I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 238 - 236: Opportunity

’Damn, so he’s a fake brother, huh? I’d better watch out for him. Besides, just one look told Wang Meng the guy was bad news.’

"Sister, you haven’t been back in so many years! We must catch up. I remember you were only this tall when you left for the Holy Hall."

Long Xi gestured excitedly, practically dancing with joy. All these years, he’d only heard rumors that Yang Ying had blossomed into a heavenly beauty, but who would have thought she’d become *this* gorgeous.

Wang Meng couldn’t stand it. ’This guy is treating me like I’m invisible.’

Yang Ying’s delicate hand gently scratched Wang Meng’s palm. "You’re too kind, Big Brother. Wang Meng is my honored guest, and I’d like to go see my mother now."

Long Xi nodded. "Of course. I’ll lead the way."

"That won’t be necessary. We can go by ourselves."

Wang Meng was ecstatic. ’That’s my girl!’ This Long-something-or-other clearly had ulterior motives.

Celestial Heart Castle was truly magnificent. Many Cultivators resided in the area, relying on the castle for support.

Along the way, everyone they passed stared at Yang Ying in awe and wonder.

Once inside the castle, Yang Ying eagerly led Wang Meng to the courtyard where her mother lived. Upon seeing her daughter, Yang Ying’s mother froze. "Ying’Er, why are you back?"

The courtyard where Yang Ying’s mother lived was incredibly remote. Wang Meng hadn’t stopped observing the layout of Celestial Heart Castle, and this place was... severely lacking. But Yang Ying’s mother was beautiful... beyond words.

Yang Ying took in the state of the house—there wasn’t even a single servant girl. "Uncle has gone too far! How could he treat you like this? I’m going to find him!"

"Ying’Er, let it go. This has been going on for years. It may be simple here, but I enjoy the peace and quiet. It suits me better." Yang Ying’s mother smiled, only then turning her attention to carefully study Wang Meng.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Auntie. My name is Wang Meng—the ’Meng’ for ’fierce.’ I will treat Yang Ying well, I will protect her, and I won’t let anyone bully her!"

Wang Meng was quite direct. A man had to be proactive, a little fierce.

Yang Qingzi was slightly taken aback and examined Wang Meng even more closely, especially his eyes. After a long moment, a smile spread across her face. "Ying’Er, this young man’s gaze has the same sincere passion your father had. I trust your judgment; you haven’t made a mistake."

"Mother~" Yang Ying hummed, her blush a mix of shyness and happiness. Her biggest worry had been that her mother wouldn’t approve. In this world, only her mother and the Ancestral Master were her true family.

"Wang Meng, although my Ying’Er is from Celestial Heart Castle, her father passed away when she was very young. I won’t hide it from you—my family was against my relationship with her father. It got so bad that I ran away from home. I only came back, shamelessly, for Ying’Er’s future. Now that she’s grown up and found someone to be with, I can finally be at ease."

Yang Qingzi gently stroked Yang Ying’s hair. "It’s just that my Ying’Er is too beautiful. *Sigh*. It’s bound to cause trouble in the future."

"Mother, are you complimenting me?"

Yang Ying’s pouting was as charming as could be. Wang Meng felt his resistance crumbling. The mother and daughter were about seventy or eighty percent alike; Yang Ying had an extra spark of liveliness, while Yang Qingzi possessed a simple, refined elegance.

"Don’t you worry. As long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you or Ying’Er."

Wang Meng puffed out his chest.

"Silly boy. Everything is still simple for you inside the Holy Hall. Once you step out, the world is much more complicated. You must think things through carefully when you encounter problems."

Yang Qingzi said with a smile.

"Mother, Wang Meng is our Holy Hall’s youngest Law Enforcement Elder! This year, he led Thunderlight Hall to an eight-win streak in the Great Competition!"

In front of her mother, even the usually reserved Yang Ying couldn’t help but boast about Wang Meng. Meanwhile, Wang Meng, who was normally quite cocky, was actually a little embarrassed.

"It was a team effort."

Yang Qingzi was stunned. "Thunderlight Hall? I heard it’s the weakest of the Holy Hall’s Nine Halls. How could that be?"

"That was in the past. Wang Meng..."

Yang Ying took her mother’s hand and began to recount the legend of Wang Meng, including how they met and how their relationship started, naturally glossing over the more sensitive details.

Wang Meng simply listened to the mother and daughter talk. For the first time, he realized that listening to others chat could be a pleasure in itself.

