The world spun as I collapsed onto the ground, my muscles burning with exhaustion. Every breath felt like a struggle, but even this—the ache in my body, the throb of my heart—was a distant echo compared to the pain I had known before.
Suddenly, the yard around me seemed to fade, the sunlight dimming. In its place, a suffocating darkness closed in, the sound of chains rattling in the still air. Cold metal bit into my wrists, and I could feel the damp stone floor beneath me.
I was back there again.
The smell of damp stone and iron filled my lungs, the faint drip of water echoing in the distance. The darkness seemed to press in from all sides, suffocating, unrelenting. My body ached—each bone, each muscle screaming in silent protest—but the worst pain wasn't physical. It was the crushing weight of betrayal.
"Still alive, little brother?" Jun Shen's voice slithered through the darkness, sickly sweet, as if we were merely playing some twisted game. Maybe it was, maybe that's what I am to him, a play toy."How resilient of you. But tell me, how long do you think that will last?"
His footsteps echoed, slow and deliberate, and my breath caught in my throat. The chains that bound my wrists trembled as I shifted, trying in vain to lift my head. I couldn't see him, but I could feel him—his presence a dark, looming shadow that filled the place, leaving no room for hope.
"You've always been the weak one, Xuan Jie," he said, squatting down so his face was level with mine. I could feel his breath against my ear, his voice dripping with mockery. "A disgrace to the family name. You can't even protect yourself, much less live up to our father's legacy."
I clenched my fists, though the chains barely allowed movement. I wanted to fight back, to scream at him, but my body refused to obey. I was too weak, too fucking weak to fight ."bloody hell" I cursed weakly.The ache in my limbs was nothing compared to the cold that had settled in my heart—the realization that the person I had looked up to, the brother I had admired, had betrayed me in the cruelest way imaginable.
"I trusted you," I whispered, my voice barely more than a rasp. The words felt fragile, like they would shatter under the weight of his disdain. I hated myself for falling so low, for being so weak, so stupid to the point I trusted to devil himself.
Jun Shen chuckled, a sound that sent a chill down my spine. "Trust? How naive you are, little brother. Trust is a weakness. It blinds you, makes you soft. That's why you've always been a disappointment to Father. You're too weak to survive in this world." I knew it wasn't a lie, I let father down so many times but he still cared and protected me leading him to his own demise .
His words were like daggers, each one aimed with precision at the parts of me that still tried to hope. My vision blurred, and I couldn't tell if it was from the pain or from the tears I refused to let fall.
Jun Shen rose, his silhouette towering over me. "Look at you now. Pathetic." His voice turned cold, the mockery replaced by something darker, more dangerous. "You should have known better than to think I'd ever see you as my equal. You're nothing but a stain on this family's honor."
I felt the weight of his boot pressing down on my chest, pinning me to the floor. My body screamed in agony, but the pain was drowned out by the anger that roared to life within me. My brother—my blood—had reduced me to this. I had trusted him, and he had taken everything from me.
"You..." My voice cracked, barely audible, but the fury behind it was real. "You'll regret this."
Jun Shen's grip tightened around the chains that bound me, and he yanked them hard, sending fresh waves of pain coursing through my body. His smile never wavered. "Oh, little brother," he said softly, his voice dripping with mock affection. "The only thing I regret is not doing this sooner."
For a moment, all I could feel was the crushing weight of his betrayal, the cold bite of the chains, the suffocating darkness of the cell. But somewhere, deep beneath the pain, something else stirred—something fierce, something unbreakable. A spark.
The memory shattered, leaving me gasping for breath, my body trembling as if the chains were still wrapped around my wrists. The cool air of the yard felt foreign, my skin dripping with sweat. I blinked rapidly, trying to shake the remnants of the past, but it clung to me, as if the darkness of that cell would never truly let go.
I lifted my hands and stared at them. They were free—free of the chains, free of Jun Shen's grip. But the memory still had its hold, a reminder of the weakness I had once allowed to consume me.
"Not anymore," I whispered, clenching my fists tightly until my knuckles turned white. This time, I was in control. I wouldn't be helpless again. I wouldn't be weak again.
I could still hear Jun Shen's voice in my head, taunting, belittling. Trust is a weakness. He had reveled in my pain, in my helplessness, my weakness. But the chains were gone now. I had survived that hell, and this time, I would make sure I was stronger—stronger than him, stronger than the fear he had left behind.
I wiped the sweat from my brow, breathing heavily as I forced myself back to my feet. My muscles ached, my lungs burned, but it didn't matter. This was nothing compared to what I had already endured. I would push through, just like I had pushed through the torment Jun Shen had put me through.
This training, this pain—it was all part of the journey. I would grow stronger. I would make sure that no one—not even Jun Shen—could ever make me feel powerless again.
A new resolve burned in my chest. This was just the beginning. I would keep moving forward, keep training, keep fighting. I would prove to myself and to everyone that I wasn't the same person who had been chained to that cell.
"Not anymore," I repeated, my voice firmer this time. "Never again."
The system's cold voice echoed in my mind once more, indifferent to my inner turmoil, yet somehow grounding me in the present.
[Training will continue tomorrow.]
