Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Is it not possible, Yang Peng?" I asked.
Yang Xuanzong replied, "That child, Yang Peng, condensed his Golden Core at the age of sixteen. His Golden Core is of the third grade, nine levels—ordinary, outstanding, and flawless. Yang Peng is merely a sixth-grade outstanding Golden Core. He lacks the qualifications to become an elder in our sect, let alone the leader of a clan. But you are different. You have cultivated for less than a year and have already reached the Divine Transformation Realm. Moreover, you possess Treasures of the Daoist Sect. Both your talent and fate are extraordinary. You can lead the Yang Family to the pinnacle of the Daoist Sect."
"What about the head of the family’s son?" I inquired.
"Bold and reckless! How dare you speak like that!" one Elder scolded me, while the other Elders looked equally displeased.
Yang Xuanzong gestured for everyone to calm down. He said, "My son's generation has nearly perished. During the Death and Life Register Incident, the Legitimate Son of the Yang Family died without reason. My second son, Yang Yunfei, became the strongest among the third generation of the Yang Family. However, a few months ago, I sent him to Azure Cloud Mountain, where he was killed by an unknown assailant. Thus, there are no successors in the third generation. The strongest in the fourth generation is your father, Yang Sanqian, but he is also not up to the task. Until your generation appeared—this is fate choosing you."
"It certainly sounds reasonable; everything seems to be in order. But something feels off," I thought to myself.
After hesitating for a moment, I said, "If Brother Long fails to condense his core and there are no other options available, Yang Hao is willing to obey the arrangements of the Yang Family for the greater good."
"Now that's what I expect from a son of the Yang Family," Li Chang'an said.
Yang Xuanzong and the Elders nodded in agreement, looking at me with satisfaction.
I added, "I wonder if there are any other matters from you, Head of the Family. If not, then I shall take my leave."
Yang Xuanzong replied, "You may return for now. Focus on your cultivation these days; I will send someone with all the pills you might need. You need not worry about resources."
"Thank you, Head of the Family," I said as I descended the stone steps and walked towards the ancestral hall.
"Why do I feel like I've fallen into a trap? Am I overthinking this? Or could it be that Yang Yan is actually an enemy of the Yang Family?"
Upon returning to Zhengxin Hall, I saw Yang Long lounging on a deck chair under a flowering crabapple tree. When he noticed my return, he asked listlessly, "So, did you discuss how to usurp power?"
"Yes," I replied.
Yang Long's expression changed in shock as he suddenly stood up and pointed at me. "You ungrateful brat! Do you think I'd die from being deceived? Just answer me directly!"
I reassured him, "But rest assured, Brother Long. You treat me like family; I, Yang Hao, would never betray that trust. I'm used to wandering and have no desire for power. When the time comes, I'll find an opportunity to slip away. At worst, if I betray the Yang Family and can never return to Yin Mountain again—that's fine too."
"Yang Long," I said, feeling a bit moved. "Is that really how you think?"
I replied, "That's exactly how I feel. You can rest assured, brother. If you don't want me to stay, I'll sneak away tonight."
"There's no need for that, little brother. After all, we still have eight days until the Double Ninth Festival. We can discuss it then and see who is right," Yang Long said, patting my shoulder.
"By the way, brother, how many people are there in our family's generation? And how many in the third generation? Where are my grandparents?" I suddenly asked.
Yang Long was taken aback and replied, "In the generation of the family head, there are four brothers. Two died in battle. Currently, only the family head and Li Chang'an remain from the direct line. You are from the Bastard Son line; your grandfather was just an obscure disciple in the clan back then. Later, when Yang Sanqian became famous, the family made your grandfather an elder to keep him around, but he eventually passed away due to illness. As for your grandmother, she also unfortunately passed away later. At that time, I was still young and didn't pay much attention to adult matters. If you want to know more, I can send someone to investigate."
"No need to trouble yourself, brother. Since my grandparents have already passed away, it's fine," I said.
Yang Long sighed and said, "It's a pity Uncle Yang is an only child; otherwise, having a sibling would allow you to meet them. You must still feel a bit out of place here."
I replied, "Not at all. I was just curious and asked a few questions. With your warm hospitality, how could I feel out of place? It's just that I've been hungry since this ceremony started; I wonder if there's any Snow Soup left to eat?"
"Yes, of course!" Yang Long laughed heartily and ordered, "Someone prepare food and drinks, especially Snow Soup! I want to drink three hundred cups with my little brother!"
That afternoon, Yang Xuanzong indeed sent someone to deliver pills from the Yang Family, secretly bringing them to my room.
