The Divine Family mansion was undoubtedly one of the largest residences in Glory City.

  Its total area even surpassed that of the Alchemist Association, a clear testament to the vast territory the Divine Family controlled within the city.

  After all, the Alchemist Association's residence was not merely a living space for the alchemist masters who chose to reside within it, nearly half of its territory was dedicated to alchemyl refining and other related work.

  Even so, the area under the Divine Family's control in the heart of Glory City exceeded that of the City Lord's mansion.

  Not a single person in Glory City found this absurd or inappropriate.

  After all, the Divine Family was one of the longest standing clans in Glory City.

  Their ancestors had managed to keep their territory intact despite the city's ever changing landscape over time.

  While many families in Glory City experienced cycles of prosperity and decline, the Divine Family endured.

  Only the Divine Family had managed to keep all of their original territory.

  This was due to their unwavering prioritization of family affairs above all else, as well as their shrewd handling of business and assets.

  One could say that the Divine Family's foundation was as sturdy as a mountain, and that the family would not suffer any decline for at least the next three generations.

  But none of that mattered anymore.

  As of today, the Divine Family mansion lay in ruins.

  For Xue Hui, this vast territory was nothing more than a death trap.

  He had been fleeing from demon beasts for who knew how long, yet he was still far from the mansion's exit let alone the city gates.

  He was running on nothing but fumes.

  His legs continued to move by sheer instinct, but his knees were beginning to buckle.

  His vision blurred into a gray smear, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

  Still, Xue Hui did not dare stop for even a second.

  He knew that if the demon beasts caught up to them, they would be dead.

  He pushed himself toward the nearest exit when, suddenly, a sharp, searing pain shot through his chest, forcing him to halt.

  Only then was he reminded of the person in his embrace.

  Amid the chaos,

  the relentless running and the frantic escape,

  Xue Hui had not had the chance to properly check on his young miss's condition.

  Lowering his gaze to Chen Linlin, he saw her biting into a piece of flesh from his chest, the very spot pressed against her face.

  Thanks to her biting into the flesh on his chest, the pain was sharp enough to jolt Xue Hui's mind out of its fog and snap him back to his senses.

  Now that he was truly looking at her, Xue Hui saw that Chen Linlin's face was a mess. Her usually smooth albeit pale complexion was now smeared with dirt, sweat, and even blood. Her cheeks still bore traces of dried tears.

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  And her eyes.

  Chen Linlin's eyes, whose brightness had slowly faded over time due to her illness, were now completely blank.

  It was clear that all hope had been extinguished within them.

  At the sight of this, Xue Hui unconsciously slowed his steps until he finally came to a halt, standing there and staring into Chen Linlin's eyes.

  Master and servant faced one another,

  neither paying any attention to the world around them.

  They ignored the chaos, basking only in each other's presence.

  How long had it been since they first met? Back then, they were both still very young, when Chen Zhenlong had introduced them to one another.

  One of them had come from an orphanage.

  a baby abandoned in the middle of Glory City's streets by unknown parents.

  There was no sign of his origin, save for a piece of cloth with a name written on it, and a peculiar birthmark shaped like an open scroll in a bright, crystal jade color on his upper right chest.

  The infant had been taken back to the orphanage by those who found him.

  Over time, the baby grew into a young boy and was named according to the letters written on the cloth found with him.

  They hoped the name would serve as a key, making it easier for any remaining family who might search for him in the future to find him.

  Xue Hui (Shweh-Hway) was well liked throughout the orphanage.

  Everyone had good things to say about the young boy, especially the aunties who were in charge of the children's daily needs.

  Among the hundreds of children housed there, Xue Hui stood out as the only one who was always willing to help with chores.

  While other children his age ran around and played as was only natural, given how young they were and how little they could actually help, Xue Hui chose instead to lend a hand whenever he could.

  Xue Hui would often approach the aunties at the orphanage, diligently watching what they were doing.

  Occasionally, the young boy would ask how they accomplished certain tasks, then attempt to do them himself.

  Because of this, the aunties at the orphanage were always willing to teach him various things, which the boy seemed to greatly enjoy learning.

  They would even joke that it was because of his name Xue Hui that he loved studying and learning so much.

  Thanks to this, Xue Hui grew into a very capable child.

  But things were not always so pleasant.

  Especially when the time came for the children in the orphanage to be tested for their innate talents.

  This test was crucial, as its results would largely determine the future paths available to these children.

