Heartful Reunion and Jackpot?

--- Chapter 60 ---

"Y-You really did it." Nalan Su stared at his father with watery eyes.

Baek Ain shrugged and responded, "Trust me, I said."

Nalan Jie shook his head and reprimanded Nalan Su for crying in front of a guest. He sighed because Baek Ain had seen the unsightly appearance of his son.

Baek Ain didn't mind as he cried a lot when celebrating his birthday a few days ago. "Let's go up. Staying underground is not good for your health, Senior." He commented casually.

Nalan Su and Nalan Jue nodded, walking alongside him to the surface.

After five minutes, They arrived at the top and saw Nalan Yanran standing below a pine tree. The breeze is brushing her twin-tailed hair, making her vision blurry.

As her hair returned to its original position, Nalan Yanran was stunned because of a familiar figure standing at the Cold Castle's door.

She covered her mouth and shouted joyfully, "Grandpa!"

Nalan Yanran cried like a child and ran toward Nalan Jie, hugging him tightly. Even though Nalan Su conveyed her grandfather's condition monthly, seeing him in person was different.

"Yanran. You've become such a bright young lady." Nalan Jie patted his granddaughter's head. "Sorry, Grandpa couldn't watch you grow."

"You must have suffered a lot of hardship."

Baek Ain watched this scenery with a wry expression. He knew it was a touching moment between a grandfather and his granddaughter, but he really wanted to return and check his new weapon.

It's fucking Imperial Arms from Akame Ga Kill.

How could he not be excited?

Cross Tail is such a good weapon for him. Even though Baek Ain is more of a close-quarter combat kind of guy with his skill set, don't forget he was also part of the Miteer Family's Shadow Guard.

The replica part is suspicious, though.

Cross Tail could be a high or low-tiered, depending on Baek Ain's luck.

"Um, can I go back?" Baek Ain broke the joyful reunion.

"I'm busy, you see."

Nalan Yanran and Nalan Jie panicked, saying a few things about being comfortable in the Nalan Clan first. Nalan Su tilted his head in confusion because he couldn't understand why his daughter and father acted this way.

'Baek Ain is talented and definitely will become stronger in the future, but the Nalan Clan isn't lacking in alchemist pills.' Nalan Su thought to himself.

'Well, I suppose forming a relationship with such a young star will be beneficial.'

Unknown to Nalan Su, Nalan Yanran has witnessed how quick-witted Baek Ain was. She knew how much of a genius Baek Ain was when forming a plan against a 6-rank magical beast.

The cub of Amethyst Winged Lion Nalan Yanran brought in the past is from Baek Ain. It's battle spoils that Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun deserved, but they wouldn't be able to get it without Baek Ain's plan.

Meanwhile, Nalan Jie knew about Baek Ain's actual cultivation.

'A heavenly genius/a monster-like Dou King such as Baek Ain cannot be left behind.' Nalan Yanran and Nalan Jie thought simultaneously.

Unfortunately for them, Baek Ain isn't interested in staying longer in this place. He had to think of an excuse and came up with this line, "Young Lady Yanran. The three-year promise is tomorrow, no?"

"It's better for you to prepare and focus for it."

"Here, take it." Baek Ain handed something to Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran looked at the item in her hand and asked, "This is?"

"Lucky charm. I hope you win tomorrow." Bael Ain smiled slightly.

"You can send the payment to the Miteer Family directly. Don't worry about the cost because I believe in your generosity."

"Then, bye."

Baek Ain disappeared from their vision, leaving behind a breeze of the dusty air. The Nalan Family looked at the vacant presence of the young man with weird expressions on their faces.

Nalan Jie frowned and asked, "What's this three years promise he talks about, Yanran?"

Nalan Yanran trembled when hearing her grandfather's question. She fumbled with her fingers nervously and explained how she annulled the engagement between her and Xiao Yan.

Even so, Nalan Yanran has no regret about her decision.

Nalan Clan suffered enough without her grandfather's presence, so she couldn't let it down by engaging with a useless fiance who had lost his Dou Qi. It was a firm decision of hers.

She doesn't want to stay in the Jia Ma Empire and be tied down. She also wanted to become stronger and roamed all over the world.

"How can this be?" Nalan Jia mumbled in disbelief.

"B-But Xiao Clan is still doing alright, no?"

Nalan Yanran awkwardly looked at her grandpa and answered, "Um, they have worsened financially and in social circles. And a few months ago, they even offended Baek Ain and the Miteer Family..."