I looked at the large bottles on the table as the Dao Child who delivered them introduced each pill's purpose.
"Ning Yuan Dan—three pills specifically crafted for Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. Taking one is equivalent to taking one hundred Foundation Pills; only those with talent can use them."
"Golden Marrow Strengthening Pill—one pill made from high-grade marrow-cleansing elixir that purifies the Dao fetus further and cleanses marrow and hair."
"Seven Spirits Transformation Pill—a holy pill that enhances Soul Power, crafted by the sect's chief alchemist. It is purer and more potent than any other sect's soul-nurturing pills."
"Haoning Blood Pill—this pill enhances blood vitality and requires forty-nine successful refinements to create one. It was jointly refined by over a hundred disciples from our Alchemist's Chamber. Before reaching Divine Transformation Realm, this is considered the top-tier pill."
Once the Dao Child finished explaining, he was about to take his leave when I said, "Wait a moment; what is your name?"
"Dao Child," he said, "My name is Yang Qing."
I nodded and replied, "That's a good name, but your fate doesn't look promising. You'll lead a life of mediocrity, and within three years, you'll face great calamity."
"You can read fortunes?" Dao Child looked at me with curiosity.
"Of course," I answered. "I see that you have a fire element in your destiny, which is why I'm telling you this. If you answer my questions truthfully, I can help you avert disaster and change your fate. You can also choose two out of these four elixirs. What do you think?"
Dao Child hesitated for a moment, wiping the sweat from his face. I asked, "What are you so nervous about?"
"Nothing, nothing at all. Please go ahead and ask," Dao Child replied.
I continued, "Have you heard of Yang Yan? He was a contemporary of Yang Long and was sent to Azure Cloud Mountain over a decade ago."
Dao Child shook his head. "I'm only sixteen this year; I don't know anything about what you're asking."
I thought to myself that this Dao Child must not hold a high position and is too young to know about past events or the core matters of the Yang Family. I nodded and said, "Alright, let me ask you this: before you came here, did someone instruct you on anything? Tell me everything without missing a word, especially regarding the higher-ups of the Yang Family."
Just as my words fell, there was a knock at the door, and Yang Long's voice called out, "Brother, come out for dinner! I've brought Yang Peng along too!"
"Young Master Yang Hao, I'll take my leave now," Dao Child said as he opened the door and bowed to Yang Long before hurriedly exiting the hall.
"Brother, what's that kid up to?" Yang Long asked.
"Nothing much; he just brought some medicine over. Brother, see if there's anything you need," I replied.
"No need to look; the Yang Family has plenty of elixirs. I don't believe in their tricks. Come on, let's go drink at my place," Yang Long said as he threw an arm around my shoulder.
After dinner with Yang Long and Yang Peng, Yang Peng said, "Bro, I heard from Eldest Brother that you don't like those maids over there. If you come to my place, I have some nice ones—there's even one who's still untouched; I haven't laid a finger on her."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Let's skip that; I'm not very interested in that sort of thing. Maybe when I'm older."
"You are truly hypocritical," Yang Peng said with a wicked smile.
Yang Long laughed along and said, "Hao, you're nothing like him. You started your escapades at twelve; you must be exhausted by now."
"Haha, as if you're any different," Yang Peng replied.
The three of us wandered around the Yang Family estate. Everywhere we went, people greeted us with respect. In a daze, I found myself enjoying this life—being respected, adored, and admired by many. Life felt carefree, peaceful, and harmonious.
When we returned to Zhengxin Hall in the evening, Yang Long said, "Brother, let's go set off some fireworks in the yard later. You didn't see how many fireworks the Yang Family put up during the New Year."
"No need, Brother. I'm a bit tired; I think I'll head back first."
"Alright then, you go rest. We can play again tomorrow," Yang Long said.
After returning to my room, I noticed the medicine bottles on the table and recalled Bai Shihou's acknowledgment of our ancestry earlier that day. When had I ever been treated with such respect? The entire clan had gathered, and they brought all the finest elixirs to my room.
"Ning Yuan Dan, Golden Marrow Strengthening Pill, Spirit Transformation Pill, Haoning Blood Pill," I murmured as I picked up the bottle of Ning Yuan Dan and twisted off the cap.
A fragrant aroma filled the room. The beast that had been sleeping in my arms woke up at the scent. It snatched the bottle from my hand and poured out a Ning Yuan Dan, chewing it eagerly.
The beast nodded approvingly and then offered me one with its paw. I shook my head, contemplating whether to leave tonight.
Comment 0 Comment Count