YUN FAMILY RESIDENCE
Yun Tian finally managed to leave his room, leaning on a special cane he built himself. With the layout of the Yun family residence etched in his mind, he dragged himself around the courtyard a bit, only to deeply regret it later. What filled his ears were sneering whispers and cruel laughs mocking his condition. In this world man was ruled strictly by the law of the jungle, the strong stepped upon the weak, and the weak were expected to kneel. This was the first time Yun Tian truly felt what weakness meant, and he despised it with every fiber of his being.
"Look, it's the ex-young master, how sad, his glow is totally gone."
"You're right, what an embarrassment to the Yun family name."
"Who's going to take this loser's place now..."
Murmured the servants amongst themselves, throwing looks full of fake pity and nasty amusement. Yun Tian didn't want to hear all this trash, but he had to find his mother she was the only one who could hold him and make him feel human again. Besides, he hadn't eaten in three full days. His stomach felt like it was chewing itself.
---
"I'm sorry, young man, but your mother's not here anymore. She got rushed to the hospital yesterday, your father nearly beat her to death. The moment her people found out, they came and took her back to her father's manor for proper care."
Said a nurse in a light-pink uniform, her voice flat and cold, and she didn't even bother calling him "young master."
"My mom is gone! Ah...! I'm really all alone now."
Yun Tian cried in his heart, grabbing handfuls of his hair as tears poured down his face. His heartless father had finally done it; put his mom in a hospital and got her taken away. What made it worse was that her family didn't want him around either. To them, he was just a cripple, so they dumped him back here with a man who didn't care if he lived or died, a man who worshiped strength and reputation above all else.
"Thank you."
Yun Tian mumbled weakly, dragging himself back to his room, his hunger forgotten. Right now, he didn't care about food he just wanted everything to end. As he lay on the cold stone bed, Yun Tian couldn't stop thinking about why Li Hua hadn't shown upnnot even once in these past three days. No one had been assigned to look after him, and it honestly seemed like they were just waiting for him to die off quietly.
"Ha, ha… So this is how it ends for me, dying while my enemies laugh… ha, ha, what a damn joke… People don't stop being evil, even when you're on your deathbed. He, he… if I ever get the chance to rise again, I'll kill them all. Roses are red, violets are blue, I was born cruel, not some soft goody two shoes… ha, ha, ha, ha."
Anyone nearby would've clearly seen Yun Tian was already slipping into madness from everything life had thrown at him.
---
Blank-faced and lifeless, Yun Duyi was seen heading toward a cheap-looking wine tavern where he planned to drink until he passed out as usual. After sitting himself down, he gulped cup after cup, but no amount of alcohol could blur out the mess he was in. As he reached for more, a woman in a deep green robe bearing the crest of the Li family quietly sat across from him. He looked up sharply, irritated by the interruption.
"Oh, Yun Duyi… what a pathetic wreck you've become. I guess the higher they go, the harder they fall."
Said the striking woman, flashing a sly smile as she poured herself a drink.
"Li Daiyu… do me a favor and get the f**k away from my drink."
Snapped Yun Duyi, too drunk to move but not too drunk to be pissed.
"Oooh, poor little Duyi's having a bad day… want me to fix it for you?"
At those words, Yun Duyi sat up straighter, clearly getting the intention behind her words.
"So, you got my attention now. Funny. I thought you'd have gone to someone else by now. Anyway, Stop acting smart. Just tell me what you've got planned to get me out of this hellhole."
He replied drunkenly
"Ha, ha, you never disappoint, Duyi. Anyway, since I'm feeling generous today, here's my offer: kill your son and give me access to the Sacred Library, and in return, I'll hand you the strength to destroy Li Haoran."
Yun Duyi hissed and turned back to his wine, not saying a word.
"Not interested?"
Questioned Li Daiyu with a grin, knowing she could eventually get him to crack.
"Bitch, say I actually do what you're asking, what exactly do I get out of it? And what the hell does my son have to do with this anyway? You know what you're saying, right?"
"Oh, I know exactly what I'm asking. The library access stays secret until you and I are allies. As for your reward? A preserved nascent source realm Demon Beast core."
Right after saying that, she pulled out a small box sealed with thick spiritual pressure. Yun Duyi's eyes widened; he was frozen in disbelief. Was he dreaming? This box alone could solve every problem in his life. As he reached to touch it, she quickly snapped it shut.
"Nice try."
"Fine, but seriously why the hell do I have to kill my son?"
"Oh, that? It's just proof. A test of loyalty. Do that, and you'll be allowed to join us."
She said plainly.
"Deal."
Yun Duyi blurted out without a second thought. Even Li Daiyu was caught off guard.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Duyi."
She smirked, standing from her seat and preparing to leave.
"And once this is done… we might even make some powerful little babies too."
Said Yun Duyi while druling at her sexy slender figure.
Yun Duyi went from mourning his failed life to chuckling softly, chugging down more wine, and no longer caring that he had just agreed to kill his own flesh and blood.