Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Just what exactly were Head Butlers?
They were authority figures who managed all matters in a clan. To most clansmen, whose paths would never cross with the patriarch, Head Butlers were their God; they controlled their fate.
If they commanded you to go left, no one would dare turn right.
Head Butlers could place you on top of the world and let you enjoy the clanâs preferential treatment, but they could also throw you down to pitâs bottom and work in the clanâs sweatshop factories without redemption for your entire life.
Feng Lang was stunned by Feng Linâs audacity to defy the Head Butler.
This rascal seriously didnât know the gravity of this; he had practically given up on improving his situation.
To think that he dared to offend even the Head Butler. Suddenly, Feng Lang didnât think much about the ladâs tousle with him from before; that was nothing compared to this.
He must say, this lowly boy was truly a man!
Feng Langâs expression was painted with shock.
Feng Lin, on the other hand, remained confrontational with the Head Butler. He looked calm and without any intention to retreat.
Perhaps this Head Butler was a God-like figure to the rest of the Feng clansmen, but this wasnât the case for him.
He was just about to be assigned to one of the clanâs sweatshop factories; his pre-destined fate was miserable enough as it stood, how much worse could it get even if he offended this Head Butler?
When else should he fight against his âfateâ if not now?
Feng Lin had long since arrived at this realization.
Fight. He must fight and fight to the end.
His miserable fate was right in front of his eyes. If he didnât fight now, then he would never get out of this predicament.
Feng Linâs âI rejectâ was resolute, spoken with a tone that could sever iron.
The atmosphere tensed up in an instant, so much so that it was stifling.
The Head Butlerâs face scrunched hideously in disapproval, his anger rising by the minute until it reached its limit.
Withholding the power of the clansmen, there was no one else who was above him besides the patriarch. It wouldnât be far-fetched to say that he could hide the sky with a hand.
When had anyone opposed him?
And a low-grade clansman at that. What a rebellion!
Where was the discipline if he didnât give this rascal a taste of his medicine? Where would he place his dignity as the Head Butler if he didnât?
The pair of malicious, northern goshawkâs eyes maintained its death stare on Feng Lin; they were sharp as knives as though they could slice Feng Lin into a million pieces.
A surge of strange energy rose in the air, as imposing as a mountain, cold as ice while it weighed heavily on oneâs heart.
Feng Lin remained unmoving at his spot despite the clear display of struggle in his expression. It was obvious that he could feel the heavy pressure as though the weight of a hill was pressing against his spine, forcing him to keel in defeat and kneel on the ground, and to stop defying.
No!
His gaze burned intensely while he forced his back up, taking on a posture of being undaunted by the Head Butler. Feng Lin didnât dare to let his spine bend in the slightest. Like a lonely pine tree atop the cliff, windswept and battered by rain, suppressed by adversity. It would rather die than submit to it; he would rather die than bend.
âWhat a man!â Despite his condescending views about Feng Lin before, Feng Lang couldnât help being inwardly awed by the former.
The intangible interaction between the two was intense. As a spectator, Feng Lang couldnât help but shiver at the sight.
Head Butler was an Interstellar cultivator. Yet, against such a dignified presence, this low-grade clansman was unyielding and continued standing tall.
Regardless of his potential, the fact that he dared to go up against the Head Butler was respectable in itself!
âDonât even think about it!â Seeing as he couldnât take down Feng Lin with his vigor alone, the Head Butler broke his silence.
A glint flashed across Feng Langâs eyes at the sound of that.
As the direct descendant of the clan, he was no stranger to the Head Butler.
While the Head Butler remained impassive, he must have been raging inside. Otherwise, for someone who remained cold and distant usually, he wouldnât have spouted such agitated choice of words.
How decisive, leaving no room for negotiations.
This lad was going to get unlucky!
âWhy not?â Against the Head Butlerâs verdict, Feng Lin didnât retreat.
âThe clan raised you up, so every single one of you has a duty to fulfill. As a low-grade clansman who canât get into college, playing your part in the clanâs factory is your duty and your destiny. You must know that this clan doesnât tolerate good-for-nothings. If everyone turned a blind eye on the rules like you do and reject their responsibility to the clan, then wonât everything be thrown into chaos? Will there still be any clan rules to speak of then?â the Head Butler lashed out severely.
