READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 23: Undercurrents: Soul Stealer.
Chapter 23
Undercurrents – Soul Stealers.
Mortal Realm ~
Yin-Yang City ~
Yan Clan Residence ~
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The Yan Clan resided in the extreme northeast of Yin-Yang City, its estate spanning half a kilometer, adorned with luxurious buildings ranging from tall pagodas to miniature pavilions.
Amid the myriad of structures stood a grand palace situated at the far eastern edge of the Yan Residence. Behind it rose towering mountains and thick foliage that gleamed under the dawning lights of the early morning sun as it dyed the sky a soft shade of crimson.
Within the grand palace, several figures were seen flitting out in pairs or small groups, all engaged in animated discussions. Their gestures were exaggerated as they made their way to various destinations, their expressions ranging from jubilant to somber. Their attire indicated that they were core members of the Yan Clan, and a meeting involving all core figures could only signify something of grave importance.
Among this distinguished crowd, a young man emerged, clad in a sleek black robe. His long, jet-black hair was styled backward, revealing sharp but deep stormy eyes as dark as the night. His demeanor exuded an air of authority and gravity, yet his handsome appearance could only be described as "absolutely dashing."
He walked casually yet confidently toward an unknown destination, standing out from the crowd. While others moved in clusters, he alone strode independently.
This solitary journey wasn't due to ostracism; rather, many within the Yan Clan would go to great lengths to curry favor with him if given the chance to. As the grandson of the Grand Matriarch, Old Granny Yan Rouxi—known secretly as "Old Ghost Yan" as others would whisper behind closed doors—he held an elevated position in the clan. His immense talent from a young age had earned him brownie points with the Grand Matriarch and even landed him the coveted title of "Young Patriarch," making him the next in line to lead the clan.
It was rumored that his current strength rivaled that of his aunt, Yan Youmei, the clan's current Matriarch, despite his youth. His ascent to power seemed inevitable and imminent.
As he walked, his steps suddenly halted. A psychic message had been transmitted to him. Its content brought a fleeting look of confusion to his face as he turned to glance back at the grand palace he had just exited. His aunt had summoned him back into the grand palace for a private discussion and wished to introduce him to someone—a revelation that deepened his confusion.
His aunt, Yan Youmei, was infamous in the clan as a walking disaster zone, feared by many as and synonymous to a death plague. Technically she could be considered one as a chance encounter with her often spelled doom; even a slight offense could cost someone their head as heads would roll on a daily occupance. It was a mystery how anyone could form any kind of association with her.
Changing his course, he returned to the lavish palace. Without ceremony, he pushed open its grand doors, stepping into an opulent hall. While the palace's exterior was impressive, the interior was beyond breathtaking.
The walls glistened with pure glazed gemstones, the floors were an intricate mosaic of colorful granular art, and the dome and pillars sparkled with golden materials more reflective than mirrors. The sheer extravagance was overwhelming.
The hall was empty save for his aunt, who sat on a towering throne elevated high above the ground. "What do you wish to discuss?" he asked nonchalantly, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.
His question was met with silence. Yan Youmei didn't so much as glance in his direction, completely ignoring his existence all together. If not for the fact he had received the psychic message directly he might have thought someone was playing a prank on him.
Frustrated by her indifference, he turned to leave. Just as he took his first step, her lazy voice finally broke the silence.
"Why the hurry? Impatience will only rob you of many good stuffs," she remarked, descending gracefully from her throne.
"There's an interesting guest who wishes to meet you. You should feel honored, yet you're already eager to leave? How shallow of you, Yan Zhen." Her tone was slow, teasing, as she approached, swaying her hips effortlessly and seductively.
Yan Youmei was a tall lady with long slender legs and had a youthful appearance despite her age. She wore revealing clothes that loosely bound her body, her hair was short framing her face. Crowning this bold appearance was a pair of sharp eyes. Yan Youmei was fond of dressing in such a manner but despite her alluring appearance no man would dare linger their eyes on her than absolutely necessary unless they felt they didn't have needs for their heads anymore.
Yan Zhen raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his usually fiery aunt's suddenly refined demeanor. Suppressing a laugh, he quipped, "What's gotten into you? Who's the poor soul you're trying to ensnare this time?"
Yan Youmei pinched his cheek sharply. "Is this how you speak to your aunt, you insolent brat? And whoever it is, it's none of your business!" she retorted, her tone playful yet firm.
Despite the harshness of her words, their close relationship was evident in their banter.
Suddenly, a shrill voice rang out, echoing through the hall. "What are you two doing? Hurry up and get over here!"
The voice belonged to none other than Old Granny Yan Rouxi, the Grand Matriarch of the Yan Clan, she had appeared in the hall of the grand palace at an unknown time. Contrary to the rumors of her frail health, she appeared hale and hearty, a stark contrast to the clan's fabricated stories of her being bedridden due to the Yang Emperor's brutality.
"Come, the real meeting is just beginning," Yan Youmei said with a mischievous grin, dragging Yan Zhen along to quickly join up with the Grand Matriarch.
With a wave of her hand, Old Granny Yan Rouxi revealed a hidden entrance beneath the palace. Yan Zhen's eyes widened in disbelief. He had grown up within the clan, frequenting this very palace, yet he had never known of the secret chamber below.
As they descended into the hidden passage, they entered a dimly lit chamber furnished modestly yet meticulously.
At the far end of the chamber stood a figure with their back to them. To Yan Zhen's shock, both his aunt and grandmother bowed deeply before the mysterious figure.
Unable to process the scene, Yan Zhen stood frozen. These were the two most revered figures in the clan, his status was second to theirs and above all else yet they were now bowing to someone he had never known existed till just a moment ago.
Noticing his hesitation, Yan Youmei nudged him to follow suit. When he stubbornly refused, she forced his head into a bow.
"Pardon my spoiled nephew," Yan Youmei said apologetically. "He doesn't yet understand your magnificence."
Yan Zhen's mind raced. "Magnificence?" The word only deepened his confusion. Thinking deeply he was finally struck by a moment of epiphany, the clan's decision to go against the Ying-yang dynasty finally made sense. This man was definitely an foreigner for some frightening power. His mind began racing, he couldn't understand how the clan could have gotten in contact with such an elusive figure.
"It's not a problem. You may rise. As I've told you before, there's no need for such courtesy between us," the figure replied, their back still facing the trio.
"Many thanks, Your Magnificence," Old Granny Yan Rouxi responded.
"So finally I have the fortune of meeting the Yan's clan number one genius. How interesting?"
He spoke dryly as he finally turned to face them, a creepy smile at the corner of his mouth. He was a tall, pale-skinned man with thin, damp hair that looked somewhat sticky and eyes like endless gray abysses. His presence was cold and foreboding, his aura oppressive and suffocating. He wore a feathery ash-gray robe, with a bone-crafted bell hanging from his neck.
Yan Zhen's pupils constricted in terror.
"A Soul Stealer!"