Yang Qingzi had never expected Wang Meng to have such a history. No wonder her daughter, with her impossibly high standards, had fallen for him. Actually, this was for the best; what mattered most was that they liked each other. It was a good thing Yang Ying brought him back this time. Otherwise, knowing the Castle Lord’s personality, he would have likely tried to arrange something else for her.

As the three of them chatted, time passed without them noticing.

"The Ancestral Master’s 180th birthday is a major event for Celestial Heart Castle. People from every sect and school will be here, and all the younger-generation disciples who are training outside will also return. I’ll take this opportunity to speak with the old master and settle your relationship, just to avoid any unexpected trouble." The more Yang Qingzi looked at Wang Meng, the more she liked him.

"Mother, what about Uncle?"

"Don’t you worry. It’s not his place to make this decision," Yang Qingzi said. No matter what, she was still a member of the Celestial Heart Castle family. Because of what happened back then, she didn’t want to argue about right and wrong, but she would not allow anyone to interfere with her daughter’s happiness.

Dinner was simple but warm. Yang Qingzi was used to living alone and preferred not to be disturbed, so she cooked herself. With Wang Meng and Yang Ying helping out, the atmosphere was truly joyful and harmonious.

Wang Meng was naturally outgoing and a smooth-talker. Lacking the pretentiousness of a typical scion from a great family, he quickly won Yang Qingzi’s affection.

"I never noticed you were such a sweet-talker. You’re so slick with your words, look how happy you’ve made Mother." Yang Ying secretly slipped a piece of meat into Wang Meng’s mouth.

Wang Meng shrugged. "I have many more good qualities. It’s like an endless treasure trove. Would a certain Fairy be interested in digging forever?"

Yang Ying shot Wang Meng a look. She knew he couldn’t be serious for long.

Halfway through their meal, an uninvited guest arrived. That Long Xi suddenly showed up to suck up to them, only now remembering he had an aunt.

Yang Qingzi found an excuse to send him away. Judging by Long Xi’s reluctant expression, he looked like he wanted to move in.

"Long Xi is the second son of the Long Family Castle’s Lord. He and your uncle are sworn brothers. But there are complicated interests at play here. After the birthday celebration is over, you two should go back to the Holy Hall. That’s where your lives are."

Yang Qingzi said.

"Mother, come back with us! You aren’t happy here!"

"Auntie, I agree with Ying’Er. If you lived in Tongming City, we could visit you often."

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but let’s talk about this later." Yang Qingzi shook her head slightly. ’Wang Meng is a good kid, but he’s still a bit lacking in experience.’

That night, Yang Ying slept with her mother, while Wang Meng stayed in the guest room.

"Did you find out? What’s this kid’s background?"

"Young Master, the guy’s name is Wang Meng, a disciple of the Holy Hall’s Thunderlight Hall. Apparently, he’s made a name for himself in the Holy Hall and has some potential. He became an Elder at a young age."

Long Xi snorted. "What’s the use of an empty title like Elder? Holy Hall Elders are a dime a dozen. What’s important is his background. Does he have connections to any of the Holy Hall’s Ancestral Masters, or is he a disciple from some major family?"

"Young Master, if I heard correctly... this kid is from the mortal world. He has no background or backing whatsoever."

Long Xi was stunned. "Fuck, so he’s just some punk trying to social climb by latching onto a powerful family. That makes things much easier!"

Long Xi rubbed his hands together. When Yang Ying left home, she was just a little kid. Who could have told back then? And now, just a few years later, she had become this beautiful. It seemed the rumors were true after all.

’Yan Yuyue of Heaven-Dominating Hall, and Yang Ying of the Holy Hall... I have the home-field advantage with this one. It would be a crime not to seize this opportunity.’

’Still, I need to prepare to make a good impression. There will be no shortage of competitors this time around.’

The Ancestral Master’s birthday celebration was also a test for Celestial Heart Castle’s new generation of disciples. Some, like Long Xi himself, had stayed to guard the castle. However, with his connections to two great families, his status within the castle was extraordinary. No one was his match. ’If I can win the Ancestral Master’s appreciation and capture Yang Ying’s heart, then my mission will be a great success. In the future, by combining the power of our two families, I might even have a shot at becoming the Alliance Leader of the Eight Great Castles.’

(It’s the middle of the month, asking for monthly tickets! Whoa, every single vote is a thing of beauty!) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)