Chapter 6: The Promise
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: PlumSauce
Alvin brought Yun Yingzhi back to the workshop. Upon entering, he looked at the many materials that Yun Yingzhi had destroyed and pinched the little boy’s nose. “I always thought our little Zhizhi had incredible destructive power. Now that I know you have SSS-level mental power, it seems our little one was still holding back.”
Yun Yingzhi covered his mouth and giggled. Alvin began teaching Yun Yingzhi the principles of source-weapon creation. But today was different.
Previously, Yun Yingzhi had listened attentively. Today, he was clearly distracted. During breaks, every few minutes, he would check his personal terminal and ask repeatedly, “What time is it? What time is it? What time is it?”
By around five in the evening, Yun Yingzhi pressed his cheek to Alvin’s and said goodbye, happily boarding the hovercar home. He was ecstatic. He couldn’t wait to see Madam Yun. He wanted to tell her about his mental power. He wanted to say that he wasn’t a waste, he wasn’t the Yun family’s disgrace, that he had incredibly strong mental power!
So happy was he that he couldn’t resist humming a little tune.
The driver in the front seat glanced back at Yun Yingzhi, smiling. “Master Zhizhi seems very happy today?”
Yun Yingzhi lifted his little chin and happily replied, “Yes! I have good news to tell Mother today!”
The driver paused, smiled, and said no more. The Yun family’s favoritism was obvious to all, but as household servants, they had no power to change it. All they could do was take extra care of this adorable little master.
After five o’clock in the evening, Yun Yingzhi returned home. Neither General Yun nor Madam Yun were present. His elder brother, Yun Yinghui, lived at school and rarely came home. Yun Yingzhi stood at the door, hoping his parents would return soon so he could tell Mother about his mental power. He waited at the door for nearly half an hour before finally hearing that Madam Yun was on her way home.
The Yun family’s household staff came out to greet them. The door opened, and Madam Yun entered wearing a red formal gown, holding Yun Yingyao in her arms. Following her was Lady Huai, with Huai Boshe at her side.
Yun Yingzhi blinked, his ink-black eyes looking at Lady Huai. He politely greeted her, but when he saw Huai Boshe, he flicked his head and “hmph”ed in disdain. Madam Yun, holding Yun Yingyao, noticed this and loudly scolded Yun Yingzhi, demanding he apologize to Huai Boshe.
Yun Yingzhi felt a little wronged but didn’t want to anger Mother. He obediently apologized to Huai Boshe, then, when the adults weren’t paying attention, shot Huai Boshe a mischievous glare. Huai Boshe caught the glance precisely, rolling his amber eyes at Yun Yingzhi.
Yun Yingzhi then turned his gaze toward Madam Yun. She held Yun Yingyao in her arms. Yun Yingzhi felt a pang of envy. In his memory, neither General Yun nor Madam Yun had ever held him. He wanted to be held by his parents too. He thought that his parents loved outstanding children—like his brother and sister—children who were excellent in every way.
At the very least, he shouldn’t be the family’s disgrace. He believed that if he told Mother about his SSS-level mental power, she might love him just a little like she did Yun Yingyao. Even a little attention was enough. If she occasionally, very occasionally, hugged him, he would be content.
“Congratulations, our little A-Yao has awakened her second ability,” Lady Huai said.
A faint smile appeared on Madam Yun’s usually cold face as she looked warmly at Yun Yingyao. “A-Yao is a lot like A-Hui,” she said, sitting on the sofa with Lady Huai.
Huai Boshe sat beside Lady Huai, glancing at Yun Yingyao, but his eyes kept darting toward Yun Yingzhi. Lady Huai had always told him that Yun Yingyao was excellent in every way, and that compared to her, Yun Yingzhi fell short. In her eyes, he didn’t even seem like a true member of the Yun family.
Admittedly, he was beautiful, truly beautiful. Yet, compared to Yun Yingzhi’s mere beauty, Huai Boshe still admired Yun Yingyao, who was excellent in every aspect. Even so, he couldn’t help but glance at Yun Yingzhi.
The young children had no idea yet that this was the killing power of a naturally beautiful child—always attracting attention unconsciously. Yun Yingzhi trotted forward, placing his little hands on Madam Yun’s lap. Her smile faded instantly, her gaze turning cold. Yun Yingzhi shrank back and instinctively withdrew his hands.
“Yingzhi,” Madam Yun said, “go upstairs. Don’t get in the way here.”
Yun Yingzhi’s little face scrunched up, and in a soft, timid voice, he said, “B-but Mother, Zhizhi has something to tell you.”
Madam Yun asked, “What is it?”
Yun Yingzhi’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Madam Yun. “Mother, Zhizhi has the talent to create source weapons!”
Madam Yun’s eyelids twitched, and with an even sterner voice she said, “Yingzhi, go back to your room.”
Yun Yingzhi’s small body shrank again, but he did not go upstairs. Through his tearful voice, he said, “Mother, Mother, Zhizhi isn’t a waste! Zhizhi’s mental power is strong! Zhizhi can become a source-weapon maker! Zhizhi can create so many powerful source weapons in the future! Zhizhi…”
Madam Yun interrupted, “I told you to go upstairs!”