"What??!" Nalan Jie reacted somewhat frustratedly.

"Explain..."

Nalan Yanran felt the prying eyes of her grandfather and continued, "Wu Tan City was "actually." attacked by a powerful individual who could control magical beasts a few months back."

"Baek Ain defeated that individual and ended up in a bad state, but..."

"But?"

"Xiao Yan, my ex-fiance, attacked Baek Ain blindly out of anger."

"Even Xiao Yan's father and other noble clans only watched while Baek Ain received more and more injuries. How could he not feel betrayed by such a thing?"

"Baek Ain refused to accept their apologies and moved to the Jia Ma Imperial City alongside his fiancee, Yafei of the Miteer Family." Nalan Yanran sounded bitter when saying this.

"Xiao Clan experienced a crisis because the Miteer Family and other nobles in the area cut business ties with them. I heard they have to sell Dou Techniques and land to survive."

"And Xiao Clan planned to move out from Wu Tan City. Maybe out of shame or to hide from others' eyes..."

"Xiao Clan..." Nalan Jie sighed in defeat. "Brother Xiao, how could your family end in such a state?"

"You're chivalrous and full of justice, but your descendant has eyes but couldn't see Mount Tai."

Nalan Su cleared his throat and commented supportively, "Don't be too mad, Father. Yanran is trying to surpass her limit."

"I'm not mad. I-I'm just disappointed and somewhat relieved." Nalan Jie sat on the floor, staring at the bright blue sky. He was disappointed that his promise to Xiao Yan's Grandfather couldn't get fulfilled.

And somewhat relieved because Nalan Yanran dodged a massive bullet named Xiao Yan. At least Nalan Yanran could be on Baek Ain's side now.

"Yanran, answer Grandpa honestly."

"Do you want to find your partner personally?"

Nalan Yanran nodded firmly and replied, "Yes."

"My fate is up to me to decide."

A small smile appeared on Nalan Jie's face as he thought of an idea to compensate Xiao Clan. After all, he was the one who couldn't fulfill it.

Even though the Xiao Clan is horrible now, Nalan Jie still feels thankful for Xiao Yan's grandfather's help.

"Nalan Su, write me a letter."

"I'm going to give Xiao Clan the land in the north."

"But father, that land." Nalan Su wanted to refute Nalan Jie's words.

However, Nalan Jie stared at Nalan Su calmly and said, "Do it."

"We only lost a chunk of our wealth. Remember, we are Swordmaster Clan. Our sword is the number one priority."

"And Yanran is the young sword we must nurture until she's sharp enough."

"Aih, I'll do it quickly." Nalan Su sighed, knowing Nalan Jie's order was absolute.

"Grandpa..." Nalan Yanran felt her eyes become watery.

Nalan Jie smiled and said, "Chase your dream, Yanran."

"Grandpa will be your shield until you're ready."

"Mm."

...

...

While Nalans are busy with themselves, Baek Ain returns to the Miteer Family in under a minute. He moved so fast that even his shadow chased after him.

Entering his room, Baek Ain closed the door and checked Cross Tail's Description.

[Name: Cross Tail(Replica)]

[Type: Imperial Arms(Weapon)]

[Grade: S]

[Description: Infinite Uses: Cross Tail(Replica) is a weapon created by "Anonymous Blacksmith." using varieties of materials. It has the identical function as the original Cross Tail, except for the material for the thread/wire and gloves]

[Infinite Uses: Cross Tail(Replica)'s gloves are "directly." built from a flexible compound of meteorite alloys, and its threads/wire are "strictly." synthesized from the finest silk of Calamity Metal Spiders]

[It's worth noting that Calamity Metal Spider's Thread is considered a "Sacred Treasure." because of its versatility]

[Ding! Cross Tail is the Low-Grade Spiritual Weapon, so the host has to link through a blood connection]

Baek Ain summoned the Cross Tail and watched it appear in his hands.

Cross Tail takes the form of black gloves with metallic fingertips and wire threads running through them. And the majority of the wire is "neatly." contained in a larger-than-normal spool that can get worn on the lower back of its wielder.

"It's slimmer than I thought." Baek Ain commented while pricking his finger, dropping his blood onto the spool and gloves.

[Ding! You have formed a blood connection with the Cross Tail(Replica)]

[A hidden function revealed]

["Thread Conversion."]

"This is..." Baek Ain was surprised.

"Hahaha, It's a jackpot!"