I didn't know what to say after hearing my father's words. What kind of grudge did he have against Grandpa? Why did it have to be like this?
One wanted to kill, the other kept cursing and denigrating. No matter what, they were family. Could no grudge fade after so many years?
"What happened between you and Grandpa? Why is there so much hatred?" I asked.
My father looked at me and said, "Did you think I just hated him for saying that? You're wrong. Rhett truly isn't your real grandfather - that's a fact."
"He's not my grandfather? Impossible. If he wasn't my real grandfather, why would he have worked so hard to raise me all these years? Why would he risk his life to save me?" I shook my head in disbelief. Even though this man was my father, I couldn't accept what he was saying.
My father sighed and said it all started with the Tang family, and with a Yin-based tattoo called Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers.
The Tang family is a powerful clan that has mastered the thousand-year-old Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts - particularly their Yin-based magic. Among these exists a forbidden Yin-based tattoo called Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers that hides a great secret. This particular tattoo can only be learned by true Tang family clansmen.
Though both share the Tang surname and are distantly related, Rhett comes from a branch family, while my parents and I are direct descendants of the main Tang family line. This is why Rhett never learned Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers, and why he isn't my real grandfather.
The Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers tattoo conceals an astonishing secret about eternal life - and who in this world wouldn't covet such knowledge?
To obtain this Yin-based tattoo and uncover its secrets, the Tang family became targets of many underworld profiteers. Gradually, the Tang family dwindled in numbers until, twenty years ago, only a few members remained - with our direct bloodline being the last true inheritors.
But my father never imagined that even within the Tang family, some would betray them for the Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers tattoo - led by that old schemer Rhett.
On the night I was born, Rhett launched an attack against my parents, demanding they surrender the Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers tattoo.
My father refused, killing several of the traitors in the process. But Rhett proved too cunning - he threatened me, forcing my father to flee with my mother while protecting me.
Tragically, my mother didn't survive the escape, dying along the way.
That old bastard Rhett then spread vicious lies, telling all the underworld profiteers that my father had succumbed to an evil tattoo's control - that he'd become inhuman, ghostly, and murderous.
"If you see my father, kill him immediately or you'll regret it - you won't even get a chance to."
Because of this, my father hid for twenty years, never daring to show his face with countless underworld profiteers hunting him. The righteous ones wanted to eliminate him as a menace to society, while the wicked ones coveted our Tang family's Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers tattoo, seeking to kill my father and steal both the tattoo and the secret of eternal life.
So my father had to hide like a rat in dark corners, never revealing himself.
Not only is Rhett not my real grandfather, he's our family's enemy. In terms of status and bloodline, he's beneath us - nothing more than a despicable clown.
The reason he told me to kill my parents was to use me to eliminate the last remaining threat. If I had actually done it, my own end would have been death!
Rhett kept me alive solely as bait to lure out my parents. As long as I remained in his hands, he knew my parents would eventually come for me.
My father warned me not to trust anyone - especially not Rhett. These people either want the secret of eternal life or are Rhett's accomplices. I must be careful not to be deceived or used by anyone!
Hearing this, I completely broke down. The grandfather who raised me for twenty years, who even risked his life for me...wasn't my real grandfather at all, but actually my enemy?
What I couldn't accept most was that Grandpa might truly be a shameless, despicable villain who would do anything for his own selfish desires!
As for me? I was just his pawn - bait to draw out my parents, a bargaining chip for the secret of eternal life.
"No...that's impossible! Absolutely impossible!" I covered my ears, the words bursting out in disbelief. "I've lived with Grandpa for so long - he couldn't be like that!"
One was the father I'd never met. The other was the grandfather who raised me for twenty years. Who should I believe? My thoughts became chaotic, my head buzzing as if struck by a tremendous blow. The world around me seemed to spin violently.
"Ahhh...no! I don't believe it!" I crouched down, then sat heavily while clutching my head and screaming.
Only after a long, long time did I finally calm down, my mind clearing slightly.
"That old beast Rhett - how dare he do this to my son!" My father slammed his fist on the dragon chair, filled with fury. The entire throne shook from the force of his anger. "I'll never let him get away with this!"
Indeed, if my father's words were true, this betrayal would be more painful and cruel than simply killing me. To raise me for twenty years, only for me to learn the truth and completely break...it was unthinkable.
"I'm sorry, but I still can't believe what you're saying. If he's really the kind of person you claim, why would he risk his life to save me?" I countered.
"Foolish boy! He absolutely has ulterior motives! Why do you still trust him? If not for him, your mother would still be alive!" My father cursed bitterly. "That old man is utterly sinister and despicable. No one knows what game he's playing. On the surface he sacrifices himself for you, but in reality he's setting countless traps for you."
My father added that throughout these years, Rhett never stopped hunting for him - setting various traps and employing every possible tactic. Had he not been clever, he would have died by Rhett's hand long ago.
All these years, my father basically dared not show his face. He'd been quietly reorganizing and "recruiting" - those men in black and Ledesma were his trained subordinates. He taught the black-clad men the art of raising evil foxes, using it to generate funds. With money, he could make his comeback and restore the Tang family's former glory.
Avenging his bloodline, killing Rhett, and revitalizing the Tang family - these were his top priorities, and should be mine as well.
I frowned, disregarding his ambitions, then said coldly, "You raise evil foxes for money?"
"Yes. Though it's an evil practice that harms people, I've been living like a sewer rat. Without resorting to such means, I'd have no chance to turn things around. The Tang family would remain doomed forever." My father spoke excitedly, "Ror, our reunion as father and son hasn't been easy. If we join forces, we can surely restore the Tang family, revive our Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts legacy, and ultimately kill Rhett to avenge your mother."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Harming innocent people to restore the Tang family would be losing sight of what truly matters. I won't participate in such things," I flatly refused.
When my father tried to say more, I didn't give him the chance. My mind was in complete turmoil and I desperately needed to leave.
"Fine. Go back and think it over. I'll find you again. For safety's sake, return the same way you came," my father said.
Understanding his meaning, I picked up the black cloth and tied it over my eyes.
Just then, he suddenly asked, "Wasn't there an old man who approached you at the bar tonight?"