For the next few days, aside from his necessary duties at the Public Security Bureau, Su Yu poured all his energy into cultivating his Martial Arts.
By now, practicing Martial Arts had become an instinct; he would grind away at it whenever he had a spare moment.
It was precisely because of this fervor that Su Yu’s progress in Martial Arts advanced by leaps and bounds.
During this time, representatives from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and Divine Weapon Manor had come to visit, hoping to bail out Li Heihu and Jiang Xuan.
However, Su Yu was determined to make an example of them to establish his authority, so he naturally wouldn’t let them go easily.
He simply ignored them, giving them the cold shoulder.
「A new day.」
As the first light of dawn broke, Su Yu had just finished a round of his Fist Technique in the backyard when he saw Yang Zhen hurrying over. Her stunning face, usually so cool and composed, was now tinged with a rare hint of worry and dejection.
Su Yu immediately stopped and went to meet her, asking softly, "Did something happen, Zhen’Er?"
Yang Zhen bit her rosy lower lip and nodded slightly. "Brother Su, we received news from the Yang Family. Ai’Er... she failed her first attempt to break through to the Martial Artist Realm."
"She failed?"
Su Yu’s brow furrowed slightly.
It was perfectly normal for an ordinary person to fail when trying to become a Martial Artist. But Yang Ai’s talent was considerable, and with so many resources to aid her, her chances of success should have been quite high.
"Did you ask for the specific reason? Was it a problem with her Qi and Blood circulation, or some external interference?" Su Yu asked in a low voice.
"The messenger was just a family servant. I was just about to head back to the Yang Family to see for myself."
"Let’s go. I’ll go with you." Su Yu didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately instructing the butler to prepare a carriage.
...
Inside the spacious carriage, the two sat side by side.
Su Yu turned his head to look at Yang Zhen’s delicately furrowed brow. He sighed softly, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and gently pulled her into his embrace.
"Don’t worry too much. As long as she’s okay, we can get Ai’Er to the Martial Artist Realm even if we have to pump her full of Pills."
Listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart and hearing his reassuring words, much of the anxiety in Yang Zhen’s heart melted away. She rested her head obediently on his shoulder and murmured a soft, "Mm."
The carriage wheels rumbled over the bluestone road, making a CREAKING sound.
Su Yu lifted a corner of the curtain. As his gaze swept over the street outside, his brow couldn’t help but twitch.
This was Emerald Street in the eastern district. While it had never been as prosperous as main thoroughfares like Jin Yu Street or Jinlin Street, it was usually lined with shops and bustling with traffic.
But now, more than half the shops on both sides of the street were shuttered. Dark red bloodstains lingered on many of the door panels, and some flagstones were even scorched black. The few pedestrians on the street hurried along, their eyes filled with an unconcealable wariness.
’The Outer City of Black Stone City is no longer peaceful...’ Su Yu sighed to himself.
The Black Lotus Sect Demons were like cockroaches that you could never fully exterminate, like rats in a sewer, popping up from time to time.
A few days ago, an incident involving a Black Lotus Sect Demon had occurred right here on Emerald Street. Although the Public Security Bureau’s patrol had reacted swiftly and killed it on the spot, the Demon had detonated the violent, malevolent energy within its body just before death. It took a dozen innocent bystanders with it, causing widespread panic.
’In these chaotic times, human life is as worthless as grass. Only by grasping power in my own hands can I protect the ones I care about.’
Su Yu’s arm around Yang Zhen tightened instinctively.
A few days ago, another Black Lotus Sect Demon had wreaked havoc on this very street. Although the Public Security Bureau stopped it in time, it still caused tremendous chaos.
Especially now, when the Black Lotus Sect Demons were prone to self-destructing, the damage they caused was immense.
"My Lord, we’ve arrived at the Yang Mansion," the driver’s respectful voice called from outside.
Su Yu lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, leading Yang Zhen by the hand.
Just as they stepped through the main gate of the Yang Family estate, Patriarch Yang Chongren and Yang Ai were already hurrying over to greet them.
As soon as they entered the Yang Family home, Patriarch Yang Chongren and Yang Ai came forward to welcome them.
"Lord Su! You came in person!"
Upon seeing Su Yu, Yang Chongren immediately performed a fist-and-palm salute and bowed deeply, his display of respect impeccable.
Seeing this, Su Yu stepped forward with a hint of resignation and helped him up. "Uncle Yang, I’ve told you many times, we’re all family here. In private, there’s no need for such grand formalities. Please, be at ease."
Yang Chongren verbally agreed, but his demeanor remained deferential.
"Brother Su!"
In contrast to her father’s reverence, Yang Ai had no such inhibitions. She bounded over like a cheerful lark, beaming as she stood before Su Yu.
Su Yu looked her up and down. The young woman was dressed in a practical, white, narrow-sleeved martial arts uniform with a cinched waist. Her astoundingly long legs were straight and shapely, and her fair, jade-like skin had a healthy, rosy glow. She radiated youthful energy.
Judging by her bright smile, the failed breakthrough clearly hadn’t left any psychological scars.
The group exchanged pleasantries as they entered the inner hall. A maidservant served fragrant tea, then tactfully withdrew and closed the door behind her.
"Ai’Er, what exactly was the problem you encountered when trying to break through to the Martial Artist Realm?" Yang Zhen asked, taking her sister’s hand and getting straight to the point.
