Looking at the system screen floating in front of me, I can't help but smile. My system isn't like those overpowered cheat systems in the novels—it's basically a supercomputer. No free boosts, no magical upgrades. It just helps me calculate, plan things and avoid trouble.
Now, if this were one of those cliché novels, I should've picked option three—cut all ties, join some second-rate sect that was once more powerful than my family, and rise up to crush them while they beg me to return. Seen it a thousand times.
And fun fact? From my memories, such a sect really exists. Honestly, this feels like I'm living inside a novel.
But then reality hits me—if I say I want to cut ties, you know what's next? Oh yeah, they'll demand I destroy my cultivation, maybe even dig out my Supreme Bone. It's Classic after all. And sure, my system could block the pain, but depending on the system for everything? That's just asking for death in a world like this.
Besides, let's be real—I was a regular college student before this. I read about this stuff; I didn't live it. I still remember witnessing a car accident once—I vomited right on the spot. Bones sticking out? Blood everywhere? No thanks. Normal people can't handle that. Only psychos could chop out their own bones without blinking just after being Transmigrated.
So yeah—option three? Out. Option two? Pfft. Apologize and become their obedient little puppet? As if. I may be stuck in this world, but I'm still a modern man with dignity. I might not care much for this family, but I'm not about to become their slave.
That leaves option one—forgive them and move on. And honestly, with my system being like a quantum supercomputer (especially after absorbing that other dude's powerful system), I don't need to cling to grudges. I can just focus on getting stronger while it handles the math. With the help of inheritance I got I can create anything with the help of my system.
So I choose: Option One.
---
Meanwhile, my dear father finally speaks up after what felt like an eternity.
"Tell me... why didn't you stop him?" he asks my so-called sisters.
"Father, I—" My second senior sister fumbles for words. For the first time, she's speechless. Even my fourth senior sister looks nervous, glancing at me with anger, trying to think of an excuse. My junior brother? He's got that look like his brain's about to short-circuit.
"My lord" I step in smoothly, because I really need to get out of here and heal. My body's still a wreck.
Everyone turns to me, surprised by my soft tone. Even my father's cold face cracks a little in shock.
"What?" he asks, his voice still frosty.
"There's no point asking them anymore," I say calmly. "I'm ready to accept my punishment. And... I apologize for my actions." I bow, polite and respectful.
The hall goes quiet. My father blinks, clearly not expecting that.
"Good... good. It's good you know your mistakes." For a second, I think he's going to smile. "That's why I've decided—I won't send you to your death. Instead, you're demoted to outer sect disciple. For ten years."
I nod. Works for me. Way better than digging out my bones or chopping off limbs.
From the original owner's memories, I know he'd fought back at this point—because he really cared about that python, one of his only friends. But me? I don't have any of those feelings. Watching his life play out in my head was like watching a movie, not living it. That's probably why I could take over so easily.
As I turn to leave, the doors open and a group of elders walks in... along with a young lady.
"Oh, is that my fiancée? She's gorgeous," I thought, and I can't help but smile slightly.
Her eyes narrow immediately, like she's ready to pick a fight.
My system pings in my head.
[Alert! Host is about to be confronted. High chance of cliché face-slapping scene. 70% probability she'll secretly follow you afterward.]
Hah. No thanks.
I decide to ignore them completely. And as I'm passing, I drop one last grenade for the crowd.
"Oh, and my lord," I say casually to my father, "please do look into how a lowly Qi Gathering cultivator like me, with no access to the clan treasury, managed to get a poison that can instantly kill a Void Realm beast."
And with that, I stroll right past them, leaving behind a stunned hall.
---
The moment I'm out, the place erupts.
"He's right! How could he get poison strong enough to kill a Void Realm beast?"
"He doesn't even have access to the clan treasury!"
"Maybe he got it from someone—"
"Idiot! Who would give a kid poison like that?!"
And then, someone says it—the dumbest thing they could've said.
"Could he have colluded with an outsider to kill the beast... maybe even betray the clan?"
Everyone freezes. Even the speaker realizes what he just implied. He's basically accusing the clan leader of being too weak to notice his own son's betrayal.
A heartbeat later, boom. Blood mist. My father crushes him without hesitation, holding the poor guy's shattered soul in his palm.
"Are you saying I'm so weak that my own son could be bewitched under my nose, and I wouldn't notice?"
"S-sorry! I didn't mean—" crunch and just like that his soul is gone.
"Find out who gave him that poison!" my father roars.
And the reason he doesn't summon me back for more questioning? Simple. Clan rules: only one trial per day. If he wants to question me again, he'll have to wait till tomorrow.
-----
Author's Note:
If you enjoy the concept of this novel—where the MC doesn't follow the same old repetitive plot—please support me by giving a Power Stone, adding this to your collection, and leaving a comment. Your support motivates me to keep going!