Following Philya upstairs to the fifth floor, the iron door in the stairwell was already open, with a crew-cut man in a black suit standing at the entrance. The man glanced at Galon, "Your uncle asked for you in the study."
Galon nodded, changed his shoes, tidied up his clothes, and followed Philya towards the study, closing the door behind them.
The fireplace in the hall blazed with bright coal, warming the entire room. Passing through the hall, they saw a pretty girl with a red ponytail, dressed in a simple white workout outfit, sleeping soundly on the couch.
Galon glanced at the girl, paying a bit more attention to the arms and legs, then continued straight to the study.
Between the living room and the study was a short corridor, with clear mirrors embedded on both sides of the walls. As Galon passed by a mirror, he paused briefly.
In the reflection, he saw himself clearly: short purple-black hair, deep red eyes, the black shirt he wore bulging with muscle, making him look exceptionally strong, and his legs long and sturdy, exuding an agile and formidable aura. His height had also increased noticeably after months of training and natural growth during puberty.
After a moment, Galon pushed open the mahogany door of the study. Inside, bookshelves lined the walls, and a long black wooden table sat in the center.
His uncle and an old man with white hair were sitting by the table, drinking coffee, filling the room with a rich aroma.
Knock, knock.
Galon stood at the door, knocking gently.
His uncle, who had grown plumper, frowned slightly, looking as if he was pondering over something. Hearing Galon's knock, he looked up.
"Ah, Galon, I was just saying how you haven't visited me lately. What have you been up to recently? Eira mentioned she hasn't seen much of you either. You're not still at that dojo practicing martial arts, are you?" His uncle gestured to a seat opposite him, "Come, sit down. We, uncle and nephew, haven't had a good chat in a long time."
Galon nodded, approached the seat, and sat down, also glancing at the white-haired elder sitting beside. The old man seemed to be in his seventies or eighties, with all-white hair and beard, dressed in plain white clothes.
What really caught Galon's attention was that since he entered, the old man had been staring at him with furrowed brows.
Turning his gaze away from the old man, Galon looked straight at his uncle.
"Uncle, I heard you want me to inherit your business? Is that true?" he asked seriously.
"Of course, it's true," his uncle, Angler, raised his eyebrows, "This decision was made a long time ago."
He rhythmically tapped on the table with his fingers, producing a soft tapping sound.
"How to put it... Let me start from the beginning. I know you're not the type to covet power and wealth. If I don't explain clearly, you probably won't want to take over my business."
Galon wanted to say something but decided against it. Indeed, as his uncle said, without a clear explanation, he was planning to persuade him to give up the idea.
Angler sighed, "You know the situation with my two children. It's definite that the business can't be handed over to them, whether it's Lombard or Philya. They're just too playful, and although there's a chance they might change in the future, it's very slim."
"And the young people from my wife's family are too ambitious. Although some are capable and have the right temperament, my business would definitely be squandered if handed over to them. What then of Philya and Lombard's future? My hard-earned business and connections, just given away for nothing? Impossible!"
Galon nodded in understanding.
Angler lit a cigar and continued, "I admit, this puts you in an awkward position, and for that, I apologize. But I just can't stand the thought of giving away everything I've worked for! I still have two children! Yes, Lombard always causes me worry, but he's still my child. Galon."
He looked Galon in the eyes, "You've shown exceptional business acumen since you were young. Only you can stabilize everything I've built. I know the life I lead isn't what you aspire for, but think of Philya. Although you don't get along with Lombard, Philya has always liked you, right? And you like her too, don't you? I can arrange for you two to get engaged."
Galon was taken aback, hardly able to speak. He didn't want to be distracted by other paths but didn't know how to refuse.
And it was apparent that his uncle, Angler, was now at a point of desperation, arranging his future affairs at the age of forty.
Angler took a deep puff of his cigar, exhaling a thin ring of smoke.
"It's sudden, but I hope you'll seriously consider it," he said, treating Galon as an adult.
Galon nodded, "If that's what you wish, uncle," he said solemnly, "but could you tell me why you're in such a hurry to arrange these matters? Isn't it too early for you to be doing this?"
Seeing his nephew didn't immediately refuse, Angler's expression relaxed. He trimmed his cigar and placed it in his mouth, pointing to the white-haired elder beside him.
"I have my reasons. Let me introduce you first. This is my old friend Adonis, who's been visiting me recently. The girl sleeping on the couch outside is his disciple, Vinnie. You're both martial artists, so you should have plenty to talk about."
Galon frowned, "Uncle, please just tell me the reason. Maybe..."
Before he could finish, the study door was suddenly slammed open.
All three looked towards the door to see Lombard standing there, out of breath and glaring at Galon.
"Galon! It's always you! Always you!!"
Galon was about to speak when Angler stood up and shouted, pointing towards the door, "Out! Didn't you see I was having a conversation? Out!"
Lombard opened his mouth to argue but, seeing his father's stern face, stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Angler sat back down, angrily stubbing out his cigar in the ashtray.
"That Lombard is becoming more and more unreasonable. Alright, I'll go teach him a lesson. You two talk, you have martial arts in common, and Adonis can give Galon some pointers."
He coughed twice and left the room.
Click. The door gently closed.
Galon sat quietly, staring at the white-haired elder who had been scrutinizing him since he entered.
Their eyes met, neither spoke.
"Young man, your martial arts have strayed from the true path," Adonis finally spoke slowly.
"The true path?" Galon was slightly startled, expecting the old man to discuss his relationship with his uncle, not to critique his martial arts immediately.
"Martial arts is also about cultivating the mind. Your heart has been influenced by your own martial power," Adonis said gravely, "As the convenience brought by martial power becomes more apparent, you'll become more accustomed to relying on it until you can't live without it. When everything you do is based on it, you'll live only for martial arts and becoming stronger. That's puppetry!"
The old man stood, looking out the window, then turned and left the room quietly, without a sound.
Galon sat there, his expression changing.
Whoosh!
He stood abruptly, touching his chest where his strong muscles felt like stone, yet this strength couldn't bring him inner peace.
Bang!
Galon, holding a shield, was kicked hard, dust billowing around him.
Then, a flurry of punches landed on the same spot.
Bang, bang, bang!
After four rapid hits, Galon retreated, struggling to hold the shield, moving back five or six meters.
Tasia, his senior sister, stopped, her temples flushed from exertion, a sign of a secret martial arts master. As she relaxed, the redness faded.
"It's your turn, little brother," Tasia said, taking the shield, "Now you attack."
"Alright," Galon nodded.
They were practicing sparring in the dojo's second-floor hall, both dressed in black, standing out against the newly replaced brown-red floor. Each exchange shook off a circle of dust, and the hiss of their rapid movements grated on the ears.
Galon attacked Tasia with a mix of techniques, all deftly blocked.
Tasia looked relaxed, her tiger tattoo on her arm seeming alive with each movement, adding a touch of eeriness to her powerful presence.
After 200 strikes, Galon could no longer keep up and stepped back, gasping for air.
"Big sister... Can I ask a question... Is that okay?"
"It seems you're troubled," Tasia approached with a smile.
Bang!
She suddenly kicked Galon's chest, sending him rolling away.
"This is what you should do when confused!" Tasia stood over him, "Doubt, hesitation, cowardice, forget all that. It's a waste of time! One shouldn't live in the past."
With a high kick, she aimed for Galon's head, embodying the ferocity of a wild beast.