The sound of pounding echoed through the community courtyard, harsh and abrupt in its impact. It broke the tenuously held silence that had fallen on the area, as if the area itself had grown accustomed to being overlooked, to being remembered at times when it mattered less than it did then.
Inside, Luo Feng sat calmly, without even looking at the entrance, when he spoke with calculated composure, neither in haste nor with annoyance. "You may come in," he said.
The door creaked as it swung open, and a servant slid into the room. She moved as if she owned the courtyard, and it was thus beneath her notice that it was his home and not hers. Nonetheless, she quickly scanned the room before settling her eyes upon Luo Feng. He did not look up at her. His eyes remained fixed upon some point before him, his expression distracted as if he were hearing something that she could not.
As there was no response, the servant did not appear to be affronted. A hint of a smile played about her lips, and a flicker of contempt glinted in her eyes. She spoke uncivilly, her voice devoid of inflection.
"The Patriarch has issued an order. All direct descendants must gather at the main hall."
Luo Feng made a soothing hum in response. This was neither an affirmation nor a full acknowledgement, yet it was sufficient for an acknowledgement.
Without waiting for an answer, the servant turned and walked away from the courtyard. Her footsteps were still slow and easy, just as they were when she arrived. It seemed as if their conversation never even registered with her.
Silence fell once again.
It was only after her steps had faded into the distance that Luo Feng allowed himself to exhale. His sigh was muted, but with a certain weight.
He had transmigrated. It still felt odd, even after the passing of time. He was no longer who he used to be. He had woken up in this body, in this world, as Luo Feng of the Luo family, a name that sounded prestigious in theory, although it meant nothing much among the clan.
The untalented young master. That was the name whispered around, even if it would never be spoken to his face. His training was not extraordinary. The potential in him was tapped out. Relatively speaking, he was only a burden with the mask of the direct descendant.
Because of this, even the servants were treating him with thinly veiled contempt.
The Luo family was by no means a small one. And so, within its walls, everything was dictated by status. Strength represented respect, and respect represented treatment. Luo Feng neither possessed strength nor status for which one could earn their genuine respect. Those who belonged to a lower status felt protected in their contempt, assured that no punishment would ever befall a person whom their own family had already written off.
None of them tried to pretend otherwise.
Rubbing his temples briefly, Luo Feng forced himself to his feet. The body he occupied was feeble, unresponsive, as if standing up took more strength than it should. Nevertheless, he stood up straight and started to walk towards the main hall.
Whatever his destination there, staying away would only make things worse.
The large assembly hall was already full when Luo Feng got there. Seats were aligned along each side, packed tightly with clan members as well as a few guests. The soft murmuring voices conveyed a communal anticipation.
On the opposite side of the hall, at the far end, elevated above the rest, was seated the Luo Clan Patriarch, Luo Bo. The look on his face was as glacial as it could be. The edges of his face were etched into a hard line, a sure sign of his displeasure. He was seated upright, his hands on the armrests of his chair.
Before him stood an older man who wore the markings of the Huang family. His eyebrows were narrowed, and his lips were lined with displeasure – the look of a critical moment on the verge of exploding.
"Elder Fang," Luo Bo began, his voice steady and unyielding. "My decision is final. The engagement between Luo Yuexi and Huang Lei will be annulled."
A ripple passed through the hall, a moment of quiet but palpable tension. People shifted and looked at one another, but no one uttered a word.
Huang Fang's face clouded over immediately. His jaws clenched, and a glint entered his eyes. Everything had seemed to be working out perfectly. Both families had agreed upon the engagement, and the two young people had shown real interest in each other.
Then came the turning point-the opportunity.
A sect had picked Luo Yuexi. This single event completely overturned the entire dynamic. The Luo family had taken advantage of it without any qualms and broken off the engagement, citing that the Huang family no longer deserved to be part of it.
For Huang Fang, the act of swallowing the bitter pill was not an easy thing. But Huang Lei behaved with the composure of someone who had long practised the art of being impassive. Huang Lei stood there, his head held high and looking unruffled and composed, though beneath his tranquil façade, a touch of resignation seemed to be present.
At this moment, the doors to the main hall opened.
The sound attracted a lot of attention to the entrance.
Luo Feng entered the hall. His attire was plain, appearing much more modest than the greater majority around him, and his demeanour lacked the confidence and semblance of authority that a direct descendant ought to possess. He proceeded to move ahead, his eyes scanning the hall, taking in the seating arrangements, the faces he knew so well, and the lurking glances of censure that hung in the room.
His eyes settled on Huang Lei next. For an instant, the room receded from him, and Luo Feng's focus concentrated on just one man. Then, without warning, a presence emerged in his mind.
[Detected a suitable host to bind. Would you like to proceed?]