After a good long while of silence, The Lord of The Family, Zhou Wuzhen, reluctantly spoke.

“Little Yan, child, there’s something you’ll need to be mentally prepared to know.”

Zhou Yan was no longer the same naïve child he was back then. Since the fate of his father was uncertain and since he was reprimanded for pushing his body’s physical limit to the extent of being labeled as trash, perhaps, more grim news would await him.

Throughout his entire lifespan, this young lad was not often plagued by grim events. However, he did have a handful of experiences with them. In contrast to the archives of the sage’s memories, the events that scarred his soul were indeed plenty.

Thus, it was through these experiences that Zhou Yan matured and was no longer the same naïve child without a single care in the world. This was the root of his confidence that motivated him to keep honing his skills.

“Speak your mind, grandfather,” said Zhou Yan calmly.

Zhou Wuzhen sighed, “I’m sure it’s no secret to you with your father’s current state of health…and if the majesty of the Zhou family’s main branch were to arrive and notice how disappointingly weak the heir of the great Genius of our Zhou family is, it would not please them. That being said, the chances of them healing your father would be slim.”

Upon hearing what had been spoken, Zhou Yan’s expression was unchanged as he remained silent.

“And so, the three elders and I had reached a verdict, which is to send you and Lil Ning out on a journey thus, temporarily cutting ties to the family. I know you and Lil Ning are both extremely close together, so you both won’t feel lonely on your way,” added Zhou Wuzhen.

In an instant, Zhou Yan saw through their lies as he was no longer easily fooled by mere spoken words. Thus, he bluntly questioned them.

“What all of you want is to secretly exile my presence in the family, then allow both Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao to replace me, using the opportunity that my father fought his life with to allow them to further hone their skills in the main branch of the majesty of our Zhou family. Is that right?”

Zhou Wuzhen was slightly stunned by Zhou Yan’s blunt question. A slight hint of urgency and sadness was evident on his aged face.

The lad nodded and replied, “You’ve crippled the very foundation of your physical strength. Now, it’s hopeless…Even if you weren’t crippled, a mere rank one Blade’s cardinal would still be unworthy of the main branch of the majesty that is our Zhou family’s standards.”

“The careful nurturing, library of resources and even training was equally provided for you, Lingyi and Lingyao in the past. However, our Zhou family is currently going through some very trying times, and please consider how different your natural gifts are to both of them.”

“Besides, allowing both Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao to pretend as your father’s children would vastly increase the possibility of winning, more than you ever could.”

“What happened to your father is real, it would bring no value to him if his prodigal heir is seen as weak and useless. Hence it would only result in transcending his soul into a ‘Blade’s heart’ since his prowess and genius would be worthy of him ascending into the realm of mysteries. If his soul is to be infused into an equally legendary blade, his soul would undoubtedly evolve into the ‘Spirit of the Blade’!”

“We do not wish such a grim outcome to befall the Genius of our Zhou family. So… we have no choice but to upset you.”

The spoken words from Zhou Wuzhen hit a chord in Zhou Yan’s heart as his entire expression turned sour… His own father would be transcended into a ‘Blade’s heart’ by someone worthy of such caliber in the main branch of the Majesty that was the Zhou family?

Such a request was made just to ensure the heir of Zhou Wangchen had an opportunity to study and train within the grounds of the main branch of the majesty that was the Zhou family?

The young lad, Zhou Yan, had overwhelmingly mixed emotions towards this situation as the only thing that crossed his mind was just how foolish, and naïve the Zhou family was!

Will things indeed be that simple to have ended in a way they desired? The only concern in the young lad’s mind was when his father slightly recovers, the fate that awaited him would undoubtedly be one that transcended into the ‘Blade’s heart’! Thus, whatever that was promised or sworn held absolutely no value.

Perhaps it was in preparation for nurturing the second or third ‘Blade’s heart’?!

The young lad, Zhou Yan, pondered for a good long while, as these thoughts alone were the result of infusing the ancient sage’s memories. After such a blessing, these conscious thoughts were undoubtedly his own.

Before any of these events transpired, this young lad was undeniably innocent and would never have such complex thoughts and, even more so, an ill perspective towards his entire family.

However, as of the young lad’s current state, every single thought that ran through his mind pointed more in the direction of the law that governed this realm.

“Since all of you decided on a mutual verdict, then I shall follow it through. Besides, I am in no position to speak my mind.”

As bitter and as unsatisfied Zhou Yan felt, he knew there was nothing he could do immediately to change the outcome of the decision. Thus, he had no choice but to agree.

Perhaps with his secret ‘exile’ clouding their thoughts, this too would be an excellent opportunity to spread his wings and further hone his abilities.

Due to the situation at hand, there was nothing the young lad could do to change it. However, he believed that in the future, he would be able to do anything he desired.

“Zhou Yan, you have mistaken that you were in no position to speak your mind. However, understand that this decision was made wholeheartedly for your own good! Please do us a favor and live a fruitful yet normal and orderly life as a common-folk, alright?”

“I know you have feelings of love for me. However, I swear I will search for an extraordinary genius to be worthy of my love. Whatever you do, no matter how much effort you’ve placed into your training, and no matter how much you’ve improved, I will never grace you with a single glance!”

