I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 239 - 237: Sense of Security

The next morning, Long Xi came calling bright and early, only to find that Yang Ying and Wang Meng were already out. He had missed his chance.

Yang Ying was, of course, showing Wang Meng around Celestial Heart Castle. It was, after all, the place where she had grown up. At the same time, she wanted to get a feel for the current situation.

Everyone in Celestial Heart Castle was busy preparing for the grand birthday celebration. The castle was bustling with activity, and representatives from sects far and wide were arriving one after another.

The Celestial Heart Ancestor was a master who had long been famous on the Vermilion Bird Continent. His seniority and status were so high that even the Three Sects and Five Schools had to show him respect. Furthermore, disciples of Celestial Heart Castle could be found throughout the various sects. For instance, Yang Ying was in the Holy Hall, while other disciples of the younger generation were in the Heaven-Dominating Hall or other sects. This formed a complex network of influence, which was the survival strategy for the Eight Great Castles and many other prominent families.

The powers of the sects and the families were simultaneously in opposition and codependent. In the end, it all came down to a single word: profit.

That evening, the Castle Lord of Celestial Heart Castle, Yang Molong, finally met with Yang Qingzi and Yang Ying.

Yang Molong looked at Yang Ying and nodded. "Little Ying, your achievements at the Holy Hall are outstanding. You haven’t brought shame upon our Celestial Heart Castle. Very good, very good."

"You flatter me, Castle Lord."

Yang Ying and Yang Molong truly had nothing to say to one another. They were merely exchanging bland pleasantries.

"You’re not getting any younger. During the Ancestral Master’s grand birthday celebration, the elites of the younger generation from every sect will be in attendance. It will be the perfect opportunity to choose a suitable partner. Our own family is not lacking for outstanding young men, either."

"Thank you for your concern, Castle Lord, but I will decide this matter for myself."

"A matter of such importance is not to be trifled with! You are a member of Celestial Heart Castle, so you will obey the rules of Celestial Heart Castle! Second Sister, what a fine daughter you’ve raised!"

"My apologies, Lord Castle Lord. If you want a marriage alliance, if you want to become the Alliance Leader, no one is stopping you. But I already have someone I love. How could Yang Ying be so fickle? This has nothing to do with my mother!"

Yang Ying’s tone was firm and resolute.

Yang Qingzi glanced at Yang Molong. "I am the one who approved of this. I don’t meddle in any of the affairs of Celestial Heart Castle, but when it comes to my daughter, I am the one who decides."

"Hmph. She is a member of the Celestial Heart Castle, and she represents the Celestial Heart Castle! Even if I were willing to let this matter slide, the Ancestral Master would never agree. I heard that wild brat is from the mortal world. I really don’t know how you’ve become so bewitched!"

Yang Molong said in a heavy voice.

"Big Brother, everyone in the Small Thousand World originally came from the mortal realm. A hero isn’t defined by his origins. That boy, Wang Meng, is very capable!"

"A hero? Nonsense! What do you know of heroes? Do you think it’s so simple to survive in the Small Thousand World? I have to consider the future of everyone in Celestial Heart Castle!"

"I fail to see what my daughter has to do with the security of Celestial Heart Castle. And Big Brother, stop trying to pressure us with such lofty justifications. Ying’Er, we have paid our respects to our elder. I’m a little tired. Help me back so I can rest."

Yang Qingzi shot Yang Molong an indifferent glance, and Yang Ying quickly helped her mother up to leave the main hall.

As the two of them left, Long Xi emerged from a back door.

"Adoptive Father, what should we do? I will marry no one but Ying’Er!"

"Silly boy. That girl, Yang Ying, has grown wild from her time outside. She’s just as unmanageable as her mother. During the grand birthday celebration, plenty of female disciples from the Major Sects will be here. You can have your pick of any of them."

Yang Molong still doted on Long Xi. In fact, he was quite in favor of the marriage. During his cultivation, he had once suffered a cultivation deviation. Though he had luckily broken through a bottleneck and his power had greatly increased as a result, he had also lost the ability to procreate. Thus, he was very fond of his adopted son. If Long Xi could marry Yang Ying and produce an heir, it would make up for Yang Molong’s own shortcoming, and Long Xi would become a true member of the Celestial Heart Castle. ’It’s just, that girl Yang Ying is exactly like her mother, always falling for some poor brat with no power or influence. Yang Qingzi’s choice was already absurd, but at least that Yang Zhenglong was a disciple of the Yang Family. It was one thing for feelings to develop over time. But this Wang Meng... what the hell is he? Some nobody from the mortal world. The nerve!’

