Several days had passed since the spirit-testing ceremony. Yun Qing seldom ventured out, spending most of his time in Heaven-Supporting Hall consolidating his cultivation. Occasionally, Yun Shuo would come running over, eager to cling to him, and when Yun Qing was in a decent mood, he would offer his little brother a few pointers.
At dawn, spear shadows surged like wind and thunder across the Martial Arena behind Heaven-Supporting Hall.
Yun Qing wore fitted black-and-white training robes cinched tightly at the waist. In his hands, the spear struck like thunder breaking through battle lines, unleashing tremendous force. As his sleeves fluttered, densely packed spear marks scored the metallic stone beneath his feet. His wrist traced a sharp arc, sending the shaft sliding along his back. A ring of air blasted outward before he spun and drew the spear to a halt, its tip angled toward the ground.
"Big brother, you're amazing!" Yun Shuo watched from the edge of the training ground without blinking, his little face flushed with excitement and his eyes brimming with admiration.
A gentle smile curved Yun Qing's lips. He was just about to offer his youngest brother a few pointers-
Boom!
A vast, icy, terrifying pressure descended without warning!
The air over the Martial Arena instantly froze. Swirling dust hung eerily suspended in midair. Light warped, and a moon-white figure formed from pure divine power appeared silently at the edge of the grounds.
The newcomer's face was identical to Yun Huang's, but his pale golden eyes held an almost merciless chill, colder even than the original's. This was an avatar.
He glanced at Yun Shuo first. The moment his gaze fell upon him, Yun Shuo felt as though some terrifying being had fixed its eyes on him. His entire body stiffened, and even his breathing fell into disarray. Only then did that gaze settle on Yun Qing.
"Y-young lord!" Yun Shuo's knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground with a thud, his voice trembling beyond recognition.
Yun Huang ignored him. His voice was measured, yet carried the authority of a heavenly decree, each word striking at their heartstrings. "All children of our Yun Clan draw upon the Crimson Dawn to refine True Qi each morning and contemplate the Mystic Scripture beneath the paths of the stars each evening. Morning lessons are the bedrock of Foundation Establishment. Who gave you the nerve to idle here in frivolous play?"
As he spoke, his gaze rested on Yun Shuo, but the invisible pressure surged toward Yun Qing like a tide. Calling Yun Shuo to account was merely a pretext; putting Yun Qing in his place was his true purpose.
Yun Qing saw it as clearly as a reflection in a mirror. Why would someone as exalted as the young lord personally concern himself with whether a concubine-born son had skipped his lessons? He was plainly using the matter as an excuse.
Without betraying anything, he stepped forward and shielded the shivering Yun Shuo behind him, cutting off the suffocating pressure. Then he bowed in greeting, his bearing beyond reproach.
"Yun Qing greets the young lord." His voice was steady, without a ripple. "I failed in my duty to supervise him and did not urge my seventh brother to attend his morning lessons in time, allowing him to neglect his cultivation. All fault lies with me."
He took all responsibility upon himself. Without offering excuses or pleading for mercy, he simply "confessed."
The faintest trace of surprise flashed through Yun Huang's eyes, then gave way to deeper amusement. No resistance, no quibbling-he had even willingly handed over a hold on himself? Was this "obedience" genuine submission, or forbearance, retreating in order to advance?
A cold smile curved his lips, and the surrounding air grew colder still. "You did fail in your duty. Under clan law, this offense warrants ten strokes of the Discipline Whip and the forfeiture of three months' cultivation resources."
Yun Huang's hawklike gaze remained locked on Yun Qing, missing not the slightest change in his expression.
The Discipline Whip!
Even the servants in the distance, who had not dared look too closely, paled inwardly. The Discipline Whip used to punish the Yun Clan's children was forged from the main stem of heart-cleansing vine mixed with gang-piercing gold, specifically to break through protective spiritual power. A single stroke not only tore skin and flesh and damaged the meridians, but also left Heart-Questioning Power clinging to the welt, endlessly tormenting the victim's mind.
After ten strokes, even an ordinary cultivator might not hold out, let alone a child like Yun Shuo. The punishment was vicious indeed.
Kneeling on the ground, Yun Shuo had lost every trace of color in his little face. His body shook like a fallen leaf in the wind, yet he dared not make a sound.
Yun Qing lowered his eyes, concealing the cold, fierce glint that flashed deep within his double pupils before it gave way to understanding. His tone was gentle and composed. "The young lord speaks truly. Clan law cannot be set aside. As his elder brother, I failed in my duty to supervise him, allowing my seventh brother to commit this grave mistake. I am willing to take those ten strokes in his place."
He actually intended to endure the ten strokes of the Discipline Whip that could have crippled Yun Shuo.
Yun Huang stared at him for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. In the frozen air, that laughter sounded especially chilling. "How very... devoted you brothers are. And how willing you are to shoulder the burden."
His tone abruptly shifted, taking on the cruelty of a cat toying with a mouse. "Very well. Since this is your first offense, and you have willingly confessed, I shall allow you some dignity."
"The Discipline Whip may be waived."
Yun Shuo's head snapped up, hope flaring in his eyes as though he had escaped certain disaster.
"However, once rules are established, a warning must still be given. Since you wish to be a good elder brother..." Yun Huang paused meaningfully, as though savoring the fate about to befall Yun Qing. "Then, beginning tomorrow, you shall spend one month at Perching Phoenix Hall, attending me and awaiting my commands."
"Within Perching Phoenix Hall, every word and deed is governed by rules. Should you make even the slightest misstep during that time, great or small..." His voice suddenly dropped. "You will be punished for both offenses, without the slightest leniency!"
Attend him at Perching Phoenix Hall?!
Yun Qing's heart tightened, but his expression remained unruffled. He bowed deeply, his movements even steadier and more respectful than before.
"Yes. I accept your command. Thank you for your mercy, young lord."
Such composure, such serenity-it made Yun Huang feel as though his entire performance had been for nothing.
He gave Yun Qing one last, searching look, then said no more. With a gentle sweep of his moon-white sleeve, his figure dissolved into the air like shattered light. The terrifying pressure enveloping the grounds receded with him like a tide, as though it had never appeared.
Yun Shuo slumped to the ground as though all his strength had been drained away, leaving only boundless lingering fear.
"Big brother... I-I'm sorry... It's all my fault you got dragged into this..." His hoarse voice was thick with tears, guilt, and fear.
Yun Qing reached out and helped him up from the cold ground, gently brushing the dust from his robes. His hands were steady and warm, carrying a reassuring strength.
"It's all right." Yun Qing's voice regained its usual gentleness, though a careful listener might discern an almost imperceptible gravity beneath it. "Just remember this lesson. From now on, make sure you cultivate diligently. Strength is the foundation on which we stand."
He watched Yun Shuo nod vigorously, only half understanding, but his gaze had already passed over his little brother's head toward the palace complex of Perching Phoenix Hall, shrouded in endless radiance and mist.
That was Yun Huang's residence, and the heart of the Yun Clan's power.
The bait had dropped, and he had taken the hook. Whether this game would ultimately leave him with a heaven-flooding windfall of opportunity or a calamity that drew fire upon himself would depend on tomorrow.
Ah, sometimes I really wish I could just be an idle fish living in luxury. Unfortunately, this life is destined to be one of toil...
Before you continue