Chapter 21 - Gold-Tier Investment, Nine Tribulations Sword Master Su Yang!!

Chapter 21: Gold-Tier Investment, Nine Tribulations Sword Master Su Yang!!

“This little one is Su Yang, a descendant of the Fifth Young Master’s line…”

Su Chao put Su Yang down, gently patted his head, his expression tinged with gloom.

Then, he handed him over to Su Zhou.

Fifth Young Master—the youngest elder of the Su Family, Fifth Elder—was only about five years older than Su Zhou and the others. Before Su Zhou entered seclusion, he had the closest relationship with the three brothers.

He also belonged to the most sparsely populated branch of the Su Family, precisely because Fifth Elder’s line served as the Su Family’s execution and strike force.

They enforced law within the family and struck down enemies outside.

And everyone from that branch was a fierce character—always taking the lead in battle.

Fifth Young Master’s son had died in the family’s early internal strife, and Fifth Young Master himself was slaughtered by that mysterious great sect while Su Zhou was in seclusion.

Now, Su Yang had become the only survivor of that entire branch.

Su Zhou’s gaze toward Su Yang carried a trace of amusement, his long, narrow eyes like twin blazing suns illuminating everything.

Even the Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit inside Su Yang trembled faintly, giving him a sense of being utterly seen through.

He had been too hasty earlier.

Whether it was barging into the main hall or speaking of the Ma Family’s old ancestor, these were things no ordinary thirteen-year-old child could have known or done.

Su Yang’s mind worked at lightning speed, already preparing several explanations in his head.

But in the face of his family leader’s gaze—deeper than darkness—he knew that no excuse would do.

His lips parted and moved a few times, but all he felt was dryness in his throat. No words would come out.

While Su Yang was lost in anxious thoughts—

Su Zhou’s warm voice reached his ears.

“A child should act like a child. Always frowning—what kind of look is that?”

Su Zhou looked at Su Yang before him, the corners of his mouth curling into a gentle smile.

That smile was like a breeze, blowing away the deepest shadows in Su Yang’s heart.

At that moment, Su Yang recalled every tale and legend he had ever heard—of his family leader, across both lifetimes.

Domineering, fiercely protective, ruthless to outsiders, yet endlessly sheltering of his own.

At that moment, Su Yang even had the urge to pour out everything he had experienced to the man in front of him.

“Not bad. Thirteen years old and already at the Blood Tempering Realm. Kids your age are usually still playing around.”

“Truly a descendant of my Su Family—worthy of being called a Qilin child of the Su Family.”

Su Zhou spoke softly, as if he hadn’t noticed Su Yang’s strange behavior at all.

Just like an ordinary elder caring for a younger member of the family.

“Family Leader… actually, I…” Su Yang hesitated again and again, yet didn’t know how to begin.

How should I say it?

Should I talk about the total annihilation of the Su Family in my past life?

Should I confess that I have been reborn?

Or should I mention the tangled karma with that Supreme Royal Family?

Or that inside my body resided a divine weapon even the ancients coveted—

The Supreme Dao Weapon—Nine Tribulations Sword!!!

“Su Yang!”

“You are a child of the Su Family…”

“That fact will never change!”

Just as Su Yang was drowning in turmoil, Su Zhou’s voice struck like a ray of dawn tearing through the night.

Su Zhou looked at Su Yang, his ever-burning eyes seemingly containing the vast principles of heaven and earth.

Then, a jade box appeared in his hand.

“Fifth Elder’s branch has toiled hard and rendered great service to the Su Family.”

“Now that you’ve entered the Blood Tempering Realm, I’ll reward you with these two cultivation techniques—as recognition for your lineage in the Law Enforcement Division.”

“Train well, and remember—this world is vast, time is endless. Only strength is the foundation of all things!”

Su Zhou placed the jade box into Su Yang’s hands.

“Family Leader…” Holding the jade box, Su Yang felt his hands trembling slightly.

Because he knew that what lay within the box was no ordinary item.

Even the Nine Tribulations Sword inside him leapt excitedly because of it.

Su Yang even suspected that his family leader might already know everything about him.

And in truth, he wasn’t wrong.

Su Zhou gazed at Su Yang calmly.

Before his eyes, a panel of information appeared—something only he could see.

[Name: Su Yang]

[Realm: Blood Tempering, Level One]

[Destiny: Gold]

[Comprehension: Heaven’s Chosen]

[Constitution: Heaven’s Chosen]

[Innate Talent: Nine Tribulations Sword Heart Body]

[Nine Tribulations Sword Heart Body: A physique born under the influence of the Supreme Dao Weapon. Capable of fully mastering the Nine Tribulations Sword’s abilities. Its host is supremely gifted in the way of the sword.]

[Opportunity: A man reborn. Holds the spirit of the Nine Tribulations Sword. Master of the Nine Tribulations Sword!]

[Quality Tier: Mortal < Common < Superior < Genius < Heaven’s Chosen < Peerless < Monster < World-Shaking]

From the moment Su Zhou laid eyes on Su Yang, a family investment mission had been triggered.

But at that time, he hadn’t rushed to complete the task. Instead, he first prioritized killing the Ma Family’s old ancestor.

[Gold-Tier Family Member Investment Mission]

[Investing “Heaven and Earth Spring Concealment Art” yields reward: Top-Tier Heaven Rank Art — “Fiery Summer Dao of Heaven and Earth”!]

[Investing “Heaven and Earth Mourn in Autumn” yields reward: Top-Tier Heaven Rank Art — “Frozen Winter Technique of Heaven and Earth”!]

At this moment, both of these rewards had quietly entered Su Zhou’s system inventory.

“A textbook example of the ‘reborn protagonist with heavenly fate’ trope,” he mused as he reviewed Su Yang’s fortuitous background.

He paid no attention to Su Yang’s complicated expression, instead turning and walking toward the depths of the residence.

Only his warm yet distant voice drifted to Su Yang’s ears:

“No matter what you face in the future… what you endure…”

“No matter when, remember—your Su Family is behind you. I stand behind you.”

“Regard the suspicious stares of others as ghostly lanterns—walk your night road with courage!”

Hearing those words, Su Yang felt the softest part of his heart struck deeply.

In his past life, he had faced everything alone, not daring to show even a shred of weakness—because he knew, there was no one behind him.

But now, Su Zhou’s words had filled that final void in his heart.

“Su Yang… shall obey Family Leader’s teachings with all my heart!!” Su Yang bowed solemnly in the direction Su Zhou had left.

In his eyes, Su Zhou’s departing figure appeared ever more towering—behind his form, it was as if twin suns shone, radiating divine brilliance.

And for reasons he could not explain, a thought surfaced in Su Yang’s mind—one he found utterly absurd.

“Could our family leader be…”

“An ancient emperor of legend?!?!”³