Free Web NovelChapter 248: A Debt of Gratitude and a Family’s Choice
A Debt of Gratitude and a Family’s Choice
"The Tyson Family owes you nothing, there’s no reason for us to be your helpers."
Wren Tyson said coldly!
His words rang throughout the reception hall.
For a moment, the atmosphere became so tense that even the sound of breathing seemed louder than usual.
The elders of the Tyson Family remained silent.
The younger disciples exchanged nervous glances.
Across the hall, Steffan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression as calm as ever. The pressure radiating from his body felt like an invisible mountain pressing down upon everyone present.
Wren Tyson’s eyes remained firm.
He knew exactly why Steffan had come.
This was never truly about the Tyson Family.
This was about Julian.
The moment Julian became involved, the Tyson Family had been dragged into the storm.
But Wren Tyson had made a promise.
A Tyson never broke his word.
Julian had saved his life.
Had it not been for Julian’s intervention, he might still be trapped in despair or already buried beneath cold earth.
As the patriarch, as a father, and as a martial artist, he could not abandon his benefactor.
No matter how great the pressure.
No matter how powerful the enemy.
Yet before the situation could worsen further, Elder Smith slowly raised a hand. freewёbnoνel.com
His smile remained unchanged.
"Let’s talk this over calmly."
Elder Smith chuckled as he tried to mediate.
His relaxed demeanor stood in sharp contrast to the increasingly tense atmosphere.
Many people immediately focused their attention on him.
After all, he represented Voidspring Mountain.
His stance could influence the outcome of today’s events.
Smith looked toward Steffan and spoke politely.
"Mr. Steffan, what do you plan to do in Valemont?"
His tone was calm.
Almost friendly.
That alone caused several Tyson Family members to frown.
The way Elder Smith spoke to Steffan felt less like a superior questioning a troublemaker and more like two equals discussing business.
Steffan remained expressionless.
"There are many things to do, but the first is to eliminate this person and his family."
Steffan pointed at Julian, then looked at Wren Tyson.
The entire hall became silent.
Many people instinctively looked toward Julian.
Yet the young man remained seated comfortably, sipping tea as though the threat wasn’t directed at him at all.
His calmness alone impressed quite a few people.
Steffan continued.
"Since the Tyson Family is related to Voidspring Mountain, I can give you face and not make things difficult."
His gaze swept across the room.
His voice remained level.
"But if you dare to interfere in my matters with the D’Aurelius Family, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
A heavy pressure accompanied those words.
Several younger disciples turned pale.
Even some elders felt their hearts skip a beat.
A mid-Gold Realm expert was more than capable of carrying out such a threat.
Despite his arrogance, nobody doubted his strength.
Although he didn’t stay in Valemont often, he was well aware of Voidspring Mountain’s strength.
Offending Voidspring Mountain to the death wouldn’t be beneficial for his upcoming plans.
He still needed to win over Voidspring Mountain as his ally.
That was why he was willing to show restraint.
At least for now.
Meanwhile, Julian quietly observed the exchange.
His golden eyes flickered with amusement.
[Look at this guy.]
[Threatening an entire family while claiming he’s showing mercy.]
[The confidence is impressive.]
[If confidence could be converted into cultivation, he’d already be at Platinum Realm.]
Cherry, sitting nearby, nearly lowered her head again.
The mysterious voice had appeared once more.
Every time it did, she found herself struggling to maintain a straight face.
Her beautiful green eyes secretly glanced toward Julian.
He looked perfectly innocent.
Not a single movement suggested he was the source.
Yet she knew it was him.
It had to be.
The strange phenomenon continued to puzzle her.
At the same time, Julian’s words made her realize something.
Steffan truly did seem absurdly confident.
Nearby, Yana Tyson remained completely unaware of the internal commentary.
Her attention was focused entirely on Steffan and Elder Smith.
She didn’t like what she was seeing.
Not one bit.
At that moment, Elder Smith turned toward Julian.
He hadn’t expected that the person Steffan wanted to trouble was this guy.
A young man at the early stage of the Silver Realm, requiring Steffan to go to such lengths?
The situation felt strange.
Very strange.
Either Julian possessed secrets nobody knew about...
Or Steffan was being overly cautious.
Then Elder Smith shifted his attention toward Wren Tyson.
"Wren Tyson, you’ve heard Mr. Steffan’s words."
His voice remained gentle.
Patient.
Reasonable.
At least on the surface.
"Since Mr. Steffan is willing to give face, the Tyson Family only needs to remain neutral."
Several Tyson Family members immediately became thoughtful.
Neutral.
Not helping either side.
Not risking the family.
Not provoking a mid-Gold Realm monster.
From a practical perspective, it sounded tempting.
"I assure you he won’t trouble the Tyson Family, what do you think?"
After he said this.
The members of the Tyson Family standing together all had a change in expression.
Many of them began silently weighing the benefits.
Just by remaining neutral, they could have Steffan spare the Tyson Family?
The offer was attractive.
Perhaps too attractive.
Several elders exchanged uncertain looks.
Some younger members seemed visibly relieved.
Opposing a mid-stage Gold Realm monster was not a wise decision.
If the other party was willing to take a step back, why should they persist?
The question naturally arose in many hearts.
Even some of the visiting household representatives quietly nodded.
In their eyes, Elder Smith’s proposal was the most rational solution.
After all...
Dead men couldn’t repay favors.
A destroyed household couldn’t honor promises.
Yet before anyone could speak, a clear voice suddenly cut through the hall.
"Elder Smith, the Tyson Family always repays kindness. The D’Aurelius Family saved my father’s life, and the Tyson Family will not stand by idly."
Yana Tyson spoke angrily.
Her orange eyes burned with determination.
Her fists clenched tightly.
The atmosphere instantly shifted again.
Several Tyson Family members looked toward her.
Some showed approval.
Others looked troubled.
Cherry’s gaze also landed on Yana.
There was no hesitation in her voice.
No fear. freёwebnovel.com
Only conviction.
At the mention of Julian, Yana’s heart naturally leaned toward protecting him.
But beyond her personal feelings, she genuinely believed in the Tyson Family’s principles.
Without gratitude, what remained of honor?
Without honor, what remained of a martial household?
Wren Tyson’s face was gloomy, and he didn’t speak.
His silence revealed the struggle within him.
If it was to repay a debt of gratitude, he could disregard his own life.
Without hesitation.
Without regret.
But when it concerned the safety of the family, as the patriarch, he had to consider more.
Hundreds of lives depended upon his decisions.
The prosperity of generations rested upon his shoulders.
One wrong move could destroy everything.
After all, Voidspring Mountain had spoken, and if he acted alone, the other members of the Tyson Family might not agree.
The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon him.
Across the hall, Julian quietly watched.
His expression remained calm.
[Not bad.]
[At least someone here still remembers what gratitude means.]
[No wonder she’s the Tyson Family’s future hope.]
The voice entered Cherry’s ears once again.
This time, she couldn’t help but look at Julian longer than before.
The more she observed him, the more mysterious he became.
At that moment, Elder Smith’s expression finally darkened.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
A trace of displeasure flashed across his face.
He hadn’t expected Yana Tyson to dare to go against him, and he spoke harshly.
"Presumptuous, what do you mean by this? I’m doing this for the Tyson Family’s good."
