Yi Yun was busy sending his 'green fluid' (Primeval Essence) to the child in his belly (Life Breath Grass Gu). He was brought out of his focus and idle musings by a knock on the door.
A servant girl entered. Yi Yun tried to remember her name but came up short, so he simply looked at her and waited for the reason behind her interruption.
"Young master, Lady Lin wishes to speak with you." The servant girl who appeared to be an adolescent said nervously as she timidly looked down.
Yi Yun wordlessly waved her off. There was no need to speak fondly or respectfully with servants. In the Gu Yue Clan, servants were like property with minor rights. Especially mortal ones.
In fact, even if Yi Yun waved her off and then refused to go meet his mother, the only thing that would happen would be the house steward punishing this girl. Why? Because Yi Yun can always say that he never got the message, or that the servant girl stuttered and he was unable to understand. Or any number of reasons.
This was the discrepancy in status between mortals and Gu Masters. A great divide between the two 'classes', except the weaker class couldn't do shit.
"Lady Lin…" Yi Yun muttered as he thought,
"If I remember correctly, the political state in the Yi family is quite tame yet still a bit complex."
"At the top is Elder Yi. The Rank 3 initial stage Gu Master of the Clan Head's faction. A hardcore loyalist and 'righteous' man. And Yi Yun's biological father."
"He is very loyal to the Clan Head and would support him no matter what. After all, it was the Clan Head who helped him ascend to Rank 3."
"His wife, Madam Xia, is a Rank 2 Gu Master. If I remember correctly from the small tidbits of information about her, she doesn't really care about me or anyone else who isn't directly related to her. And her marriage with Elder Yi was mostly political."
"If what Yi Yun's mother said is true, then according to the contract she has with Elder Yi, only their child can become a Rank 3 Elder of the Yi Family. In this regard, I suppose it's a good thing the Clan Head gave me the Rank 3 Crouching Tiger Gu."
"I think Madam Xia is probably the daughter of one of the Elders of the Clan. But I am not sure about this conjecture."
"Then, I suppose, comes Yi Yun's step-sister, Yi Lingxi. The age difference between her and me is over 10 years. She is even at the Rank 2 initial stage, with C-grade aptitude."
Yi Yun had an amused expression as he remembered the rest, "She is also happily married with a child. So I am an Uncle. In fact, this child is my nephew."
"How? Simple. My, Yi Yun's mother, was her friend since the academy. In fact, the two of them awakened their apertures together."
"Three cheers for pedophile fathers! Yay! Yay! I hope he chokes on his own spit!" he sarcastically thought as he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, Old Man Yi saw a pretty girl beside his daughter and went- 'Ah…I see my prostate is still strong!' And then Bang! Wang! Alakazam! Yi Yun was born! With absolutely no innate beauty from his mother's side."
But now, isn't Madam Xia in trouble? Two possible male heirs (Yi Yun and his Nephew) competing for the Head of Yi family position?
"Not exactly."
"The old coot had it in her! Homegirl went and shot out another kid! She might look like post-menopause, but I guess her efficiency is still at the 'newly teens' level." Yi Yun vulgarly thought as he chuckled.
"She even went and spewed out a boy to satisfy the old bastard's misogyny," he shook his head.
"They say- 'Young people are lustful but I suppose it's the old people who are the pervs,'" like a saint, Yi Yun shook his head in disappointment.
He stopped refining his first mistress-cum-baby and went to see what was up with his mother.
As he reached the destination, he was slightly surprised. For the Old Man Yi was here as well!
And would you look at that? That jewelry! That makeup! That dress!
Splendid!
Good luck, father!
Yi Yun eagerly thought as he silently cheered on his mother in his mind, as he bowed in greeting, acting as filial as he could.
"Ah! Father, are you well? Have you eaten?" he asked lovingly with genuine emotion.
As for the magic of generating genuine emotion…
"I believe in you, mother! Do well! Maybe afterwards I can 'accidentally' come across Elder Yi and ask for some stuff! If he is in a good mood, then maybe I'll be 'graced with the generosity of the mighty'."
Hence came the genuine pleasant and positive emotions of seeing his father.
Elder Yi smiled brightly as he looked at Yi Yun, "Yun'ah, I trust your studies have been going well?"
Yi Yun felt like vomiting when he saw Elder Yi's smile, but he endured and said without faltering, "Yes, Father. We were able to get our first Gu Worm today," he excitedly said.
Then his smile faltered a bit as his excitement dimmed just slightly as he hurriedly continued with, "I picked the Life Breath Grass Gu!"
"I am going to be a Healing-specialist Gu Master!" the youth excitedly declared.
The faltering emotions and the slightly strained smile were not unnoticed by someone of Elder Yi's stature. If it were any other time, he would have ignored it. But now…
"Yun'ah, what is the problem? Is someone bullying you at the academy?" he asked with gentle concern.
The warm, paternal concern infected Yi Yun with indigestion instantly. He had a flustered expression as if he had just been caught.
"Ah! Father. I-it's j-just…" he stuttered for maximum effect.
