Chapter Sixteen: The Young Mei Yuchen

After the three of them entered, they passed from the front hall to the rear garden, all along the way seeing people busily at work. Was this the bustle of a recent move into a new home? Su Yunxue sensed that everyone seemed rather happy, unlike the numb and indifferent expressions she often saw on servants. This made her both nervous and curious.

Upon reaching the rear hall, as soon as they entered, Xiao Wu respectfully pointed to a man and said, “This is my young master.”

Su Yunxue was about to step forward and offer her respects when she suddenly froze, her eyes drawn to the man standing behind Young Master Yang. That proud, upright figure, and the cold, ruthless aura of someone used to decisive action—it seized her attention in an instant. Even at a glance, despite the terrifying scar across his face, she recognized who he was.

Her heart surged with excitement: He… he survived.

Recently, the city had been abuzz with rumors—the deputy military governor murdered, his entire family wiped out in a brutal massacre, the whole city hunting for the culprit. There were many versions circulating: some said the murderer had been caught, others that he had been severely wounded by a master, and even if he had barely escaped, he would surely die soon. Whether it was officials falsely claiming credit or street gossip, all believed that a killer, so cruel as to spare not even the innocent, was doomed.

Su Yunxue, of course, knew who the killer was. With her intelligence, she understood why her husband’s sworn brother—praised by her husband for his chivalrous spirit—had acted with such ferocity. It was to root out all threats, to spare her and her son from the vengeance of the deputy governor’s surviving kin.

She had even secretly held a memorial for this sworn brother, and now, astonishingly, she saw him alive and standing before her.

As Su Yue’e was awash in emotion, Lu Baichuan came forward, gently reminding her, “Sister-in-law, hurry and greet Young Master Yang.”

Yang Cheng offered an awkward smile. “It’s all right, it’s all right.” How could he expect to be the focus, standing next to Lu Baichuan, whose heroic presence naturally drew all eyes.

After Su Yunxue paid respects to Yang Cheng, he invited her to become his housekeeper, to help manage his affairs, with a monthly wage of five spirit coins. As for her child, he could either study or follow his father’s path as a cultivator, with all expenses covered by the Yang family.

Su Yue’e was deeply moved—this was truly timely aid. She had never managed the affairs of a large household before, so she knew well this was an act of kindness, given for the sake of her sworn brother. Facing utter desperation, she was filled with gratitude and had her child thank Yang Cheng as well.

Yang Cheng, seeing the boy’s delicate features and youthful vigor, guessed he must have inherited his father’s talents and could become a remarkable man. He casually asked, “Young man, what is your name?”

“Replying to the young master, my name is Mei Yuchen.”

After expressing their thanks to Yang Cheng, Su Yunxue had Mei Yuchen kneel before Lu Baichuan, weeping as she said, “Chen’er, kneel and bow your head.”

Mei Yuchen was unsure who this scarred man was and hesitated, but seeing his mother so insistent, he could only kneel and bow.

“Chen’er, repeat after me, word for word: I, Mei Yuchen, swear from this day forth to honor this man as a father. Never betray my sworn father for all eternity, or may I suffer heavenly punishment,” Su Yunxue pronounced solemnly.

Mei Yuchen dared not disobey his mother and knelt to make the vow.

Yang Cheng and Lu Baichuan were both surprised. Lu Baichuan was Mei Yuchen’s father’s sworn brother, an uncle in all but blood. Making the boy his adopted son would only draw the families closer, but to have such a young child swear such a grave oath seemed a bit much.

Lu Baichuan recalled how he and Mei Daoqing had sworn brotherhood in the Western Capital, pledging loyalty. Now, separated by life and death, only his sworn brother’s child remained to kneel before him. Tears streamed down his aged face as he hurried to lift Mei Yuchen up.

