Immortal Martial Emperor

He ate the simple fried rice with great relish.

Yun Mengyao quietly watched Hong Yu wolf down his food. Only then did she dutifully go to clear the dishes.

Given Hong Yu’s current status, the Hong Family had arranged for servants and maids. But Yun Mengyao insisted on doing everything herself, personally waiting on Hong Yu. While this left Hong Yu feeling a bit helpless, he was even more so deeply moved.

As evening fell, the young girl was inside, making Hong Yu’s bed.

"Brother, it’s ready for you! I embroidered this bedsheet with my own hands!" Yun Mengyao’s eyes narrowed into twin crescents, and her bright gaze sparkled as she called out to Hong Yu, as if seeking praise.

Hong Yu smiled, looking at the bedsheet. A Cyan Dragon soared through the clouds, its embroidery exquisite and its design powerful—very much to his liking.

"You, your skill could almost rival a master embroiderer’s!" Hong Yu gave her a thumbs-up.

Yun Mengyao giggled. "I remembered you said you liked powerful dragons the most, so I embroidered this while I waited for you to come back!"

Hong Yu paused.

An image surfaced in his mind: a young girl under dim candlelight, painstakingly embroidering the vast, intricate design of the Cyan Dragon, one stitch at a time.

A wave of warmth spread through his heart.

Gazing at the trace of weariness on the young girl’s delicate face, Hong Yu felt a pang of tenderness. He gently tapped Yun Mengyao’s nose. "Yaoyao, once the family meeting is over in a couple of days, I’ll take you back to the Cyan Nether Sword Sect."

’If it were up to me, I wouldn’t even deign to attend the family meeting.’

’After all, I don’t feel much of a connection to this family.’

’But I couldn’t refuse the Third Elder’s constant urging. I had to agree, if only to repay him for a favor.’

Yun Mengyao stared blankly for a moment, then blinked her large, bright eyes. "Brother, does that mean Elder Zhu agreed to treat my illness?"

Hong Yu paused.

He immediately realized Master Xue must have been the one who told her. He nodded and smiled. "That’s right. Elder Zhu has already promised to help as long as I bring you to her. Don’t worry, Yaoyao. Elder Zhu is the greatest expert on physical constitutions in the entire Fengyue Kingdom. She will definitely be able to cure you!"

"B-but..."

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing the young girl’s hesitation, Hong Yu asked in confusion.

Yun Mengyao bit her lip, looking at Hong Yu with concern. "Brother, I heard from Master Xue that Elder Zhu is very eccentric. Anyone who seeks her help has to pay a heavy price. Did you have to agree to some condition? If... if it’s too difficult for you, I’d... I’d rather not get treated. I don’t want to be a burden to you."

"Don’t be ridiculous."

Hong Yu’s brow furrowed as he chided her. "Yun Mengyao, you listen to me. I would pay any price to have you cured, even if it cost me my life. I forbid you from ever again saying you won’t get treated or that you’re a burden. Do you understand?"

Stunned by his sharp tone, Yun Mengyao froze.

In her memory, Hong Yu had never been angry with her before. But she quickly realized it was just how much he cared. Biting her lip, she nodded. "I... I understand."

"Good."

Hong Yu’s expression finally softened. "It’s getting late. Go get some rest. Tomorrow morning, you’ll come with me to see Uncle Hu."

"Okay!"

They parted ways, and the long night began.

***

「The next morning.」

Hong Yu rose early. After an hour of cultivation on the roof, he took Yun Mengyao to find the Tiger Instructor.

It was the time when the younger generation of the Hong Family was doing their morning training in the Martial Arts Hall.

When Hong Yu and Yun Mengyao arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, they saw young faces beaded with sweat from diligent training. Their youth and fervor radiated under the sun, and Hong Yu couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

’Not long ago, I was one of these kids.’

’The scenery remained, but the people were no longer the same.’

Some of them were even companions he had once trained with. But in the past six months, Hong Yu’s posture had grown straighter, his aura deep and profound, and he faintly carried the bearing of an expert. He was a far cry from the unremarkable, slouching boy who had blended into the crowd half a year ago.

Immersed in their training, the crowd did not recognize him at first.

"Alright, you little brats! Every bit of hard work and every drop of sweat today becomes your strength and glory tomorrow!"

"On the path of martial arts, the most important thing besides talent is diligence! The Celestial Dao rewards the diligent—that is a timeless truth! I know many of you doubt me, but let me give you a simple example..."

The deep voice was familiar, the burly figure as impressive as ever. The Tiger Instructor scanned the crowd and said gravely, "You should all remember Hong Yu. Just over six months ago, he was right here in the Martial Arts Hall, training just like you. Back then, in terms of talent, Hong Yu was merely average. He couldn’t even compare to Direct Lineage Disciples like Hong Lin. But what happened?"

"Now Hong Yu is a True Disciple of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, while Hong Lin is only at the Ninth Layer of the Essence Realm. Why is that?"

"His birthright? No!"

"Talent? No!"

"It’s effort and diligence! Behind all his achievements, Hong Yu shed dozens, even hundreds of times more blood and sweat than any of you. If you’re not satisfied with where you are, then don’t stand here blaming the heavens or complaining that your parents’ status isn’t high enough! Don’t complain about the family’s cruel system of culling the weak! If you don’t want to spend your entire life with someone’s boot on your neck, then you train! You train like your life depends on it!"

Watching the impassioned Tiger Instructor, Hong Yu wore a strange expression as he stood quietly at the edge of the Martial Arts Hall.

’How familiar this all is!’

"T-Tiger Instructor!"

A youth in the crowd shouted.

