Chapter 31: The Young Lord

"It's nothing much, really. There's going to be a new student at the cultivation academy tomorrow. Teacher said he's coming from Ankang Prefecture," Yeming and Dongmen Meng were both slightly taken aback, and Dongmen Meng asked curiously, "What is this student from Ankang Prefecture coming here for?"

"I don't know. Teacher seemed to say it's for sword technique exchange, but according to Ba Wanqing, he's actually coming as a guest of their family. I'm not sure what it means," Ye Qin rubbed his bald head, grinning foolishly.

Even the little servant, Xiao Ling, couldn't help but chuckle. These two children both sported shaved heads, and especially when they sat together, the sight was irresistibly amusing.

The couple remained rather wary of this sudden outsider.

"Mother, can I go back to training tomorrow?" Ye Kun asked.

"Are you really all right?" Dongmen Meng asked seriously.

"Mother, I'm really fine now," Ye Kun replied, with a hint of childish affection in his voice. With such a loving mother, acting spoiled had become second nature.

Dongmen Meng smiled softly, her beauty radiant. Though their father often said only a wife like their mother would do in the future, the two brothers believed that to marry a woman like their mother would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes.

After dinner, the brothers made their way to the backyard.

"Brother, Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen are planning to mess with the newcomer," Ye Qin whispered stealthily.

"Why do they want to mess with the new guy?" Ye Kun wondered. Those two had been after him for years now, never once succeeding.

"I don't know, but, brother, you should be careful. The cultivation academy isn't like the private school; the teachers allow sparring," Ye Qin cautioned carefully.

Ye Kun patted Ye Qin's shoulder. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. But you—what about the county magistrate's daughter?"

"It's nothing..." Ye Qin immediately looked aside, seeming a little guilty.

"Have you kissed yet?"

"Brother! You're so indecent!" Ye Qin stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him.

Ye Kun was bewildered. Indecent? My goodness!

The next day, Ye Kun donned a black training outfit, looking full of vigor. Beside him, Ye Qin actually looked a bit flushed, leaving Ye Kun speechless—just how shy was this brother of his?

The two bald-headed boys walked out of the Ye family home, drawing curious glances from neighbors—after all, it was rare to see children with shaved heads looking so handsome.

"All right, all right, let's say it was a slip of the tongue," Ye Kun appeased his sulking brother, helplessly.

Ye Qin pouted, "Brother, mind your words in the future, or you'll be called a little rascal."

"Yes, yes, brother has learned his lesson," Ye Kun clasped his hands to his brother, thinking that one day he'd understand—a bad boy attracts more girls, but Ye Kun was a righteous man, and thus, his fate was a tragic one.

Ye Qin grinned, "Brother, let me teach you sword techniques later. I'm telling you, you haven't seen it yet, but I'm really something now," he said, giving a proud thumbs-up.

Ye Kun played along, exaggeratedly, "Wow, impressive! You're making the family proud."

"Of course!" Ye Qin finished, feeling something was off, but couldn't put his finger on it.

Last time Ye Kun came to the cultivation academy, he’d only seen the front gate before getting struck by lightning.

Today, finally, he was inside.

But—

It was merely an enclosed sandy yard. A few wooden stakes stood in one corner, and a middle-aged man sat beneath the only eaves, drinking wine.

"Brother, that's the teacher, the only swordsman in our county. He's amazing," Ye Qin said in awe, as if he wanted to become such a master himself.

Ye Kun thought to himself, "Our mother and father are the true masters, but you just don't know it."

"Feng Dian, Ye Kun actually showed up!" Yuan Zhen, standing not far away, spotted Ye Kun immediately and told Feng Dian.

"That kid's got some luck—survived a lightning strike, made me happy for nothing for days," Feng Dian grumbled.

Yuan Zhen snickered wickedly, "This works too. We'll get to teach Ye Kun a lesson, and include the newcomer as well."

"Yuan Zhen, why don’t we let someone else do the dirty work?" Feng Dian suddenly had an idea. Rather than getting their hands dirty, let Ye Kun do it; then, if anyone gets offended, it's on Ye Kun.

Yuan Zhen instantly understood, "Excellent plan! Let the newcomer and Ye Kun fight. Whether Ye Kun wins or loses, he'll have made an enemy."

"Exactly! Finally, we can get back at Ye Kun. I've waited almost five years for this moment!"

"Me too..."

"Brother!"

"Brother!" The two gripped each other's hands tightly, brimming with enthusiasm.

"Brother, look at those two. They're definitely up to something," Ye Qin whispered, watching the pair.

Ye Kun only wanted to focus on training; everything else could be ignored.

"Let them be. After all these years, they've never caused any real trouble."

"True enough."

Luckily, Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian didn't overhear the bald brothers' cutting comments.

"Ye Qin."

Ye Kun recognized the voice immediately—it was the county magistrate's daughter, clearly interested in his brother. She always called for Ye Qin, never for him.

Of course, Ye Kun wasn't jealous; he was happy for his brother, whose lifelong affairs seemed settled.

"Wanqing, you're early," Ye Qin turned and smiled, but his smile froze.

Beside Ba Wanqing stood another youth, taller and older than the rest—probably around fourteen. He wore ornate robes, their craftsmanship clearly expensive; a skilled tailor was sought after by many, and even someone without talent could hold their head high if dressed properly. After all, clothing was one's facade.

Even a sword sect master had to dress well.

The robe was tea-green with embroidered edges, draped with a thin silk shawl, and he gently waved a folding fan in his hand. His gaze was full of disdain, surveying the surroundings with an expression of contempt.

"Wanqing, this little academy is so rundown. Come with me to Ankang Prefecture; it's far superior," the boy, Dai Zheng, said arrogantly, his pride radiating instantly.

Even Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian were annoyed by his attitude. Who did he think he was? Did he know where he was? This was not his Ankang Prefecture!

Ba Wanqing didn't seem fond of the boy either. He'd complained about everything since arriving the night before, but her father and his seemed to have matters to discuss, so she was tasked with showing him around.

Ye Kun and Ye Qin instinctively disliked the boy. He was too arrogant, acting as if he was the best in the world.