True Origins(1)

(MADARA POV)

"Forgive me, Young Master."

When we entered the room, I was stood still speechless. This was because Grandfather began to suddenly kneel before me. "Grandfather, what are you doing? Quickly, get up." I was flustered and moved to help him stand up.

Unlike his usually slippery behavior, he was completely serious as he refused my help. "Servant has sinned greatly by hiding the truth from you so long. It is only because of certain circumstances that I must reveal myself ahead of time."

I was confused. "What are you talking about, Grandfather? What truth? And what are the circumstances you speak of?"

"I had never picked you up from the forest. Instead this servant, Wang Haodie, has watched Young Master grow from infancy as Matriarch Xuan's personal attendant. You are not some stray child, but the eldest prince and rightful heir of Xuan Clan. It was only due to a dispute within the clan that Matriarch was overthrown and forced to flee from the Clan, leaving you with me to escape the pursuers when you were only five."

My mind was blown away as I was unable to think. But the shock was not yet over as he continued to speak.

"While we were running away, I encountered a powerful beast that was tens of thousands of years old, forcing me to swallow a part of the things given to you by your mother when fleeing in order to keep both of us alive. However, this servant was foolish and allowed you to hit your head, causing you to have amnesia and believe you were named Madara."

My eyes widened in horror. "No! It can't be! All of these memories I have... you mean to say were only fabrications of my own mind."

Grandfather--or I should say Wang Haodie--nodded solemnly. "It is indeed the case. I had waited years for your amnesia to go away but it never did, only growing stronger. Feel along the top of your skull if you do not believe me."

I did as he said and I really did feel a scar wound on the top of my head, hidden by my black hair.

Seeing my mortification, he began to hit his head on the ground repeatedly, causing his forehead to bleed. "It is this lowly one's fault. Please punish me for what I have done."

I forcefully stopped him. "Stop, Grandfather!" When I see he was not listening, I directly commanded him. "Wang Haodie, I order you to stop and stand up." He stopped upon my order as I tried to calm down by breathing in and out. After a few rounds, I was able to accept some of it.

I asked him a few questions. "Where is my mother now? And what circumstances have caused you to reveal yourself to me?"

Standing up, he answered my questions in order. "I have lost contact with your mother a long time ago, but she has left you this black folding fan, saying that you will be able to find her once you were able to decipher it. It is both Xuan Clan's greatest spiritual artefact and the proof that you are a main descendent of Xuan Clan, giving you the rights to return.

As for your other question, I am revealing my true identity to you now because Spirit Hall has somehow managed to find out my identity and the fact that I am holding the Xuan Clan's artefact. I had though to build enough connections to send you to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy where you might have found temporary protection under a powerful family or Clan but alas..."

I began to understand the situation as I looked him gravely, square in the eyes. "Are they looking to seize the treasure or are they looking to kill us?"

He shook his head. "Although I cannot tell you exactly why right now, I can inform you that for many years the Spirit Hall and Xuan Clan have been enemies. In addition, I am afraid that if they find you, a young master of the Xuan Clan, a simple death would become something to hope for." His tone was chilling.