Chapter 2

Anjia!

The three brothers were all taken aback.

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

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

The old man nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Ye Nan suddenly looked at Ye Zong, "Ye Zong, go and practice."

Ye Zong knew the two had something to discuss and said, "Alright."

After Ye Zong left, Ye Nan looked at Ye Tianming, "To my study."

The two brothers went to Ye Tianming’s study, where books were densely packed. From a young age, their ancestor had taught them that cultivators who do not cultivate their minds are no better than fools, no matter how strong they are.

The two brothers sat down, and Ye Nan said in a serious tone, "Tianming, I have never interfered in your relationship with An Qi, but there is one thing you should understand... Our Ye family and the An family are worlds apart. This is a class issue, not something we can resolve now."

In the Guanxuan Universe, from some unknown time, noble families and sects were divided into nine ranks. Although An Qi’s An family was just a branch of the first-rank Qingzhou Wu Shen Clan, it was still a fourth-rank family, far beyond their Ye family, which belonged to the lowest rank, with no status at all.

Ye Nan continued, "You once saved An Qi, which is a favor to the An family. But what I am most worried about is this very point, because many times, 'mentioning old favors can turn them into enmity.' Whether it is a favor or enmity often depends on their whim."

Ye Tianming nodded slightly, "We’ll see when I get there."

Ye Nan said, "I know you understand, but let’s talk about the Zhao family. What do you think about the Zhao family?"

Ye Tianming did not speak but took a pen and paper and started writing.

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

After they finished, they placed the two papers in the middle. Both papers had a large word written on them: 'Kill.'

Ye Nan laughed.

Ye Tianming said seriously, "Brother, since it’s a blood feud, either our Ye family will destroy the Zhao family, or the Zhao family will destroy us. I think we should strike first. If you have no objections, I’ll go and secretly take care of Zhao Xiu later."

Ye Nan slowly stood up, "I think the same, but there are two issues. First, Zhao Xiu represents not only the Zhao family but also the Immortal Treasure Pavilion. Killing Zhao Xiu would be a direct challenge to the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, and doing so could bring catastrophic consequences to our Ye family. Second, Zhao Xiu’s illegal actions, such as forcibly taking our ancestral shrine land with 800 spirit crystals, were either ordered by the Immortal Treasure Pavilion or done under its name. If it was the Immortal Treasure Pavilion’s order, then killing Zhao Xiu would be meaningless because the problem lies with the Immortal Treasure Pavilion."

Ye Tianming stared at Ye Nan, "There is a third possibility: it was both the Immortal Treasure Pavilion’s order and Zhao Xiu’s personal decision."

Ye Nan fell silent, his expression gradually becoming serious.

Ye Tianming continued, "The Immortal Treasure Pavilion is implementing urban redevelopment in Wanzhou. Such a large project must hide unimaginable benefits. The major families and sects in Qingzhou will not miss out on a share. To maximize their benefits, they must compete with the common people. We may face not only the Zhao family and the Immortal Treasure Pavilion but also countless interest groups involved in this..."

Ye Nan said softly, "I will know if it was the Immortal Treasure Pavilion’s order once I go to the Inspection Bureau. Don’t act rashly for now, wait for my news. By the way, go to the An family quickly."

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 a chair nearby, "That’s the new clothes your sister-in-law made for you. Try them on and see if they fit. If they don’t, take them back to her for adjustments."

Ye Tianming smiled, "Nothing my sister-in-law makes will ever be a bad fit."

With that, he took the clothes and left. After exiting the Ye residence, he headed straight for the An family residence.

At the An family residence, in the main hall, an old man sat at the head of the table, wearing a luxurious robe, his gaze deep and serious. This was An Xiao.

Near the window on the right side, a beautiful woman stood, dressed in a light blue gown, serene and elegant. This was An Qi. Beside her, on a couch, sat a young man in a brocade robe, engrossed in an ancient book. This was An Yan, An Qi’s younger brother.

An Xiao suddenly said, "The Nan family has agreed to let Xiao Qi and Nan Lingyun get to know each other, which means this marriage is basically settled."

As he spoke, a smile appeared on his face. The An family was just a remote branch of the An clan, barely a fourth-rank family, while the Nan family was a second-rank noble family. Moreover, the Nan family had a connection with the Guanxuan Sword Master in the past. This was truly a stroke of luck for them.

Hearing An Xiao’s words, An Qi withdrew her gaze, lowered her head slightly, and said nothing.

An Xiao looked at An Qi and, seeing that she did not speak, continued, "I have already sent for Ye Tianming. The relationship between you two needs to be settled. You know, no matter how magnanimous a man may seem, he will still be concerned about his fiancée’s past. Therefore, the matter between you and Ye Tianming must be settled, especially to prevent him from talking about your past outside, as it could seriously damage your reputation."

An Qi slowly raised her head and looked out the window. At that moment, she thought of the days she had spent with Ye Tianming. Undoubtedly, those were happy times, and she had always had a good feeling for that man. But soon, she remembered how hard Ye Tianming had tried but could not obtain the Great Dao aura.

