NOVEL NEXT Chapter 192: Blood Debt 1
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"Impossible… how can it be him, am I hallucinating or what?"
"If you're hallucinating, then so am I, because I see the same thing."
"No doubt that aura comes from him, but how can that be possible? I don't believe it."
As soon as the person who had arrived was revealed, a small uproar broke out among the elders, some doubted their eyes, while others thought maybe it was someone else, given the appearance which looked very different from what they remembered.
But however much they wanted to deny it, deep down all of them knew that the person was certainly him,
Zhu Rong, that member of the family who, only a few months earlier, had been considered the family's trash.
Zhu Shen and his son, however, were the ones who received the greatest shock.
The moment they saw that figure, their bodies froze, while the implications of what they were witnessing raced through both their minds.
They both knew that no trace of him had been seen since the incident during the expedition, and that inevitably made everyone believe he was most likely dead.
And yet here he was, alive and well, exuding a natural aura that only those on the right path toward the summit of this plane of existence could emanate.
Two possibilities occurred to many, either this was another person who resembled him, or he had actually survived, and very likely had obtained some kind of inheritance or powerful treasure that brought him to his current level.
That possibility crossed the minds of many present, and in the end, everyone instinctively went on high alert, ready to defend themselves against a possible attack.
But considering the current situation, was there really anything any of them could do if the other party decided to act?
Everyone knew the answer to that, and it only tightened their chests with anxiety.
They all understood that if he chose to strike, the only thing they could do would be to stand there and watch as they were slaughtered like pigs.
Zhu Tao, on the other hand, did not immediately recognize that young man in front of him who, despite his youthful looks, radiated such a deep and powerful aura.
He had been in seclusion for a long time, so he didn't recognize Zhu Rong right away, especially since, after the trip to the secret realm, his appearance had changed a lot,
he looked older, as if he had jumped from 17 to 20 years old, and Zhu Tao, who had last seen him when he was under 13, didn't immediately realize who he was.
That said, he noticed a certain resemblance that stirred a distant memory in the corner of his mind, but it was too vague for him to focus on.
"Greetings, esteemed guest. I am the patriarch of the Zhu family.
We did not expect a visit from someone of your status, so please forgive our lack of preparation.
Allow me to welcome you to our humble home," he said, bowing respectfully, a bow he would normally reserve for someone stronger than himself.
Seeing this, the elders behind him stiffened even more, their backs broke into a sweat as they realized what was happening.
Zhu Shen and his son also understood the situation, and Zhu Shen quickly sent a spiritual comunication to his father to explain immediately who this was.
Zhu Tao, who had just finished his greeting, felt the change in everyone's attitude and for a moment wondered what it was about.
But then, as if someone had made him swallow a bitter pill, he received the comunication from his son and, upon hearing it, nearly spun on his heels, ready to snatch him by the neck to confirm what he'd just heard.
Zhu Rong, who was at the center of all this, seeing everyone's expressions change so quickly, could form an idea of what was happening, and could only shake his head.
That said, if there had ever been even the slightest shred of courtesy he had once shown to the elders and the family head, it had long since been thrown out the window,
especially when he realized certain truths about why his situation had been problematic from the very beginning.
So he wasted no time on pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"Patriarch Tao, I see you're doing well, you're almost at the Spirit Realm.
I guess the family won't miss him with you still here," Zhu Rong said.
To a stranger those words might have sounded a bit odd, but for the elders and the patriarch they were like lightning in the sky as their deepest fears were realized.
Zhu Tao, having just received the mental communication from his son and hearing those words, realized that the person in front of him was indeed that boy, and naturally understood what Zhu Rong was talking about.
A trace of visible panic appeared on his face as he said,
"Little Rong, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you, I almost didn't recognize you.
Come in, why don't we can speak inside?
What kind of patriarch would I be if I let a family member stand outside?
His expression was warm and inviting, and his words flowed with natural ease, yet beneath the surface, a flicker of coldness formed as he prepared himself for the worst.
Zhu Rong chuckled at those words.
With a single glance, he could tell everything,
It was obvious that Zhu Tao seemed to doubt his strength, and it was clear he wasn't being invited out of kindness, he intended to take care of him.
"After all this time, you haven't really changed,
you talk of family but you let them steal my spiritual root and even allowed my parents to be killed." Zhu Rong said with a cold expression,
his gaze resting on all of them, which no longer bore false expressions but were instead threatening.
Too bad for them that that fierce anger or dissatisfaction was nothing more than a passing gust for him,
The moment his gaze fell on them, the subtle pressure he radiated spiked violently, and they all dropped to their knees, coughing up blood.