"I don’t care, Adoptive Father! I want to become a true member of the Yang Family. Together with Ying’Er, we will surely lead Celestial Heart Castle to greater glory!"

Long Xi’s words struck a chord with Yang Molong. ’Even if Yang Ying has an unruly temper, what does it matter as long as Long Xi likes her?’

Yang Molong nodded. "Let me think of a way. You can rest assured."

"Thank you, Adoptive Father, for taking charge of this for me!" Long Xi quickly bowed his thanks. "I actually have an idea, though I’m not sure if it’s feasible."

"Oh? Let’s hear it."

"Since we are celebrating the Ancestral Master’s grand birthday, it’s the perfect occasion to select a Dual Cultivation partner for our sister. This person must not only be an outstanding young man but also come from a family of equal standing."

Long Xi said.

Yang Molong nodded. ’It’s a bit hasty,’ he thought, ’but it’s better than forcing the issue.’

Yang Molong had no intention of meeting Wang Meng whatsoever. He felt that not throwing the boy out immediately was already showing considerable respect. With the grand birthday celebration imminent and guests from every sect already arriving, making a scene would be a family embarrassment. Furthermore, Yang Molong didn’t want to provoke Yang Qingzi. His younger sister had dared to run away from home in her youth; although she had mellowed over the years, she was still not to be trifled with. And no matter what, she was his biological sister. If he pushed things too far, it would be difficult to answer to the Ancestral Master.

Back at Yang Qingzi’s residence, the Yangxin House, she called Wang Meng and Yang Ying to her side.

"You two should return to the Holy Hall first thing tomorrow morning," Yang Qingzi said.

Wang Meng was taken aback. Yang Ying said coldly, "The Castle Lord objects to our relationship. He wants to use me in a marriage alliance."

Yang Qingzi sighed. "Ying’Er, don’t blame your uncle too much. In his position, he has his own considerations. I’ll pass on your greetings to the Ancestral Master. As for what comes next... we’ll deal with that later."

"Auntie, Ying’Er and I can’t leave. Not only would our relationship lack proper standing, but I also don’t want you and Ying’Er to be wronged. I will make them agree!"

Wang Meng said.

Both Yang Qingzi and Yang Ying were stunned. The mother and daughter stared at Wang Meng. Yang Qingzi, in particular, wondered where he got such confidence.

Yang Qingzi gave a wry smile. "Silly boy, it’s good to have confidence, but..."

’If determination was all it took to get things done, this world would have been at peace long ago.’

"Auntie, I know what you’re worried about. I will stand by my words. If I can’t even handle a small matter like this, how can I even speak of protecting you and Ying’Er?"

Wang Meng said, already calculating in his mind. ’I’ll really have to put my mind to this. I might have to use Old Moo’s name to bluff my way through again. But then again, I did inherit his aspirations, so it’s only right that I make a small sacrifice.’

"You have a plan?" Yang Ying asked, pleasantly surprised. She had seen how enthusiastic Lingdu Mountain was about Wang Meng, as if he couldn’t wait to drag him into the Evil Spirit Hall.

"Even if there’s no way, I have to find one. Backing down from a challenge isn’t my style. You know me better than anyone!"

Wang Meng said.

Yang Ying was suddenly reminded of the Wang Meng from the Grand Tournament, who had been invincible. ’Wasn’t it his sheer force of will that had so captivated me that I’d lost all reason?’

"Mother, I believe in him."

Yang Qingzi paused, then gave a wry smile. "Alright. Let’s give it a try."

’If it doesn’t work,’ she thought, ’I’ll risk my own life to get them out of here.’

That night, after Wang Meng left, Yang Qingzi took Yang Ying’s hand. "Ying’Er, tell me the truth. Did you... sleep with him?"

Yang Ying froze, her face turning beet red. But seeing her mother’s solemn expression, she could only nod.

