Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 725 - Fate

As the streets emptied and the crowd dispersed, the innkeeper’s demeanor shifted. He warmly welcomed Liu Wuxie to continue staying at the inn, his previous reluctance replaced by enthusiasm. The night's events had stirred the entire city, and conversations buzzed across the inn’s first floor, with patrons still marveling at how Liu Wuxie had defeated thirty-odd opponents single-handedly.

"Young lad, would you care to share a table?" Liu Dayue walked over and invited Liu Wuxie. His curiosity was piqued by the Fatality Blade Art performed by Liu Wuxie, and he was determined to uncover the origin.

Coincidentally, Liu Wuxie also had questions for Liu Dayue. The latter's name was strikingly similar to Liu Wuxie's father. He was the third son of the current Liu Clan patriarch, who would know if his father originated from the same Liu Clan.

This could also save him time, as he wouldn't need to visit Astral Glory City if Liu Dayue hadn't heard of his father. He could head to another city with another Liu Clan.

The two clicked immediately, and they found a secluded spot. Then again, few people dared to sit around them with an expert in the True Profound Realm like Liu Dayue. Just the aura he emanated was too powerful, which would make others feel uncomfortable around him.

"I'm Liu Xing. How can I address you?" The young man sat down and introduced himself.

"Liu Wuxie," Liu Wuxie replied warmly and rose to his feet.

"You also bear the surname Liu?" Liu Dayue looked at Liu Xing upon learning about Liu Wuxie's surname. They began to wonder if Liu Wuxie was really a disciple of their clan that they were unaware of.

"Yeah," Liu Wuxie replied with a nod, noting their shared surname as the reason he agreed to the conversation.

"May I ask which clan you hail from?" Liu Xing asked anxiously, eager to learn if Liu Wuxie was a Liu Clan's disciple.

"I'm not from the Central Plains. I arrived here from Western Barren half a month ago," Liu Wuxie explained honestly.

Upon hearing Liu Wuxie's origin from Western Barren, Liu Xing and Liu Dayue couldn't hide the hint of disappointment on their faces.

"Do you have any other family members?" Liu Dayue asked, pouring himself a drink.

"This...is a little complicated," Liu Wuxie replied with a bitter smile. To him, his family meant his father- and mother-in-law, along with his wife, Xu Lingxue.

"It's fine if it's inconvenient to share. Come, let's have a drink!" Liu Dayue poured a drink for Liu Wuxie, and the three gave each other a toast.

"There's nothing I can't say, but my situation is unique. I left home to Central Plains to find my biological parents and explore the wonders of this continent," Liu Wuxie said. There was no secret, but his identity might draw the ire of others.

"Brother Liu, you're welcome to confide in us if you don't mind. My uncle here practically knows every notable figure in Central Plains, and he might be able to help you to find your biological parents," Liu Xing said, looking at Liu Wuxie. They could already be considered friends and wouldn't look down on Liu Wuxie just because of his birth origin.

"My parents disappeared overnight when I was six, leaving me in the care of their friend. When I was eighteen..." Liu Wuxie briefly explained his background, glossing over his time as the Xu Clan's son-in-law.

Liu Dayue soon frowned, as Liu Wuxie's timeline was closely aligned with his elder brother's return.

"You've led a tough life," Liu Xing said, shaking his head with sympathy. He hadn't expected such a tragic tale from Liu Wuxie, and the trio fell briefly silent.

"Senior Liu, since you're from the Liu Clan, do you happen to know someone by the name of Liu Dashan?" Liu Wuxie suddenly raised his head to look at Liu Dayue.

At that name, Liu Dayue shot to his feet and grabbed Liu Wuxie, pulling him over. He asked in an emotional tone, "What did you say? Who are you looking for?!"

Liu Xing had also shot to his feet by the side, and his breathing became rapid.

"Liu Dashan," Liu Wuxie repeated calmly. He didn't struggle and allowed Liu Dayue to grab him by his clothes. Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's breaths.

"Your father is Liu Dashan?" Liu Dayue released Liu Wuxie and took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"That's right," Liu Wuxie nodded cautiously. He wondered if these two were acquainted with his father since they had such a strong reaction.

"What about your mother?" Liu Dashan's breathing became rapid, his voice strained.

"Yan Yu," Liu Wuxie replied. He had only learned about his parents' names from his in-laws and had little memory of them.

Liu Dayue suddenly sank into his chair, and Liu Xing was also frozen in disbelief.

"Senior Liu, what's wrong?" Liu Wuxie asked, puzzled by their intense reaction to the revelation of his parents' names.

"Did your parents leave you with anything?" Liu Dayue took a deep breath, trying to brush it off as a coincidence. After all, his elder brother hadn't mentioned having a son when he had returned.

Liu Wuxie took out the pendant on his neck and placed it on the table.

Grabbing onto the pendant, Liu Dayue examined it closely before he burst into laughter. His booming laughter drew ire from the other patrons, but no one dared to voice their irritation because of Liu Dayue's cultivation in the True Profound Realm.

Liu Xing also snatched the pendant and glanced at it before laughing aloud.

"What's so funny?" Liu Wuxie asked, feeling unnerved by their laughter.

