Chapter 2163 - Coercion

“Big Sister!” A’Ling got up and looked directly at Yang Shuang’er. “That Edict of Profound Gathering belongs to Big Brother Xiao. You can’t look after it. Please, give it back.”

The young woman was angry. This was the sisters’ first meeting. How could Yang Shuang’er just take things from her?

Yang Shuang’er’s smile faded. “You’re still too young, and you don’t understand the dangers of the human heart. I’m looking after it for your own good.”

My own good?

The idea only made A’Ling even angrier.

She was certain that this was her biological older sister; she could feel it in her blood.

Still, they’d been separated for so long that there were no feelings between them to speak of. It was to the point that they’d only recently learned of each other’s existence.

Now, here Yang Shuang’er was, putting on the airs of a senior and trying to educate her. How could A’Ling

not

be angry?

“That aside, when I leave Grassy Creek Village, I’m going to take you with me to continue your cultivation in the Celestial Yao Mountains,” Yang Shuang’er said calmly. “Staying in this run-down, impoverished little village would be a waste of your talent.”

“Big Sister, you...” A’Ling was stunned. She dared not believe that her big sister would describe their hometown like that.

This was their home! The place where their parents had lived!

“Little Sister, you’re still just too young, and you’ve spent your whole life in the sticks. You have no idea how large the world is,” said Yang Shuang’er. “A frog in a well can only see a tiny section of the sky, not because it’s stupid, but because it’s trapped in an environment that limits its perspective. I’m getting you out of your ‘well’ so you can see the true enormity of heaven and earth!”

A’Ling was increasingly upset, and her heart filled with indescribable disappointment.

This is my big sister? Why... is she so domineering and harsh? She even called me a frog in a well. Does she really think that little of me?

“Are you angry?” Yang Shuang’er said calmly, “Little Sister, the world is a cruel place. I’m willing to lend you my aid precisely because we’re sisters. Were you anyone else, I’d disdain to do so.”

She paused, then sighed. “In the Billowing Blue Realm, humans are the lowliest race of all, and we’re commonly enslaved by yao and demons. We’re lower than even their dogs.

“Over the years, I’ve endured countless snide glances, mockery, and cruelty. I’ve come close to dying at the hands of yao and demons on multiple occasions,” said Yang Shuang’er, a hint of hatred on her brow. “All of this has given me a bone-deep understanding of just how cruel a fate it is to have been born human.

“As humans, if we want to stand out, we have to work a hundred, no, a thousand, times harder than others!”

She let out a long sigh. “Fortunately, I overcame it all. I’m now the core disciple of the Billowing Blue Realm’s greatest orthodoxy, the Celestial Yao Mountains, and my master is the famous Immortal Queen Zi Jue!

“No matter how much they look down on me in their heart of hearts, those yao and demons... no longer dare to offend me!”

Yang Shuang’er’s gaze softened as she looked at her little sister. “We’re biological sisters. Even separated, we’re connected by blood. I won’t let you endure all that hardship and bitterness!”

A’Ling said with displeasure, “I’ll walk my path for myself!”

Yang Shuang’er laughed dismissively. “You’re still young. It doesn’t matter that you don’t yet understand where I’m coming from. Once you’ve escaped this well, you’ll understand that I’m doing this for your own good.”

A’Ling was suddenly exhausted. It seemed there was no point in talking to this big sister of hers.

“You’ve mastered the secret technique for carving Edicts of Profound Gathering. I’m sure my master will value you when we reach the Celestial Yao Mountains. I’ll also put in a good word for you and ensure you’re rewarded appropriately.” Yang Shuang’er took A’Ling’s hand in hers, her gaze full of longing. “Then, we’ll be able to cultivate together as sisters!”

A’Ling shook off her big sister’s hand and said angrily, “Big Brother Xiao taught me to carve that Edict. Even if you kill me, I won’t teach it to anyone else! Big Sister, you’ve... deeply disappointed me!”

With that, she turned to leave. Her heart was full of disappointment and anger.

She’d thought that her reunion with her sister was cause for celebration. Now, it seemed her thinking had been too simplistic!

Big Sister completely looks down on Grassy Creek Village, she sees me as a ‘frog in a well’ in dire need of rescue, and worst of all... she’s after the Edict of Profound Gathering!

It’s far too disappointing.

“Stop.”

Yang Shuang’er took a sudden step forward and seized A’Ling by the shoulder. A’Ling suddenly found herself unable to advance any further.

“What are you doing?” A’Ling frowned. She wasn’t even using the title “big sister” anymore.

Yang Shuang’er sighed. “Blame me and hate me all you want. One day, you’re sure to understand. Come on, let’s go meet Xiao Jian. As for all that unpleasantness... Let’s just... not talk about it for now, okay?”

“There’s no way I’m taking you to see Big Brother Xiao!” A’Ling said decisively. “Who knows what you’re up to?”

Yang Shuang’er frowned; it seemed she’d run out of patience. Her gaze was suddenly icy. “Enough! Starting now, you just need to cooperate.”

As she spoke, she sealed A’Ling’s cultivation base and dragged her out of the room before she could argue.

When the two men waiting outside saw the sisters emerge, they walked up to greet Yang Shuang’er. “How’d it go, Junior Apprentice Sister?”