The entire living room fell silent.
Tears streamed down Yun Yingzhi’s face. His eyes were red as he looked stubbornly at Madam Yun. “Why don’t you like Zhizhi? Zhizhi can be strong too, Zhizhi can…”
Madam Yun interrupted again, “By ‘strong,’ you mean through source weapons?” She found it laughable. Using only C-level mental power? Not only laughable, but also utterly embarrassing, especially in front of others. Her voice was strict. “Yun Yingzhi, I want a child who is excellent in every aspect, not one who tries to take shortcuts through source weapons. Stop embarrassing me and go upstairs!”
Yun Yingzhi bit his lip, crying pitifully. He wanted to argue, but he was too young and didn’t know how to respond. Yet he clearly understood now—Madam Yun did not want a child who could create source weapons. A wave of despair washed over him. This was the only area where he had talent; in all other aspects, he had nothing.
Madam Yun ordered, “Steward Zhang, take Yun Yingzhi upstairs. Don’t let him come out.”
The long-serving Yun family steward stepped forward and gently carried Yun Yingzhi upstairs. Steward Zhang had watched Yun Yingzhi grow up for many years. He didn’t understand why, among the three Yun children, this ordinary but especially obedient and cute child was disliked by both General Yun and Madam Yun. In any other family, he would have been cherished.
Steward Zhang carried Yun Yingzhi back to his room, gently wiping his tears as he placed him on a chair.
Yun Yingzhi looked at Steward Zhang and asked, “Uncle Zhang, why doesn’t Mother like source-weapon makers?” He paused, then continued, “Even though Zhizhi’s second form is a little bunny, Zhizhi can make so many source weapons for himself. Zhizhi can control Source. Zhizhi can become really strong, even stronger than my sister… wuuhhh…” His words dissolved into tears.
Steward Zhang said, “Zhizhi, Madam Yun is strict. She admires warriors who have strong natural talent, rather than relying on source weapons to boost their strength.”
Sniffling, Yun Yingzhi said, “Mother is wrong! Power shouldn’t have levels. She’s biased against source weapons… wuuhhh…”
Steward Zhang patted Yun Yingzhi gently on the back. “Be good, Zhizhi. You have to understand Madam Yun. The Yun family has long been constrained by source weapons. The source weapons made by the Association or the Military Research Institute are always sent to General Yun’s troops last. That’s why Madam Yun dislikes source weapons so much.” He sighed heavily.
Yun Yingzhi didn’t fully understand, but he got the gist: Madam Yun disliked source weapons, so she didn’t want him to become a source-weapon maker. After a pause, with tears still falling without stop, he held Steward Zhang’s hand and asked, “What about Father? Does Father feel the same as Mother?”
Steward Zhang fell silent.
“If Zhizhi becomes a source-weapon maker, a really strong one, would Father be happy?” Yun Yingzhi asked again.
Steward Zhang sighed. “If Zhizhi can become a very strong source-weapon maker—truly exceptional—then maybe your Father would be pleased.”
Yun Yingzhi wiped his tears with his sleeve, stopped crying, and fell into deep thought. He realized that, as things stood, neither Mother nor Father would like him. For a moment, Yun Yingzhi felt like giving up on source-weapon creation. He thought that no matter how hard he tried, unless he met General Yun and Madam Yun’s expectations, they would never like him.
But he didn’t want to remain trapped in the oppressive atmosphere of the Yun household. He didn’t want to feel stifled like when around Huai Boshe. He didn’t want to see his pampered younger sister Yun Yingyao enjoying privileges he didn’t have.
So he continued to pack his little book bag every day and, guided by the Yun family’s driver, went diligently to Alvin’s workshop. After the mental power testing, Alvin began seriously teaching Yun Yingzhi how to create source weapons. Yun Yingzhi felt downhearted. Many times he wanted to give up, but then he thought of his elder brother, Yun Yinghui, who had sent him to Alvin.
He thought, It didn’t matter that Father and Mother didn’t love him. Brother loved him. Humph!
If Father and Mother didn’t love him, he wouldn’t love them either. From now on, he only needed his elder brother Yun Yinghui. Even though he was ordinary in every way, useless at many things, and had extraordinary destructive power at such a young age, Alvin had said that because of him, Yun Yinghui had already started “selling himself” to repay his debts.
Of course, he didn’t know what “selling himself” meant, but it seemed very hard, as if he was constantly working or completing tasks for money. At that time, Yun Yingzhi made a resolution: he would become the most skilled source-weapon maker to repay his brother’s care.
Yun Yingzhi straightened up and resumed learning source-weapon creation.
Fansa Academy opened up once a month. Every month, when Yun Yinghui returned home from Fansa Academy, Yun Yingzhi would wait eagerly at the door. Like Yun Yingzhi, Yun Yingyao also waited at the door for Yun Yinghui.
