Chapter 1: Cold-blooded Family
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“He’s already eighteen years old, but he still can’t condense Dou Qi for cultivation, and has zero sense for mana. He is basically a useless piece of trash!”
“I can’t believe such a trashy descendant was born into one of the kingdom’s three pillars. What a disgrace!”
“I don’t think he’s a part of the Vincent family at all!”
In the meeting hall of the Vincent family, a teenager with an ashen face was surrounded and mocked by a group of elders dressed in tulip patterns.
A group of juniors dressed in the same tulip patterned attire gathered around as they watched with a gloating look in their eyes.
It was as if they were watching a joke.
Shu Ke gritted his teeth as his ears filled up with endless mockery and ridicule. Like a sharp blade, they ruthlessly stabbed his heart.
There was a time when he thought that after transmigrating to this world, he would be able to beat the Sword Master with his fists, kick the God of Magic with his feet, and be invincible.
However, reality hit him hard on the head.
He was shocked to find out he was unable to cultivate. His body was like a funnel—no matter how much Dou Qi he gathered, no matter how much mana he absorbed, it would eventually leak out.
Eighteen years ago, he had transmigrated to this medieval world with swords and magic after a car accident.
He had become a member of the Vincent family—the Duke House of Tulip, one of the three pillars of the kingdom.
However, as his father was the illegitimate son of the previous patriarch and his mother—a commoner, they were unwelcomed in the family.
Two months after his transmigration, for the sake of the family’s interests, his parents had set foot on the battlefield to defend the empire from invasions, but their whereabouts became unknown.
In the beginning, the family treated Shu Ke as per usual, but after discovering that he was unable to cultivate, the family’s attitude towards him changed drastically. In the end, they gave him an ultimatum—if he could not cultivate successfully before the age of eighteen, he would be expelled from the family.
And it just so happened that today was his 18th birthday.
Even though he had lived with the family for 18 years and his parents had sacrificed themselves to protect the family, they still treated him—an orphan—badly.
There were no birthday wishes, no gifts, and definitely no love and affection.
The only thing Shu Ke received was the ugly look of the people who wanted him to leave so that he won’t tarnish the family name.
Power!
In the end, it still came down to power!
In this world where power reigned supreme, those without it would only be trampled upon and humiliated. They would be bullied without the ability to retaliate.
‘Why!?’
‘Why can’t I cultivate?!’
‘Why was I transmigrated to this world, yet have to suffer such unfair treatment?!’
‘I can’t accept this!!’
Shu Ke lifted his head and looked around like a bloodthirsty magical beast.
He wanted to burn the faces of all who humiliated him into his mind.
So that he could return the humiliation he suffered through to these people tenfold as long as he had breath!
“Insolence!”
Sensing Shu Ke’s hateful gaze, the family’s elder frowned. He let out an angry roar that sounded like thunder exploded beside his ear, instantly causing Shu Ke’s body to tremble. Blood seeped out from the corner of his mouth.
“Idiot!”
“How dare you harbor hatred towards the elders?!”
“A boy who doesn’t know what’s good for him and how to be grateful should be killed directly!”
As they say, monkey see monkey do. The elders did not like Shu Ke, so the juniors naturally hated Shu Ke too. In fact, they hated him more than the elders did.
“Grateful? Have I received any kindness from this family for the past eighteen years?”
Shu Ke turned his head to look at the person who spoke. “This family has never given any explanation for my parents’ disappearance. Now you want to expel me from the family and steal my parents’ inheritance. Cold-blooded and heartless. Yet you say that I should be grateful?!”
Leaving meant one thing – death.
In this world where power was respected, for someone who was expelled from the family because he could not cultivate, the only outcome would be death.
Especially since he was born into one of the three pillars of the kingdom, the noble hereditary Duke House of Tulip, the Vincent family.
Once he left, he would no longer have the protection of the family. Enemies of the family would never let him go so easily. They would not care whether Shu Ke was expelled from the family or not.
Shu Ke did not need to feign civility since he would die either way.
“I think you’re looking for death!”
“Dying for the family is your parents’ duty and honor!”
“As expected, the son of an illegitimate child is indeed ignorant, especially a b*stard who was born from a commoner!”
“The thought of having the same blood as a commoner’s child is disgusting!”
There was no need to wait for the elders’ words. Those of the same age as Shu Ke had already added insult to his injury. They literally did their best to humiliate Shu Ke, trampling his dignity into the ground.
‘Power!’
‘I need power!’
‘I want the entire Vincent family to pay the price for everything they’ve done!!’
Shu Ke looked up and stared fiercely at the distorted and detestable faces around him.
Hatred was like a poisonous snake, entrenched in his heart, gnawing at his will.
Shu Ke had never had such a thirst for power as he did now.
He knew very well that in this world, people without power were like ants on the ground. Even if they were crushed to death, no one would cry out for them.
Ding! It is detected that the host has turned 18 years old. System activating…
Activation successful. Infinite Flaw System at your service.
‘Huh?!!’
Hearing the cold mechanical voice in his head, Shu Ke opened his eyes. They were filled with shock.
Eighteen years!
It had been eighteen years since he transmigrated to this world!
During these eighteen years, he had experienced all kinds of contempt and discrimination.
He had thought that his life might just end here.
He had even thought of becoming a necromancer—an existence that was not tolerated in this world.
But at this critical moment, the system appeared!
Ding! Ten flaws are detected in the host’s body. Unable to condense Qi and absorb mana. Please fix it as soon as possible.
‘It can be fixed?!’
The mechanical voice ringed in Shu Ke’s ears was cold but it was more touching than any beautiful melody.
‘My body can be fixed? That means I still have the chance to cultivate, take revenge on the Vincent family, and find my parents!’
When he thought of this, Shu Ke’s blood-stained lips could not help but smile.
For some reason, in the eyes of the Vincent family, he looked like a devil which made them shudder.
“All right!”
The great elder, who had always been silent, stood up and looked at Shu Ke indifferently.
“You’re right. Your parents did die for the family so I’ll give you a chance.”
“Great elder!”
“Grandfather!”
Most of their expressions changed immediately. Whether it was for the reputation of the Vincent family or Shu Ke’s own identity, he was supposed to be expelled from the family today!
“In a month’s time, the teachers in the Royal Academy will come and select outstanding disciples to enter the school. If you can be selected, the Vincent family will accept you. How about it?”
Hearing this, the people who had been worried a moment ago immediately heaved a sigh of relief.
‘This isn’t giving him a chance. This is simply wanting to get Shu Ke humiliated once more!’
“Serves him right!”
“Who told him to disrespect to the elders? This is the consequence!”
“That useless piece of sh*t will definitely reject the offer.”
…
Amidst the jeers of the crowd, Shu Ke looked up and stared at the great elder with determination on his face. “It’s a deal!”