In the sky, countless enormous fists appeared in an instant, covering the heavens and surging toward Zane Zhuang. The brilliant white fists radiated a dazzling light. Zane Zhuang widened his eyes, stood upright, his mind a complete blank.
"Zane, don't blame your father. It's all your mother's fault. I was born lowly, and you refuse to speak—I understand that. Please, don't blame your father. He was left with no choice."
Tears trickled down the cheeks of a beautiful woman. The young Zane Zhuang stared coldly at his mother. He had seen these tears countless times. He wanted to reach out and wipe away the tears from her eyes, but he chose indifference.
"Mother knows you're angry. Since you learned to speak, you've never called your father even once. Zane, your mother worries about you."
A pair of gentle arms embraced Zane Zhuang. He quietly looked at his mother.
"Let's... leave..."
The words came from Zane Zhuang's mouth, but after so long without speaking, they sounded stiff and unnatural.
Mrs. Zhuang wept, shaking her head, choking back sobs again and again.
"Madam, I beg you, please spare Zane. He is just a child and doesn't understand."
Zane Zhuang crouched in the corner of the courtyard, clutching his head and trembling. His mother, screaming and exhausted, clung to a woman's leg, crying out.
With a scream, Zane Zhuang’s eyes widened as his mother was pushed into the well. The people surrounding them all laughed, not one stepping forward. Zane wanted to move, but he was frozen, trembling where he stood.
"Zane, from now on, you’ll follow Victor Fan."
A man—so familiar, yet so distant—the one he called father, walked away. Zane Zhuang silently watched his father's retreating figure, expressionless and mute. He wanted to curse this father who ignored both him and his mother, but the words never came.
"Zane, I’ll be leaving soon. The Henderson Family now has an heir. I have a request—if anything happens to me, I hope you can protect the Henderson Family. I’m counting on you."
Zane Zhuang watched Eugene Henderson turn with a smile and wave. Zane clenched his fists, unmoving. He never took a step forward. He could do nothing.
"Enough. It's all enough..."
Suddenly, Zane Zhuang opened his eyes and roared in fury. The enormous fists descended, cracking sounds echoing. Six arms burst forth from Zane’s body; two heads grew from his shoulders.
"Asura..."
Zane Zhuang spoke in a low voice. He stood tall, six arms spread wide. Facing overwhelming force, he let out a thunderous roar and struck with six fists.
Everything was swallowed by white light. After a long time, Zane Zhuang, panting and furious, stared wide-eyed. The Asura before him now held a sword in one hand.
"The fact that you made me draw my sword is impressive. Congratulations, you are the first person to fall into the Asura Realm and become an Asura yourself."
Zane Zhuang quietly looked at the Asura and shook his head.
"I want to go back."
The Asura stepped up to Zane Zhuang.
"With such power, if you return, you will surely cause a great storm in the Living World."
"I want to go back."
Zane Zhuang said as always. The Asura rested his chin on one hand, tilting his head as he looked at Zane.
"All great power is born out of illusion. Heh, that person guided you, didn't he? I can sense it."
"What is really going on?"
The Asura laughed.
"She, too, was born from illusion—one of many illusions. What you must overcome in this life, to bear the fate of Asura and return, is possible. But your rage—I will consume it first. Everything you have here will be lost."
Zane Zhuang did not hesitate; he nodded.
"My old friend's request remains unfinished. I must go back, even if it means repaying the suffering of the Living World."
"Is that so? Then as you wish—I will consume it all."
Suddenly, streams of black energy appeared on the ground, transforming into countless small mouths that snapped at Zane Zhuang.
In an instant, Zane Zhuang was bitten by these mouths. He looked calmly at the Asura.
"A hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years—you will never wash away this rage. Remember, you must forever bear the fate of Asura."
"It doesn't matter."
The Asura laughed loudly. Zane Zhuang’s eyes slowly closed. He felt as if something inside him had been hollowed out, and he remembered nothing.
"Its name is Asura. Remember, one day you will need this rage. When that time comes, just awaken this instinct."
"Zane."
In an instant, Zane Zhuang’s eyes snapped open. He climbed out of bed, his head spinning, memories unclear. Immediately, he reached into his clothes and took out a bundle of brilliant white light.
Ghost Painting Book Immortal hurried over, waving his hand to release a surge of green light. Holding the white bundle, he slowly infused it into the infant girl’s body.
