Chapter 2: The Manor of the Zong Family

  It was night, and Zong Yao lay quietly in bed, his mind filled with the words of the black shadow and Zhao Ya Jing, who treated him like her own son.

  Zong Yao knew that with his current situation, it was impossible to return to the world he was familiar with. The only chance of going back lay in that mysterious black shadow. Since it had the ability to bring him to this world, it naturally had the ability to send him back.

  Other things are easy to say, but the most important thing now is the countless locks on his soul. If these things are not removed, Zong Yao always feels that there is a big mountain pressing on his head.

  Zong Yao took a deep breath, clenched his fists tightly, and in this unfamiliar world, he could only rely on himself! He turned over another memory in his soul, and Zong Yao gritted his teeth firmly.

  "From now on, I am Jiǔ Huán Chéng's fourth son, Zōng Yǐn!"

  After speaking, Zong Yao, no, Zong Yin began to carefully recall the memories that belonged to him, slowly establishing the first goal in his heart, which was to become a Yuanshen Master. When his own strength became stronger, he might be able to find a way to save himself. Everything would depend on how he performed tomorrow at the Zong Manor.

  "After becoming an Onmyodo Master, maybe I can help you."

  Just as Zong Yin was making up his mind, a somewhat timid voice suddenly sounded.

  Zong Yin was startled and immediately turned his head around, but he didn't see anyone's shadow around him, furrowing his brow.

  He had already guessed that the unknown voice came from within his own soul, although he felt that the owner of this voice did not have malicious intentions, but he still instinctively felt a hint of disgust, there was something in his own soul, anyone's mood would be bad.

  "Don't worry, I don't have any malicious intentions. Originally, I was that piece of jade on your neck, and your family has nourished me for several thousand years. I couldn't bear to see you get into trouble, so I followed you here. Who would have thought that even I myself got trapped here?"

  Zong raised an eyebrow, unexpectedly finding that the mixed jade which looked like a low-grade piece was actually a treasure.

  "How did you end up in my soul? Didn't that dark shadow discover you? Can you help me? How can you help?"

  For some reason, upon hearing this answer, Zong Yin believed it in his heart, but out of instinct he still asked cautiously, after all the things he had encountered these past few days were too strange.

  "I was originally a spiritual body, attached to your soul. The black shadow's strength is indeed strong, but it still falls short of discovering me."

  The tone of the mixed jade attached to Zong Hui's soul was filled with a hint of pride, like a child who had gotten his way. But then his words took a turn for the worse, and he said somewhat dejectedly: "As for helping you, I don't have that ability now."

  Zong Yinhai rolled his eyes and didn't say a word, deciding not to bother with him anymore.

  "The cultivation method here relies on the soul, the faster you cultivate, the faster I can grow. Once we reach a certain level, I can help you remove the soul lock chain from your body!"

  It seems that Mo Yu felt Zhong Hui's disdain and immediately added with a hint of displeasure.

  Zong Yin immediately paused, the shackles that had been locked on his soul were always his greatest concern. As soon as Hun Yu said there was a way to remove them, he became somewhat moved. Having someone help him was much better than trying to think of a solution blindly by himself.

  "Can I trust you?"

  He took a deep breath and asked in a faint tone, his voice full of perplexity.

  Although his instincts told him that the unknown mixed jade could be trusted, the precedent of the black shadow still made him ask out his own heart's voice. As for this question, Zong Yin had no bottom in his heart, and in a place full of unknowns, anyone could be a predator.

  "You can try practicing first, anyway it doesn't make a difference for you."

  Hun Yu seemed to have also sensed Zong Yin's confusion, and let out a faint sigh before falling silent.

  Similarly silent was Zong Yin, whose future was even darker than when he graduated and wondered what to do next. His life could be taken away from him at any moment in the next instant.

  The boat arrived at the bridgehead and went straight on! He shook his head, didn't think much more, turned over and fell fast asleep.

  Jiuhuang City, one of the largest cities in Xuanling Country, is known for its martial arts culture due to its proximity to the demon tribe's territory. The city adheres to a strong warrior ethos, where might makes right and every individual can transform into fearless warriors when the demon tribe invades.

  And the master of Jiuhuang City, Zong Yue, is also one of the strongest in Jiuhuang City. The entire Zong Manor is a pillar of Jiuhuang City, and every single person within the manor is an extraordinary strong individual.

  The Zong Mansion is one of the top mansions in the entire Jiuhuan City, with a magnificent gate made of Nanmu wood, adorned with intricate carvings, and two stone lions standing guard on either side, their eyes gleaming like bronze bells. Twelve robust guards stand at attention on either side of the gate, exuding an aura that dares not be approached.

  Zhao Yajing stood in front of the gate of the Zong Mansion, her heart filled with anxiety and unease. The large gate in front of her was the first time she had ever stood before it, and although she had fantasized countless times about how she would enter the mansion, when she actually stood in front of the gate, she still felt a sense of trepidation.

  She turned around and took a glance at Zong Yin, whose physique was much weaker than his peers. Zhao Ya Jing took a deep breath, and her anxious heart suddenly filled with determination. Her back, which had been slightly bent under the pressure of the Zong family's aura, straightened up a bit as she walked forward with big strides.

  Zong Yin could sense Zhao Ya Jing's change, the reason for this change was self-evident, his heart warmed up, he didn't speak a word, quietly following behind her to Zong Fu.

