While Ishan was lost deep in his thoughts, a faint disturbance brushed against his senses. His instincts sharpened instantly — someone was trying to infiltrate his home. The intruder's presence was so subtle that only someone with Ishan's perception could notice it.It wasn't just an ordinary thief. Whoever it was, they were trained — moving with precision, hidden in the night.
Silently, Ishan slipped out from his hut and hid among the tall bamboo trees behind his courtyard. The moonlight filtered through the slender leaves, painting shifting patterns on the ground. A few moments later, a shadowy figure landed lightly on a nearby bamboo stalk.
The stranger balanced perfectly on the flexible wood, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard below. From the darkness, Ishan watched without a sound. His breathing slowed, his body still as a hunting serpent.
After ensuring the yard was empty, the figure descended silently. His black clothes and face cloth concealed his identity — but not from Ishan. His eyes caught a faint glint of red on the man's finger — a ring carved with the insignia of a lion devouring the sun's light.
That emblem…It belonged only to the direct heirs of the Singhania family.
So, a core descendant had come sneaking into his home.
But who?
Ishan decided to wait.
The figure remained cautious, scanning the shadows. When he finally relaxed, he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with venom."Damn you, Ishan… you think you're some brave hero? I'll see how brave you are tonight! How dare you slap my brother? Arrogant fool, always flaunting your title as young master…"
He clenched his fists."Tonight, I'll beat that smug face of yours until even your reflection won't recognize you. Or my name isn't Ranbir!"
Hidden behind the bamboos, Ishan's lips curled into a cold smile.So it's Ranbir… Rajesh's little brother.
He remembered the boy — infamous for bullying the weak, a spoiled devil of the Singhania branch family. Too cowardly to face Ishan before, he had always tormented Rajiv instead.
Now, fate had brought him right into the wolf's den.
Ishan sensed his aura — sixth stage of the Physical Level, a mediocre warrior at best. Perfect.
He struck without warning.
A faint whoosh — and Ishan's palm crashed against Ranbir's head. The boy fell face-first into the dirt, grunting in pain.He scrambled up quickly, spinning around — but the courtyard was empty.
What—? He blinked, confused.
Another strike came, harder this time — sending him tumbling again.Dust filled his mouth and eyes. Coughing, he stood, fury in his gaze."Who's there?! Come out if you have courage!"
Slap!Another blow, sharper and faster than before. Ranbir staggered, his face swelling red.
Tears of frustration welled in his eyes."I know it's you, Ishan! Come out! Or I swear—"
Before he could finish, a powerful slap echoed, nearly spinning him around.This time, Ishan stepped into the moonlight — calm, unbothered, a ghostly smirk on his face."You two brothers really are fools," Ishan said coldly. "Your brother was slapped for the same arrogance earlier today… and here you are, repeating history."
Ranbir's eyes widened.The once worthless "young master" — the one everyone mocked — now radiated terrifying composure.
Still, stubborn pride made him snarl,"I'm not calling you young master! Do your worst!"
"Oh?" Ishan tilted his head, his tone darkening. "Then I'll start with the part of you you cherish most."
Ranbir froze. He knew exactly what Ishan meant — his womanizing reputation was infamous, his lust destroying several innocent lives.
Without hesitation, Ishan's foot shot upward, landing brutally between Ranbir's legs. The boy crumpled, a muffled scream trapped behind the bamboo-leaf ball Ishan had shoved in his mouth.Only his tear-filled eyes spoke the agony he couldn't voice.
"So, still won't call me young master?" Ishan asked softly.
Ranbir shook his head violently, still defiant.
Ishan chuckled, eyes glinting. "Then let me guess — you told your father you'd come here, didn't you?"
Ranbir shook his head again."No?" Ishan's smirk widened. "Then your brother must know."
Another shake — desperate this time.
Ishan's expression turned cold, his words slicing through the air."So if I kill you right now and bury your body beneath this soil… no one would ever find out."
Ranbir froze — his heart pounding, face pale.For the first time in his spoiled life, fear overtook arrogance.He shook his head rapidly, eyes begging for mercy.
Ishan leaned closer, his tone dangerously calm."Ready to call me young master now?"
Ranbir's trembling neck finally nodded yes.
"Good," Ishan said, voice almost kind. "Then I won't kill you. But… sneaking into the young master's courtyard deserves punishment."
He paused, thinking — then smiled, a smile that froze Ranbir's blood.That was no human grin. It was the smile of a predator who had found sport.
He grabbed Ranbir by the collar with one hand, lifting him effortlessly, and carried him toward the tallest bamboo stalk in the grove."Ready to fly, little bird?" Ishan asked mockingly.
Ranbir's eyes widened in terror, but before he could react, Ishan bent the bamboo down like a catapult — and released it.The tree whipped upward, hurling Ranbir screaming into the night sky.
A fading silhouette… soaring straight toward the Singhania family's stables.
Ishan dusted his hands, chuckled, and walked back toward his hut.The night wind carried his faint whisper —"Next time, send someone stronger."
Meanwhile, in a luxurious manor elsewhere in the Singhania estate…
Rajveer sat on a carved wooden chair, brows furrowed."How could that boy dare to slap you? And then… challenge you to a life-and-death duel?" he muttered, disbelief in his tone. "Has his talent… returned?"
The thought unsettled him.
Rajesh, standing nearby, looked uneasy but quickly dismissed it."That's impossible, Father. If he'd recovered his talent, he wouldn't still be stuck at the Physical Level. We'd all be bowing before him again by now."
Rajveer exhaled slowly. "Perhaps. But we can't take chances."
He reached into his robe and handed Rajesh a small jade bottle."Here. A Vital Core Pill. You've already reached the peak of the Physical Level — with this, you can break through before the duel. Once you reach the Vital Core Stage, his defeat is guaranteed."
Rajesh's eyes gleamed."Thank you, Father. I won't let you down."
Rajveer nodded approvingly. "Good. Soon, the sect's selection trials will begin. Once you enter, even the Grand Elders won't be able to challenge my decisions."
Rajesh bowed slightly — but a thought crossed his mind."Father… where's Ranbir?"
Rajveer sighed. "I don't know. That useless boy's probably chasing girls again."
He clenched his jaw, suppressing anger."If only he had your focus…"
Rajesh smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Father. I'll handle everything."
Just then, a servant entered the hall and bowed."Master, Magistrate Ashok has returned. He's called for a meeting tomorrow morning."
Rajveer's expression darkened instantly."So… Ashok is back." His lips curled in cold fury."Then it's time someone reminded him of his place."