"Get in stance! Raise your spears and now- Thrust!"

  Dozens of children, aged thirteen to seventeen years old, lifted their spears and stabbed the air in front of them. In the intense heat of the summer noon, many were sweating profusely but under the stern gaze of the instructor, nobody dared to slacken.

  Watching all this from afar, comfortably sitting under the cool shade of the tree, Ling Yun- the former young master of the Ling clan, played his flute with quiet amusement. Watching one of his cousins get struck by the instructor's stick for fumbling his stance, Ling Yun reminisced about the happiest day of his life.

  "I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do. Your son was born with a weak constitution. His meridians are so fragile that if he tried to unleash a huge burst of Qi, his body would explode!"

  "What do you mean he can't practice martial arts? He's my son! The future head of the clan!"

  Watching his father's angry yells and the healer's attempt to pacify him, ten-year-old Ling Yun had a single thought in mind.

  "Thank the heavens! No more swinging that stupid spear again."

  Five years had passed since that day yet the memory still brought a smile to his face. After playing to his heart's content, he got up and headed towards the servant quarters- to Granny Sha's hut.

  "I'm telling you he must be in Core Formation realm. He was seen flying in the Grey mountains."

  "Core Formation, my butt. Don't you know how rare is it to achieve Core Formation? Only the four great sects or top clans have anyone that strong in our Jiang region. He must be a Foundation Establishment practitioner at most."

  "But still, a lone mysterious cultivator in our neighborhood... how exciting!"

  The lone cultivator was a hot topic in the Grey Cloud village. He had arrived over a week ago and since then has been residing in the Grey mountain.

  Initially, some people from the Boulder clan went to invite the young man to subtly investigate his motives but they all returned beaten very badly, bearing a single message-

  "This young lord does not want to be disturbed again by peasants. I will leave this lowly village in a few days. If anyone comes again, don't blame this lord for being merciless."

  This angered all clans but none dared to take any action. Fearing that the young man came from some huge background given his arrogant demeanor and his strength, they decided to do nothing till he leaves. Orders were issued to all clan members to keep away from the Grey mountain.

  Upon seeing Ling Yun, the two people went silent. They exchanged glances, then turned around and walked away. Ling Yun gave a long sigh.

  Ever since he gave up the young master position to his uncle's son, nearly everyone stopped talking to him. It wasn't that bad- he was still given his resources on time. Nobody tried to bully or mistreat him.

  It's just that he was simply ignored and neglected, like he was an invisible wandering ghost. His greetings would always go unanswered, conversations would cease upon his arrival, playgrounds would be deserted in his presence.

  He could almost hear their unspoken whispers ringing in his ear, their silent wish- why don't you simply disappear? Surrounded by his family, he was an outcast, a pariah.

  It must be his uncle's doing.

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  But what could he do?

  He could cultivate, in fact he had been diligently cultivating reaching the third realm of Qi Refining and was on the verge on breaking into the fourth realm. But what use was increasing Qi if he couldn't even defend himself? With his crippled physique, he wasn't even a match for a strong mortal.

  What use was reaching a higher realm if he couldn't wield martial skills, couldn't fight? Just to increase lifespan!

  What use was longevity in a life without dignity?

  For a weak man, hoarding treasure is a sin.

  In order to avoid getting caught in a succession dispute, he voluntarily gave up his position. His uncle- the father of the current heir, quietly influenced the family to simply ignore him entirely leading to the present situation. His uncle made sure he wouldn't have any allies if he ever tried to contest against his son in the future.

  Crippled both physically and socially, this was the life of Ling Yun.

  While all this was happening, Father was just drunk...

  Shaking his head to remove unnecessary thoughts, he entered the hut and saw an old woman making tea. Upon seeing him, Granny Sha asked, "Young master, has your headache eased? I heard you were playing so I brew some tea to calm your mind."

  Seeing the worry etched on her face, Ling Yun smiled unconsciously. Granny Sha was the only one in the clan who cared for him. Despite being a mortal servant, he loved her more than most of his family. Her son had settled somewhere else so she lived alone in the clan. She cared for him as her own grandson so returning the affection, he called her Granny.

  Since his childhood, he suffered from severe headaches time to time. It had continued till the present. Playing his flute was his way to soothe his mind from the pain. Granny Sha had long known of this habit.

  "I'm fine now, Granny Sha." He said as he picked up the cup of tea she poured for him. He quietly sipped his tea, enjoying the flavour on his tongue before asking awkwardly, "Hmm... By the way, how's father doing?"

  Granny Sha gave a quite, sad smile. "Just the same. Still drowning in alcohol, cursing the Heavens."

  His lips shifted into a bitter smile and he took another sip to ease his thoughts.

  What should I do? What can I do?

  Will father remain like this for the rest of his life?

  No, It's my fault... I was the one betrayed father.

  Granny Sha wanted to console him but was at a loss. Suddenly she had an idea and rose from her seat.

  "Young master, I made some moonberry pastries for breakfast. There are still some remaining- why don't you give them to little Yaoyao. She'll like them very much." Without waiting for his reply, she started packing them.

  "Thank you Granny Sha. Anything you cook is beyond amazing. I hope I can reach your level one day."

  "Ohoho, young master, it's still too early for that. Practice diligently and you may reach my level... after a hundred years!" Granny Sha replied with a teasing smile

  "Hmph. That day is closer than you think. One day, I will make you admit that my tea is better than yours."

  "Oh I will be waiting. But at this rate, this old granny will go to heaven and meet the Jade Emperor before she drinks your tea."

  Seeing Ling Yun pouting, Granny Sha burst into laughter and soon Ling Yun couldn't resist and joined in. Their merry laughter eased the gloom that lingered from the mention of his father.

  ***

  With the pastries in hand, Ling Yun made way towards his residence. But instead of going towards the main area where clan members resided, he headed towards the outskirts of the clan. A small shabby hut stood in front of him.

  He quietly entered and took in the sight of a young twelve-year-old girl sitting in the bed. She was holding a doll resembling a woman. The male one from the set was missing. Instead of playing, she was just staring at it- her gaze was blank, distant, as though the doll contained all the mysteries of ascension.

  Ling Yun leapt to the bed and hugged her, burying her small frame in his chest. She unconsciously pushed back at first but then her hands then went around his torso as she returned to the hug.

  After rubbing her back slowly for some time, Ling Yun asked, "Hmm, I don't see Mr Ken. Did you burn him?"

  Ling Meiyao, his only sibling, stiffened. Instead of answering, she buried her face deeper into his chest. After some time, he faintly heard a small voice that he would've missed if he wasn't paying attention.

  "Sorry."

  "Ah, don't mind, don't mind. It was just a cheap doll." Ling Yun chuckled. "Don't worry, Big brother will bring a new one. Ok Yaoyao. So don't worry about burning them. Burn all you want- Big brother will take care of it."

  Meiyao slowly lifted her face. Her gaze met her brother's warm eyes filled with love and then her lips turned up in a small smile.

  Like a dam burst in his heart, his affection got out of control. Ling Yun pulled her closer, burying his face in her nape.

  To protect this smile, I would endure any humiliation from the clan for eternity

  To protect this smile, I would betray father and suffer his curses

  To protect this smile, I would do anything. Anything for you, Yaoyao

  As the two siblings clung to each other, Ling Yun silently repeated this vow in his heart.