Volume 1, Chapter 19: The Cousins Are All Exceptional

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Though it was merely a light, fleeting remark, it struck like the judgment of a hellish arbiter, delivering a heavy blow. Before Xuan Er could even react, Xuan Yi mercilessly slit his throat. Blood splattered everywhere with a sharp thud as Xuan Er collapsed to the ground, eyes wide in death.

Having spent nearly a century together, to kill so abruptly like that—among their guards, Xuan Yi was undoubtedly the most ruthless and decisive.

The others exchanged glances, then slowly bowed their heads.

Xuan San: “Alas, Xuan Er brought this upon himself.”

You Yue: “Indeed. How dare he poison our master with the Yellow Spring Drunk? I searched the entire Four Star realm and couldn’t find an antidote.”

Xuan San: “Huh? Weren’t you the one who removed the poison from the master?”

Xuan Yi: “Stop sending private messages! The master can hear you!”

“...”

“You Yue!”

A cold, emotionless voice echoed through the grand hall. You Yue’s body stiffened—this was bad. It was all Xuan San’s fault for private messaging right in front of the master. You Yue shot a glare at the two.

Xuan Yi and Xuan San returned a look pleading for mercy.

“Master.”

Nervously, You Yue knelt, her mind in a tangled mess. Could the master be blaming her for failing to remove the poison?

Mo Chenlan gently tapped his finger, and a single red drop of blood appeared at the tip, instantly sinking into You Yue’s brow.

Everyone froze.

“Master, what is this...?”

That blood drop was called Soul Blood. Once given, one’s very life is controlled by another. Even if they fled thousands of miles away, death could strike instantly.

They were all the master’s subordinates, so long ago their soul blood had already been entrusted to him. Now, the master was handing over You Yue’s soul blood—could it be because of the Yellow Spring Drunk incident?

Xuan Yi and Xuan San exchanged glances and hurriedly knelt. “Please, master, show mercy.”

Mo Chenlan merely glanced at them, ignoring their pleas, and addressed You Yue: “You Yue, from this moment forth, you are no longer my shadow guard. I am entrusting you with one final task: starting today, go to Baiyue City and protect a woman named Zhao Yan of the Feng family.”

Upon hearing this, You Yue breathed a sigh of relief—it wasn’t a death sentence.

But then her pupils visibly dilated. Protect a woman?

Could it be that the master had finally come to his senses?

The next day.

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Zhao Yan was still cultivating within the Linglong Tower when she heard noise outside, quickly emerging from the space.

It was Feng Old Madam and Feng Zhiyue.

“Yan’er.”

“Yan’er, cousin.”

Zhao Yan stepped out: “Grandmother, cousin, why did you come so early?”

“It’s not that we came early; you just woke up late. It’s nearly the hour of Si already.” Feng Zhiyue stepped forward, affectionately linking arms with Zhao Yan. “Grandmother was worried about you and dragged me along to find you.”

Unexpectedly, Feng Old Madam tapped Feng Zhiyue’s head. “You little brat, always babbling nonsense. It was clearly you who wanted to come see your cousin Yan’er.”

Laughter echoed through the courtyard. At that moment, Zhao Yan felt a deep sense of belonging.

“Yan’er, come, let’s have breakfast.”

“Alright.”

The group chatted and laughed as they passed through the Feng family’s pavilions, bridges, and ponds toward the front hall.

Along the way, the maidservants and servants all bowed respectfully. They were most curious about this Yun family’s second miss.

They had heard she came from the countryside, but her delicate beauty and fair skin hardly suggested a rustic upbringing.

Soon.

The guards in front of the hall spotted them from afar and eagerly rushed inside.

“The Old Madam and the eldest miss have brought the young miss.”

Inside, a bedridden elder and Feng Jingmo exchanged glances, their eyes fixating on the doorway.

Upon entering, Zhao Yan immediately sensed two intense gazes. Not far stood Feng Jingmo, the eldest son of the Feng family, whom she had glimpsed at last night’s banquet. Beside him sat an elderly man in a wheelchair.

“Yan’er, this is your grandfather,” Feng Old Madam stepped forward to introduce, “He injured his leg over thirty years ago in a secret realm, so he did not attend your welcome banquet last night.”

“Grandfather.”

A flicker of doubt crossed Zhao Yan’s eyes. Didn’t her sister Yun Zhaojun possess healing powers? How could she not heal their grandfather?

“Alright, alright, child. I’ve heard about your troubles. Forgive your grandfather for not being able to help,” the Feng family patriarch sighed deeply, his face lined with the wear of years.

Since the Feng patriarch’s accident, management of the family had fallen to Feng Old Madam. But misfortune struck again: twenty years ago, during a beast tide in the Boundless Mountain Range, she was grievously injured and went into seclusion to cultivate.

Her son Feng Junlin took over, but he had no interest in leading the family. A decade ago, he handed control to the mere eleven-year-old Feng Jingmo.

Afterward, he and his wife Yilan Yun departed on a solitary journey.

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“After what happened last night, everyone wished I’d be removed as soon as possible. Only Grandmother stood behind Yan’er—that’s her greatest support.”

Feng Old Madam shot a glare at the patriarch. “Oh, old man, don’t bring up upsetting matters at the dining table.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t. Yan’er, come sit and eat.”

Zhao Yan took her seat, sitting directly opposite Feng Jingmo. Feng Old Madam continued, “Yan’er, this is your eldest cousin, Feng Jingmo.”

“Greetings, cousin.”

Feng Jingmo smiled and nodded. “Greetings, cousin.”

“Yan’er, my eldest brother and eldest cousin both have the four-attribute spirit bones. He’s very skilled in cultivation. If you ever need help, you can always come to him,” Feng Zhiyue said proudly.

Among the young prodigies, Feng Jingmo and Yun Zhaojun were equals in talent and strength. But Yun Zhaojun was the Saintess, blessed with healing powers that could activate the Heavenly Mulberry Divine Tree, surpassing Feng Jingmo.

Zhao Yan nodded. Feng Jingmo was barely in his early twenties—having such gifts was indeed remarkable.

Feng Jingmo lightly tapped Feng Zhiyue’s head.

“Ouch! If you hit me again, I’ll be stupid from your beating,” Feng Zhiyue complained.

“You stole my line; what else am I supposed to say?”

Feng Zhiyue stuck out her tongue at him, then turned to Zhao Yan. “Cousin, I’m a fourth-rank alchemist, ranked fourth at Jialan Academy. If you ever need any pills, just let me know.”

“Seems like my cousins are all very talented,” Zhao Yan praised.

“By the way, Yan’er, Feng Jingmo and Zhiyue will accompany you these next two days,” Feng Old Madam said thoughtfully.

Zhao Yan’s eyes flickered, quickly guessing the reason.

“Last night, your mother sent me a message saying Jun’er has gone missing. I’ve already sent people to search, but I’m still worried the mastermind behind this might target you as well. So, try to go out less these few days.”

“Grandmother, rest assured, we’ll protect cousin well,” they said in unison.

Feng Old Madam nodded.

After breakfast, the group soon set aside the Old Madam’s concerns.