The news seemed to be revealed for the first time, and the person who spoke thought they’d said something wrong.
They quickly covered their mouth and left, leaving the others to continue their heated discussions.
After Qiuma Ming left, he didn’t go anywhere else but headed to the family’s altar.
The altar held the spirit tablets of all the deceased members of the Qiuma family. There, Qiuma Ming saw the tablet of his son, the illegitimate one.
“Hongshan, I’ve failed you! I thought your death was the only time I’d have to endure the pain of a parent outliving their child. Who could’ve imagined I’d face this again at my age!”
Qiuma Ming, alone, clutched Qiuma Hongshan’s tablet and wept, his voice low and heavy, stirring the hearts of anyone who heard.
Back in his middle years, Qiuma Ming had already suffered the loss of his son. Qiuma Hongshan was exceptionally talented.
Combined with his status as the son of the Qiuma family head, he was constantly targeted.
Despite Qiuma Ming’s many efforts to protect him, Qiuma Hongshan ultimately couldn’t escape his enemies and died outside.
After that experience, Qiuma Ming cherished his secret grandson, Qiuma Hongyi, deeply.
To protect him, he changed his approach, never publicly acknowledging his relationship with Qiuma Hongyi and even keeping it a secret from the entire family.
Only a select few knew about it. Qiuma Ming had thought this would surely keep Qiuma Hongyi safe.
Who could’ve imagined, or rather, only now did Qiuma Ming realise, it was the same as back then.
It wasn’t their status that led to the deaths of Qiuma Hongshan and his son Qiuma Hongyi, but their innate, enviable talent that provoked jealousy.
Now, Qiuma Ming knew that no amount of crying would bring Qiuma Hongyi back to life.
Kneeling at the altar, a fleeting thought crossed his mind, and he instantly reacted.
“That’s right! Resurrection? Legend has it our ancestors in the ancestral land had such powers. If I can seize control of the ancestral land, perhaps there’s a chance to bring Hongyi back!”
With this in mind, Qiuma Ming’s determination to win the upcoming ancestral land dispute grew even stronger.
He opened a hidden door in the altar, one that hadn’t been touched in nearly thirty years.
Inside was another altar, but this one didn’t honour the deceased of the Qiuma family. Instead, it housed a blood-red urn.
The blood-red urn sat in the centre of the underground altar, exuding an eerie aura. As Qiuma Ming approached, it began to pulse, as if breathing!
“I know you’re still alive. Today is the day you see the light again!”
“Our Qiuma family has reached a point where we must fight and show our strength!”
Qiuma Ming’s eyes gleamed with madness. He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also addressing the blood-red urn.
The urn began to tremble slightly, as if responding to his words.
“Forgive my offence, ancestor. I will fulfil your will and help you return!”
Qiuma Ming dropped to his knees before the urn, bowing deeply three times with utmost reverence.
Finally, with trembling hands, he reached into the blood-red urn and pulled out a handful of something that looked like raw, bloody flesh.
