Chapter 19: The Nine Gates Probe, Wu Yu Speaks Out!

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Chapter 19: The Nine Gates' Test, Wu Yu Speaks Out!

“Look at you all, getting scared out of your wits over such a small matter!” Elder Wu turned around, shaking her head as she looked at everyone. “If the old man were still here tonight, all of you would be kneeling at the ancestral hall!”

“Mother, please calm down. This is not worth getting upset over,” Bai Su stepped forward, supporting the elderly woman with a smile. “The kitchen has already prepared the meal. Let's eat. Today is our family’s first reunion dinner after so long.”

“Mm!” The old lady patted her daughter-in-law’s hand and nodded with a smile. “Let’s eat!”

Compared to the other eight branches of the Nine Gates, the Wu family was the smallest in number. Thus, one large table was more than enough. Yet, as the elderly woman watched this reunion scene, she sighed deeply in her heart.

If only the old man of the family could see this moment. She knew that he must have dreamed of the whole family gathering together. It was only this year that this wish was finally fulfilled, yet he would never witness it himself.

In the following days, Wu Yu did not run around with his third uncle Tianzhen. Instead, he stayed quietly in the old residence by Elder Wu’s side, learning the taming techniques developed by his grandfather Wu Laogou, while discussing philosophy and personal cultivation with the elder daily. In just a few days, Wu Yu found that the rancor inside him had noticeably eased.

This made him realize the true meaning of the saying, “Having an elder at home is like having a treasure.”

Unfortunately, peaceful and ordinary days were a luxury for people like them. Wherever there are people, there is the martial world.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the entire family stood solemnly in front of the ancestral hall. Elder Wu solemnly presided over the ceremony of acknowledging their ancestors and returning to their roots.

Meanwhile, after news spread that Wu Yu was performing the ancestral recognition this year, members of the Nine Gates came bearing gifts to pay their respects. Even the Zhang Dafoye faction, who usually kept to themselves, and the Hong family sent representatives. From this point on, Wu Yu was fully recognized within the Nine Gates.

Finally, after Wu Yu and his mother bowed deeply to their ancestors and completed the ceremony, Wu Yu inscribed his name into the Wu family genealogy.

“The Wu family’s precious jade...” A middle-aged man smiled oddly, his tone tinged with malice as he whispered to a woman beside him, “I just don’t know what our nephew Tianzhen will do now!”

“Don’t worry. The Nine Gates are all branches of the same tree. If nephew Tianzhen suffers any injustice, come to me. Our Huo family will help!” a woman from the Huo family said softly with a smile.

Though they appeared to be whispering, their voices were loud enough for everyone present to hear. Many people immediately showed expressions of anticipation, eager to watch the drama unfold.

Yet some remained calm and detached, not joining in but instead closely observing Wu Yu and Wu Tianzhen, seemingly trying to gauge something.

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Wu Yu said nothing, simply standing beside Elder Wu with his head bowed, playing with the white jade pendant in his hands.

Meanwhile, Wu Tianzhen seemed oblivious to everything, attempting to speak with a man and a woman nearby. However, the man frowned slightly and gently pulled him back.

It was only then that Wu Tianzhen seemed to come to his senses. Seeing the gazes around him, he looked somewhat confused and embarrassed. He smiled at the woman from the Huo family and said, “Um... there’s no need for Auntie Huo to worry about this.”

“Hehe, very well! Since our eldest nephew has his own thoughts, your aunt naturally supports you!” the woman from the Huo family nodded with a bright smile.

Seeing Wu Tianzhen like this, many people instinctively shook their heads.

Even Wu Tianzhen’s own father, Wu Yiqiong, was no exception. But Bai Su, standing beside him, gave his thigh a sharp squeeze, silently scolding him for shaking his head while his son was making a fool of himself.

Wu Yiqiong could only offer a wry smile. What could he do? That brat had always gone against him. The Wu family was like a chaotic mess, especially with that scoundrel Third Uncle and Elder Wu protecting him. What else could he do?

Wu Yu, who had no intention of being the front-runner in this, felt the elder’s anger simmering and couldn’t help but sigh. He raised his head and glanced at the visitor from the Huo family.

A brow raised—what a coincidence!

“Grandma!”

Wu Yu gently patted the old woman’s arm and smiled. “Your grandson and mother have been hoping for this moment to recognize our ancestors for a long time. Today, our wish has finally come true.”

As he spoke, he took out a box from behind him and continued, “But it is improper for me, as a junior, to only now come to pay respects to all the elders. So, mother and I prepared a gift to express our gratitude.”

“You silly child!” Elder Wu’s face lit up with joy. “This old lady lacks nothing. Why did you bring such a thing?”

“This is just a small token from mother and me. I hope Grandma will accept it,” Wu Yu smiled. “I’ve heard from father that Grandma has been having trouble sleeping lately. So I asked friends from overseas to help find something. You can use it a little at home. If it runs out, my friends can get more.”

With that, he opened the first layer of the box to reveal a tray holding nine chunks of what appeared to be decayed black mud, but faintly visible beneath was a white substance.

The smallest was about the size of a fist; the largest was nearly half the size of a basketball.

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“Pfft, what is this? Chemical weapons? It stinks!” The middle-aged man who had spoken earlier sneered, looking disgusted.

Wu Yu smiled faintly, glanced at him, and shook his head. “It came in a hurry, so it’s been kept sealed while still damp. Grandma should dry it out before use; it works better that way.”

Then, he rubbed off the soil on the surface with both hands. As the true form gradually revealed itself, a faint fragrance filled the room—rich but not cloying, relaxing everyone present.

“Ambergris!” An elder who had been resting with his eyes closed suddenly opened them. When he saw all nine large pieces, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

This substance was so precious that even ancient emperors used it sparingly throughout the year.

Burning it could calm the mind, aid sleep, elevate mood, purify the air, and had numerous other benefits—such as repelling poisonous insects, keeping the room dry, and even some preservative properties.

Yet using it for preservation was considered extravagant.

In modern times, ambergris was equated with gold in value—though gold had a price, ambergris was priceless.

Its formation was extremely rare, similar to substances like bezoar or dog treasure. It only existed in the stomachs of large deep-sea creatures.

Not only was it incredibly rare, but as Wu Yu rubbed off the soil, the nine pieces revealed a pale milky white color.

This color of ambergris only came from sperm whales, and pieces of this size suggested an outrageously old age.

All nine pieces were sperm whale ambergris—an absolutely priceless treasure!

I’ll try to release another chapter around midnight!

(The End of this Chapter)
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