Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Supreme Courage Part Eleven

Yunmeng, famous for its numerous lakes, was home to the region's largest prestigious clan, the Yunmeng Jiang family, who had built their grand residence, Lotus Pier, by the lake.

Setting out from the pier of Lotus Pier and rowing with the current would soon bring you to a vast lotus pond called Lotus Lake, which spanned hundreds of miles. The broad green leaves and graceful pink lotus flowers were packed closely together. As the lake breeze blew, the flowers and leaves swayed, as if nodding frequently. Amidst the fresh beauty, there was also a touch of endearing innocence.

Unlike other prestigious clan residences that were often secluded, Lotus Pier remained connected to everyday life. Its large gates were not tightly closed, nor were ordinary people forbidden from approaching within a few miles. Vendors frequently gathered at the spacious pier, selling lotus seeds, water chestnuts, and assorted pastries, giving the area a bustling atmosphere. Children from nearby families could also sneak into the training grounds of Lotus Pier to watch sword practice, and even if they were caught, they wouldn’t be scolded. Occasionally, they could even play with the Jiang family disciples.

When Wei Wuxian was young, he often flew kites by the shores of Lotus Lake.

Jiang Cheng kept a close eye on his own kite, occasionally glancing at Wei Wuxian's. Wei Wuxian’s kite was already soaring high, yet he showed no sign of drawing his bow. His right hand was placed above his brow, and he looked up and laughed, as if feeling that it still wasn’t high enough.

As the kite flew just out of his confident range, Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, nocked an arrow, and drew back the string. The white-feathered arrow shot out, piercing the eye of the kite painted like a one-eyed monster, causing it to fall. Jiang Cheng’s brow relaxed as he said, "Hit!"

Immediately after, he said, "Yours flew so far, can you still shoot it?"

Wei Wuxian said, "You guess?"

Only then did he draw an arrow and aim carefully. The bowstring was pulled fully, and with a snap, he let go.

Hit!

Jiang Cheng’s brows furrowed again, and he snorted through his nose. The group of young disciples put away their bows and ran to retrieve the kites, ranking their results. The kite that landed closest was deemed the worst, and the sixth junior disciple consistently came in last. Wei Wuxian’s kite landed the farthest, followed closely by Jiang Cheng’s kite in second place, and both were too lazy to pick them up. The group of young disciples dashed into the nine-curved lotus corridor built on the water, playing on the rooftops, when suddenly two slender young women appeared.

Both were dressed as armed attendants, wearing short swords. The taller of the two held a kite and an arrow, blocking their path, and said coldly, "Whose is this?"

The young disciples, seeing the two women, felt something was amiss. Wei Wuxian rubbed his chin, stepped forward, and said, "Mine."

The other attendant humphed, "You’re quite honest."

The two women parted to the sides, and from behind them emerged a purple-clad woman with a sword.

This woman had fair, smooth skin and striking features, with sharp, beautiful eyes that carried a fierce intent. Her lips were slightly curved, giving her a natural look of sarcasm, much like Jiang Cheng. Her slender waist was adorned with flowing purple clothes, and both her face and the right hand resting on the sword hilt were as cold as ice. On the index finger of her right hand was a ring adorned with a purple crystal.

When Jiang Cheng saw her, he smiled and called, "Mother."

The other disciples respectfully said, "Madam Yu."

Madam Yu was Jiang Cheng’s mother, Yu Ziyuan. Of course, she was also Jiang Fengmian’s wife, and had once been his fellow cultivator. Logically, she should have been called Madam Jiang, but for some reason, everyone always called her Madam Yu. Some speculated that it was because Madam Yu was strong-willed and disliked taking her husband’s surname. The couple had no objections to this.

Madam Yu hailed from the esteemed Meishan Yu family, the third daughter, also known as Yu San Niang. In the cultivation world, she had the title "Purple Spider," a name that could scare a group of people. In her youth, she was cold and aloof, avoiding social interactions. Even after marrying Jiang Fengmian, she preferred spending her time on night hunts rather than staying at Lotus Pier. Moreover, her residence in Lotus Pier was separate from Jiang Fengmian’s, and only she and a group of family members she brought from the Yu family lived there. Jin Zhu and Yin Zhu, her trusted attendants, were always close at hand.

Madam Yu shot a glance at Jiang Cheng and ordered, "Still playing around? Come here and let me take a look."

Jiang Cheng moved next to her, and Madam Yu’s slender five fingers pinched his arm, giving his shoulder a pat as she lectured, "Your cultivation shows no improvement. At nearly seventeen, you still behave like a naive child, always fooling around with others. Are you the same as them? Who knows where they’ll end up in the future, but you are destined to be the head of the Jiang family!"

