Chapter One: Who Do You Think You Are?

Zhao Family, Young Master's Courtyard.

"I'm not dead!"

Zhao Yuan felt his body in shock, especially over his heart, which was perfectly intact.

He distinctly recalled that last night, a man in black had suddenly appeared in his room. The man's strength was overwhelming; with a single move, he had shattered Zhao Yuan's heart.

But now, he was unharmed. Could it have all been a dream?

"Impossible. I will never forget the agony of my heart being crushed. It was no dream. Who was it that tried to kill me?"

Suddenly, his heart began to beat, deep and powerful—strangely so.

How could he have a heartbeat when his heart had been destroyed? He looked inward.

He saw a mass of black mist occupying the spot where his heart should have been.

"What... is this?"

Zhao Yuan frowned, reaching out to touch it. Could this thing have saved him?

Where had this black mist come from? That it could keep him alive was uncanny and unheard of.

He exhaled, deciding not to dwell on it further.

No matter what, since he was still alive, he had to find the one who had tried to assassinate him.

He failed to notice the profound shift in his own state of mind.

A moment later, he realized that, unable to awaken his bloodline, how could he possibly face that killer?

In this world where martial strength is everything, those without a bloodline are no different from ants.

"Let me go!"

Just then, a voice echoed from outside. Zhao Yuan's brows furrowed; it was his younger sister, Zhao Ling'er.

"Stop right there! You have some nerve! How dare you hit Young Master Zhu! Do you think your useless young master can protect you?"

A burly young man, amusement flickering across his face, seized Zhao Ling'er by the shoulder.

"Let me go!" Zhao Ling'er struggled, but she didn't have the strength to break free.

She hadn't expected the Zhu family to be so brazen as to cause trouble right in the Zhao household, nor that some Zhao disciples would side with Young Master Zhu.

"Zhao Qi, if you dare touch her again, I'll cripple that hand of yours."

Zhao Yuan stepped out, his gaze cold as he looked at him.

Zhao Qi was the son of the current family head and a subordinate of Zhao Hu.

Two years ago, when Zhao Yuan's father was still alive, Zhao Hu had always followed him, eager to learn the art of body refinement.

Who would have thought that Zhao Hu's father would inherit the position of family head, but since Zhao Hu was not of the main bloodline, he could not become the young master. Out of resentment, he often sent Zhao Qi to bully Zhao Yuan.

Now, Zhao Qi even dared to lay hands on his sister.

"Well, well, and who might this be? Isn't this the Zhao family's young master?" Zhao Qi looked up and laughed. "Do you still think you're the prodigy from two years ago? You're fifteen and haven't even awakened your bloodline, yet you dare boast so shamelessly."

"Young Master Zhu has taken a liking to your sister. That's a blessing for you. You should feel honored. Once your sister marries into the Zhu family, there will be plenty of benefits for you, too."

Zhao Qi sneered, showing no fear of Zhao Yuan's status as young master.

A useless wretch who hasn't awakened his bloodline, trying to threaten them—it was laughable.

"Brother! Save me!" Zhao Ling'er's eyes brimmed with tears; she was terrified.

Though Zhao Ling'er was an adopted child, Zhao Yuan's parents treated her as their own. He, too, saw her as his real sister and never let her suffer.

He would never allow anyone to harm her.

Zhao Yuan's voice was icy. "Today, I will show you what happens to a dog who dares to defy his master."

"How dare you insult me! You're courting death!" Zhao Qi, stung to the core, flew into a rage.

Zhao Yuan stepped forward toward Zhao Qi. At that moment, his presence was like a fierce beast. The furious Zhao Qi froze, sensing the terrifying pressure.

But in the next instant, he regained his composure, grinding his teeth. "Stop pretending. Am I, Zhao Qi, supposed to fear a useless wretch like you?"

"My awakened Wild Bull bloodline is a one-star blood mark. I can shatter black iron. Today, I'll let you see for yourself!"

Zhao Qi stomped his foot, and a red blood mark appeared before him, coalescing into the massive horns of a wild bull, like twin warhammers, charging forward with a thunderous crash.

Zhao Yuan frowned. Just standing before this bull, he could feel its aggressive aura pressing down on him. If he were struck, the consequences would be dire.

Yet he felt no fear.

His father had trained his body for fifteen years; that was no waste.

With a bang, Zhao Yuan reached out and seized the bull's horns, bracing himself against the ground and withstanding the force.

Zhao Qi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! You blocked the power of a bloodline with mere physical strength!"

In truth, once Zhao Yuan grabbed the bull, he felt his strength draining rapidly. After just a few breaths, he was barely holding on.

Was he truly so weak?

If only he, too, had a bloodline, he would not be so powerless.

Suddenly, his heart thundered like a drum, as if in response. A wondrous force surged through his body.

This power gathered in his palm, filled with irresistible pull.

In the next instant, a black pattern appeared on his palm, as if guiding him to unleash this force.

The sensation was extraordinary. Zhao Yuan felt his palm grow ten times stronger, and, almost without thinking, he shoved forward.

With a crack, the stone tiles beneath his feet split.

A thunderous crash sounded; the blood-marked wild bull vanished instantly, and Zhao Qi spat out a mouthful of blood.

Pointing at Zhao Yuan, Zhao Qi stammered, "How is this possible..."

Before he could finish, a searing handprint appeared on his face.

"I am Zhao Hu's man; how dare you—"

Smack!

"You dare—"

Smack! Smack! Smack! A succession of slaps rang out.

Every time Zhao Qi tried to speak, Zhao Yuan struck him until he finally collapsed unconscious, his anger finally abated.

Sobbing, Zhao Ling'er threw herself into Zhao Yuan's arms.

He comforted her gently, "It's all right now. What happened?"

With reddened eyes, Zhao Ling'er replied, "That second young master of the Zhu family wants to take me as a concubine. When I refused, they tried to force me."

At that, Zhao Yuan's expression turned icy cold.

Zhao Ling'er was only thirteen. To try to force her to marry into the Zhu family, and as a concubine at that—these people's hearts were truly vile.

Moreover, the Zhao family was no weaker than the Zhu family. For Zhu Fengliu to be so brazen, it was obvious that Zhao Hu was secretly abetting him.

In another courtyard, Zhao Hu and Zhu Fengliu were drinking together, laughing and chatting.

Zhu Fengliu fingered the bright red handprint on his face, eyes blazing with anger. "Zhao Hu, if you don't handle this properly, don't expect to get that talisman artifact."

Zhao Hu forced a smile. "Young Master Zhu, rest assured. I will make sure Zhao Ling'er is brought to you. She is not truly one of the Zhao family, so what harm in giving her to you?"

"Zhao Qi should be here any moment."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Qi collapsed before him.

Zhao Hu was startled, for Zhao Qi's face was swollen and bloody.

"Young Master Zhao, save me!"