Mentor Yu Xuan spoke her mind.
In that instant, the Family Head Yu Lu felt as if she had opened the Pandora’s box within her heart, unleashing a Mystic sense of taboo.
“Xuan’er…”
Dean Yu Qing hesitated to speak, but Shui Bailan held her back. Elder Yu Yan also pressed her lips together tightly.
No one spoke up for her.
After a long silence, the Family Head Yu Lu finally uttered two words:
“Not at all.”
Before her daughter could say more, she explained calmly:
“I rarely meet with him, and we’ve had even less contact. There’s also the age and seniority gap between us. There’s no reason for me to like him in that way… If there’s any fondness, it’s merely the affection of an elder for a junior—nothing more than appreciation.”
Even as she said this, Mentor Yu Xuan’s expression remained unchanged. She countered coolly:
“Then why didn’t Mother stop Yan Zhen earlier when he was acting out of line?”
The Family Head Yu Lu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She noticed that aside from her daughter, her elder sister, younger sister, and little sister-in-law were all giving her strange looks, as if to say, “Don’t bother denying it.”
But she truly didn’t believe she harbored any romantic feelings for a junior.
Her kindness toward Yan Zhen, her indulgence of him—it was all for the family’s sake, with no personal emotions involved.
“I simply didn’t want to disappoint him… Though I’ve decided to treat him normally from now on, if he insists, I would even offer myself up for the family’s benefit. That’s all there is to it.”
Her words stunned the other women.
After all, the Family Head Yu Lu had always presented herself as coldly detached, prioritizing the family’s interests above all else, except on matters of principle.
Unlike Dean Yu Qing, there was no trace of stubborn denial in her tone. She clearly believed this from the bottom of her heart.
However, Mentor Yu Xuan quickly recalled the events of the previous night, which only strengthened her suspicions.
At the time, Yan Zhen must have unconsciously shown his desire, and Mother had responded to it. Despite feeling ashamed of her own unusual condition, she had still satisfied him in his sleep—treating him more indulgently than even his fiancée. How could there be no personal feelings involved?
Mentor Yu Xuan felt exhausted. She hadn’t expected her mother to be so oblivious about matters of the heart that she couldn’t even muster any anger.
She would need to find a way to make her mother realize her true feelings. Otherwise, this nagging sense of frustration would linger.
“So that’s how Mother feels. I misunderstood you.”
“I’m glad you understand. Let’s end this topic here.” The Family Head Yu Lu said indifferently, “What time is it now?”
Shui Bailan counted off from the side:
“It’s almost nightfall, sister-in-law.”
That evening, the Painted Boat would halt its voyage temporarily, allowing members from various branches to visit one another. The younger generation would engage in sparring matches on the water’s surface.
This was the live-in sons-in-law’s chance to shine. A strong performance would bring honor to their branch, earning handsome rewards and improved treatment for the coming year.
When Yan Zhen returned carrying tea, he found the room’s atmosphere back to normal, as if nothing had happened. This left him puzzled, sensing something off.
The Family Head Yu Lu spoke up:
“The Lake Competition is about to begin, Son-in-Law Yan Zhen. As a live-in son-in-law, you must participate.”
Yan Zhen had heard about it from Mentor Yu Xuan the day before and was fully prepared. He nodded:
“Mother-in-law, I’ll do my utmost to claim first place and silence the clan’s doubts.”
Over the past year, Yan Zhen’s treatment had been exceptionally generous—better than even the direct descendants—which had naturally sparked some discontent.
The key issue was that Yan Zhen had never demonstrated his strength or potential before the Yu Family members. Rumors alone sounded too exaggerated to believe.
This competition was his opportunity to prove himself.
“You don’t need to force a first-place win. Among the Yu Family’s live-in sons-in-law, the strongest is the one from the Main Branch Elders’ Household. He’s reached the Three-Star Mystic Lord stage and cultivates Water Mystic Force, giving him a home-field advantage on the lake. Even a Four-Star Mystic Lord might not overcome him. If you face him, just concede if you can’t win. It’s no shame—he’s more than a decade older than you.”
Yan Zhen smiled:
“Have no worries, Mother-in-law. Against a mere Three-Star Mystic Lord, I can win within ten moves.”
His declaration stunned the four beautiful elders in the room. Only Mentor Yu Xuan’s lovely eyes sparkled as she gazed at her confident lover.
“Blowing hot air! A Nine-Star Mystic King like you would do well to defeat a Three-Star Mystic Lord at all, let alone in ten moves.” Dean Yu Qing scoffed. “Ugly talk upfront: no using Mystic Artifacts beyond your realm in the match, no pills either. Pure cultivation only!”
Shui Bailan chimed in:
“Indeed, Yan Zhen. You can’t use that dangerous Mystic Technique of yours either. It’s a joyous occasion—if someone dies, it’ll ruin everything.”
“If you doubt me, we can spar first.” Yan Zhen flashed a domineering smile, looking down on Little Aunt the Dean and Aunt the Mentor like they were weaklings. “I can subdue Aunt in one move. Against Little Aunt, I can hold my own for at least ten exchanges without falling behind.”
Even Shui Bailan’s good temper flared at the notion of being “subdued in one move.” An angry mark seemed to pop on her forehead.
She was a One-Star Mystic Lord nearing Two-Star, after all. She might not beat Yan Zhen, but one move? That was insulting.
Dean Yu Qing shot back with a condescending gaze of her own:
“You? Hmph! Forget it. This hall’s Outer Academy Dean won’t bully a fresh graduate!”
Yan Zhen curled his lip inwardly, thinking: Wait till I reach Mystic Lord Realm—I’ll string up this smug Little Aunt and give her a thrashing.
“If I beat him in ten moves, what then, Little Aunt?”
Dean Yu Qing huffed:
“If you win within ten moves, I’ll personally bring you water to wash your feet tonight. But if you can’t—”
“I’ll bring water to wash Little Aunt’s feet tonight.”
“It’s a deal!”
“Bring it on!”
“Heh, count me in.” Shui Bailan narrowed her beautiful eyes, smiling without mirth. “Win in ten moves, and Yu Qing and I will both serve you foot-washing water. Fail, and you’ll serve us both.”
Mentor Yu Xuan gave her aunt and little aunt weird looks, feeling like they were handing themselves over on a platter.
Now that she understood her mother’s feelings, she saw all the elders as having designs on Yan Zhen.
With that thought, the next moment, her eldest aunt chuckled:
“I’ll join the fun too. Though I do believe in Little Yan Zhen, washing his feet doesn’t sound half bad~”
“…”
Sigh.
Mentor Yu Xuan let out a weary breath.
As expected, Yan Zhen dominated the competition, felling every opponent before they could last ten moves against him.
Not ten exchanges—ten moves!
Most went down in a single strike, his speed so blinding that even Shui Bailan couldn’t track it. The Mystic Ancestor Realm Yu Family Three Beauties found it dizzying.
In the final bout against the Yu Family’s strongest live-in son-in-law, it was the same. As the opponent’s attack came, a curved Stone Shield automatically materialized around Yan Zhen, blocking it effortlessly.
He emerged from the entire tournament unscathed.
Defeating foes beyond his realm with such ease was eye-opening for the Yu Family. They stood dumbfounded, as if seeing a ghost, finally understanding why the Family Head and the others valued Yan Zhen so highly.
This wasn’t mere talent—this was a monster!
After the matches ended, Yan Zhen returned to Mentor Yu Xuan’s side. Looking at the complicated expressions on Little Aunt the Dean and Aunt the Mentor, he grinned:
“Well? Little Aunt, Aunt—will you honor the bet?”
