Jin Yu entered his father’s courtyard, sulking and exhausted from cursing at Shen—who, despite everything, had refused to get angry. That damned man was like a rock.

  Behind him, Haozi walked quietly, his gaze lingered with concern. After Shen’s words, he was beginning to believe something really was wrong with Jin Yu.

  Shen,unfazed as usual led them through the courtyard into the backyard. There, Jin Wei and Uncle Lin sat beneath a flowering tree, the two of them sipping fragrant tea. The scent drifted gently through the air, so soothing that Jin Yu instinctively swallowed, his mouth dry.

  Chen Haoran stood silently in front of Uncle Lin, his head bowed low.

  Jin Yu’s eyes narrowed. Did he get scolded or something?

  “Old Master. Uncle Lin,” both Shen and Haozi greeted respectfully.

  Jin Yu, still trying to play things cool, threw on a grin and strolled forward with false confidence.

  “Old man, I came to see you this morning yet you are still missing me this night. And now you’re calling for me? Heh, that's new” he chuckled lightly.

  Jin Wei stared at him expressionlessly.

  Uncle Lin didn’t speak. He kept sipping his tea, calm as ever.

  Jin Yu coughed into his fist. “Ahem… well, I’m here now. What did you want to see me for?”

  “Where were you?” Jin Wei asked, tone flat.

  “Oh, that? I was in my room. Sleeping.” Jin Yu lied with wide eyes, feigning innocence.

  Jin Wei didn’t blink. “I’ll ask again. Where were you?”

  This time, his voice was dangerously low.

  Jin Yu felt a chill on his spine, but forced himself to hold firm. He wasn’t going to admit he'd been to a brothel.

  “I told you,I was in my room, sleeping.” He met his father's gaze, nervous but stubborn.

  Behind him, Haozi was sweating bullets, fingers twitching. Why is young master lying like this? Old master already knows where he went...

  Even Chen Haoran let out a faint sigh. This brat was hopeless.

  Uncle Lin, for his part, didn’t even glance up,he just sipped his tea as if none of this concerned him.

  Shen stood off to the side, his expression unreadable.

  Jin Wei stared at him for a long moment before speaking slowly, each word like a heavy stone

  “The cultivation techniques I gave to you. Where are they?”

  Jin Yu’s heart skipped.

  His mind raced—The Misty Technique and Divine Phase Technique!

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  Where are they?

  His thoughts flashed through the entire day.

  leaving his father's courtyard

  That sharp-tongued woman who called him motherless.

  Getting lost.

  The battle arena.

  Chopping off Yan Houdong’s hand.

  The Velvet Lantern Pavilion.

  Yue.

  Shen arriving.....

  Then,His memory came to a halt.

  The battle arena!

  He remembered stuffing the scrolls into his chest pocket.

  His eyes dropped to his chest.

  Nothing

  The weight was gone!.

  With trembling hands, he patted the spot.

  Nothing.

  Panic surged. No… no way! I put it there! I know I did!

  He checked again, frantically slapping down his robes, even glancing around the floor in desperation. Where is it?!

  He touched his chest again, in disbelief. Again and again.

  Then his eyes widened in horror.

  The pavilion!.

  So many women touched me… including Yue. It must’ve happened there.

  His heart sank like a stone in a well.

  Someone stole it.

  Slowly, Jin Yu raised his eyes to meet his father's,and shivered.

  Jin Wei's gaze was like ice, piercing and unreadable.

  Jin Yu's chest tightened. Guilt churned inside him like a storm. His eyes stung, and before he could stop it, a tear slipped down his cheek,not from fear, but from self-reproach.

  “I’ll… go find it now,” he mumbled, turning to leave.

  But his feet wouldn’t move.

  It was as if they’d been nailed to the ground.

  Confused, he looked up again. “Let me go,” his voice cracked, “I’ll find it. I promise.”

  Jin Wei stared at him in silence, then slowly tilted his head toward the starry sky.

  “You see those stars? Bright, untouchable in all their glory…”

  His voice was low, distant.

  “Before they fade from the sky…”—he turned his eyes back to Jin Yu

  “…if I don’t have those books in my hands...”

  He paused, letting the silence draw tight like a noose.

  “I will take your two eyes.”

  His voice was calm. Flat.

  Cold as the void.

