Two weeks had passed since Qin Yu awakened in his new world, his mind still adjusting to the life he now inhabited. The Qin family, while powerful and prestigious, was a world unto itself, filled with tension and hidden agendas. Despite being born into one of the wealthiest and most feared families on the Tianxia Continent, Qin Yu had been exiled from the warmth of familial care. This, however, no longer bothered him.
Qin Yu sat in his private residence, sipping tea as he waited. His estate was far removed from the main family, separated by vast courtyards and gardens—a reflection of his standing within the family. His family's rejection of him was absolute. They hated him, mocked him, and left him to rot in isolation. But that was all before.
He now had allies—ones who operated in the shadows. His five assassins had returned from their tasks, having spent the last two weeks gathering the information he needed. Information he would never have been able to obtain by himself in his former position as the family's unwanted son.
As Qin Yu looked out of his window, his lips curved into a small smile. "It's time," he muttered under his breath, watching as the figure of Shadow, the leader of his group of assassins, appeared silently behind him.
Shadow knelt before him, his voice as low and sharp as always. "Master, we have returned. We've gathered all the information you requested." The other assassins stood by the walls, their dark cloaks concealing their presence, as if they were shadows themselves.
Qin Yu turned, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Go on, then."
Shadow rose to his feet and began to speak. "The Qin family is one of the strongest families in the continent, as you already know. However, their power is not solely due to your father's strength." He paused briefly before continuing. "Your father, Qin Zheng, is a cultivator in the Heavenly Ascension Realm. Such power places him at the pinnacle of cultivators, feared across the Tianxia Continent. But it is your mother's connections that elevate the family's influence even further."
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Mother's connections?"
"Indeed, Master. Your mother, Qin Mei, hails from the Celestial Lotus Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects. Her standing within the sect gives the Qin family an edge over their rivals. It is through her influence that many of the alliances have been secured, and her standing makes her a figure of importance beyond the Qin family."
Qin Yu leaned back, considering the implications. His father was a warrior of immense strength, but his mother was a force of her own through political power. Together, they created an unbeatable force within the cultivation world. However, that only served to make his exile even more painful. They hadn't wanted him, despite their status, because he couldn't cultivate—until now.
Shadow continued, revealing what he had learned about the other members of Qin Yu's family. "Your siblings have continued to rise in strength. Qin Shan, your eldest brother, is already in the Qi Condensation Realm. He's considered a prodigy in the family and is being groomed to take over when your father steps down."
Qin Yu's gaze darkened. "And the others?"
Shadow nodded. "Your eldest sister, Qin Lian, has joined your mother's sect, following in her footsteps. She is not as strong as Qin Shan, but her loyalty to the sect makes her dangerous. Then there's Qin Zhi, the second eldest son, who is the most dangerous of all."
At the mention of his second brother, Qin Yu's interest piqued. "Why do you say that?"
"Qin Zhi operates in the shadows," Shadow said grimly. "He handles the family's more covert operations—the dirty work. Many of the assassinations and underhanded dealings attributed to the Qin family are tied to him. He's already reached the Core Formation Realm, a feat impressive for his age."
Qin Yu frowned. So his second brother, the one who kept to the background, had more influence than he thought. "And the others?"
"Qin Ruo and Qin Fei, the twins, are talented as well. They have both reached the Qi Foundation Realm, making them powerful in their own right, though they pale in comparison to your eldest brother and second brother."
Qin Yu absorbed all of this, understanding the complex web of relationships within the Qin family. His siblings were all strong, respected, and rising stars, while he had been left to rot. But now, thanks to the system, things were changing.
Shadow's voice dropped slightly as he continued. "Your status, Master… is no secret to them. They despise you, even now. They are unaware of your recent… improvements. They still see you as the useless, talentless child."
Qin Yu's lips twitched into a smile. "Good," he said softly. "That gives me the element of surprise." He stood up, walking to the window once more, looking over the estate. "So, they still don't know that I can cultivate now."
"No, Master. They believe you remain as you were—a failure. They haven't even bothered to check on you. You've been completely dismissed."
Qin Yu let out a short laugh. "How convenient. I like being underestimated."
As the shadows blended back into the night, Qin Yu found himself deep in thought. The information provided by his assassins painted a clearer picture of the family dynamics. His father, his mother, his siblings—each played their part in the Qin family's strength. And each one, in their own way, had written him off.
But now, with the system backing him, the tables would soon turn.
He stood up and walked over to the small altar in his room, preparing to cultivate. The sensation of gathering Qi had become second nature to him after days of practice. Sitting cross-legged, he breathed deeply, feeling the energy around him flow into his body as he entered a state of cultivation.
The night was quiet, save for the rhythmic hum of Qi circulating within him. Qin Yu pushed his cultivation further, stabilizing his foundation and sharpening his senses. His progress was slow but steady, and he knew that he would soon break through to the Qi Condensation Realm.
After a few hours, he finally stood up, satisfied with his progress. A yawn escaped him as he glanced at the time. The hour was late, and though his mind buzzed with plans, his body needed rest.
Qin Yu lay in bed, his mind gradually drifting into the lightness of sleep. His thoughts wandered through the information he'd gathered, the schemes he would enact, and the vengeance he would soon deliver. The night was still, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves outside. His assassins were always nearby, guarding him even in the dead of night. He knew he was never alone.
But that didn't stop someone from trying.
A figure dressed in all black, masked and armed with a dagger, slipped into his room silently, a gleam of steel reflecting the faint moonlight. The assassin moved with precision and skill, his blade aimed directly at Qin Yu's heart.
However, the figure barely made it to the bedside before one of Qin Yu's shadows appeared, his blade cutting through the air. The intruder was swiftly disarmed and restrained without making a single sound.
Qin Yu stirred awake, his eyes narrowing as he saw the scene before him. The would-be assassin was tied and kneeling on the floor, guarded by the shadow assassin who had stopped the attack.
Shadow approached, bowing. "Master, an intruder attempted to assassinate you. We've neutralized him."
Qin Yu swung his legs out of bed, standing up and staring at the restrained man. His face showed no surprise. "It was only a matter of time before someone tried." He walked over, kneeling down to get a better look at the would-be assassin.
"Who sent you?" Qin Yu asked calmly, his voice cold.
The masked man hesitated, but the shadows were merciless. Shadow knelt beside the man, his presence terrifying in its stillness. "Speak, or you won't have the luxury of a quick death."
The intruder trembled, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was… the second young master… Qin Zhi. He sent me to kill the worthless one."
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Qin Zhi? My own brother?" His tone was amused. He stood up, brushing the dust from his robe. "How typical. They don't even have the decency to do it themselves."
He began to laugh softly, shaking his head. "And here I thought they would at least give me a formal challenge."
The room fell silent as Qin Yu contemplated his next move. But just as he considered what to do, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Side Quest Alert!] Objective: Confront the second young master of the Qin family, Qin Zhi. Reward: Random Roll + 10% of one shadow assassin's cultivation.
Qin Yu's smile widened as he looked down at the trembling assassin.
"It seems fate has offered me a perfect opportunity."