In a quiet courtyard guarded by six stoic men, a single locked door stood resolute against the world outside. Within, a boy no older than fifteen sat cross-legged before a guqin, his fingers dancing lightly over the strings.
Around him lay stacks of books, their spines worn and pages bent from countless readings.
His eyes, faintly red and piercing like dawn-touched rubies, gave him an unexpectedly intimidating air. White hair fell over his shoulders, stark against the vitality of his youth, lending him a handsomeness that seemed almost ethereal.
A crimson flame-shaped mark burned between his brows, glowing faintly against his pale skin.
His hands calmed the Guqin.
"Haih~ its been 15 years since I've reincarnated into this world. I haven't even seen the day of light for a few months before being confined to this room." His voice was soft, tinged with a wistful humor.
Fifteen years ago, Su Ye had been reborn into a world of cultivation from the modern age. He remembered his father's hatred, but with the clarity of past memories, he found isolation to be not entirely unpleasant. Free from the pressures of rival sects and ruthless nobles, at least he had a sanctuary.
The courtyard was modest but comfortable, with sufficient food and warmth. Even if the meals were simple, Su Ye paid them little mind.
A knock at the door drew his attention.
"Ye'er! Are you awake?"
Su Ye's lips curved into a gentle smile as he rose.
"Mom, I'm awake."
The door creaked open. Su Ru entered, her flowing robes a soft red, face warm with affection. Behind her, the handmaiden Xiao Lan carried a box in. Su Ru sat upon a stool while Xiao Lan poured, the faint clink of ceramic filling the silent room.
"Ye'er, I brought you some sweets! Come eat!"
"Thank you, Mom!" Su Ye's smile was bright, his eyes lighting up as he reached for the plate.
Su Ru's fingers lightly ruffled the hair at the back of his head.
"Ye'er, did you miss me?"
Still stuffing his face, he spoke, "Of course I did! But I'm grown now. Mom, you should stop treating me like a child."
Seriously, it's hard to keep acting like a child...
Her laugh was soft, like the tinkling of jade bells in spring. "No matter your age, you will always be my child."
The smile faded slightly, and Su Ye noticed the subtle shift in her mood.
"Mom… is something wrong?"
Su Ru caressed his cheek gently, her eyes reflecting a sorrow she rarely revealed. "It's nothing… I just feel sorry for you. You've been confined since you were a child. Do you blame me Ye'er?"
Su Ye shook his head. "Of course not, Mom."
"Really?"
"Really! I never lacked food or clothing. I live better than most out there."
"Then… have you ever wanted to leave this place?" Su Ru's voice was quiet, almost hesitant.
Su Ye rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips. "What's outside? I bet it's far more boring than my room."
In this era where strength dictated fate, venturing beyond the courtyard could mean sudden death.
A misstep could see him punished by princes, nobles, or even the emperor himself. Unlike transmigrated heroes in stories who grasped power instantly, Su Ye had none.
The outside world offered nothing more than danger.
Street food? Overrated. Hygiene? One shivered at the thought of hands unwashed before touching the food. Music and art? Nothing piqued his modern curiosity.
A life of lying flat! Simple and carefree, that was the dream!
Yet, there was one regret. He could not cultivate.
Every attempt to wield Qi was met with an invisible barrier.
Perhaps his soul, was the problem as it was from another world.
Still… the body was perfect. Handsome, strong, a main character's frame.
But what use was beauty?
No matter how good he looked, he was like a thin stick against a cultivator, easy to snap in half.
"Ye'er… if Mother wishes to leave, will you come with me?"
Su Ye looked at her calmly, "…Mom… are you planning to leave?"
Su Ru's tired eyes softened. "At first, no. Your father visits less since taking a concubine. But now… your uncle–your father's brother, has broken through to the Transparent Stage. He's coming to pick us up."
Su Ye listened intently. In this world, cultivation progressed in stages:
1st Step: Transformation Stage
2nd Step: Alternative Stage
3rd Step: Solidification Stage
4th Step: Engraving Stage
5th Step: Transparent Stage
6th Step: Shapeless Stage
7th Step: Parallel Step
8th Step: No Step
A cultivator in the Transparent Stage could slice through mountains and seas, their power almost godlike.
"Dad… what a scum!" Su Ye's voice dripped with youthful disdain.
"I never blamed him," Su Ru replied calmly. "Ever since he tried to kill you as a baby, I can't endure sharing a room with him any longer."
"Heh! I expected at least some integrity, but he's just another lustful old man!"
Su Ye cocked his head, confused. "Mom… can you even divorce him? What if Dad refuses?"
"Let him refuse. Then he'll get a taste of my brothers halberd! I'll tell my brother to add in 10 slaps for me, 10 slaps for you, and 10 slaps just because!"
Su Ru smiled faintly, mischief and determination mixing in her gaze.
Su Ye laughed awkwardly.
Am I the modern one, or is she? So tyrannical...
"Then when do we leave?"
"In three days… your uncle arrives then." She paused, her hand resting on his cheek. "Ye'er, from now on, you need not live like this. You'll go where you wish, be who you wish. How could the son of Su Ru be ordinary?"
Su Ye felt a spark of anticipation as her fingers lingered on his face.
"Wait for me, Ye'er. I will bring you out."