"Sigh... you silly girl. You didn’t leave yourself any way out. Why are you as foolish as I was?"

"Mother, I believe in him. If I’m wrong about him, I’ll accept the consequences."

"Oh, you’re too young. Fate isn’t something you can simply ’accept.’ Now that it has come to this, it’s best that you two just leave. Your uncle won’t give up so easily on his plans, especially since he’s been coveting the position of Alliance Leader of the Eight Great Castles for so long."

Yang Qingzi said.

"Mother, give him a chance. He’s the kind of person who can work miracles. Please, trust your daughter’s judgment."

Anyone who had witnessed the Grand Tournament would have an almost magical confidence in Wang Meng.

’Wang Meng knew what it was that Yang Molong looked down on him for. He was a pauper, a mortal, with no influence whatsoever. To these great families, titles like ’young talent’ were as substantial as fleeting clouds. What kind of waves could a single person possibly make?’

Wang Meng mulled it over for a moment, then wrote two letters. One was for Lingdu Mountain of the Evil Spirit Hall, and the other was for Zhou Feng. ’There shouldn’t be an issue with Lingdu Mountain,’ he thought. ’And as long as Old Zhou has time, he’ll definitely help out. He was, at the very least, a witness to my relationship with Yang Ying.’

Although he was full of confidence, Wang Meng also had a profound understanding of the importance of power and influence. But the more he encountered situations like this, the more it fueled his fighting spirit.

If he were to just slink back with his tail between his legs, Yang Ying wouldn’t be happy. More importantly, how could he face her mother? For a man to act so spinelessly was unacceptable.

’Since these people want to make things difficult, let them try. Who’s afraid of who?’

Even if it meant turning the world upside down, Wang Meng was determined to make Yang Ying his wife, openly and honorably.

Yang Qingzi and Yang Ying lay in bed. In the candlelight, the mother and daughter looked like sisters. Whenever Wang Meng was mentioned, Yang Ying seemed to have endless things to talk about.

"What kind of plan do you think he has?"

"I’m not entirely sure, but I can guess. He’s probably calling for backup."

"Heh, this is no small matter. You shouldn’t underestimate your uncle’s influence. He wouldn’t even spare a glance for anyone unimportant."

"Mother, I know our Celestial Heart Castle is one of the Eight Great Castles, but what if it’s Lingdu Mountain of the Evil Spirit Hall?"

Yang Qingzi’s expression faltered. "You mean... Lingdu Mountain, the Chief Elder of the Evil Spirit Hall?"

"The very same. He seems to know Wang Meng quite well." Yang Ying then recounted what had happened in Evil Immortal City.

Yang Qingzi’s face filled with astonishment, her expression an exact mirror of her daughter’s. "I’ve heard that this Lingdu Mountain is incredibly arrogant. And lately, who knows whose help the Evil Spirit Hall received, but their power has surged. Evil Spirit Tan Yingtian is even a step away from the Great Perfection realm. Why would someone like that treat Wang Meng so well? If he truly has Lingdu Mountain’s help, then this matter might just have a chance of succeeding."

"I don’t know either. Perhaps he values his talent. Mother, you didn’t witness the Grand Tournament for yourself. It was like a dream. At that moment, he was like a Celestial God."

A look of sheer adoration filled Yang Ying’s eyes, making Yang Qingzi smile. "Look how smitten you are. If he’s that wonderful, surely many other girls must like him too."

"I’m confident!"

"That’s true. My Ying’Er is surely the world’s greatest beauty."

"I can’t say for sure about Lingdu Mountain, but Elder Zhou Feng will definitely come to show his support. He is the top Pill Cultivator Elder in the Holy Hall and the chief disciple of Ancestor Master Zhou Luodan. He’s a good friend of Wang Meng’s and has helped us a great deal."

Yang Qingzi nodded as she listened. "That’s good. While Zhou Feng might not be able to influence your uncle, as long as he’s here, your uncle won’t dare to act rashly. That puts my mind at ease."

The mother and daughter held hands, growing more cheerful as they talked. Yang Qingzi felt more reassured, her heart finally easing a little. If Wang Meng was truly held in high esteem by the Ancestral Masters of the Holy Hall, then that was a different matter entirely.

There is one thing a man must give to a woman: a sense of security. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)