Chapter 227
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Chapter 227: Anchoring the ‘Epiphany’
Yan Yongwang didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation, but the Fourth Elder of the Yan Family did.
The Fourth Elder frowned at Yan Yunyu’s unwavering stare. "Let’s take this inside."
Yan Yunyu remained rooted. "Fourth Grandfather, I’m not just a Yan family member—I’m Brother Mu’s wife. Will you let this impostor claiming to be from our family bully me?"
"I’m no impostor! I’m Yan Yongwang from the Fifth Branch!"
Neither Yan Yunyu nor the Fourth Elder acknowledged his protests. The elder sighed, recognizing Yan Yunyu’s ultimatum: protect a common clansman or back Mu Lin’s favored companion. The choice was obvious.
"Guards," the Fourth Elder commanded. "Remove this Yan family impersonator."
"Fourth Grandfather! I belong here—"
The sputtering man vanished mid-protest.
Turning to Yan Yunyu, the elder softened. "Shall we talk properly now?"
"Of course, Grandfather."
Their smiles didn’t reach their eyes as they entered the chamber.
Yan Zhanpeng broke the silence first. "Cousin, remember your roots. Mu Lin will take more wives. Without family backing…"
Yan Yunyu inclined her head. "I’ll always be a Yan." The unspoken words hung heavier—her true value came from being Mu Lin’s wife, not one among thousands of Yan descendants.
Mu Lin had elevated both her cultivation and status. The Fourth Elder’s current courtesy proved where true power lay. She knew where her loyalties belonged.
Of course, she wouldn’t turn against the Yan family either.
As Yan Zhanpeng had said, only with her family’s backing could she maintain her position by Mu Lin’s side.
‘Mediating between the family and Mu Lin while walking this tightrope might be challenging, but it’s what I’m good at.’
Still deep in thought, Yan Yunyu smiled and said, "Grandfather, Cousin, I’ve never betrayed the Yan family."
"Since you understand, you should know this True Meaning Diagram belongs with our Yan…"
Yan Zhanpeng started giving his grand speech about family priorities, but before he could finish, Yan Yunyu snorted with laughter.
Her reaction made Yan Zhanpeng’s face darken.
"You think I’m wrong."
Yan Yunyu nodded cheerfully. "Absolutely wrong. It seems even you can’t stay level-headed about the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation, Cousin."
Cutting off his retort, she continued gravely: "What makes you think our Yan family could keep all the True Meaning Diagrams to ourselves?"
"Never mind the other families circling like vultures – have you considered this diagram doesn’t belong to us? I’m just selling it for Mu brother. The original remains his."
"If I do well, everyone’s happy. But if I cheat Mu brother, guess who he’ll give this job to next? Chu Lingluo? Teacher Dongfang?"
"…"
The men fell silent, finally remembering this wasn’t about Yan Yunyu – everything depended on Mu Lin.
As they hesitated, Yan Yunyu pressed on:
"Elders, Cousin, if you really care about the family, stop demanding the diagrams. That’s stupid short-term thinking. Instead, pour resources into buying them properly. Help me become indispensable to Mu brother."
"…"
This shameless favoritism left the Fourth Elder and Yan Zhanpeng speechless.
The latter finally snapped: "This helps Mu Lin, but what’s in it for us? If we’re spending resources, we’ll buy at market rate!"
"Ha."
Yan Yunyu’s laughter bubbled up again. When it finally subsided, she fixed Yan Zhanpeng with an intense stare.
"Cousin, you don’t actually think these diagrams are common goods anyone can buy?"
"Eh?"
Yan Zhanpeng blinked dumbly before understanding dawned. "There’s purchase limits?"
"Limited stock and restricted buyers. Let me be clear – 80% of rich nobles couldn’t buy this even with gold mountains!"
Before Yan Zhanpeng could respond, the Fourth Elder cut in: "Understood. The family will secure your position. List whatever resources Mu Lin needs – I’ll authorize them immediately."
Limited supplies meant nothing good for ordinary folk. But those already inside the circle didn’t care about fairness – they’d slam doors shut behind them.
This was the Yan family’s new game. With Yan Yunyu maintaining ties, they’d get their share when others got nothing.
Having what others lacked – that was true power.
Given the nature of aristocratic clans, they naturally sought to maintain this privileged status.
To preserve it? By deepening Yan Yunyu’s ties with Mu Lin.
…
Hearing the Fourth Elder of the Yan Family’s pledge, Yan Yunyu smiled – her scheme had worked.
