Chapter Three: The Ancestral Relic

As for Che Hongshi, as he traveled along the road, he gradually calmed his stirred emotions. He tried out a few poses, finally settling on one he thought looked gentle and approachable. After pausing briefly at the entrance of a grand residence, he gave a slight cough and then strolled in with a cheerful grin.

Though the house was not particularly large from the outside, its interior was arranged with exquisite taste and elegance. In the northwest corner stood a dark red Kuimu bed, above which hung a curtain of pale pink mink gauze. Through the delicate veil, one could just make out neatly folded plain bedding. On the eastern windowsill, a scatter of small items was displayed—some tiny and exquisite, others whimsical or charming—most of them children's toys of varying styles. Though the toys were many, they were arranged with such care that the room felt lively rather than cluttered, as if this playful touch was the ideal reflection of its owner's character.

Slightly to the south inside the room stood an Eight Immortals table, with only a teapot and a cup upon it. On either side sat centennial pearwood armchairs. In the left armchair rested a graceful young woman, her features lively and gentle, instilling an immediate sense of warmth and familiarity in the beholder.

This lady was none other than Che Hongshi’s wife, Ye Hongyu, mistress of the Che family estate and a woman of some repute in Jizhou, a land neither great nor small in the southern frontier. When she saw Che Hongshi saunter in with a smile, she gave him no welcome, only a frosty glance and a slight huff, turning her head aside.

Che Hongshi was not surprised by her attitude. He rubbed his nose awkwardly, then, still grinning, deliberately lengthened his words as he called out, “Wiiiife—”

Ye Hongyu acted as though she hadn’t heard, her expression cold.

Unbothered, Che Hongshi glanced at her, suddenly exclaiming, “Wife, what’s that on your face? Don’t move—” As he spoke, he reached his hand toward her cheek.

With a crisp slap, Ye Hongyu struck the back of his hand. Realizing his ploy was seen through, Che Hongshi withdrew his hand sheepishly. Though rebuffed, he was undeterred. He leaned in, feigning indignation, and asked, “What could have angered my wife so? Tell me, and I’ll see justice done—break the scoundrel’s head and vent your grievance!”

Ye Hongyu had intended to maintain her stern demeanor and properly chide him, but seeing his large head bobbing before her and hearing his absurd bravado, she could not help but soften.

Afraid he might notice her change, Ye Hongyu quickly turned her face aside and resumed her chilly posture. Yet after a while, she noticed Che Hongshi had grown silent, which piqued her curiosity. She stole a glance at him, only to find him shaking his left leg and half his body, grinning at her like a street rascal.

Seeing her husband, now lord of a city, still so incorrigibly unserious, Ye Hongyu was speechless. She could not help but mutter under her breath, “You’re over a hundred years old now—how can you still act so childish? Aren’t you afraid of being mocked behind your back?”

Noticing her expression had thawed, Che Hongshi seized the opportunity and chatted idly with her a while. When he saw her mood had improved and the tension had faded, he let out a long sigh, his brows furrowing with a look of difficulty.

Ye Hongyu, observing his manner, knew he had something important to say but hesitated. She sighed, “Shi, we have been married for a hundred years. You have never kept anything from me, and that has always pleased me. Though we’ve quarreled over Wuyou in recent years, these are but family matters. As husband and wife, we are one. Whatever you have to say, speak plainly—why put on such a face?”

Che Hongshi hesitated, but seeing her candor, he seemed to come to a decision. He looked directly at her and said, “Yu, ever since you married into my family, you’ve lived with me in this remote, barren land of the southern frontier. You’ve known no days of glory nor enjoyed the honor a great family should, only toiling tirelessly by my side, yet never uttering a complaint. In recent years, I’ve vexed you often over Wuyou…”

Ye Hongyu tried to stop him, “Shi…”

He waved her off and continued, “When we were young, you had many suitors, some of them prominent figures, but you turned them all away and secretly followed me to Jizhou. I was overjoyed, as if in a dream, that someone as heavenly as you would choose me.

“I remember on the road back to Jizhou, brimming with youthful pride, I promised you: ‘Someday, I’ll make you famous in the southern frontier. We’ll be a couple envied by gods and men. I’ll bring you supreme honor, take you back to Ye Province, and let all who opposed us see what kind of man you chose. I’ll proclaim to the world that Che Hongshi and Ye Hongyu have returned openly and with pride.’”

His voice grew wistful as he recalled the past. After a long pause, he gazed at her timeless beauty and spoke with bitterness, “Yet a century has passed, and the promises of youth feel as if they were made yesterday, but not once have I taken you back to Ye Province. I have no face to return with you… The southern frontier is vast, its sects innumerable. Our little Che family is but a drop in this ocean, unable to cause a ripple. Not to mention dominating the southern frontier—even in this small, barren Jizhou, we cannot reign. How could we speak of Ye Province, let alone the wider world?”

