C1 I Am Your Father

In the Southern Arcana Empire's Green City, within the Shi family of the South Border.

"I'm awake, I'm awake, thank goodness..."

Amidst joyful exclamations, a young man with dark brown hair slowly opened his eyes at the center of an encircling crowd.

"Ouch, damn, that really hurts..."

The boy gradually lifted his head, his delicate, youthful face twisted in pain, pale as a sheet. Yet, his deep, ink-black eyes, though slightly bewildered, sparkled with an uncommon resilience and resolve.

"Scoundrel, are you trying to infuriate your father to death?" Shi Luo barely had time to process the situation when a massive hand swung towards him. A crisp smack echoed as five distinct finger marks reddened Shi Luo's pallid face. Stunned by the sting, anger flared across his reddening cheeks as he rose to his feet.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are? How dare you strike me?" Shi Luo bellowed, his expression fierce and commanding, exuding the presence of someone of high stature.

The onlookers were taken aback by the abrupt shift. A chill ran through Shi Luo's heart, followed by confusion, and ultimately, a resigned head shake. What trouble was this ancestor stirring up now?

"Young master... what's the matter?" A servant rushed to inquire, advancing quickly to restrain Shi Luo, fearful that the young heir might act rashly.

"Young master, you've just awakened. Perhaps you should rest a bit longer." Another servant suggested, gently pushing Shi Luo back onto the bed, all the while casting a concerned glance at the middle-aged man standing before him.

"What is this? How dare you treat me in such a manner? Today, I'll show you my true power!" Shi Luo exclaimed in shock, retreating swiftly as he brought his palms together, chanting under his breath.

"Break..." His voice thundered as he thrust his palms forward. Silence fell, brief and heavy. The onlookers were at a loss, watching their young master's antics as if he were performing a monkey show. The middle-aged man's face, already flushed with anger, now throbbed with prominent veins, his fists clenched and creaking, ready to unleash fury at any moment.

"How could this be?" Shi Luo gasped, staring at his outstretched arm before quickly glancing down at his body, a shudder running through him. Clad in green silk, his frame was far from robust, bordering on frail. Yet, unmistakably, it was the body of a teenager. Realizing this, Shi Luo hurriedly felt his face, the strange contours plunging him into silence.

"What's happening?" Shi Luo's expression was one of stunned confusion as he slumped to the ground, at a loss while facing the people before him. It was hard to fathom that a revered Battle Emperor had actually transmigrated, and into the body of a worthless playboy no less. He recalled delving into a secret land, being ensnared by a tremendous force, and sucked into an abyss aglow with runes. After that, nothing. When he awoke, this was the scene that greeted him.

"Big brother... what is your honored surname?" The oppressive silence made Shi Luo, accustomed to control, squirm with discomfort, prompting an awkward inquiry.

The middle-aged man's face tightened abruptly, sending a jolt of unease through Shi Luo.

The footboy's expression shifted instantly. Before Shi Luo could react, the boy was on his knees, clinging to the middle-aged man's leg, pleading desperately.

"Master, the young master may have suffered a severe blow to the head, causing temporary amnesia."

"Yes, master. The young master might be reckless and foolish, but it's inconceivable that he wouldn't recognize his own father."

"Master, please be lenient."

The footboys' voices overlapped, one of them giving Shi Luo a subtle wink, seemingly signaling something. Shi Luo's confusion deepened; the scene felt eerily familiar, and an instinctual urge to flee bubbled within him.

"You wretch, feigning ignorance of your own father. You think that'll save you from a beating? You don't recognize me, is that it? Fine, I'll remind you. I am your father, Shi Zhenshan, and if I don't beat you to death today, I renounce my name." Shi Zhenshan's body shook with fury, dispersing the force around him and sending the kneeling footboys sprawling. In one swift motion, he reached out, seized Shi Luo by the arm, and hoisted him up, flipping him over.

The instant his palm surged with power, it swiftly swung towards Shi Luo's rear. It all unfolded too rapidly; in truth, it was so astonishing that Shi Luo couldn't react in time.

"Master, please have mercy..." the footboy cried out, his voice tinged with fear. None dared to come closer, and as they watched Shi Luo being tossed around like a plaything in the master's grip, they could only silently hope that the young master would withstand this ordeal.

The room was filled with the muffled thuds of punches, the master's angry bellows, and Shi Luo's pitiful screams, creating a chaotic uproar.

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