Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Twenty years, huh?
Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Twenty years, huh?
The Blackwood faily's descendants, along with Nathan, arrived at the family shrine. Charles and Christopher were still in Thunderfire Demon Cave practicing Buddhism.
As for Matthew, he had gone back to Moore, where he had grown up and was now collaborating with the head of the Moore family, Holden, who was nearing the end of his life.
Nathan discussed with Holden the possibility of Matthew marrying into the Moore family to ensure the continuation of the Blackwood lineage, even if it meant becoming a branch family.
Nathan, with a stern face, confronted Edward, who had been summoned along with his siblings by their great-grandfather, expecting some family matters to be discussed.
However, Nathan's questioning left Edward stunned, taking a while to respond, "Great-grandfather, I... I know I was wrong, but Uncle William took me out recently, and I swear I didn't join him in any wrongdoing. I ran away!"
Nathan's expression darkened even more as he gripped his iron staff tighter, "Do you remember Betty? She bore you a child." At this revelation, Nicholas and Donna looked incredulously at their older brother, filled with shock and confusion.
"Big brother, was what you said before true?"
"What's going on? I became an aunt at just eleven?"
Edward, looking completely dazed and his muscles tensing as if time had slowed down, finally came to his senses and faced his furious great-grandfather, "I... I'm a father?"
Seeing his great-grandson in such a state, Nathan sighed deeply, "At a time when our family is surrounded by enemies, you've committed such a foolish act. Do you know who she is? She's Betty, the young princess of the Duke's Mansion! What kind of place do you think the Duke's Mansion is? "
"Even if she wasn't the Duke's daughter, as a descendant of the Blackwoods, you should not forget moral principles. Have you thought about how this will affect Betty, who is so young and now pregnant, and how she will face society?"
After speaking, Nathan bowed deeply to the ancestral tablets, "Please, Forebearer, punish me for not disciplining my descendants properly and causing such a disaster."
"No! It's not great-grandfather's fault!" Edward quickly kowtowed, "Betty and I truly love each other, and I am willing to take responsibility!"
Nathan and Ethan, watching from the screen, stared at Edward. Whether they truly loved each other was known only to the heavens, but it was clear that Edward had been led astray by desire.
Despite the strict family discipline and repeated warnings, youthful impulsiveness, especially regarding romantic entanglements, was hard to control.
After a moment of thought, the ancestral tablets in the Forebearer's shrine rose.
[Propose Marriage]
The deed was done, and now they had to follow the old rules...
always on m|vl|e|mp|y|r
The Duke's Mansion was formidable, but if truly angered, it wouldn't be a big deal. At worst, the young ones could hide deep in the mountains with their elders.
Meanwhile, Olivia was tasked with figuring out a way to secretly bring back the family's daughters-in-law and children.
"Yes, Forebearer!" Seeing the command from the Forebearer, Nathan quickly nodded.
Within half a day, Nathan had enlisted Dennis's help. Upon hearing the news, Dennis, after a long pause and considering Edward's unremarkable appearance and mediocre talents, smiled at Nathan, "Mr. Nathan, after all, she is the Duke's young princess. I'll do my best."
"Thank you, Mr. Dennis."
Soon, Dennis, carrying a high-quality psychic device, a million Energy Stones, and a plethora of heavenly materials, headed to the Duke's Mansion. Then...
After accelerating time, the scene shifted to the outskirts of the Duke's Mansion, which was quite imposing, with two Emerging Ability guards at the gate. After explaining their purpose, Dennis and a very nervous Edward were led inside by an imposing general.
D-level!
Ethan followed their perspective into the Duke's Mansion and was already preparing his skills.
Soon, he saw the most prestigious person in the entire Cloudview County, a portly middle-aged man in a black python robe, exuding a powerful aura as he walked.
Entering the hall, Dennis and Edward stood up.
Duke Michael glanced emotionlessly at Edward, "A Blackwood child? Did you impregnate my daughter?"
"..."
Edward was trembling with nerves until Dennis nudged him, prompting him to quickly respond, "Yes. Can I... can I see Betty and our child?"
"Oh, you come now!" Duke Michael scoffed, slowly settling back into his seat. He picked up his teacup, brushed off some tea leaves, blew on the steam, and took a sip before speaking, "Do you know how old I am this year?"
Edward shook his head, not daring to speak, sensing that Michael, though appearing calm, was likely very irritated behind this facade.
"Seven hundred and twenty-nine years old," Michael said evenly.
"Do you also know how many children I have in my line? Six. Four of my children have lived out their lifespans, leaving only a son and a daughter. Guess how much effort it took me to conceive Betty? She is in my palace, cherished above all. You're quite something, a D-level guard couldn't keep you from causing trouble with my daughter."
"I've heard your great-grandfather Nathan was most concerned with family reputation, and everyone in Gratitude Village speaks well of him. How did they produce a rebel like you?" he continued, taking another sip of his tea.
Looking at the bowed head of Edward and the trembling Dennis, Michael suddenly smiled, "I know young people are impulsive, and I'm not some old fuddy-duddy. You Blackwoods, and you young man, if you achieve something, Betty will certainly not marry a mediocrity."
"I'll give you twenty years. Your uncle George once killed all the talents at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion. In twenty years, the same Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion will gather heroes from all over, even from other counties. If you can't defeat these prodigies, I will have done all I can, and I'll send you a wedding invitation."
"Understood, I'll take the child and go back to report," Dennis quickly pulled Edward away.
Ethan, watching this unfold in the empty hall, saw Michael begin to smash things in anger, cursing, "Ah! Scoundrel, ruining my Betty, damn fool, bastard!"
Ethan was momentarily speechless, empathizing—if Nathan had a daughter at his old age and someone treated her that way, he'd probably be crazier than Michael.
"Twenty years, huh?" He glanced at Edward's potential, his lips curling slightly, "If you really just want someone worthy of Betty, why wait twenty years? Wouldn't now be better?"