Looking at Yun Baojian's rarely seen stupefied expression, Yun Qing finally felt some of the frustration in his chest dissipate.
He reached out and pulled the still-petrified Yun Baojian behind him as though grabbing a disobedient little beast by the scruff, naturally reclaiming him for the family.
Facing Liu Qingwu, Yun Qing wore an expression of pained resignation at his family's misfortune and spoke with a hint of apology:
"Fellow Daoist Liu, forgive this embarrassing display. My fourth brother's birth mother is your sect's Azure Frost Sword Venerable. There is indeed a bond between him and your sect, which could be considered half his spiritual home." He placed particular emphasis on "half."
"The Yun Clan is deeply grateful for the care and instruction your sect has given him during this time. But now that we have reunited, it is time for him to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan."
Liu Qingwu: "..."
The gentle smile on his face stiffened a little, while the Azure Lotus Sword Sect disciples exchanged looks, their feelings too complicated to express. How had this peerless sword prodigy turned out to belong to the Yun Clan? Why hadn't Martial Uncle Qing Shuang made her Dao companion "marry into" the Azure Lotus Sword Sect back then?
Liu Qingwu's smile grew somewhat bitter. "I see. You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Yun... Bao Jian—the Fourth Young Master of the Yun Clan—is a heaven-gifted genius who has been of tremendous help to our sect. We could hardly claim to have looked after him."
Yun Qing nodded and turned to Yun Baojian, whose posture had grown slightly rigid. The eldest brother's innate authority filled the latter with an inexplicable nervousness.
"Greet me." Yun Qing kept it brief, his double pupils fixed calmly on him.
"E-Eldest Brother." Yun Baojian