly swear an oath at the cost of all Xiao Ying's lifetime honors.
Xiao Che opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. In his chest, a heavy suffocating sensation quickly spread through his entire body.
"Dad, how could Xiao Che not be your biological grandson... Dad, say something! Tell them!" Xiao Lingxi shook Xiao Lie's body forcefully, crying out in panic.
But Xiao Lie was like a stone statue, remaining silent for a long time. His face subtly turned dejected, as if he had aged a dozen years in the blink of an eye.
"Fifth Elder, what is the meaning of this? Is what Yulong said true or not?" Xiao Yunhai frowned deeply, asking Xiao Lie with an agitated face.
Xiao Lie slowly raised his head and took a deep breath. Xiao Yulong had forced him to swear on his son Xiao Ying... that was something he could never do. Then, this matter he had concealed for sixteen years was destined to be hidden no longer. He had thought he would keep this secret until the day he died, but never expected that it would be exposed so quickly, in such an occasion he could never have imagined, before so many people, torn open ruthlessly.
Xiao Lie's appearance was already an admission. Otherwise, he could have sworn the oath without any scruples, shutting Xiao Yulong's mouth. Everyone in the Xiao Sect was dumbfounded. Even Xia Qingyue was filled with surprise. Xia Hongyi, who had been standing silently on the periphery, also had a shocked expression... Xiao Che is not Xiao Ying's son? How could... this be!!
"Grandfather..."
Xiao Che walked to Xiao Lie's side, each step incredibly heavy. Looking at his face that seemed to have aged a great deal in an instant, a sourness welled up in Xiao Che's heart. He tried his best to stay calm and asked in a very soft voice, "Grandfather... could this... be true?"
Xiao Lie's head drooped. Looking at Xiao Che, he gave a bitter smile, his somewhat cloudy eyes holding a complexity that Xiao Che could not see clearly: "Although you are not my blood, all these years, I have always treated you as my own grandson..."
His earlier silence was an admission, and now these words were a clear acknowledgment that everyone could hear distinctly.
The Xiao Sect exploded instantly. This was undoubtedly the most explosive news they had heard in all their years in the Xiao Sect.
Xiao Che stood there in a daze, not uttering a word for a long time, as if his soul had fled. And Xiao Lingxi was also completely stupefied. She shook her head forcefully and shouted excitedly at Xiao Lie, "Dad! What are you saying... Xiao Che grew up with me, he is the biological son of my brother Xiao Ying, how could he not be your grandson... You must be joking... right!?"
A hand reached out and grasped Xiao Lingxi's. At this moment, Xiao Che's expression had returned to normal. He looked at Xiao Lingxi, a faint smile on his face, and gently shook his head: "It's okay, Little Aunt. Grandfather has always been my grandfather, you have always been my little aunt, and we have always been the closest of relatives. No matter whether blood relation exists or not, our feelings will never change... So, is being biological really that important?"
"Xiao Che..." Xiao Lingxi's gaze suddenly became misty.
And on the other side, several mad dogs who had suddenly grabbed hold of Xiao Lie's huge "handle" began to bark wildly.
"This is utterly outrageous! Outrageous! A junior that our Xiao Sect has raised for sixteen whole years turns out not to be of our Xiao Sect's blood, but a bastard with an outsider's bloodline... This is the biggest joke in the history of our Xiao Sect!" Grand Elder Xiao Li shouted furiously.
"Xiao Lie! You actually brought a bastard into our Xiao Sect and let our Xiao Sect raise him for sixteen years! What do you want us to say about you... Alas!" Third Elder Xiao Ze sighed heavily.
"Knowing full well he's a bastard, you still kept him in the Xiao Sect, treating him as an elder's grandson! Xiao Lie, you have deceived our entire sect for sixteen years. If it weren't for Yulong's fortunate discovery, it might have been concealed from you forever. In time, the descendants' bloodline of our Xiao Sect would have been mixed with an outsider's blood! Xiao Lie, do you know how great a sin this is!" Fourth Elder Xiao Cheng pointed at Xiao Lie, his old face red with agitation.
Second Elder Xiao Bo cursed, "No wonder each of our Xiao Sect's descendants has extraordinary talent, yet suddenly there appears such a waste with a crippled profound vein! So it turns out that this waste that our Xiao Sect has raised for sixteen years is actually a bastard! If word gets out, our Xiao Sect will become the laughingstock of Liuyun City!"
Not only the four elders, but also various stewards and managers from the middle-aged generation who belonged to the four elders' factions stepped forward one after another, accusing Xiao Lie without mercy. In an instant, Xiao Lie became the target of public criticism.
"Fifth Elder, you... this... Alas!" After a change of expression, Xiao Yunhai let out a long sigh.