  Just like a whisper from the devil.

  Everyone froze.

  Even Shen’s brows twitched.

  Is he serious?

  Jin Yu's body trembled. A cold sweat coated his back. The fear wasn’t just in his bones—it was in his soul.

  Because Jin Wei wasn’t bluffing.

  There was no rage. No outburst.

  And no Fury Points.

  That was what terrified Jin Yu the most.

  If Jin Wei had just been angry… at least the system would react. But this… this meant something else.

  Has he given up on me…?

  The thought alone was like falling into an abyss.

  I’ll find it,” Jin Yu said through gritted teeth, forcing his panic down.

  But when he tried to take a step—he froze.

  His feet wouldn’t move. It was like they were nailed to the ground.

  What now...?

  He turned toward his father, but Jin Wei had already lifted his cup, sipping tea like nothing existed beyond that gentle aroma.

  Jin Yu blinked, confused—until he felt a strange shift in the air.

  Then...

  Peng!

  A sharp sting smacked his forehead.

  "Ow!" Jin Yu cried out, clutching his head. His eyes went wide in shock. What the hell?!

  His eyes landed on Uncle Lin, who had casually flicked his finger again—

  Peng!

  “Ow, ow! Stop it!” Jin Yu stumbled back, another strike hitting his temple. “Are you insane?! You maniac unc—”

  Peng!

  He didn’t finish the curse when another hit his head.

  Tears welled in his eyes as he choked on his words, holding his head and staring at Uncle Lin in disbelief.

  Uncle Lin looked at him with his usual carefree face and said, “If you so much as think of cursing me from ten miles away, I’ll still hear it. And you’re doing it right here? You’re really asking for a beating.”

  Jin Yu sniffled, rubbing his forehead. “I didn’t even say anything…”

  “You wouldn’t know when you do,” Uncle Lin replied calmly, then waved his hand lazily. “Shen Mu, take him. The beasts won’t kill themselves.”

  Shen Mu stepped forward without a word.

  “W-wait!” Jin Yu yelped, backing away. “What do you mean take me? What beasts? I haven’t found the books yet! Let me go—I’ll search right now—”

  Shen Mu grabbed him by the collar like a disobedient pup and hoisted him up.

  “Father! Father, help me!” Jin Yu shouted, flailing. “Tell them to let me go! I can’t lose my eyes, Father! Please!”

  Jin Wei didn’t even glance his way.

  “Father! I’m begging you!” Jin Yu thrashed and kicked as Shen dragged him out of the courtyard but all he got was that same quiet, unreadable silence.

  Jin Wei didn’t even look his way.

  Haozi panicked and ran after them.

  Chen Haoran sighed and followed quietly.

  Outside, a carriage pulled up. Shen Mu marched forward and tossed Jin Yu in like luggage, then climbed in himself.

  “Hey! Let go of me! You bully! I’m still your young master! Do you want me to die?!”

  Haozi froze at the door, unsure what to do.

  “Get in,” Chen Haoran said, stepping inside.

  “Y-Yes!” Haozi obeyed quickly and joined them.

  Inside, Jin Yu sat crumpled in the corner, hair a mess, eyes wet. His voice cracked as he looked at Shen like a kicked puppy.

  “This is it, right?” he muttered, barely above a whisper. “Uncle Lin sent you to finish me off. You’re all just waiting to take my eyes…”

  He pressed his forehead to the cushion. “Father… please… I swear I’ll find it...”

  But in the silence that followed, Jin Wei’s voice echoed in his mind like a decree from hell:

  “That’s not my concern. I want the books by sunrise.”

  Jin Yu’s body trembled.

  “…You cold-blooded bastard,” he muttered, voice quivering. “Even you’re in on this… You’re all wicked… Maniacs… sniff If you think I’ll beg—forget it! I’d rather go blind than admit defeat!”

  His voice cracked into a sob.

  “Wuwuwuwu… You’re all bullies…”

  Chen Haoran’s lips twitched violently as he looked away, struggling not to laugh.

  Shen Mu’s eyes stayed shut, but a vein on his temple throbbed. Even he seemed affected.

  Haozi sat stiffly in the corner, weeping alongside his young master

  Outside, the horses neighed and took off at full speed.

  And inside the carriage, Jin Yu’s broken sobs were the only sound that followed into the night.