Du Yan had always been a street-smart scoundrel, relying on his slick tongue and cunning mind to survive. Though he wore a handsome smile and polished manners, beneath the surface, he was nothing more than an opportunist. Through deception and manipulation, he had weaseled his way into the prestigious Jiang family, securing a place as a live-in son-in-law by marrying into a lesser branch.
Yet even within the Jiang household, he was a parasite. He fawned over the powerful, bullied the weak, and treated his status as a stepping stone rather than a responsibility.
Today, however, the facade was cracking.
Standing before him, bound and bloodied, was Jiang Xue, the third young master of the Jiang family. His once-pristine robes were torn, his face pale, but his eyes still burned with unwavering defiance.
"Humph." Du Yan sneered as he looked down at the young man who had once been too proud to even look him in the eye. "Don't think your elder brother is as noble as he pretends to be. He's not protecting you—he's using you."
Jiang Xue didn't speak. He simply stared at Du Yan, breathing slowly through clenched teeth.
That silence only irritated Du Yan further.
He leaned in, voice dripping with venom. "Ever wondered why every time you step out of line, he's the first to forgive you—but also the first to tighten the leash? Unless... unless there's something about you that threatens him. Something he needs to keep close."
Without warning, Jiang Xue lashed out, attempting to strike him, but Du Yan had trained in martial arts—basic, but enough to suppress a bound opponent. He easily twisted the young master's wrist behind his back and slammed him against the wall.
"Still stubborn?" Du Yan chuckled darkly, pinning Jiang Xue in place. "Even now?"
He tightened his grip, then leaned in closer. "Want to hear a secret?"
He paused dramatically, savoring the moment.
"Your beloved Miss Han… may not have run away after all. What if… she was silenced by your elder brother himself?"
Jiang Xue's pupils shrank. His breathing stopped.
Murdered?
Could it be true?
His thoughts spiraled. That night... that disappearance... the silence from the servants... It couldn't be. It couldn't.
But Du Yan had already backed away, smoothing the folds of Jiang Xue's robe as if they were old friends.
"Don't take it from me," he said smugly. "See for yourself. The study... it holds the answers."
The Grand Study.
It was off-limits to everyone but the eldest young master. Even family members weren't permitted to enter without permission. But Jiang Xue had always wondered—what secrets lay behind that heavy lacquered door?
Du Yan smirked. If he could trick this naive third young master into helping him sneak in, then even if things went wrong, he could push all the blame onto him. The boy was too quiet, too prideful to defend himself. And if they uncovered something? Well, Du Yan could use it to bargain for power—or even revenge.
"Let's go," Du Yan said, grabbing his arm again. "No one's in the study right now. Perfect time."
But just as he turned, a cold voice rang out behind him, slicing through the silence like a blade.
"No need. Did you really think the Young Master would not be watching you?"
Du Yan froze.
The voice wasn't loud, yet it carried immense internal force—calm, precise, and utterly chilling. He turned, heart racing.
A figure stepped forward, cloaked in grey. His movements were like flowing water, quiet yet full of controlled power.
Jiang Ying.
The personal attendant of the Eldest Young Master.
He had followed Jiang Xue from the shadows, and now, he emerged like a predator, gaze cold as ice.
Ruoshui, who had hidden himself high above on a roof beam, narrowed his eyes.
Here it comes, he thought. A true expert.
This man wasn't some low-ranked thug like Du Yan. The precision of his footwork, the way his aura coiled inward like a drawn bowstring—he was the real deal.
Ruoshui had been tailing Jiang Xue all day. He had seen enough to be suspicious. But now, things had gotten more complicated. He didn't expect the Jiang household to possess such a terrifying enforcer.
If this was a mid-tier guard... then just how strong was the eldest brother?
Jiang Ying flexed his fingers slowly, internal energy humming between his knuckles.
"This one is called 'Eagle,'" he said softly. "By the order of the Young Master, you are to take the road."
Du Yan's eyes widened. "You... you're going to kill us?"
Jiang Ying gave no reply.
Instead, he stepped forward, each movement like a hawk circling its prey.
Du Yan panicked. "This is madness! I've done nothing to warrant execution! Even the family elders—"
"You were caught in adultery," Jiang Ying said coldly, cutting him off. "Third Young Master found out. You threatened him. You feared exposure. So you poisoned him."
Du Yan's face twisted. "I didn't—!"
"You did," Jiang Ying replied. "The poison was found. The cup preserved. The truth confirmed."
He looked down at Du Yan with complete detachment, like a blade judging a neck.
"Your sentence has been passed."
The lie was seamless.
Du Yan, who had spent his life spinning false accusations, now found himself crushed beneath one too perfect to refute.
His mouth opened, but no words came.
Jiang Xue's expression was blank. But somewhere inside him, a piece shattered.
So this was it?
All these years of tolerance. Of silence. Of obedience.
It was never kindness.
It was a leash.
A slow death disguised as family.
He closed his eyes, body swaying. He did not resist when Du Yan suddenly shoved him forward toward the incoming blow.
A blur of motion.
A flash of steel.
But death did not come.
Instead, Jiang Xue felt a firm grip catch him by the collar and yank him backward.
They skidded across the snow.
He opened his eyes—he was alive.
Tears streamed down his face, unbidden and hot.
Across the field, Du Yan lay unmoving, eyes wide open in frozen disbelief.
Blocking the killing blow stood a young man in blue, a bamboo staff resting casually on his shoulder.
Ruoshui.
He twirled the staff once before planting it in the snow with a dull thud.
Jiang Ying narrowed his eyes.
"This is Jiang family business. Outsiders should not interfere."
Ruoshui smiled faintly. "Outsider? I don't think so."
"I've taken a liking to this one. He's got good eyes, decent heart, and a stubborn backbone."
"I've accepted him as my disciple."
Jiang Ying's expression didn't change, but the corners of his mouth tightened.
"This weakling?" he said flatly. "Him?"
Ruoshui tapped his staff on the ground.
"What kind of master lets his disciple be executed while standing idle?"
"If you want him... you'll have to go through me."
Jiang Ying said nothing more.
He simply raised his claw-shaped hands, spiritual energy coiling around them like storm clouds.
"Very well," he said. "Let's see if you're worthy."
Snow burst beneath their feet as they clashed. Bamboo against talon. Wind against shadow. The courtyard became a battlefield.
And far above, on Ruoshui's system panel, a faint red timer continued to tick down:
[Poison Countdown: 1:29:58]