The piercing scream from Kaelan made everyone nearby stop what they were doing. Curious faces quickly gathered around the source of the commotion, eager to find out what had happened.
The air was filled with the whispers of pedestrians, merchants, and even carriage drivers, all craning their necks to get a glimpse of Kaelan, who was curled up on the ground, clutching his bloodied groin.
"Oh my God... Isn't that Kaelan Vossmer, the youngest son of the current head of the Vossmer family? What in the world happened?"
The citizens of Grimford murmured, recognizing the man writhing in pain and disbelief. The Vossmer family was one of the three prominent families in the eastern Murim region, known for producing martial arts geniuses and powerful warriors across generations. Even their servants were at least at the level of a Martial Warrior.
"It looks like someone smashed his... uh... balls," whispered one of the townsfolk.
"No way. Who would dare do that to a member of the Vossmer family?"
"I saw it," said a merchant who had been selling goods nearby. He pointed at Verion, who was calmly wiping blood from his hands. "That boy over there did it."
The crowd went silent for a moment, exchanging glances, and then burst out laughing. They couldn't believe it.
However, to Kaelan, their laughter was a cruel mockery. Rage quickly replaced his pain. His face darkened, and thick veins bulged on his neck and forehead.
"What are you laughing at, you bastards? You think this is funny?" He roared, his eyes bloodshot and murderous.
The townsfolk were instantly taken aback, stepping away from Kaelan. No one wanted to provoke a member of the Vossmer family, especially since their head was a Martial Deity.
"And you!" Kaelan bellowed at his subordinates, startling them into a panicked frenzy. "Why are you just standing there, you worthless scum? Take me to a physician, now!"
Unable to withstand the agony any longer, Kaelan's face grew paler, his legs trembled, and cold sweat poured down his body.
"Y-yes, Young Master!"
They hurriedly supported him, lifting him from both sides. Before Kaelan and his followers could leave, he turned to glare at Verion with pure hatred.
"Just you wait, you damn brat! I'll be the first to kill you!"
Verion responded to the threat with a small laugh, unfazed.
Elion, who had witnessed the scene unfold right before him, struggled to contain his laughter. The bowl in his hands shook as he fought to maintain a neutral expression.
Wild. He said that to a three-year-old. Does he have no shame?
Still, what surprised him more was his own brother. He hadn't expected Verion to go so far as to destroy Kaelan's manhood. He knew Verion was mad, but this... this was something else entirely.
Taking a deep breath, Elion calmed himself and approached Verion, whispering, "You're not planning to kill him? When I got bored at home, I dug some holes in the forest. We could bury him there."
Verion blinked, momentarily stunned by the suggestion, before letting out a soft chuckle. "I didn't know you were that bored—digging graves, huh?"
Elion laughed too. Even if it started as a mere distraction, it was satisfying to find a potential use for those pits.
Verion's eyes drifted back to Kaelan, who was still shouting at the townsfolk as he limped away.
"But we should be careful... He's from the Vossmer family. We have no idea who might come after us if we kill Kaelan, and they find out."
Elion fell silent as he contemplated the situation. From the townsfolk's whispers, he had learned that the Vossmer family wasn't one to cross lightly. Plus, he had observed Elara's reaction during her interaction with Kaelan, hinting at some connection between them.
Yet Elion believed killing Kaelan now was the safest move to prevent future troubles.
"Relax. We'll just have to make sure his body disappears completely."
The brothers exchanged wild grins, but before they could proceed with any further planning, Elara stepped in.
"Whatever you're planning, stop it. I don't want you two to suffer any more than you already have," she said firmly, her eyes filled with sorrow as she gazed at them.
Elion and Verion sighed, resigning themselves to listen to Elara's plea for now.
"And we need to leave this place before things get more complicated."
-----
Kaelan's subordinates struggled to carry his limp body back to the Vossmer residence, one of the grandest and most imposing buildings in eastern Murim.
The main house stood at the center of a sprawling compound, surrounded by stone walls adorned with intricate carvings of dragons—symbols of the family's power and honor.
The primary pavilion featured a curved roof covered in gold tiles, supported by black wood pillars intricately carved with cloud and wind motifs. The floors were made of green jade tiles that reflected the sunlight. Around the compound, lush gardens with ponds, red bridges, and guardian lion statues added to the grandeur.
The serene setting was shattered by the hurried footsteps and desperate shouts of one of Kaelan's subordinates.
"Quick, get a physician! The young master is gravely injured!"
The cry echoed off the pavilion walls, prompting servants to rush out, their faces filled with confusion. Some hesitated at the sight of Kaelan, barely conscious and soaked in blood, but quickly scrambled to summon a physician, whispering among themselves.
Half-conscious, Kaelan's eyes snapped open in fury. "IDIOT! Are you trying to make me deaf? Why the hell are you shouting in my ear?!" He rasped, his voice weak but laced with venom.
One of his subordinates bowed his head, trembling, unable to muster a reply.
As they prepared to move Kaelan on a stretcher to his quarters, a man emerged from the main door, followed by several guests who seemed to have been taking their leave.
The man was Graviel Vossmer, head of the Vossmer family. His graying hair was slicked back, and his eagle-sharp eyes scanned his surroundings. His presence was suffocating, and even the air felt heavy around him.
Graviel halted at the pavilion steps, his gaze falling upon his son. His brow furrowed deeply, forming harsh lines on his forehead. In a cold, cutting voice, he demanded, "Kaelan, what happened to you?"
Still gritting his teeth against the pain, Kaelan tried to sit upright. His voice trembled as he replied, "Someone... attacked me... a wretched little bastard shattered... my pride..."
Graviel's eyes narrowed. In an instant, a surge of oppressive Qi radiated from him, pressing down on everyone nearby. Servants and subordinates instinctively stepped back, some trembling where they stood.
Kaelan, already in agony, felt like his body was being crushed under his father's aura. He bowed his head deeply, his face growing even paler.
"Fool! Do you have any idea how disgraceful this is for our family?" Graviel's voice was quiet but seething with rage. "Humiliated in public, and now you return like this?"
Kaelan swallowed hard, unable to speak. Slowly, the oppressive aura receded. Graviel turned away, casting one final, piercing glare at his son.
"Clean up this mess before it further stains our family name," he ordered, his tone as cold as ice, before walking away with his guests.
Kaelan ground his teeth, suppressing a mix of pain and fury. Within, he vowed revenge—no matter what it took, even if his enemy was just a child.