Chapter Ten: The Family Banquet

Che Ye Ming noticed Che Hong Shi staring straight at him, and realized there was no escaping a confrontation. Since things had come to this, there was little use in further evasions—better to explain everything and act as the situation demanded. With this thought, he lifted his head resolutely, ready to recount the whole story.

But Che Hong Shi spoke first: “I had your Uncle Hu go look for you, hoping you could return home sooner and see your brother one last time, so your brotherly bond would be complete. I did not expect, however, that you and your uncle would miss each other on the road.” Che Hong Shi, seeing Ye Ming silent, assumed he had not met Uncle Hu, and thus explained.

Hearing his father’s words, Ye Ming was speechless for a long while. So Father did not know Uncle Hu was dead—then why was he putting on a mournful face? Before he could feel any relief, he hurriedly asked, “What did you say earlier about brotherly bonds? What do you mean, see Wu You one last time? What’s happened to him?”

Che Hong Shi saw the concern written all over his son’s face, and knowing how deeply Ye Ming cared for his younger brother, sighed and said, “Go see Wu You.” He had inquired after Wu You’s illness on the day it began; though Wu You could not explain clearly, he had indicated it was connected to the Ye family. But what could be done? Could the small Che family really demand an explanation from such a powerful house? Though Che Hong Shi said nothing more, his heart was full of frustration—he knew who was responsible, but could not even entertain thoughts of revenge.

Seeing his father’s bleak expression, Ye Ming asked no further and went straight to Wu You’s quarters. The sight that greeted him was a shock—Wu You’s cheeks were sunken, his eye sockets hollow, his face deathly pale. He was a mere shadow of his former self.

Ye Ming’s heart twisted with grief. When he had left, Wu You had been in good health, even pleading to learn swordsmanship from him. Who could have imagined that in just three short months, his brother would be reduced to this state?

Hearing the commotion, Wu You opened his eyes weakly. Upon seeing Ye Ming, he managed a faint smile and said, “Brother, you’re back. This time, you mustn’t leave again. Last time you promised to teach me swordsmanship, but you haven’t kept your word. You can’t go back on your promise this time.”

Seeing that even in illness Wu You remembered this, Ye Ming’s expression darkened, but he quickly nodded, “As long as you recover, I’ll teach you every sword technique I know, holding nothing back.”

Wu You’s face brightened at his brother’s easy promise. Yet his joy was short-lived; a shadow passed over his face as he remembered something. “No, it’s better not to. I’m too dull to learn any sword technique. In the end, it will just anger Father and make me a laughingstock.”

Seeing his brother so forlorn, Ye Ming’s heart ached. As he was about to offer comfort, Wu You spoke again, “Brother, am I really that stupid? Am I truly unfit for cultivation? I’ve overheard many saying I’m a fool, and I hate it when they say that… I’ve tried so hard to practice swordplay, but for some reason I just can’t do it well.”

Before Ye Ming could reply, Wu You sighed deeply and murmured, “I must really be foolish. Otherwise, why can others master swordplay but I cannot?”

On Wu You’s pale, small face, disappointment was writ large. Ye Ming could not bear it and said, “That’s all nonsense. Pay them no mind—”

But before he could finish, Wu You whispered, “Even Father says so. Even Father.” At this, perhaps because he lost interest in talking, or perhaps because exhaustion overtook him, Wu You fell into a deep sleep.

The Che couple, who had been standing at the door, overheard the brothers’ conversation. Ye Hong Yu cast a reproachful glance at her husband, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. Che Hong Shi sighed, regretting his harshness toward Wu You, which had left such a shadow on the child’s heart.

That very night, Che Hong Shi made an important decision. He led Ye Ming into the ancestral hall—a place shrouded in mystery, the most sacred ground of the Che family. It was also Ye Ming’s first time stepping inside. Though Ye Hong Yu knew what her husband intended, she did not object as she might have in the past, but instead felt a faint sense of hope.

On that night, the Che household was on high alert. The entire family compound was under tight security, especially around the ancestral hall, where guards patrolled ceaselessly. Several concealed immortal-shooting cannons were posted in hidden corners, and on the rooftops perched the city’s most skilled archers, ready to strike.

The scene left no doubt: anyone who dared approach, even an old monster at the Core Formation stage, would be instantly riddled with arrows.

This night was doomed to be unsettled. At midnight, brilliant light erupted from the ancestral hall, and waves of terrifying power radiated outward from its heart, making it seem less a family shrine than a slumbering primordial beast. The household was deeply unnerved, but the strict discipline of the Che family kept panic at bay.

