Riven anxiously downed his wine. Elina had gone to the back to speak with her female friend who worked there, but she hadn't reappeared yet.
Riven had just found out that Elina and the original body's owner frequently visited places like the brothel he was currently in. Suddenly, he heard a commotion in the back. He saw two men dragging a woman who was crying and struggling.
"I don't want to be a prostitute! Let go of me!" the woman screamed.
The emotion in Riven's soul exploded. He stood up and approached the two men. Another man appeared, blocking Riven's path. Riven stared at them one by one with a flat gaze.
"Don't treat her badly. You have no right over her."
"Who do you think you are?" asked one of the men with a sneer.
"He is the son of Clan Leader Yan Xiang."
"Is that so? Then what concern is it of his regarding this woman?" Riven looked at the terrified face of the woman.
"Hey, kid. You have no business with us. But if you force it, we will gladly beat you up. You foolish young man pretending to be a hero will not be able to defeat us."
Riven had expected this. The bad reputation of his body's former owner meant he was indeed a troublemaker. However, Riven was not afraid. Taking a stance, he threw a punch. Riven tried to feel the power within himself, but his body's response felt empty and he sensed nothing. An invisible screen suddenly appeared in front of Riven. He dodged and broke his opponent's arm. Riven gritted his teeth.
[Novice Status]
Name: Riven
Level: 1
Rank: Mortal -F
Strength: 1
Endurance: 1
Agility: 0
Qi: 0
Perception: Low
Skill: -
Idiot, Riven cursed inwardly. Even without power, Riven was confident he could defeat them all, because in his old world, he had been a champion martial artist. Riven bravely fought the three men. The three men lay sprawled on the ground. Riven immediately urged the woman to leave the pleasure house. Outside, Elina emerged, surprised to see Riven whom she had been looking for.
"We should leave now," Riven said.
"Hey, why the rush?" Elina was confused but was forced to follow Riven, who was in a hurry to return home.
Upon arriving at the clan residence, Riven saw a young man his age who was the son of his Stepmother. Without a shred of guilt, his stepbrother bumped his shoulder and walked past the two lion statues.
Riven turned and stared at the young man who was now giving him a sharp look.
"Do you feel alright being betrayed?" asked his stepbrother, Su Ling.
"I don't understand what you mean. Don't bother me."
"Sometimes I wonder why grandfather likes you so much. You are stupid, reckless, but lucky you are still alive."
"You—" Riven immediately landed his punch on Su Ling. Elina, seeing this, screamed.
"Riven, what are you doing!" Elina shoved Riven's shoulder and immediately approached Su Ling.
"Su Ling, are you alright? How could you hit him, Riven!"
Riven snorted, looking at Elina. As he turned his back, Su Ling's voice echoed in Riven's ears, pushing his emotions to the limit. Riven's hands were clenched, his knuckles visible. Riven left the couple. In his heart, Riven swore he would beat the hell out of Su Ling later.
Riven almost forgot about the woman he had brought earlier as he stood in front of his room. A servant approached Riven, saying that someone was looking for him. Shortly after, his Mother's face appeared, giving a small smile. She shook her head upon seeing Riven scratching his head. Behind her, the woman he had rescued earlier looked at Riven from behind his Mother. She looked confused and gave a smile to the servant Riven had just met.
"You. Why did you invite your friend and then leave her alone?"
"I apologize, Mother. I forgot about her."
"Such a naughty boy. It's fortunate that I met Lan Xue."
"Mother. I want to talk to you. I've thought about it and I truly hope grandfather agrees with me too."
"Tell me, Son. What is troubling your mind?" Riven immediately felt grateful to have such a kind Mother. He glanced at Lan Xue, who stood beside his mother. The beautiful woman's face gave him a faint smile.
"I brought Lan Xue here and I want her to become a part of our clan."
"Suddenly?" Riven's Mother stepped forward, looking at her only son suspiciously. "You are not causing trouble again, are you?"
Riven immediately shook his head. "Of course not, Mother. The story is very long. I will tell you about it later."
"Alright, I agree. And what about Lan Xue, do you want to be a part of us, dear?"
"I apologize beforehand, Madam. Young Master Riven saved me from people who intended to make me a prostitute. My house burned down and both my parents have passed away. And I am very grateful to Young Master Riven. If permitted, I will work as a servant to repay your kindness, without pay."
"You don't need to do that, dear. I am sorry for the death of your parents. They didn't deserve to treat you like that. I worry they might bother you again. I am very blessed to have a daughter like you. Yan-Xiang and I will gladly accept you," Yue Qing said wholeheartedly, stroking Lan Xue's arm. The girl's eyes were filled with tears.
Riven smiled, gazing at his Mother in admiration. "Thank you, Mother."
"You're welcome, dear. I'm grateful you've changed so much. Hopefully, this incident can make you bring pride to our clan." Yue Qing turned to look at Lan Xue and said, "Come with me, dear. I will show you your room."
Lan Xue bowed and followed Yue Qing's footsteps. She paused to look back at Riven, who gave her a slight smile. Lan Xue silently thanked Riven and gave him a sweet smile.
Watching Lan Xue leave, Riven realized that he was starting to like Lan Xue. Her fair face and sweet smile kept flashing in Riven's mind. Riven quickly headed to his room before the servants thought he was crazy. He wanted to talk to his Father tomorrow; for now, he just wanted to rest.
The next day, Riven stared at the back of the middle-aged figure who was greatly respected by the Beifeng Clan. He knelt before his Father.
Yan Xiang, noticing Riven's presence, turned and looked at Riven. "Stand up, Son. Is something bothering your mind? You know you can always talk to me." Yan Xiang gazed far into the sky above them.
"I apologize, Father. I promise to make amends for all my mistakes."
"Just say it, Son."
Riven felt nervous in his heart. "Lan Xue, I want her to live here and become part of our clan."
Yan Xiang turned to look at his only son. "Why so suddenly? Were you friends with her before? Where is her Father?"
Riven's hands clenched. "Both her parents are gone. She almost became a victim of the Xuanming Clan's human trafficking."
Yan Xiang stroked his black beard. "Are you willing to bear that great responsibility? You know the Xuanming Clan is not a clan to be underestimated."
"I understand what you mean, Father. I promise to erase all my mistakes by taking on the responsibility of your successor again."
"You don't have to do that. Su Ling has already prepared to shoulder that responsibility."
Riven's temper flared; he refused to be underestimated by anyone. However, remembering his pathetic abilities yesterday, Riven felt slapped. Riven kept wondering where the spirit of his original body went? It made him want to curse the other Riven. Riven did not want to allow himself to be disgraced.
"Give me a chance to prove it."
"Alright, since you are a year older than Su Ling, I give you a second chance. You remember your most fatal mistake, don't you? Immediately establish a good relationship with your Stepmother."
Riven frowned as he tried to absorb Riven's memory about his past mistake.
"Don't bring shame to our clan again. This is your last chance or you will end up on Guiyin Mountain."
"Yes, Father."
Riven bowed as Yan Xiang walked past him. Riven felt happy; now he knew the core issue between Yan Xiang's son and his Stepmother.
"You know, Son. After you came back from the dead, I always hoped you wouldn't be the one to betray us. Whether the Sky God has been kind to me or is testing me, I hope you never disappoint your Mother again," Yan Xiang said, patting Riven's shoulder before leaving the temple.
Suddenly, Riven felt a heavy burden on his back. His vision blurred with tears. A painful feeling began to creep into his heart. It wasn't because of the wounds Riven had received in his old world, but because of the deep pain experienced by Yan Xiang—his Father whom he would never disappoint.