Chapter 129 - Second choice

“Really, your mother was a legend back then. There was a rumor going around that she advanced to the Innate stage in her sleep,” Lady Jiangxi explained, smiling gently at the twins.

They had just returned to the Song Family a few hours ago, and had gathered for a reunion dinner while waiting for Bian Fenglin to return so they could leave.

“Really?” Xinjiang asked.

“Is it true, Mom?” Xinxi turned to Xiaoshi and asked.

“It wasn’t that exaggerated,” Xiaoshi said, smiling. “I just suddenly had a bit of an epiphany while laying down to rest, and I was too tired to from my practice to get up. So from a distance, it looked like I advanced in my sleep.”

“That’s amazing! Xinmo looked to struggle so much when he advanced,” Xinjiang said.

“I didn’t struggle that much,” Xinmo muttered.

“Your brother advanced at an even younger age than I did, so it’s only natural that it required some effort,” Xiaoshi explained.

“I still can’t believe how talented they all are. To think they are actually about to become disciples of the Sword Sect. Do you realize what the Sword Sect is? They are the peak of power here. Even the Elders of the Green River Sect would have to think twice before getting on the wrong side of the kids in the future,” Lady Jiangxi said.

“They still have to work hard,” Xiaoshi said, but she couldn’t hide her proud smile.

“Brother Xinmo. Are you really an Innate warrior already? That’s the middle Qi Refining stage, right?” Yeshen asked in a quiet voice.

Yeshen was technically a generation above Xinmo and the twins, but since he was the same age as them, addressing them as brothers and sisters was more natural.

“Yes,” Xinmo answered.

“Amazing,” Yeshen said, looking much more awed than when he heard about the twins' sword intent.

“Your luck is a bit too much, isn’t it, Shu Yang?” Lady Jiangxi turned to Shu Yang and questioned.

“I guess I really am quite blessed,” Shu Yang said, smiling gently.

Lady Jiangxi snorted, “Blessed doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

Shu Yang smiled awkwardly. What could he say?

It was impossible not to notice something strange, especially since Lady Jiangxi had been in contact with his family for so long. Their transformation from back then was a bit ridiculous.

Just Shu Yang’s own progress was something not even storybooks would depict. When he met Lady Jiangxi, he was only a martial warrior at the 2nd stage, but already almost 30 years old. How could he have become a Foundation expert from that starting point?

‘I hope she just ignores it and accepts that I’m a bit inexplicable.’

But somehow, Shu Yang doubted it. Lady Jiangxi had taken a very strong interest in Tianyue simply because of her ‘Clear Mind’ trait. How could she hold herself back now?

Fortunately, she didn’t continue to question him at the dinner table, turning her attention back to the twins and Xinmo, curious about their life back home.

“Dad, Bian Fenglin just came back,” Tianren stepped into the room and said.

Shu Yang nodded and rose to his feet. “Alright, everyone. Time to leave.”

Everyone had finished eating long ago, and they could continue their conversations back on the flying ship. Shu Yang didn’t want to waste time, looking forward to getting to the Sword Sect as soon as possible.

When they got to the flying ship, Shu Yang saw that many Elders of the Song Family had gathered there to wish them farewell.

“Thank you so much for the hospitality, Patriarch Churong. If you ever find yourself in the east, I hope my family can repay the favor in the future,” Shu Yang said, clasping his fist.

Song Churong laughed his usual cheerful laugh. “It has been our pleasure. It is a shame that you’re leaving so soon. But I understand that you have a long journey ahead of you. I wish you luck and smooth travels.”

Shu Yang exchanged a few more courteous words before turning around to board the ship. But then he saw his daughter still clinging to Song Hongchi, refusing to let go.

‘This girl.’

Shu Yang sighed and walked over, pulling his daughter by the scruff of her neck. “Alright. It’s time to go, Tianyi.”

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Tianyi reluctantly let go of Song Hongchi, and Shu Yang saw tears smeared all over her face. “I’ll miss you. You have to come visit.”

‘She is so attached to her?’

Shu Yang was once again reminded that Tianyi had been alone for a long time, and Song Hongchi’s company had been crucial for her.

‘I shouldn’t have hurried her so much.’

“You really are welcome. Once you’ve gained all you can from this place, and have trouble finding the next step in your formation studies, you should come over,” Shu Yang said, hoping a promise of a future reunion would cheer his daughter up.

Song Hongchi paused for a moment and then nodded. “Then I’ll come.”

“Good. Good. You have to come,” Tianyi said, smiling brightly. “I’ll find a way to send you a letter, so you can find us.”

Shu Yang smiled and patted his daughter on the head. He gave Song Hongchi a friendly nod. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Song Hongchi said, her expression unreadable.