  Most of the time, children who displayed outstanding innate talent would be adopted by various families either raised as their own or nurtured into capable warriors for their clans.

  After all, orphan or not, children with great talent were worth nurturing.

  Once grown, their strength would greatly increase the safety of Glory City.

  One by one, the children deemed to have the highest potential were adopted.

  Those who were not were left behind. As they grew older, they would be transferred to other facilities,

  where they were taught practical skills such as woodworking, masonry, and crafting.

  After all, there was no place in Glory City for those who could not contribute.

  Everyone had a role to fulfill, and each person was a valuable asset in keeping the city livable for all.

  Xue Hui was one of the children who showed no potential for cultivation.

  No, worse than that.

  His innate talent was next to nonexistent. With only a single strand of soul force and a red soul realm, Xue Hui was deemed a lost cause.

  Naturally, he was placed among the group of children who were left behind at the orphanage.

  Xue Hui never had an issue with not being adopted.

  After all, the orphanage was the only home he had ever known since he first began to understand the world around him.

  He had even made a list of skills he wished to learn once the orphanage eventually asked him to leave and study under different artisans to master their crafts.

  But fate had other plans for him.

  He was in the middle of painting a portrait when one of the aunties at the orphanage hurried over, frantically urging him to freshen up.

  An important guest wished to see him.

  Xue Hui followed her instructions and was soon led to the reception area of the orphanage, where visitors could sit and meet the children they were interested in adopting.

  It was a place someone like Xue Hui whose innate talents were considered poor had never set foot in.

  "Is this the child?"

  Xue Hui's heart nearly stopped the moment he heard the imposing voice of the man before him.

  Growing up in the orphanage, Xue Hui had encountered many different kinds of people.

  Yet this was the first time he had ever felt such overwhelming pressure from someone's mere presence.

  The man's voice alone carried an indescribable force, powerful enough to make Xue Hui feel as though his very soul was being violently shaken simply by listening to him.

  Unconsciously, Xue Hui held his breath. His small hand trembled as he reached out and clutched the orphanage director's clothes for support.

  Seeing this, the middle-aged woman in charge of the orphanage gently patted Xue Hui on the head.

  It was hardly surprising that a little boy would feel overwhelmed by the aura of the person standing before them.

  "Yes, Lord Chen Zhenlong. This child is indeed Xue Hui."

  The director looked down at the boy clutching her clothes and gently nudged him forward.

  "Go on, Xiao Hui. We've taught you how to behave in front of seniors, haven't we?"

  Xue Hui nodded and carefully took a few small steps forward until he was standing directly before the man. He bowed deeply.

  "Xue Hui pays his respects to Lord Chen Zhenlong."

  Only after the man nodded in acknowledgment did Xue Hui finally release the breath he had been holding.

  Afterward, Xue Hui was asked to sit in a corner not far from the adults while they continued their discussion.

  The kind lady seemed particularly excited as she signed the documents, occasionally casting joyful glances in Xue Hui's direction.

  When Xue Hui noticed the adults approaching him, and quickly stood up from his chair.

  led by the same lady, She knelt down to meet Xue Hui gaze and shared the good news with a bright smile.

  "Xue Hui, from now on, you'll be staying with the Divine Family.

  Make sure you don't cause any trouble when you get there, understood?"

  Xue Hui nodded.

  Though he didn't immediately grasp her words, their meaning quickly sank in.

  His eyes widened as he looked past the lady toward the man standing behind her, silently asking if what she had said was truly real.

  Understanding the boy's unspoken question, Chen Zhenlong spoke.

  "I was told that you are a diligent and well-mannered child, someone who knows how to do chores and take care of others. If you are willing to follow me to my Divine Family and become my daughter's personal attendant, I will provide you with a place to live, food, and an education. You will also receive monetary compensation for your work. As long as you perform your duties faithfully, you will never have to worry about being sent back to this orphanage."

  Xue Hui turned to the kind lady, who eagerly nodded and silently urged him to accept.

  After a brief moment of hesitation, Xue Hui made up his mind.

  "Xue Hui is willing," he said, his voice trembling. "Xue Hui w-will work hard. Senior will not regret bringing Xue Hui with him."

  Chen Zhenlong nodded.

  "Then let us return to the Divine Family. I will introduce you to my daughter, and from this day forward, your sole priority will be to attend to her needs."

  End of Chapter 2