Honor of the Imperium Battle

In that moment, the little young man felt as though all hope had slipped away. It was as if the world around him had become blurry, and the noises slowly dissipated. He had believed that he might create a miracle, but it only ended by doubting one's self.

A child, marked with an unfortunate future from the moment of his birth, who would expect him to perform miracles? Sometimes he wonders if he was born to be cursed or cursed to be born. Useless... Disgusting... Monster... What else could it be?

Xu Hanyu made his way out of the training ground with a remorseful look in his face, he was standing there lowering his head. As soon as he was out of sight from the others, he let out small weep. Lord Xu, who had noticed Xu Hanyu's earlier eyes, followed him outside.

As he saw the young man walking in the path weeping alone, he moved closer and placed his hands to Xu Hanyu's shoulder to give him comfort.

"Han'er, it's alright son... Let it out. I'm here for you."

Hearing those words from his father, he couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He tightly embrace his father's waist and sobs. The tears from the young started to soak in Lord Xu's clothes.

"Easy now... You don't have to go through this alone." He said as slowly stroking his hair.

"F-fatherr..hic..hic..W-why is t-this h-happening to me..hic"

"Han'er, my son... I wish I could take away all your pain and suffering," Lord Xu said quitely, "But unfortunately, I can't. All I can do is offer you my comfort and my presence..."

"I've disgraced you f-father, I-Im sorry"

"Han'er, failing it does not define for who you are son. The path of cultivation is full of challenges, and this is just one of many you will face. What matters is your determination to learn and grow from this experience. I believe in you, and I know you will rise stronger."

"B-but father... I-I feel like I've let you down. I wanted to prove myself, to show that I am worthy of our family's legacy."

"You're already worthy enough to become my son, Han'er, I don't want to see you so hard on yourself."

"I don't feel like one. I feel hopeless of everything..! Sometimes I wonder why I'm not like my brother and sister..! They are such a good fighter while me..! I.."

His voice was trembling as he spoke out the words that came out from his mouth that filled with frustration and despair. Clenching his fist on both sides as if trying to hold the emotion that his feeling.

"It's alright, I understand how you feel, son, but I'm always here for you..." He pulled Xu Hanyu into a comforting hug.

Lord Xu places his hands on Hanyu's shoulder to comfort him and said, "Trust me, Han'er. You may not have a core now, but that is not a permanent state. With time, patience and perseverance, you will form a core and become an extraordinary cultivator. But even without a core, you can still train and grow stronger each day. I believe you that you can do it."

Lord Xu's encouragement shows Xu Hanyu that he can possess strength even without a formed core. He dedicates himself to training tirelessly, and despite the doubts of others, the young man is determined to improve himself.

While facing the young man, Lord Xu noticed a mysterious figure watching them behind the standing huge tree at their residence. It was a small girl with a bruise on her face; while her face was not entirely clear, the mark suggested she had been involved in a fight. As soon as she realized she was seen, the little girl began to walk back. Lord Xu sensed that something was off about her, and he was aware that someone was following them from the beginning but he decided to let it go, feeling that she might possess a powerful background.

"Father..? What's wrong...?" Xu Hanyu noticed that his father was looking outside, couldn't help but take a quick glance in the same direction as well. But, there was nothing unusual outside.

Lord Xu simply replied, "Oh, nothing Han'er." and then softly smiled.

"Ahh... okay."

Xu Hanyu suddenly remembered that the cat left on the shore. He was supposed to go get some medicine and return there after the training session.

"By the way, father, I forgot that I have to go to the shore." Xu Hanyu said trying not to raise a suspicion.

"Is there something you need to do there, Han'er?"

"No, father.. it's just... I remembered something important I left behind." the young man said while blinking excessively.

Seeing Xu Hanyu's unusual behavior, Lord Xu couldn't help but feel a growing sense of suspicion. His actions were out of character, and thinking the young man was hiding something. He tried to understand what could be causing his strange behavior.

"It's alright... You don't have to hide anything from me son.." he said reassuringly.

"I-I'm sorry, father. I just came across an injured black cat and I don't want it to be in danger." the young man was nervous as he looked down and spoke.

