"Master, what do you intend to do? I think that we should set aside our plans for revenge right now. You're in a worrying position right now. Your actions have made the elders really displeased. They're going to be livid if you leave the house during your solitary confinement. Besides, the clan has given its orders. No one is to seek revenge for Young Master," said Han hastily. Sheer fear had driven the blood from his face when he heard Chu Zheng-Hong's words.
Chu Zheng-Hong had just been stripped of his authority and office by the clan. It was going to be tough for him to regain his position if he caused these elders further unhappiness.
But Chu Zheng-Hong wasn't going to listen to Han's advice.
"I told you to bring me my sword. Who cares about the clan? Who's going to stop me if I insist on leaving?" His deep voice brimmed with power and strength. "Japan set my son up and killed him. Do they truly believe that my son will not be missed? I'm going to let them know that Fan is not a loveless orphan. He has a father!"
His words rang loudly like the sound of gold falling to the ground.
An intense murderous rage filled the room within an instant.
A biting wintry wind moaned, a long airy howl that sent the bamboos outside the window rustling angrily.
That night, Chu Zheng-Hong left the Chu Sect with his sword in hand.
He handed a journal to Han before his departure.
"Han, if Fan miraculously lives and returns, hand this journal to him. I have nothing for him, only this journal. It contains everything that I've learned. I hope he'll find it of use. Tell him that I'm sorry. His mother was right. I'm not fit to be his father. I failed to protect them in the past. Ten years have passed and I continue to fail in my duty as a husband and father."
The cold winds stirred countless fallen leaves and ruffled the man's sleeves. The fabric flapped angrily in the air.
Anguish colored Han's eyes red. He stared as the towering figure gradually faded into the darkness of the night.
It was a matter of time before the Chu family sent men to stop Chu Zheng-Hong.
Yet, what could they do against this man?
Chu Zheng-Hong made his way down the mountain and with a blade in his hand, slashed through countless chains and charged through countless obstacles.
Utter chaos lay beyond the gates of the family house.
The men who tried to stop Chu Zheng-Hong lay on the ground, beaten and immobilized.
Then, just as Chu Zheng-Hong was going to step out of the compounds of the Chu family, an old man stepped out of the darkness and revealed his ghostly presence.
The old man was dressed plainly and he had concealed his presence.
He appeared like an ordinary person as he stood there and barely garnered any attention at all.
Regardless, fear and awe appeared on everyone's faces as soon as they saw him.
Even Chu Zheng-Hong couldn't hide the hint of solemnity and caution that appeared in his eyes.
"Are you going to stop me too, Elder Xuan?" said Chu Zheng-Hong as he lifted his head up slowly. His words rang loudly in the dark night.
The old man did not answer him. After a long moment of silence, he asked mildly, "Where are you headed, Master?”
"I'm going to challenge the heavens!" The man's voice boomed like thunder and was filled with grim determination.
"What if you do not survive the attempt?" asked the old man.
"So be it!"
Those powerful words reverberated in the night.
Upon hearing that, the old man stepped aside and let him pass.
Chu Zheng-Hong cupped his fists to show his gratitude, then, with his sword in hand, vanished into the night.
"Elder Xuan, how could you let him leave?" The upper echelons of the Chu family had finally turned up and were questioning the old man anxiously.
Xuan simply shook his head and murmured. "His mind is made. I cannot stop him."
HUU!
The wind was the only sound stirring a ripple in the silence of the night.
That night, a man and his blade crossed the ocean as he headed for the islands of Japan.
Waves rumbled beneath his feet as he raced across the sea at lightning speed, leaving trails of white foam in his wake.
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