âJust because I canât get into college, Iâll have to contribute to the clan?â Feng Lin didnât panic, a confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips instead before asking again, âthen what happens if I can get into university?â
âWhat! University? Your vitality is at a mere 0.4, what a pipe dream...â The Head Butler didnât disguise his scorn, but neither could he continue from there.
With a point of his finger, he retrieved his examination record from school.
On it, his vitality stats of 1.5 was striking. This was Earth High Schoolâs result slip which could be retrieved from their data storage at anytime and was made public.
The data was conclusive and impossible to forge.
Like a sounding slap to the face, the Head Butler was rendered speechless. His face began to burn up but despite the case, his gaze towards Feng Lin grew increasingly annoyed.
One couldnât go against the clan rules.
He was the guardian of this, yet this Feng Lin wanted to break down the clanâs order for the past thousands of years with just this little achievement? How delusional!
âWhat can you do with 1.5 vitality?â He tore his attention away from Feng Linâs result slip, seemingly unimpressed by it at all. âEarth High School is nothing more than a garbage school in Huaxia City. Among others, your vitality isnât superior either; how capable could you be to get into a good university? If all you can get into is one of Earthâs diploma mills, then youâll be unemployed the moment you graduate. Itâd still be the clanâs burden if you canât find work!
âWith such little vitality, you wish to be free of the clanâs duties? Impossible! You should know that there are a number of young Interstellar cultivators in our clan with the vitality of more than 10; whatâs the use of 1.5?â
Every word was dripping with disdain, degrading Feng Linâs examination results and his school into insignificance.
This was unacceptable to Feng Lin. He suppressed the anger and frustration in his heart. Feng Lin had wanted to reveal the truth of his vitality reaching 2.3, but that seemed unnecessary now.
At long last, Feng Lin saw the truth.
This Head Butler was belittling him.
The Feng Clan had a profound foundation; perhaps only Interstellar cultivators would be worth a glance in this Head Butlerâs eyes.
There was no use of him saying anything more; it would only instigate more scorn and mockery.
âYoung man, donât bite off more than you can chew. Unless you can get into Interstellar University, thereâs not an ounce of possibility for you to escape your duties towards the clan. Your talent and potential are still worldâs away from being the clanâs exception.
âYou only have a choice now: to follow the clanâs arrangement and intern at the clanâs factory obediently. Otherwise, if you donât even have a job in future, youâll be kicked out of the clan and become one of the losers on the streets of this society!â The warning was clearly laced among Head Butlerâs words. In fact, it sounded more like a threat.
I canât wait till I get kicked out!
To others, this might have been a warning from the Head Butler, but Feng Lin couldnât care less about it.
If he had to work at the clanâs factory, then heâd rather leave!
However, unless it was absolutely necessary, he didnât want to flee like a loser either.
Getting into Interstellar University?
Feng Lin didnât waste his energy any further, but he wouldnât give up.
Fight, he must fight!
Fight to the end, never give up!
Feng Lin wouldnât let others manipulate his fate like this. In a low voice, he spoke up, âHead Butler, Iâll definitely not intern at the clanâs factory. How about this, why donât we make a deal?â
âWhat deal?â the Head Butler asked instinctively, regretting it in an instant.
Feng Lin lowered his eyes; his gaze was dark.
This was the last trick up his sleeve!
Although he knew that the possibility of succeeding was slim, as the Head Butler was too unfeeling, not giving him the slightest chance, it was all Feng Lin could do in order to fight for his future.
Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldnât get kicked out of the clan.
The society out there was cruel and turbulent.
He didnât think it would be a big deal to himself, but his parents and siblings were all regular folks. If he allowed himself to be reckless, he was afraid the consequences would be dire...
Since Feng Lin inherited this body, he had inherited its karma too.
He couldnât be this selfish, abandoning his family in this life and left all by himself.
Which was why he could only do his best.
âWe can have a deal. Let me fully prepare for my college entrance exam. If I donât make it, Iâll return to the clan without protest and no longer hold any fantasies. Iâll commit to the clanâs duties obediently. However, if I make it through, I donât need anything. I just want the clan to release my family from their restrictions and allow me to freely pursue cultivation! The clan will also gain a true genius who gets into Interstellar University in this way. Itâs little investment for greater returns, what can you have against it?â
At that, Feng Lin paused for a moment, his gaze was sharp as knife when he made contact.
âHow about it? Head Butler, what do you think?â