Chapter Fifteen: The Ye Family

Ahead lay the city of Nine Cauldrons. Though still more than a thousand meters away, he could already see clearly the massive cauldron-like object standing at the city gate—a treasure passed down through generations of the Iron family of the David Kingdom: the Heaven and Earth Nine Cauldrons.

Information about the Heaven and Earth Nine Cauldrons surfaced in Ye Xin’s mind. The artifact consisted of one Mother Cauldron and eight Child Cauldrons. The Child Cauldrons were placed at the eight exits of the city, while the Mother Cauldron stood at the very center of the royal city. The Child Cauldrons could gather the primordial energy of heaven and earth, while the Mother Cauldron could draw in the spirit of the people, fusing it with the gathered energy, ultimately producing a rare kind of elemental stone.

Elemental stones were divided into three grades and nine ranks. The ones Ye Xin had handed to Shan Pao did not even qualify for ranking—yet even so, they were an irresistible temptation for any warrior. The stones produced by the Heaven and Earth Nine Cauldrons, however, could at the very least be considered of intermediate grade.

These cauldrons were the foundation of the Iron family’s control over the David Kingdom, and so their defense was extremely tight, with warriors of Pillar of State rank usually stationed as guardians.

Ye Xin slowly let down the carriage curtain, his eyes glinting. Even with all his worldly experience, he could not suppress a surge of covetous desire. But such things could not be rushed. Each year, the Iron family surrendered nearly seventy percent of their elemental stones to the Azure Origin Sect, gaining its recognition and protection. Without this alliance, the Iron family alone could never safeguard such a treasure.

The caravan advanced at a steady pace, circling past the giant cauldron from several hundred meters away and entering the city through the gates.

Not long after, the carriage door opened. An old man, smiling warmly, poked his head in and said to Ye Xin, “Young Master Ye, we’ve arrived. Will you be heading to the Dragon Soaring Martial Academy, or…?”

Ye Xin had joined the caravan under the guise of a student from Dragon Soaring Martial Academy. Ordinary warriors seeking passage would never be accepted so easily; who could guarantee they weren’t spies for bandits? But a student from Dragon Soaring Martial Academy was another matter entirely. Moreover, Ye Xin’s youthful innocence, handsome appearance, and dignified bearing exuded an aura of righteousness, causing everyone in the caravan to misjudge him.

Ye Xin glanced outside, then smiled. “I won’t go to the academy. Here is fine. Master Cai, I’ve been grateful for your care along the way. Next time, let me treat you to a drink.”

“Young Master Ye, you’re too kind. It should be this old man who treats you!” the elder replied hastily.

Dragon Soaring Martial Academy was no ordinary school; only the exceptional gained entry. Over the centuries, it had produced countless talents. Among the most illustrious of recent years were Ye Guan Hai, commander of the Wolf Army, and Wei Juan of the Iron Banner—both alumni. Ye Xin, so young and with such boundless prospects, was someone worth befriending. This was why the caravan had been so attentive to him throughout the journey.

“Until we meet again,” Ye Xin nodded to the old man and then strolled down the long street.

Nine Cauldrons City was the largest city for thousands of kilometers around, its population exceeding a million. Even the capitals of several principalities paled in comparison. The denser the population, the stronger the spirit the Mother Cauldron could draw, so the Iron family had long strived to increase the city’s populace. After countless years of effort, Nine Cauldrons City had become what it was today.

After walking for more than ten minutes, Ye Xin’s steps slowed and his brow furrowed; his energy center was stirring uneasily. The obsession of the previous Ye Xin had yet to dissipate.

Ahead stood a grand residence, its vermillion gates towering over four meters high, a sign of extraordinary wealth or status. Yet, the area was deserted; not even a single servant stood guard. The gates were lonely and forlorn, the steps carpeted in fallen leaves, and a sense of decline hung in the air.

“So the Ye family has fallen to this…” Ye Xin sighed, then spoke silently in his mind, “Rest assured, I will avenge you. I promise!”

The turbulence within his energy center faded. Ye Xin ascended the steps and pushed open the door.

The front courtyard was still empty. Only as Ye Xin approached the main hall did two elderly servants shuffle out. At the sight of Ye Xin, both froze, eyes round with shock as if seeing a ghost. Without a word, they turned and fled back inside.

“Is this their way of welcoming me, or do they just dislike me…?” Ye Xin curled his lips in a wry smile. The previous Ye Xin had indeed committed many misdeeds—arrogant and domineering, he was thoroughly unlikable. Were it not for being Ye Guan Hai’s only son, he would likely have been done away with long ago.

He had barely crossed the threshold when a group rushed toward him. At their head was a beautiful woman in a sky-blue velvet gown that trailed to the ground, her pace awkward and stumbling as she tried to run, nearly tripping over her hem more than once.

