C20 The Longevity Sword

Yang Dingshan remained silent in his seat for a long while, his gaze resting on Yang Xuan, who stood by his side. Time and again, he found himself on the verge of speaking, yet the right words eluded him.

"I carry a deep sense of guilt towards your father and you. I never imagined that Yang Xiao would harbor such resentment towards me," Yang Dingshan confessed, his eyes meeting the clear gaze of Yang Xuan, amplifying his remorse. After a moment's reflection, he offered an explanation, "Yang Xiao is my only son. His mother passed away when he was very young, and I was often absent from his life. Servants and guards were his only companions over the years, which led to his haughty demeanor. I truly owe him a great deal. I stripped him of his title as the young clan leader in the hopes of reshaping his character while he's still young. So, Xuan, don't overthink it."

Sensing the disappointment and guilt in Yang Dingshan's voice, Yang Xuan responded earnestly, "Eldest Uncle, you've honored my father's trust in you. I've felt your care and concern. I once believed you disliked me, even hated me, thinking perhaps my parents had wronged the family, which is why you avoided speaking of them. I never realized the complexity of the situation, nor how much you've considered my father and me. You've been so dedicated; you haven't failed my father's expectations."

Yang Xuan added, "My brother's misunderstandings stem from our lack of interaction; he doesn't really know me. Given the opportunity, I intend to clear things up with him." At this juncture, Yang Xuan couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for Yang Xiao. Regardless of a child's faults or the gravity of their mistakes, a father first blames himself, believing he failed to raise the child properly, absolving the child of blame. Even someone as logical and stoic as Eldest Uncle couldn't escape such thoughts.

Yang Dingshan nodded, shifting the conversation. "Xuan, after our discussion about your father this morning, I remembered he left a sword for you when he entrusted you to my care. Come with me to my room; I will formally present the sword to you today."

"The sword my father left behind?"

Upon hearing Yang Dingshan's words, a shiver ran through Yang Xuan. "My father left a sword for me?" he pondered.

Yang Dingshan led Yang Xuan to his room and retrieved a three-foot-long box from beneath the bed.

Opening the box, Yang Dingshan reached in and caressed the icy blade, then turned to Yang Xuan and said, "I always imagined this sword would remain hidden in this box until my dying day. I never expected that at the age of sixteen, it would be brought out once more."

"Your father was a man who cherished his swordsmanship all his life. Yet, the sword he wielded at twenty wasn't this one. I have no idea where he found this blade, but it was the sole legacy he left you when he departed. He must have held this sword in high esteem." As Yang Dingshan spoke of Yang Wuqi, his voice caught with emotion.

After a brief pause, Yang Dingshan lifted the sword from the box and extended it toward Yang Xuan.

With trembling hands, Yang Xuan accepted the sword. "Could this really be the sword my father left for me?" he wondered silently. He ran his fingers over every inch of the sword, feeling its presence as a comforting reminder of his father.

Yang Xuan unsheathed the sword and examined it closely.

The sword, approximately two feet and six inches in length, was forged from black iron. It was both light and slender, its surface etched with mysterious, diamond-shaped patterns. Unlike other swords, its blade was not straight; the spine was sharply defined, and the sword's width peaked about half a foot from the hilt before curving inward. Near the tip, the blade bulged once more before tapering to a fine point. The entire sword glowed with a cyan hue, signaling its exceptional sharpness.

Noticing what appeared to be inscriptions on the hilt, Yang Xuan moved closer to the candlelight for a better look. There, he saw two characters: "Longevity." He wondered, "Were these words etched by my father, or by a previous owner of the sword?"

Yang Xuan didn't overthink it; he was unsure what to name the sword. Noticing the inscription 'long life' on the blade, he decided to call it the Longevity Sword.

"The Longevity Sword is Yang Xuan's first weapon. Remarkably, he shares his father's preference for swords. Could this be the subtle bond between father and son?" pondered Yang Dingshan.

