I looked ahead, my gaze unwavering, fixed on the imposing figure now fully revealed in the grand archway of the Main Castle. This was him. Ryu Yong, the Ryu Clan Head. This was the man who, in my last life, had cast me aside, effectively exiling me from the heart of the family.
This is the man who values power above all else, I thought, the realization colder than ice. The memories, sharp and bitter, flooded my mind. After he had learned of my absolute lack of intention to become his successor, to claim the mantle of the Ryu Family Head, he had been furious. A man like him, who saw strength as the ultimate currency, could not comprehend such a choice. He knew about my true potential, the power I deliberately suppressed, and he had seen my refusal as a personal affront, a waste of the Ryu bloodline. His 'punishment' – sending me to that old, forgotten castle – wasn't just about discipline. It was a calculated move, a cold attempt to force me to work hard, to embrace my destiny, to become the successor he envisioned for the Ryu Family.
But at the end, I was foolish. The thought tasted like ash. I had clung to a naive idealism, a misguided hope for a peaceful life, even as the world around me demanded ruthlessness. That damn past of mine, filled with wasted potential and misplaced kindness. It was a past I now utterly despised.
I will not act like a fool in this life. The declaration resonated deep within my core, a silent vow forged in the fires of betrayal. Every step I had taken, every breath I now drew, was for this purpose. The time for foolishness was over. The time for power, and for merciless revenge, had truly begun.
My father's eyes, piercing even from a distance, scanned me, a subtle, analytical glint within their depths. "So you have finally come to your senses, son," he rumbled, his voice a low, gravelly sound that seemed to vibrate through the very stones of the castle. "I thought it would take you a lifetime."
A lifetime? My breath hitched, a momentary tremor of fear, quickly suppressed. Did he know? Did he know I was reborn? No, there's no way. It's just a common idiom, a figure of speech. I quickly reasoned away the terrifying possibility, though a shard of unease remained. It was merely a coincidence that his words echoed my reality. I looked at him, a faint, dark smile curving my lips. He didn't know how right he was. It really had taken a lifetime for me to finally come back to my senses.
"Yes, Father," I said, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil within. I leaned into the opportunity, letting my new ruthlessness surface. "I was foolish to think of supporting someone who doesn't deserve it. The Head of the Ryu Family should be the top person. It should not be some illegitimate bastard." My gaze hardened, a deliberate challenge thrown at his silent, unmoving form. I was testing him, poking at the tender spot of his 'legacy' and Ryu Shen's controversial status.
The immense pressure in the chamber intensified, palpable and suffocating. Father's deep, resonant voice, now imbued with a sharper edge, cut through the silence. "I heard you killed a servant in the old castle," he stated, his tone heavy with a cold disappointment. His unseen face seemed to darken with a subtle displeasure, though no true anger was evident. "Just because you are the legitimate heir, you cannot do everything you want. You should know your limits."
My jaw tightened, but I held his gaze. "Father," I replied, my voice firm, devoid of any remorse, "that servant deserved it. He was disrespecting me. He thought he would get away with that. Father, I am ready to take the punishment." The words were a direct challenge, not a plea. I refused to cower.
A small, mirthless chuckle rumbled from him, a dry, unsettling sound. "Hahaha... you have grown a nerve, kid. Punishment, huh? Alright, then. You will have a spar with me. Let us see how you deal with your punishment."
My mind reeled, a genuine flicker of disbelief washing over me. What? A spar with him? I had steeled myself for a lecture, a harsh reprimand, perhaps even a public humiliation. But a direct confrontation with the Clan Head? His aura, a silent, oppressive force that radiated from his very being, spoke volumes of his terrifying strength. It was pure, unadulterated power that settled on my skin like a physical weight. I still didn't even know the proper classification of Aura levels beyond the "red" I saw from Old Master Lee. How was I to gauge the depth of his power? It was a true unknown.
He won't go all out against his own son, will he? I reasoned, a desperate hope mixed with calculated risk. A father, even one as cold and power-hungry as Ryu Yong, surely wouldn't cripple his own blood. This is my chance. My only chance to reveal my true power, to shatter his perception of my mediocrity, and to irrevocably set the stage for my ultimate revenge against Shen. The thought invigorated me, pushing aside the lingering fear. I will give it my all. Every ounce of hidden strength, every advantage the System offers.
My resolve hardened, shining with a cold, clear light in my eyes. "Okay, Father," I stated, my voice steady, my stance firm, refusing to back down.
Old Master Lee, who had been standing silently by the door, his presence almost forgotten in the escalating tension, gasped softly. I saw him tense, his hands clenching, clearly about to intervene, his loyal intentions clear. But I merely sent him a subtle, dismissive gesture, a fractional shake of my head. He hesitated, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly, then, with a heavy sigh that was barely audible, he stopped. The die was cast. The true unveiling had begun.