After a moment, she closed her eyes slowly, "Give him dignity, don’t make it difficult for him."

"Of course!"

Seeing An Qi’s decisiveness, An Xiao’s eyes flashed with approval, "Although our An family is not a super noble family, we do not engage in despicable acts and are not beneath doing so. Of course, the premise is that he must be reasonable. As long as he is reasonable, we will give him dignity. But if he is persistent..."

"Dad."

At that moment, An Yan, who had been silent, suddenly said, "I think this is wrong."

An Xiao looked at An Yan, who slowly stood up and said seriously, "Tianming and Sister have been childhood sweethearts, and he even saved her. I won’t say he should marry her, but at least we should remember his kindness and never forget it. Now, because we fear the Nan family’s misunderstanding, we are calling him here to force him to sever ties with Sister. This is immoral."

An Xiao’s face darkened, "Do you know that your sister is already engaged to the Nan family? If the Nan family learns that she and Ye Tianming were childhood sweethearts, or if Ye Tianming talks about it outside, it will affect her reputation..."

An Yan shook his head slightly, interrupting An Xiao, "Dad, this way of thinking is still wrong. Why should our An family try to please the Nan family? Those top noble families will not respect us just because we flatter them. On the contrary, the more we flatter them, the more they will look down on us. Different circles should not be forced to merge..."

He paused and continued, "Moreover, Sister and Tianming are innocent. If Nan Lingyun harbors resentment because they were childhood sweethearts, will Sister be happy marrying such a narrow-minded man?"

An Xiao’s face turned grim.

An Yan turned to An Qi and said seriously, "Sister, even if you don’t like Tianming, you should tell him clearly. Relationships between men and women don’t have to be so complicated. If you like him, be together; if you don’t, be friends. This is normal. But if we force him to sever ties with you because we fear Nan Lingyun’s misunderstanding, it is an insult to him. We shouldn’t treat him this way, and we shouldn’t be like this as people."

With that, he stood up and left.

An Xiao did not argue. He turned to An Qi, and the final decision would be up to her.

An Qi gazed out the window. After a moment, she said softly, "Without Nan Lingyun, it would not have been possible between us anyway."

An Xiao understood.

When Ye Tianming arrived at the An family residence, he saw An Yan coming out. Seeing Ye Tianming, An Yan smiled and waved, "Tianming."

Ye Tianming walked up to him, and An Yan smiled, "I was going to say goodbye to you, but I didn’t expect to run into you."

Ye Tianming was a bit surprised, "You’re leaving?"

An Yan nodded, "I’m going to the Guanxuan Academy to participate in the Guanxuan Literary Examination presided over by Young Master Yang Jia. 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 clearing out the accumulated problems of the sects and noble families. Tianming, we once discussed the need for new ideas, even new laws. The old noble families will eventually be eliminated, and that day is not far off."

Ye Tianming said seriously, "An Yan, we are still too weak. We can think about these things, but we don’t have the ability yet..."

"I know!"

An Yan said, "But I can’t wait. Tianming, do you know? The young master bestowed over 30,000 Great Dao auras, and Qingzhou received twelve. But as soon as the twelve auras arrived in Qingzhou, they were seized by the noble families and powerful clans, and ordinary people didn’t get a single one! Sigh, no matter how good the policies are, they are distorted at the lower levels. It is extremely difficult for the common people to benefit."

At the end, he sighed deeply, with both helplessness and anger.

Regarding the Great Dao auras being taken by the noble families and sects, Ye Tianming was not surprised. Throughout history, how could the best things ever fall into the hands of the common people?

Ye Tianming said helplessly, "This is how the world is."

An Yan sighed softly, "Now, in our Guanxuan Universe, noble families and sects are intertwined, with deep roots and strong connections, controlling almost all resources. There are countless dark and corrupt things. Tianming, I’m telling you, the people at the bottom have few opportunities to rise, and there is a lot of resentment and anger. One day, they will revolt... I’m going to the Guanxuan World to start a revolution."

Ye Tianming joked, "An Yan, you are also from a noble family and sect."

An Yan looked at him seriously, "Then I will start by revolutionizing myself."

Ye Tianming fell silent, knowing his good brother was serious, as this was once their shared ideal.

An Yan suddenly said, "Tianming, I’m leaving."

Ye Tianming nodded, "Safe journey."

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned to An Yan, saying seriously, "An Yan, touching someone’s interests is like killing their parents. Throughout history, reformers have never had good endings. The noble families and sects have deep roots and immense power, far beyond what we can see. Even thinking about reform can lead to irreparable consequences. Be cautious and careful, and don’t easily reveal your intentions."

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

Ye Tianming patted his shoulder, "Take care."

With that, he turned and walked towards the An family residence.

An Yan suddenly said, "Tianming, if my father and sister have offended you, don’t take it to heart."

Ye Tianming turned to look at An Yan, who said, "There are some issues I can’t solve for now, like various class concepts... I’m going to find Young Master Yang Jia; he must have a solution."

With that, he turned and left.

...

Don’t worry, it needs to be reviewed, so it will be a bit slower. Sorry!!