He rushed over, barely able to catch his breath.

“Miss… Miss has been taken by the Sun Family!”

“The Master and Madam went to demand her release, but they were injured by them as well!”

“Qing’er…”

Xiao Che murmured his sister’s name.

Xiao Qing— in the original memories, the little girl who always followed behind him, calling him “big brother.”

She should be sixteen by now.

In Xiao Che’s mind appeared the image of a bright young girl, her features somewhat resembling his, yet softer and more delicate.

Delicate as carved jade, with a hint of baby fat not yet faded. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, always flashing with mischief.

But now…

Thinking of her being abducted by the Sun Family, of how much fright she must have suffered, that face was likely filled with nothing but fear.

A sharp pain pierced Xiao Che’s chest.

“The Sun Family…”

His gaze turned icy, those deep eyes sharp as blades.

In the original memories, it was Sun Tao, the Sun Family’s young clan lord, who had ambushed him at the spirit mine and pierced his dantian with a single sword!

This was going too far.

A surge of fury rushed to his head.

In his previous life, he was an orphan who never once tasted familial warmth. In this life, he had only just gained parents and a sister—and someone dared lay a hand on them?

Unforgivable!

“Let’s go.”

Xiao Che spat out a single word, his speed suddenly increasing.

As he neared the Xiao Family estate, he subtly slowed down, circulating his cultivation technique and suppressing his spiritual fluctuations to the first layer of Qi Refining.

The Xiao Family.

The council hall was brightly lit.

Xiao Che strode inside.

At the seat of honor sat a handsome middle-aged man in a dark blue brocade robe, his features five or six parts similar to Xiao Che’s.

Though he was at the third layer of the Golden Core Realm, the fatigue etched between his brows could not be concealed, and his aura was slightly sluggish.

This was his father, Xiao Zhan Tian, the Xiao Family Patriarch.

Beside him sat a gentle-looking woman. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her eyes warm, though fine lines at the corners hinted at the trials of time.

Her spiritual fluctuations at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment were unstable; her eyes reddened—clearly injured. She was Xiao Che’s mother in this life, Su Wan.

Xiao Che spared no thought for anything else and went straight to her.

“Mom!” Xiao Che blurted out. “Are you alright?”

Su Wan froze, shock filling her reddened eyes.

“Y-you… what did you call me?”

Xiao Che’s heart skipped a beat.

The original memories surged back.

That prodigious young clan lord had, since the age of five, only addressed them as “Father” and “Mother.”

Damn it—old habits die hard!

“Ah… Mother,” he quickly corrected himself, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

“No.”

Su Wan shook her head, tears instantly streaming down. “What did you call me just now? Say it again.”

Looking into her reddened eyes, Xiao Che hesitated, then softened his voice.

“…Mom?”

The moment the word left his mouth, Su Wan could no longer hold back. She pulled him into her arms and began to sob.

“My child… ever since you began cultivating at five and were named young clan lord, you never called me that again… It’s your father’s and my fault, putting too much pressure on you… At your age, you should have been…”

Xiao Che stiffened in her embrace, a sharp ache rising in his nose.

So this was… a mother’s love? Warm, gentle, filled with unconditional care.

In over twenty years of his previous life, he had never experienced such warmth.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and carved this unfamiliar warmth into his heart.

Reborn into this life, he would protect this family—no matter what.

“That’s enough, Wan.”

Xiao Zhan Tian’s steady voice rang out. “It’s good that Che’er is back. There are more pressing matters now.”

Only then did Su Wan manage to stop crying. She released Xiao Che, yet still clutched his hand tightly.

Xiao Che squeezed her slightly cool hand and gave it a reassuring pat.

“Mom, please sit first.”

He helped her back into her chair. Su Wan looked at him, relief shining through her reddened eyes.

“Are your injuries serious? And Father’s?” Xiao Che asked softly.

“It’s nothing.”

