A World AssimilationChapter 23

Shen Yu had recognized what he lacked; it was a power of ‘choice’.  

He wasn’t given choice in how he was born, nor where he would go. The more he struggled the more his choices narrowed down to what the society preferred. He wanted what others wanted, but he was also certain that he won’t be any different from others in his conquest.   dUCFGd

Medius Cultivators were powerful, they just lacked the right environment and nurturing. Shen Yu wanted to do something exceptional this time, a path none can take and succeed in, but he would do it, it was his own choice, a consent to his own path. Working by your own choice was something entirely different with a unique taste to it. Although all the more difficult to handle, there was a freedom and conquest to it which couldn’t be ignored. 

His family might be disappointed in him, but what would that do, he was so weak at the present, even his dantian was gone. What would being in the right do for him, would everyone worship him if he did the right thing. Even if he failed time and again, it was a matter of choice and its conclusion. 

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

“Are you sure little Kitten,” The question was nonchalant, a tone which carried something Shen Yu couldn’t name. Kai had a different language of his, and Shen Yu was well aware that there were certain things that couldn’t be said in front of others.  

He looked up at Kai, who had also chosen his own path, he was hated, he was loved, he was a sensation of his own. He walked his own path, and others had to consider him even if they detested him.   kyT3SP

“Do you think I am being a dunderhead?”  

Kai observed the bright resolute eyes, which had been holding grief and helplessness for a long time. He smirked, “you are certainly one, but I think we need more fools like you, the world will be more interesting that way.” 

Shen Yu nodded but not in agreement, “No, more fools would make it too chaotic… You and me are enough.” he ended up saying the last part rather softly. It was embarrassing to straight out take a u-turn when things were in his favor. Partly uncomfortable and partly resolved, Shen Yu tried to stake it all on one gamble. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Kai looked amused when he saw the pinched look, “I guess. So, are we to cooperate? Or are you going to make silly decisions again?” 

“I trust you, you won’t harm me.” 

“Ah? Is that so?” 

“Um,” Shen Yu nodded, although not directly, but he already did what he should have done that year. “For this mission, we can cooperate.” He added a buffer period, he would see if it worked for them. And also, it wouldn’t be too odd to have a stand point of his own, even though he knew he wasn’t entitled to such treatment. He was the weaker party with nothing to offer and he had to rely on the other, so his attitude would have to be humble to a certain degree. Yet, Kai wasn’t someone who worked on give and take culture, he was different, he was a giver and his rules were different.  

Shen Yu didn’t want to think too much about it, since the very start their relationship was weird and most often than not Kai forcefully laid down foundations for him when he felt Shen Yu’s indecisiveness. They were always lingering on an ambiguous silver line and Shen Yu wouldn’t be the one to cross that tentative margin without first scouting out the ins and outs.   reATRo

This particular decision was a step inside that margin, but he was only testing out before he really proceeded, and Kai knew it. 

“Right, okay then~” Kai agreed happily, a challenge in his eyes. Shen Yu tried not to look away from that inspecting gaze. 

~ 

At Shen’s residence, the atmosphere was heavy with brewing frustration and fermenting disapproval. The Council Head and the rest of the prominent figures didn’t say a word until Shen Teng bowed his head in apology, “I have been negligent as a father, please forgive this Shen Teng,” his voice quivered but it was unknown if he was extremely angry or if the future prospects regarding his family in the Clan made him fear his position. Their Clan rules never specified what cultivation path was to be taken, but anyone with a brain would know that their clan verbally forbade following Demonic Arts and Medius Cultivation.  dnJH1V

“We just learned of your son’s blatant disregard for his family’s reputation…” the Clan head said coldly, “We have yet to find the reason for his difficult position, whether due to insider tinkering or if a fated encounter, we will look into it, however, your son has really made us all rethink our decisions…” 

“Shen Teng asks for leniency, he is still a child-” Shen Teng spoke respectfully, but he was cut short by a cold response.  

“Your position won’t be taken from you, we aren’t so cruel, but your child, despite our advice and goodwill, he remains there and mingles with that Matsuda Clan child. How did we not know he was involved with someone like that?” 

Shen Teng breathed heavily to control his emotions, “I was lacking in judgement, I should have controlled him better. He knows how much I hate that clan-”  pMm9Fu

“Your hate,” The Council Head interrupted, “will not stop your child from following an outsider. We can tolerate his companionship for once, but he also decided to pick a cultivation method we neither approve of nor would let prosper… Do you understand what we mean?” 

Shen Teng nodded, his eyes tracing back to his brother Shen Shiqui who was motionless and poised, “If Shen Yu comes back well and alive, I am willing to hand him over to Shiqui for further tempering.” 

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Shen Shiqui won’t be handling your mess,” the old council head looked further dissatisfied, “when and if your son comes back, you are to punish him until he understands what it means to be a Shen Member. This is no longer an inner court matter of internal affairs, but now everyone knows what your son has done. Other Clans are laughing at us and most of them are sniffing around our domain to find further weaknesses. We can’t let them think that every one of our clan is a bad seedling. It would affect the younger generation of the family and our business industries. Those shareholders are already sending us distress mails.” 

“…I will take your words into account.”  8RIwoQ

“It is the most shameful thing I have ever seen in my entire life so far,” The Old Man seemed more and more angry as the time passed, so much that his usual calm and cold persona was starting to shatter, “How can he dare to do such a thing… dying is better than falling for such dark arts. Such cultivators… they are nothing but degenerates who feed on others, they don’t have a good name, not even one of them. And in our family of supreme righteous members, this one rotten seedling gave us so much trouble. It was already very shameful to have a child who was useless, and even after he got a good result, he ended up doing something worse.” 

“He might not continue this path Clan head, please calm down,” A council member urged, she looked soft spoken but she was a strong cultivator who had almost reached 6th stage, just short of advancing. “I may remind, there does seem to be some tinkering on our side, if so, it will be partially our fault here.” 

“Whether it is our fault or not, we will compensate to him,” The Clan head said coldly, “But he must know that if he follows the Medius Cultivation path, he will bring bad name to our clan. Do you know what will happen to our businesses and our industries??” 

The woman was quiet as she listened to the scolding, but she didn’t seem to find any fault in it, what the Clan Head said was true. Their industries were made on the foundation of social rankings and public say. Majority of populace did not like Medius Cultivators and those who followed this art were mostly unlawful and unbridled citizens. Very rarely was there someone who was famous for anything good.  iTxvtI

If consumers were displeased with one bad seedling, they would question Shen Clan’s disposition and prestige. 

“Why not publicly denounce him as Shen Teng’s son?” Asked someone from the back, as the Council Head silently thought more about the matter. 

“Not for now, we can try to reform that child first, but if he doesn’t listen, we will take away his status. Release an official statement about him and let people know that we were negligent in teaching him. Try to emotionally stimulate the public and show how concerned our family is about that child. We need to show our best face to others, it matters not if they believe us. One cannot easily discard a family member; it would be a bad influence.” 

“But Shen Teng already issued a statement before,” someone reminded from the council, “it might clash with our judgement.”  J62Hs4

“What statement?” The Clan Head frowned, as he glared at Shen Teng who lowered his head with unknown emotions in his eyes. 

“He clearly stated his dissatisfaction with the Matsuda Clan and their teachings, also pointed out his hate for not having a clever son. From the looks of it, the others believe we will disown this child.” 

The old man’s frown deepened, “How can you be so impulsive? Daring to attack the Matsuda Clan head on, is your head in the gutter? Shen Teng! Who told you to speak on this matter before discussing with us?”