"Who is bullying you? I'll talk with the Clan Head and the Academy Elder and have this matter rectified instantly!" Elder Yi said in a grand tone.
Yi Yun panicked genuinely as he heard Clan Head. He opened his mouth to say no, but his father's words made him reconsider.
"You are a precious talent of our Clan. I am sure if I merely mention it, the matter will end," Elder Yi said grandly as he smiled amicably, as if to say- 'See? This is the power of your father.'
Yi Yun faltered imperceptibly as he noticed the peculiar expression and fell into deep thought, remaining silent for but a moment.
"Precious talent? He doesn't know! He doesn't know I am not an Extreme Physique!" Yi Yun's gaze flickered as he sighed and began recounting the story of his injustice. As for finding out why the esteemed Clan Head didn't tell this loyal and trusted Elder of his own faction, Yi Yun didn't know. But he didn't need to know to generate leverage.
"To be honest, father…" Yi Yun began in a low tone.
His mother, who had been silent so far, had a slightly worried expression on her face. She was initially ecstatic since her dear son's talent was able to make his father happy enough to visit. It had been far too long.
As the second wife of a distinguished elder, if the Elder didn't pay enough attention to her, then her authority and status would diminish. What face would she have to show to the other wives?
But then, like a radiant star in the sky, her son was able to light up the flickering flame that was the love and fondness Elder Yi held for her. She did not know how Yi Yun was a precious talent, and she was smart enough not to be curious.
But now, she found out that her son might be hurting. It shot a pang of guilt and trepidation into this mother's heart.
Yi Yun sighed melancholically as he continued with, "Before selecting the Gu Worms, a line was formed."
Elder Yi and Yi Yun's mother nodded encouragingly.
"I was standing behind Chi Liang, Mo Bei and Fang Zheng," he finished with another depressing smile.
Yi Yun's mother was confused. Yeah? Isn't that only natural? You are a C-grade talent with 59% aptitude, so you should logically be behind the 2 B-Grades and the A-Grade? No?
Elder Yi's eyes flickered as he quickly grasped the cusp of the matter.
"Yi Yun is still young, he is an exceptional talent and yet was standing behind two B-grade talents and an A-grade talent. I suppose for a moment an A-grade can still be considered okay. But the 2 B-grades… Hm… being young, it must have been a blow to his pride. He was always very prideful. But he remained silent and trusted in the Crouching Tiger Gu and showcased himself as C-grade with 59% aptitude."
Elder Yi inwardly felt prideful and joyous, "It seems my method of raising kids is great in this regard then. His silence can be said to be the proof of my exceptional nurturing."
He ignored his second wife's confusion and focused on Yi Yun.
"Yun'ah… this. For the sake of the Clan, you must endure," he gently said.
Yi Yun nodded slowly, still depressed.
Elder Yi then brought out a pouch and gave it to Yi Yun, "I know you are working hard to get the first place in the 'Refining the First Gu Competition'. This should help," he said with a warm smile.
Yi Yun, with a broken heart that no amount of love could heal, slowly opened the bag, stifling his tears as he saw the glimmer of about a hundred Primeval Stones.
He closed his eyes shut as he re-sealed the bag. He had a strained expression on his face as he replied with, "What's the point, father? I am destined to be overtaken by those with 'more talent'," he pitifully stated.
As the pouch slipped and fell down, it was closed, so thankfully no Primeval Stones got out.
Elder Yi nodded understandingly, "You must endure, Yun'ah. For the sake of the clan. Your future is bright. You must think bigger," he urged Yi Yun.
Yi Yun's slightly full, hollow and decadent heart skipped a beat as he said, "I will endure, father," he said with emotion.
Elder Yi felt like he was a wonderful parent.
"But… I don't think I am so valuable to the clan," he continued depressingly.
Then he hurriedly continued with a hollow tone, "Soon. Due to their 'High Aptitude' and backing, the other talented youths will surpass me."
"I don't think I am so valuable, father," he said.
"But… But I will continue to endure! For the sake of the clan!" he said in a firm but soft voice.
Elder Yi understood Yi Yun's emotions. After all, as an elder of the clan, when did he not have to let go of benefits and personal emotions for the good of the clan?
While Yi Yun's mother began in a slow, gentle tone, "Yun'ah… Don't worry. So what if your talent is less? Mother and father are by your side. You don't have any less backing than the others. We will help you," she sincerely stated with a warm smile.
Elder Yi, who was brought out of his musings by his second wife's words, nodded eagerly. "Yes, Yun'ah."
"He is favored by the Clan Head, even awarded a Moonlight Gu, the pride of our clan. After the awakening ceremony, I was even told that his aptitude might even surpass Fang Zheng's! I am sure if we are to help him with resources, it might even be seen as a merit by the Clan Head! And this could be within his intentions too," Elder Yi loyally thought.
"Mother… Father… this…" Yi Yun said with emotion as he struggled to voice himself.
Yi Yun's mother smiled gently and said encouragingly, "Yes, Yun'ah. We are by your side," as she held Elder Yi's hand.
