Kael entered the Lord's study, the elegant door creaking open.
Father, he called to the man sitting at the far end of the hall.
Oh, Kael, the man said as he looked up from the books.
I see you are okay, he said.
How did he recover so fast when he is neither cultivating nor has his bloodline awakened? Vaelen thought.
Why have you come to meet me?
The last time you came was to collect money. And I remember vividly, you ended up causing a fight between you and Lauel.
Kael smiled. Is this how you greet your recovering son, he said as he pulled a seat for himself.
Ohh, educate me, Vaelen said, his blue aura pressing down on Kael.
Kael's face turned pale under the pressure, but he still looked at his father calmly.
Pfft, Vaelen made a soft chuckle, then restrained his aura.
To come here with this much resolve, I am sure you didn't just come to annoy me.
Still as direct as ever, even to his son.
I wanted to ask if you could help me secure Red Fen.
Vaelen raised his head slightly, his brows furrowed.
You mean the deserted land that not even rank 1 nobles want, he asked.
Yeah, that one.
Vaelen dropped his book and looked at Kael.
Why is that? Do you want to create a private bar so I wouldn't be able to monitor you? he asked, his hands clasped and chin resting lightly on his knuckles.
If I ever want to do that, I would steal from the clan's treasury, so why would I bother telling you?
Vaelen smiled. You also know you will be killed before you even set foot in the treasury.
Kael made a dry smile.
Vaelen's smile faded.
He leaned forward, voice lower now. Back to the main topic.
What do you need the place for?
You don't need to know that, just believe and invest in me.
Believe you? Vaelen raised an eyebrow. How many times have you tricked me with that? I am not buying that.
So difficult to convince him, what do I do now.
Then suddenly, he remembered something, a secret his father hid, and only shared on his last breath.
I would help you cure your Kindlebane, Kael said.
Huh, Vaelen's aura flared once more, crushing Kael under its might.
Kael fell to the floor, choking and gasping for air.
How did you know about this, Vaelen asked, his aura still surging.
Kael raised his right hand weakly.
When Vaelen saw this, his expression changed slightly to a tender one.
Sorry about that, my anger got the best of me, he said, releasing his aura.
Kael coughed loudly, his breaths ragged.
He stood up and sat again.
Kael nodded calmly.
One of the effects of kindlebane, I already expected this reaction.
How did you know about this? Vaelen asked again.
I have my ways, the same way I know the cure.
But why should I trust you? Vaelen asked.
He was no longer seeing Kael as his ignorant son; rather, he saw him as a fellow businessman.
Do you have any other way to cure it. If you do, just go along with it.
Vaelen smiled.
It seems you had a divine encounter while you were in a coma.
Kael just smiled.
You think going back 20 years is just a divine intervention?
You can head back. I would contact Marlin, the current lord.
But beware, his payment would be a portion of your land.
Are you sure you want to continue? Vaelen gave a final warning.
Kael did not respond, but Vaelen already knew the answer.
He made a slight sigh.
Kael stood up and made a bow.
Father, I promise you that I am now changed.
I am no longer the useless Kael.
I would stand up for the clan, guard it with everything.
Taelen looked up, then down.
Kael walked out of the room, into the dimly lit hallway.
Then as he walked, a smile crept on his face.
That one's secured, the next phase is to get stronger.
Although I didn't awaken my bloodline, I would still cultivate like normal people.
Levi walked into the huge training field of the Ashen clan.
He saw several hundred recruits moving in sync, making the same slash pattern with a wooden sword.
Young master Kael, the commander went to Kael's side and bowed.
Good afternoon, Commander Varn, mind if I joined, he asked politely.
Varn looked at him and blinked.
I don't mind, young master, but Master Sareth is the one in charge of training future heirs.
Dont worry about that, I would only be joining today.
Okay, young master.
Halt, he screamed to the recruits.
You all are lucky, the young master has graced us with his presence here; you should be proud to train with him.
As he spoke, murmurs passed them.
The useless heir, what the hell does he think he wants to do, one of them said silently.
If he lasts more than ten minutes, I'll eat my training boots.
Does our meal include wine today, because I don't see any reason why he would join us, another muttered
Kael heard some, but he did not react.
He went to the back, took his sword and joined them.