Ye Hongyu patted his hand gently and smiled, “Shi, there’s no need to dwell on returning to Ye Province. You know I never cared for such things. To be by your side all these years has been more than enough. Now, with our children, Yeming and Wuyou, what more could I ask?”

But Che Hongshi, lost in memory, shook his head with a bitter smile. “Back then, I was so arrogant and confident—partly because of our ancestral artifact, partly because of youthful pride. I always believed, as a descendant of one of the ten ancient cultivation clans, that our heritage was beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even in decline, such bloodlines are not to be underestimated. I thought that with the ancestral artifact, my cultivation would soar and I’d stand atop the world.

“But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized there are limits to human strength. Even if I used the artifact, with my talent, I’d only reach one realm higher—and waste its potential.”

Then his eyes shone with fervor. “But in Yeming, I see hope. His talent is extraordinary; if he took the ancestral artifact, his future would be limitless. In decades or a century, he could make a place for himself in the southern frontier, perhaps even let us return to Ye Province in glory. If we live to see it, we might yet fulfill our old dreams.” He looked at Ye Hongyu expectantly, hoping for her agreement.

Hearing mention of the ancestral artifact, Ye Hongyu’s heart trembled. Could this be the legendary object that drives the cultivation world to madness? She hadn’t imagined the Che family, even in decline, still possessed such a treasure—truly worthy of their ancient heritage.

Her eyes flickered as she asked, “I’ve heard that using such relics comes with many strict requirements. Yeming is clever but still young and untrained. Why rush? Is there a way to bypass the restrictions?”

Che Hongshi was caught off guard by her rare lack of opposition—he’d prepared many arguments, but she’d agreed so easily. Though puzzled, he was nonetheless relieved. “I’d rather wait, but I have a sense that something is about to happen. I fear the longer we wait, the greater the risk that someone will uncover our family’s secret. So once Yeming returns, I plan to let him take the artifact for my peace of mind.

“As for the restrictions, our family’s legacy is ancient—of course, there’s a method, though it’s not perfect and success isn’t guaranteed. We’ll have to take a gamble and trust in fate. But I believe Yeming is blessed enough.”

He sighed. “If we fail, it’s fate. If the Che family is doomed, we cannot blame anyone else.”

Upon hearing there was indeed a method, Ye Hongyu pressed, “What are the strict requirements for using the ancestral artifact? I’ve heard elders say such treasures always have many limitations.”

Che Hongshi nodded with a bitter smile. “It’s almost laughable—the only requirement is that someone in our family must reach the Core Formation stage before age thirty. Only such a person can use the artifact without worry. But after all these years, the Che family has never produced such a genius, let alone one who reached that level before thirty.”

His eyes brightened. “But Yeming has that potential; he could well achieve Core Formation before thirty. But time doesn’t wait for us—we cannot afford to delay.”

Ye Hongyu now understood and her face grew colder. “If Yeming can use the artifact, then Wuyou should have the chance as well. Why not let Wuyou try? Have you not considered him at all?”

Che Hongshi was taken aback. “A woman’s mood turns like a page in the wind—she seemed to agree just now, and now she’s changed the subject again.” He had expected a quarrel, and after a brief pause, replied, “Yu, I’ve watched Wuyou grow as well, but he’s always been dull and slow. Even with the artifact, I doubt he’d make any progress. To make the best use of it, Yeming is the best choice. You know this—why quarrel with me over it?”

Seeing her remain silent, he continued, “Besides, whether it’s Yeming or Wuyou, they are both your children. Only one can use the artifact—we must choose. Could you really give up Yeming and choose only Wuyou?”

Ye Hongyu cut him off with a cold laugh. “You’re no immortal—how can you be sure Wuyou wouldn’t benefit? What if he gains more than Yeming?

“In any case, your mind is made up. You only came to ask me as a formality. Since this is your family’s legacy, I won’t insist. But when the time comes, I’ll take Wuyou and return to Ye Province. That’s where we belong.”

Che Hongshi was left speechless by her rebuke.

At that tense moment, the Che family’s chief steward burst in, interrupting them. After a hurried bow of apology, he spoke urgently, “Master, Madam, a group of unfamiliar cultivators has arrived outside the city. They’re demanding to see you, saying they have important business to discuss.” Seeing Che Hongshi’s confusion, the steward added, “There are fourteen of them. Though they hide their cultivation, their bearing is extraordinary. The man in white at their head is especially unfathomable. Any one of them would be a dominant figure in Jizhou—yet they have all gathered outside our gates.”