Jiang Cheng swayed under her pat and lowered his head, not daring to argue. Wei Wuxian knew that, needless to say, this was another veiled scolding aimed at him. A junior disciple next to him quietly stuck out his tongue, and Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows at him. Madam Yu said, "Wei Ying, what kind of mischief are you up to again?"

Wei Wuxian, accustomed to this, stepped forward, and Madam Yu snapped, "You’re always like this! If you don’t strive for progress, don’t drag Jiang Cheng down with you."

Wei Wuxian said in surprise, "I’m not striving for progress? Isn’t it me who’s the most ambitious in Lotus Pier?"

The impatience of youth led him to argue back. At these words, a fierce look appeared in Madam Yu’s brow, and Jiang Cheng hurriedly said, "Wei Wuxian, shut up!"

He turned to Madam Yu and said, "It’s not that we want to stay in Lotus Pier and fly kites; it’s because no one can go out right now. The Wen family has marked all the night hunting areas as their territory. Even if I wanted to go night hunting, there’s nowhere to start. Staying home and avoiding trouble, not clashing with the Wen family over prey—weren’t those your and Father’s instructions?"

Madam Yu said coldly, "This time, whether you want to go out or not, you’ll have to."

Jiang Cheng was puzzled, but Madam Yu no longer paid them any attention and walked through the corridor with her head held high. The two attendants behind her glared fiercely at Wei Wuxian and followed their mistress.

In the evening, they learned what was meant by "even if you don’t want to go, you’ll still have to."

It turned out that the Wen family of Qishan had sent an envoy to deliver the message. Using the excuse that other noble families were neglecting their duties and wasting talent, the Wen family demanded that each family send at least twenty young nobles to Qishan within three days to receive "proper instruction" from their designated teachers.

Jiang Cheng exclaimed in astonishment, "Can the Wen family really say something like this? How shameless!"

Wei Wuxian said, "They act like they're the sun in the sky, the leaders of all clans. The Wen family has no shame; it's not the first time. With their vast influence and power, they've been preventing other families from night hunting since last year, seizing countless prey and territories."

Jiang Fengmian, seated at the head of the table, said, "Watch your words. Continue eating."

The large hall held only five people, each with a small square table in front of them, on which were a few dishes of food. Wei Wuxian was about to take another bite when someone tugged at his sleeve. He turned his head to see Jiang Yanli passing him a small dish with several peeled lotus seeds, plump and fresh, full of sweetness.

Wei Wuxian whispered, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Jiang Yanli smiled slightly, her rather plain face suddenly gaining a touch of liveliness. Yu Zǐyīn coldly said, "What’s the point of eating? We might not even get food there! Might as well start fasting now to get used to it!"

The demand from the Wen family of Qishan was something they couldn't refuse. Countless examples show that any family that defies their orders will be labeled with ridiculous charges like "rebelling against the divine clans" or "being a menace to all clans," and then publicly and justifiably wiped out.

Jiang Fengmian said calmly, "Why are you so worked up? No matter what happens in the future, today's meal still needs to be eaten."

Unable to hold back any longer, Yu Zǐyīn slammed her hand on the table and said, "Of course, I'm anxious! How can you remain so calm? Didn't you hear what the Wen family's envoy said? Even a mere household servant dared to be arrogant in front of me! Of the twenty young nobles we send, there must be a direct family member. Do you understand what that means? At least one of Ah Cheng or Ah Li must go! What for? Education? Since when does the Wen family have the right to interfere in how other families educate their children?! This is sending them as hostages, to be controlled and held by the Wen family!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Mother, don't be angry. I'll go."

Yu Zǐyīn scolded, "Of course, you'll go! Do you think I'd let your sister go? Look at her, happily peeling lotus seeds. Ah Li, stop peeling. Who are you peeling them for? You're the host, not someone's household servant!"

Hearing the word "household servant," Wei Wuxian didn't mind and quickly ate all the lotus seeds in the dish, savoring the cool, sweet flavor. Jiang Fengmian slightly raised his head and said, "Third Miss."

Yu Zǐyīn said, "Did I say something wrong? Household servant? Don't like hearing that word? Jiang Fengmian, I'm asking you, do you intend to let him go this time?"

Jiang Fengmian said, "It's up to him. If he wants to go, he can go."

Wei Wuxian raised his hand and said, "I want to go."

Yu Zǐyīn sneered, "How nice. If you want to go, you can. If you don't want to go, you definitely won't have to. Why must Ah Cheng go? Raising someone else's son like this, Jiang Zongshou, you're really such a great man!"

