Chapter Six: The Ceremony of Choosing a Future

With the arrival of Xiao Jiu, the youngest member of the Xiao family was no longer Ye Min; the little child quickly became everyone’s treasured darling. Yet, helplessly, this precious child paid no mind to anyone except Ye Min, bestowing only upon him a bright smile. This left the others thoroughly exasperated.

Everyone in the Xiao family who had ever been on a mission with Ye Min knew the formidable side of him. Since Xiao Jiu had been born, Ye Min’s reputation grew beyond mere intimidation; he became someone who made others uneasy, even fearful. In fact, they found Ye Min’s usual impassive expression more comforting than any other visage.

The Xiao family assigned missions by drawing lots, with each person’s abilities determining the level of their lot. This ensured a fair distribution and generally prevented casualties.

Some missions required teamwork; those with higher levels acted as captains, leading their teams and were responsible for ensuring everyone’s safe return.

For those of lower rank, being teamed with Ye Min was a guarantee of survival. Most who drew such lots were moved to tears of joy. But for those a bit higher in rank, partnering with Ye Min was nothing short of a nightmare. Ye Min was notorious for playing by no rules; often, before the battle even began, his unpredictable decisions had already frightened his teammates.

Xiao Qi had managed to raise his ranking a little, but when he saw that his lot matched Ye Min’s, he was utterly devastated. Leaning by the window, Ye Min noticed the matching lot in Xiao Qi’s hand and nodded to him politely. Unexpectedly, Xiao Qi turned and fled, leaving Ye Min puzzled.

But when the time came for Xiao Qi and Ye Min to undertake their mission together, Ye Min was far more cooperative than expected. He didn’t argue with any of Xiao Qi’s proposals, spoke little but was concise and direct.

Half the weight in Xiao Qi’s heart was lifted. That night, under the pitch-black sky and gusting winds—perfect weather for a mission—they followed Xiao Qi’s plan, each lying in ambush at their designated spot.

Their target was to recover an ancient painting from a band of notorious thieves, known for their cruelty and martial prowess—even newborns weren’t spared.

Xiao Qi’s team received word that the thieves would pass through a small grove, an ideal place for an ambush. Everyone was prepared, traps set, waiting for the perfect moment to send those thieves to their doom.

The grove was dark, but martial artists see well at night. After a long wait, the sound of wagon wheels and approaching horse hooves echoed.

Leading the group was a man with a centipede-shaped scar and a thick beard, wielding a huge blade on his shoulder and grinning wickedly.

He laughed coarsely and said to a flashy-dressed woman beside him, “Hu Erniang, how was that meat tonight? Rare to get such tender newborn flesh. Should we grab another, just for a taste? I haven’t had my fill yet!”

Everyone in the grove heard this, faces twisted in disgust and contempt. Xiao Qi frowned, silently cursed them as beasts.

The woman laughed and scolded, “You big oaf, get out of here! Who are you calling Hu Erniang? I don’t have a son your size! My husband only has me as family!”

As soon as she spoke, others jeered, “Exactly! You want her as your mother, but Hu Erniang doesn’t want a child your size!”

The big brute flushed red and swung his blade, “Shut up! Who asked you?”

The jeering man snorted, pulled away by his companions, and fell silent. Even among thieves, strength ruled, and the brute’s martial skills were surely superior.

The thieves were about to enter the trap zone. Xiao Qi raised his hand, turned to Ye Min, and said, “Ye Min, when I signal—” He stopped mid-sentence, seeing a familiar figure blocking the other end of the trap. He turned sharply—where was Ye Min? Looking down, he nearly fainted: the figure at the trap’s far end was none other than Ye Min.

Hadn’t everything been fine just moments ago? Why this sudden twist? Xiao Qi felt like dying.

He withdrew his hand, held his position, and waited, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

Sure enough, the thieves saw someone ahead and stopped just before the trap. Hu Erniang eyed Ye Min’s slender figure, smirked, and tucked a wind-blown strand behind her ear. “Oh, which family does this young man belong to? Such a handsome build—why not show your face?”

She swayed her slim waist, smiling seductively.

The brute, seeing her flirt, laughed loudly, teasing, “So you fancy him? Hu Erniang, your prowess is truly legendary—one night, several lovers!”

The thieves joined in his lewd laughter. Hu Erniang glared at them, not noticing that Ye Min had vanished from their midst.

Suddenly, as the brute looked at Hu Erniang again, everyone was stunned: her eyes were wide, and she fell from her horse, dissolving into a puddle.

