C4 Don't Embarrass the Yang Family!

If given the opportunity, his father would have initiated him into the world of cultivation many years ago. The talent test was merely a path to chase after fame and fortune, offering him the chance to be remembered by the elite. But it was never the sole route to enhancing one's abilities.

Take the true noble families, for instance—they likely viewed the so-called talent test with indifference. Their timely participation was often out of respect for the imperial court rather than genuine interest.

Now, Yang Xuan found himself without options.

No one to teach him cultivation.

No one to grant him access to the talent test, to receive instruction from the imperial court.

His only choice was to lead an ordinary life.

Such was the nature of fate. Yang Xiao had learned at a young age that his second uncle was a prodigy, the most gifted individual the Yang family had seen since settling in Fringe City over a century ago—surpassing even his own father.

But of what use was that now?

The son of a genius now whiled away his days in the Yang household. Second Uncle, do you witness this from the heavens? And if so, what are your thoughts?

Peering through the door's crack at the young man basking in the bliss of the courtyard, Yang Xiao departed, reassured.

His smile widened as he walked, eventually bursting into laughter.

Mid-meal, Yang Xuan set his chopsticks aside and glanced toward the door, wondering if another practitioner had succumbed to madness.

He shook his head and resumed eating.

...

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed.

During that time, Yang Qianxue paid a visit. She and her entourage had the house properly repaired for Yang Xuan, ensuring he wouldn't have to withstand the biting cold winds come winter as he had in the past.

Aside from that, his life continued as monotonous as ever, bland as a glass of plain water.

Yet, the next afternoon brought unexpected excitement to the Yang residence. Yang Xuan overheard the servants discussing a recent theft in Qingzhou City. A precious artifact had vanished from the City Lord's Mansion, and while the authorities had yet to apprehend the culprit, they had discovered the thief's tracks just outside the Yang family's walls.

At this moment, the Yang family estate was swarming with bailiffs dispatched by the authorities, many of whom were colleagues of Yang Xiao.

As a deacon at the Immortal Cultivation Hall in Qingzhou and a member of the Yang family, Yang Xiao took the matter to heart. Eager to clear his family's name, he instructed the Yangs to open their doors wide and cooperate with the government's investigation.

The gate to Yang Xuan's courtyard was rudely flung open by several servants. They relayed Yang Xiao's instructions for him to remain inside and not venture out.

Over the past 16 years, Yang Xuan had scarcely left his courtyard, rarely encountering an opportunity to open the doors as wide as they were now. Initially, his Eldest Uncle forbade him from leaving, but eventually, it was his own reluctance that kept him inside.

As someone so cut off from the world, Yang Xuan seldom encountered outsiders, let alone a crowd of them. Thus, when he saw a group of uniformly dressed individuals with imposing auras approaching his courtyard, he involuntarily stepped out to the threshold, watching them intently.

...

The City Lord's Mansion's men were efficient and forceful, scouring the entire Yang estate without finding any sign of the thief.

"How could the Yang family be implicated with a thief? Surely, the culprit saw the imposing walls and sought refuge here. Now that you've come to search, he's undoubtedly been frightened off," Yang Xiao reasoned as he led the group.

Walking beside him was a young man of similar age, dressed identically to Yang Xiao.

Upon hearing Yang Xiao's comment, the young man chuckled and gestured towards the rear courtyards of the Yang estate. "No need to rush. Let's check over there first," he suggested.

Yang Xiao's face soured at the remark.

The young man was Yu Xuezhong, a fellow deacon at the Immortal Cultivation Hall tasked with investigating the theft. He and Yang Xiao often clashed on matters within the Hall, souring their relationship. Rumors had been circulating that Yu Xuezhong had caught the eye of the City Lord's deputy governor's daughter, positioning him for a potential promotion. Over time, he began to regard Yang Xiao with increasing disdain.

The thief's tracks were spotted around the Yang family's property, and Yu Xuezhong was sure to seize the chance to clamp down on them.

Yang Xiao trailed him, heading straight for the open courtyard.

A young man stood at the entrance, his hand resting on the door as he peered out. His gaze, landing on them from a distance, was a tapestry of emotions—envy, yearning, desire, and admiration.

Upon spotting Yang Xiao, the youth averted his eyes and bowed respectfully, addressing him as "brother."

What was he doing at the door? Wasn't he ashamed enough?

Yang Xiao remained silent, his face souring by the second. It was only when he caught Yu Xuezhong's mocking smile directed at the young man that his expression turned to stone.

"To think I'd encounter the legendary second son of the Yang family here. What fortune," Yu Xuezhong said with a sly chuckle, pausing to turn towards Yang Xiao. "But Mr. Yang, that wasn't very courteous of you. He greeted you with such respect, and yet you ignored him. Are you perhaps afraid of others discovering you have a blood brother like him?"

Yang Xuan's notoriety had spread throughout Qingzhou City a decade prior. It was common knowledge that the Yang family harbored a second son with limited intellect, confined to the back courtyard by Yang Dingshan, never once stepping foot outside their home for many years.

Rumor had it that this second son was reticent by nature. Though a true son of Yang Dingshan, he paled in comparison to Yang Xiao.

Many speculated that this so-called second son was not actually Yang Dingshan's flesh and blood. He might well be the progeny of a certain dazzling genius from Qingzhou City over a decade ago, which would account for the stark contrast in the paths of two similarly aged children.

But such conjecture remained unconfirmed, with the Yang family tight-lipped on the matter. Over time, the public's curiosity dwindled.

Hearing Yu Xuezhong's taunt, Yang Xiao's response was a frosty smile. "My acknowledgment of him is none of your concern. You're here on behalf of the City Lord's Mansion to conduct an investigation—stick to that. The Yang family's affairs are not for outsiders to meddle with!"

Yu Xuezhong didn't show any irritation amidst the snow; he simply smiled, nodded, and kept his silence. As he passed by Yang Xuan, he gave a brief once-over to the silent, plainly-dressed young man who dared not lift his head, then shook his head and proceeded inside.

Lingering at the rear, Yang Xiao turned to address Yang Xuan, "The Yang family has publicly declared you to be my blood brother. I'm not privy to their reasons, but since the family has extended you this courtesy, you ought to uphold the family's dignity. I expect the earlier incident not to be repeated." With that, Yang Xiao made his way inside.