"Big Brother Liu, pay your respect to Uncle quickly!" Liu Xing said. He was about six months younger than Liu Wuxie, so he addressed the latter as 'Big Brother.'

"Uncle?" Liu Wuxie was dumbfounded.

"That's right, uncle!" Liu Xing repeated.

"Hold on, can anyone tell me what's going on here? I'm a little confused," Liu Wuxie replied. He was a little confused about how he had suddenly gained an uncle.

"Look at this!" Liu Xing said, taking out an identical pendant.

When Liu Wuxie picked up the two pendants, he began comparing them; they were identical in every detail.

"W-Why do you have an identical pendant?" Liu Wuxie stuttered. This pendant was his hope to find his father, but the appearance of two identical pendants made his thoughts run wild.

"This pendant signifies the identity of the Liu Clan, and every disciple possesses one," Liu Xing explained, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Your pendant has the engraving of a flower, which signifies your status as bearing a direct lineage."

All disciples of the Liu Clan had such a pendant, but the only difference lay in the engravement on the pendant. Only the disciples with the direct lineage would have the engravement of a small flower on it.

"You mean to say that my father..." Liu Wuxie fell silent, not daring to finish his sentence. His mind began to race as he concluded from their facial expressions that they were related to his father.

"Liu Dashan is my uncle, and Yan Yu is my aunt. My father is Liu Dazhi, and this is my third uncle, Liu Dayue. I didn't expect you to be the son of my eldest uncle," Liu Xing said emotionally. He was practically certain now that Liu Wuxie was the son of his eldest uncle, Liu Dashan.

Liu Wuxie's mastery over the Fatality Blade Art had further proven that he possessed the Liu Clan's bloodline.

Liu Dayue had already confirmed his suspicion that Liu Wuxie was his big brother's son the moment he took out the pendant, not to mention the striking resemblance between Liu Wuxie and his big brother when he was younger.

"Is it really true?" Liu Wuxie asked, his voice becoming emotional. For years, he had believed that the journey to seek his biological parents would be fraught with hardships, but he had already found his uncle before he reached Astral Glory City, not to mention that his uncle had even saved his life. This made him wonder if fate really existed in the world.

"Of course. Did your father leave behind the Fatality Blade Art for you? Only those with the Liu Clan's bloodline can execute it," Liu Xing said in an emotional tone, holding onto Liu Wuxie's hand passionately like they were brothers.

Liu Wuxie nodded his head stiffly. The Fatality Blade Art was left to him by his father, and he had cut down on using it in recent years. He had only used it today as he didn't want to start a massacre, or he would've performed True Strike instead. He hadn't expected to draw Liu Dayue's attention by executing it.

"Uncle, I extend my heartfelt respect!" Liu Wuxie fell onto one knee with his hands clasped together.

"Child, get back up!" Liu Dayue said. Tears streamed down his cheeks, overwhelmed by emotions.

This instantly made Liu Wuxie wonder if something had happened to the Liu Clan.

"Uncle, why are you crying now that the eldest uncle has a descendant? This should be a joyous moment instead!" Liu Xing said, tears streaming down his face, which only made Liu Wuxie even more speechless.

This puzzled Liu Wuxie. He had heard of tears of joy, but their expressions seemed tinged with sadness, with sorrow lurking in their happiness. Could it be that they were unwilling to meet him?

"Stand up, child!" Liu Dayue supported Liu Wuxie to his feet. There was no need for confirmation, and based on his appearance alone, he was confident Liu Wuxie was the child of his big brother.

The atmosphere was heavy when the three sat back down at the table.

"Uncle, did something happen to my parents?" Liu Wuxie asked hesitantly. He was feeling a little nervous, hoping it wouldn't be bad news when he had finally found clues about his parents for the long-awaited reunion.

"Don't worry about it; your parents are safe," Liu Dayue said, immediately lifting the weight off Liu Wuxie's chest. As long as his parents were around, any challenge could be overcome.

"Uncle, tell me more about the Liu Clan and my parents. I noticed you two seem troubled. Did something happen to the clan?" Liu Wuxie asked. He had noticed Liu Dayue's locked brows at first glance, which could only be found in those troubled.

Liu Dayue and Liu Xing let out a deep sigh. Liu Xing didn't know that Liu Dashan had left the clan in the past, but Liu Dayue knew about it.

"Is the clan in trouble?" Liu Wuxie asked.

"That's right. Our Liu Clan is facing a crisis, and we're out to search for the Sacred Lotus Leaf!" Liu Xing admitted solemnly, revealing the purpose of their trip. They had traversed countless mountains and rivers, scouring numerous cities, and failed to find the Sacred Lotus Leaf.

They were about to return to the Liu Clan the next day, but it was fate that they ran into Liu Wuxie at the inn where they were spending the night.

"Who's poisoned that requires the Sacred Lotus Leaf?" Liu Wuxie asked, his brows frowned. The Sacred Lotus Leaf was a renowned detoxification herb capable of neutralizing even the deadliest poison.

"Grandfather," Liu Xing replied, the light in his eyes dimming. Since it was Liu Xing's grandfather, he was also Liu Wuxie's grandfather.

The revelation struck Liu Wuxie like a thunderclap.