Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 450 Choice

When Zhong Han, furious, covered in yellow mud, and with scratches on her face, found her mother and began questioning her.

This was the first and last time she pressed her mother for answers.

She would never forget the look on her mother's face when she hysterically asked that question.

What kind of expression was that?

Self-blame? Shame? Shock?

Or is it the dilemma of not being able to give an answer when faced with her daughter's question?

This was also the first time she had ever seen her mother, who was known for her strength and toughness, shed tears of sadness.

After that incident in the classroom, she seemed to grow up overnight and become much more sensible. Or rather, she became sensible very early, so early that it was heartbreaking.

From then on, Zhong Han understood a truth. Only she and her mother depended on each other for survival.

From that time on, she stopped asking her mother anything about her father.

She knew that each answer was an explanation her mother gave while holding back tears.

She began practicing martial arts with all her might.

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter—the four seasons change. Cold and heat alternate, and the seasons transition.

Sunburn, rough skin, calluses? She didn't care.

All she wanted was to become stronger and protect her mother. She didn't want to see her mother cry again.

Even now, she still hasn't asked about the truth of what happened back then, even though she could have.

All she knew was that the Nine-Bend Courtyard was the only legacy her father had left behind, and her mother simply wanted to protect it as well as she protected her.

Thinking of this, Zhong Han slowly exhaled and clenched her fair fist.

"I don't want to see my mother sad and crying again!"

She made a decision in secret.

"Hanhan, are you still thinking about something? Go back and eat." Suddenly, a white figure appeared gently and patted her shoulder.

"Mother, I'm going right now." Zhong Han turned around and gave Zhong Yunxiu a big smile.

Although Zhong Yunxiu still looked beautiful, like a woman in her thirties, she looked tired and unwell, clearly under a lot of pressure recently.

"Hanhan, are you still worried about that matter?"

She walked ahead, looking at her daughter following behind her.

No one knows a child better than their mother. Even though Zhong Han always had a smile on her face and seemed to be in a good mood, she could still see through her true thoughts.

“You don’t need to worry, there’s no need for you to get involved. Fang He’s actions have gone too far. I’ve already contacted your Aunt Gongsun, and we’re preparing to join forces with the other heads of the various academies to appeal to the manor lord and remove him from his position as deputy manor lord.”

Zhong Yunxiu said in a relaxed tone, trying to comfort her.

Jingtian Manor holds an annual ranking adjustment for boxing matches, which is essentially an assessment of the top leaders of each academy. If a leader falls behind for several consecutive years, it will be assumed that the leader is incompetent, leading to a series of personnel changes.

The Nine-Bend Academy also faced this difficult situation before. If this had happened to the heads of other academies, the outcome might have been different.

However, if Jiuqu Academy falls to the bottom of the rankings again, Zhong Yunxiu will definitely lose her position as head of the academy, and Jiuqu Academy will face disbandment. There's no particular reason; it's just that Fang He wants to force Zhong Yunxiu to agree to the Three Mountains Party's marriage proposal to Zhong Han.

Fortunately, Han Yi's sudden outburst in the boxing match led to Jiuqu Academy's overall ranking improving by one place, which temporarily stabilized the situation.

However, Fang He still did not give up and continued to restrict and suppress Jiuqu Academy in every way within his power, cutting back on resources, subsidies, and other matters.

If that were all, then it would be fine.

After all, these were things that Jiuquyuan had experienced before.

However, at recent high-level meetings, there have been subtle rumors that a key development issue within Jiuquyuan is about to undergo reform.

Actually, it's not just the Nine-Bend Academy that's affected; it's an important benefit for all the academies. There's going to be a change regarding the number of spots available in the Secret Realm...

A secret realm, as the name suggests, is a hidden region unlike any other ordinary location. Most secret realms are naturally formed or, to a lesser extent, artificially created. They contain exotic flowers and herbs, mythical birds and beasts, and rare treasures that are either impossible to find elsewhere.

Especially for martial artists, when they reach the later stages of cultivation and face the Grandmaster level, many of the resources they need can only be obtained in secret realms.

Although the reform has not officially started yet, rumors have already begun to circulate... The Nine-Bend Academy's quota for the Secret Realm this year will be canceled and distributed to other academies.

The reason given is that the Nine-Bend Bridge has consistently ranked low for many years and has made no contribution, so it should be abolished.

That's a complete load of bullshit!

Zhong Yunxiu understood that this was actually Fang He's way of suppressing and retaliating against her, trying to force her to agree to the marriage proposal from the Three Mountains Sect.

After all, just a few days ago, she had kicked Fang He out, along with all the gifts.

"Mother, if our Nine-Bend Academy loses the support of the secret realm, how long can we hold on?" Zhong Han paused and asked.

“With the current stock…” Zhong Yunxiu fell silent.

At her level, which is extremely close to the Grandmaster level, the resource consumption is enormous, requiring a massive amount of gold tickets to be poured in every day.

As for the Grandmaster level, many things cannot be bought on the market even if you have money; they only exist in secret realms.

Just like the breakthrough catalyst she found for Han Yi before, the heart of the Northern Ice Fox, it can also be found in the secret realm.

Martial arts training, especially the advancement of each level of true skill, cannot be separated from the support of secret realm resources.

“Mother… has a way to resolve this matter…” Zhong Yunxiu sighed almost imperceptibly and said in a low voice.

Zhong Han pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but couldn't say anything and fell silent.

She knew this was just her mother's way of comforting her.

'The resources in the secret realm are indispensable... Only when Mother truly breaks through to the Grandmaster level can we get rid of all this trouble...'

She thought to herself.

On the way, the two walked towards the dining hall in silence. Suddenly, Zhong Han asked, "Mother, how strong is Chen Lingmo?"

"Strength? He should be about the same as you. He's the son of Eagle Claw King Chen Ying, so he can't be too bad." Zhong Yunxiu frowned, wondering why Zhong Han would suddenly ask such a question.

"Hanhan, what's wrong?" she asked, puzzled.

“It’s nothing…” Zhong Han said softly, “Mother, I’m not that little girl who needs to be taken care of for everything anymore. I’ve grown up, I can stand up for myself, and make my own choices…”

“Hanhan…” Zhong Yunxiu tugged at her hand, still somewhat confused. “I look down on Chen Lingmo, isn’t that why Fang He keeps deliberately causing trouble?” Zhong Han’s voice grew louder and louder.

"Fine, since that's the case, he wants to propose marriage, right? Then let him come! If he can't beat me, then don't blame me for killing him!"

Zhong Han's almond-shaped eyes suddenly lit up, and a fierce anger flared up.