She wasn’t lying. This man embodied all that was good in the world. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that such a perfect man could exist.
“In one month, Changle Guo will hold a trial. The location of this trial will have stone lotuses.”
“Stone lotuses?”
Yan Wuxin blinked, suddenly recalling what Xiao Li had told her about the Wannian Shilian. Could it be that the Wannian Shilian would appear at the site of this trial?
But wasn’t that just a legend?
“Wannian Shilian.” Xuanyuan Mei released her and gently tapped her nose.
“But isn’t that just a legend?” Even if it were real, could she find it?
“Legends can also be real.”
Yan Wuxin fell silent. She believed what Xuanyuan Mei said. For her brother and father, she was determined to obtain the Wannian Shilian. No matter how many difficulties lay ahead, she believed she could overcome them all.
The next moment, Xuanyuan Mei’s words struck her like a bolt of lightning. “You must return to Yan Jia.”
She looked up sharply, about to say something, when she heard Xuanyuan Mei continue, “The trial requires participation alongside one’s family. Apart from the four great families, only Yan Heng and members of the royal family are eligible to take part.”
She had already left. How could she go back? She had destroyed Yan Xun’s Linggen. If she returned, she didn’t care for herself, but her brother and father… They had no means of self-defense. Would those people let them off so easily?
Returning to Yan Jia was something she had never considered, but now, she fell into deep thought.
As if sensing her concerns, he said, “Don’t worry. I will send people to secretly protect your father and brother.”
As for other matters, it was not convenient for him to intervene. He was the Mojun. If he meddled in human affairs, it would inevitably attract the attention of the Xian Zu and Yaozu. By then, they would surely use Yan Wuxin against him.
Since meeting her, he had already become entangled with her. It seemed like fate, as if she existed solely for him.
“I destroyed Yan Xun’s Linggen. They won’t agree to let me return.” Everyone in Yan Jia now wished her dead. How could they allow her to go back?
“Leave everything to me.”
These four words alone stirred a turbulent current in Yan Wuxin’s heart. Whether in her past life or this one, she had always drifted and struggled, fighting alone. And now… this was the first time someone had said these words to her.
The next day, led by Yan Heng, a group from Yan Jia had already gathered outside Yan Wuxin’s door, waiting. She didn’t know what method Xuanyuan Mei had used, but he had even managed to get Yan Heng to come personally.
“In one month, it will be the family trial.” Yan Heng took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Yan Wuxin.
“Mm.”
“As for Xun’er’s matter, I will let bygones be bygones.”
Hah! Yan Wuxin curled her lips into a cold smile. “General Yan, it seems you’ve forgotten—he attacked my brother first.”
At this, Yan Qingyu couldn’t hold back. “Yan Wuxin, you destroyed Xun’er’s Linggen, turning him into a cripple. He’s only fourteen. Are you even human? How will he survive in the future?”
Yan Wuxin’s face instantly turned cold. “And what about my brother? Who will take responsibility for his Linggen?”
It was true that her brother had become disabled while saving her, but the matter of his Linggen was undeniably linked to them. And her father—though he never spoke of it—she understood perfectly well that his Linggen was also connected to this group.
“…” Everyone present was instantly silenced, unable to find words to refute her.
“Xin’er.” At that moment, Yan Nantian stepped forward.
“Father, what brings you here?”
Yan Nantian glanced at Yan Heng, remained silent for a while, and after a long pause, finally spoke, “Let’s go back.”
Not “go home,” but “go back.” Just as her father had said, wherever she and her brother were, that was home. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off between her father and Yan Heng.
There was none of the intimacy that should exist between father and son; instead, they seemed like strangers.
“Mhm.” Yan Wuxin nodded and turned to pack her things.
Yan Jia, it seemed, held many secrets. She had thought she could stay away, but upon reflection, her arrival had already entangled her with Yan Jia, as if by fate.
Whether Yan Jia was a prison of fire and water or a den of wild beasts, she needed to return.
For no other reason than the Wannian Shilian—she needed it.
At that moment, in the main courtyard of Yan Jia, everyone fell silent as the father and his two children appeared. The four Great Elders sat on either side, while Yan Heng stepped forward and took the central seat. On the other side, Yan Beifeng swept a glance at Yan Wuxin, his eyes filled with complex emotions, but ultimately, there was only one resolve: to eliminate her at the first opportunity.
However, due to Yan Wuxin’s changed status, he could no longer act directly. But his son…
“Ahem, do you all know why I have summoned you here today?” Yan Heng cleared his throat and spoke solemnly.
“We know,” the crowd replied in unison, their spirits lifting. “It’s for the family training expedition a month from now.”
“Correct. The family training expedition will officially begin one month from now. During this month, you will go to the library. How much you learn and what techniques you master will depend entirely on your own efforts.” Yan Heng’s expression remained stern as he looked at the group of spirited disciples below.
“After the training expedition, the Tiancai Xuanba Sai of the four nations will also be held. The preliminary round will take place at Duanhun Shan. I believe you all understand the significance of the Tiancai Xuanba Sai, so treat this training expedition as an opportunity to accumulate practical experience. Take it seriously and do not treat it as child’s play.” The Great Elder stroked his beard, picking up where Yan Heng left off.
At the mention of Duanhun Shan, the crowd below was momentarily stunned.
“General, in the past, the Tiancai Xuanba Sai has always been held in the Mandala Forest, all the way through to the finals. Why has it suddenly been changed to Duanhun Shan this year, and why is it divided into preliminary, advanced, and final rounds?”
“I don’t know the specifics of this matter either. We can only follow the arrangements.” As Yan Heng finished speaking, his gaze subtly shifted toward Yan Wuxin.
Yan Wuxin felt his scrutiny but did not meet his eyes. She didn’t care about any selection competition or the like. What she wanted was the Wannian Shilian.
“All the disciples participating in this family training expedition are gathered here. Prepare your supplies to avoid any confusion when the time comes.”
“Yes.”
Upon returning to Yan Jia this time, it was surprisingly not to the dilapidated hut but to a proper house. This sudden change in treatment felt strange to them, especially given the attitudes of those people.
They clearly wished them dead but couldn’t kill them. It truly fit the saying: if you can’t finish me off, you’ll just have to endure the nuisance.
Yan Jia, no matter what secrets it held, she would uncover them one by one. Since she had returned, Yan Jia would have to settle its debts!
That night, Yan Wuhan sat in the courtyard, holding a xiao flute to his lips, and a melodious, haunting tune flowed forth. Yan Wuxin watched her brother’s sorrowful silhouette, her nose tingling with emotion.
“Brother.”
Yan Wuhan opened his mouth in surprise, “Xin’er, weren’t you asleep?”