This silence made Yun Qing's heart tremble more than any direct interrogation could. Yun Huang's insight was far too keen. His performance might deceive him for a time, but he could hardly keep pulling the wool over his eyes forever.
Who knew when the sword hanging over his head would fall?
Yun Qing knew full well that once Yun Huang discovered the deeper secrets he had glimpsed concerning the Reincarnated Immortal Emperor, a devastating storm would follow.
"What was the world of your previous life like?" Rather than answer Yun Qing's question, Yun Huang casually tossed one back at him.
It seemed like idle conversation, but while Yun Huang could ignore his question, he could not refuse to answer.
Yun Qing sighed helplessly inwardly. The Second Elder had been right. He really was a living ancestor.
He considered for a moment, then spoke slowly, his tone carrying a measure of acceptance and reminiscence. "My previous life... A man's life between heaven and earth is like a white colt flashing past a crack-gone in an instant. In my previous life, I was merely an ordinary mortal among the toiling masses, with a lifespan of less than a hundred years. Each day, I rushed about to earn a living. The world I saw was no larger than a tiny patch of ground, and all I experienced amounted to firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Compared with this world, where the Great Dao stretches without limit and cultivators soar through the heavens and burrow through the earth, the difference was truly that between clouds and mud. There is no comparison."
Yun Huang listened quietly, his expression utterly unruffled. Only his golden eyes seemed capable of piercing through flesh to gaze into the depths of Yun Qing's soul. After a moment, he said mildly, "Since such an opportunity has come to you, make good use of it."
"I shall remember." Yun Qing lowered his head, his posture obedient.
The Soul-Suppressing Stele had been fully restored, its radiance contained within, surpassing even its former glory. Yun Huang gazed at it for a moment without saying anything more, then turned. "Back to the hall."
"Yes."
Two black-clad figures entered the main hall of the Perching Phoenix Hall, one behind the other. The clear radiance of luminous pearls flowed through the interior, lending the spacious hall an even greater air of solemn majesty. The moment he entered, Yun Qing sensed an additional presence within.
A young man stood with his head bowed respectfully in the shadow of a pillar, like a venomous snake lying in wait. He wore the black armor of the Cloud Valor Guards, and his build bore a sixty or seventy percent resemblance to Yun Qing's, though his handsome face had a more delicate, almost feminine cast.
It was Yun Chi, the Twelfth Elder's grandson by his legitimate line.
A barely perceptible flicker of surprise crossed Yun Qing's eyes. This man had actually managed to join the Cloud Valor Guards and even been assigned to duty at the Perching Phoenix Hall? The Twelfth Elder's reach extended farther than he had anticipated.
Seeing Yun Huang return, Yun Chi immediately stepped forward and dropped to one knee, his movements crisp and precise. "Yun Chi pays his respects to the Young Lord. By order of the Lineage, I join the Cloud Valor Guards as of today. I have come to report to you and await your commands." His words were clear and his bearing respectful, faintly resembling Yun Qing's usual manner.
Yun Huang did not stop, walking straight toward the seat of honor as though he had not seen him. He merely gave a faint "Mm" in acknowledgment.
Yun Qing walked past at an unhurried pace, unobtrusively shifting half a step aside to avoid the area toward which Yun Chi was kneeling. He gave him only a slight nod as a courtesy between clansmen, then stopped at his familiar place beside and slightly before Yun Huang's jade throne. His head was slightly bowed, his bearing respectful yet natural.
The corner of Yun Chi's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. He quickly suppressed the jealousy and hatred surging within him and composed his expression. With both hands, he respectfully offered up a jade slip shimmering with brilliant colors, his voice growing even more humble. "Young Lord, by the commander's orders, I present this quarter's patrol and defense summaries for the Yun Clan's various domains. Please review them."
Yun Huang did not raise his eyes. He merely lifted a hand casually, signaling for him to bring it forward.