Gradually, the infant girl—whose breath had been faint—began to recover, little by little. This miracle allowed Zane Zhuang to finally relax.
A few hours later, the infant had fully recovered. Her cheeks were rosy, and after eating her fill, she slept peacefully.
"Kid, what exactly happened to you? Tell me."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal looked at Zane Zhuang with excitement, but Zane remained silent and shook his head.
"I don't remember."
For the next two days, Zane Zhuang still couldn't recall anything. Ghost Painting Book Immortal used the Specter Web to investigate, but found nothing at all.
"The only thing I remember is a little girl who made a promise with me—to visit her when she grows up."
Three-Eyed burst into hearty laughter.
"You may not remember what happened, but the resentment in you is gone."
Three-Eyed spoke, and Ghost Painting Book Immortal asked in confusion.
"How do you know?"
"When I met this kid before, the resentment in him was very strong. But now, there’s nothing unusual—he’s just an ordinary person."
"It’s enough that you returned safely, Zane."
A cold hand pressed gently on Zane Zhuang’s head. He looked at his mother and smiled.
"Mother, there’s no time to waste. I must quickly take this infant girl to The Yi Family."
Zane Zhuang bowed deeply to Ghost Painting Book Immortal and Three-Eyed.
"Thank you both. Though you are ghosts, you are far better than many people I have met."
Suddenly, Three-Eyed’s expression changed, and a chill filled the room.
"No matter what, we are still evil spirits. Heh, well, it’s over now. I’m leaving—heading south for a while. It’s been ages since I’ve traveled far."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal seemed to understand and glanced over.
"Heh, you’re still not strong enough to travel. Try to get stronger, young man..."
"Old man, be careful. There’s a new thing called Daoism—they’re quite good at dealing with spirits. You’re strong, but caution never hurts."
After speaking, Three-Eyed passed through the wall and vanished.
"I’m going back too. I need to write down this story. I’ll stay here for a decade or two."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal looked at the swaddled infant girl, smiled warmly, and left.
Yi Manor sat just beyond a bustling street in the city’s west. At midmorning, Zane Zhuang arrived at the gates, carrying the infant girl.
The walls stretched long on both sides, enclosing a large courtyard. The gate was open, and servants were sweeping away snow. When they saw Zane Zhuang, someone came over. Zane produced a letter and a jade piece, handing them to Steward Lee, who eyed Zane suspiciously but let him in.
People gathered around Zane Zhuang, wary that he might do something improper. After all, from his accent, Zane was not from Qiland.
"Ah, young man, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. Uncle Sun, hurry and prepare the finest food and wine!"
A man in his forties, with a ruddy face and simple clothes, smiling warmly, walked over and glanced at the infant girl in Zane’s arms.
"Greetings, Lord Ethan Yi."
"Please, come in. Your name is Zane Zhuang, right? I'll call you Brother Zane."
Zane Zhuang received Lord Ethan Yi’s warm hospitality. At a large table filled with dishes and wine, Zane ate and drank. A kind, beautiful woman, though aged, held the infant girl and smiled happily.
At Lord Ethan Yi’s command, all the servants left and the doors were closed. Only Steward Lee remained.
"Brother Zane, tell Victor Fan that this child will be cherished by me as a precious jewel."
Zane Zhuang nodded. The two couples before him, both over forty and unable to have children, had lost their only son in war. They looked at the infant girl with joy.
"What is that smell?"
Zane Zhuang sniffed the air, catching a refreshing fragrance.
"Oh, it's white plum blossom. By the way, how about naming this child Isabelle Frost?"
"Yi... Isabelle Frost..."
Zane Zhuang smiled and nodded.
"Today I rescued her, Lord Ethan Yi. I’ll tell Victor Fan everything."
Lord Ethan Yi urged Zane Zhuang to stay longer, but Zane insisted on leaving. At the gate, Lord Ethan Yi tried to offer money in thanks, but Zane refused. He approached Lady Yi, glanced at the infant Isabelle Frost in her arms.
"Is it really you? When you grow up, I’ll come visit you."
With a soft giggle, the infant smiled. Zane Zhuang smiled and bid farewell, turning to leave. Lord Ethan Yi and his wife watched joyfully as the month-old Isabelle Frost smiled brightly.