Fortunately, the bizarre aura soon faded. But then, from within the hall, came Ye Ming’s anguished screams—so piercing in the silence and tension of the night that they seemed almost uncanny.

Ye Hong Yu paced anxiously in her room, silently praying for Ye Ming’s success in accepting the ancestral relic, hoping all would go smoothly.

In the still of the night, her husband’s words echoed in her mind: if only the family had a true master, Wu You would never have been harmed, nor would anyone in the city dare lay a finger on him. If Ye Ming succeeded, the Che family would boast a peerless expert, and never again be subject to humiliation.

She sighed, “Indeed, if the Che family had such a figure, who would dare harm my son Wu You? Even the Ye family would have to answer to us. We would not be so oppressed. But it’s too late for Wu You now, no matter what. I just hope Ye Ming comes through safely.”

Through a night of harrowing screams, the doors of the ancestral hall finally opened. First came Ye Ming, pale as death, followed by Che Hong Shi, frowning slightly.

Ye Hong Yu, who had been waiting outside, hurried to welcome them in. With hope in her eyes, she asked, “Well? Did it work?”

Che Hong Shi looked at his wife’s tense expression and sighed, “Ye Ming’s cultivation is still too shallow. He couldn’t absorb the ancestral relic perfectly, but it’s a great success nonetheless.”

Seeing Ye Ming nod at her with a faint smile, Ye Hong Yu finally relaxed, tears of joy streaming down her face. “Thank heavens, thank our ancestors,” she wept.

The year Wu You was born, the Che family had held a grand banquet, inviting the prominent figures of the ancient city. Now, five years later, the family threw another grand feast, gathering all the city’s notables. But this time, the guest of honor was Ye Ming.

In his small room, Wu You lay quietly in bed, listening to the noise and merriment from outside, feeling it all very distant. A vague loneliness and annoyance crept into his heart. He called out for Xiao Mei, but no answer came.

He could not help but wonder, “The house is so lively tonight—probably all the maids have gone off to join the fun. Who would care about me… Father always scolds me for being stupid, always looks down on me, and at least Mother used to defend me. But these last two months, even she rarely visits. Maybe she’s grown tired of me too.” The more he thought, the more aggrieved he felt.

He recalled last night, after his brother had left. From the yard, he could faintly hear his parents talking about giving some ancestral relic to Ye Ming. Though he didn’t know what it was, their serious tone suggested it was something very valuable.

He heard his mother sigh, “Wu You is dull by nature—it is his fate to be unworthy of the ancestral relic. Ye Ming is gifted, and with it, he’ll surely ascend to greatness. He might even become a legend.”

Then his father said, “It’s a pity Wu You is so ill-starred. Who knows how long he has left. All we can do is make his last days as happy as possible, and let him go in peace.”

After that, his parents fell silent, and he heard their footsteps slowly fade away. They thought he was asleep and spoke softly, but he still overheard. In the past, only Father called him slow and useless, but now even Mother seemed to think the same.

Wu You’s heart ached. Whenever there was something good in the family, his parents always thought first of his brother. He could hardly blame them—his brother was clever, and only he could make the most of these treasures. Giving them to himself would be a waste. Tonight’s celebration was surely because his brother had absorbed the ancestral relic and advanced greatly—just as Father had said, Wu You had little time left, and who would care what became of him now?

Bitterness filled his heart. He dragged himself out of bed and slowly left his small, medicine-scented room. The wind outside was not strong, but it chilled him through. The fresh air cleared his head somewhat after many days of sickness.

Because he was young, and everyone was busy celebrating, no one noticed him as he wandered eastward, avoiding the few maids he knew.

He walked for a long time, until he overheard two maids gossiping ahead: “I heard the master plans to pass the family headship to the young master, and this banquet is just to help him get familiar.”

“Really? What about Young Master Wu You?” asked the other.

“That fool? I hear he’s so sick he won’t last much longer. Who would care about him?” the first replied with disdain.

“Hush, don’t say that—if the mistress hears… But, poor Wu You, it’s a pity. Life is unfair.”

“What’s to pity? He only has himself to blame. If he had any talent, even if he couldn’t be lord, he’d at least be a commander.”

“You’re right. They say he’s not gifted enough for cultivation, has a bad temper, and brought this strange sickness on himself. Now he’s beyond saving.”

“Heaven may pardon fate, but self-inflicted troubles cannot be forgiven,” the first maid concluded.

Hearing this, Wu You’s heart sank further. Yes, it was his own fault—his fate was of his own making. Tormented by these words, he no longer wanted to listen and headed straight for the main hall.