No one knew what had happened to the Zhao siblings on the mountain.
When they got home, Zhao Huai told his father that he had accidentally slipped, his clothes had been torn by a rock, and he had bled a little.
Although Zhao Zheng had his doubts, he chose to believe his child.
Two days before the spiritual power test, Zhao Huai voluntarily approached Zhao Zheng and said that he also wanted to participate in this test. Moreover, he had also shown some faint spiritual power.
Although the spiritual power was weak, it was undoubtedly real.
Not knowing how his weak son had suddenly had an epiphany, Zhao Zheng was overjoyed. He quickly agreed and took the whole family to Qinghui Town the next day.
As soon as they stepped into the gate of the Zhao Family Compound, they ran into a young man.
Judging from his appearance, he should be only two years younger than Zhao Zheng. There was a little girl in red beside the man. Although she was shorter than Zhao Huai, it was estimated that she was about the same age as him.
Zhao Zheng didn't want to pay any attention to this man. He walked past the man casually.
"Yo, big brother is willing to come back this time? Have you picked up all the firewood in Zhao Village?"
To subsidize the family, besides hunting, Zhao Zheng sometimes collected firewood to sell. This naturally became a handle for some people to seize.
Lin Min'er was angry. "Second brother, is this how you treat your elder brother?"
Zhao Xue sneered contemptuously. "Zhao Zheng abandoned the family seven years ago. He doesn't even count as a member of our Zhao Family. Now that he has lost all his spiritual power and still has the nerve to come to Qinghui Town to host the test. Isn't he just after those four spirit stones?"
Zhao Zheng had already anticipated this scene. Since he had decided to come, he wouldn't care about these gossips.
Seeing that Zhao Zheng ignored him, Zhao Xue's anger flared up. "Zhao Zheng, I'm talking to you!"
Zhao Xue raised his hand. As a second - rank spiritual pharmacist, with this palm strike, Zhao Zheng would surely be injured.
Zhao Huai was quick - witted. He suddenly intercepted Zhao Xue's movement and defused his attack.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
With just a little exertion, Zhao Huai couldn't stop coughing.
Seeing this, Zhao Zheng quickly pushed Zhao Xue's hand away and asked with concern, "Huai'er, where do you feel uncomfortable?"
"What kind of promise can a sickly child raised by a useless person have?" Zhao Xue put down his hand angrily.
Every word was like a knife, stabbing into Zhao Zheng's heart.
"Let Xiangxiang compete with your sickly child in the spiritual power test tomorrow. At that time, don't cry in front of father when you lose face."
The veins on Zhao Zheng's hands bulged, but he was helpless.
For the sake of those four spirit stones, he could only endure.
After getting the better of Zhao Zheng in words, Zhao Xue was about to leave triumphantly. Just as he reached the door, he heard a clear childish voice behind him.
"Father, who was that guy who was yelling like a monkey just now?"
Zhao Xue was stunned, and so were his subordinates. They all turned around and looked at the innocent - looking little girl in the courtyard.
"Who are you talking about?" Zhao Xue asked through gritted teeth.
"Shuning, that's your second uncle. You can't be rude."
The little girl nodded as if understanding but not really understanding. "Oh, no wonder. Second uncle is really heroic. He looks, um, just like the big rooster we raise at home, full of fighting spirit and extremely majestic."
After Zhao Shuning said this, she kept clapping her little hands.
Everyone was holding back their laughter and didn't dare to make a sound, while Zhao Xue's face was already bright red. "Zhao Zheng, this is the child you've raised. Disrespectful to elders and without any manners!"
Hearing this, Zhao Shuning was extremely aggrieved. She looked at everyone with eager eyes, as if tears were about to well up in the next second.
"Who are you making that face for?"
"Waaaaaah—"
Zhao Shuning pursed her lips and suddenly started crying loudly without warning. Her voice was so loud that it immediately attracted a lot of people.
Zhao Huai felt sorry for his sister and wanted to go up and comfort her, but the girl gently touched his arm. Zhao Huai saw that instead of crying, Xiaoning gave him a meaningful look.
Suddenly, he understood.
More and more people gathered in the courtyard, and the little girl's crying became louder and louder.
"Hey, what are you howling for?" Zhao Xue was annoyed by the little girl's crying. He stepped forward and wanted to pull the little girl away, but the strange looks from the crowd pinned him in place.
It would be very indecent for an adult to bully a child.
Just then, a voice came from the outer courtyard.
"Old Master Zhao is here."
Hearing this, the little girl cried even more fiercely. Zhao Xue's head felt like it was splitting in two.