C4 Second Young Master Shi Wei

"Uncle, cousin, what's the good news? You both seem overjoyed."

A warm voice drifted over, and Shi Luo turned to see a young man clad in a brocade robe approaching with a leisurely stride. His demeanor was cool and confident, and his striking features were enough to draw admiration.

"Shi Wei, what brings you here?" Shi Zhenshan's mood soured. He had never gotten along with his second brother, Shi Zhenhao, and by extension, he was not fond of his nephew. It wasn't just because Shi Wei was the son of his brother; the boy might look gentle and carefree, but he exuded an undercurrent of darkness and cruelty that Shi Zhenshan found distasteful.

"Uncle, why do you ask? The Shi family is my home too. Why shouldn't I be here?" Shi Wei replied, unfazed, his smile intact. In the Shi family, Shi Zhenshan managed the family affairs, while Shi Zhenhao handled external matters. Following his father's lead, Shi Wei seldom stayed at the family home.

"A few days ago, big brother Shi Luo was injured, and I've been feeling guilty. If only I had intervened sooner, he wouldn't have suffered that beating and humiliation, nor would he be bedridden now. So today, I came primarily to visit and offer my apologies."

Shi Wei's face was a picture of sorrow and self-reproach, but as his gaze fell upon Shi Luo, a flicker of scorn and smugness betrayed his true feelings.

Shi Zhenshan, oblivious, remained cold and detached, but Shi Luo, a seasoned Battle Emperor, had an uncanny ability to read people. He caught not just the subtle shift in Shi Wei's breathing but also the fleeting look of contempt. "Damn, he's quite the actor," Shi Luo thought. "If I hadn't lived two lifetimes, I might have actually fallen for his charade. If I had any doubts before about his involvement in my beating, his eagerness to apologize now is a dead giveaway."

He's still green. Well, if he wants to play games, I'm game. Let's see if he can handle playing with a grandmaster like me.

"Haha, cousin, your timing couldn't be better. The fault was mine that day; I can't hold it against you."

Shi Luo chuckled heartily as he stepped forward and embraced Shi Wei with the warmth and ease of true brothers. Shi Zhenshan was taken aback, having never expected his son, who was always at loggerheads with Shi Wei, to show such warmth. Reflecting on the thaw in their relationship over the past fortnight, Shi Zhenshan gave a slight shake of his head. Let it go, he thought, children and grandchildren have their own luck. After all, they're family—why let things get so strained?

"It's been a while since you two brothers caught up. Have a good chat. And Luo, since you're set on cultivating, you should seek some advice from your cousin. His talent and level of cultivation are among the best in the Shi family. At just fourteen, he's already reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, a feat second only to your elder brother, Shi Tian."

Shi Zhenshan's voice carried a note of envy as he spoke. Shi Tian, the elder brother he mentioned, was Shi Wei's own sibling. He thought of his Second Brother's sons, each more formidable than the last, standing out among the youth of Green City. Then he considered his own offspring, who had dabbled in every vice from gluttony to gambling. After five years, he was still stuck at the Qi Refining First Layer and couldn't bear to even speak of cultivation.

Shi Zhenshan couldn't deny his jealousy. But now, with Luo showing signs of reform, if he dedicated himself to his practice, he might not match his brothers, but he would at least be able to hold his own within the family. This thought brought a surge of relief to Shi Zhenshan's heart.

"I understand, Father," Shi Luo responded with a slight nod.

"What? Cousin, you're taking up cultivation?" Shi Wei blurted out, his face a picture of incredulity.

"What, you don't believe me?" Shi Luo's voice deepened, tinged with irritation. Was it so hard to believe that a Battle Emperor like him could take to cultivation?

"No, of course, I believe you. With your natural talent, cousin, I'm sure your journey in cultivation will be smooth sailing," Shi Wei hastily replied, though inwardly he scoffed at the thought. 'This waste of space thinks he can cultivate? His physique aside, I'd be surprised if his dim-witted brain could even grasp the basics of the cultivation technique.'

"Father has instructed me to seek guidance from you, cousin. I think it would be best if you didn't leave for the next few days and stayed to give me some pointers," Shi Luo said with a warm smile, his voice earnest and his eyes brimming with hope.

Shi Wei was momentarily puzzled. Just days earlier, he had secretly slipped Shi Luo the Heart Losing Powder and goaded him into provoking Xia Luo, hoping Xia Luo would kill Shi Luo. This would sever his uncle's lineage, clearing the way for his father's line to rightfully claim the position of Patriarch—and elevate his own status in the process.

Yet, against all odds, Shi Luo had survived the ordeal. Worried that his plot might be uncovered, Shi Wei had come to visit Shi Luo under the guise of concern, probing for any hint of suspicion.

Now, to his surprise, Shi Luo was extending an invitation. It seemed the so-called good-for-nothing Shi Luo was blissfully unaware of the treachery afoot.

"Alright, since my dear cousin extends such a gracious invitation, it would be rude of me to decline," Shi Wei said with a sly chuckle, a glint of malice flickering in his eyes. He had been fretting over finding an opportunity to dispose of Shi Luo, and now here it was, handed to him on a silver platter. With Shi Luo's fiery and reckless nature, all it would take was a little provocation to incite a brawl. Under the guise of sparring, crippling him might just be within reach.

"Alright, cousin, Father once bestowed upon me our family's revered technique, the Profound Qi Cleansing Technique. I've never practiced it before. What do you say we cultivate it together now?"

Upon hearing Shi Wei's proposal, Shi Zhen's face lit up with delight, his innocent smile betraying his naivety as he gazed at Shi Wei with eyes full of eager expectation.

Shi Wei was taken aback, his breath catching as his mind thundered with excitement. The Profound Qi Cleansing Technique was a sacred art reserved for the Patriarch alone. As he looked at Shi Luo's guileless smile, he realized that Shi Luo had not even detected his earlier betrayal. Any lingering caution he had towards Shi Luo dissolved in the face of such an enticing offer.

"Oh? Really? You want to practice the Profound Qi Cleansing Technique with me? But that's something only the Patriarch is allowed to cultivate. I'm not sure that's appropriate..."

Shi Wei fought to keep his excitement under control, his face a picture of distress.

"Damn, still trying to fool me? You can't hide how thrilled you are right now."

"What are you saying, cousin? We're family. We may not be blood brothers, but we are brothers in arms, bound by life and death. This technique is meant to be cultivated by both of us. No more words are needed. Come, let's go check out the Profound Qi Cleansing Technique together."

Without waiting for a response, Shi Luo took Shi Wei by the arm and led him toward the backyard.