Shu Yang finally made his way on board with his daughter, and Bian Fenglin quickly got to work, making the flying ship rise into the air.

Shu Yang walked up to him. “I’ve been thinking a bit about where we should settle.”

“What have you decided?” Bian Fenglin asked.

“Zhixian Immortal Land sounds good,” Shu Yang answered. “Do you think you could set course there? There is no reason for all of us to head to the Sword Sect. Let Tianhu and Xiaoshi bring the kids over with you, and the rest of us will find a place to settle.”

Shu Yang figured it might be a bit expensive to pay for everyone to travel from the Sword Sect to Zhixian Immortal Land, and it wasn’t like he could ask Bian Fenglin to stick around as their driver once he made it back home. Besides, in case there were any issues when he looked for a place to settle, it might be useful to have Bian Fenglin close by.

“Alright. That seems like a good idea,” Bian Fenglin answered.

Shu Yang couldn’t help but notice how carefree Bian Fenglin seemed. He really didn’t have the air of a young master from a great family

‘Perhaps he is just looking forward to finally repaying his favor, so he can advance to the Golden Core stage.’

‘We probably won’t have any contact after this is over.’

Shu Yang was under no illusion that he and Bian Fenglin were friends. He was well aware that they were of separate worlds. Once he had finished repaying his favor, he could wash his hands of the matter and wouldn’t have to concern himself with the Shu Family any longer.

Shu Yang didn’t think there was anything strange or wrong with that. Bian Fenglin was about to advance to the Golden Core stage. He couldn’t waste time on people who weren’t on the same level as him. In a century or two, they would all be dead no matter what he did.

At least, that might be what one would assume. But Shu Yang was confident Bian Fenglin would be the one who would want to hold onto their connection in the future, and not the other way around.

“Can you tell me a bit about the Sword Sect?” Shu Yang asked after a while. “If it’s inconvenient to talk about, you don’t have to answer.”

“That depends on what you want to know,” Bian Fenglin answered with a smile.

“What does the life of a disciple there look like? What will the kids' situation be? Will they be able to come and visit us? Will we be able to visit them?” Shu Yang asked.

“Visiting them is definitely no problem, but not in the sect itself. You’ll have to meet in Bian Immortal City. That’s the closest city to the sect, a place everyone can enter, and where most of the sect’s business is conducted,” Bian Fenglin answered.

“Bian as in…your Bian Family?” Shu Yang asked.

“It was named a long time ago,” Bian Fenglin answered. “But yes, apparently it was after an ancestor of our family.”

‘His background seems a bit terrifying.’

“The kids can also visit you, but it’s not done casually. You somewhat leave your Family Clan behind when you join a sect. Of course, there is no such thing as being forced to sever ties. Family Clans hold an important role, and most people remain close to their families. But the sect becomes more like a second family, I guess. We demand a certain amount of loyalty. Most of the time, it doesn’t really matter, though. It’s rare, if not unheard of, for a Family Clan to oppose the Sword Sect, forcing disciples of the family to choose sides.

“Anyway, it’s nothing strange. It’s the same thing with all sects. Unless you plan on opposing the sect, having a family member join the local powerhouse is always a benefit for all the Family Clans. I shouldn’t have to explain all the advantages to you.

“So leaving requires permission, and that will be hard to receive without good reason, or without enough strength and merit. But it varies between peaks, and a lot of things will depend on who their master is.

“But if they can build a foundation, they’ll be a lot freer to come and go as they choose.”

‘Sounds a bit strict. But I guess it’s reasonable.’

Bian Fenglin looked at Shu Yang’s frown and laughed. “Don’t worry, the kids will be fine. But nothing is free in this world. Since the Sword Sect will nurture them, they naturally want to keep them under their watch and make sure they grow up loyal and with a sense of belonging to the sect. That’s why you and your son can’t possibly join; you are too old. Once you reach a certain age, it’s hard to instill a sense of loyalty in people.”

“I get it,” Shu Yang said. He truly did understand the reasoning. It was just that hearing it so plainly explained made him a bit uncomfortable.

‘It’s still the best option for them. By far.’

‘But that’s because I’m weak. Because the family is weak, and we don’t have any foundation. The Sword Sect can give them shelter, resources, and influence that the family can’t provide for them.’

‘But in the future, no descendant of mine should have to join another power, splitting their loyalties.’

Shu Yang could envision it. Not only would no one want to leave, as his family would be the best place for them to be. Other people would clamor to join their family.

Shu Yang smiled slightly. ‘That seems like a nice goal to have. Make the Sword Sect the second choice of the geniuses here.’