Chapter 28 Yan Qingye Gets Beaten by His Father

Like a shadow play, an elderly man bathed in golden light performed a series of different demonstration movements.

Feng Qinghe watched intently for two whole hours; by the time she opened her eyes, the sun was nearly setting.

“Master, what is this?”

“This is the complete ancient fire magic of the Phoenix Clan, ‘The Phoenix Soars in Pairs’—fifteen forms in total,” You Xiyue replied.

“The ancient Phoenix Clan?” Feng Qinghe was puzzled. If the Phoenix Clan themselves no longer possessed this art, how did her master come to have it?

Sensing the confusion in her disciple’s eyes, You Xiyue explained, “When your people were driven to the Upper Realm, the memory of this art was erased. Only a few continents above still have records of it.”

Yet Feng Qinghe’s doubt remained. It was clearly a phoenix technique—why erase all memory of it upon exile?

You Xiyue blinked, as if searching her own memories for an answer, but found none. “That, I do not know.”

She then turned to Jun Yang, who had lived the longest and had dealings with the ancient Phoenix Clan.

Feng Qinghe followed her master’s gaze.

Jun Yang, intent on rubbing Xueyu’s belly, suddenly felt the weight of two gazes. His hands paused, and he looked up with a smile. “Back then, our Tengshe Clan was also demoted. So I know nothing of the Phoenix Clan’s affairs.”

You Xiyue withdrew her gaze indifferently and instructed Feng Qinghe, “Practice this on your own. Do not share it with others of your clan.”

“Yes, Master. I understand.”

“Your master is right,” Jun Yang chimed in. “Your body has been conditioned by your master and can barely manage this Phoenix Art. Others in your clan would not be able to withstand it.”

So that was the reason. Feng Qinghe nodded in understanding.

“Come here at noon every day to train for two hours,” You Xiyue added.

“Yes,” Feng Qinghe replied.

You Xiyue rose, withdrew the protective array, walked to Jun Yang’s side, cradled Xueyu in her arms, and headed straight back to the guest courtyard.

Jun Yang was left bewildered. The little ancestor never left without taking him along—what had changed today? He hurried to catch up.

Feng Qinghe made her way back to the Feng residence alone.

Back at the guest courtyard, Jun Yang took a seat beside You Xiyue and spoke a little guiltily, “Little Ancestor…”

You Xiyue ignored him.

“Aiya!” Jun Yang’s voice took on a pleading tone. “I didn’t mean to keep the truth from you.”

At last, You Xiyue lifted her eyes, fixing Jun Yang with a steady gaze, waiting for him to continue.

Jun Yang sighed. “You know how terrible that event was five hundred thousand years ago. Telling our little junior now would do him no good. When he is strong enough to bear the truth, it won’t be too late.”

You Xiyue lowered her eyes and stroked Xueyu twice. “So, it is related to that event?”

“Mm.”

“Oh.”

“You’re not angry anymore?”

“Oh.”

Jun Yang could only shake his head helplessly. He transformed back into his serpent form, coiled on the table, and shut his eyes.

The room grew quiet, but peace did not settle in the hearts within.

Five hundred thousand years ago—a time that had left a profound mark on all the ancient beast clans. Even some among the human race had paid a dreadful price.

Nestled in You Xiyue’s lap, Xueyu seemed entirely unconcerned, occasionally twitching its ears as if none of this mattered. Yet, far away in its true form, deep within a mountain cave, a pair of beautiful eyes brightened with rare interest. Slender fingers propped up its chin, tapping idly.

It murmured, “Five hundred thousand years ago? That’s truly ancient… I’m a little curious, I must admit…”

…

Yan Qingye sped toward the Yan family estate, not expecting Ming Chenyu to be following behind.

“Your father hasn’t left yet, has he?”

“Probably not.”

Yan Qingye’s mouth twitched. “Uncle Ming is as persistent as ever.”

“Mm.”

Soon, they arrived at the Yan family. Yan Qingye landed and was greeted by the sight of their massive front gate—tall as a mountain—now missing entirely.

He was stunned, though he’d prepared himself. “Did my father’s bones survive this?”

The gatekeeper, trailing after his young master, grinned. “He’s fine. Master is unscathed.”

“With the gate in this state, he’s not hurt? His constitution is something else!” Yan Qingye hurried to the rear courtyard toward Yan Yaofeng’s room.

Ming Chenyu calmly made his way to the main hall in search of his father.

Yan Qingye burst through the door. “Father, are you alright?”

Yan Yaofeng, beard bristling, rubbed his chest—still clearly shaken, having half-thought that old scoundrel Ming Chengwu had barged in. “You brat! What’s with all the shouting!”

Seeing his father spry and sipping snake soup, Yan Qingye relaxed and took a seat, only to frown again. “Why are you still drinking snake soup?”

Yan Yaofeng was baffled. “After such a fright, shouldn’t I nourish myself? Why can’t I have a little tonic?”

Yan Qingye snatched the soup away. “Nourish yourself? Do you know why you were sent flying?”

“How would I know?” Yan Yaofeng grumbled.

“Don’t you know Senior Jun Yang is from the Tengshe Clan?”

Yan Yaofeng fell silent, pondering, then eyed his son. “Did you ever tell me that?”

Yan Qingye scratched his chin, thinking. “Did I ever mention it?”

“You little rascal!” Yan Yaofeng, incensed, summoned his Divine Wind Whip and lashed out. “Trying to get your old man killed?”

“Father!”

“Father, please! This is dangerous!” Yan Qingye dodged desperately, shouting, “How can you use the Divine Wind Whip on me!”

“I’ll thrash you! Would I be this humiliated if not for you?”

Chased and fleeing, the two burst into the main hall, where the gate still lay sprawled across the courtyard.

Seeing the gate, Yan Yaofeng grew even more irate.

“Stop right there, brat!”

Yan Qingye, aggrieved, hid behind Ming Chengwu and protested, “Even if you didn’t know, why were you catching snakes?”

“Senior Jun Yang said to catch wild game, and snake meat is the best tonic. Of course I caught snakes.”

“Then you can’t blame me!”

Ming Chengwu seized the moment to cough politely. “Brother Yan, are you unharmed?”

Yan Yaofeng only then realized the man shielding his son was Ming Chengwu. He glared fiercely at Yan Qingye, then awkwardly withdrew his whip.

“Sorry for the spectacle. Let’s talk inside.”

Regaining the dignity of a family head at last, Yan Yaofeng led them into the main hall.

Yan Qingye exhaled in relief and sidled up to Ming Chenyu. “Thank goodness, my life is spared.”

Ming Chenyu glanced at Yan Qingye and shook his head with a smile, following him in.

Yan Yaofeng and Ming Chengwu took the main seats; Yan Qingye and Ming Chenyu sat below.

“Is it the one from the Heavenly Tribulation Stair?”

Ming Chengwu inquired.

Before Yan Yaofeng could answer, Yan Qingye jumped in. “Yes, Senior Jun Yang confirmed it himself.”

Yan Yaofeng shot his son an annoyed look, but Ming Chengwu didn’t mind and continued, “Do you know how they arrived, or their purpose?”

Yan Qingye and Ming Chenyu exchanged glances.

Ming Chenyu responded, “Their only aim was to take the Phoenix Clan’s third son, Feng Qinghe, as an apprentice. As for how they arrived, we do not know.”

“Taking an apprentice? And from the Phoenix Clan, of all people?”