Picking Up Attributes In Martial World

Chapter 179: Jiang Clan

The top abode was no different from a luxurious palace, containing many rooms and every single one of them had a Qi Gathering Array Formation. Even just casually living there could help one in cultivation.

Meihui’s room was just beside his, as that helped Song Liangxue in taking care of them. To protect Meihui’s identity, she hadn’t let anyone in and took care of both of them all alone, which filled Ye Jun’s heart with happiness.

She was the Young Miss of one of the Seven Great Clans, yet she didn’t mind serving both of them.

Her Aunt was apparently handling the matter of the Spiritual Beasts and also the security around the White Gale Pavilion. It was tighter than ever, as the Song Clan and Heavenly Frost Palace had sent people to protect him.

And as the strongest cultivator present, the task of managing them fell upon Song Ying.

"She was so pissed when she got the news," Song Liangxue chuckled, thinking of her Aunt’s expression. "She hates it. That’s why she volunteered to be my guardian."

"I feel like we will get along well," Ye Jun said honestly. "I’m also lazy when it comes to responsibilities."

She pinched his waist, making him confused, so she explained, "Don’t you dare run away from your responsibility as my Husband."

"That ain’t no responsibility," Ye Jun smiled. "It’s something I want to do."

"Glad we’re on the same page then."

"By the way, how many days was I out?"

"Just two."

Ye Jun hummed. It was actually much shorter than he expected considering the trauma his body and soul endured. But then again, even now his rational side was fighting to keep the madness back.

They entered Meihui’s room, which was simpler than his and only contained a comfortable bed, calming incense, and windows that let cool wind in.

Ye Jun found her sleeping peacefully on the bed, her appearance as beautiful as ever. Her disguise had turned off after she lost consciousness, so she was back to her female form. And it reminded him yet again just how beautiful she was.

’If only she was awake.’

He missed those large purple-blue orbs staring back at him. He approached the bed and sat down beside her, looking at her with a gentle, loving gaze.

He gently pushed aside those lush blonde locks off her face and said, "The first time we met, she actually tried to seduce me through this beautiful face."

"What?" Song Liangxue blinked in surprise, not believing his words.

"It’s true," Ye Jun chuckled. "She was actually injured and I found her in that state. But she’s such a bad actor that I saw through her immediately."

"She’s too shy for those stuff."

"Yup," Ye Jun sighed. "But I’m also worried about her. I don’t know what kind of enemies pushed her to that state, but they certainly aren’t normal."

"I have a few guesses," Song Liangxue said, coming to sit beside him. "She could be from another Great Clan, but I’ve never heard of anyone named Meihui, nor am I familiar with her features. And I know everyone from the Great Clans."

"Maybe someone from the Imperial City?" He guessed.

"Could be," she nodded. "But chances are low. She’s a prodigy of my level and as you’ve already seen, we can’t remain hidden unless we have enough background to keep it hidden. And I don’t think those people of the Imperial City can do it."

"Well, we’ll just have to wait then," Ye Jun said, patting Meihui’s head. "I’m sure she’ll tell us about her origins now. We are a family and family faces everything together."

"Family, huh," Song Liangxue muttered softly. "I’m fortunate enough to have a good family, but I don’t believe she had one. So, I’ll try my best to become a good sister for her."

"Woah! My Xue is such a good person."

She smirked. "Of course, you’re marrying the best wife."

They sat in comfortable silence then, enjoying the peace that came after so much. He wanted to talk about his trials and also ask about her Ascension, but strangely, he was at a loss for words.

At the moment, he just wanted to cherish this moment.

Just then, he felt a twitch in the hand that held Meihui’s hand and exclaimed in joy. He was about to say something when he saw a small, sharp needle materializing out of thin air.

Meihui’s eyes snapped open as she jumped and grabbed the needle, gripping it tightly like a dagger. She quickly scanned the room in vigilance and only relaxed when she saw Ye Jun.

"Relax, it’s just us," Ye Jun said, trying to calm her. "And nobody knows about your secret either. They just think a friend of mine helped me."

