Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In front of the Yinshan Yang Family Ancestral Hall, all the members of the Yang Family had gathered.
The Ancestral Hall of the Yang Family was located in a shaded area behind the Yang Family Imperial Hall. It was designed in a circular shape, built to the specifications of an imperial tomb, surrounded by nine iron qilin statues, each holding an enameled bead in their mouths.
In front of the Ancestral Hall stood a group of Elders from the Yang Family, engaged in hushed discussions. Some wore smiles while others maintained serious expressions.
I stood at the foot of the hall, facing the thirty-three steps made of white jade. Dressed in a brocade robe depicting mountains and rivers, with two short green ribbons trailing behind me, I was accompanied by several members of the Yang Family.
Yang Long stood beside me and said, "When the music starts, just say a few words as I instructed. Recognizing our ancestors is not a big deal, but our Yang Family respects our forebears, so everyone must be present. There's no need to be nervous."
I glanced at Yang Long and adjusted my sleeves before raising my head. An Elder clad in white from the Yang Family began to speak: "Under this vast sky and over countless years, the Yinshan Yang Family has thrived for one thousand four hundred seventy-six years since our first Ancestor Master, Yang Changsheng, founded our clan. Upholding the teachings of our Ancestor Master, every disciple who cultivates must establish their heart for the land, bring life to the people, carry on the Ultimate Technique for past sages, and open peace for future generations. The descendants have adhered to these teachings for a millennium, ensuring that the Yinshan Yang Family remains prosperous and renowned. For all of us in the Yang Family, death means becoming a ghost of the Yang Family. The Yang clan stands united against outsiders; we will not tolerate any disciple being bullied by outsiders. Today, due to various reasons, Yang Kaishan's great-grandson, Yang Hao, has returned to his ancestral home after many years away. We welcome him back as a family."
As the sound of a gong echoed through the air, everyone fell silent. The sound of bronze bells rang out as I donned my blue brocade robe and knelt three times and bowed nine times while ascending the thirty-three jade steps toward the Ancestral Hall.
I spoke aloud: "I am Yang Hao, having wandered outside for over twenty years. Today I return to recognize my ancestors and join the Yang Family as one of its members from this day forth. I will prioritize the interests of the Yang Family above all else and will never regret it."
Upon reaching the entrance of the hall, an Elder from the Yang Family called out: "Blood oath to return to our clan."
Furrowing my brow, I turned to Yang Long standing beside me and whispered, "Why is there this procedure?"
Yang Long replied quietly: "This is a ritual for welcoming a Legitimate Son or successor. No one informed me that this step would be included today."
I looked up and said: "Elder, I am merely a Bastard Son; isn't it inappropriate for me to perform this blood oath?"
The Elder's expression faltered; he seemed taken aback by my question and replied: "If we ask you to shed blood, then shed it. Why all this fuss? It will only benefit you."
At that moment, Yang Long spoke up: "Head of the family, what does this mean? Why must Brother Hao shed blood?"
Yang Xuanzong responded: "Your aptitude is lacking; you have yet to form your core after so long. Our sect's cultivation resources are limited, and according to our family rules, most resources are allocated for training Legitimate Sons. After discussing with several Elders, we plan to cultivate a Holy Son using your resources as a Legitimate Son while reducing all Bastard Sons' cultivation resources by half. This matter is settled; there is no need for further discussion."
Hearing Yang Xuanzong's words made Yang Long's face turn pale as he stood aside. I quickly interjected: "Respectfully reporting to you, Head of the family—Legitimate Son Yang Long has good aptitude; he simply lacks experience and has not yet found an opportunity to form his core. My own aptitude is truly lacking; using resources on me would be wasteful. If needed by the Yang Family, I will assist Yang Long in rising through ranks with loyalty and protection."
Although my words were insincere, I genuinely looked down upon taking resources meant for Yang Long's cultivation. Suddenly recalling that I still possessed the Book of Life and Death within me—something no one had mentioned for quite some time—I continued: "If there is a way for the Yang Family to retrieve the Book of Life and Death, I am willing to return it to my family."
At this declaration, murmurs erupted among those present; however, Yang Xuanzong replied: "Hao, items from Daoist sects belong to those capable of wielding them. Since you obtained the Book of Life and Death, it is yours by fate. Moreover, it would be useless for our Yang Family; it is better in your hands where it can protect your life. We will certainly cultivate you into an unparalleled master."
