Chapter Seven: Sudden Upheaval

In the courtyard, his mother lay unconscious in Aunt Huang’s arms, blood streaming from her wounds. Everything was in chaos—household belongings strewn about, the doorframe knocked down, the water jar at the entrance shattered, water spilling across the stone steps. He hurried forward, scooping his mother into his arms and carrying her inside, while a neighbor recounted all that had happened.

That day, the Shen family’s Second, Third, and Fifth Madams, along with his cousins and a retinue of attendants, had broken in. They ransacked the place, claiming that since they had rebelled against the Shen family, they were forbidden from taking any valuables. Madam Liu, who had been packing up her belongings with Aunt Huang, tried to stop them. Fifth Cousin Shen Linghan kicked her to the ground, and the three Madams proceeded to beat and kick her. Second Cousin Shen Jiayuan even ripped the earrings from Liu’s ears, tearing her earlobes. Anything of value was snatched away, and under Second Madam’s orders, the servants smashed all the furniture.

Witnessing this, Liu struggled to her feet to intervene, but was beaten down again by the women—her fate uncertain. The mob threatened to wait for Shen Junhuai’s return to strip him of all martial skills associated with the Shen family. After receiving the family head’s order from a servant, they departed with the stolen goods and even his father’s ancestral tablet.

Hearing this, Shen Junhuai was overwhelmed with grief and rage, his eyes wild, teetering on the edge of madness.

At that moment, Shen Yihuan, having been hastily summoned, arrived. After checking Liu’s pulse, he urgently ordered medicine and sent word to the outer-court steward. By the time Shen Junhuai had been restrained and the medicine brought, Liu’s wounds were beyond healing. She passed away after a brief moment of lucidity.

All that occurred that day was sudden and brutal; Shen Junhuai, overcome by shock and rage, fainted repeatedly. Those who witnessed the scene wept, lamenting the tragedy that had befallen mother and son.

Night passed.

Shen Yihuan came from the Shen family mansion. Shen Junhuai, who had sat in silence all night, listened quietly to the news he brought.

It was all orchestrated by Shen Linghan and Shen Lingyu, brothers who conspired with their mother, the Third Madam, and other family branches to loot the house. The family head was unaware at first, and by the time he sent someone to intervene, the damage was done. Knowing Shen Yihuan was close to their family, he left a message for Shen Junhuai: what was done would not be pursued further. Once the Fourth Madam’s funeral was over, Shen Junhuai was to collect a thousand inferior spirit stones from the Shen mansion, have his surname stripped, and leave the family estate, severing all ties with the Shens.

Hearing this, Shen Junhuai said not a word, but a chilling light flashed in his eyes. In a single night, the twelve-year-old grew up.

Three days later, Madam Liu was laid to rest.

Seven days later, Shen Junhuai wept before her grave.

Twenty-one days later, he poured a cup of muddy wine as libation at her tomb, kowtowed three times, and with the Shadow Blade concealed in his breast, set out for the Shen family mansion.

That night, at the Shen family mansion, Shen Junhuai climbed the courtyard wall with one hand and slipped inside. The third compound belonged to the Third Madam’s branch. Avoiding the night patrol, he tossed in a dagger bearing a message:

“Shen Linghan, in three years I will claim the lives of your entire family. All who share in the Shen family’s crimes will be punished. Liu Junhuai.”

The next morning, outside the western city at Crane Ridge Mountain Range, Liu Junhuai—now bearing his mother’s surname—appeared deep in a mountain valley. In a cave carved into the cliff beside a pool, he sat in a semicircle with Wu Wanren, Shen Yihuan, and a middle-aged man with a long beard.

“Nephew Junhuai,” began the bearded swordsman, “now your mother’s funeral is done, why not enter the Gate of Destiny with me? This place is well hidden, but the path of cultivation is not to be taken lightly. We have abundant resources, and you’ll have someone to look after your daily needs—no need to worry about the future.”