"Heh, this really lets me witness an extremely farcical show. The Xiao Sect that has struggled to develop to today actually has a bastard from who knows where mixed in! Even I feel ashamed for you!" Xiao Kuangyun spoke, his voice still sharp and unpleasant. He glanced at Xiao Che and said lightly, "Today is the Xiao Sect's assembly. Besides Xiao Sect members, there are also permitted guests. There is no room for miscellaneous people! Sect Master Xiao, what are you waiting for? Why haven't you thrown this bastard out yet? From now on, he is never to step foot in the Xiao Sect again!"
"Ah... this..." Xiao Yunhai showed a look of "reluctance," but after hesitating, he gritted his teeth and faced Xiao Che, saying, "Xiao Che, Fifth Elder has already admitted that you are not his grandson. There is no bloodline of our Xiao family in your body... Although our Xiao family has raised you for sixteen years in vain, you were unaware of it all along. If we were to demand repayment from you, that would make us seem cold-hearted and petty... You may leave. Leave our Xiao family immediately. From now on, there will be no grievances or gratitude between us. You are never to set foot in our Xiao family again!"
All eyes focused on Xiao Che. Many silently lamented. But there was no trace of pleading or sorrow on Xiao Che's face. Hearing Xiao Yunhai's words, he simply smiled faintly, a smile that was calm and sarcastic: "No trouble to the Sect Master and elders. Since I do not belong to your Xiao Sect, I will leave... and leave immediately!"
He stood before Xiao Lie, his gaze wavering. After a long time, he asked somewhat blankly, "Grandfather... if I am not your grandson, then who exactly are my biological parents?"
Xiao Lie had long known he would ask this question. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head: "I don't know. Ying'er picked you up from outside. Even he didn't know who your biological parents were..."
"..." From the wavering, complex light in Xiao Lie's eyes, Xiao Che knew that this was not Xiao Lie's true feelings. He must know something about his real origins, but in front of so many people, he simply could not say it.
With a "plop," Xiao Che heavily knelt before Xiao Lie and said sincerely, "Grandfather, although I am not your blood, in these sixteen years, you have treated me far better than if I were your own. You raised me, taught me, protected me, and spent countless energy and effort on me. The kindness of sixteen years, I can never repay in a lifetime. I have always been extremely fortunate to have such a good grandfather. Although only today did I learn that I have no Xiao family blood, so what? You are my grandfather, and I am your grandson. Even if our bloodlines differ, I will keep this familial love in my heart forever! As long as Grandfather does not despise me, I will always be your grandson!"
These words made everyone's hearts tremble. Xiao Lie's eyes moistened. He nodded heavily and said a choked "good," then reached out to help Xiao Che up.
But Xiao Che avoided his hand, prostrated himself, and kowtowed three times heavily to Xiao Lie.
"Grandfather, Little Aunt, after I leave, no matter what happens, take good care of yourselves and keep healthy..."
When Xiao Che stood up, his forehead was already bruised. But the smile on his face was still as warm as a spring breeze. He turned and walked calmly toward the main gate. He didn't want to leave... because Grandfather and Little Aunt were still here, and he wanted to protect them with his life... But he had to leave, otherwise Grandfather and Little Aunt would suffer unforeseen repercussions. Moreover, even if he wanted to stay, he would inevitably be forcefully thrown out.
"Xiao Che!!"
Behind him came Xiao Lingxi's tearful cry. Xiao Che's steps paused slightly, but he did not stop, did not look back. He walked resolutely toward the gate... No one knew, beneath his calm and peaceful exterior at this moment, how heavy a weight of anger, resentment, and murderous intent lay hidden...
He had extraordinary intelligence and cunning, but he had no strength... Without strength, he could not resist, could not protect Grandfather and Little Aunt, did not even have the strength to struggle... and could only be expelled like this...
On the day he had just been reborn, he had yearned for power, but that was only from a human's instinctive pursuit of strong power. At this moment, his desire for power was a hundred, a thousand times stronger than then...
He wanted to obtain great power, to protect Grandfather and Little Aunt, to wash away all his humiliations, to make everyone who showed their ugly faces today regret, to make Xiao Kuangyun die a horrible death... and even to make the entire Xiao Sect pay a price they would never forget!
"Protect my grandfather and little aunt... I beg you..."
As he passed by Xia Qingyue's side, he said in a voice only she could hear.
This man, who was full of mystery and pride, showed a deep plea in his eyes when he said this... Perhaps he had never begged anyone in his life, so his plea was especially piercing. Xia Qingyue's heart trembled heavily, and she even felt a moment of suffocation... Almost involuntarily, she slowly nodded her head.