Everyone began to respond in agreement, and at that moment, Yang Long said, "Brother, just let your blood drop. After all, the resources of Yang Xia would be wasted if I can't use them. Between brothers, there should be no distinction."
Seeing that Yang Long also agreed to the etiquette of the Legitimate Son, the elder signaled for a Dao Child to step forward. The Dao Child held a jade plate containing a Golden Bowl and a Silver Needle.
The elder handed the Silver Needle to me, and I replied, "No need."
I extended my finger and forced out a drop of blood into the bowl using Dao Qi.
The Dao Child took the blood-filled bowl away, and the elder handed me a Silk Handkerchief. I took the handkerchief to wipe my hands and then picked up three incense sticks from the offering table in the ancestral hall, bowing three times to the statue inside.
Yang Xuanzong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Light the everlasting lamp."
A Dao Child picked up a lamp with my name written on it. I drew a symbol in the air, and a wisp of Dao Fire entered the lamp, igniting the wick.
Yang Xuanzong said, "Yang Hao's grandson, from now on you are part of my Yang Family. This everlasting lamp is your life lamp, connected to your bloodline. As long as you are Immortal, the lamp will never extinguish."
I replied, "Thank you for your kindness, family head."
Yang Xuanzong nodded and then addressed the gathered Yang Family disciples. "From now on, our Yang Hao will be my Yin Mountain Disciple; he is our family. As members of the Yang Family, we must unite as one. Everyone should support each other more in the future. Take this opportunity; I hope all of you Yang Family disciples will cultivate diligently. The path of greatness takes ten years; persistence is key. It’s like rowing upstream; if you don’t advance, you will retreat."
"We will follow your words, family head," everyone responded in unison.
Yang Xuanzong waved his hand and said, "You may disperse now."
Upon hearing this, everyone began to leave. Yang Long walked down the white jade steps with an unhappy expression and headed toward Zhengxin Hall.
"Brother," I called out to Yang Long, but he did not respond, clearly displeased with me. I hurriedly followed after him.
"Hao, stay behind," Yang Xuanzong's voice came from behind me.
Once everyone had dispersed, Yang Xuanzong, Li Chang'an, and several Yang Family Elders remained in front of the Ancestral Hall. Yang Xuanzong looked at me and asked, "Hao, do you know why I kept you here?"
I replied, "Please enlighten me, family head."
"Yang Xuanzong said, 'You have seen that child Long; his talents are limited and he cannot bear the expectations of others. For many years, our Yang Family has wanted to invite your father, Yang Sanqian, back into the clan as my successor. However, due to the events surrounding the Book of Life and Death, he was expelled from the family. He has held onto this grievance and is unwilling to return. Now that the time of reckoning for our Ancestor is approaching, it was because he used the Book of Life and Death that he has lived this long. Altering his lifespan through the Book has brought him suffering worse than death. I am already a hundred years old; in four years, my time will come. Our Yang Family needs a successor.'
I replied, 'Master, you must not act too hastily. My talents are not as great as my brother's, and my achievements will also be limited. My brother treats me like a real brother; I can assist him, but as a Bastard Son, I know my own worth. It is said that promoting the younger over the elder leads to chaos. It would be unreasonable for me to become the successor; it goes against our ancestors' teachings and would surely cause family disputes. Can you really kill all my peers and juniors? I cannot comply with this request.'
Li Chang'an interjected, 'This is a different time; the era has changed. We are now the ones in power. How can you, a young man, still cling to outdated ideas?'
'Yes, the master has already spoken. With his authority backing you, no one would dare oppose,' other Yang Family Elders echoed in agreement.
My heart grew increasingly confused. I did not understand much about power struggles, but having seen enough in films and various works, I knew that no one could resist the allure of power.
I was tempted as well, but I still recognized my place. To make a Bastard Son who had not returned to the family for decades and had no influence within it the successor seemed suspicious.
I just couldn't understand what all these people were really after.
Yang Xuanzong gestured for everyone to be quiet and looked at me. 'Hao, making you a candidate for successor is merely an option we are considering out of necessity. After the Double Ninth Festival, our clan will conduct physical refinement on Long with the Nine Elders and myself working together to condense the strongest Golden Elixir for him. If he successfully qualifies to become the head of the family, I will make him the successor. If he fails in condensing the elixir, then you will take on that role. What do you think?'
I asked, 'What if both my brother and I fail in condensing the elixir?'
Yang Xuanzong replied, 'Then he will still be made successor.'"
Comment 0 Comment Count