C5 This Is What I Wrote

Yang Xuan stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. He steadied himself against the door frame, rising with a puzzled frown creasing his brow.

What had just happened?

Had he done something wrong?

And what was Yang Xiao implying? Wasn't his father the Eldest Uncle's Second Brother? Why was the Yang family telling everyone he was the second son of Yang Dingshan? It seemed he was the only one in the dark about this.

Confused, Yang Xuan considered asking Yang Xiao for clarification but hesitated, recalling his recent words. In the end, he decided against it and retreated to his room.

He was opting for avoidance.

It was the surest way to prevent further complications.

But it wasn't long before the crowd from the main hall followed him to his room.

Looking up, Yang Xuan had been gathering firewood to light a fire, his hands and face smeared with soot, resembling a cook more than anything else.

The sight prompted laughter from one of the onlookers.

Yu Xuezhong, wearing a sneer, stepped forward and wiped the grime from Yang Xuan's cheek. Yang Xiao seethed with anger.

Suddenly serious, Yu Xuezhong gestured for someone to bring a piece of calligraphy forward, placing it before Yang Xuan and inquiring, "Did you write this?"

Yang Xuan glanced at it and nodded.

"Are you certain?" Yu Xuezhong, holding the calligraphy, leaned in and scrutinized Yang Xuan. "If my memory serves me, prime minister Xu penned a notable declaration before his youthful talent assessment, but the original has been lost for ages. You claim you wrote this? Yet, why does it strike me as the genuine work of prime minister Xu?"

Yu Xuezhong's words sent a ripple of surprise through the crowd. Was this piece truly prime minister Xu's original work? It did possess an aura of sanctity. But how could such a treasure have fallen into the hands of a commoner?

Yang Xiao's brow furrowed in concern, sensing something amiss.

True to form, Yu Xuezhong's following remark was laced with derision, whether by design or not.

"This is clearly the work of prime minister Xu, and yet you brazenly assert it's your own creation, even going so far as to stamp your name on it. Can it be that the esteemed Second Young Master of the Yang family indulges in such juvenile and shameless antics? Or perhaps, the rumors are true, and you are indeed a fool?"

In the end, the search party from the City Lord's Mansion and the Immortal Cultivation Hall came up empty-handed in Yang Xuan's room. Of all the rooms in the Yang family's estate, his was by far the most austere—a solitary table, chair, bed, a water jar, and a stack of books. There was no conceivable hiding spot for a thief.

Yet, Yu Xuezhong's visit wasn't for naught.

Prime Minister Xu was revered throughout the Great Wei as a legendary figure. His works were exceedingly rare and valuable, fetching exorbitant prices, if they could be found at all. His pieces from before his ascension to Prime Minister were particularly coveted, believed to be beyond price. The Cang Lan Record, with its famed sixteen characters, was the most celebrated of these lost treasures. Sadly, it had vanished years ago, leaving the world bereft of its beauty.

Imagine Yu Xuezhong's shock when he discovered the long-lost Cang Lan Record within the residence of the Yang family's second son. The thrill of the find sent a jolt of excitement through him. But as he eagerly inspected the signature, his excitement turned to fury upon realizing it bore not Xu Ruxian's name, but Yang Xuan's.

As both an Immortal cultivator and a scholar, Yu Xuezhong held the scholarly temperament in the highest regard. He had a deep disdain for Yang Xiao, who, despite his high status, was known for his love of fame, fortune, and his ruthless nature. It was disheartening to find that Yang Xiao's Second Brother, untouched by worldly desires, seemed cut from the same cloth. Indeed, the apple did not fall far from the tree.

The thought of Prime Minister Xu's authentic work in the possession of such men was an affront to Yu Xuezhong. He instructed the accompanying scribe to secure the painting, declaring it a piece by Prime Minister Xu that should not be left to languish in obscurity. He resolved to take it to the City Lord's Mansion for the City Lord to adjudicate.

Yang Xiao, naturally, was not about to let this happen. The painting was, after all, an artifact of the Yang family. If it were to be presented to the City Lord's Mansion, it should be by his hand. How could Yu Xuezhong presume to intervene? With a swift motion, Yang Xiao reached out to reclaim the painting.

Yu Xuezhong seemed to have anticipated the confrontation. Stepping in front of Yang Xiao with a smile, he said, "I'm tasked with investigating this matter. I have the authority to seize any item from the Yang family as evidence and take it to the City Lord's Mansion for examination. Are you attempting to interfere? As a member of the Immortal Cultivation Hall, you should be well aware of the consequences."

Indeed, the City Lord's Mansion had such a mandate. Yet, as an Immortal cultivator, Yang Xiao understood the immense value of Prime Minister Xu's original work. Surrendering it to the City Lord could secure him a future of limitless potential. To Yang Xiao, it was more than just a painting; it was his destiny at stake.

Neither side was willing to back down, and the tension escalated.

In a sudden move, Yang Xiao sprang into action. With a swift step, he transformed into a blur, appearing behind Yu Xuezhong. Unfortunately, he was not yet stable when Yu Xuezhong spun around and delivered a heavy kick towards Yang Xuan's hand.

Yang Xiao evaded with agility. Once more, he employed his movement technique, darting behind the scribe at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. Yu Xuezhong was quick to follow. Just then, Yang Xiao unexpectedly halted and retreated a step, catching everyone off guard. He sidestepped Yu Xuezhong and seized the chance to grasp the painting.

Taken aback, Yu Xuezhong whirled around and lunged forward, snatching at the painting with lightning speed. As he pulled back, he realized Yang Xiao was holding on tight. He knew that if neither released their grip, Prime Minister Xu's original work would be ruined. Distracted, Yu Xuezhong was outmaneuvered as Yang Xiao yanked the painting away.

Both men stumbled backward. Yu Xuezhong was too late to release his hold and could only watch in horror as Prime Minister Xu's original work tore in two right before his eyes. He stared at the half-sheet in his hand, momentarily stunned.

Yang Xiao was equally taken aback. He had gambled on Yu Xuezhong letting go first, which emboldened him to apply force.

"Yang Xiao, this is Prime Minister Xu's genuine creation!" For the first time, Yu Xuezhong's face was devoid of its usual smile.

Yang Xiao let out a cold laugh. "This belongs to the Yang family. You can't just walk away with it."

"I'm going to report this to the City Lord!" Yu Xuezhong declared, shooting Yang Xiao a fierce glare before storming off.

Unperturbed, Yang Xiao sneered again and trailed after him, convinced of his own innocence.

Silence swiftly descended upon the room.