Wu Wanren also urged, “What my uncle says is true. It will be hard for you alone. At least in the Gate of Destiny, you’ll be cared for.” The bearded swordsman was his uncle, Yun Jiezi, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Liu Junhuai replied gratefully, “Your words are wise, Senior, but I was born with five mixed spiritual roots, and do not meet the Gate’s entry requirements. If I joined rashly, I fear it would raise objections. Uncle Huan has found me a technique to refine my roots—should I succeed, I will come to Qu Dang Mountain to seek your tutelage. I hope you understand.” This was what he and Uncle Huan had planned, to leave himself a way out.

“Oh? Such a wondrous art exists?” Yun Jiezi was astonished. “If it works, you can present it to the sect master of the Gate of Destiny and will be richly rewarded. It would greatly help your standing within the sect.” His eyes shone with envy.

“If this cultivation method works, I will gladly offer it up. Uncle Huan shares this intention. However, this technique is unheard of, and Uncle Huan dares not reveal it lightly.” Liu Junhuai thought to himself, Not even a disciple yet, and already coveting my technique. A delaying tactic was necessary—the Gate of Destiny was not an enemy he could afford.

“That will suffice. Focus on your cultivation for now, and report the results to the sect when the time comes.” Yun Jiezi handed him a jade token. “This is a messaging talisman—should you encounter danger, crush it, and the Gate of Destiny will come to your aid. Here are some spirit pills and stones—use them as needed.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Senior. I will never forget it,” Liu Junhuai said, rising to bow.

Wu Wanren also gave his advice. After bidding them farewell, Shen Yihuan said, “The family matter is settled. Compose yourself quickly and focus on cultivation as we discussed. It’s vital you keep safe here alone. I’ll visit often. I’ve left you formulas for Fasting and Foundation Establishment Pills; gather the herbs and I’ll bring them, so study alchemy diligently…”

After his departure, Liu Junhuai truly realized that the road ahead must be walked alone.

The cave was deep; after securing the entrance, Liu Junhuai went to the very back, where a mountain spring flowed down the wall.

After bathing and cleaning himself thoroughly, Liu Junhuai sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and his eyes shone with resolve. “Shen family, just wait—I will have my revenge.”

Meanwhile, the Shen family mansion was in turmoil. At dawn, the Third Young Master and the Third Madam hurried to the inner court to see the patriarch.

Patriarch Shen Ao read his seventh grandson’s message, a storm of emotions in his heart.

The Third Madam’s eyes were full of fear. Though Liu Junhuai was young, three years hence he would only be fifteen—yet who could know what opportunities the boy might encounter, or guarantee he would not become powerful? She already felt the terror this twelve-year-old brought upon her household.

Shen Ao sighed deeply; he hadn’t expected the child of the fourth branch to possess such courage. Thankfully, there were three years to prepare. The third branch’s two sons were considered geniuses in the Shen family—not inferior to the main branch. At sixteen or seventeen, reaching the fifth stage of martial cultivation was rare; any mishap would be a significant loss.

“What do you all think?” Shen Ao said, unmoved by his daughter-in-law’s tears, yet knowing the matter must be handled. “Go tell the eldest branch that at my behest, his son Bingwen is to be recalled for consultation. See if his two cousins can be sent to Yanfu Palace, and request some of Yanfu Palace’s experts to protect the Shen family.”

Third Young Master Shen Hengshan responded, “That is indeed necessary. Under such pressure, perhaps the brothers will break through further.”

Shen Ao’s eldest son, Shen Hengyi, had a son named Shen Bingwen—at twenty-one, already at the eighth martial stage, sent as a teenager to Misty Peak’s Yanfu Palace, now an inner disciple there.

Yanfu Palace was a top-tier sect in the Fengling Kingdom, though only third-rate across the vast Star Heaven Continent. Relying on the powerful Meteor Mansion—on par with the Haitian Pavilion as a top-tier sect—Yanfu Palace had solid foundations.