  Twelve guards stepped forward, blocking Zhao Yajing and Zong Yin's path. They stared coldly at the two, and Zong Yin could feel twelve faint strands of soul power locking onto their surroundings. As long as they made any unusual move, they would be killed on the spot without a burial ground.

  Zong Yinxin's heart skipped a beat as he unexpectedly found that the twelve guards in front of him were actually Yuanshen Masters, and they possessed the strength of Soul Masters.

  The Soul Masters are divided into seven levels from low to high: Soul Disciple, Soul Scholar, Soul Master, Soul King, Soul Venerable, Soul Emperor.

  Becoming a Soul Apprentice only requires 100 units of Soul Power, but only Soul Masters who have broken through 1,000 units of Soul Power can condense the second Soul Stone and enter the rank of Soul Warrior. A first-level Soul Warrior can easily handle three or fewer ninth-level Soul Apprentices without any pressure.

  The twelve soul guards who guarded the gate of the Zong Mansion were a force to be reckoned with.

  "Help me inform the city master, Zhao Yajing brings her fourth son Zong Yinruo as promised to recognize his ancestors and return to his clan!"

  Zhao Yajing's face was calm, her tone firm and resolute, not looking at the twelve people, her gaze seemed to want to see through the distant Nanmu gate.

  At this moment, all twelve guardians turned their eyes to Zong Yin behind Zhao Yajing, but there was a hint of sympathy in their eyes.

  Zong's eyebrows furrowed, and he suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart. Before coming, he had thought that as an illegitimate son, he would be met with disdain, contempt, and ridicule, but he never expected these people to look at him with a pitiful gaze.

  It occurred to him that Zong Yue had never dared to let Zhao Yajing and himself return, but suddenly the old lady ordered him to recognize his ancestors and return to his clan. This matter indeed had an unmentionable secret, and things were not as simple as he had imagined.

  "Third Mistress, Young Master, I've been waiting for a long time. The master gave orders before he left that the Young Master and Third Mistress are to reside in the west wing, please enter."

  An old man with a wrinkled face, wearing a hemp robe, suddenly opened the Nanmu wooden gate and respectfully nodded towards Zhao Yajing and Zong Yin, without saying much, he made a "please" gesture towards the two.

  Twelve guards saw the old man come out and immediately retreated back to their original positions, as if they had never moved.

  "It's a bother to have you trouble, Manager Mu." Zhao Yajing slightly bowed her head. She was somewhat familiar with this old man. When Zong Yue wasn't convenient to meet her in person, it was usually Manager Mu who handed over the daily necessities to her.

  Taking a deep breath once again, she turned her head and flashed a sweet smile at Zong Yin, as if she had found endless motivation. Zhao Ya Jing resolutely stepped over the threshold of the Nanmu door and strode into the Zong manor.

  Zong Yin raised his head, and his eyes swept over the twelve guards. The twelve people didn't dare to glance at him sideways, except for the initial twelve gazes filled with pity, they didn't take another look at him, but Zong Yin's heart still felt somewhat uneasy.

  After passing through the Mu General Manager, the scenery after the Nanmu Gate is breathtaking. Even if Zongyin has seen all sorts of modern and strange buildings, he can't help but be amazed by the scenery and layout inside the Zong Mansion. Various rare flowers and grasses seem to be scattered randomly in every corner of the entire courtyard, and even on the eaves and walls, there are many plants to be seen.

  Although these plants seem to be arranged in a disorderly manner, they don't appear cluttered at all, but rather have a sense of harmony that is just right.

  The entire mansion is dominated by a bold red and black color scheme, giving off a passionate and profound vibe. In fact, it's not just the ancestral hall, but the entire city of Jiucheng has always been based on black and red colors. The red is to remind the people not to forget the threat of the demon tribe, while the black is to mourn the warriors who have died in battle.

  Mu Zong led the two of them westward, and along the way, there were constantly servants hiding in corners, pointing and gesturing at the pair. This situation had long been anticipated by Zong, but what made him uncomfortable was that nearly everyone who looked at him did so with sympathetic eyes, as if he were already on his deathbed.

  "Third Mistress, young master, this is the west wing. All necessities for daily life have been prepared by the old slave. If there's anything needed, just instruct the servants. The master will return before dinner and there will be a welcoming banquet in the evening. The old slave still has some matters to attend to, so won't disturb the young master and mistress from resting, taking leave first."

  Mu Zongguan's expression was full of reverence as he led the two to the west wing, and then quickly left, seemingly having many things to attend to. A moment later, two maidservants came in, quietly following behind Zhao Yajing.

  The environment of this western-style house is much better than the previous place I lived in, every piece of furniture is brand new, obviously all replaced.

  Zong Yinhuan gazed at the departing Mu Zongguan, took a glance around the surroundings, and shook his head silently in his heart. Although everything seemed to be arranged in an orderly manner, with nothing to pick on, it was not actually so.

  The entire west wing only had two maidservants attending to it. Mu Zongguan's hurried expression will be set aside for now. The residences of Zong Yue and the other madams, as well as the mistress, were all located at the easternmost part, while the west wing was at the westernmost part, making them the two most distant living quarters within the compound. From this point alone, many things can be inferred.

  Zong Yin wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it out loud. After all, these things weren't his to begin with, and there was no need to argue about them. Moreover, Zhao Yajing, who should have been the most dissatisfied, hadn't spoken up, so Zong Yin had even less of a right to do so.