Chapter 2: Then Let Me Leave

The Martial God System—a system meant to push its host to the peak of martial arts.

According to the system’s analysis, Chu Li, the current eldest son of the Chu family, was a natural martial prodigy. As long as he received the family’s inherited Martial God Bone, with the system’s help, he could soar immediately.

But the result was completely beyond the system’s expectations.

The Martial God Bone… was gone!

【Host is naturally frail. Without the Martial God Bone, his life expectancy will be less than five years!】

The system’s warning sounded in his ears, informing Chu Li of the consequences of not having the Martial God Bone.

Clearly, the system was panicking.

This wasn’t what it signed up for!

But right now, Chu Li no longer cared about the system—because all his focus was on the people before him.

Or rather, after what happened today, his last shred of hope for these so-called family members had finally been crushed. All he wanted now was the answer to a few questions.

Looking coldly at his father and sisters, who were speaking harshly from above, Chu Li spoke in an icy voice:

“The Martial God Bone is a treasure passed down by the Chu family’s ancestor to future generations.”

“Every Chu family member who breaks through to the Postnatal Realm before turning sixteen should receive it. Am I right, Father? Sisters?”

In this world, martial artists were divided into ten realms: Qi Induction, Postnatal, Prenatal, Divine Hidden, Violet Palace, Master, Grandmaster, Martial King, Martial Saint, and Martial God.

Chu Li had just turned sixteen this year, and having reached the Postnatal Realm, he was supposed to receive the family’s inherited Martial God Bone—this was clearly set by the family’s ancestral rule!

Yet his father and three sisters dared to break this ancestral rule, which was nothing short of blatant disrespect.

However, at this moment, Chu Lingtian, the head of the Chu family, stepped forward.

“The ancestral rule indeed states that the descendant who reaches the Postnatal Realm shall receive this treasure—but it also says: it must go to one who is virtuous!”

Gently letting go of the unconscious Chu Ming’s hand, Chu Lingtian turned around, his gaze full of contempt:

“Although you’ve reached the Postnatal Realm, your nature is stubborn and malicious. You want the Martial God Bone? You don’t deserve it!”

“By contrast, Chu Ming, though not of Chu blood, is kind and pure at heart. He is the true heir of the Chu family. The Martial God Bone should rightfully belong to Chu Ming!”

As soon as Chu Lingtian finished speaking, the Chu sisters immediately voiced their agreement.

“That’s right. Chu Ming is the true Chu family member.”

“Every day you keep eyeing your younger brother’s things—Chu Li, don’t you have any shame?”

“To even make such a demand, Chu Li, you’ve gone too far!”

Facing his sisters’ words of reproach and disappointment, Chu Li could only shake his head with a bitter laugh, finding it all unbelievable.

With just a few words, they had turned him into a vile young master scheming after his brother’s possessions—and even denied that he was part of the Chu family.

But thinking about it carefully, it made sense. Over the past six years, he had lived in a rundown courtyard, had no servants, and had to earn all his cultivation resources himself at the martial academy. In what way did he look like a true member of the Chu family?

“Fine. You say I’m not part of the Chu family? Then so be it.”

“But I was born frail. Without the Martial God Bone, I won’t live more than five years—you all know this, don’t you?”

“Are you really going to take even my life just to please Chu Ming?”

“…”

Hearing this, Chu Lingtian and Chu Wanling and the others fell silent.

Although they despised Chu Li, he was still of Chu blood. Chu Wanling and the others hadn’t intended to drive him to death.

They only meant to give everything that was his… to Chu Ming.

But it was true that Chu Li was naturally weak. Without the Martial God Bone, he really might die—and that made them hesitate.

Did they really have to take the Martial God Bone meant for Chu Ming and give it back to Chu Li?

As they frowned, lost in thought, a soft voice suddenly came from behind them.

“Father, sisters… what happened to me?”

“Ah! Chu Ming is awake!”

“Ming’er, are you all right!?”

At the sound of his voice, Chu Lingtian and the others immediately turned around, gathering around the adopted son Chu Ming as though he were the most precious treasure in the world.

