"Enough." Yun Huang set down his teacup and interrupted him in an even voice, his gaze returning to the documents. "If there is nothing else, withdraw."
Those words were addressed to Yun Chi.
Every argument Yun Chi had prepared was stopped in its tracks. Yet he dared not show the slightest displeasure. He could only bow deeply, concealing the darkness in his eyes, and say in frustration, "Yes. I shall take my leave."
Just as he turned and was about to step through the hall doors-
"Cough..."
A soft cough came from behind him, fiercely suppressed yet still betraying a trace of weakness.
Yun Chi's steps abruptly faltered. Only an immense effort of will kept him from instinctively looking back!
He keenly sensed that the aura behind him, previously seamless and restrained like a deep, tranquil sea, now rippled with unmistakable disorder, like a lake disturbed by a stone! This was clearly a sign of unstable internal energy and injuries being forcibly suppressed!
He was only holding himself together! Yun Chi's heart shook violently, wild delight rising alongside icy calculation. Of course. Even Yun Hao was crippled. With Yun Shuo having started the conflict, how could the Young Lord not vent his anger on his elder brother? He was so eager to target me earlier, deliberately provoking me until the Young Lord dismissed me. He must have feared I would notice something if I stayed too long! His injuries must be serious! The discovery nearly made him lose his respectful expression.
The hall doors closed silently behind Yun Chi.
Once again, only Yun Huang and Yun Qing remained inside.
Watching Yun Chi's figure disappear, Yun Qing looked perfectly normal. Where was even a trace of the weakness Yun Chi had imagined? His breathing was steady, his double pupils unfathomable. That perfectly timed cough might as well have been an illusion.
The Twelfth Elder's branch was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows. Without a solid chain of evidence, the Lineage would never unleash thunderous punishment upon an elder with real authority and his direct grandson merely over an unfulfilled conspiracy.
Since that was the case, rather than passively waiting for the other side to make a move, he might as well turn their scheme against them and lure the snake out of its hole. The first step was to "show the enemy weakness." He would make Yun Chi believe he was gravely injured and his strength diminished, allowing that greedy impatience to swell...
Yun Qing tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Reincarnated Immortal Emperor seated high upon the jade throne, seemingly forever immersed in the vast affairs of the clan.
Suddenly, Yun Huang raised his eyes.
Caught off guard, Yun Qing met those golden eyes that saw through everything as clearly as firelight. His body stiffened slightly with guilt, cowed by that invisible pressure.
"Cough... cough, cough." He immediately coughed twice to cover himself, hastily plastering an exaggerated, ingratiating smile across his face. Hurrying forward, he naturally picked up the jade pot and refilled Yun Huang's nearly empty cup with steaming Spirit Tea. "The spring winds bring ailments. Look, even I have started coughing. Young Lord, please drink more hot tea to warm your spiritual meridians and drive out the chill." His double pupils gazed imploringly at Yun Huang, brimming with thoughtfulness and... guilt.
Seeing that Yun Huang remained expressionless, his deep golden eyes revealing nothing, Yun Qing swiftly changed tack, his tone even more "sincere." "Reviewing the clan's affairs is such hard work, Young Lord. Shall I massage your shoulders?" After a pause, he tentatively added, "Or... your legs?"
Yun Huang finally lifted his eyes and gave him a speechless glance, as though saying, Only today did I discover just how theatrical you are. A flicker of helplessness passed through the depths of his golden eyes. In the end, he said nothing, merely lowering his gaze again to concentrate on the jade slip in his hand, tacitly accepting this "noisy" concern.
Yun Qing relaxed a little, knowing he had cleared this hurdle. That tacit acceptance was itself a form of unspoken indulgence. He could proceed with his next moves freely.
At last, Yun Huang finished dealing with the final jade slip at hand, rose, and strolled toward the inner chamber.
As though suddenly remembering something, Yun Qing respectfully addressed that black-robed figure from behind, his voice gentle and smooth. "Young Lord, there is something I must report to you."
Yun Huang did not stop walking. Only a single, indifferent word came back. "Speak."
"According to clan rules, all those ranked among the Twelve Young Masters must take regular turns teaching at the Clan School, passing on the flame and honing the younger generation. The Lineage has graciously deemed me worthy of a place among them, and I previously accepted an assignment from the Second Elder. This afternoon, during the hour of the goat, I must teach at the Sunshine Court." Yun Qing spoke at an unhurried pace, his reasoning sound.
