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nTranslator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire

nJust what exactly were Head Butlers?

nThey 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.

nIf they commanded you to go left, no one would dare turn right.

nHead Butlers could place you on top of the world and let you enjoy the clan’s preferential treatment, but they could also throw you down to pit’s bottom and work in the clan’s sweatshop factories without redemption for your entire life.

nFeng Lang was stunned by Feng Lin’s audacity to defy the Head Butler.

nThis rascal seriously didn’t know the gravity of this; he had practically given up on improving his situation.

nTo think that he dared to offend even the Head Butler. Suddenly, Feng Lang didn’t think much about the lad’s tousle with him from before; that was nothing compared to this.

nHe must say, this lowly boy was truly a man!

nFeng Lang’s expression was painted with shock.

nFeng Lin, on the other hand, remained confrontational with the Head Butler. He looked calm and without any intention to retreat.

nPerhaps this Head Butler was a God-like figure to the rest of the Feng clansmen, but this wasn’t the case for him.

nHe was just about to be assigned to one of the clan’s 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?

nWhen else should he fight against his ‘fate’ if not now?

nFeng Lin had long since arrived at this realization.

nFight. He must fight and fight to the end.

nHis miserable fate was right in front of his eyes. If he didn’t fight now, then he would never get out of this predicament.

nFeng Lin’s “I reject” was resolute, spoken with a tone that could sever iron.

nThe atmosphere tensed up in an instant, so much so that it was stifling.

nThe Head Butler’s face scrunched hideously in disapproval, his anger rising by the minute until it reached its limit.

nWithholding the power of the clansmen, there was no one else who was above him besides the patriarch. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that he could hide the sky with a hand.

nWhen had anyone opposed him?

nAnd a low-grade clansman at that. What a rebellion!

nWhere was the discipline if he didn’t give this rascal a taste of his medicine? Where would he place his dignity as the Head Butler if he didn’t?

nThe pair of malicious, northern goshawk’s eyes maintained its death stare on Feng Lin; they were sharp as knives as though they could slice Feng Lin into a million pieces.

nA surge of strange energy rose in the air, as imposing as a mountain, cold as ice while it weighed heavily on one’s heart.

nFeng 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.

nNo!

nHis gaze burned intensely while he forced his back up, taking on a posture of being undaunted by the Head Butler. Feng Lin didn’t 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.

n“What a man!” Despite his condescending views about Feng Lin before, Feng Lang couldn’t help being inwardly awed by the former.

nThe intangible interaction between the two was intense. As a spectator, Feng Lang couldn’t help but shiver at the sight.

nHead Butler was an Interstellar cultivator. Yet, against such a dignified presence, this low-grade clansman was unyielding and continued standing tall.

nRegardless of his potential, the fact that he dared to go up against the Head Butler was respectable in itself!

n“Don’t even think about it!” Seeing as he couldn’t take down Feng Lin with his vigor alone, the Head Butler broke his silence.

nA glint flashed across Feng Lang’s eyes at the sound of that.

nAs the direct descendant of the clan, he was no stranger to the Head Butler.

nWhile the Head Butler remained impassive, he must have been raging inside. Otherwise, for someone who remained cold and distant usually, he wouldn’t have spouted such agitated choice of words.

nHow decisive, leaving no room for negotiations.

nThis lad was going to get unlucky!

n“Why not?” Against the Head Butler’s verdict, Feng Lin didn’t retreat.

n“The clan raised you up, so every single one of you has a duty to fulfill. As a low-grade clansman who can’t get into college, playing your part in the clan’s factory is your duty and your destiny. You must know that this clan doesn’t tolerate good-for-nothings. If everyone turned a blind eye on the rules like you do and reject their responsibility to the clan, then won’t everything be thrown into chaos? Will there still be any clan rules to speak of then?” the Head Butler lashed out severely.

n“Just because I can’t get into college, I’ll have to contribute to the clan?” Feng Lin didn’t panic, a confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips instead before asking again, “then what happens if I can get into university?”

n“What! University? Your vitality is at a mere 0.4, what a pipe dream…” The Head Butler didn’t disguise his scorn, but neither could he continue from there.

nWith a point of his finger, he retrieved his examination record from school.

nOn it, his vitality stats of 1.5 was striking. This was Earth High School’s result slip which could be retrieved from their data storage at anytime and was made public.

nThe data was conclusive and impossible to forge.

nLike 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.

nOne couldn’t go against the clan rules.

nHe was the guardian of this, yet this Feng Lin wanted to break down the clan’s order for the past thousands of years with just this little achievement? How delusional!

n“What can you do with 1.5 vitality?” He tore his attention away from Feng Lin’s result slip, seemingly unimpressed by it at all. “Earth High School is nothing more than a garbage school in Huaxia City. Among others, your vitality isn’t superior either; how capable could you be to get into a good university? If all you can get into is one of Earth’s diploma mills, then you’ll be unemployed the moment you graduate. It’d still be the clan’s burden if you can’t find work!

n“With such little vitality, you wish to be free of the clan’s duties? Impossible! You should know that there are a number of young Interstellar cultivators in our clan with the vitality of more than 10; what’s the use of 1.5?”

nEvery word was dripping with disdain, degrading Feng Lin’s examination results and his school into insignificance.

nThis 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.

nAt long last, Feng Lin saw the truth.

nThis Head Butler was belittling him.

nThe Feng Clan had a profound foundation; perhaps only Interstellar cultivators would be worth a glance in this Head Butler’s eyes.

nThere was no use of him saying anything more; it would only instigate more scorn and mockery.

n“Young man, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Unless you can get into Interstellar University, there’s not an ounce of possibility for you to escape your duties towards the clan. Your talent and potential are still world’s away from being the clan’s exception.

n“You only have a choice now: to follow the clan’s arrangement and intern at the clan’s factory obediently. Otherwise, if you don’t even have a job in future, you’ll be kicked out of the clan and become one of the losers on the streets of this society!” The warning was clearly laced among Head Butler’s words. In fact, it sounded more like a threat.

nI can’t wait till I get kicked out!

nTo others, this might have been a warning from the Head Butler, but Feng Lin couldn’t care less about it.

nIf he had to work at the clan’s factory, then he’d rather leave!

nHowever, unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to flee like a loser either.

nGetting into Interstellar University?

nFeng Lin didn’t waste his energy any further, but he wouldn’t give up.

nFight, he must fight!

nFight to the end, never give up!

nFeng Lin wouldn’t let others manipulate his fate like this. In a low voice, he spoke up, “Head Butler, I’ll definitely not intern at the clan’s factory. How about this, why don’t we make a deal?”

n“What deal?” the Head Butler asked instinctively, regretting it in an instant.

nFeng Lin lowered his eyes; his gaze was dark.

nThis was the last trick up his sleeve!

nAlthough 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.

nUnless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t get kicked out of the clan.

nThe society out there was cruel and turbulent.

nHe didn’t 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…

nSince Feng Lin inherited this body, he had inherited its karma too.

nHe couldn’t be this selfish, abandoning his family in this life and left all by himself.

nWhich was why he could only do his best.

n“We can have a deal. Let me fully prepare for my college entrance exam. If I don’t make it, I’ll return to the clan without protest and no longer hold any fantasies. I’ll commit to the clan’s duties obediently. However, if I make it through, I don’t 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. It’s little investment for greater returns, what can you have against it?”

nAt that, Feng Lin paused for a moment, his gaze was sharp as knife when he made contact.

n“How about it? Head Butler, what do you think?”

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