Utilizing the Yan family’s resources to boost Mu Lin’s power while elevating her own standing in his eyes was exactly what she’d plotted.
As Mu Lin’s influence grew, so would her importance within the Yan family, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
Of course, this cycle depended entirely on Mu Lin maintaining rapid growth. The Yan family wasn’t foolish enough to keep investing resources otherwise.
‘But that’s the last thing I worry about. Mu brother’s talent is unmatched.’
Still plotting, Yan Yunyu boldly demanded piles of resources: Life Fruit, Six Yin Spirit-Nourishing Water, Clear Spirit Qi Pills… The sheer volume made even the Fourth Elder’s face twitch.
She did show restraint, stopping before truly angering him.
Finally, Yan Yunyu added shyly: "Fourth Grandfather, that Yan Yongwang bullied and threatened me. I’m scared of him."
"…Understood. He’ll lose all family privileges."
Yan Zhanpeng snorted: "Threatening our cousin? I’ll have him disciplined."
"Thank you, Fourth Grandfather! Thanks, Zhanpeng!"
All three left satisfied.
Yan Yunyu secured both family backing and resources for Mu Lin.
The Fourth Elder obtained guarantees that one-third of the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation would go to the Yan family, with another third going to allied clans – strengthening their influence.
Yan Zhanpeng gained exclusive early access to the Diagram, a privilege few would share.
Their triumph soured when they met Yan Yongwang outside.
Tearful and desperate, he rushed at the Fourth Elder: "Mercy! I was wrong!"
The Elder glanced at Yan Yunyu, finding only glacial indifference.
Don’t mistake her meek act around Mu Lin for weakness. Behind that obedient facade lay pride, pettiness, jealousy, and cunning. Even Mu Lin had suffered her schemes when weaker.
Her submission to Mu Lin didn’t extend to others. She demanded blood for blood.
Reading her frosty expression, the Fourth Elder delivered his verdict:
"Threatening family and sabotaging clan affairs merits punishment. From today, your rank drops to lowest-tier."
"No!"
From barely holding Earth-level privileges, he plummeted to the lowest rank – for an ordinary person, this was like falling from millionaire to beggar.
Yan Yongwang couldn’t accept this outcome.
Resentment filled his eyes.
But fearing the powerful four clan elders, he turned his anger toward Yan Yunyu instead.
"You bitch! This is all your…"
"Smack!"
A heavy slap cut him off mid-sentence.
Yan Zhanpeng had struck him.
Grateful to Mu Lin and recognizing his talent, Yan Zhanpeng wanted to befriend him.
‘Mu Lin isn’t part of the Yan family, and Yan Yunyu will marry out. They’re no threat to me becoming heir. With good relations, they could be a big help.’
‘A huge help.’
To secure this advantage, he gladly helped Yan Yunyu.
After slapping Yan Yongwang, Yan Zhanpeng told Yan Yunyu: "Cousin, my apologies for the disturbance. I’ll handle him properly."
These words made other Yan family members shiver.
Stripped of status by the elders and targeted by a future heir, Yan Yongwang’s fate looked grim.
The Yan family youths then turned their attention to Yan Yunyu instead.
They knew her star was rising.
Their gazes held envy, jealousy, and flattery.
They coveted her status, begrudged her luck, and sought the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation.
They all wanted this marvelous technique.
"Sister Yunyu! Remember me? From the third branch…"
Soon Yan Yunyu stood at the center of a tight crowd, flattery washing over her in waves.
Being admired and envied pleased Yan Yunyu deeply.
Some prefer shadows, others the spotlight – Yan Yunyu clearly belonged to the latter.
Her whole being buzzed with satisfaction, especially toward Mu Lin.
She knew exactly why everyone noticed her now.
"My choice was right after all!"
…
The True Meaning Diagram brought attention and jealousy to Yan Yunyu and the Yan family.
Mu Lin had expected this but didn’t care much. He preferred staying low-key.
But before, he couldn’t – he needed resources.
Now, he couldn’t even if he tried.
As his power grew, his resource needs kept increasing.
Though his talents shone like fireflies in darkness, impossible to hide, Mu Lin took no pleasure in the attention.
Having Yan Yunyu handle it suited him perfectly.
He had no time for such trivial matters anyway.
After research, Mu Lin understood the ‘Seal’ character from the seven-colored ink.
But understanding brought mixed feelings – both joy and disappointment.
The joy: His idea worked. The Seal could record and reset his body’s enlightenment states.
The disappointment: It wasn’t a complete success.
