Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Give Him Dignity!

 

Setting up home!

Three brothers were all startled.

Ye Nan’s smile gradually disappeared as he thought of something.

Ye Tianming took the invitation and glanced at it, then looked at the old man, “I will be there on time.”

The old man nodded, not saying much, and turned to leave.

Ye Nan suddenly looked at Ye Zong, “Ye Zong, go practice.”

Ye Zong knew the two had something to discuss, so he said: “Alright.”

After Ye Zong left, Ye Nan looked at Ye Tianming, “Let’s go to your study.”

The two brothers came to Ye Tianming’s study, which was filled with books. Since childhood, the Ancestor had taught him that cultivators who don’t train their minds are just idiots, no matter how strong they are.

The brothers sat down, and Ye Nan said solemnly: “Tianming, I’ve never interfered with your relationship with Miss An Qi, but there’s one thing you should understand… the gap between our Ye family and the An family is vast. This is a class issue, not something we can solve right now.”

In the Guanxuan Universe, family clans and sects had been divided into first through ninth rank at some point. Although An Qi’s An family was only a branch of the first-rank Wu God family clan of Qingzhou, it was still a fourth-rank family. This was not something their Ye family could compare to. The Ye family was considered a bottom-tier family, unranked and without status.

Ye Nan continued: “You once saved An Qi, which is considered a favor to the An family. But this is also what concerns me most, because in many cases, ‘bringing up old favors becomes enmity.’ Whether it’s gratitude or resentment often depends on their whim.”

Ye Tianming nodded slightly, “We’ll find out when we get there.”

Ye Nan said: “I know you understand. Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s discuss the Zhao family matter. What do you think about the Zhao family situation?”

Ye Tianming didn’t speak but took a pen and paper from nearby and began writing.

Ye Nan suddenly also took a pen and paper and started writing.

After the brothers finished writing, they placed the two papers in the middle. On each of their papers was written a large character: ‘Kill’.

Ye Nan smiled.

Ye Tianming said seriously: “Brother, since we’re sworn enemies, either our Ye family destroys the Zhao family, or the Zhao family destroys us. I think we should strike first. If you have no objections, I’ll go out and secretly finish off Zhao Xiu right away.”

Ye Nan slowly stood up, “I think the same as you, but there are two issues here. First, Zhao Xiu represents not just the Zhao family but also the Celestial Treasure Pavilion. Killing Zhao Xiu would be openly challenging the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, which could bring disaster upon our Ye family. Second, is Zhao Xiu’s lawless behavior, forcing our Ye family ancestral land for eight hundred spirit crystals, the will of the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, or is Zhao Xiu acting in their name? If it’s the Celestial Treasure Pavilion’s intention, then killing Zhao Xiu would be meaningless, because the problem is with the Pavilion.”

Ye Tianming stared at Ye Nan, “There’s a third possibility – it could be both the Celestial Treasure Pavilion’s intention and Zhao Xiu’s.”

Ye Nan remained silent, but his expression gradually became grave.

Ye Tianming continued: “The Celestial Treasure Pavilion is implementing urban renovation in Wanzhou. Such a massive project surely hides benefits beyond our imagination. The major families and sects of Qingzhou will certainly want a piece of the pie. To maximize their profits, they must compete with the common people for resources. What our Ye family faces may not just be the Zhao family and the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, but countless interest groups seeking benefits from this…”

Ye Nan said softly: “I’ll know whether it’s the Celestial Treasure Pavilion’s intention when I go to the Supervisory Office. Don’t make a move yet; wait for my news. By the way, you should go to the An family now.”

Ye Tianming stood up, about to leave, when Ye Nan suddenly said: “Wait.”

Ye Tianming stopped and turned to look at Ye Nan. Ye Nan pointed to clothes on a chair nearby, “Those are new clothes your sister-in-law made for you. Try them on and see if they fit. If not, take them back to her for alterations.”

Ye Tianming smiled, “Sister-in-law’s clothes always fit perfectly.”

After saying this, he took the clothes and left. After leaving the Ye residence, he headed straight for the An family.

At the An residence, in the main hall.

An elderly man sat at the head, wearing an elegant robe, his gaze profound.

This was An Xiao.

Near the window on the right stood a beautiful woman. The woman was An Qi, who today wore a light blue dress, appearing serene and elegant, with an otherworldly quality.

Not far from An Qi, a young man in brocade robes reclined on a couch, engrossed in reading an ancient book.

The young man was named An Yan, An Qi’s brother.

An Xiao suddenly said: “The Nanli family has agreed to let Xiao Qi meet with Nan Lingyun, which means this marriage is basically settled.”

As he spoke, a smile appeared on his face. Their An family was just a remote branch of the An clan, barely qualifying as a fourth-rank family, while the Nanli family was a second-rank family. Moreover, the Nanli family once had connections with the Guanxuan Sword Master. It could be said they had truly struck gold.

Hearing An Xiao’s words, An Qi looked away and lowered her head slightly, saying nothing.

An Xiao glanced at An Qi, and seeing she had nothing to say, continued: “I’ve already sent someone to invite Ye Tianming over. The relationship between you two should be concluded. You know, even if a man appears magnanimous on the surface, he will certainly care about his fiancée’s past. Therefore, the matter between you and Ye Tianming must be resolved, especially to prevent him from speaking about your relationship outside. If he were to do so, it would seriously damage your reputation.”

An Qi slowly raised her head to look at the sky outside the window. At this moment, she thought of the days she had spent with Ye Tianming. Undoubtedly, those times were happy, and she had always had feelings for that man. But soon, she also recalled how Ye Tianming had struggled but failed to obtain the Dao fortune.

