Rumble. Boom.
Lightning arcs danced like dragons amidst the dark clouds.
A torrential downpour brought about strong winds and mist which blurred the surroundings making it difficult for anyone to see.
The streets were devoid of people and windows tightly shut.
Su Harbor City.
It was built at the junction of a large lake formed by two rivers. Rumor had it that centuries ago a giant had passed by leveling the land forming the lake over the years. The lake was home to rich aquatic resources and marine life brought by the two rivers which led to the current prosperous city.
Near the central area of Su Harbor City was Jade Street, an area of the upper class composed of rows of carefully crafted mansions.
In the distance was an unique exquisite manor with wooden beams and stone lions delicately carved by artisans. There was an empty clothesline in the yard swaying amongst the storm.
Splish Splash.
Against the torrential downpour, the sound of footsteps rapidly approached the manor.
Surprisingly a figure shrouded in a dark cloak was walking against the storm like a defiant warrior.
His footsteps splattered the puddles of water on the ground and soon he reached the gate.
Words written with rich calligraphy was etched on the gate with two words.
Yun Manor.
—
The Yun Manor located in Jade Street in Su Harbor City was home to the Yun Family.
Long ago the Yun family was just a small family of fishermen but through the leadership of several people it grew to a small merchant family engaging in the herbal industry. The successive heads understood the importance of medicinal herbs to martial artists and through their connections worked their way up amassing a large amount of wealth. With their strong financial resources, the Yun family purchased a noble title from the Human Federation by going through the backdoor. Although it counted as an aristocratic family, their roots were not that deep compared to some of the old nobles.
The only noticeable thing was a rumor 16 years ago that the Yun Family gave birth to a genius prodigy in martial arts with the qualifications of a saint. But whether that was true or not was something only the family knew itself.
It was said that the prodigy could fluently curse at the ripe age of 6 months, hold conversations at the age of 1, compose poems at the age of 2, and solve complex algebra at age of 3.
The child's mature temperament and crushing iq brought adults to shame and subsequently at the age of four he was enrolled early in the Su Harbor Academy where his eloquence made him the preschool king.
All the little girls wanted to be his wife when playing house and all the Yun family's enemies had one common thought.
"This child must not be kept!"
Outrageously enough, when a group of assassins attacked a certain day, a certain 6 year old child prodigy was able to repel them. Fortunately there were no martial artists among the assassins. But the disparity in physique between a full grown adult and the 6 year old prodigy could be said to be a chasm.
However ironically it was also because of the difference in size that the attackers were so easily repelled. The prodigy's height that could only reach up to an adult's waist was in perfect reach of a certain life gate. Whether male or female, the lifegate was a fatal weakness and it was the attacker's negligence to not bring iron underwear to the mission.
It was also that fateful day when the prodigy picked up a small kitchen knife in self defense causing rose blossoms that a new world was open to him.
The world of martial arts.
In the next 6 years, the prodigy was obsessed with the sword and at the age of 12 the prodigy gave up his studies and followed an esteemed master to practice martial arts.
—
Soon the grim reaper walking through the rain gently tapped on a bell at the manor gate. The sound was inconspicuous in the stormy night but the sentries who were always on alert heard it.
Sometime later an exclamation arose throughout the manor.
"The second young master is back!!"
…..
In the main hall of the Yun Family a solemn atmosphere pervaded.
Six figures sat surrounding a round wooden table filled with dishes and wine.
However at this time no one was willing to eat.
"This..why not have a taste? It's a freshly roasted duck that I asked the kitchen lady to prepare."
At the roundtable a woman hesitantly broke the heavy air. She was the wife of the family head Ling Yun.
But at this moment the Yun Family was facing a crisis of extinction and no one had the mood or appetite to eat.
Sometime ago, both the Yun and the Rand family discovered a mineral vein. Both families wanted mining rights and fought openly and secretly. Eventually they compromised, agreeing to split the mineral resources 50-50.
However recently the Rand family actually started encroaching on their half. And as if that was not enough, many of their industries were also under attack by the Rand family.
But how could Ling Yun agree? Although their overall strength was weaker than the Rand family, the Yun family wasn't a soft persimmon either. If the Rand family was to successfully swallow the mine, the delicate balance would tilt and they would grow to a behemoth the Yun family wouldn't be able to compete with.
Ling Yun would not let the hard work of the Yun family be annexed under his hands. Not only that but the multiple workers under the Yun family would go unemployed. How many families would be ruined? And not to mention he would have no money to support his children in martial arts or the martial artists in the family. Strength was important in order to safeguard wealth so martial artists were the foundation of the Yun family. Though martial arts training required many expensive resources but with industries gone where would the money come from?
So they fought back. In terms of business the Yun family had never been afraid of anyone. In the worst case scenario they could just mimic a certain son and go over and stab all their opponents in the lifegate. Were the martial artists of the Yun family simply for decoration?
Well maybe…
Just last night a demon close to the grandmaster realm broke in and went on a killing spree. The head body guard was only able to repel the demon at a great cost.
In the end several servants died and Ling Yun's niece was injured.
The family head Ling Yun sighed and glanced around.
Including him and his wife, the other four in the room were respectively his two brothers, the butler in charge of finances, and the head bodyguard.
This was the top brass of the humble Yun family.
At this moment the head knew that it was critical that he took the lead and stabilize the declining morale.
"Ahem, this duck is quite fat and fresh." He took the initiative to grab a piece of duck leg and gestured for the others to feast.