"N-No, it’s fine," Meihui dropped the needle and pushed her messed-up hair back. "I’m sorry... I..."

"It’s fine," Ye Jun pulled her back onto the bed and said. "Take your time. After sleep is the worst state because you aren’t even awake properly."

While they were talking, Song Liangxue had already prepared herbal soup and gave it to her. "Here. It’ll help you."

Meihui nodded silently and drank the soup slowly, taking her time to organize her thoughts. All of them stayed silent, as they liked the peaceful atmosphere between them.

"I grew up comfortably," Meihui said all of a sudden.

"Huh?"

She sighed. "You’re thinking that I had a rough childhood because of how I reacted, right?"

Ye Jun opened his mouth to reply, but closed it soon since that was exactly what he thought. He couldn’t help it as those instincts were from people like him who spent every second in danger.

"No, that’s because of something else," Meihui shook her head and said. "I lived a comfortable life till that event."

"That’s great. I really didn’t want to see another me. It would be too cliché if everyone got a rough childhood," Ye Jun laughed it off, happy for her.

Unfortunately, his girlfriends didn’t seem to share his humor as they didn’t laugh at all. Instead, they just gave him angry stares which confused him.

"What?"

"Don’t try to belittle your past," Song Liangxue said coldly. "What you endured and suffered, we could have never done. And it wasn’t just rough."

"Yes. We will never forget it, neither should you," Meihui glared at him. "And it was created by someone. I still want to destroy the Ye Clan for everything they did to you."

"Relax," Ye Jun smiled and said. "I’m never forgetting it as it shaped me, but I also won’t let it determine my life. It was just a small part of my life. Let me focus on my life with you two. That’s all I want."

They were still angry that he was treating it so casually, but they couldn’t do anything about it.

"Also, are you finally willing to talk about your past?" Ye Jun asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes, I was actually listening to you two unconsciously," Meihui nodded with a smile. "And you’re right. You both are my family now, so you deserve to know it."

Ye Jun and Song Liangxue both shifted closer to her, fully focused on hearing her story.

Meihui set the empty bowl aside and was quiet for a long moment. When she finally spoke, her voice was steadier than before.

"You asked which Great Clan I’m from," she said, looking at Song Liangxue. "I’m not from any of the Seven."

Song Liangxue frowned. "Then where—"

"Have you ever heard of the Five Ancient Clans?"

The room went still. Song Liangxue’s expression shifted from confusion to something far more guarded, the look of someone hearing a name they had only ever encountered in the most restricted of clan records.

"I thought they were just a legend," she said slowly.

"They aren’t," Meihui said. "Most people will live and die without ever knowing they exist. Only those with enough authority are even told the truth. The Imperial Family sits at the top of the world, yes, but they sit there because the Five Ancient Clans allow it. Even the Emperor has to bow before them."

Ye Jun raised an eyebrow, his rational side already working through the implications. "And these clans, how strong are they?"

"You know the realms after Sky Realm?"

"Ruler Realm, maybe there is also a Saint Realm," he answered. He had read that much. "Beyond that I don’t know."

"Yes, you’re right and above Saint Realm is Monarch Realm," Meihui said. "Each of the Five Ancient Clans has a Monarch at its head. They’re called the Monarch Clans for that reason. A Saint Realm powerhouse, the kind the Imperial Family treats as a pillar of the world, cannot contend against a Monarch. Not even close."

Song Liangxue had gone pale. Even her Grandfather, the strongest cultivator she personally knew, was only at the Saint Realm.

"They control everything from the shadows," Meihui continued. "Wars, dynasties, the rise and fall of entire regions. The world thinks it moves on its own. It doesn’t."

Ye Jun studied her carefully. A girl who could speak about Monarchs so casually was not a girl who came from nowhere.

"And you," he said gently. "Which one are you from?"

Meihui met his eyes, and for the first time since she had woken, she let the disguise fall away entirely, not the physical one, but the careful distance she had kept around herself since the day he found her.

"The Jiang Clan," she said. "My name is Jiang Meihui. The Third Child of the current Jiang Clan Head."