Yun Yingzhi glared at Yun Yingyao, worried his sister would compete for their brother’s attention. Yun Yingyao glared back, wanting the elder brother’s hug for herself. The two children, only a year apart, waited at the door for Yun Yinghui.
Finally, Yun Yinghui returned. The moment the door opened, the two children rushed toward Yun Yinghui at the same time. Yun Yinghui looked down at the two little ones staring up at him, his brows furrowing slightly. Yun Yingzhi’s eyes were full of fear and unease while Yun Yingyao’s eyes brimmed with expectation.
In the end, Yun Yinghui picked up Yun Yingzhi. Yun Yingzhi wrapped his small hands tightly around Yun Yinghui’s neck and pressed his face to Yun Yinghui’s cheek, smothering him in sloppy kisses.
Yun Yingyao stomped her foot, unhappy. “Big Brother only likes Zhizhi! Why don’t you look at Yaoyao?”
Yun Yinghui gently stroked Yun Yingyao’s hair. “Brother likes Yaoyao too.”
Hearing this, Yun Yingzhi tightened his grip around Yun Yinghui’s neck. Sensing Yun Yingzhi’s emotions, Yun Yinghui kissed him on the cheek to comfort the little one.
Yun Yingyao became even more upset. “But Big Brother only hugs Zhizhi and kisses Zhizhi. Why don’t you hug and kiss me?” she complained.
“Because Yaoyao is a girl and Zhizhi is a boy. Brother cannot be too intimate with Yaoyao, and Yaoyao cannot be too intimate with other boys, understand?” Yun Yinghui explained softly.
Yun Yingzhi pouted. Yun Yinghui gently tapped Yun Yingzhi’s forehead, his gaze full of affection. Yun Yingzhi pressed his cheek against Yun Yinghui’s and thought to himself that Father belongs to Big Brother, Mother belongs to the little sister, and Big Brother belongs to him!
His! His! He thought further that even if Father and Mother didn’t love him, it didn’t matter. Big Brother loved him. Big Brother could act as his father, mother, and brother all in one. A mighty Big Brother could play all three roles!
That night, Yun Yingzhi, dressed in pajamas and clutching his small pillow, tapped on Yun Yinghui’s door.
From inside came Yun Yinghui’s clear, icy voice, “Come in.”
Yun Yingzhi stepped in with cheerful footsteps. Seeing Yun Yingzhi, Yun Yinghui’s normally cold expression softened, revealing a trace of warmth. He spread his arms, signaling the little one to come for a hug.
Yun Yingzhi threw his small pillow onto the big bed and leapt into Yun Yinghui’s arms. “Brother, Zhizhi wants to become the strongest source-weapon maker, and the strongest source-weapon warrior! Zhizhi wants to be your shield and defense!”
Yun Yinghui paused and pinched Yun Yingzhi’s nose. “Not a shield and defense, Zhizhi. Left and right hand.”
Proudly, Yun Yingzhi lifted his little chin, not really knowing what he was proud of.
“Then Zhizhi promises Big Brother: Zhizhi will become the strongest source-weapon maker and be your left and right hand,” Yun Yinghui said.
Yun Yingzhi added, “Zhizhi will also become the strongest source-weapon warrior!”
Yun Yinghui hesitated. “But I don’t want you to become a warrior.”
“Ah?” Yun Yingzhi didn’t understand.
“If Zhizhi becomes a warrior, you might face many battles. I don’t want you to face any danger,” Yun Yinghui gently combed Yun Yingzhi’s hair.
Yun Yingzhi thought for a moment, then, with tearful, glistening eyes, looked at Yun Yinghui and said in a soft, cooing voice, “Brother!”
“Mm?” Yun Yinghui replied.
“Zhizhi loves you!”
“I love you too,” Yun Yinghui said.
“Father!”
“What?” Yun Yinghui was momentarily stunned.
Yun Yingzhi held Yun Yinghui’s face in his tiny hands. “Brother, you are both my brother and my father!”
Yun Yinghui thought, This little one’s mind jumps fast. He paused, then replied, “Mm.”
“Mother!”
So now he wants me to act as a mother too? Yun Yinghui thought. He decided this male-mother role was unnecessary.
Before he could think further, the little one called out again in a soft, cooing voice, “Mother!” His eyes were full of expectation.
Yun Yinghui’s eyelid twitched. After a brief silence, he said, “Be good, Zhizhi.”
Yun Yingzhi’s eyes curved into crescent moons, dimples deepening, forehead pressed to Yun Yinghui’s. With utmost seriousness, he made a vow, “For Big Brother, for the Brother who acts as both my father and mother, Zhizhi will become the strongest source-weapon maker!”
Yun Yinghui said, “Our Zhizhi is amazing.”
Yun Yingzhi beamed. He thought that he might be useless at everything else, but at least in source-weapon creation, he had some talent.
Alvin had told him that not every child could consume as many source-weapon materials to the point where Yun Yinghui had to “sell himself” in order to supply enough materials. According to Master Alvin, in this area, he was truly exceptional!
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