He could never forgive anyone who insulted his father. Once, Shi Yun Lan was a man who cared about nothing and no one — but now, he had lines that must never be crossed. And the man standing before him had just stepped over one of them. Without hesitation, Shi Yun Lan placed his sword against the old man's neck and released his (Aura of Death).
The old man, however, merely stared at him and said calmly, "You truly possess immense power, boy. So much that even my granddaughter couldn't endure it."
His granddaughter had already collapsed from fear — to her, Shi Yun Lan was the most terrifying person in the world at that moment.
The old man spoke again, "Now, apologize to her. Don't be a scoundrel like your father."
Shi Yun Lan paused to think for a moment, then turned to his grandfather.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"Like what?"
"For example, that you know this man."
The old man's calm demeanor before Shi Yun Lai — the man capable of terrifying everyone in an instant and cursing his father so easily — and his grandfather's almost playful tone, made Shi Yun Lan suspicious.
Then, the old man's aura burst out, cutting his thoughts short. "Aren't you going to help her?"
The aura was immensely heavy — Shi Yun Lan felt as though a mountain was pressing down on him.
'Damn it! I can't stand it for a long time but I don't think I have a chance.'
"If you're a friend of my grandfather, then I apologize for my rude behavior…" He struggled to move under the crushing pressure but never complained. Extending his hand toward the girl, he said, "I'm sorry for frightening you — it was just a misunderstanding."
Before she could respond, her grandfather withdrew his aura, freeing Shi Yun Lan so he could help her. He moved to stand beside his own grandfather and said, "As I mentioned before, the clan head is busy right now, but I'll send someone to inform him of your arrival." Then he excused himself and left.
Afterward, Shi Yun Lai laughed. "Hahahaha! What do you think of that kid?"
"He's as insolent as someone I know," the elder replied.
"Stop complaining, old man. He's just brave, that's all."
The old man smiled faintly and entered the palace. Inside, he noticed a woman walking by.
"Fuluo, what are you doing here?"
"Uncle?!"
...
Shi Yun Lan returned to his room and ordered the guards to inform his father. He then sat down to meditate and think about his next step to improve his cultivation technique. His guard, Leon, and his maid, Bi Ri — who seemed different somehow — entered the room.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Do you know, young master, who you pointed your sword at?!"
"I assume someone powerful, like my grandfather. I apologized, so what's the problem?"
The guard nearly had a heart attack, but Bi Ri explained, "That was one of the ancestors of the Jian family from the southern region — the main family of the south, just as the Shi family is in the north. His cultivation level is at the Supreme Level."
When Shi Yun Lan heard that, he froze. Bi Ri, reading his thoughts, continued, "The great elder Shi Yun Lai is also at the Supreme level, while your father, Clan Head Shi Yun Han, is at the Emperor level."
After processing that, Shi Yun Lan noticed that Bi Ri's complexion had darkened.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, young master."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. It was the old man's granddaughter.
"My grandfather requests your presence. Your father and grandfather are already in the council chamber."
Bi Ri's face turned even darker. Before Shi Yun Lan could speak, she said quickly, "You'll be late, young master, and that wouldn't be good." She opened the door and told the girl, "The young master is ready to go."
Shi Yun Lan glanced at Leon.
"Go with her, young master," Leon urged.
Shi Yun Lan didn't quite understand what was happening, but he followed the girl.
"Forgive me for what happened before — can you accept my apology?"
"Ah… it's fine."
The council hall was a five-minute walk away, and the girl felt awkward walking beside Shi Yun Lan, who said nothing. Still, she couldn't help but glance at his handsome, pure face — pale as snow, with black hair darker than night — though his dark eyes frightened her the most.
Sensing her unease, Shi Yun Lan said, "Sorry, but even though we're walking together, I still don't know your name."
"My name is Jian Blu Narsi."
He smiled warmly, closing his eyes to soften his intimidating aura, and chatted with her for a few minutes until they arrived at the council. Inside were his grandfather, father, his father's second wife, and the ancestor of the Jian family.
"It seems you two are getting along well," the old man said teasingly.
"Grandfather! What are you saying?!" Narsi protested.
"I wasn't talking to you," he replied, addressing Shi Yun Han, who looked uncomfortable.
"Well, my son is here. What do you want?" Shi Yun Han asked.
"Are you trying to avoid the fact that you made my niece your second wife through your son? I wasn't wrong when I said you're a foolish scoundrel!"
The ancestor looked at Shi Yun Lan in a new light — one befitting someone of the Supreme Realm — but Shi Yun Lan's expression remained calm, showing neither fear nor anxiety. Then, the elder said something unexpected.
"Why did you think I was talking to you, little one?"
Embarrassed, Narsi hid her face behind her hands.
Then Shi Yun Han suddenly spoke, "Shi Yun Lan, it's been decided — you will marry Jian Blu Narsi when you return from the academy."
Shi Yun Lan immediately recalled how Bi Ri had seemed strange earlier, but he closed his eyes slowly.