Ye Xin’s eyes grew moist. This was Deng Qiaoying, wife of his second uncle, Ye Sui Feng. In truth, Ye Xin now felt little affection for the Ye family, but the memories and lingering obsession of his predecessor still moved him.

Ye Xin’s father, Ye Guan Hai, was consumed by military affairs. His mother, Tan Xin Hui, was an outer sect disciple of Sunset Mountain, devoting herself wholly to cultivation and rarely returning home. Deng Qiaoying had raised Ye Xin from childhood. Every time Ye Guan Hai and Tan Xin Hui returned, complaints would be brought to them, and angered by Ye Xin’s disgraceful conduct, they would scold or even beat him, only driving his rebelliousness deeper.

Deng Qiaoying, on the other hand, spoiled Ye Xin even more than her own daughter. At first, Ye Xin had suspected she had done so deliberately to ruin him, but later information dispelled this notion. Ye Guan Hai once saved the Deng family’s life, and Deng Qiaoying had married the unremarkable Ye Sui Feng out of gratitude. Since Ye Xin was Ye Guan Hai’s only child, her affection for him was boundless. With Tan Xin Hui away for years on end, Deng Qiaoying had become a mother figure to him.

As the saying goes, a doting mother often ruins a son—truer words were never spoken.

Yet, Ye Xin harbored little true feeling for Deng Qiaoying. As he was pondering what expression would be appropriate, he suddenly saw tears slip from the corners of her eyes, and his heart warmed. He called out, “Auntie…”

In the next instant, Deng Qiaoying rushed forward, flinging her arms around Ye Xin as she sobbed, “Xin’er…” She could hold back no longer and burst into tears.

Ye Xin was at a loss—he couldn’t push her away, nor could he simply hug her back. All he could do was murmur, “Auntie… please don’t cry. I’ve come back, haven’t I?”

But Deng Qiaoying’s weeping only grew louder. The Deng family had fallen on hard times; Ye Guan Hai and Tan Xin Hui had both perished together, and Ye Sui Feng, defeated in battle, had been thrown into the dungeons. She alone had struggled to keep the family afloat, bearing untold hardship she could confide to no one. Now Ye Xin’s return brought a flood of conflicting emotions. Though the old Ye Xin had been reckless and wild, he was at least a man who could uphold the family, and now, grown up and with a bearing reminiscent of the once high-spirited Ye Guan Hai, he made her think back on days gone by.

Ye Xin was utterly helpless. No matter the situation, he could always maintain a cool rationality, and with similarly rational people, he had ways of dealing with anything. But women—especially when feelings were involved—remained his greatest weakness, all his scientific methods failing him utterly.

At that moment, a girl of sixteen or seventeen hurried over. Her features were delicate, and she radiated a pure, fresh aura. She started to speak, hesitated, then finally managed to utter, “Brother…”

“Little Ling? You’ve grown so much!” Ye Xin said with a smile.

It was his cousin, Ye Ling, two years his junior. When Ye Xin had been sent to the Camp of Heavenly Punishment, she had only been twelve. Four years later, the awkward little girl had become a lovely young lady.

Ye Ling’s eyes flickered as she considered something, then she stepped forward and gently tugged Deng Qiaoying’s hand, whispering, “Mother, don’t cry. Brother’s return is a good thing. So many people are watching…”

Only then did Deng Qiaoying realize that many servants were present. Forcing herself to regain composure, she wiped away her tears, smiled, and said to Ye Xin, “Xin’er, don’t make fun of your aunt. I’m just… just so happy!”

Before Ye Xin could reply, Deng Qiaoying began firing off questions: “Where did you come from? How long have you been traveling? Are you tired? Have you eaten?”

“Mother!” Ye Ling sighed softly. “These are minor things. Brother’s home now. Shouldn’t he go to the palace…”

“Yes, yes, that’s what matters!” Deng Qiaoying’s expression turned grave as her gaze shifted to two young guards who stood out among the older servants. “Xue Baiqi, Hao Fei, come forward. Let me introduce you—this is Xin’er.”

The two guards stepped up and gave Ye Xin a perfunctory bow. “Greetings, young master.”

“From now on, you two needn’t concern yourselves with household matters. Stay by Xin’er’s side and protect him,” Deng Qiaoying instructed. She turned to Ye Xin, her tone suddenly stern, “Xin’er, to be brief: your brother is gone, and the Ye family is not what it once was. You must behave! Don’t wander off on your own! And remember, Baiqi and Hao Fei owe your brother a great debt, and only for that have they served the Ye family. Without them these past two years, who knows how much more bullying we would have suffered! Don’t relapse into your old ways—treat them with respect, as you would elder brothers. Do you understand?!”

It was perhaps the first time Ye Xin had seen Deng Qiaoying so severe. He wilted a little, forcing a smile. “I understand, Auntie.”