Reassured, Yun Chi hurried forward and bowed, carefully presenting the jade slip beside Yun Huang's hand. Once Yun Huang took it, however, he did not withdraw below the dais like an ordinary guard. Instead, he shifted his feet and, just like Yun Qing, naturally took up a position below the other side of Yun Huang's jade throne.
For a moment, before the dark jade throne, Yun Qing and Yun Chi stood on either side, forming two opposing flanks.
Yun Huang's gaze rested on him for an instant before lowering to the jade slip in his hand. He offered no judgment, neither showing approval nor ordering him away, as though tacitly accepting this subtle arrangement.
Yun Chi lowered his eyes, but inwardly he was wild with joy! Grandfather truly foresaw everything! What those in power need has never been someone irreplaceable, but tools they can choose between and use to keep one another in check! As long as I demonstrate enough value and replace Yun Qing, I will be the next Yun Clan Prodigy!
Silence settled over the Perching Phoenix Hall. There was only the faint sound of Yun Huang examining the jade slip and the sound of radiance flowing from the luminous pearls.
No one spoke. Yun Chi, too, kept his eyes lowered submissively, attempting to blend into the background of those standing in attendance within the hall.
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Yun Qing, who stood quietly opposite him with his gaze lowered. The eldest young master's eyes were fixed on his nose, his attention turned inward. His lowered lashes concealed the unfathomable depths of his double pupils. His entire presence was calm and restrained, his bearing more gentle and obedient than ever-a completely different man from the sharp, commanding figure who had settled everything with a single move outside the Ancestral Shrine yesterday.
Yun Qing actually puts on this whole gentle, virtuous, respectful, frugal, and yielding act before the Young Lord! Even a prodigy like him has to bow and scrape like this... No wonder Grandfather is so wary. It seems the Young Lord's identity and strength are far more terrifying than the rumors outside suggest. His thoughts raced, deepening his suspicions and wariness of Yun Huang.
After spending roughly an incense stick's worth of time in this suffocating silence, Yun Chi felt uncomfortable all over. The invisible pressure almost crushed him. He drew a deep breath and was just about to find a pretext to speak, make his presence felt, and break this silence that worked against him.
Just as his lips began to move-
Yun Qing moved.
He did not look at Yun Chi. He simply stepped half a pace forward and picked up the Spirit Jade Teacup on Yun Huang's desk with utterly natural familiarity. A trace of spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, and wisps of white mist instantly rose from the cup, its temperature precisely adjusted to the perfect level for drinking. He gently set the cup back beside Yun Huang's hand. The whole sequence flowed like drifting clouds and running water, carrying an indescribable intimacy and tacit understanding.
"Young Lord, the morning dew brings a deep chill. Have some hot tea to warm yourself." His gentle words held just the right measure of concern.
Yun Huang's brush paused slightly as he reviewed the documents. He raised his eyes and glanced at Yun Qing, his pale golden gaze deep and unreadable, revealing neither approval nor anything else. Yet he did not stop him. Instead, he readily picked up the cup of tea, now at just the right temperature, and took a small sip.
Only then did Yun Qing turn his head, as though he had just noticed Yun Chi's presence. The curve of his lips seemed gentle but was in truth distant. "Thank you for your efforts on duty, Cousin Yun Chi. Would you care for a cup as well? Surely the Young Lord is too generous to begrudge you a cup of spirit tea from his hall."
What does he mean by this?! He's only serving in attendance as punishment for his offenses. Does he really think he's the master of the Perching Phoenix Hall?! Fury churned in Yun Chi's chest, but he forced a stiff smile onto his face, trying to maintain his composure while taking a veiled jab at Yun Qing. "Thank you for your kindness, Eldest Young Master. However, this tea is reserved for the Young Lord's use and contains extraordinary spiritual energy. My status is lowly. How could I dare presume to drink it..."
Yun Huang continued gazing down at the jade slip in his hand, seemingly oblivious to the clash between them. Yet a close look would have revealed the almost imperceptible curve that touched his lips and vanished in an instant.
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