Su Yunxue knew that while Lu Baichuan was her husband’s sworn brother, he was under no obligation to avenge her and her child. Yet he had risked his life to do so, even breaking his own code by killing the old and weak for their sake, likely carrying a lifetime shadow in his heart. Such a debt could never be repaid, so she entrusted her son to him, to care for him in old age or to become a weapon for him in battle.

She was unsure if Young Master Yang knew of these events and dared not speak openly.

Mei Yuchen made the vow with his mother, and even if Lu Baichuan had wanted to stop it, it was too late. With a heavy sigh, he said, “Very well, from now on, Yuchen is my son. I will train you well and hope you grow to be a man as upright as your father.”

Lu Baichuan then took something from his robe and handed it to Mei Yuchen. “Keep this safe. When your cultivation is higher, then refine it. There is mystery within; never show it lightly.”

Mei Yuchen received it and was overwhelmed with sorrow—it was the jade token that had been taken from him. Only now did he realize the man’s identity. At his side, Su Yunxue wept again, seeing the token returned and recalling how her late husband had died for it.

Yang Cheng, unable to bear the somber mood, offered his congratulations: “Congratulations, Brother Lu, on gaining a son. By the way, I sense that Yuchen is quite extraordinary—has he trained from a young age? I can’t discern his level.”

“Replying to the young master, Yuchen reached the Foundation Establishment stage two years ago, but since the family’s downfall, his cultivation has stalled at that level,” Su Yunxue explained.

“Uh…” So young, and already higher than me? Yang Cheng was mortified. Are all the children in the cultivation world this exceptional? He glanced at Lu Baichuan for confirmation.

Lu Baichuan was equally stunned. “He reached Foundation Establishment two years ago? Come here, let me take a look.” He remembered his sworn brother once described the child as dull-witted, and he had naively believed it. He’d spent little time at the Mei household, only questioning his sister-in-law about her husband’s death before setting off, consumed by rage, for revenge, never closely observing the child.

Mei Yuchen stepped forward to be examined by his adoptive father.

“This… this…” Lu Baichuan felt the boy’s bones several times, both shocked and delighted.

“What is it? Is his talent remarkable?” Yang Cheng asked, unable to tell himself.

“It’s more than remarkable—his talent is superb. In a great clan, he’d be a prized protégé. You know Bai Muyun of Wuzhou City, don’t you? As a child, he was no better than this. And Yuchen has achieved all this without the resources of a great family—it’s truly impressive,” Lu Baichuan exclaimed.

Everyone was thrilled. Yuchen was delighted to receive his adoptive father’s approval. Su Yunxue, though happy, was also saddened that her son’s birth in such humble circumstances meant his talents could not be fully realized.

Lu Baichuan quickly realized this as well, and worry crept in.

Finally, Yang Cheng spoke up, “Brother Lu, since you have joyfully gained a son today, it is only right to give the child a gift. Since you are not in a position to do so, allow me to do the honors.” He turned to Xiao Wu. “Xiao Wu, go to Old Yang and have him deliver five thousand spirit coins to Steward Su’s quarters, for little Yuchen’s cultivation.”

“That’s too much…” Lu Baichuan and Su Yunxue said in unison.

“Come now, Brother Lu, you’re still recovering from your injuries. I’m just helping out for now; you can repay me when you’re able. Besides, let’s not waste the boy’s precious time. Sister Yunxue, don’t feel uneasy—things will soon be busy here, and I’ll be relying on you to keep everything in order.”

Lu Baichuan understood that Yang Cheng was giving him face before the child. As a lone cultivator still recovering, who knows when he could repay such a debt? But he could not delay the boy’s training—such talent mustn’t be wasted—so he nodded his assent.

This was a great favor owed, indeed. Su Yunxue saw the young master’s generosity and assumed he commanded great wealth, but Lu Baichuan, having spent these days with Yang Cheng, knew that he was not rich by any means. This magnanimity inspired genuine admiration—sometimes, he thought, even a Golden Core cultivator could not match the heart of an ordinary man.