The old butler's words just now had a hidden meaning—of course Wang Junze understood, yet he paid it no heed.
The Meridian Opening Pill was given to him by Xin. If anyone wished to take it by force, they'd have to ask the sword in his hand first!
Having spoken, Wang Junze turned around at once and walked out without a backward glance, not bothering to pack a single item. Alone with his sword, he calmly stepped through the Wang Family's gates.
With a sigh, the old butler said no more, slowly turning back to Wang Cheng's study.
"He's gone?"
Inside the study, Wang Cheng sat in his chair, not even lifting his head as he asked in a calm voice.
"Yes." The old butler nodded and replied softly: "Young Master Junze took nothing with him. He left just like that."
"Courting death." Wang Cheng snorted coldly and replied indifferently, "Does he truly think he can take the Meridian Opening Pill away?"
"Young Master Junze is stubborn by nature, and Wang Xin has always been at odds with him. I fear there may be conflict… it could get dangerous," the old butler said, eyes full of worry.
"Such a fool is unworthy to be my son. Even if he dies, he deserves it!" Wang Cheng replied dispassionately, "Don't interfere with him! It's his own choice. Since he's left… I'll consider him already dead!"
....
Leaving the Wang Family, Wang Junze checked his bearings and set off straight toward Jubei City.
Yongning Town, where the Wang Family was located, was not far from Jubei City—just over a hundred li. Walk fast enough, and he could reach Jubei City by nightfall.
Although he'd failed in Opening Veins back then, these three years Wang Junze had practiced swordsmanship daily and was in fine shape. Such a distance was nothing. However, now penniless, finding a place in a metropolis like Jubei City would not be easy.
He pressed forward. After about an hour's walk, the sound of hooves came from behind him.
"Trash, stop right there!"
Before the riders arrived, Wang Junze already heard a familiar shout laced with scorn.
So they still came!
Wang Junze narrowed his eyes, not the least bit flustered—on the contrary, eerily calm.
From the moment he left the Wang Family, he knew certain people wouldn't let him take the Meridian Opening Pill so easily.
He slowly stopped and turned around, waiting for them to draw near.
"Trash, you run fast, I'll give you that. Made me chase you for quite a while."
On horseback sat a plump, round-faced youth. Looking at Wang Junze with disdain, he raised his whip and sneered: "Don't you know what kind of waste you are? Still dreaming of taking the Meridian Opening Pill with you? You think you deserve it?"
In mere moments, several other Wang Family juniors caught up and quickly surrounded Wang Junze, jeering in unison.
Wang Junze glanced over—all familiar faces, mostly from his second uncle's branch—collateral relatives who mocked him day after day.
As for the plump youth in the lead—naturally Second Uncle's son, his own cousin, Wang Xin.
"Not even going to call me brother anymore?"
Wang Junze's lips twitched in mockery as he said flatly: "Three years ago, you used to chase after me every day, calling me brother."
"Pah! Wang Junze, you still think it's three years ago?" Wang Xin spat and said arrogantly, "Back then everyone said you were the Wang Family's pride—a Sword Dao genius. So what? You couldn't even open a single vein, you piece of trash!"
"Just because I failed to open my veins, I'm not your brother anymore?" Wang Junze retorted coldly.
"I don't have a waste like you for a cousin!" Wang Xin said with contempt. "Besides, you've already been kicked out of the Wang Family. Even your own father won't acknowledge you. How do you still have the gall to call yourself my brother?"
"That's right. Since I've left the Wang Family, there's nothing left tying us together… Wang Xin, just say what you want to do."
Wang Junze nodded calmly, unfazed, asking him directly.
Wang Xin arrogantly stretched out his hand, laughing loudly.
"Hand over the Meridian Opening Pill! Then kneel and kowtow to me three times, and I'll spare your life!"
"Haha, that's right—get on your knees and beg Young Master Xin for mercy!" The other collateral Wang Family juniors jeered along. "Trash ought to know their place, understand?"
"Spare my life?"
Wang Junze's eyes narrowed as he said coldly, "So if I refuse, you'll kill me?"
"So what if I do?" Wang Xin scoffed, "My father told me to leave you a dog's life, but… keeping you around is a nuisance. If you really run to Cloud Mirror Sect and complain to Wang Xin, wouldn't I be inviting trouble?"
A cruel grin spread across his face as Wang Xin said sinisterly, "I'll tell you the truth—with or without the pill, you won't leave here alive today!"
For the first time, Wang Junze's expression shifted.
When Wang Xin had chased him down, Wang Junze thought he only wanted the Meridian Opening Pill. He hadn't expected such venom, that the other truly wanted his life.
Indeed. His own father might not care whether he lived or died, but Xin was close to him. If Xin ever returned and found out, she would never let Wang Xin go.
But if they killed him, plenty of excuses could be made. After all… it was he who left the Wang Family. Born with an Innate Wasted Vein, thrown from the family's protection—who would care if he died outside?
Killing him and silencing him was the safest choice.
But… with such malice, what family ties still remained?!