Chapter 13: Jade Immortal Sect—Secret Investigation

“To speak plainly, you are nothing more than a lowly servant in the Yang household—a life as cheap as dust. Now that you’ve been given a minor title as the steward of outside affairs, you eagerly help the household oppress your own kind. How pathetic.”

Shen Yan sighed, “Steward Liu is no more than an insect to me. But to others, am I also nothing but an insect?”

He had obtained the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal, yet remained an ordinary man—bleeding when wounded, dying if beheaded.

“A sudden stroke of fortune has made me a little complacent. I must remain cautious,” Shen Yan silently warned himself. Then, commanding the sea waters, he pushed the fishing boat toward the shore.

…

Stretched out on his bed, Shen Yan enjoyed a deep, restful sleep.

By midday the next day, he woke lazily and stretched. Having killed Steward Liu, some of the hatred accumulated over the years had finally dissipated.

“Next is the Yang household—starting with the young masters.”

Over the past half year, he had occasionally investigated the routines of the young masters and ladies in secret, hoping to strike swiftly when they were alone.

But he discovered that each of them was always accompanied by guards; it was rarely easy to catch them unawares.

Today he planned to probe further. If any were inadequately protected, he would act decisively.

However, the moment he stepped out, he found the mansion decked in festive lanterns and decorations. The stone-paved floors were covered in thick silk, and every visible building was adorned with celebratory ornaments.

Everyone passing by—whether steward, manager, or servant—wore beaming smiles.

“Is there some joyous occasion in the household?” He grabbed a passing servant and asked in a low voice.

The Yang household had hosted celebrations before, but never to this extent.

“Word is, the eldest daughter has ascended to immortality. The master is celebrating! Hurry to the accounts room—everyone is being rewarded with ten taels of silver today!”

“Lady Yang Yun has become immortal? Is martial training enough to become immortal?” Shen Yan was bewildered. What was this about?

Yang Yun had always been regarded as a martial expert in the household, but now she was suddenly honored as a grand predecessor.

Letting go of the servant, Shen Yan moved silently between the inner and outer quarters, gathering information.

With the household celebrating, everyone was joyful and busy, paying little attention to a servant’s movements.

“Is it true? Are there really immortals in this world?”

“Of course! Our lady has been taken as a disciple by a true immortal!”

“An old saying goes, ‘When one attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend.’ Perhaps we too will become immortals someday!”

“Even the emperor sent envoys to confer a princely title upon our lady. The Yang family will rise even higher now.”

“I’ve only ever seen the messenger kneel to deliver the decree—it’s the first time I’ve seen the messenger kneel to receive it!”

“With our lady’s ascension, the Duke’s household’s status in Qian Kingdom has grown even more.”

…

Piecing together fragments of conversation, Shen Yan soon understood the cause of today’s celebration.

The Yang family’s eldest daughter, Yang Yun, was not only a martial prodigy but also a disciple of an immortal sect!

She had trained in martial arts since childhood, later gaining a great opportunity—chosen by an immortal from across the sea, taken to an immortal mountain for cultivation.

Now, her achievements had elevated her status within the sect, and upon her return to the Yang family, even the emperor sent envoys to kneel in congratulation.

“I always suspected Yang Yun was extraordinary, but I never imagined she was an immortal cultivator,” Shen Yan’s eyes burned with ambition. After obtaining the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal, he had wondered if there were cultivators akin to those of the heavenly court in this world.

Yet possessing such a treasure, without sufficient power to protect himself, he dared not approach immortal cultivators too soon.

But things were different now. Yang Yun had revealed a path forward. After his revenge, he could seek an opportunity to enter an immortal sect himself.

“The household is jubilant and security is lax—now is the perfect time to glimpse the newly ascended lady.”

With this thought, Shen Yan made his decision.

Meanwhile, the main hall of the Duke’s mansion was filled with festivity. Yang Yun and Yang Ze sat at the head, surrounded by Yang family members and relatives.

“Yun’er, is it not improper for the emperor’s envoy to kneel and deliver the decree?” Yang Ze had witnessed the imperial eunuch kneel to announce the decree and, even as a high-ranking official, was deeply shaken.

The status of an immortal sect’s true disciple was indeed exalted—even the emperor must bow his head.

“Don’t concern yourself,” Yang Yun shook her head, uninterested in mundane affairs. She shifted the topic, “Father, have you chosen someone to accompany me back to the sect?”

Yang Ze’s spirits lifted. He could not suppress his smile, “Some relatives hope you’ll take their children to Jade Immortal Sect. Others—officials and nobles—have sought favors through connections. I could hardly refuse. Could you perhaps take them all—?”

Yang Yun’s brow furrowed and she cut him off, “Father! The Jade Immortal Sect allows only one outer sect disciple. If you wish the siblings to join me, they must go as laborers—and even then, there are only five spots.”

“To send them as laborers?” Yang Ze stared in disbelief at his daughter. These were heirs of nobles and royalty—how could they perform such menial tasks?

Yang Yun sighed helplessly. As her mood shifted, faint flashes of lightning flickered around her.

“These are the rules of Jade Immortal Sect. Though I am a true disciple, I cannot make exceptions. Please consider carefully and choose wisely who will accompany me.”

She paused briefly and continued, “Moreover, my advancement to the peak of Qi Refining was only possible because my master bestowed a barrier-breaking pill, which has already aroused some discontent among the sect disciples. If I break any more rules, resentment within the sect will only grow.”

With that, she paid no mind to Yang Ze’s indecision, nor to the sycophantic relatives in the hall, and left them all behind.

“The cultivation site granted by the sect lies between Jinzhou Bay and the East Sea, on Quiet Cloud Island. They say an elder and two true disciples reside there—so even as a true disciple, turmoil is inevitable.”

As she walked, Yang Yun radiated an imposing aura. Servants along her path gazed at her with reverence, as if she truly were an immortal.

“Hm?” Suddenly, Yang Yun’s brow furrowed. She turned to look into the distance, sensing a malicious intent fixed upon her.

As the eldest daughter of the Duke’s household, she knew all its sordid corners. Yet to make her, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, feel threatened—the one spying on her could not be an ordinary person.