"Jian Blu Narsi, do you agree with what the ancestor says?"
"My grandfather said that our families have a long history and strong bonds although the distance between us so it's a tradition."
Shi Yun Lan took her hand gently.
"I'm not asking about our families. Do you agree?"
The girl froze for a moment, unable to respond.
Shi Yun Lan said, "Elder, although I respect the ties between our clans, I don't wish to force someone to be with me because of tradition."
"Are you sure, boy?"
"Yes. If she wants me, she'll say it herself. But I won't force her."
Shi Yun Han looked at his father and the elder.
"Very well, you may leave," the elder said.
Shi Yun Lan bowed and left. Soon after, Narsi excused herself and returned to her room.
When the atmosphere calmed, the elder laughed.
"Hahahaha! That brat of yours is far better than you. I was almost hoping he'd mess things up so I could scold you!"
"Aren't you going to say something, father?!"
"Don't worry. It seems that little girl is thinking deeply about it — she's trying to find her answer before she leaves."
Time passed, and those chosen to attend the Northern Academy were announced — among them was the boy who rarely left Shi Yun Lan's side. Yunlan had always felt something odd about him but didn't pay much attention, focusing instead on training and meditation until his departure day.
On the day Narsi was to leave, she asked Yun Lan to accompany her on a short walk through the forest — among the grand trees, blooming flowers, and fish leaping from the streams. She was visibly nervous and struggled to speak.
Yunlan stopped. "Why are you so flustered? All I did was give you space and time to think. You don't need to be so tense — just say what's on your mind. No one will get angry."
Taking a shaky breath, Narsi said, "Shi Yun Lan… you're a wonderful person as I heard — brave and wise — and I believe you'll have a bright future. But…" She stopped, trembling.
Shi Yun Lan placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Speak freely. As I said, no one will force you."
She closed her eyes tightly. "Every time I'm near you, I feel uneasy — like I'm going to die. Death is all I sense from you. And what frightens me most are your eyes… those dark eyes make me feel as though I'll vanish without a trace."
She turned her face away.
"I understand your feelings," Shi Yun Lan said calmly. "You shouldn't have to push yourself because of customs or family traditions. If you're afraid to talk to your grandfather, I'll speak to him myself."
But she felt frightened from her grandfather " No! Don't do that!" But he started moving until she shouted his name without a response so she fled away.
He went to meet the Jian family ancestor. After being granted entry, the old man said, "You little rascal, I heard you were with my granddaughter. What happened?"
"We don't want this marriage,"Shi Yun Lan replied.
The room fell silent — until Shi Yun Lai entered.
"Why? Does she not want the marriage?"
"It's not that, grandfather. I just don't feel anything for her, and I can't force myself into something that might make her unhappy. As I said, our families have a good relationship — I don't want to ruin that with a forced union. It could lead to resentment or worse…"
After a long pause, the elder sighed. "Very well. As you said, we shouldn't force ourselves into something that could harm others."
...
In her room, Narsi was lost in thought.
'I don't understand why grandfather insists I marry that boy. His cousin is better than him — Shi Fus El was open and friendly, not as cold and distant as the other. Maybe I should at least say goodbye before I leave.'
She went to look for Shi Fus El, who was the boy always following Shi Yun Lan. Upon learning he was in the forest, she went there — only to find him in a disgraceful scene with several women. Shocked, she turned to leave, but one of the women spotted her and grabbed her.
Shi Fus El looked up, surprised. "Didn't expect you to show up now." Though annoyed, he smirked. "Do you know why I got close to you recently? Because I despise that so-called young master Shi Yun Lan — the boy who came out of nowhere ten years ago and took everything! Even today, the clan announced him as one of the family's chosen for the academy — all because his father is the clan head and his grandfather an ancestor. And now they even want him to marry one of the southern beauties! That's too much for me to stomach. So I had to keep you away from him. And if you're wondering why I'm explaining all this…" He grinned maliciously. "It's simple — because your time as a virgin ends today. If anyone finds out I was with these women, I'll lose everything. But if you want to keep what's about to happen secret… you'll stay silent."
Terrified, Narsi — though a cultivator at the Expert level — couldn't escape, since the other women were as strong as she was. Shi Fus El moved toward her as she screamed for help.
"No one will hear you. You shouldn't have come here."
As he reached out to touch her, an overwhelming sense of dread struck him — and the women too froze in terror. Only Jian Blu Narsi, trembling and crying, managed to speak.
"You vile scum! Do you even realize the consequences of your actions?!"
At that moment, Shi Yun Lan appeared — bare-chested, as he had been swimming in the river nearby. He had heard her scream and rushed over.
"Leon, restrain those whores. Bi Ri, take the young lady away — you won't want to see what's next."
Furious, Shi Fus El shouted, "If you're a man, face me yourself instead of relying on your guard!"
Leon and even Shi Yun Lan himself didn't understand what he was ranting about.
"The rumor that spread… it was your guard's doing, wasn't it?!"