Filled with resentment, she wanted to vent her frustration, with no logic to her words. The rest remained silent, letting her vent. Jiang Fengmian said, "Third Miss, you're tired. Go rest." Jiang Cheng, sitting there, looked up at her and also said, "Mother." Yu Zǐyīn stood up and mocked, "What do you want from me? To tell me to speak less, like your father? You're a fool. I've told you before, you'll never be able to surpass the person sitting next to you in this lifetime. You can't beat him in cultivation, night hunting, or even flying a kite! There's no way. Your mother is not as good as his mother. If you can’t surpass him, you just can’t. I'm upset for you, and I've told you many times not to hang out with him, yet you still defend him. How did I give birth to a son like you?"

She walked out, leaving Jiang Cheng sitting there, his face turning pale and green. Jiang Yanli quietly placed a dish of peeled lotus seeds next to his dining table.

After sitting for a while, Jiang Fengmian said, "Tonight, I will confirm eighteen more people, and you will depart tomorrow."

Jiang Cheng nodded, unsure of what else to say. He never knew how to communicate with his father, but Wei Wuxian was adept at it. After finishing his soup, Wei Wuxian said, "Uncle Jiang, is there anything you need to give us?"

Jiang Fengmian smiled slightly and said, "Everything that needed to be given has already been given. The sword is at your side, and the lessons are in your heart."

Wei Wuxian said, "Oh! 'Doing the impossible,' right?"

Jiang Cheng immediately warned, "That doesn't mean causing trouble on purpose!"

The atmosphere at the table finally lightened.

The next day, before leaving, after going over the necessary matters, Jiang Fengmian added only one more sentence, "The young nobles of the Yunmeng Jiang family aren’t so fragile that they can’t handle a little external storm."

Jiang Yanli saw them off again and again, stuffing various dried foods into their arms, afraid they would go hungry in Qishan. Twenty young nobles, burdened with heavy supplies, departed from Lotus Pier and arrived at the designated education office location in Qishan before the deadline set by the Wen family.

Many young nobles from various families had arrived in dribs and drabs, mostly of the younger generation. Among the hundreds, many were acquaintances or familiar faces, either in small groups of three or five or larger groups of seven or eight, whispering to each other. Their expressions weren't great, as they had all been gathered in a rather unpleasant manner. After scanning the area, Wei Wuxian said, "The Gusu Lan Family has indeed sent people."

For some reason, the young men sent by the Gusu Lan Family looked unusually worn out. Lan Wangji's face was especially pale, but he still wore that icy, distant expression, standing alone with the Bichen sword on his back, surrounded by a chilly silence. Wei Wuxian had wanted to greet him but Jiang Cheng warned him, "Don't cause trouble!" so he had no choice but to let it go.

Suddenly, someone ahead barked orders, commanding all the young nobles to assemble in formation before a high platform. Several disciples of the Wen family approached and shouted, "Silence! No talking!"

The person on the platform was not much older than them, appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen. He was handsome but carried an air of arrogance with an inexplicably greasy quality about him, much like his hair. This was Wen Chao, the youngest son of the Wen family head from Qishan.

Wen Chao enjoyed showing off in public and making a spectacle of himself, so his appearance was familiar to the crowd. Standing on either side of him were two attendants. On the left was a striking, willowy girl with delicate features, large almond-shaped eyes, and fiery red lips. The only flaw was a black mole above her upper lip, positioned most unfortunately, making one want to peel it off. On the right stood a man in his late twenties or early thirties, tall and broad-shouldered, with an indifferent expression and a cold, stern demeanor.

Standing on the elevated ground, Wen Chao surveyed the crowd, looking quite pleased with himself. He waved his hand and said, "Now, turn in your swords one by one!"

The crowd stirred. Someone protested, "A cultivator's sword is always by their side. Why must we hand over our divine weapons?"

Wen Chao demanded, "Who just spoke? Who is it? Step forward!"

The person who had spoken dared not say anything further. The crowd fell silent again, and Wen Chao was satisfied. He said, "It's because there are still young nobles like you who are ignorant of etiquette, obedience, and hierarchy, rotten to the core, that I have decided to teach you a lesson. If you are this foolishly fearless now, if I don't correct your ways early on, in the future, there will be those who dare to challenge the authority of the Wen family and rise above us!"

Although it was clear that his demand for their swords was malicious, the Wen family of Qishan was at the height of its power, and the other families were walking on thin ice, not daring to resist for fear of offending them and bringing down some charge that could implicate the entire clan. They had no choice but to swallow their anger.

