Outside

The next day soon came as Huang Yang woke up thanks to Xiaotian again. He jumped into the pool which he hadn't done with joy in some time, but then remembered that it was frozen. As he turned around he felt a gaze locked onto him, coming from the bushes, "Hello?", he said with a wary voice. All he heard was a light scream before the person seemed to run off.

Huang Yang changed faster than normal, finding his robes and the black fur coat. He knew that he had to go see his sick grandmother today, but he also had another plan.

He strapped the Bronzefire sword to his back and walked out the door. With quick movements, he took off towards the main hall. At times, he would swing the sword at a tree, just for fun and practice.

He soon arrived at the main hall which had a red exterior, except for the white snow covering some of it up. Connected to the hall was a small building.

His father and grandfather had a habit of liking things simple. Huang Qiang was the only real luxury man in the main family.

Huang Yang came up to knock at the simple red building, waiting for his grandfather to open the door. A few mumbled voices were heard before the door opened.

Inside the building was Huang Canfeng who had a big smile when he looked at Huang Yang. Further inside was an old woman. Her hair was grey and brown while her eyes were light blue. This was his grandmother Xiao Xi.

Compared to how she looked at Huang Xianjun's birthday, her skin had lightened by a tone, while her wrinkles seemed to have increased in number. It looked as if years had passed.

She lay on a soft bed while a cup of tea had been prepared for her, standing silently on a table by her right hand.

She slowly turned to look at Huang Yang, before showing a warm smile. The flames of life within her eyes, appeared dull when Huang Yang looked at her.

Her sickness had worsened. The last time he saw her, which was currently the only time he had seen her, as far as he knew. She had told him about the sickness.

They told him that she had taken some medicine in order for her to even walk by herself. Huang Yang couldn't even imagine what she was suffering from, but he would like to know.

He placed himself by the bedside, looking at her with attentive eyes.

"Trying to figure out what my sickness is?", Xiao Xi asked with her warm smile still showing.

Huang Yang hesitated but soon nodded. He really wanted to know.

Xiao Xi looked at this talented grandson of her. A sign of hope grew in her eyes. "This all comes from my martial spirit, the Evil scorpion lord...", she said.

Behind them, Huang Canfeng revealed a look of surprise. He had never thought that she would actually tell the truth.

Huang Yang's eyes widened as he heard the truth. Thinking more about it, his pupils shrank. If the martial spirit followed the blood then, "Mother and brother will inherit the same disease!", he said with a shout.

Xiao Xi gently sighed with a nod. "While little Jun's future may be brighter than mine... Your mother will likely follow in my footsteps", she said.

Deep pain was reflected in her eyes, while tears desperately tried to escape the confines of her eyes. Ever since the birth of her daughter, she had felt somewhat regretful as guilt had haunted her. She could only hope that the martial spirit would never awaken.

The reality, however, was not kind. While Xiao Shu didn't cultivate, she still somehow, advanced. It may be slow, but one day she will reach the awakening realm.

Xiao Xi knew that it was only a question of time, as did Xiao Shu, who learned about this long ago. They had honestly begun accepting it until Huang Yang showed his talent.

This boy would break through the heavens one day, so perhaps a chance of Xiao Shu surviving had been born.

Huang Yang seemed to shake from frustration and sadness. "What about father, does he know anything?", he asked.

With a heavy heart, Xiao Xi nodded, "He accepted this fact long ago, but still has hope".

The love between his parents was strong. They had a happy life. A person would never suspect that a secret like this really existed.

Strength seemed to leave Huang Yang's body as he struggled to keep himself standing. The life of his mother was in danger, maybe even the life of his brother. But what could he do alone?

The current him may be strong for a seven-year-old, but he was still immature. If only he had unlimited time. Then he could live a happy and peaceful life.

"I'm sorry Yang'er, the Huang family isn't strong enough to cure your grandmother, or even help your mother when the time comes", Huang Canfeng said with eyes facing the floor.

Higher families may have the ability to do something, but they could do nothing with their limited, knowledge, strength, and resources.

The members of the family only came from three elders, Huang Canfeng, Huang Hong, and Huang Ran. There weren't enough youngsters. Meaning finding true geniuses was difficult. The only true genius was Huang Yang.

As if a light had been lit, Huang Yang got an idea. He thought about Zhou Ru. She likely had talent beyond Zhilan, seeing the level she achieved all by herself.

She came from a small background and would, therefore, not be unhappy when losing out on resources. She just needed training for her to be happy and focussed.

There had to be more like her. Many of the servants only came to the Huang estate, if they discovered that they possessed talent, but they all ended up being nothing more than maids and butlers.

But what if they changed this. If they began taking in people and training them, they could grow quickly over time. Some could be sent out in the world as mercenaries, some could join sects in the Huang family name, while some true talents might appear.

He turned to explain his idea to his grandfather who nodded along, "I've had the same idea, but what's to stop them from turning their back's on us?", Huang Canfeng asked.

"Some may one day turn their back's on us and leave, but some may be thankful, even willing to stay and marry a family member", Huang Yang said with bright eyes.

Huang Canfeng began grumbling over the subject until Xiao Xi presented and idea, "If they want our manuals and resources, why not let them swear to the heavens".

A light flashed in Huang Canfeng's eyes, while Huang Yang had raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Xiao Xi gave a dry giggle, "Should a person make an oath to the heavens, the promise must be kept or they will not reincarnate, at least that's what people think", she said with a wink.

Besides the Tang dynasty being the descendants of gods, this was actually the most commonly believed saying.

The three looked at each other with hesitation. It would be a big step for the Huang family.

This was in reality also in line with the other goal Huang Yang had in coming here. He wanted to go out for once. He had hardly seen other servants before he met Zhou Ru.

He had lived an isolated life-style, not knowing what the mortal world looked like. He wanted to see Bright city and the mortals living there.

By making it possible for outsiders to join the Huang family, he could go out and meet people his own age, letting him help in recruiting.

There weren't that many young people around the family. They had even lost Zhilan, further diminishing the number. In his mind, he saw a group of boys and girls his age, all talking about cultivation and martial arts in general.

While he wasn't a great talker, and still had the habit of being a bit distant, he would like to meet others. Besides he was tired of always losing to his uncle Min.

He felt his confidence falter at times, even though he knew that Pen Min had time as an advantage. A boy needed to have friends and even the opportunity to show off in front of them at times.

"Okay, okay, we can start thinking about the younger servants first", Huang Canfeng said with a wry smile. He wasn't sure where this decision of his would lead the family, but they couldn't keep on simply being the Huang family.

While he knew that the Huang family would rise to new heights under the rule of Huang Shi, why not make himself his own legacy before giving up his status as the patriarch.

A beam of happiness grew in Huang Yang, "Thank you grandpa!!", he yelled before giving him a hug, sending Huang Canfeng back to the time before the death of Zhilan.

Even Xiao Xi began to feel better. She was happy that her daughter had married Huang Shi. At least she could be around to feel a warm sense of joy.

"I have to get a sword from grandpa Zu, see you afterward!", Huang Yang said as he ran out the door in a hurry leaving the two old people for themselves.

Xiao Xi smile, "Maybe my daughter won't have to live in pain for years like me...".