Chapter 144: Imparting the Sword Technique

"Yes, I understand." Yu Youwei had never intended to disclose the specifics of her deal with Butcher Xiang anyway.

After leading Yu Youwei into the main hall and having everyone sit down, Yu Shiyu continued, "The Ning family has recovered Ning Jinwen's body. The Second Elder of the Ning family went into a frenzy, stormed the palace to create a scene, and was escorted back to the Ning residence by the Chief of the Imperial Guards. It is said he has already been sent back to Jiangning Prefecture. The Ning family members have also come to question us here at the Yu estate. Although they were polite, they blame you for Ning Jinwen's death. Because all the Yu family disciples returned unscathed while only Ning Jinwen died, they suspect the Yu family of foul play."

Shrugging indifferently, Yu Youwei said, "I will explain it to the Ning family. Whether they choose to believe me is their own affair."

"Do not be too careless. You are, after all, a daughter-in-law of the Ning family; you must abide by their rules," Yu Shiyu chided.

"If you were so worried about me, why did you use Yuyan to threaten me and force me to marry that blockhead from the Ning family?" Yu Youwei looked at her Second Brother—who was a far cry from the madman she had first encountered—with an amused expression.

"Don't mention it. Even Grandfather is currently regretting it so much that his guts are turning green," Yu Shiyu laughed.

A Yu family disciple nearby also chimed in with a smile, "Honestly, Ninth Sister, you hid your abilities far too well. You kept so many of your methods a secret from the family. Had we known, we would have fought to prevent this marriage, even if it meant breaking ties with the Ning family."

A youthful voice from behind the crowd added, "That's right! Marrying off Ninth Sister was a huge loss for us!"

Everyone laughed in unison.

Feeling as though she were bathed in the warmth of a spring day, Yu Youwei smiled and said, "Alright, stop the flattery. Second Brother, I obtained a set of sword techniques during my recent trip to your Sword Sect. You should quickly get a high-quality jade slip; I want to see if I can imprint the techniques onto it."

"You remembered it just from watching Ancestor Ling demonstrate it once?" Yu Shiyu asked, stunned.

Yu Youwei was surprised in turn. "Your sources of information are quite swift. It hasn't even been a few days yet, and you’ve already heard?"

Taking a deep breath, Yu Shiyu explained, "The Sect Master and Fourth Aunt have both arrived in the Imperial Capital. The Emperor of Qian hosted a banquet for them today, and Grandfather attended as well. Fourth Aunt told me everything that happened within the sect. The outside world is not yet aware."

Her smile fading, Yu Youwei asked, "What is her stance on the Yu family's situation?"

"She and the Sect Master moved directly into the Yu estate upon arriving in the capital, which clearly signals her support. Otherwise, the Yu estate would be so deserted that one could catch birds in the courtyard with a net."

"You have no objections to me having my sister compete for the position of Sect Master, do you?"

"I am in full support. The Yu family has no foundation within the sect. I have no chance of winning against Ling Yanfeng, but our Third Sister has a better chance than he does." Raising an eyebrow, Yu Shiyu said, "Do you know what I admire most about you?"

"You admire me?" Yu Youwei pointed at her own nose in surprise.

"Our Third Sister, who was so delicate she wouldn't even step on an ant, was spurred by you to change her nature. When Ancestor Ling indicated she should marry into the Ling family, even the Sect Master dared not oppose him, but she did. She didn't yield even under the pressure of Ancestor Ling."

"That Ancestor Ling of yours tried to force her to marry Ling Yanfeng?"

"Ancestor Ling values talent and used this to ignite her potential. Ling Yanfeng becoming a matrilocal son-in-law for the Yu family is set in stone. Ancestor Ling has declared that if Third Sister chops him up to feed the fish, the Ling family is not allowed to interfere." Thinking of this, Yu Shiyu burst into laughter.

Within the sect, despite Fourth Aunt’s protection, Ling Yanfeng had always picked on him. He had to look after the other Yu disciples and often clashed with Ling Yanfeng’s faction, usually having to swallow his pride and suffer in silence. He never imagined that one day Ling Yanfeng would become a son-in-law to the Yu family. Once Ling Yanfeng arrived, he could torment him however he pleased; the mere thought was exhilarating.

