Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 172: Chapter 168: Fellow disciples are also brothers, so it’s not wrong to call someone brother-in-law, right?

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Yang Zhenshan brought his personal followers to pay a visit.

By convention, marital matters should be arranged by elders, but Yang Zhenshan had no elders left, so he had to make the visit himself.

As for the matchmaker who formally proposes marriage, it is generally after both parties have roughly agreed that the matchmaker would visit.

Otherwise, sending a matchmaker directly to propose marriage would seem a bit coercive.

The Sky Blue Sword Sect is located more than thirty miles west of Yuanhe County city, near the edges of overlapping mountains, with two low hills in front of its gate. Beyond the hills lies an expanse of fertile farmland.

Though the Sky Blue Sword Sect is a martial arts sect, they too need to farm and make a living. Many of the fertile lands in front of Tianqing Mountain belong to the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

Most of the villagers in the surrounding villages have intricate connections with the Sky Blue Sword Sect; either they lease the sect’s farmland, have family members who have joined the sect, or some of them even came out of the Sky Blue Sword Sect themselves.

While the Sky Blue Sword Sect does not recruit disciples indiscriminately, they do take in a few each year; some with lesser talents, after practicing for several years without significant breakthroughs, would be dismissed from the sect and return to their hometowns.

After all, the assets of the Sky Blue Sword Sect are not plentiful, and they truly cannot support too many disciples.

Fortunes favored the day with clear skies as far as the eye could see.

By the time the sun was three poles high, Yang Zhenshan had arrived at the gate pavilion of the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

”Sigh~~”

Yang Zhenshan reined in Red Cloud, staring in astonishment behind the gate pavilion.

Dozens, if not hundreds of people gathered in silence, watching him; the splendid sunlight infused the atmosphere with a forbidding aura.

Damn it!

What does this mean?

Even if I’m not welcome, there’s no need for such a grand spectacle!

Yang Zhenshan’s gaze swept across the crowd, eventually resting on Yu Qingyi.

Beside Yu Qingyi stood four elders, three men and one woman, presumably the four senior elders of the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

Yu Qingyi was also looking at Yang Zhenshan, sending him meaningful glances, yet her bright, alluring eyes, despite making Yang Zhenshan’s heart race, utterly failed to convey any clear information to him.

Yang Zhenshan dismounted from his horse, murmuring internally, yet he shouted, ”Yang Zhenshan from Anning rashly visits, I hope for your understanding!”

In fact, his visit wasn’t rash; when sending letters to Yu Qingyi previously, he had also sent visiting cards.

However, given the situation, Yang Zhenshan felt it best to lower his stance.

”Enough of the drivel, if you wish to enter the mountain, pass under our swords first!”

Before Yang Zhenshan could finish speaking, Hua Jinqiu had already stepped forward from the crowd, donned in dark cyan clothes with a fox-fur headband, sword in hand, her face frosty as she looked at Yang Zhenshan.

Yu Qingyi had told Yang Zhenshan about the four senior elders of the Sky Blue Sword Sect; girls on the outside, Yu Qingyi had almost entirely exposed the secrets of the sect before even marrying into it.

But Yu Qingyi did not mention the Sky Blue Sword Array to Yang Zhenshan; firstly, because it was a cornerstone of the Sky Blue Sword Sect, and secondly, she felt it was unnecessary to tell him, not expecting Yang Zhenshan would need to confront the Sky Blue Sword Array.

In truth, the art of the sword formation is not an incredibly profound or powerful thing; at the end of the day, it’s a method of coordination between martial artists.

The military uses formations; a small flag commands spearmen, sword and shield soldiers, and archers, cooperating in battle. This too is a kind of battle formation.

The Sky Blue Sword Array is similar; it is a multi-person battle formation that integrates many of the Sky Blue Sword Sect’s cultivation techniques, such as footwork, movement technique, swordsmanship, and more.

Years of practice and togetherness have fostered an exceptional tacit understanding between the brothers, giving rise to the power of the Sky Blue Sword Array.

Even if someone had a manual recording the Sky Blue Sword Array, it’s unlikely they would successfully master it if given away.

Thus, while the Sky Blue Sword Array is foundational for the Sky Blue Sword Sect, it isn’t considered a secret.

Yang Zhenshan felt a headache coming on; he hadn’t anticipated this scenario.

Yu Qingyi had told him her four uncles were good people, who had watched her grow up.

He had expected some difficulties, but he hadn’t imagined that it would come to swords and spears right from the start.

And today, he hadn’t even brought his spear.

”A few elders, uh, excuse me, but this seems hardly appropriate!” said Yang Zhenshan somewhat awkwardly.

”What’s inappropriate about it? The worldly society has its rules; since you’ve come, you must abide by them!” Hua Jinqiu said coldly, not caring about what Yang Zhenshan thought.

Indeed, such rules exist within the societal circles; for an alliance through marriage between two factions, the man must forcibly make his way through the challenge.

However, this is really just for excitement rather than truly hoping to prevent the marriage.

Those who come for the challenge imply that the marriage has been gladly agreed upon.

But Yang Zhenshan is different; he is not a person of the worldly society but a Secondary Third-Rank Deputy Magistrate of the court, and this demand seemed somewhat excessive.

Still, since Hua Jinqiu made such a request, Yang Zhenshan could not refuse it.

Here, he was merely an ordinary man coming to propose marriage, not a Deputy Magistrate, not any official.

After a moment’s thought, Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, ”If so, I can only experience the elders’ strength!”

”Spear!”

Extending his hand, Ding Qiu immediately passed a long spear from behind.

