Chapter 329: I Can't Do It (First Update)

Chu Xiao frowned

"Chu Ning, do you even know what you are saying?"

Chu Ning leaned back in his chair, his expression leisurely, his gaze icy.

"Of course. If you refuse to accept it, then let us end our discussion here for today."

As he spoke, he prepared to stand up.

Just as Chu Xiao was about to roar in anger, someone beside him spoke up first.

"That... Chu Ning, we know that the Chu family wronged you and your daughter first, so it is perfectly reasonable for you to make this demand. But so much time has passed, do you intend to audit every single matter one by one...?"

"Every single matter, I remember them all clearly. I will absolutely not wrong anyone." Chu Ning cast a sharp glance at the person speaking. "Otherwise, shall we start with you?"

The man was rendered speechless.

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence once again.

Who knew what kind of methods Chu Ning would come up with to punish and retaliate against them?

Only a fool would act as the sacrificial lamb at a time like this!

However, asking them to give up just like that was also quite difficult.

Chu Ning had already been promoted to Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard and now held significant power, but that wasn't the most important thing.

The crux of the problem lay with Chu Liuyue!

If she were merely an ordinary cultivation genius, it would be one thing, but she was clearly more outstanding than most!

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to take two first places at the Qingjiao Assembly!

Furthermore, her talent in Heavenly Medicine was extremely strong! From the moment she was able to refine medicinal pills, she could already be considered a true Heavenly Physician!

One had to realize that in all these years, no one in the Chu family had ever achieved such success!

What made it even more impossible for him not to be tempted was—Chu Liuyue possessed the Earth Meridian Original Pulse and had been chosen by Mu Qinghe; she would soon be heading to the Heavenly Decree Empire to cultivate!

What immense glory!

If Chu Liuyue remained a member of their Chu family, then the entire status of the Chu family would instantly soar!

By then, let alone maintaining their position among the Four Great Families, it might not even be impossible to replace the Si family to become the number one clan!

With such a massive temptation laid out before them, how could they give up?

"...Big Brother, for the sake of the Family Head, why don't we choose a compromise? How about that?"

Beside them, Chu Ji spoke cautiously.

Chu Ning asked

"What do you mean by that?"

Chu Ji glanced at Chu Xiao and gave an awkward smile.

"That... if we truly were to settle every past matter one by one, it would actually be quite troublesome. How about this: we will formally apologize to you and Liuyue, and provide compensation according to your wishes. To show our sincerity, let this matter... begin with the Great Elder, how about it?"

Chu Xiao's eyebrows shot up

"Chu Ji! Are you suggesting that this old man should bow his head and apologize first!?"

"Ahem, Great Elder, there is no need to be so blunt. Aside from the Family Head, you are currently the person with the most prestigious status in the Chu family. It would be most persuasive if it started with you, wouldn't it? Even if it is for the sake of the Chu family..."

Chu Ji lowered his voice for the last sentence, but everyone in the hall still heard it clearly.

The hesitant and worried expressions of the crowd quickly vanished.

"Great Elder, what Chu Ji says makes sense. You did indeed cause a lot of grievance to Chu Ning and his daughter in the past; an apology is actually quite fitting..."

"That's right! You even wrote the invitation yourself. Didn't you have Chu Ning come back today specifically to discuss a solution? It is best to turn big matters into small ones and small matters into nothing."

"Great Elder, didn't you say before that everyone is family? Since we are family, there is no harm in bowing your head a little..."

Chu Xiao's face turned ashen with rage.

These people, who were usually so respectful to him, were now selling him out in the blink of an eye just to curry favor with Chu Liuyue!

After a long period of stalemate, Chu Xiao finally said in a cold voice

"Fine! Since that is the case, this old man will say he is sorry to you!"

Chu Ning gave a half-smile.

"Great Elder, are you apologizing, or are you lecturing me?"

Chu Xiao choked on his words.

The person beside him hurriedly leaned in and said

"Great Elder, think of Vice General Mu!"

Other families wanted to build connections but didn't even have this opportunity!

And the fact that Chu Liuyue had the blood of the Chu family flowing in her veins was indisputable!

As long as they were willing to agree to return, these small matters were not a problem at all!

Chu Xiao took a deep breath.

"...In the past, this old man did indeed do some excessive things that harmed you and your daughter. Now, I apologize to you—I am sorry!"

Chu Xiao's body trembled, his teeth clenched; it was only with great difficulty that he managed to utter that sentence.

He was used to being powerful and high and mighty in the Chu family. To have him bow his head now, and to apologize to the Chu Ning whom he had always looked down upon, made him feel utterly nauseated and broken inside!

This debt would be settled later!

The others, however, did not care about Chu Xiao's emotions at all, and instead looked at Chu Ning with anticipation.

The apology had been made, and the fault had been admitted; surely Chu Ning would agree to return to the Chu family now?

But under their eager gazes, Chu Ning made no move, simply watching Chu Xiao quietly, as if he were still waiting for something.

"There is also the matter regarding Yue'er."

His voice was cold, emphasizing every single word.

The crowd looked at one another in confusion.

Chu Xiao suddenly snapped back to his senses

"You want this old man to apologize to Chu Liuyue as well!?"

Chu Ning nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world

"Naturally. I am me, and Yue'er is Yue'er. Besides, over these years, it seems she has suffered even more grievance than I have. Is it really that difficult for you to offer an apology??"

Chu Xiao was practically going mad.

Since when did Chu Ning become so difficult to deal with!?

"Then why didn't you say so just now!"

Chu Ning gave a light snort, his gaze mocking, and suddenly stood up.

"If even a simple 'I'm sorry' is so difficult for you to say, then I imagine the so-called compensation is even more illusory. Since you have no sincerity, then I see no need to continue this conversation."

He began walking toward the exit of the hall.

"When the Family Head comes out of seclusion, I will explain everything Yue'er and I have done to him. I believe he will understand. As for you all... may you find your own luck!"

"Wait!"

Seeing that Chu Ning was truly about to leave, Chu Xiao finally threw caution to the wind.

"As long as Chu Liuyue agrees to return to the Chu family, then this old man will personally apologize to her until she is satisfied, how!?"

Chu Ning stopped in his tracks, a mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

He turned around and looked at Chu Xiao

"There is no need."

Chu Xiao was stunned

"What?"

Chu Ning gave a soft laugh, but his voice was like ice and snow, chilling to the very depths of one's heart

"The Chu family raised me. To say that I have not a single shred of attachment to the Chu family would be a lie. Therefore, whether for the sake of the cultivation the Chu family provided me in the past, or for the sake of the Family Head who is about to emerge from seclusion, I can let go of the humiliations and difficulties you have brought upon me over the past ten years and not hold them against you. However—not Yue'er."

"I remember everything you did to Yue'er clearly, and I can never forget it in this lifetime. Even if all of you were to kneel on the ground and kowtow in apology, even if Yue'er were truly willing to forgive you—I cannot do it."