I smiled faintly, despite the exhaustion pulling at my limbs. Let it continue. I would be ready.
After collapsing onto the grass, my body felt like it was on the brink of surrender. Just as I was catching my breath, I heard the faint rustling of leaves. Looking up, I saw Mr. Whiskers, the mansion's aloof feline, approaching with a dignified stride.
"Of course, even you're here to witness my suffering," I muttered, barely able to lift my arm. "What's next, a parade of judges?"
Mr. Whiskers plopped down beside me, his emerald eyes glinting with a mix of disdain and amusement. It was clear he considered this a form of entertainment.
The mansion's butler, Mr. Lin, emerged from the terrace, his expression shifting from concern to mild surprise at the sight of me sprawled out next to the cat.
"Master Jun, are you quite alright?" Mr. Lin asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and genuine worry.
I managed a weak smile, patting Mr. Whiskers. "Just wrapping up my so-called 'intense training.' It's been a bit more exhausting than anticipated."
Mr. Lin raised an eyebrow. "Intense, indeed. I didn't expect to see you performing public jumping exercises in the yard."
"Public?" I said, trying to stand. "I suppose Mr. Whiskers and I make quite the audience."
Mr. Lin chuckled softly. "Perhaps next time, you could search for a less... visible method of training. Or at least ensure that Mr. Whiskers isn't your only witness."
Mr. Whiskers gave a disdainful flick of his tail before leaping onto the terrace railing, surveying the grounds with an air of supreme satisfaction.
With Mr. Lin's help, I made my way back inside, feeling every ache and twinge from the day's exertion. I glanced back at the now-empty yard, resolving to approach tomorrow's tasks with a bit more strategy.
In the quiet of the mansion's grand foyer, I sank into a plush armchair, trying to ease the stiffness in my muscles. The system's notification chimed in, its tone colder and more detached than usual.
[Well, you completed the tasks. Not that it matters much to me.]
I raised an eyebrow, managing a weary smirk. "Thanks for the acknowledgement."
[It's not as if I'm invested in your progress. I merely ensure you meet your objectives.]
I sighed, stretching out in the chair. "Understood. I'll be ready for whatever you have in store tomorrow."
[Don't mistake my lack of enthusiasm for indifference. I expect you to be better prepared. This is no time for leniency.]
I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the mansion envelop me. Despite the system's colder demeanor and the physical exhaustion, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Tomorrow would be a new challenge, and I was ready to face it.
The sun dipped low in the sky as the family gathered for dinner, the warm glow of the setting sun casting a golden hue over the mansion's dining room. The table was set elegantly, with dishes prepared by the best chefs. Jun Xuan Jie, still feeling the strain from his earlier training, tried to focus on the meal, his exhaustion somewhat forgotten in the comforting presence of his family.
As they settled in, Mr. Whiskers made his entrance with the same aloof elegance he always displayed. He sauntered in, his emerald eyes flicking over the dishes as if assessing their quality. He leaped onto an empty chair, his regal demeanor making it clear that he considered himself part of the family.
Jun Bai was already seated, her usual sternness softened by the evening's calm. She greeted Xuan Jie with a warm smile, and he could see the love and concern in her eyes. Their father, Jun Zhou Yi, was seated at the head of the table, a contented smile on his face as he observed his children.
As Xuan Jie took his seat, Mr. Whiskers made a dramatic leap onto the table, right next to Xuan Jie's plate. He settled down with a purr, his presence almost as demanding as his own sense of entitlement.
"Ah, Mr. Whiskers," Xuan Jie said, chuckling despite himself. "It seems you're here to share in the feast, too."
Jun Bai raised an eyebrow but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "I see even Mr. Whiskers has decided to join us. Should we make room for him at the table?"
"Please, no," Jun Zhou Yi said, laughing. "I'd prefer to keep my meal without fur."
As dinner progressed, the conversation turned to lighter topics. Jun Bai and their father spoke about recent events, their voices filled with warmth and affection. Xuan Jie felt a sense of belonging that had been missing for a long time, the pain of his past momentarily overshadowed by the comforting presence of his family.
Mr. Whiskers, ever the opportunist, watched intently as a piece of fish was placed on the table. With a swift paw, he swiped it from Xuan Jie's plate, eliciting a laugh from everyone.
"Mr. Whiskers certainly has a taste for fine dining," Xuan Jie remarked, his spirits lifted by the playful antics of the cat.
The laughter and shared stories created a bubble of normalcy around the table. Xuan Jie realized how much he missed these simple moments—moments of genuine connection and warm
After dinner, Jun Bai suggested they play a game together, and Xuan Jie eagerly agreed. Mr. Whiskers, now lounging comfortably in the corner, seemed content to watch as the family gathered around for a game of cards. The evening passed with easy laughter and lighthearted competition, a welcome distraction from the intensity of his training.
As the night wore on and the game drew to a close, Xuan Jie felt a deep sense of contentment. The love and support from his family, coupled with Mr. Whiskers' amusing interruptions, had made for a perfect end to a challenging day.
With a renewed sense of purpose and strength, Xuan Jie headed to bed, knowing that despite the trials ahead, he had his family and their unwavering support to guide him..