RYU JIN'S ROOM
The ancestral sword, cool and solid in my grip, sat across my lap. Three months. That was the time I had bought, a precious window to begin dismantling the carefully constructed world of Ryu Shen. My mind, sharp and cold, sifted through possibilities. What would I like to do, indeed?
[So, what would you like to do now, Host?] The System's voice chimed in, a faint flicker of curiosity in its otherwise flat tone.
Oh, what would I like to do, huh? A slow, predatory smile stretched across my lips. Yes, it's that time. I know precisely what we will do today. Let him live in this comfortable delusion for a while. For these three months, you wait, Shen. I am going to do something worse than hell for you. The thought ignited a cold, satisfying warmth in my chest.
Just as the last echoes of my mental declaration faded, a soft, familiar knock sounded at the door. Is he here again? I mused, a flicker of annoyance, quickly suppressed.
"Young Lord? Patriarch has ordered a summon. He wishes to meet you," Old Master Lee's aged voice came through the door, gentle but firm.
I looked towards the door, a knowing smirk playing on my lips. "Okay, I am coming, Old Master Lee," I called back, my voice calm, composed. Hmm, I guess that proposal is finally here. A new piece on the chessboard was about to be moved. Let's go.
CLAN PATRIARCH'S ROOM
The chamber was bathed in the soft, diffused light filtering through the large windows. My father, Ryu Yong, stood with his back to me, gazing out at the sprawling training grounds, his imposing figure a silent mountain. He seemed to sense my presence the moment I stepped over the threshold, turning slowly, his powerful aura pressing down on me like a physical weight. His eyes, keen and piercing, met mine.
"I have a marriage proposal for you," he stated, his voice devoid of warmth, cutting straight to the point. There was no preamble, no gentle leading, only the blunt declaration of a man accustomed to absolute command. "The girl is from the Xiao Clan. They are renowned for their martial arts, a clan as formidable as ours, though perhaps a shade below. We, of course, are the pinnacle of this continent." He spoke with an understated pride that bordered on arrogance. "She will be visiting our clan tomorrow. I hope you will get along with her." His tone was a direct order, a cold command cloaked as a hope.
I met his gaze, my expression carefully neutral, allowing nothing of my inner thoughts to betray me. Xiao Clan. Of course. The pieces were falling into place just as they had in the original novel, though with a different protagonist now at the center of the web. "Yes, Father," I replied, my voice steady, respectful. "I will make sure to make her visit memorable. She will never forget it." The double meaning was lost on him, but it resonated with my own dark intentions.
My father's eyes narrowed slightly, a fleeting moment of observation before he continued, his tone shifting to one of subtle instruction, as if addressing a student. "And I believe her younger sister is also coming. She is, naturally, younger than the main girl from the Xiao family. Make sure to also take care of her." He paused, then delivered the crux of his command, his voice hardening slightly. "The girl from the Xiao Clan, your fiancée... what was her name again? Ah, yes, Xiao Ling. She is also interested in swordsmanship. Make sure to teach her a little bit."
Xiao Ling. The name echoed in my mind, a fresh wave of cold contempt washing over me. The very girl who, in another life, had watched me bleed out, convinced of my monstrousness. The protagonist's first conquest, now offered to me. A bitter irony.
"But also," my father continued, his warning sharp, "don't take anything from her, like her martial arts or something. We don't need it." His words were a clear injunction against any attempt to exploit her, a demonstration of the Clan's 'honor.' "But this marriage is important, son, so do not ruin it." His gaze hardened, a direct threat. "And I guess you will also take care of your personal matters." The implication was clear: manage Ryu Shen, avoid any public scandals, and ensure this political alliance proceeds smoothly.
I merely nodded, a single, precise movement. My smile remained internal, a chilling, predatory curve. Oh, Father, you have no idea how well I will handle my 'personal matters'. And Xiao Ling, you will certainly remember your visit. But not for the reasons he intends. The game had indeed begun, and the first pawns were moving exactly as I predicted.