Su Wan shook her head, her voice still hoarse. “That old brute from the Sun Family injured my meridians with a palm strike. With some time to recuperate, I’ll be fine. Your father’s injuries are heavier, but his foundation is unharmed.”

Xiao Che nodded, then finally looked around the hall.

More than a dozen clan members sat below, all with grave expressions.

At the head of the left side sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, a lean face, and calm eyes, in the second layer of the Golden Core Realm.

This was the clan’s Grand Elder, Xiao Yuan Tu.

He was the younger brother of Xiao Che’s grandfather.

After his elder brother mysteriously disappeared years ago, Xiao Yuan Tu had temporarily assumed the position of Grand Elder.

With the four direct-line brothers—Tian, Di, Xuan, and Huang—all still present, the struggle for patriarch was never destined for his branch. Thus, for many years, he had remained neutral, prioritizing the clan’s greater good.

Seeing the hall fall silent, Xiao Yuan Tu finally spoke.

“Since Che’er has returned, let us discuss the main matters.”

“The first concerns rescuing Qing-girl. The Sun Family has sent word—they want the ‘White Deer Academy’ direct-entry slot in exchange.”

White Deer Academy.

The largest neutral power among the thirty-six prefectures of Dongzhou was directly backed by the Great Chu Immortal Dynasty, which ruled the region.

Those who graduated successfully were all elite talents sought after by every faction—either entering the Immortal Dynasty or being recruited by top sects, with boundless prospects ahead.

Back then, Xiao Che’s extraordinary talent had earned the Xiao Family this direct-entry slot. It was not merely an opportunity, but a crucial political asset for the clan.

“As for the second matter…”

Xiao Zhan Tian frowned and immediately spoke. “Grand Elder, could this matter perhaps—”

Xiao Yuan Tu raised a hand, stopping him, his voice turning heavier.

“This is a proposal from the council of elders.”

He looked toward Xiao Che and said slowly, “Che’er, your cultivation was crippled over a year ago and has shown no signs of recovery. According to clan rules, the position of young clan lord must belong to the capable. Today, we shall discuss this matter as well.”

The moment his words fell, the air in the hall turned heavy.

Among the elders seated below, some lowered their gazes, while others’ eyes flickered.

Xiao Zhan Tian clenched the armrest of his chair, letting out a quiet sigh, exhaustion showing. Su Wan’s face turned even paler.

Heh. Here it comes.

Xiao Che sneered inwardly.

Saving his sister was a major issue. Replacing the young clan lord was also a major issue.

They were roasting him over an open fire, trying to burn him through in one go.

This original body really had enemies both within and without.

“Grand Elder!”

Xiao Zhan Tian paused briefly, then said in a deep voice, “Qing’er is still in danger. Is it not too hasty to raise the issue of replacing the young clan lord at a time like this? Shouldn’t we first unite to rescue her—”

“Eldest Brother, that’s not quite right.”

A leisurely voice cut him off.

A middle-aged man stood up, his face somewhat similar to Xiao Zhan Tian’s, though his brows carried a trace of gloom.

It was Xiao Zhan Xuan, third among the second generation’s ‘Tian, Di, Xuan, Huang.’

With the second brother Zhan Di and fourth brother Zhan Huang often away, and possessing cultivation at the first layer of Golden Core, he was the most influential direct-line member remaining in the clan—and had long coveted the patriarch’s position.

Beside him, a richly dressed young man leaned against a pillar, his gaze provocative as it landed on Xiao Che.

This was his son, Xiao Li, who likewise coveted the position of young clan lord.

Xiao Zhan Xuan sighed, turning his gaze to Xiao Che, his tone full of “concern.”

“Precisely because Qing’er is in danger, we need someone capable to take charge. Che’er, in your current state… sigh, it’s not that your third uncle wishes to speak harshly, but at the first layer of Qi Refining, how can you deal with the wolfish Sun Family?”

“You should rest and recover. As for rescuing Qing’er and managing the clan’s affairs, leave that to—”