He, too, had coveted the position of Sect Master, but he knew he could not seize it. After learning that his Third Sister intended to compete for the role, he felt a brief moment of loss, but mostly joy. He had already expressed his stance to Fourth Aunt, pledging his support for his sister.

Yu Youwei was pleased that her sister could withstand the pressure and reject the marriage. Once her brother’s laughter subsided, she said sternly, "We must focus on raising our own strength as quickly as possible. Second Brother, the sword techniques I give you are only for the Yu disciples of the Sword Sect to learn. Elder Sister can learn them, but she must not hand them over to the sect."

"I understand," Yu Shiyu replied. He harbored a ridiculous thought: perhaps the techniques his Ninth Sister gave him were even more perfect than those provided by Ancestor Ling. After all, the poem "The Old General's Journey" was written by her. Fourth Aunt might not know, but he knew that the story of the Ninth Sister reading the poetry collection of Ancestor Wang at the Dongling Yu estate was a complete fabrication.

Yu Shiyu guessed correctly. The sword techniques Yu Youwei provided had been perfected by the Scarlet Flame Sword Spirit, reaching a pinnacle state and containing a unique method of circulating energy—making the techniques and the internal cultivation method a perfect match. In comparison, the "Subjugation Sword Techniques" realized by Ancestor Ling of the Sword Sect were full of flaws and required constant correction during practice.

The Yu disciples of the Sword Sect, practicing these refined techniques, held an inherent advantage and quickly stood out among their peers. The outside world attributed this to the Yu family’s recent hardships, which drove the disciples to work harder.

Upon receiving the techniques, the cultivation fanatic Yu Shiyu’s eyes gleamed with fervor; he wanted to go into seclusion immediately. Yu Youwei had to drag him into a secret chamber and make him write out a "Collection of Wang Wei's Poems" based on the verses she recited before he finally took the collection and headed off to seclude himself.

When Sect Master Ying and Fourth Aunt, who had returned from the banquet at the palace, learned of Yu Shiyu’s seclusion, they both guessed that Yu Youwei had given him something.

"I didn't know that old book was your ancestor's calligraphy back then, but Second Brother had read it. It was burned on the day the Dongling Yu estate was destroyed. Second Brother remembered the contents and has gone into seclusion to transcribe them," Yu Youwei lied through her teeth, her face unblushing, her breathing steady, and her demeanor perfectly calm.

Sect Master Ying was determined to see the poetry collection. He smiled at Elder Yu and said, "Since I have nothing better to do, I shall impose on you for a while longer. Elder, please attend to your own affairs; there is no need to entertain me."

Having the Sword Sect Master stay at the estate was like having an anchor in the storm; no matter how high the waves in the capital rose, they would not reach the Yu family. Elder Yu immediately replied, "The children have all grown up, and I have nothing to attend to. I spend my days drinking tea and playing chess."

"Shall we play a game, then?" Sect Master Ying laughed, his attitude remarkably easygoing.

This Sect Master Ying was quite sensible. Yu Youwei found him agreeable and said bluntly, "Sect Master Ying, if it is convenient, please notify my sister to go to Dongling Prefecture. I have left some 'trinkets' for her and the Yu disciples within the sect at a certain location."

"There is no need to be so petty, specifically emphasizing that they are for the Yu disciples within the sect," Sect Master Ying teased.

"Some small items aren't worth presenting as gifts, but our brothers and sisters in the sect have had a stifling time lately. I’m letting my sister take some things back to cheer them up."

"This girl speaks with needles hidden in silk. It seems if I don't make a gesture, I won't be able to soothe the resentment of the Yu disciples."

"There is no need to trouble you, Sect Master. I believe my sister will be able to handle it herself."

The two foxes, one old and one young, were nearly spirits in human form. After speaking, they looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without further words. It left the others present utterly confused, even Fourth Aunt failing to grasp what they were implying.