"Ah... I see now. It's alright, Han'er. You have a kind heart, always looking out for those in need. I appreciate your honesty. But promise me you'll be careful when dealing with stray animals." Lord Xu let out a soft sigh.

"I understand."

"You can go now.." Lord Xu nodded and signaled him to leave.

"yes father, thank you" Xu Hanyu bowed and left in a hurry

***

As the young man excused himself, Lord Xu was left alone in that space. After hearing Hanyu's words about the black cat, he was filled with suspicion and concern. Black cats were not just ordinary creatures; they did not belong in such vulgar places like theirs. There must be something more to it.

Xu Hanyu hurried towards the shore, carrying a bandage and medicine in his hands. The black cat he had found earlier was still lying there with eyes closed.

He gently called out, "Ming, I got you a bandage and medicine..!"

The cat opened its eyes and emitted a small "meow.."

"I'm sorry if I took a little longer," Xu Hanyu said apologetically.

He then began to wrap a bandage on the cat's wound, carefully avoiding causing any pain in the process.

The bond between Xu Hanyu and the black cat continued to grow over time, strengthened further by Xu Hanyu's daily visits to the shore. Despite his tiring training sessions, he made sure to stop by every single day after finishing his practice as he was eager to spend his time with his new companion. In addition, he always made an effort to bring some food to share with the black cat, showing his growing affection and dedication to their growing friendship.

Lord Xu was very protective of his son and often watched Xu Hanyu from a distance. Sometimes, he quietly followed him to the shore to make sure he was safe. Lord Xu saw how close Xu Hanyu was getting to the black cat, but he didn't interfere, letting Hanyu enjoy his new friend.

While spending time with his friend, Xu Hanyu also developed a desire to give his furry friend a name. He knew that a name would help build their connection and bring them even closer together.

So, after some careful thought, he spoke to the cat, "You know... I think you need a name. How about I call you 'Hei Mi'?"

"Ouch..!" Xu Hanyu groaned as the cat bit him off showing that it doesn't seem to like its name.

"What about, 'Xu Hei'?" The black cat approvingly rubbed itself against Hanyu's leg as Xu Hanyu suggested the name Xu Hei.

"I'll call you little Xu Hei then...!" he said proudly.

***

As the evening sky turned dark, the black cat became a young lady on the highest roof of the Xu Clan's headquarters. Her face remained hidden, but her presence suggested she have a powerful background, though her true identity was a mystery.

With a keen sense, she addressed the empty air behind her, "I know you're there... show yourself."

A man appeared from the dark, kneeling and bowing respectfully. "Greetings, my lady," he greeted in a respectful and steady but cautious voice.

"Have you investigate the Xu Clan?" she ask as she was gazing the different direction.

"yes, my lady. I have carried out the investigations as you requested."

"And what did you found?" she asked with calm and firm voice.

"The Xu Clan is a small clan in Tai Hua City, with a business in an armory in the southern part of the city. Despite their small size, they're one of the top three businesses in the city. The clan head's name is Xu Dan, and he's got three elders assisting him in managing both businesses and the clan."

"What about the kid, Xu Hanyu?"

"Xu Hanyu? he's the second son of the clan head, Xu Dan. Xu Hanyu has a cursed birthmark on his left arm spreads into his chest, and he lacks a core, preventing him from cultivating. Other people from their clan look down on him because of his situation."

After reporting about Xu Hanyu, she clench his fist. The man also thought the lady's interest would stop there. But to his surprise, she spoke again with a calm yet curious tone.

"That isn't all," she said expectantly, clearly wanting more information.

The man, realizing he hadn't completely answered the lady's question, swallowed nervously and said, " He has an older sister and older brother, Xu Lian and Xu Rong. He has a bad relationship with his brother but he gets along well with his sister."

"Sister..?" the man could sense a hint of jealousy in her tone.

"Yes, they're very close. She often dotes on him, treating him like a little prince. People says she's overly protective of him."

"I see, at least he has someone to protect him." the lady replied.

"yes, my lady..."

"You are dismissed." she said in a cool and commanding tone.

"My lady... but—"

She could sense the follower's unease, and cut him off before he could continue.

"What is it?"

The lady noticed that her follower was not ready to leave, it seems that he has something more to say.