He had not brought his Gold-plated Flying Fish Spear, but his personal followers who accompanied him had weapons.

Raising the long spear, Yang Zhenshan performed a flourish.

”Swords and spears are blind, please be careful, elders!”

”You’re the one who should be careful!” retorted Hua Jinqiu.

She was right; Yang Zhenshan was strong, but the three of them were no less formidable.

Although they were entering their declining years due to age, they all boasted cultivation of the Postnatal Fifth Layer and Sixth Layer, and also had a wealth of combat experience.

Facing a three-on-one situation, especially against the Sky Blue Sword Array, Yang Zhenshan truly needed to be cautious in his response.

Yu Qingyi looked at Yang Zhenshan with some concern.

She had some understanding of Yang Zhenshan’s strength, but in her impression, Yang Zhenshan’s abilities should be at the Postnatal Sixth Layer, a bit stronger than hers, but probably not reaching the Postnatal Seventh Layer.

”Girl, there’s no need to worry too much, your Master Hua knows what he’s doing and won’t hurt anyone!” Seeing her worried look, Su Kun couldn’t help but offer some words of reassurance.

”Master Su, why do you have to do this? Isn’t this making things difficult for others?” Yu Qingyi said discontentedly.

Yesterday when she returned, she knew what the four masters were thinking, and she had advised them against it at the time, but the four stubborn old men, no matter what she said, insisted on testing Yang Zhenshan’s strength and character.

Difficulties and challenges were all tests.

”We’re doing this for your sake!” Su Kun looked at Yu Qingyi, glaring and stroking his beard, as if to say you really don’t know what’s good for you.

Yu Qingyi felt somewhat helpless; she knew the kind intentions of the four masters, but her heart belonged to someone else, and therefore it leaned elsewhere.

Right now, Yu Qingyi felt somewhat eager to marry; she truly wanted to marry Yang Zhenshan.

Having finally found someone she liked who liked her back, she was anxious to get married as soon as possible.

But now, with the masters staging this, if anything went wrong, she felt like crying.

”Sister, don’t worry. Judging by the way your brother-in-law carries himself, he definitely won’t lose to master and the others!” Standing behind, Luo Feiyu suddenly chimed in.

Brother-in-law!

Yu Qingyi turned back in shock, and then her face flushed red.

”What nonsense are you talking about?”

Annoyed, Su Kun said, ”Shut your mouth; if you spout nonsense again, I’ll thrash you!”

Is brother-in-law a title one can just call out?

If this gets out, what about Yu Qingyi’s reputation?

After all, the two were not yet married.

However, Luo Feiyu just gave a sly smile and made funny faces at Yu Qingyi.

He meant the brother-in-law title sincerely.

Because his brother-in-law had said he would recommend him for an official position.

This was something Yu Qingyi had said yesterday, intending to persuade the four masters not to mess around.

But the masters disregarded her nonetheless, whereas Luo Feiyu took it to heart.

Yu Qingyi felt both embarrassed and annoyed, but couldn’t bring herself to criticize, even feeling quite delighted in her heart.

Fellow disciples are like brothers, so calling someone brother-in-law isn’t wrong, is it?

In front of the gatehouse, Hua Jinqiu, Cao De, and a third person stood in a triangular formation opposite Yang Zhenshan.

Hua Jinqiu was at the front, with Cao De and the third person behind, all wielding swords. Hua Jinqiu’s sword pointed slightly up, while the other two’s swords pointed slightly down.

Seeing this, Yang Zhenshan felt a surge of solemnity.

In a duel with Jianghu Martial Artists, one must be prudent.

Fortunately, this battle was just a contest, not a fight to the death. He couldn’t use hidden weapons, and likewise, the other side would not resort to underhanded tactics.

”Then I won’t hold back!” Yang Zhenshan said softly.

The next moment, the spear thrust forward, aiming directly for Hua Jinqiu’s face.

Hua Jinqiu’s expression was icy, unfazed by the fierce spear light. She slightly lowered her body, dodging Yang Zhenshan’s thrust, while her sword moved swiftly to target his lower body.

Behind her, Cao De and the third person leaped up, their sword lights flashing like stars, one targeting Yang Zhenshan’s face and the other his chest.

Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes; damn, with the three striking simultaneously, they were impossible to block!

He retracted his spear and retreated backward.

His large frame shot backward like a cannonball.

Sword lights flickered, trailing Yang Zhenshan like scattered stars in the sky.

Yang Zhenshan’s retreat was swift, but the speed of Hua Jinqiu and her companions’ assault was relentless.

The three maintained a constant formation, moving in unison even at high speeds.

Their sword movements kept changing; if Yang Zhenshan retreated even a bit slower, he would likely be marked with numerous cuts.

In terms of exquisite moves, Yang Zhenshan was far inferior to any of the three.

In terms of combat experience, he was also far outmatched.

They were Jianghu Martial Artists, having practiced for decades, always studying how to win in single combat.

What about Yang Zhenshan? He practiced for the battlefield, charging forward without retreat.

Forget about being a prodigy; talent is relative. Martial Arts cultivation values innate ability, but combat emphasizes technique and experience—of course, if one’s cultivation crushes the opponent, that’s another story.

Yang Zhenshan retreated more than ten zhang, yet he still couldn’t escape from Hua Jinqiu and her companions’ onslaught.

Faced with such a situation, Yang Zhenshan was forced to change tactics.

”Be careful!”

As he moved, Yang Zhenshan did not forget to offer a warning.

His arms rotated, the spear positioned across his waist, and in the next instant, Yang Zhenshan himself began to spin.

The spear tip whirled like a fan blade, generating a howling gust with each turn.