This man was no other than Zhou Yuntian. He was from the main branch of the family. His reputation preceded him as he was one of the four unmatched geniuses in the entire Capital City of Xiao Yao. As a mere rank one Blade’s Cardinal, he already grasped the meaning of the Blade’s Essence! Furthermore, once he ascended to rank one Blade’s Enforcer, he was already entirely enlightened by the knowledge of a Blade’s Menace! As for his raw strength and prowess, not even a rank three Blade’s Enforcer was of an equal match to him.

“He is truly an unparalleled genius! It’s not wishful thinking and irrational for me as I am confident that with my very own abilities, I will be able to be better than your father, Zhou Wangchen ever was. Hence, it is only with geniuses like them, will I admire their prowess! With the current state of your natural gifts, you should stop wishing for the impossible! Be a common-folk, perhaps that life for you would be a great one!”

Zhou Lingyi’s speech was filled to the brim with arrogance.

It appeared to Zhou Yan that the bond they forged as pupils who trained under the same household meant nothing as the lass had always placed herself on a pedestal and had a tendency to look down on pupils who were weaker than her.

In response to her statement, Zhou Yan simply smiled and calmly said, “You were right, it was my doing that disappointed the hopes and dreams grandfather had for me. Hence, the outcome today would be expected.”

“I clearly understand why everyone did what they did, and I am indeed grateful for…your abandonment in favor of greatness, all in the name of doing it for my father. I have no opinions on this matter but simply speaking my mind.”

Zhou Lingyi was stunned as she did not expect Zhou Yan to be so calm.

Zhou Wuzhen took a quick glance at Zhou Yan. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed that this child was calmer than usual.

It was only the Elder of Lore that seemed to be holding back his tongue as if there was something he was reluctant to discuss. However, he never spoke.

“Living life as a common-folk would be a good thing. Since being under the guidance of the family, it would be unlikely for him to go astray, which would bring shame to the family’s good name,” said the Grand Elder, Zhou Wuwei.

“Yes, it is true there will be no future for masters of martial arts, like us. There were times where we yearned for the life of a common-folk, to be able to raise children without any concerns and worries of death,” said the Hand of the Grand Elder, Zhou Wuji.

Zhou Lingyao, the Third Prodigal child, had not uttered a word as the well-being of Zhou Yan was never his concern since this event transpired. He merely stared at the hand-carved effigy in Zhou Yan’s left hand.

“Grandfather, Elder of Lore, Grand Elder, and his Hand, I will return to my chambers for a break. When the arrangements are made, just send me on my way.”

Zhou Yan was anxious. However, the young lad never showed any apparent emotions, hiding behind his calm as he spoke.

“I will have the Elder of Lore send you on your journey tonight. You may bring with you the resources you’ve used for the entire year. No more, no less. From here on out, you are on your own.”

It was with a heavy heart for Zhou Wuzhen to have made such a painful decision.

Zhou Yan said nothing and nodded.

The young lad turned around and walked slowly out of the forbidden chambers.

It seemed to Zhou Yan that throughout his life, this would be the first and last time he would ever set foot in a place of such majesty.

An overwhelming feeling of dissatisfaction and disdain boiled inside him, however, not a single hint of emotion was shown on his face.

It did not matter if they spoke the truth. The young lad was insulted as he was unable to claim his legal status as his father’s true son.

The young lad was aware of his current state of weakness and the urgent need to further his progress. Once he has become accomplished, he would be ready to return and prove himself, thus reclaiming what was rightfully his.

Zhou Yan clearly knew that the moment he walked out that door, the journey ahead for him would be arduous.

However, there was no regret in his heart!

It was unclear to him if the situation escalated the way it did for his father’s enemy. Hence, before he set foot again in the main branch of his family, he would need the presence of someone with unprecedented power to fully showcase his true potential.

…

“I know you’re only trying to provoke him, Lingyi, however, don’t you think it’s a little too harsh? His own father already fell to such an extent until the Lord gave us his birthright. How could you still act so ruthlessly?”

After sending Zhou Yan off, Zhou Lingyao questioned as he frowned.

“Provoke him? I’m not encouraging him with provocation since there’s no need to do so any longer!

“It was the result of his lack of hard work that wasted all of his natural gifts. I will never change my perspective toward him, so tell me, what would I gain in provoking him?

“I’m merely speaking the bitter truth.

“There was a time when 13-year-old Zhou Yuntian took down Zhou Wangchen with a single strike and caused him to cough blood on the podium, making him a living joke of the main branch of our family!

“How could you not have heard of such an event?

“Ever since that day, the reputation Zhou Wangchen held in my heart completely turned to dust.

“It was also then I found myself deeply in love with Zhou Yuntian.

“That is why I said such brutal, harsh words of truth. Else, a man like Zhou Yan who in fact pushed his body beyond his physical limits, all in the name of progress; and would rather wager his own life with so little regard… Hehe, just as the Grand Elder had said before, live the life of a common-folk. This will allow him to remain on the righteous path.

“If he actually ventured the path of evil, he would only become the bringer of calamity.” The entire forbidden chamber grew silent as Zhou Lingyi spoke.

At the same moment, the young lad, Zhou Yan who already walked several hundred miles from the forbidden chambers, shivered ever so slightly.

He paused for a mere instant as he resumed walking with steady and firm steps ahead, leaving everything behind.