"Are you planning on staying here, my lady...? You're injured, and 'The Duke' will be worried."

The girl's eyes lit up as she glared sharply at him, making him feel uneasy. "He saved me. Who else could have done that job better, you or him..?"

"I apologize, my lady.." he quickly replied. "Er, well, there's one more thing..."

She noticed the man's hesitation so he looked at him intently, urging him to go on.

"Well?" she prompted.

"There's on more thing ..." he said, feeling a bit flustered and cleared his throat. "Someone found him with you today, they believe your form was a demonic beast. I assume, they might try to harm you, my lady. And, I am too hesitant to kill them since we are not in our own empir-"

"Kill." she interrupted as her voice filled with chilling intensity.

"Yes.!" the man quickly responded as he was nervous at the same time.

"Only him can see me in that form."

"Yes, my lady.."

"Don't forget to clean the evidence.." she said with a firm voice.

"As you request, my lady.."

"Get lost. Now." she commanded, and he disappeared, leaving her alone on the roof and transforming back into her original form.

***

There were three young men, they look around seventeen-eighteen. All wearing an orange attire, walking down in a silent street in the middle of the night. They were very obviously drunk, swaying unsteadily as they spoke.

"I forgot to tell something to you guys-" the first of three spoke up on the right, burping as he held a bottle of alcohol.

"What...is..it..?" the one in the middle, sounding slightly annoyed as he asked.

"It's about that useless kid from Xu Clan-" the one on the right raises the bottle and burps again.

"ohh.. what about him..?" the one on the left spoke.

"I saw him earlier.. he was a with a demonic beast.." right young man said with a sly smile.

"A demonic beast? He's gonna get himself in trouble.." the middle said and laughed.

The first one, taking a swig from his bottle, slurred, "We should take advantage of this chance to bring the Xu Clan down, and let our Huo Clan r-"

Just before he could pronounce the last word, his neck was suddenly sliced with a sharp blade, causing him to stop talking and stiffen in his position.

"hey! what happened to you?!" the other two drunk young men were confused and shouted as they were shaking him off.

As they struggle to see properly through their drunken haze, they slowly noticed the blood dripping from his neck with his eyes open. They became startled and looked scared.

"Blood... blood?!??" the one on the left yelled.

After that, the man who had been sliced into his neck fell to the ground, lifeless.

"Run!! Run!! There's a ghost!!" the one in the middle shouted, panicking and taking off in the opposite direction.

In their panic, both of them split in different directions and running hastily.

"Ghost!! Ghost! Help–" the one in the middle screamed before he tripped and fell, trying to crawl away.

He turned on the ground and saw a shadowy figure of a mysterious man holding two sharp blades.

"Who... who are you?!" the young man asked, panic lacing his voice as he grabbed a stone from the ground, slowly backing away.

"The Huo Clan will never let you g-" he barely managed to say before the mysterious figure struck, slicing his neck with a swift motion of his blade.

On the other hand, the last young man who ran away found himself in a nearby area where trees were everywhere. In a panic, he decided to hide there, thinking it was the best way to conceal to stay out of sight with the abundance of trees around.

"Darn it! Am I really going to die like this?!" he stopped running, leaning on his knees to catch his breath.

Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching and quickly hid behind the trees, trying not to get caught. As he crouched behind the trees, trying to stay hidden as he watched the mysterious man scanning the area. The drunk young man held his breath, his heart racing with fear. Just then, the mysterious figure glanced in his direction, but thankfully, he didn't see him.

However, when the young man dared to look again, the mysterious man was gone.

"He's gone..?" he whispered, relief washing over him.

But when turned back to his side, he was met with the chilling sight in front of him.

"You–!" he gasped, but before he could finish, the figure sliced his neck, and he fell to the ground.

After killing the three young men, the mysterious man quickly cleaned up the scene, moving with practiced efficiency. He followed the orders he received, working diligently and skillfully. He ensured there was no trace of his actions, as if he had done this many times before.

This man was a loyal follower of a powerful family and currently the guard of that young lady, obeying her without question. He knew that any mistakes would have dire consequences, so he worked quickly and carefully, blending into the shadows before leaving the area without being detected.