The Tiger Instructor flew into a rage. "I’m trying to whip you into shape! What are you interrupting for?"

The youth sounded aggrieved. "Tiger Instructor, I... I was trying to tell you... H-Hong Yu is here..."

"Hong Yu? What the hell does Hong Yu being here have to do with... Wait. Who did you say? Hong Yu?!"

The instructor, slow on the uptake, spun around. His eyes met Hong Yu’s.

He froze for a second, then in the next instant, he crossed the distance with a Dragon Walk and Tiger Stride to stand before Hong Yu. His huge hands wrapped around the boy in a hearty bear hug as he roared with laughter. "Good, good, good! You brat! I was starting to think you’d forgotten all about me!"

"Uncle Hu, so many people are watching!"

Hong Yu rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"So what if they’re watching? Let ’em look! I don’t give a damn..." the Tiger Instructor’s voice boomed like thunder as he glanced back at the crowd of brats.

The kids who had been snickering a moment ago instantly held their breath, their expressions turning solemn.

The Tiger Instructor nodded in satisfaction. "You’re on your own for the rest of morning practice. And none of you had better slack off!" With that roar, he grabbed Hong Yu. "Come on, come on! It’s been too long. Let’s go have a drink!"

The two drank and chatted, and before they knew it, it was noon.

Yun Mengyao sat serenely to the side the entire time, watching them without a hint of impatience. Whenever their cups were empty, she would refill them.

The Tiger Instructor’s face was completely flushed. He downed another cup and looked at Hong Yu in astonishment. "What? You came back this time to take Yaoyao to the Cyan Nether Sword Sect?"

"Mhm."

Hong Yu took a drink. "Yaoyao’s illness must be cured."

The Tiger Instructor’s gaze flickered. "You’re not coming back?"

"I probably won’t be. Once Yaoyao is stable, I’ll leave the Fengyue Kingdom."

A faint smile touched Hong Yu’s lips. "I promised her I would take her to find her father and mother."

"Do you even know where your father and mother are? How are you going to find them? And are you so sure this Elder Zhu can even cure Yaoyao?" the Tiger Instructor fired off.

He seemed somewhat agitated.

Hong Yu gave him a slightly puzzled look. "Success depends on effort. At least if I try, I’ll have no regrets."

"You..."

The Tiger Instructor looked as if he wanted to say more but stopped himself. After a long moment, he finally sighed. "Alright, since you’ve made up your mind, then go do it!" He paused. "I’ve had a bit too much to drink today."

Hong Yu’s hand paused. Draining the last of the wine from his cup, he smiled. "Then I’ll take my leave."

SNOOORE...

The Tiger Instructor was already sprawled across the table, snoring.

’Uncle Hu is as unconventional as ever.’ Shaking his head with a light chuckle, Hong Yu led Yun Mengyao away.

After the pair had left, the supposedly sleeping Tiger Instructor slowly lifted his head. His eyes were hazy as he murmured to himself, "The master predicted that the Young Master would face a great calamity around his sixteenth birthday. And that birthday is getting closer and closer... Ah well. I’ve stayed in Shishui City long enough. It’s about time I left..."

Tossing back the rest of the wine in his cup, the Tiger Instructor’s eyes glinted. A subtle aura emanated from him, one far more powerful than any Earth Soul Realm expert should possess.

On the way from the Martial Arts Hall back to the Rain Listening Pavilion, Hong Yu encountered one Hong Family disciple after another.

Some were strangers, some were familiar, some he vaguely remembered...

These were the same family disciples who had once been so high and mighty, always flaunting their status as geniuses and members of the Direct Lineage. Now, upon seeing Hong Yu, they all adopted postures of adoration, reverence, and even humility.

Among the crowd, Hong Yu even spotted Direct Lineage Disciples who had mocked him many times in the past.

Just six months ago, they had always looked down on him with such condescending gazes. Now, they stood with their backs slightly bowed, a sycophantic humility and reverence in their posture. They looked as if they’d be thrilled to rush over and lick the dust from his shoes. ’So many roles to play in this world,’ he thought, ’and the human heart is the most fickle of all.’

Honglian, a once-haughty young lady of the Direct Lineage, now kept her head bowed, her gaze a mixture of shame and adoration. "Y-Young Master Hong Yu... I-I was wrong before. Please... please forgive me!"

Another noble young master lowered his arrogant head. "Young Master Yu, I was a blind fool for looking down on you. I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg your forgiveness!"

"Young Master Yu, my father was the one who withheld your family’s allowance back then. He... he’s been unable to eat or sleep for days. I’m begging you, please forgive him!" a young man pleaded, dropping to his knees.

Hong Yu didn’t even know who this person was, but he had no choice but to agree.

Upon receiving Hong Yu’s assent, they were all ecstatic, practically dancing with joy. They even considered it an honor to have spoken with him, drawing envious stares from the crowd.

A strange feeling welled up in Hong Yu. ’The world is in constant flux. The wheel of fortune is always turning!’

’Who’s to say today’s beggar won’t be tomorrow’s emperor?’

’Who’s to say today’s misfortune won’t lead to future glory and riches?’

’Live your life and do your work with a clear conscience, and never, ever look down on anyone.’

Lost in these thoughts, Hong Yu returned to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

At his request, no one disturbed him for the next few days, which he spent cultivating in peace. Before he knew it, a week had gone by.

On this day, the sound of gongs and drums filled the Hong Family estate with a festive clamor.

The grand Hong Family meeting was to be held today.

And according to news circulating among the Hong Family’s upper echelons, it seemed that a major decision would be announced at this family meeting.

A decision that, it seemed...

was closely related to Hong Yu!