Bam.
Suddenly the man opposite to the family head slammed the table.
"The Rand family is too despicable. Isn't it just a mine? Do they have to go through such lengths? My precious Rubia's legs are injured." The man gnashed his teeth in hatred and gloom.
Rubia was his precious daughter and only offspring ever since her mother had passed away. Now that her legs were injured, how could he face his wife's spirit in heaven?
What if she never walks again? What if she cries from the pain? What if she gets depressed and doesn't want to live anymore?
"Calm down, second brother. We can't jump to rash conclusions yet."
The second brother glanced at the speaker and blew his beard.
"Humph. What do you know third? How can there be such a coincidence in the world? Right in the middle of multiple conflicts with the Rand family? The demon that attacked last night was definitely from the Rand family. "
"What does the family head think?" The third brother ignored the man and turned to his elder brother. He was familiar with the temper of the second child and it was understandable.
But right now anger can't solve anything.
"For now we should temporarily suspend all our business operations and recall all security personnel. We'll send butler Mo out to recruit some more martial artists. The demon is top priority. We don't know if it'll come back again.
"As for the mine…sigh…Let them have it."
The third brother nodded in approval.
But the second brother was not satisfied. His nostrils expanded with anger and his thick voice rolled.
"Then who will seek revenge for Rubia? I'll say we report them to the government for colluding with demons."
"You brainless brute! We don't have evidence right now. And it would take too long for reinforcements to arrive. We don't know when the demon will be back. The head guard is also injured right now. We need to regroup!"
The two brothers bickered making the solemn atmosphere lively full of the smell of gunpowder and smoke.
"Stop"
The family head raised his hand to signal the end of the bickering.
The two brothers glanced at each other in dissatisfaction but reluctantly agreed.
"For now let's send someone to report to the governor but we can't leave our life in the hands of others. We'll liquidate our assets and invite a stronger martial artist nearby through our business contacts and channels. For now we all sleep in the main hall to prevent night accidents."
"Who agrees and opposes?"
The head looked around. Everyone nodded their heads and no one disagreed.
Suddenly the family head's wife, Lily interjected,
"Should we move to another place? The situation of the Human Federation is getting worse these days…"
Ling Yun sighed.
"It would be nice if there was a safe place to go. But there's no time to select a suitable place and besides we have too many families to provide for. The guards, servants, retirement homes, and personnel. Moving them all and their families is too troublesome and would alert some opportunists."
"The family industries are based here and leaving would mean years of connections that we built are gone. The losses are too heavy."
The third brother nodded. A decade of hard work in vain. At this point it was better to concentrate the family resources.
Besides, he secretly thought. Although the Yun family didn't have a grandmaster realm martial artist, they had their own trump card.
At this time Ling Yun glanced at the head guard.
"Three innate masters plus you. Will you be able to contain that demon?"
"Leave it to my head. I can still fight a bit." The stern head guard nodded and patted his chest.
Ling Yun nodded with reassurance.
The levels of martial artists were summed up and divided into four realms by the Human Federation.
Official. Innate. Grandmaster. And the legendary Saint.
Grandmaster and saint realms weren't figures he could hire with just money. As for the innate realm…hiring from outside would require an astronomical price.
The family head closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
What was the use of wealth when the family was gone? The Yun family brought up by his father couldn't die in his hands or he would be a great sinner.
The Yun family was very united due to its small size and he believed the wealth could be earned back again.
From across the table the family lady Lily looked at the gloomy second brother and gently comforted.
"Don't worry too much. Lets go take care of Rubia's injuries. The Rand family will perish sooner or later. After all…"
Lily let out a graceful chuckle and everyone at the table inexplicably smiled. As if they relied on some mysterious confidence.
The gloomy atmosphere was instantly dispelled.
That's right…The Yun family had nothing to fear… after all the second young master exists!!!
The mysterious prodigy of the Yun family born to Ling Yun and Lily.
At the age of 1 he could fluently speak and curse. Smart enough to recite and write poetry at 2. At the age of 3 he could solve complex algebra. At the ripe age of 4, he was already handsome enough that all the girls wanted to play house with him. At 6, he was brave enough to singlehandly repel enemies with a kitchen knife…
At 7, his arithmetic skills shocked the butler in charge of finances.
At 9, his sword skills were exquisite. One shot could accurately penetrate the backdoor of his enemies and rupture their anus.
At 11, he was about to graduate early from Su Harbor Academy and was recommended to the martial arts institute at the Human Federation capital.
At the age of 12, the second young master chased the sunset with his sword shouting "Who is at the peak of martial arts? Without me the martial road would be like a long night! My sword runs through heaven and earth. Subduing the gods and demons."
Coincidently what was just supposed to be some chunni* from a child was overheard by a passing hermit expert.
The expert had just visited Su Harbor curious about the reputation of a certain child prodigy, overheard those words, was impressed on spot, and determined to accept him as a disciple.
So at the ripe age of 12, the Yun family prodigy followed a mysterious hermit master into the mountains and joined some hidden world sect!
The Yun family head laughed heartily and raised his cup.
"Drink!!"
Just when morale was at its peak and everyone was excited to drink.
A maid suddenly burst into the room with rapid steps and hurried breath.
"Head...head…"
Ling Yun frowned. During meetings, outsiders were strictly forbidden to enter the room unless it was an emergency. Could the demon be back?
Just when he was about to question the maid, her next words made him tremble with excitement.
"...The second young master is back!!"