I should be dead.
Yohan opened his eyes, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Dragon carvings coiled along mahogany beams, crystal chandeliers hung in opulence—far too luxurious for a hitman who should be lying in a pool of his own blood.
His partner's knife still felt real in his back. The final betrayal before darkness swallowed him whole.
Then... that voice. A formless whisper right before his consciousness faded. ("If you wish to enter heaven, accumulate good karma in this life.")
Yohan tried to sit up. His body screamed in protest—every muscle felt bruised, his bones fragile. This wasn't his body. His hands were too small, his skin too smooth despite the purple-blue bruises covering it.
A large mirror in the corner reflected an unfamiliar face. A teenager, maybe fifteen. The same sharp eyes, but a face that was too... soft and pretty for a man.
"Ugh..." Yohan hissed, forcing himself upright.
A young servant standing in the corner rushed over, his face filled with concern. "Young Master, let me help you!"
Yohan swatted the hand away—not too roughly, but firm enough. The servant flinched, staring at him with a strange expression.
"Where am I?" His tone came out flat, cold. Old habits.
The young servant blinked in confusion. "Young Master... you're in your room, at the Mo family estate."
Yohan clicked his tongue. Of course this was a room—even a blind man could tell. "Not that, idiot!" His patience wore thin. "Who are you? Why am I here?"
The servant stepped back, his face pale. His expression shifted from confused to worried. "Young Master... did you lose your memory from yesterday's fight? I'm Xu Chen, your servant since childhood."
He reached out, about to check Yohan's head. "This must be a concussion. I should call Physician Wang—"
"No need." Yohan caught Xu Chen's wrist, holding it with surprising strength for such a weak body. "Sit down. Tell me about myself."
Xu Chen fell silent, staring at his master with an indecipherable expression. His usually gentle and obedient Young Master now radiated a different aura. Frightening, even.
But he sat down obediently. "Young Master really lost his memory...," he murmured quietly.
Yohan's sharp gaze made Xu Chen immediately shut his mouth.
"Sorry, Young Master..." He lowered his head. A few moments of silence passed before Yohan's voice returned, slightly lower this time—but with the same firmness.
"Now tell me. Who am I really? Where is this?"
Xu Chen took a deep breath. "Young Master is Mo Yohan, first grandson of the Sword God, Mo Zhihao. This is the Mo family estate, the center of the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Mo Yohan?
The same name. Coincidence? Or strange fate?
Yohan stared at his bruised hands. His fingers trembled—not from fear, but from weakness. This body was too frail, too helpless.
"What happened to my body?" he asked, though he could already guess the answer.
Xu Chen looked hesitant. "Young Master... lost a fight against Fourth Young Master, Mo Yuchen, your younger brother. You've been unconscious for three days. I thought..." His voice wavered. "I thought you wouldn't wake up."
Tears began pooling in his eyes. Yohan frowned—restraining himself from commenting harshly about a grown man crying.
"As you can tell, I've apparently lost my memory." Yohan leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. "But if you explain in detail about this place, about my family, and who I need to know... maybe my memory will return."
His tone softened slightly—not from empathy, but strategy. He needed information.
Xu Chen nodded eagerly and began explaining.
---
The Heavenly Sword Sect. Founded by his grandfather, Mo Zhihao—a legend called the Sword God. His character was firm, ruthless, showing no mercy. Even to his own family.
Every month, fights were held between disciples. No exceptions—even Mo Zhihao's grandchildren had to fight. The winner gained full authority to manage the sect for a month, plus doubled salary.
Brutal rules supposedly meant to "forge the future heir."
Currently, the sect was led by Mo Yulong, Yohan's father. But everyone knew that in a few years, power would pass to the grandchildren's generation.
"So who's in charge now?" Yohan cut in.
"Fourth Young Master. Mo Yuchen, your younger brother." Xu Chen lowered his head. "He's the one who... defeated you yesterday."
Yohan remained silent. His mind raced.
This body lost to its own younger brother? How weak was the original Mo Yohan?
He tried to stand—with difficulty, but succeeded. Xu Chen immediately rose, ready to help.
"Where are you going, Young Master?"
"I'm sick of looking at this room." Yohan walked slowly toward the door. "It's like a prison. I just want to get out, look around."
"But don't leave the estate!"
Yohan stopped, turning. "Why?"
Xu Chen looked hesitant. "The Grand Master gave orders... Young Master is forbidden from leaving the estate. It's punishment because..." He swallowed. "Because you always lose every fight."
Yohan stared at Xu Chen for a moment, then suddenly... smiled. Not a warm smile, but a thin smirk that made Xu Chen shiver.
Punished for losing? Locked up like a prisoner?
But wasn't this actually the perfect situation?
As long as he could eat, rest, and train without interference—this was a blessing. He could study this body, study this world, without too many eyes watching.
"Fine," Yohan said, his smirk widening. "I'll just walk around the estate. Maybe my memory will return."
Xu Chen nodded in relief, then supported the still-unsteady Yohan. This time Yohan didn't refuse—his body wasn't strong enough to walk alone yet.
But in his heart, something began to burn.
Just wait. He would transform this weak body. Those who looked down on Mo Yohan would pay the price.
---
They stopped at a fish pond in the back courtyard corner. Clear water flowed peacefully, koi fish swimming lazily beneath floating lotus flowers.
Yohan stood at the pond's edge, staring at his reflection.
Before, he lived in darkness. Killed by someone he trusted. Never had the chance to enjoy a normal life.
While Mo Yohan—the body he now occupied—was weak, but surrounded by luxury. Family, home, even this beautiful fish pond.
Why was the Almighty so unfair?
But... wait.
Wasn't all of this now his too?
Yohan smiled bitterly. Then remembered the last whisper before he died.
("Accumulate your good karma.")
What did it mean? He couldn't do evil? Would be punished if he broke the rules?
Yohan shook his head. Didn't care. This time, he would live by his own rules. No criminal organization, no boss, no betrayal.
But before that...
He had to train this body. Or he would continue being trampled.
Yohan closed his eyes, sensing the energy flow around him. Something he'd never felt in his previous life—something that flowed like a gentle current from within the pond.
Mana Energy.
His eyes opened, the wide smirk returning.
"Good," he murmured softly. "This pond has energy I can absorb."
Xu Chen looked confused. "Young Master, what is it?"
Yohan didn't answer. He just stared at his reflection in the water—an unfamiliar face with a dangerous smile.