Jiang Cheng held Wei Wuxian back, who whispered, "Why are you holding me?"

Jiang Cheng snorted, "In case you cause trouble."

Wei Wuxian said, "You're overthinking. Even though this guy is so oily he makes me sick, if I were to beat him up, I wouldn't choose a time that would cause trouble for our family. Don't worry."

Jiang Cheng said, "You're not planning to ambush him again, are you? It probably won't work. Did you see the man next to Wen Chao?"

Wei Wuxian said, "I saw him. His cultivation is high, but his appearance isn't well-maintained. Looks like he matured late."

Jiang Cheng said, "That person is Wen Zhuliu. He's known as the 'Dan-nullifying Hand.' He's Wen Chao's personal guard. Don't provoke him."

Wei Wuxian said, "The 'Dan-nullifying Hand?'"

Jiang Cheng said, "Yes. His palms are terrifying, and he's been aiding the Wens in their tyranny..."

The two continued to speak quietly while looking ahead, but as a Wen family servant approached to collect their swords, they fell silent. Wei Wuxian casually handed over his sword and couldn't help glancing toward the Gusu Lan Family. He had thought that Lan Wangji would refuse to surrender his sword, but although his expression was cold and frightening, he still handed it over.

Lady Yu's sarcasm had unfortunately come to pass. During their "instruction" at Qishan, they were given only watery gruel to eat each day. The food that Jiang Yanli had packed for them had long been confiscated, and none of these young nobles had reached the level of endurance for fasting, making it quite a trial.

The so-called "teaching" by the Wen family of Qishan involved distributing the 'Wen Family Essence Compilation,' which detailed the glorious deeds and sayings of past family heads and notable figures. Each person was given a copy and required to study and memorize it, keeping it in their hearts at all times. Wen Chao would stand high above everyone each day and deliver a speech, demanding that they hail him as a model and follow his example. During night hunts, he'd force the young nobles to scout ahead, drawing the attention of demons and monsters. Then he'd swoop in at the last second to claim all the glory. If someone particularly displeased him, he would single them out and publicly berate them, reducing them to nothing.

During the Hundred Families Summit of the previous year, on the day of the archery competition, Wen Chao entered the field with Wei Wuxian and the others, fully expecting to win first place, believing that everyone would naturally defer to him. However, out of his first three arrows, one hit the target, one missed, and one struck a straw dummy. By rights, he should have stepped down, but he refused to leave, and no one had the heart to tell him to. In the end, the top four results belonged to Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen, Jin Zixuan, and Lan Wangji. If Lan Wangji hadn’t left early, his score could have been even higher. Wen Chao felt greatly humiliated and consequently developed a particular hatred for these four. Since Lan Xichen couldn’t attend, he took to publicly scolding the other three every day, feeling quite self-important.

The one most aggrieved was Jin Zixuan, who had been doted upon by his parents since childhood and had never endured such insults. Had it not been for the other Jin family members restraining him, and the fact that Wen Zhuliu was not someone to be taken lightly, he would have rushed at Wen Chao on the very first day to fight him to the death. In contrast, Lan Wangji seemed as though his spirit had departed, showing indifference to everything. Years of scolding from Lady Yu at Lotus Pier had toughened Wei Wuxian; Wen Chao’s insults did not perturb him, and he would simply laugh them off.

That morning, the Wen family servants roused the group early and herded them like livestock to a new night hunting location.

This time, the hunting ground was called Muxi Mountain.

The deeper they went into the forest, the denser the foliage above became, and the more the shadows lengthened beneath their feet. Apart from the sound of the trees and their footsteps, there was no other noise. The calls of birds and insects stood out eerily in the oppressive silence.

After a long while, the group came upon a small stream. The clear water babbled, carrying fallen maple leaves along with it. The sound of the stream and the sight of the maple leaves somehow lightened the oppressive atmosphere, and faint giggles could be heard ahead.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng walked along, muttering curses about the Wen dogs under their breath. Wei Wuxian glanced back and spotted a figure in white—Lan Wangji wasn’t far behind.

Since he was walking more slowly, Lan Wangji had fallen behind the group. Wei Wuxian had wanted to approach him several times to catch up and reminisce, but each time Lan Wangji turned away, and Jiang Cheng had repeatedly warned him not to provoke him. Now that he was closer, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but pay more attention. He noticed that although Lan Wangji was trying to walk normally, he was putting less weight on his right leg with each step, as if he couldn't put any pressure on it.

Noticing this, Wei Wuxian slowed down and walked beside Lan Wangji, asking, "What's wrong with your leg?"