Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 102: Comforting Smile

Jia had become Wuyi's main attendant, a new project of Wuyi's too; this kid was talented. Wuyi had taken his time to find out more about him and his sister, the two siblings who stubbornly decided to follow him and were very talented in cultivation. The parents of the two siblings were born in a noble clan but they left the clan for some reason.

When demonic attacks happened in the border town where siblings resided with their parents, the parents gave their lives protecting their two children. Wuyi did not believe in luck, but these siblings were truly lucky to have met him, or they would have never realized their full potential.

Jia, unlike his sister who preferred a life of comfort on the estate, was a dreamer. He wanted a life of a hero and warrior; he also wanted to explore the world. When Wuyi found out he was from a noble clan, he even offered the siblings a chance to go back to their clan, but the siblings rejected it. Lin had returned to his estate from managing the Inn and now helped Tumu in managing the estate.

While Jia still served Wuyi diligently.

After finding out these kids were from a noble clan and seeing their talent in cultivation, Wuyi had Yun Ming gather all details about their clan. Unlike Meiying, who had just a noble title in the past but no bloodline, these two siblings came from a clan that had a special bloodline as well.

The specialty of their clan's bloodline was that they could see through any illusion or discern spiritual anomalies. The ability had not manifested in these kids yet, but Wuyi decided these two were worth the investment. Both siblings had already reached Qi adept level too.

Unaware of Wuyi paying attention to him, attendant Jia was busy cleaning his shoes, which were caked with mud from the relentless rains. He took another cloth from his bag to mask his discomfort and began cleaning his footwear. Learning from Wuyi, Jia was meticulous about his appearance, donning a black cloak embroidered with motifs of the Black Brotherhood; he liked to look good.

The heavy fabric alone was worth more than a common soldier's armor. Being Wuyi's personal assistant, he could afford such luxuries.

Wuyi noticed that Jia's hands were trembling. "When you're ready to join us," he said, his tone light. Jia paused at his words, then completed his task and returned the cloth to Dong.

"My apologies, Young Master," Jia said, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. "It must have been some demonic entity or a spirit beast. I'd wager all my gold on it."

"A rather insignificant wager," Wuyi responded, locking eyes with his attendant.

He gave a comforting smile, aimed particularly at the newer adepts and initiates like Jia, who hadn't yet encountered demonics. This issue had been on his mind throughout his travels. Wuyi was well-versed in the nature of demonics, they did not bother him.

But in this world, demonics were viewed as the ultimate form of malevolence. He didn't want his warriors to be frightened from the very beginning of their first mission, especially after he had put so much into them. Wealth was no longer Wuyi's primary concern; thanks to his dewroot farms and the stability of his noble estate, he could live comfortably.

However, what he was after this time was something that money couldn't buy: materials for cultivation and, more importantly, a reputation for his faction that would qualify him for a higher noble title or admission into a prestigious sect.

Even though he wished for his subordinates not to be frightened of demonics, the fear was evident on many of their faces. Wuyi sighed before taking in the surroundings. The fear, however, was justified. On their way to Yushan, where their employer awaited, they stumbled upon this farm estate. A lookout had reported that everyone on the farm had been slain, prompting them to investigate.

It wasn't merely the deaths that were concerning, but rather the horrifying manner in which they had been killed.

Seeing the gruesome scene on the farm, many of warriors had taken their masks off. The Black Brotherhood did not have a hard and fast rule of always wearing the mask, but they were supposed to wear their mask once the mission began; they were allowed to take the mask of the brotherhood off if they were resting.

Wuyi, as the leader, did not need to wear a mask. Wuyi wore it during Journey but took it off when meeting someone or ordering his subordinates. Such a young leader surprised many wherever they passed.

His identity as the leader of the group was kept secret until they received the outer faction badge of brotherhood; then only it was announced that the young master of the Qingshan clan was the leader of the group.

Today, the rain was mild, just enough to dampen Wuyi's heavy black cloak without saturating it. Beyond the walled estate lay fields of freshly sown earth, as dark and glossy in the rain as Wuyi's steed. The elevated fields near the hills were lush with new growth and dotted with sheep. The fertile land promised abundant harvests, stretching as far as the eye could see on both sides of the river.

This cultivated landscape was divided by meticulously arranged hedgerows and towering stone walls, separating plowed fields and pastures filled with livestock. A nearby river served as a conduit for transporting these goods to the southern cities.

The wealth generated from these lands had financed the construction of Yushan Fortress, the home of the Lotus Blossom Pavilion, visible in the distance as a jagged line of light-colored stone. For Wuyi, the world here was a tapestry of varying shades of gray, from the sky to the earth below.

Beyond the grazing sheep to the north, the Mistweaver Mountains loomed, a vast expanse of rugged peaks shrouded in clouds.

The warriors closest to him glanced in his direction, their faces etched with apprehension. Wuyi stroked his chin, a habit that made him appear older than his age, as if contemplating with an invisible beard. "Zhen?"

Zhen sat atop a robust horse, better equipped than most of the warriors. He wore a black cloak with elongated sleeves over Qi armor and carried a finely crafted broadsword. He mimicked Wuyi's gesture, rubbing his chin in thought. "Yes, Young Master?"