Nie Li was abruptly awakened by a servant, marking the start of a day unlike any he had ever experienced.
First, two servants gently pulled the covers away, while another stood ready with a basin of warm water for washing his face and hands.
The water, scented with jasmine, was supposed to be refreshing, yet Nie Li found the attention stifling.
He missed the cold splash of water from the well back home, which did more than just wake him up; it revitalized his spirit.
As he sat up, another servant approached with a fine-toothed comb to meticulously groom his hair.
In the past, a quick run-through with his fingers would have sufficed, but now, every strand needed to be perfectly in place.
Nie Li couldn't help but think, "Is all this really necessary just to start the day?"
Following the grooming, his attire for the day was presented.
It was a set of robes, rich in fabric and color, a far cry from the simpler clothes he was accustomed to wearing. Dressing him felt like dressing a doll, with servants fussing over every fold and tie, ensuring that everything sat just right.
Breakfast was next, served on fine porcelain that Nie Li feared he might break. The food was exquisite, each dish prepared with care and precision, but he longed for the simple meals cooked by his mother. They might not have had the complexity of flavors he was now being offered, but they were made with love and shared with family.
Nie Li noticed his family's discomfort mirroring his own.
His father and mother, uncle and aunty—all of them looked as if they had been thrust into roles they never auditioned for.
They were farmers just yesterday, their hands accustomed to the feel of soil and the weight of manual labor.
Now, they sat like royalty, their uneasy glances betraying their internal struggle to adapt to this sudden shift in their lives.
The only one who seemed unfazed was Nie Yu, the child of the family, who delighted in the novelty of their circumstances. Her innocence shielded her from the weight of transition, allowing her to enjoy the moment without the burden of adjustment.
"Is this really necessary?" Nie Ming asked, his discomfort evident as a servant hastily adjusted his clothing, making Ming even more uneasy.
"You'll get used to it," Xiao Yun tried to reassure him, though it was clear she was the most affected by the change. Back in their modest home, she had always seen herself as the protector, the one who welcomed her husband and brother-in-law back from a hard day's work in the fields with a warm meal. She and Miao Ling would clean, take care of the kids, and maintain the household.
It was challenging, yes, but it gave her a sense of purpose, a role within the family that she valued deeply.
Now, in this new, lavish setting where everything was handed to her, she felt her role slipping away.
Miao Ling and Nie Kai, despite their struggles with injuries — hers on the back and his on the leg — found the presence of servants somewhat beneficial. But for Xiao Yun and Nie Ming, the adjustment was proving to be a tough one.
Nie Li observed his family.
"In a week, I'll be starting at the Holy Orchid Institute, so this new life will pause for me. But for them, it continues. I want to make their lives easier, not make them feel lost," he thought.
Clearing his throat, Nie Li addressed his family. "Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunty."
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"And Nie Yu!" Nie Yu added eagerly.
"And Nie Yu," Nie Li agreed, smiling at his little cousin's enthusiasm.
"I was thinking... if you all want, we could buy back our old house. We could return to our previous way of life."
The family exchanged glances, considering Nie Li's proposal.
After a moment, Nie Ming spoke up.
"No need to worry, son. Let's just give it a month to see how things go. Your uncle and I have new jobs, and we're still adjusting. Change isn't necessarily bad; we just need time to get used to it. After a month, if everyone wants to go back, we can. If not, then that's good too. Change will always come, whether we like it or not. Let's not be like old men yelling at clouds, afraid of the rain."
Nie Li smiled, touched by his father's wisdom.
----------------------------------------
In the afternoon, a servant's message led Nie Li to the patriarch's office.
The sight that greeted him was one of organized chaos: the old man was surrounded by towering stacks of documents, a testament to the heavy workload he shouldered.
Despite Nie Li's mixed feelings about the patriarch, it was undeniable that the weight of leadership was pressing down on him
Nie Li couldn't help but be taken aback as he saw the system window.
[ Name: Nie Hai ]
[ Status: Patriach of the Heavenly Marks Family ]
[ Cultivation Level: 5 star Gold rank ]
[ Physique Level: 1 star Gold rank ]
[ Class: Fighter, Demon Spiritualist ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Health Points: 100K ]
[ Soul Force: 50,000 ]
[ Battle Power: 7M ]
[ Class Features:
- Perception
- Endless Vanguard
- Soul Manipulation ]
[ Allies: Heavenly Marks Family ]
[ Equipment: ]
- [ ? ]
- [ Storage Ring ]
- [ ? ]
- [ ? ]
- [ ? ]
[ Description: Born into the main family, Nie Hai was thrust into the position of power at the ripe age of 10. He was a puppet leader for the elites of the Heavenly Marks Family at that time. Wanting to help his family, Nie Hai did everything in his power to become strong while leaving the power to the elites who abused their power too much, leading to the decline of the family. Nie Hai, when he achieved Gold rank, was able to gain his power back, but the damages were already done. It took him decades to control the situation back, but by that time, it was too late; the Heavenly Marks Family was destined to die with him. But Nie Hai has now found a proper successor; but even so, as to not let another him happen, Nie Hai plans to protect Nie Li from the shadows from being tempted by others, by being trapped. Nie Hai wants Nie Li to be by his side as he wants to groom Nie Li into the perfect leader, one who wouldn't make the same mistakes he did. ]
Nie Li stood before Patriarch Nie Hai, a man whose life story unfolded in front of Nie Li through the system's description.
"Born to lead at ten, a puppet to the elites, and only gaining true control after reaching Gold rank," Nie Li read, his mind reeling from the revelations. The patriarch wasn't the greedy, self-serving elder he had imagined but a leader who had struggled against internal sabotage, fighting to regain control only to find the family's glory days irretrievably lost.
He sees a successor in me yet his past decisions hurt my family. Forgiveness seems distant, but understanding breeds a reluctant respect. He fought on, despite everything.
"Patriarch," Nie Li greeted, bowing slightly.
"Nie Li, my boy," Nie Hai responded, his voice carrying a warmth that seemed newly forged. "I hope the adjustment to your new life isn't proving too difficult."
Nie Li was taken aback by the unexpected warmth in the Patriarch's voice.
For a moment, he allowed himself to be surprised before reality set in.
"This must be another tactic," Nie Li thought.
"After all, surviving in the harsh political landscape of Glory City isn't about being the nicest or the kindest. It's about being the smartest." Nie Li figured the old man probably knew about Elder Nie Wei's visit the previous night and was now trying to ensure Nie Li didn't fall into potential traps set by others. Yet, Nie Li wondered if the Patriarch's efforts would extend beyond mere protection.
The system had revealed the Patriarch's intentions clearly, but Nie Li knew all too well that even the best intentions could lead to undesirable outcomes.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions," he mused. Despite his skepticism, Nie Li resolved to make the most of the situation.
"I don't care about their political games, as long as my family benefits and stays safe. I'll play along with their schemes."
"We will need time to adjust," Nie Li replied, his tone neutral yet open.
Nie Hai nodded, an understanding flicker in his eyes.
"Well then, you might be wondering why I've called you here," he began, sparking Nie Li's curiosity.
With a nod, Nie Li prompted him to continue.
"The reason is simple. With your incredible talents, I want you to pick a few items from the Heavenly Marks family treasury. Normally, no one but me is allowed in there, but you, as the heir, will have this privilege."