Watching Yang Xuan joyfully stroke each part of the sword, Yang Dingshan's heart swelled with happiness. Another thought crossed his mind. "Second Brother, I'm entrusting your sword to Yang Xuan today. I hope it guards him well and that, alongside your sword, Yang Xuan will carve out a legacy in the Great Wei as you once did."

"Yang Xuan, I forbade you from pursuing cultivation before because I wished for you to live safely, like any ordinary person, through these decades. Now that you've embarked on the path of cultivation through your own efforts, let's discuss the matter further. Presently, Qingzhou City is home to three top-tier families: the Bai family, the Lau family, and our Yang family. Every December, these families convene for a martial competition.

"In the Great Wei, strength commands the highest respect. Lesser families and factions naturally gravitate towards the powerful. Thus, the Yang family selects its strongest members under eighteen to compete each September, aiming for the top five spots."

"The elite five earn access to the Martial Hall's sacred ground, where they can seek and train in the profound cultivation techniques bequeathed by our ancestors. I expect you to claim the title of champion in the martial arts contest. If you lack even this capability, what means will you have to exact revenge?"

As he spoke, Yang Dingshan scrutinized Yang Xuan's reactions.

He had two motives for urging Yang Xuan to enter the tri-family tournament.

Firstly, Yang Xuan's participation could ignite the drive within the younger generation. The Yang family's current predicament in Qingzhou City was dire; a loss now could spell their decline, an outcome Yang Dingshan refused to accept.

The second reason was that the enemy of his Second Brother wielded overwhelming power, rendering the Yang family insignificant in comparison. If Yang Xuan couldn't make a significant impact in Qingzhou City, Dingshan would quash his thirst for vengeance. He could not, in good conscience, send Yang Xuan to his death.

"Eldest Uncle, I will definitely take first place," Yang Xuan declared, his hands clenched firmly.

There was no way he could let this chance slip by. Fearless of any consequences, he knew Eldest Uncle was his sole link to uncovering his enemy's identity. Missing this chance meant he might never learn his foe's name from Eldest Uncle, and without that, his hopes of finding his father would be dashed.

"I've told the entire clan today that you're permitted to study the immortal arts. Don't be hasty in seeking quick results; you need to lay a solid foundation step by step. The Martial Hall is an excellent place for honing your combat skills, which you're currently lacking. Spend time there, observe, and learn. If you have any doubts about your training, feel free to ask me or your aunt. For the safety of our people, I've kept your father's situation from her, and I trust you to do the same," Yang Dingshan advised Yang Xuan.

"Eldest Uncle, I went to the Martial Hall today hoping to deepen my understanding of cultivation, only to realize the formidable nature of each martial skill. I'm short on both skills and experience. But rest assured, from this day forward, I'll dedicate myself to training and live up to your expectations," Yang Xuan pledged with resolve, his thoughts turning to his aunt, who had always supported him quietly. "Aunt has been so kind to me. I hate to keep secrets from her, but I can't risk her safety. I'll keep silent about my father's affairs."

Yang Dingshan nodded, his expression one of contentment. He gestured dismissively, "Alright, off you go."

With a nod, Yang Xuan bid farewell to Yang Dingshan and departed.

Back from his uncle's, Yang Xuan lay on his bed, his spirit buzzing with excitement. His life now seemed propelled by a newfound drive.

Armed with some knowledge of his parents, albeit incomplete, he knew that fulfilling Eldest Uncle's request would unlock the remaining secrets. The possibility of cultivating and mastering various martial arts was something he hadn't dared to dream of in sixteen years.

As Yang Xuan caressed the Longevity Sword lying beside him, he was lost in contemplation.

The Longevity Sword by his side was the sole legacy of his father. Grasping it in his hand, he felt a profound sense of security.

He was determined to take part in everything, from the family election to the grand contest among the three major families.