Yang Shuang’er nodded. “It went fairly smoothly. Next, I’m going to go visit that Xiao Jian person. I’d appreciate it if you came with me, Senior Apprentice Brothers.”

The tall, stalwart man laughed. “A cripple, that’s all. What need is there for such caution?”

But the golden-robed man disagreed. “Caution leads to longevity. Come on, let’s go with Junior Apprentice Sister Shuang’er.”

A’Ling visibly lost her composure. “You... You’re targeting Big Brother Xiao?”

Li Changqing had been waiting outside as well, and when he heard that, he too lost his composure.

But he was shrewd and decisive. He immediately left to inform Su Yi.

The stalwart man snorted coldly, stretched out his hand, and grabbed.

Bang!

Li Changqing was lifted into the air and pulled uncontrollably toward the stalwart man.

“Senior Apprentice Brother Yue Man, what are you doing? The village elder is my senior!” Yang Shuang’er frowned.

The tall, stalwart man, Yue Man, laughed and held Li Changqing aloft, not the least bit concerned. “Relax, Junior Apprentice Sister. It’s because I know he’s your senior that I didn’t kill him. I’ll hold onto him for now. On the off chance that anything goes wrong while we’re dealing with Xiao Jian, he can double as a hostage.”

Yang Shuang’er’s expression darkened and shifted erratically. She was obviously enraged.

The golden-robed man laughed. “Don’t be angry, Junior Apprentice Sister. Yue Man might be a bit coarse, but he’s at least considering the big picture. We’ll let this senior of yours go as soon as this has been resolved!”

Yang Shuang’er took a deep breath, then said no more. She just walked away.

The stalwart Yue Man and the man in golden robes trailed after her.

Su Yi, meanwhile, was sunbathing in the courtyard, as had become his custom. His eyes were closed in contentment, and his whole body relaxed.

When Yang Shuang’er and her companions walked in, he raised an eyebrow, but he quickly looked away.

“Big Brother Xiao! They’re here to ‘deal’ with you!” A’Ling cried out frantically.

Li Changqing’s face was ashen, and he said with shame, “This old man is to blame for his poor judgment. I shouldn’t have trusted these people so lightly!”

Su Yi said warmly, “Leave these trivial matters to me.”

Yue Man sneered. “You’re a cripple too weak to even lift a finger. Where do you get off boasting shamelessly like that?”

Su Yi ignored him and looked at Yang Shuang’er instead. There was no denying that she and A’Ling looked a lot alike, but their dispositions were completely different. A’Ling was lively and pure, while Yang Shuang’er was icy and stern, with a harshness about her expression.

“You left home at just three years of age. You’ve returned for the first time today, yet here you are, already laying hands on your elders and little sister. I’m truly a bit disappointed in you,” Su Yi said calmly.

Yang Shuang’er frowned, then said icily, “You’re an outsider. You know nothing at all. Who are you to chastise me?”

Su Yi mulled that over briefly, then said, “Very well, never mind all that. Let’s just speak directly, then. Why have you come looking for me?”

“Are you the one who taught my sister the Edict of Profound Gathering?” asked Yang Shuang’er.

A’Ling lowered her head in shame, not daring to meet Su Yi’s eyes. “Big Brother Xiao, I...”

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Su Yi laughed. “No need to blame yourself. As I said, this is a trivial matter.”

He paused, then said, “That’s right. I am indeed the one who taught A’Ling the Edict of Profound Gathering.”

Yang Shuang’er’s eyes flashed. “A’Ling told me that only two streaks of blood-red sword qi remained in the talisman carved with the Edict. That talisman is now in my hands.”

“Mm,” said Su Yi. “What of it?”

Yang Shuang’er couldn’t help but frown.

Isn’t Xiao Jian a bit too calm about all this?

“Come with us,” said Yang Shuang’er after taking a moment to calm herself. “My master is very interested in your secrets. If you cooperate, you can avoid unnecessary suffering. If you refuse...”

Yue Man grinned and finished for her. “Then I’ll make you cooperate!”

His gaze was utterly cold and sinister.

“So you’re saying you didn’t return because you were homesick, but because your master ordered you to?” Su Yi asked softly.

Yang Shuang’er frowned. “Does that matter? Just tell me whether you’re going to cooperate or not!”

The golden-robed man chuckled, then gestured to Li Changqing, whom Yue Man was still holding aloft. “Think your answer over carefully. I urge you to refrain from pointless struggling. Any funny business, and it’s hard to say what’ll happen to him.”

This was a blatant threat!

But this also made it obvious that both Yang Shuang’er and her two sectmates, despite being immortals from the Celestial Yao Mountains, were on guard against Su Yi.

Were he anyone else, they’d likely have just killed him a long time ago. They wouldn’t have needed to be so restrained.

“If you dare hurt Big Brother Xiao, you’ll have to kill me too. Otherwise, I’ll kill you all one day!” A’Ling spat through teeth gnashed so hard they almost shattered.

Yang Shuang’er’s expression shifted.

“Hmph! Junior Sister Shuang’er, your little sister’s far too ignorant of the ways of the world!” Yue Man’s expression darkened, and he raised a hand the size of a cattail leaf to strike A’Ling.