Chapter 98

In terms of seniority, Yang Shu and Yang Linghu belonged to the same generation.

He’d been born later though – during the monster tide incident, he’d only been three years old when hidden in the cellar with other Yang Family children.

"Oh! Little brother’s here."

Yang Linghu stopped practicing techniques upon seeing Yang Shu.

Wu Tong sat nearby in a rattan chair, one hand resting on her swollen belly as she waved. "Our young Master comes! Sit here with us."

"Don’t tease me, sister-in-law. I can’t properly be called Master yet," Yang Shu replied with a headshake and smile.

He currently managed daily affairs for the Sanglu Valley branch family.

But all major decisions still required approval from Yang Lingqing at Song Mountain before implementation.

Yang Shu moved to sit beside Yang Linghu.

"Brother Linghu, it’s been four months now?"

"Ten more days will make five months," Yang Linghu answered, his gaze softening as he looked at Wu Tong.

Though their marriage had been arranged, harmony blossomed between them without a single quarrel.

Wu Tong’s resilient nature differed from delicate noblewomen. She pursued cultivation through sheer effort, never seeking shortcuts.

This impressed Yang Linghu deeply, having witnessed her endure the painful Force Technique training without complaint. During his own early Path of Cultivation, he’d cried out during critical moments – yet she bore everything silently.

Wu Tong equally admired Yang Linghu’s technical mastery. Their first meeting flowed effortlessly into easy conversation.

Under his guidance, she’d nearly reached the second level of Force Technique while still at cultivation’s first level.

Daily companionship forged bonds between teacher and friend. Family encouragement gradually nurtured mutual affection.

"Still… these pregnancy months must weary you, unable to move or train properly."

"Don’t say that, husband. Since our meeting, you’ve cared for me tirelessly. After marriage, the family built our home and hired formation masters for protective arrays." Wu Tong’s gentle voice held warmth. "You attend to my every need daily, even demonstrating techniques for me. Where’s the hardship?"

Yang Linghu clasped her hand, drawing her close with lingering guilt in his eyes.

Two years together showed him her unwavering dedication to the Path of Cultivation. Yet her poor natural talent meant mid-stage gathering energy would likely remain beyond reach, despite relentless effort.

Before their wedding, Yang Lingqing had sent a superior quality cleansing elixir through Zhao Qi.

Following the Solitary Moon Mountain affair, the dynasty’s commendation allowed Yang Lingqing to claim this prize from the Dynasty Treasury using merit points.

Though intended to improve Wu Tong’s constitution, she’d refused it.

Since beginning cultivation, Wu Tong had grown acutely aware of her innate limitations. Rejecting the elixir wasn’t impulse – she’d weighed the matter thoroughly before deciding.

With her current aptitude, even after using this elixir for improvement, her cultivation ceiling would only rise from early-stage Gathering Qi to mid-stage Gathering Qi.

At that time, the Yang Family already had four mid-stage cultivators, and both Yang Lingqing and Yang Linghu were expected to reach this stage within a few years.

If she took the elixir, reaching mid-stage Gathering Qi would still take decades of effort.

Even with future opportunities, achieving anything significant would require over a decade.

By then, adding another mid-stage cultivator wouldn’t meaningfully benefit the Yang Family—it would be like adding flowers to brocade, merely decorative.

What the Yang Family urgently needed were more top cultivators with potential to reach late-stage Gathering Qi, Perfected Gathering Qi, or even the Condensing Essence stage—those who could uphold the family’s prestige.

Considering the family’s overall interests, Wu Tong chose not to keep the cleansing elixir and instead gave it to Yang Shu.

His talent was second only to Yang Lingrui in the family. With this elixir, he could achieve Perfected Gathering Qi and approach the Condensing Essence stage.

Her decision surprised Yang Lingqing and Yang Linghu, while deeply touching Yang Shu.

From then on, he frequently visited them with gifts.

"I’m tired. Will you help me return to my room, Brother?"

"Of course."

Yang Linghu supported her and slowly escorted her to the back yard’s guestroom.

Returning to the front yard, he spotted Yang Shu secretly wiping tears.

He approached and patted Yang Shu’s shoulder: "Don’t grieve, little brother."

"Sigh… Sister-in-law has endured so much. She survived the monster tide with Father, faced countless cultivation hardships, yet gave up this elixir for the family’s sake."

Yang Linghu sat beside him: "The world’s full of hardships. Like our family allying with the Zhuhu Dynasty and He Family—we’re compelled by circumstances, not choice.

The Yang Family’s current standing came through great struggle. We all carry responsibilities.

Lingqing once said each generation has its duty. Our sacrifices will let future Yang descendants live easier lives."

Yang Shu composed himself: "I’ll remember your words, Brother."

"Enough solemn talk. You came regarding the dynasty’s movements?"

"Yes. The Master sent word."

Yang Shu handed over a letter marked with "Clear."

It detailed the dynasty’s new plans.

Since Solitary Moon Mountain’s entry ban, cautious sects had withdrawn.

The first round of probing ended—time for new maneuvers.

To lure sects into action, the Zhuhu Dynasty revealed twenty-four secret treasure sites:

Three near Wangyue region—Black Snake Secret Treasure (early-stage Gathering Qi), Mayfly Treasure Land (mid-stage), Lotus Pond Treasure Land (late-stage).

Per the imperial decree, the Yang Family would focus on Black Snake and Mayfly sites, seeking black snake’s blood scales and Mayfly Essence.

Participation in Lotus Pond was optional.

Treating this seriously, Yang Lingqing assigned teams:

Yang Lingrui, Xie Chuan, and Lv Lianshun to Mayfly Treasure Land.

Herself with Liang Yi and Zhao Qi to Black Snake Secret Treasure.

Yang Shu and Lv Fangxuan guarded Song Mountain. Yang Linghu stayed with Wu Tong. Old Yu secured Sanglu Valley.

With sites opening in forty days, the family would depart in thirty—leaving ten days for preparations.

After reading, Yang Linghu mused: "This is dynasty bait for sects. The sites will be dangerous. Mayfly’s secure with Lingrui, but Black Snake’s arrangements…"