After a moment, she slowly closed her eyes, “Give him dignity, don’t make things difficult for him.”

“Of course!”

Seeing An Qi so decisive, An Xiao’s eyes flashed with approval, “Although our An family is not a super family clan, we don’t do such despicable things, nor do we care to. Of course, the premise is that he must be sensible. As long as he is sensible, we will naturally give him dignity, but if he persists stubbornly…”

“Father.”

At this moment, An Yan, who had been silent, suddenly said: “I think this approach is wrong.”

An Xiao looked at An Yan. An Yan slowly stood up and said earnestly: “Tianming and sister grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and he saved her life. This kindness, I won’t say deserves repayment with marriage, but at least should be remembered and never forgotten. Now, because we fear misunderstandings from the Nanli family, we call him here and force him to sever ties with sister. This is truly immoral.”

An Xiao’s face darkened, “Do you realize that your sister is now engaged to the Nanli family? If the Nanli family learns that your sister and he were once childhood sweethearts, or if Ye Tianming spreads rumors outside, it would affect your sister’s reputation…”

An Yan shook his head slightly, interrupting An Xiao again, “Father, this thinking is still wrong. Why should our An family try to please the Nanli clan? Those top-tier families will never respect us because we flatter them. On the contrary, the more you flatter them, the more they look down on us. Our circles are different, there’s no need to force integration…”

He paused, then continued: “Moreover, sister and Tianming have always been pure and innocent. If Nan Lingyun harbors misgivings because of their childhood friendship, would sister be happy marrying such a narrow-minded man?”

An Xiao’s expression became unpleasant.

An Yan turned to look at An Qi, saying earnestly: “Sister, even if you truly don’t like Tianming, you should tell him directly. Matters between men and women aren’t always so complicated. If you like someone, be together; if not, remain friends. This is very normal. But now, if we make him completely disassociate from you because we fear Nan Lingyun’s misunderstanding, we’re insulting him. We shouldn’t treat him this way, and people shouldn’t behave like this.”

After speaking, he stood up and left.

An Xiao didn’t argue. He turned to look at An Qi. The final decision still rested with her.

An Qi gazed out the window. After a moment, she said softly: “Without Nan Lingyun, he and I would still be impossible.”

An Xiao understood.

When Ye Tianming arrived at the An family gate, he saw An Yan coming out. Seeing Ye Tianming, An Yan smiled and waved at him, “Tianming.”

Ye Tianming walked up to him, and An Yan smiled, “I was planning to say goodbye to you, but I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Ye Tianming was somewhat surprised, “You’re leaving?”

An Yan nodded, “I’m going to the Guanxuan Main Academy to participate in the Guanxuan Literary Examination hosted by Young Master Yang Jia himself. It’s clear that our Young Master wants to do something substantial. I’m going to assist him in thoroughly reforming the Guanxuan Universe and purging the internal corruption of sects and family clans. Tianming, as we’ve discussed before, this world needs new ideas, even new laws. Those old aristocratic families will eventually be eliminated. That day won’t be far off.”

Ye Tianming said seriously: “An Yan, we’re still too weak. We can think about these things, but we don’t yet have the ability…”

“I know!”

An Yan said: “But I can’t wait anymore. Tianming, do you know? The Young Master bestowed over thirty thousand Dao fortunes, and Qingzhou received twelve. But as soon as those twelve Dao fortunes arrived in Qingzhou, they were seized by the local aristocratic families. Ordinary people didn’t get a single one! Ah, no matter how good the policies from above are, once they reach the lower levels, they become distorted. It’s incredibly difficult for common people to benefit.”

As he finished, he sighed deeply, with both helplessness and anger.

Regarding the Dao fortunes being distributed among family clans and sects, Ye Tianming wasn’t very surprised. Since ancient times, how could truly good things ever fall into the hands of ordinary people?

Ye Tianming said somewhat helplessly: “That’s just how this world is.”

An Yan sighed softly, “Now our Guanxuan Universe is filled with family clans and sects. They intermarry, connect their gates, form intricate networks, and bind themselves with favors and righteousness, controlling almost all resources in our Guanxuan Universe. There are countless dark dealings. Tianming, I tell you, people at the bottom now have few opportunities to rise. So much resentment and anger has accumulated that one day, people will revolt… I’m going to the Guanxuan Realm this time to start a revolution.”

Ye Tianming joked: “An Yan, you’re also from a family clan.”

An Yan looked at him seriously, “Then I’ll revolutionize myself.”

Ye Tianming fell silent. He knew his good friend was serious because this had once been their shared ideal.

An Yan suddenly said: “Tianming, I’m leaving.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “Safe travels.”

After saying this, he walked toward the An residence. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, then turned and walked back to An Yan, saying earnestly: “An Yan, touching people’s interests is like killing their parents. Throughout history, all reformers have met bad ends. The family clans and sects are deeply intertwined, with vast power. The depths of their influence are far beyond what you and I can see. Forget about reform – even harboring such thoughts could lead to ruin. Be extremely cautious on your journey, and don’t easily reveal your intentions.”

An Yan smiled, “I understand. Don’t worry, Tianming, I’m not just a bookworm.”

Ye Tianming patted his shoulder, “Take care.”

After saying this, he turned and walked toward the An residence.

An Yan suddenly said: “Tianming, if my father and sister offend you in any way, don’t take it to heart.”

Ye Tianming turned to look at An Yan. An Yan gazed at him, “There are some problems I can’t solve yet, like various class concepts… I’m going to find Young Master Yang Jia. He must have solutions.”

After saying this, he turned and left.