Yun Huang finally stopped and turned around. His pale golden eyes settled on Yun Qing, his brows faintly furrowing as the air around them abruptly grew heavy. "Oh? Asking for leave again?" His voice was calm, yet carried the feeling of mountain rain gathering before a storm. "Only yesterday, I permitted you to rest. And today, you already have more 'official duties'?"
Did he truly think serving as his attendant was a reward rather than a punishment?
Yun Qing immediately bowed, his manner growing even more earnest, his tone carrying a hint of... enticement. "I would never dare neglect my duties as your attendant. It is only..." He subtly shifted the subject and lifted his eyes, a lively gleam of cunning flashing through his double pupils as his voice softened slightly. "The youngsters at the Clan School often hear of your resplendent majesty, Young Lord. They admire you as though gazing upon the sun and moon, yearning to see you. If you happen to have some leisure today and would graciously visit the Clan School to see it for yourself, even a brief stop would be an unsurpassed honor and encouragement to them. Its effect would far exceed a hundred or a thousand days of empty lectures from me. I wonder... would you condescend to accompany me for a look?"
His smiling eyes curved, as though he were merely offering an ordinary invitation to an outing.
Yun Huang stared at him for a while, weighing the sincerity against the calculation.
After a long silence, just as Yun Qing thought he would refuse without a word, Yun Huang gave a slight nod and said in that still-unreadable tone, "Lead the way."
"Yes!" A gleam of success flashed through Yun Qing's eyes. He stepped aside in a respectful gesture of invitation. "After you, Young Lord."
As he lowered his gaze, his thick, long lashes perfectly concealed the cold glint that flashed through the depths of his double pupils.
You want to use me as a stepping stone and take my place?
Then watch what sort of spectacle you can put on upon this chessboard, before an Immortal Emperor whose mind is as deep as the sea and who holds everything in his grasp.
Inside the hall, luminous pearls cast shifting radiance over the black-robed, ink-haired young man, who stood still as an abyss.
Outside, a figure in black armor stood guard beside the doors like a statue. It was none other than Yun Chi.
Seeing Yun Huang and Yun Qing emerge together, apparently heading elsewhere, Yun Chi's eyes flashed. He immediately stepped forward and dropped to one knee, his bearing utterly deferential. "May I ask where you intend to go, Young Lord? I shall prepare the Immortal Luan Carriage at once. I would be honored to lead a squad to accompany and protect you, lest anything disturb your august presence." His justification was so lofty and proper that it was difficult to refuse.
Yun Qing's heart stirred. Hooked. √ He looked toward Yun Huang, awaiting his decision.
Yun Huang's gaze rested on Yun Chi for a brief moment, offering no indication either way.
"Granted."
And so, the journey to the Clan School became an outing for three. Yun Huang walked unhurriedly at the front, with Yun Qing half a step behind him, his expression calm. Yun Chi followed farther back with a squad of elite Cloud Valor Guards, his divine sense secretly locked on Yun Qing, unwilling to miss the slightest flaw.
The Yun Clan's Clan School lay in a secluded valley among the mountains of the clan grounds, where spiritual veins converged. It was divided into four courts: Sun, Moon, Stars, and Constellations. Just as they reached the valley entrance, they heard clear voices reciting below and the pure ringing of swords-a scene brimming with vitality.
The party landed on the white jade immortal platform in the valley. The instant Yun Huang appeared, the entire Sunshine Court fell silent, as though enveloped by an invisible power of law.
Every young disciple, whether practicing techniques, sparring, or reciting ancient texts, froze in place. Their gazes converged as one upon that figure in black robes embroidered with gold. Shock, awe, fervor, disbelief... all those emotions flickered and intertwined.
Yun Huang, the young clan head! He had actually come to the Clan School in person?!
Thanks to Heartbroken Chagatai for the update-request talisman ×1.
Thanks to Timid in Boston for the love-powered gifts ×3.
Thank you, darlings! This is the first time in my life that I've received gifts from readers [sobbing.jpg]. I'm grabbing my keyboard and getting back to writing right now. There'll be another update tonight!! (The rest will go in the author's note.)
Before you continue