The brute’s hand trembled on his blade. Had they encountered a ghost lord in these woods? He raised his head; a shadow flickered, and several horsemen vanished silently.

The thieves, terrified, huddled together. The night wind was icy, rustling the leaves. Someone finally snapped, shouting and charging forward—straight into the trap. Xiao Qi signaled, and the hidden ambushers sprang out.

At the same moment, Ye Min swiftly ended the brute’s life, leaping from his horse to stand before Xiao Qi. Without regard for Xiao Qi’s expression, he simply said, “Xiao Jiu.” In a blink, Ye Min disappeared, and Xiao Qi remembered: today was the little master’s birthday celebration.

Now Xiao Qi understood Ye Min’s urgency; the young master clung tightly to Ye Min—finally someone who could warm Ye Min’s heart. No wonder Ye Min was so anxious.

Ye Min hurried back to his room at the Xiao estate, changed out of his night attire, tidied himself, and scrubbed his hands vigorously in a water jar in the courtyard. His skin reddened and bled faintly before he was satisfied, putting on new gloves he’d bought.

Ye Min knew well that his hands were stained beyond measure, having taken more lives than he could count. How could he touch that radiant, innocent little life—touch that precious Xiao Jiu—with such filthy hands?

Feeling his hands were clean enough, Ye Min finally went to the hall.

In the main hall, Xiao Jiu sat blankly atop the table, surrounded by objects: the four treasures of the study, gold ingots, a sword, an abacus, books, and more.

Xiao Jiu sucked his finger, his little eyes darting around, searching for the one he wanted to see. His lips pouted, eyes reddened, and he was about to cry.

Everyone in the Xiao family melted at his tearful gaze. Seeing Ye Min arrive, they made way for him. Ye Min, unperturbed, walked straight ahead.

Sure enough, the moment Xiao Jiu saw Ye Min, his eyes curved with joy, his little hands clapped, laughing incessantly. Ye Min couldn’t help but smile. Xiao Mu Ran, Xiao Jiu’s biological father, stood nearby, feeling somewhat aggrieved. He grumbled inwardly: whose son was this—Ye Min’s or his? But seeing his precious boy laugh, he could only shake his head in resignation.

Xiao Mu Ran coughed and declared, “Now, I announce the start of my son Xiao Jiu’s birthday choosing ceremony!”

Apparently understanding, Xiao Jiu’s face grew solemn, laughter vanishing. He twisted his small body, glanced over the items on the table, and suddenly crawled determinedly in one direction. Ye Min stayed close, watching nervously with the others.

Xiao Jiu reached a corner and grabbed the soft sword. Xiao Mu Ran relaxed—this was truly his son, destined to be the family head!

After hugging the sword, Xiao Jiu continued crawling. Someone had mischievously placed a tiny wine cup on the table; Xiao Jiu grabbed it gleefully, prompting Xiao Mu Ran to sigh and rub his forehead.

Still, Xiao Jiu didn’t stop. Holding objects in each hand, he suddenly wobbled to his feet. The Xiao family was startled—half joyful, half anxious. Joyful that their young master could walk so early, worried he might fall.

Ye Min was equally tense, leaning forward, quietly calculating the distance—he was ready to catch Xiao Jiu if he stumbled.

Xiao Jiu staggered forward. Everyone’s hearts raced until finally, he bent and landed safely in Ye Min’s arms, and the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Ye Min gazed tenderly at the child in his arms, allowing Xiao Jiu to drool on his freshly changed clothes. After a while, Xiao Jiu looked up, eyes smiling, mouth open, and uttered a syllable, “Ye…”

His tiny hand clutched Ye Min’s sleeve, repeating, “Ye, Ye, Ye…” His voice was joyful, chanting Ye Min’s surname as if he’d found his favorite toy.

Ye Min, flustered, supported Xiao Jiu. When the child tugged his sleeve, Ye Min finally responded softly, “Yes, it’s Ye Min.”

Xiao Jiu smiled contentedly, yawned, and Ye Min adjusted his posture, now adept at letting Xiao Jiu sleep peacefully in his arms.

For the first time in his many years, Ye Min found his surname so melodious. He silently repeated the child’s name over and over—Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu—as if branding it into his heart.

Standing nearby, Xiao Mu Ran tugged at his wife’s sleeve, laughing and crying, “Dear, I am his father!”

Madam Xiao snorted, “Useless!”

Xiao Mu Ran, thoroughly deflated, fell silent, his face full of grievance.