Chapter 2: Qingyuan Is Rather Unique...

Yang Qingyuan sized up the little girl before him, and from her attire and bearing, he suspected she was surely the daughter of some distinguished family within the Daoist sects.
“I suddenly remembered something sad. Is that not allowed?”
The girl frowned slightly and continued, “You’re a disciple of the Yang family, aren’t you? You look about the same age as Brother Yitan, but why have I never seen you before?”
“Little sister, there are many people in this world you haven’t met. It’s only because you live within these grand halls and never see those outside the courtyard.”
Hearing this, the girl’s brows furrowed even deeper.
What was all this about inside and outside the courtyard? For such a young boy, he spoke with the same tone as Uncle Fei—so mature and knowing.
No, she decided, she would have to ask Brother Yitan about this later.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
“Yang Qingyuan. And you?”
“Wangquan Zui.”
The moment he heard her name, Yang Qingyuan looked at the little girl with surprise.
Wangquan Zui, the eldest daughter of the Wangquan family, sister to Wangquan Baye, and a future member of the Masked Organization.
He hadn’t expected to meet her in such a manner.
As Yang Qingyuan pondered this, a refined and elegant young boy approached silently from behind Wangquan Zui.
“Little sister, the wedding is about to start. Why did you run off here?”
“Brother, I saw a butterfly fly this way, and I followed it without thinking, and ended up here.”
As she spoke, Wangquan Zui showed off the beautiful butterfly she held in her hand.
“Look, isn’t it pretty?”
The boy’s eyes softened with a doting smile.
He gently stroked Wangquan Zui’s head and spoke softly, “It’s beautiful. My little sister is the best. Come, Mr. Fei is calling us.”
“Alright. Goodbye, Yang Qingyuan.”
After politely bidding farewell to Yang Qingyuan, Wangquan Zui skipped away with the young boy.
Watching the boy’s figure recede into the distance, Yang Qingyuan rested his chin in thought, his gaze contemplative.
That must have been the current heir to the Wangquan family, the future leader of the Masked Organization—Wangquan Baye.
From the faint sword aura emanating from him, Wangquan Baye was indeed worthy of the title “Dao Alliance’s foremost genius.”
So young, yet already possessing such power. No wonder he would one day outshine his peers and become the head of the Masked Group.
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Elsewhere at the banquet, the guests seated here were all elders from renowned families and masters of the Dao Alliance.
Even Yang Yifang, the master of the Yang family and host, sat among them.
Besides these adults, the children of various Dao Alliance families were also gathered here.
The adults had their topics of conversation, and the children had their own.
“Brother Yitan, I want to ask you something.”
No sooner had she returned than Wangquan Zui ran up to a young boy.
The boy was handsome, and though he was young, his head was full of white hair, an unusual trait that lent him a unique charm.
Especially striking was the mystical third eye on his forehead, giving him an eerie sense of seeing through all worldly illusions.
This boy was the current heir of the Yang family—Yang Yitan.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Does your family have a child named Yang Qingyuan?”
At the mention of Yang Qingyuan’s name, Yang Yitan’s expression darkened slightly.
“Little sister Zui, how did you come to know Qingyuan?”
“I just met him over there. He’s just a little brat, but he talks like an old man.”
“Is he the one you just chatted with?” Wangquan Baye interjected.
“Yes, that’s him,” Wangquan Zui nodded.
“Is he from your Yang family?”
“He is…” Yang Yitan nodded slowly.
“Then why is he sitting over there? Isn’t that section reserved for outside guests?”
“Well…”
Yang Yitan was momentarily at a loss for words. After a brief silence, he sighed deeply.
“Qingyuan is… rather special…”
Seeing Yang Yitan’s troubled expression, Wangquan Baye immediately understood that some unspoken matter was at play, so he pulled Wangquan Zui away before she could continue probing.
“Alright, little sister, the wedding is starting. Look.”
Following Wangquan Baye’s gesture, Wangquan Zui saw Yang Yan, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, slowly making her way through the crowd toward the grand stage ahead.
“Wow, Aunt Yang Yan looks so beautiful today!”
Children are easily distracted, after all.

Upon seeing Yang Yan in her wedding attire, Wangquan Zui’s curiosity about Yang Qingyuan was instantly forgotten.
Yang Yitan felt relieved and glanced gratefully at Wangquan Baye.
Wangquan Baye smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
The wedding proceeded, everything seemed so perfect; today was meant to be Yang Yan’s happiest day.
Until the arrival of several uninvited guests.

At the gate of the Yang residence, led by a middle-aged man, several figures dressed in purple and black robes, wielding golden swords, entered.
“They’ve come at last…”
Seeing this group, Yang Qingyuan’s eyes flickered with anticipation.
The middle-aged man at their head was Xiao Wancheng, master of the Xiao family of the Dao Alliance, and those behind him were the so-called Dao Alliance Obsidian Inspectors.
The Dao Alliance Obsidian Inspectors were tasked with monitoring the alliance’s internal affairs, searching for anyone colluding with monsters or betraying the Alliance.
The original intent behind this position was noble—for in these times, humans and monsters were locked in ceaseless war.
The accumulated hatred over generations had turned their conflict into one of mutual destruction.
Yet, the Xiao family had managed to seize control of this office, turning it into a tool for their rivalry with other families in the Alliance.
To achieve their aims, they often falsely accused other families of colluding with monsters.
As a result, the Xiao family’s reputation among the Dao Alliance clans was as low as that of a rat scurrying across the street. This was why the Yang family had not invited the Xiaos to the wedding.
Today, Xiao Wancheng had brazenly brought the Obsidian Inspectors, openly wielding swords as they entered the Yang residence. Anyone with sense could see his intentions.
Xiao Wancheng was clearly here to cause trouble!

“Master Xiao, today is my daughter’s wedding. What business do you have bringing armed men into the Yang residence?”
Yang Yifang, the Yang family master, rose and spoke sternly.
“Master Yang, don’t misunderstand me. I have no intention of disrupting the festivities. In fact, I am here to protect your reputation.”
Xiao Wancheng smiled sinisterly, his cold gaze sweeping over the Yang family’s future son-in-law on the stage.
“What do you mean?” Yang Yifang frowned.
“The Yang family, famed for the Heavenly Eye, is upright and honorable, and your own life has been exemplary. I hold you in the highest esteem.
Yet, there is someone here who has colluded with monsters, betrayed the Alliance, and now seeks to climb high within the Yang family, hoping to become a phoenix through marriage.
Master Yang, tell me—if such a person became your son-in-law, would it not tarnish your lifelong reputation?”