At the mention of it, Yang Ai’s cheerful face scrunched up in a rare expression of distress. "Sister, Brother Su... I don’t even know if you could call it a cultivation deviation..."
She glanced at her father. "I told Dad about it, but he was completely baffled, too. That’s why we asked you to come over right away."
"My Qi and Blood circulation was going smoothly, and I felt like I was just about to break through the Martial Artist barrier. But right at that moment, the blood in my body suddenly felt like it had been set on fire, boiling like lava! The pain was so intense, like my meridians were about to melt, that I almost passed out on the spot."
A flicker of residual fear crossed Yang Ai’s eyes as she recalled the event. "I felt something dangerous stirring deep inside me. My instincts screamed that if I had forced the breakthrough, something terrible would have happened—I might have even exploded and died. So, I had no choice but to forcibly disperse my Qi and Blood..."
After her description, a brief silence fell over the hall.
’This is definitely not a normal symptom of a failed breakthrough. It’s more like some unknown power is awakening within her.’
Yang Chongren gave a wry smile and cupped his hands toward Su Yu. "Lord Su, while I know a thing or two about business, I’m a complete amateur when it comes to Martial Arts. I truly have no idea what to make of this. I’m afraid we must rely on your judgment in this matter."
He was clever enough not to ask his elder daughter, Yang Zhen, instead deferring directly to Su Yu. His attitude was perfectly correct.
Even though Yang Zhen was now a powerful Martial Artist herself, he knew very well that this change was all thanks to Su Yu.
Especially in these chaotic times, he had come to understand the way of the world.
How many families in the Outer City, with their deep roots, had been utterly destroyed in the short span of a year?
And yet, his Yang Family had risen from a minor, bottom-tier clan, its status soaring to the point where it now had the faint makings of a first-rate power in the Outer City! He knew better than anyone that the Yang Family owed its current fortune entirely to the seemingly gentle young man before him.
’Perhaps the greatest stroke of luck in my entire life was latching onto Su Yu.’
’And so, in Su Yu’s presence, I must always remind myself: I am his subordinate first, and his father-in-law second.’
’The proper order of things must never be broken!’
Su Yu didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Yang Ai. "Ai’Er, recently, when you’ve been sleeping or meditating, have you experienced any strange memories or images that don’t feel like your own?"
Yang Ai’s eyes widened, and she nodded repeatedly. "Yes! Brother Su, how did you know?"
She took a deep breath, as if trying to recall the sensation:
"When I close my eyes, I feel like I’m surrounded by endless, scorching heat. My vision is filled with red flames, as if the sky and the earth themselves have been burned away... In that sea of fire, terrifying streaks of light flash across the sky—pitch-black, piercingly white, an eerie blue... I can also hear someone screaming in despair, and a strange voice whispering gibberish in my ear..."
"Brother Su, Ai’Er’s condition sounds like the effects of a bloodline awakening!"
Yang Zhen shot to her feet, a trace of excitement flashing in her eyes.
Su Yu nodded. He had suspected as much. Since Yang Zhen had awakened a rare Spirit Body, and the two were sisters, the probability that Yang Ai also possessed some kind of latent bloodline talent was extremely high.
It was just that something was clearly wrong with Ai’Er’s awakening.
"Ai’Er, you did the right thing. Don’t try to break through to the Martial Artist Realm for now," Su Yu said, quickly making a decision and reassuring Yang Ai.
"Your situation is most likely the same as Zhen’Er’s; you have a special bloodline. However, it seems your awakening has run into some problems."
"Oh..."
Yang Ai pouted, her rosy lips pursed in disappointment.
Her expression made Su Yu chuckle. He reached out and flicked her gently on her smooth forehead.
BONK.
"Ouch!" Yang Ai yelped, rubbing her forehead.
"Don’t worry, this is a huge blessing," Su Yu said with a comforting smile. "First of all, once a special bloodline is fully awakened, your future potential in Martial Arts will far exceed that of an ordinary person. It’s something others couldn’t even dream of."
"Second, this problem isn’t necessarily unsolvable. It’s just that in this day and age, many ancient legacies have been lost. For now, put a pause on your cultivation. When you get back, have Zhen’Er search for clues in the ancient texts. I’ll also pay a visit to my master and the others. They’re worldly and knowledgeable; they might be able to find a solution."
"Okay! I’ll listen to whatever you say, Brother Su!"
Hearing that there was a solution, Yang Ai’s face immediately lit up. She sidled up to Su Yu, wrapped her arms around his left arm, and pressed herself against him without a second thought. "Brother Su," she wheedled, "I’ll be so bored at the Yang Mansion all by myself. I want to come live at the Su Mansion too! That way, if you get any news, I’ll be the first to know!"
Before Su Yu could even respond, Yang Chongren’s eyes lit up, and he quickly sealed the deal.
"I have no objection!" he declared. "Ai’Er, you make an excellent point! By going to the Su Mansion, you can also help your sister. That way, she won’t be burdened with managing the Su Mansion’s affairs all by herself and neglecting her training. This is a wonderful idea!"
’Sending his second daughter to the Su Mansion as well would completely cement their relationship.’ Yang Chongren was inwardly ecstatic.
Seeing this, Yang Zhen knew exactly what her father was thinking. A light blush touched her cheeks, but she didn’t call him out on it. Instead, she graciously walked up, took Su Yu’s other arm, and said with a smile,
"Well then, Brother Su, it’s settled. We’ll take Ai’Er back to the mansion with us today!"