Charles York's heart trembled. He turned to look at Charles York and asked in a hoarse, low voice, “Charlie, is this true?” Judging from Charles York’s reaction, it was almost certainly true. Charles York’s heart ached—his father had actually knelt to beg for medicine for him, and had even been thrown out. After all, his father was the clan leader; one could imagine the humiliation his father must have felt.

“Why can’t I say it? The clan leader and the others have done so much for him in secret. In order to gather Qi Accumulation Pills to nourish his meridians, Ye Fort has nearly exhausted decades of savings. He’s the one who dragged Ye Fort down to this state. If I were a useless person like him, I would have smashed my head and died long ago!” Ethan York snorted coldly. “Yet you people still treat him so well. I just can’t stand it!”

Charles York thought he had it hard, but in truth, his father suffered even more. The grievances he endured were nothing compared to all that his father had done. Charles York’s eyes stung, and he forced back the tears that were about to fall. Father, your son is unfilial and has made you suffer. I swear, if I can ever recover my Xuan Qi in this lifetime, I will flatten the entire Eastern Lin County Prince’s Residence and wash away the humiliation you have suffered!

“Charles York gege, don’t listen to his nonsense. None of it is true!” Charles York looked anxiously at Charles York. Everyone was most worried that Charles York would do something foolish after learning about this.

“Don’t worry, I won’t seek death. If I were to give up over such a setback, that would make me a true coward!” Charles York clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh. For someone whose meridians were completely severed, simply staying alive was the greatest act of courage.

Tears shimmered in Charles York’s eyes. Charles York gege, I’ve had no parents since I was little. You’re my only family. You absolutely cannot let anything happen to you!

“Some people really are shameless.” Ethan York sneered.

Charles York lifted his head, fixing his gaze on Ethan York, and said, “I know you and the Grand Elder can’t wait for me to die, but let me tell you, I will never give up so easily. So what if my meridians are severed now? Who’s to say I’ll be a useless person for the rest of my life!”

“I don’t believe a cripple like you will ever make a comeback. Are you going to have the clan leader go to the Eastern Lin County Prince’s Residence to beg for medicine again? Do you think the Eastern Lin County Prince will give you a precious pill like the Duanxu Pill? Stop dreaming!” Ethan York sneered contemptuously. “You’ll always be a burden to the family! Suit yourself.” Ethan York spat, then turned and left with a cold laugh.

“Charles York gege, don’t listen to his nonsense.” Seeing Ethan York leave, Charles York said anxiously. Although Charles York said he wouldn’t do anything foolish, she was still very worried.

“I’m heading back.” Charles York shook his head and turned to walk out of the martial practice grounds.

Watching Charles York’s lonely, desolate figure, Charles York felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Ye Fort, outside the clan leader’s residence.

The clan leader’s residence was grand, with carved railings and painted beams, but it hadn’t been repaired in years. The outer walls had been eroded by wind and rain, giving it a somewhat dilapidated feel. The trees in the courtyard hadn’t been pruned for a long time and grew unchecked.

At its peak, Ye Fort ranked second among the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun. The clan leader’s residence once employed twenty or thirty gardeners, but later, all those gardeners were dismissed, and more than half of the family’s businesses outside were lost.

On the bluestone steps at the entrance of the clan leader’s residence, Charles York knelt down with a thud, kowtowing several times in the direction of Henry York’s quarters, the sound echoing. A trace of blood trickled down his forehead, but he didn’t even notice.

“Father, your son is unfilial and has made you suffer!” Charles York’s voice was hoarse, his heart filled with sorrow.

Charles York silently vowed that if he could ever regain his strength in this lifetime, he would surely restore the Ye family’s glory and repay the kindness of his father and uncles!

Clan leader’s residence, main hall.

A middle-aged man in a gray robe let out a long sigh. His presence was calm and steady; just standing there, he seemed as imposing as a mountain or an abyss. Yet his face looked somewhat aged, and there was more white hair at his temples. This man was the Ye family’s clan leader, Henry York.

“Big brother, aren’t you going out to take a look?” someone beside him asked. He was a little younger than Henry York, one of Henry York’s many brothers, named David York.

Henry York had three biological brothers and two sworn brothers. Of the six, Henry York was the eldest, David York was second and served as the head of the Discipline Hall, and Ye Zhanxiong was third. The other three were all outside, handling the family’s external affairs.

As soon as Charles York arrived outside the clan leader’s residence, Henry York and David York had already sensed it.

“How could I have the face to see Charlie? All these years, that child has suffered. When Xiao Ruo passed away, she told me to take good care of Charlie, but I haven’t fulfilled my duty as a father at all. Since he was little, this child has always had his own mind, and he wouldn’t even call me father. I know he resents me. Now, all I can do is try to make it up to him.” Although Henry York didn’t go out, he had been paying close attention to Charles York. Hearing Charles York finally call him “father,” Henry York couldn’t help but shed tears. Charlie finally called me father.