The chapter begins with a stormy night in the Luo Clan's ancestral compound. Thunder roars, and rain pours heavily, creating an ominous atmosphere. The clan's elders gather in the main hall, discussing the impending birth of Luo Tian's child.
Luo Tian, the clan's patriarch, is anxious. His wife, Madam Luo, has been in labor for hours, and the midwives are struggling to deliver the baby. The elders whisper about bad omens, citing the unnatural storm and the difficulty of the birth.
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The Birth of Luo Feng
After hours of labor, the baby is finally born. However, the moment the midwives see the child, they recoil in horror. The baby's face is scarred and deformed, his body twisted in a way that makes him look almost inhuman.
The midwives refuse to hand the baby to Luo Tian, and one of them mutters, "This child is cursed."
Luo Tian, trembling with fear and disgust, takes the baby in his arms. He stares at his son's face, feeling a mix of pity and revulsion. The baby's eyes, however, are bright and full of life, as if unaware of the horror he has caused.
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The Elders' Verdict
The clan elders gather to examine the child. Elder Mo, the most influential elder, declares, "This child is a bad omen. His birth during this storm is a sign of disaster for the Luo Clan."
The other elders nod in agreement, and they pressure Luo Tian to abandon the child.
One elder suggests leaving him in the forest, while another proposes killing him to prevent future calamity.
Luo Tian, torn between his duty as a father and his loyalty to the clan, hesitates. However, his wife, Madam Luo, weak from childbirth, pleads with him to spare their son.
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The Decision
Despite his wife's pleas, Luo Tian ultimately succumbs to the elders' pressure. He declares, "This child will not be recognized as a member of the Luo Clan. He will live, but he will never bear our name or inherit our legacy."
The baby is named Luo Feng, but the name is spoken with disdain. The elders order that he be taken to a small, isolated hut on the outskirts of the clan's territory, where he will be raised by a lowly servant.
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The Servant's Pity
The servant tasked with caring for Luo Feng is an old woman named Granny Wen. She is kind-hearted and takes pity on the child, despite his appearance. As she carries him to the hut, she whispers, "You may be ugly on the outside, but perhaps your soul is pure."
Granny Wen cleans the baby and wraps him in a warm blanket. She notices that despite his deformities, Luo Feng is calm and peaceful, as if unaware of the rejection he has faced.
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The chapter ends with a prophetic line from Granny Wen: "This child's path will be filled with pain, but perhaps one day, he will rise above it all."