Chapter 120: The Eastern Landscape

Yaoye stepped forward and gently patted Peng Yu on the shoulder. Peng Yu bowed respectfully several times, his face grave and filled with resentment.

“Enough, don’t be sad. The dead cannot be brought back. You have to look ahead,” Yaoye said softly.

Peng Yu nodded, then turned and grabbed Yaoye’s arm, looking at him with admiration.

“Big brother, how did you train? Can you guide me?”

Yaoye discreetly withdrew his arm, a trace of awkwardness on his face. He had worried that Peng Yu, having never experienced such things, might be overwhelmed by grief. But now, there was not a hint of sorrow in Peng Yu’s demeanor.

“Peng Yu, your mood changes too fast. Just now you were devastated, and now you’re like this?”

“Heh heh, that’s because I’m happy to see you, big brother. Besides, you said it yourself — the dead cannot be revived. I will avenge them!”

Yaoye shook his head in silent disbelief. “Tell me about your family. Let’s figure out a plan.”

Peng Yu composed himself, his expression turning somber again. “I’m a direct descendant of the Peng family in the North. My mother came from a humble background. When I was five, I accompanied her to visit her family. On the way back, we were ambushed, but luckily a reclusive master saved me.”

“What is the Peng family’s status in the Eastern battlefield?”

Peng Yu looked at Yaoye strangely. “Big brother, where did you come from, a bumpkin? You don’t even know the Peng family?”

Yaoye’s face darkened. “What’s wrong with that? My master forbade me from interacting with outsiders, so I know nothing.”

Peng Yu nodded understandingly. “I can accept that. But honestly, your master is terribly heartless!”

Yaoye fought the urge to hit him, staring intently at Peng Yu. Meeting Yaoye’s gaze, Peng Yu smiled foolishly and cupped his hands in respect.

“Don’t be mad, big brother. Let me give you a crash course in basic knowledge!”

Seeing Peng Yu’s smug expression, Yaoye couldn’t resist giving him a playful kick on the backside.

“Alright, get on with it.”

“Heh heh, big brother, the Eastern battlefield is led by the Yunxiao Sect, supported by the Four Great Families. My Peng family is one of those four.”

Hearing Yunxiao Sect, Yaoye stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brows and clenching his hands tightly. Peng Yu noticed and looked at him curiously.

“What’s wrong, big brother?”

“Oh, nothing. Continue.”

Yaoye exhaled softly. Peng Yu shook his head slightly. “Each family governs a quarter of the territory. Most importantly, each family’s heir candidate is granted special entry to the Yunxiao Sect. That’s why my aunt wants me gone so badly.”

“The Four Great Families are the Peng family in the North, the Liu family in the West, the Hua family in the East, and the Yun family in the South. My aunt’s maiden family is the Hua family in the East.”

Noticing Peng Yu’s mood darken, Yaoye gently patted his shoulder. Peng Yu lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.

“Big brother, my aunt’s influence is vast. You... should just leave. Our chances of winning are slim.”

Yaoye burst into loud laughter. “Ha! That’s what makes it exciting! I want to see what the Hua family is truly capable of!”

“Big brother!” Peng Yu sobbed, clinging to Yaoye, who shoved him away.

Peng Yu looked at Yaoye with a pitiful gaze that made Yaoye’s scalp tingle. Yaoye stepped back, folding his arms.

“Peng Yu, if you keep acting like this, I’ll seriously cripple you!”

Peng Yu cleared his throat and gave a silly grin. Yaoye shook his head and took off into the distance.

“Mother, how are things going?”

Inside the house, a middle-aged woman and a man whispered. They were Peng Yu’s aunt and uncle. The woman snorted coldly.

“Rest assured, that little wench is likely dead by now. Fei, your father doesn’t have long to live. You should spend more time with him.”

Peng Fei plopped down in a chair, tossing an apple lightly with a bored expression.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, Mother. That old bastard never even looks at me properly. Just seeing him makes me angry.”

“You! Enough. He won’t last much longer. Regardless, he’s still your father. Even if you dislike him, you must think about your future.”

“Alright, alright, you’re so nagging.”

Peng Fei put the apple down and left impatiently. Peng Yu’s aunt shook her head as she watched him go.

“The young master is home! The young master is home!” a servant shouted while running.

Peng Yu’s aunt felt a pang of anxiety upon hearing the commotion.

“Could the steward have failed?”

She pushed open the door and stopped the servant. “Why all the noise? Where is that little bastard Peng Yu?”

The servant bowed timidly. “Mistress, the young master is outside the gate!”

The mistress waved her hand and headed toward the gate just as Peng Yu and Yaoye were walking into the courtyard.