Restaurant Gossip

"Devil-Budda Technique? What the hell is that?" Yu Yan wondered, feeling baffled at the intrusion into his conversation. But he paid no mind to Yu Wei. As far as he was concerned Yu Wei was no longer part of the Yu Clan.

"How do I break the curse?" Yu Yan asked, returning his attention to Hei Ying.

"There's a talisman you could use but I don't think you can find it in this world. The best way would be to bypass the curse and forge your Soul. As long as one member of the clan succeeds, the curse breaks for everyone."

Hei Ying explained.

Yu Yan retreated to his room and resumed his cultivation. He wasn't concerned about the Saint Realm Opening the Chu Clan Elder mentioned. It was still quite far away and he had no hope in any of the Yu Clan's younger generation. Anyone with some talent had long been sent to join other powers.

Everyone except Yu Hao. Yu Yan had high expectations for this sword cultivator. He almost salivated at the thought of what gifts he would get from Yu Hao's progress.

Time passed with Yu Yan in seclusion. The atmosphere of the Yu Clan started to change very subtly. Previously, many held hope due to changes brought by Yu Yan, but then their hope was crushed by the weight of the First Elder's betrayal.

Worse still, following that six other Elders took some of the clan's assets and left the clan. According to some rumors, the Clan Protectors had all left, too, seeking higher powers to support them with their breakthroughs. For the first time, it seemed like the Yu Clan had reached its end.

When going into the capital city, the juniors of the clan were bullied left and right by other small clans and even unaffiliated cultivators. To some, it started to seem like being unaffiliated was better than being in the Yu Clan.

The only thing they had going for them was the mines, but even that started to falter as all the miners suddenly stopped coming to work.

It seemed like a dark cloud was looming over the clan, and to make things worse, the new Patriarch, Yu Yan, remained silent while all these happened.

The only comfort the remnants clan found was in the Black Robes Guards and Red Maidens. Through subtle provocations, it was exposed that they were all cultivators, and Hei Ying, the leader of the Red Maidens, was a force to be reckoned with.

The only reason the clan could not rely on them was that they were too passive and when provoked, they focused on de-escalation.

A year passed and a piece of news spread through the capital.

The Yu Clan Black Robes and Red Maidens were recruiting and all between the ages of ten to fifteen were eligible to apply even without any cultivation.

This news was especially shocking because it seemed like the Yu Clan had given up on itself, but now, all of a sudden, they were recruiting.

In a restaurant within the capital. Hei Ying sat with Number 2 and standing behind them were two Black Robes.

The effect of her ability on the Red Maidens was starting to show, setting them far apart from the Black Robes. She was waiting for Yu Yan to come out of cultivation so she could bring this to his notice.

On average, all the Red Maidens had broken through to Late Qi Condensation while the Black Robes were still between Early Qi Condensation and Late Body Tampering. However, among the Black Robes were three geniuses who managed to keep up and even surpass the average Red Maiden, breaking through to Foundation Establishment in an amazingly short time.

Hei Ying was stunned when she heard the news. Even more shocking was Number 8 who was already a Mid-stage foundation establishment cultivation. Even in higher worlds, this feat was astonishing and large powers would fight for them.

However, after studying their Cultivation Technique, she could understand why. It was extremely suitable for them. There were instances where people cultivated even faster after discovering a technique that suited their Qi pathways and Dao.

As she sat there, Hei Ying felt the urge to grumble. Yu Yan's requirements for different types of beasts and seeds always had her leaving the clan every time there was news of merchants receiving new goods.

Of course, the only reason she was comfortable putting off her Cultivation was because she could feel the vibrant and pure life force within her. With more time, there was less rush to do anything. Slowly she was starting to understand Yu Yan's mindset.

As she pondered over the growth of the Yu Clan, the gossip of patrons at the restaurant attracted her attention.

"What use is recruiting mortals now? Who knows, it might be a scheme to get miners," a well-dressed young man among a group of six friends talked loudly. Not so loud that he was obnoxious but loud enough for Hei Ying who wasn't far from the table to hear.

"You can't think like that. The Yu clan Patriarch is still very calm, he hasn't said anything." another one chipped in, forcing Hei Ying to recoil a little from their chewing sounds.

"Swallow before you talk!" the only female among them scolded.

"What use is a puppet Patriarch. He's not even a puppet anymore. Most of the Elders have left and there's no Protector guarding them anymore. What can a Qi Condensation Cultivator do?"

"Watch your mouth, that Qi Condensation Cultivator has only been cultivating less than three years. Others use fourteen or fifteen years to get that far"

"Heh! Isn't it just because of his pure heart from living so long as a fool?"

"Yu Clan Red Maidens are here," a whisper-like voice came from the most quiet among the group. A young boy dressed plainly. His tone was meek and low, almost as if he was afraid of upsetting the others.

"So what?" the female among them shot back but turned quiet when she noticed her companions shut their mouths and adjust their positions.

"If I can attract just one of the Red Maidens, I would have used up all the luck from my ancestors," the well-dressed youth muttered, his eyes blazing with desire as he stole a subtle glance at Hei Ying's group.

"Who is that one without a veil?" the female asked. She was the only one who dared to directly observe the Red Maidens group.

"That's the Yu Patriarch's Maid, Hei Ying. She is also the leader of the Red Maidens"

"Didn't that puppet Patriarch marry Saintess Mei from the Clear Heart Sect?"

"Yes, but he doesn't touch the Red Maidens; all of them are still pure. The Grand Precept confirmed it when he saw them in passing."

"That old pervert" the lady harrumphed, crossing her legs as her expression turned full of disgust.

"How can Yu Yan be so indifferent to someone like this? I heard even the Emperor is curious of her beauty" a blonde handsome boy of the group asked as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Careful," the well-dressed youth replied sternly, and the pretty boy raised his hands in surrender.

"I heard he is a cultivation maniac"

"Really? I heard he likes animals, male and female, he doesn't discriminate"

"But I heard he is extremely loyal to his wife. She is after all the Clear Heart Sect Saintess"

"Forget the Yu Clan, don't forget what we are here for. We need to get in touch with the Long Imperium and see if we can get slots from them early before others start to arrive"

The conversation of the group shifted and Hei Ying stopped paying attention to them. Some of their words offended her but she had no interest in rebutting or defending Yu Yan.

From her perspective, the thoughts of ants mattered not.

"Let's hurry up and return before Lu Sheng starts to complain about keeping his Black Guards outside the Clan," Hei Ying said to Number 2, who was busy gorging her mouth with food.

"I'll ask for longer veils to cover up to the jaw and see how you'll eat every time we come out" Hei Ying complained.

After so long together, the Red Maidens had long turned into a sisterhood.

Number 2 completely ignored her, focusing instead on the steak on her plate. Unlike her sisters, she was a big foodie and spent most of her salary in the Capital.