Scene 4 - Bastard Son

In another part of the city in a very expensive looking mansion, seven people in red robes were kneeling down being beaten senseless by an old man with a horse wick in hand.

“YOU FOOLS HOW DARE YOU LOSE OUR KHOA CLAN FACE!!! YOU DISHONOR YOUR ANCESTORS!!! YOU COULDN’T WIN AGAINST SOME BACKWATER CULTIVATORS!!”

The old man lashed out ruthlessly with words and lashing once again at the seven trembling youths. Various wounds covered their bodies from steel-tipped whisk ends. One by one they fell down crying in a pool of their blood and tears Except for Bolen who despite the most punishment brought down upon him.

A back littered dozens upon dozens of criss-cross marks despite his bloody back he didn’t utter a single sound, instead, his head hang low devoid of emotion at the old man punishment.

With a cold humph the old man snapped his fingers and had the servants carry the seven youths away to heal their wounds. Yet just before leaving earshot, Bolen could hear the elder voice, “Tsk, as expected of bastard trash born from muddled blood. Why does your father even keep you around?”

Gritting his teeth in the shadows Bolens eyes had already become bloodshot orange, ‘Just you wait, old man, when I become the head of the Kora Clan and make all those who looked down upon me we discussed will pay.’

The old man was thinking outwardly saw Bolen stop for a moment smiled evilly, “Oh? Have something to say, boy? Please, by all means, speak your mind!”Without a hint of hesitation, Bolen smiled at the elder, eyes squinting like two crescent moons, ”Not at all elder, this little one thanks elder for his just punishment. I shall take my leave now Elder Shi Lee.”

“Mhmm very will you may go tend to your wounds since you love the punishment so much no one may help you apply the medicine. Or they will face the same punishment!”

Still smiling without faulting his mask Bolen bowed,“Understood Elder! I will now take my leave!”

Not paying attention anymore to this bastard son; Elder Shi Lee turned his attention to a book nearby and began reading.

Shooing the fly away with his hand in which Bolen took this time to leave; entering the hallway with a shadow cast over his eyes, ‘This bastard… Just you wait! Like those who led my mother to death; my father who did nothing to stop it and those two brothers who orchestrated it all… Will pay the price!’

Clutching his hands tightly by his side Bolen walked back to his room, ‘Ahhh Sect Master Mo I will endure as you requested! I hope those monsters can help remove those bastards from the clan!’

Servants watched from the shadows walking as he walked past without giving him a single glance. Bolen didn’t care though he walked alone for so long that he had become numb to it, soon enough he reached his room.

He opened the door where an unexpected figure sat inside a chair too big for her small body; with an appearance bored out of her mind until she brightened up like a puppy, “Big brother you’re back finally! How wa-- you're injured! Who did this to you! Here lay down little sis will help apply some healing cream!”

A warm smiled appeared on Bolens face seeing the 11-year-old girl with brown hair and brown eyes acting so flustered healed his heart a little, “I’m fine Lulia I just need a little res--”

His vision became blurry despite being a 4th H.R.E. his body's vitality hadn’t increased much higher than a regular mortal's body. He lost control of his body as he fell on his bed face down unable to move weakly he said, “Don’t help the Elder forbid anyone from helping m-- OW!”

Lulia paid his words no heed, “Big brother should just be quiet, and let little sis take care of you! Humph! The Elder wouldn’t dare hurt me or papa would beat him!”

Bolen sighed deeply closing his eyes, “Ah I can’t win against you, I promise to play with you Lulia when I wake up…”

The little girl pouted, “That’s right! Little sis is always right! It’s good you know this big brother and--”

Seeing the sleeping expression of Bolen, Lulia stopped talking and began applying the healing cream with care written across her face.

|P|R|I|D|E|

BAck in the room with the Elder Shi Lee stood a large man standing at attention.

Turning his head slightly towards the man Elder Shi gave a stern gaze “Orin, I want you to get back our face by bringing the heads of those who dared to stand against our great Khoa clan. You understand if you fail right?”

The cold-eyed elder nodded pleased, “Good! I better see results or your punishment will be ten times worse than that foolish bunch led by that bastard!”