Elder Yi also nodded encouragingly as he thought that he had done a good job in picking such an astute wife. She hadn't once voiced her doubts or asked something she shouldn't. Elder Yi silently reevaluated this wife of his whom he had married due to beauty.
"Then… Can I…" Yi Yun hesitated.
"Go on…" Elder Yi said with a warm smile.
"Can I please get a Green Copper Relic Gu?" Yi Yun said timidly in a small voice.
"'Huh?'" Both parents were instantly at a loss for words.
"Yes, a Green Copper Relic Gu," Yi Yun repeated as if he was slightly lost and hadn't noticed their shock.
"I heard from a senior Gu Master that the second evaluation in the academy is for the progress in cultivation. An… And that, it's about who achieves Rank 1 middle stage first!"
"If I have a Green Copper Relic Gu, then I can undoubtedly win this evaluation!" Yi Yun eagerly stated as he explained his plan.
Elder Yi, being more experienced, had recovered first as he chuckled amusingly, "You are quite astute," he said.
Yi Yun had a happy expression as he felt hope in his 'dead, empty decadent' heart.
"But I am afraid I cannot acquiesce to your request," Elder Yi directly stated.
Yi Yun's happy smile froze as he felt hope leave him.
Yi Yun's mother, who had also recovered, replied, "Yes. Yun'ah, it is against the rules for anyone to interfere in academy evaluations like that."
With a hollow gaze, Yi Yun nodded in understanding.
Yi Yun's mother felt a pang of guilt, while Elder Yi felt that his son was quite ambitious. And he couldn't exactly let Yi Yun despair or become depressed. After all, in his mind, Yi Yun was the secret weapon against the other two clans, so that one day the Gu Yue Clan would become the true overlord of Qing Mao Mountain.
So he said, "How about this…"
Yi Yun looked up at his father obediently, "I cannot give you a Green Copper Relic Gu. But… As soon as you reach Rank 2, I promise to give you a Red Steel Relic Gu. In fact, I'll purchase one as soon as the next caravan comes."
Yi Yun's and his mother's eyes widened as they both looked at Elder Yi in shock and awe.
Elder Yi chuckled in satisfaction as he saw their expressions.
A Red Steel Relic Gu. A Rank 2 Gu which will let its user ascend a minor stage instantly without having any negative consequences.
Red Steel Relic Gu cost at least 5000 Primeval Stones. But because it is such a rare and miraculous Gu, the prices generally reach around 8000. Generally, it is less a matter of price and more a problem of availability.
Yet such a Gu, which could let even the Rank 2 initial stage mother of his advance to the middle stage instantly, was promised by Elder Yi to his son.
"Him reaching Rank 2 is only a matter of time. I am sure his devotion to the clan after this minor ordeal in the academy will only increase. As for winning first place in the academy evaluations and competitions… Unfortunately, that is something that simply cannot be allowed for him. After all, the main reason to do all this and show him as a C-grade talent is to maintain secrecy." Yi Yun's father thought. Perhaps if he knew that his son wasn't an Extreme Physique, he too would be confused like his son as to why they were doing all this then.
But being a Rank 3 Elder with old age expending wisdom, he would surely be able to figure it out quickly.
"If providing him with Gu and Primeval Stones to maintain a semblance of value in his mind to placate these negative emotions will help, then I suppose it is more of a merit than anything," Elder Yi thought inwardly,
"I should visit more often. To make sure his spirit isn't decreased," Elder Yi decided mentally as he remembered the joyful smile Yi Yun had when he saw him.
Yi Yun looked at his father in awe as if he was looking at a hero.
Elder Yi merely chuckled.
After a bit more pleasant chatter, the two adults left.
"Have fun! Rock his world! I believe in you, mother!" Yi Yun mentally cheered as he bowed filially as the adults left to do… stuff.
As he made sure the two had left, Yi Yun crouched down like a beggar and hurriedly picked up the pouch of Primeval Stones and left with it.
"Hehe, the harvest was good. I thought I would just get a rare Gu worm, but now not only did I find out my father is in the dark, but I managed to convince my parents to give me free stuff," he mentally thought.
Then he sighed in depression.
"If only everyone was that easy to get free stuff out of," he shook his head.
"It only worked on them because they are Yi Yun's parents. If it was someone else, like some other elder or the Clan Head, it definitely wouldn't have worked."
After all, the one easiest to fool is one's own child. Then it is someone else's child. And then it is one's own parents.
People who are emotionally invested in your wellbeing are always easier to manipulate because they want to believe you.
This was something Yi Yun had realised in his past life on Earth.
Elder Yi didn't believe me because I am a master liar.
He believes me because his interpretation is compatible with what he desperately wants to believe about his son.
Moreover, my lack of actual lies helped in hammering the nail down.
Yi Yun shook his head to let go of stray thoughts as he picked up the Life Breath Grass Gu and began refining it again. This time with more funds than the ten his mother had given him.
"Time to nurture these two babies," he thought to himself.
"And definitely end up in the middle place for the competition."