The Divine Family mansion was undoubtedly one of the largest residences in Glory City. The size of its territory even surpassed that of the Alchemist Association, a clear testament to the vast power the Divine Family controlled within the city.
The area under the Divine Family's control within Glory City even surpassed the territory of the City Lord's Mansion.
Yet not a single soul found it absurd or inappropriate.
After all, the Divine Family was one of the oldest clans in Glory City. Their ancestors had managed to keep their territory intact despite the ever-changing landscape of Glory City throughout the years.
While every family in Glory City experienced periods of prosperity and decline, only the Divine Family managed to preserve all of its original territory.
This was due to the clan's mindset of always prioritizing the family's interests above all else.
And that showed just how capable they were when it came to managing their affairs and assets.
One could say that the Divine Family's foundation was sturdier than a mountain, and that the family would not suffer any decline for the next three generations.
But none of that mattered anymore.
As of today, the Divine Family mansion lay in complete ruins.
And for Xue Hui, this vast territory served only as a death trap he could not escape. He had been running for who knew how long, yet he was still far from the mansion's exit, let alone the city gates.
Exhausted, Xue Hui was running on nothing but fumes. His legs kept moving, but his knees were beginning to buckle. A gray haze was starting to cloud his vision, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
But Xue Hui didn't dare stop for even a second. He knew they would be dead if the demon beast caught up to them.
Xue Hui kept running toward the nearest exit when suddenly a sharp, searing pain stopped him, reminding him of the person in his embrace.
With all the commotion around them, the frantic running, and the carnage caused by the demon beast, Xue Hui had never found the time to properly check on his young miss's condition.
Looking down at Chen Linlin, Xue Hui saw that she was biting his chest, the spot directly in front of her face.
The pain was enough to jolt his mind out of its fog and snap him back to his senses.
Looking at her, he found Chen Linlin's face in a complete mess. Her usually smooth, albeit pale, complexion was now smeared with filth, sweat, and blood. Her cheeks still bore traces of dried tears from earlier.
And her eyes...
Chen Linlin's eyes, which had gradually lost their light over the years due to her illness, had now become completely blank.
It was clear that all hope had been extinguished within her.
Seeing this, Xue Hui unconsciously slowed his steps until he came to a complete stop and simply stood there, looking at her.
The master and servant stared at each other. Both ignored the cruel world around them and simply basked in each other's presence.
How long has it been since they first met?
Back then, they had both been very young, when Chen Zhenlong first introduced them to each other.
One was a child from the orphanage, abandoned by unknown parents on the cold streets of Glory City.
His origins were completely unknown, save for a piece of cloth with the name Xue Hui written on it.
And a peculiar birthmark shaped like an open scroll, glowing with a bright jade-like color on his chest.
His loud cries attracted the attention of passersby, and it wasn't long before he was brought to the orphanage.
Over time, the infant grew into a young boy and was named according to the writing found on the cloth left alongside him, should anyone ever come searching for him.
Xue Hui.
[Shweh-Hway]
Xue Hui was well-liked in the orphanage. He was a diligent and intelligent child, and everyone had a favorable impression of him, especially the aunties who handled the children's daily needs.
Out of all the children there, only Xue Hui was known for eagerly helping with chores.
While the other children his age ran around and played, Xue Hui would approach the aunties as they worked and observe what they were doing. Occasionally, he would ask how they performed certain tasks and then attempt them himself.
Because of this, the aunties at the orphanage often taught him various skills, which the boy seemed to enjoy learning.
They would even joke that it was because of his name, Xue Hui, that he loved learning so much.
Thanks to this, Xue Hui became a very capable child. At such a young age, he was often entrusted with responsibilities whenever the aunties were busy.
But things weren't always good.
Especially when the time came for the children to be tested for their innate talents.
This was important, as the results would largely determine the future path they could follow.
Children who displayed exceptional talent would be adopted by various families, either to be raised as their own or nurtured into capable warriors.
After all, orphan or not, talented children were worth investing in. Once they matured, their strength would greatly contribute to Glory City's future.
One by one, the children deemed to have the highest potential were adopted.
Those who lacked talent were left behind. As they grew older, they would be transferred to facilities where they learned trades such as woodworking, masonry, and crafting.
After all, there was no place in Glory City for those who could not contribute.
Everyone had a role to fulfill, and every role was equally important in keeping the city functioning.
Xue Hui was one of the children who showed no potential for cultivation.
His innate talent was practically nonexistent. With only one point of soul force and a red soul realm, he was considered a lost cause.
The aunties pitied him, but there was nothing they could do.
Naturally, he was among those left behind.
Xue Hui never saw a problem with it.
After all, the orphanage was the only home he had ever known.
He had even made a list of all the skills he wanted to learn once the orphanage assigned him to study under various craftsmen.
But fate had other plans.
He was in the middle of painting a portrait when one of the aunties suddenly called him over, frantically urging him to freshen up because an important guest wanted to see him.
Xue Hui did as instructed and was led to the orphanage's reception hall, where visitors met the children they were interested in.
It was a place someone like him, whose innate talent was considered poor, had never expected to enter.
"Is this the child?"
Xue Hui's heart nearly stopped the moment he heard the imposing voice.
He had met many different people while growing up.
But this was the first time he had encountered someone who felt like a towering mountain capable of looking down upon everyone else.
The man's voice alone carried an indescribable pressure, enough to make Xue Hui feel as though his soul were trembling.
Unconsciously, Xue Hui held his breath and shakily reached for the orphanage director's sleeve for support.
Seeing this, the middle-aged woman in charge of the orphanage gently patted his head.
It wasn't surprising that the little boy felt overwhelmed by the aura of the person standing before them.
"Yes, Lord Chen Zhenlong. This child is indeed Xue Hui."
The director glanced at the little boy clutching her sleeve and gently nudged him forward.
"Go on, Xiao Hui. We've taught you how to behave when meeting a senior, haven't we?"
Xue Hui nodded and timidly stepped forward before bowing.
"Xue Hui pays his respects to Senior."
Only after the man acknowledged him with a nod did Xue Hui finally release the breath he had been holding.
Afterward, Xue Hui was asked to sit nearby while the adults continued their conversation.
The kind lady appeared extremely excited, occasionally casting joyful glances in his direction.
Xue Hui immediately rose from his chair when he noticed Chen Zhenlong approaching him alongside the director.
The director knelt to meet his gaze and happily delivered the news.
"Xue Hui, from now on, you'll be staying at the Divine Family mansion. Make sure not to cause any trouble when you get there, understand?"
Xue Hui nodded, though he didn't immediately grasp what she meant.
As her words sank in, he gradually realized what staying at the Divine Family mansion implied.
His eyes widened like saucers as his gaze shifted between the director and Chen Zhenlong, as if asking whether she was telling the truth.
Seeing this, Chen Zhenlong cleared his throat and spoke.
"I was told that you are a diligent and kind boy, someone who knows how to do chores and take care of others. If you are willing to come with me to the Divine Family mansion and become my daughter's personal attendant, I will provide you with a place to live, meals, and an education. You will also receive compensation for your work. As long as you perform your duties with the utmost care, you will never have to worry about being sent back to the orphanage."
Xue Hui turned toward the director, who eagerly nodded and silently encouraged him to accept.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Xue Hui made his decision.
"Xue Hui is willing. Xue Hui w-will work hard. Senior won't regret bringing Xue Hui with him."
Chen Zhenlong nodded.
"Then let us return to the Divine Family. I will introduce you to my daughter, and from this day forward, your foremost duty will be to attend to her needs."
End of Chapter 2