Chapter 666: 666 observes the heavens and understands the earth, seeing through the Heavenly Secret
Had it been an ordinary person, they might never have heard of the Tianji Family. However, Mu Hanyan in her past life had traveled to various places to gain experience and had occasionally heard a little about the Tianji Family.
The Tianji Family did not exist for a particularly long time, only nearly two thousand years, which was far shorter than historical families like the Mu Family or the Yan Family that had legacies stretching tens of thousands of years or even more ancient. They were even shorter than the history of many declining small families.
But this family, with a mere history of nearly two thousand years, was one of the most mysterious families in the history of the Holy Court Continent. It was said that this family could discern the patterns of the sky and understand the land, and nothing in the world could escape their eyes. Some even claimed that the people of this family were born with a pair of Heavenly Eyes that could see through the Heavenly Secrets. Not to mention worldly matters, even the rise and fall of fortunes on the entire Holy Court Continent and the alternation of decline and prosperity within the Royal Families could not escape their eyes.
Of course, Mu Hanyan also knew that this description was an exaggeration because, thirty years ago, the family had been utterly uprooted. It was said that the entire family was wiped out, not even sparing the chickens and dogs. If they indeed possessed such Divine Skills, how could they have met such a fate?
The Tianji Family was annihilated overnight thirty years ago, and it was precisely at that time that Han Jinglun went to Cangshan City. If one could not guess his origin from this, Mu Hanyan would not be much different from Qu the Godman’s favorite topic.
"What Tianji Family? It’s just the people of the world spreading rumors," Han Jinglun said to Mu Hanyan with a wry smile, "The Han Family started with commerce, and to succeed in business, one must have sharp ears and eyes. So, from the first Family Head of the Han Family on, friends were made all over the world, treating everyone from the Royal Family to common traders equally.
But our Han ancestors, having traveled far and wide, seen much, and heard much, also knew that ’the taller the tree, the more likely it was to catch the wind,’ which was not a good thing. Therefore, whether in business or in making friends, we acted discreetly and rarely used our true identity.
At the height of our prosperity, our Chamber of Commerce branches were spread across all countries, wealthy enough to rival nations, and yet we did not use the Han name. And our clan resided in a secluded small town within Xiyuan Country called Forest City. As a result, very few people knew that those Chambers of Commerce spread across the countries all belonged to our Han Family, let alone that the Han Family, possessing such wealth, actually nested in such a remote town.
Due to the Han Family’s extensive commerce across countries and our descendants’ broad and vigorous social connections, they naturally knew more than others. Those aware of the Han Family’s background would consult with us when they encountered perplexing issues.
Though they knew the rules of the Han Family to never reveal our secrets, over time, some rumors were still unavoidably spread. The more people talked, the more mysterious the Han Family became, eventually earning the false title of the Tianji Family, rumored to have the ability to glimpse the Heavenly Secrets.
It’s utterly ludicrous. If we could really see through the Heavenly Secrets, how could the Han Family have faced such a catastrophe? Had we not fortuitously met Qu Shanling and his disciple and received their guidance, taking early leave from Forest City, I’m afraid even I would have died in that calamity," Han Jinglun said with a self-deprecating wry smile.
Only then did Mu Hanyan learn that the so-called Tianji Family had such an origin.
Although the claim of glimpsing the Heavenly Secrets was not true, the influence of the Han Family’s commerce across all countries and the broad social connections of its descendants, treating high and low or dignified and humble equally, did grant them a degree of insight far beyond imagination. Hence, the Tianji Family’s reputation was not entirely based on unfounded rumors.
"Speaking of which, it’s also fate. Back then, my Master went out to visit friends and left me alone in the inn when I contracted a serious illness. If it wasn’t for Brother Han’s righteous help, I would have died in Forest City. Upon his return and learning about this, my Master cast a divination for you, allowing you to escape that disaster. It really is a case of good deeds bearing good fruit," Qu Shanling reminisced about the past, saying emotionally.
He was so respectful toward Han Jinglun, firstly because he knew his true identity, and more importantly, because of the lifesaving grace.
"By the way, how did you come to know Young Master Mu?" Qu Shanling asked curiously.
"At that time, after I was sent out of Forest City by my grandfather and after the Han Family tragedy, I went through some twists and turns and eventually settled down in Cangshan City, where I opened an inn to keep a low profile. Thirty years flashed by, and I thought I was going to die in Cangshan City, never expecting that a few days ago, Young Master Mu and his party would come to stay at my inn..." Han Jinglun recounted how the two of them had met.
"So that’s how it was. Do you know who was responsible for the Han Family massacre back then?" Qu Shanling continued to inquire.
He was a man who believed in repaying kindness. After learning about the annihilation of the Han Family, he had made a special trip to Forest City and had even thought about avenging the Han Family’s blood feud. Unfortunately, after a long investigation, he didn’t find a shred of a clue.
Hearing this mention, the look on Han Jinglun’s face turned solemn.
"Back in the day, your Master repeatedly instructed me that if I could save my own life, I should flee as far as possible and never entertain thoughts of revenge. I didn’t believe him at first, but it wasn’t until my grandfather found an excuse to send me away from Forest City, and then the Han Family was wiped out, that I realized the old man truly saw through the Heavenly Secret and didn’t miss the mark with a single word.
After the destruction of the Han Family, a guard, badly wounded, desperately broke through the siege and brought a blood letter from my grandfather, also telling me to forget about the incident, not to seek revenge, and not to investigate the real murderer. As long as the bloodline of the Han Family could continue, he would rest in peace in the underworld," Han Jinglun explained.
"So you just gave up like that?" A trace of contempt appeared on Qu Shanling’s face.
Although Han Jinglun had saved his life, if he could let go of the vengeance for the annihilation of his clan and hide in the mountains, living a cowardly existence, Qu would indeed look down on him.
"Over three hundred members of the Han Family died unjustly; of course, I was unwilling to give up. That guard, badly injured and near death, entrusted me with the sect heirloom and sent me to his sect to lay low. In the future, I was supposed to find a way to avenge our clan. However, I never expected that my arrival would bring disaster to his sect.
From the aged elders to the infants in their cradles, both the strong in the Sword Master Realm and the defenseless elderly, women, and children were slain by the pursuing enemies, not a single person was left alive.
It was a whole village that died in front of my eyes.
If it weren’t for that guard’s Master keeping his promise, protecting me with his life as I left, I would have died in that unnamed mountain village.
I don’t have the aptitude for cultivation. If I wanted to seek revenge, I could only ask others for help. But after witnessing such an atrocity with my own eyes, how could I dare to involve anyone else?" Han Jinglun, revisiting the past, seemed to see that bloody scene once more, his eyes red and filled with tears, filled with anger, pain, as well as indescribable unwillingness and guilt.
After hearing his words, both Qu Shanling and Mu Hanyan fell silent.