In that moment, no one spared a single glance at Chu Li!

Even though what he said concerned his very life!

“Father, I lost the duel, didn’t I? My Martial God Bone should already belong to Brother Chu Li, right?”

As soon as he opened his eyes, Chu Ming exuded that fake innocent “green tea” aura. Although he was the same age as Chu Li, he spoke in a childish tone that was sickening to watch.

Yet the Chu family members completely fell for this act.

“Ming’er, don’t worry. How could I ever let your Martial God Bone be taken so lightly? So what if Chu Li won? He doesn’t deserve it!”

Chu Lingtian’s face was full of doting affection, as if the one before him weren’t a son, but a precious daughter. Chu Ming quickly added:

“But… Brother Chu Li’s health isn’t good. Without the Martial God Bone, it could be dangerous for him.”

“Ah Ming, you’re just too kind—that’s why Chu Li keeps targeting you!”

Third sister Chu Xiao’er chimed in from the side:

“What happens to Chu Li has nothing to do with you. His frail body is his own problem!”

“He’s just using his frailty to win pity, thinking we’ll give in and hand the Martial God Bone over to him.”

As she spoke, Chu Xiao’er glanced downward, her eyes full of wariness.

Eldest sister Chu Wanling’s face was as cold as ice. She then spoke:

“Chu Li, did you hear that? Your weak health is something you were born with. We won’t side with you because of it. Stop making trouble.”

After saying this, she noticed Chu Li’s gaze fixed steadily on her, and couldn’t help but frown.

What’s that look supposed to mean?

Could he still be planning to argue?

No… that look felt so cold, as if he were looking at a complete stranger.

That was what Chu Wanling thought, while on the other side, Chu Li had finally seen things clearly.

As he stared at his father and sisters above, the last flicker of hope in his heart was completely extinguished.

Even knowing he might die, they felt no pity at all—instead, they accused him of having bad intentions.

These people… could no longer be called family.

In truth, they had been like this for a long time. For six years, Chu Li had been hypnotizing and numbing himself, endlessly trying to please them, enduring all kinds of emotional manipulation.

After all, this was the Chu family that his mother had loved—this was his father, and those were his three full-blooded sisters.

But in reality, there had long been no place for him in this family. Even meals, he ate alone in a small room. His cultivation resources were no better than those given to the servants.

Today, even the last shred of hope was destroyed.

They had shamelessly stolen his Martial God Bone, taken away his very life, and even cursed him to die.

In all they did—was there a trace of familial love?

That so-called “family bond” was nothing but his own foolish wishful thinking.

No sorrow, no heartbreak—in this moment, Chu Li felt unexpectedly calm, with nothing left inside but endless emptiness.

He quietly turned around and, dragging his broken body, walked toward the exit of the great hall, faint traces of blood spreading beneath his feet.

“Chu Li! Who said you could leave!?”

Chu Lingtian’s voice called out from behind. It sounded close, yet to Chu Li’s ears now, it felt so distant.

“Chu Ming was hurt by you—aren’t you even going to check on him? He’s your brother! Do you still consider yourself part of the Chu family!?”

Chu Lingtian roared in anger, but Chu Li only smiled.

Without looking back, he forcefully swallowed down the blood rising in his throat and answered with a faint smile.

“First of all, Chu Ming is not my brother. Secondly, I no longer intend to be the ‘Chu family member’ you speak of.”

“What!?”

Hearing this, Chu Lingtian’s body trembled, momentarily speechless.

Chu Wanling, Chu Ruyan, and Chu Xiao’er also widened their eyes in utter disbelief.

Even Chu Ming was stunned. Although secretly delighted, he quickly forced down the corners of his mouth that had started to curl up.

“From today onward, I, Chu Li, sever all ties with the Chu family—never to return for the rest of my life.”

“These sixteen years of food, clothing, and shelter—I remember them all. Don’t worry; I’ll earn the money to repay you. I won’t owe you a single coin.”

“All these years, the only reason I stayed was for the sake of my mother’s spirit watching from the heavens. But now… I’m tired.”

“Farewell, Chu family.”

Gazing at the sky beyond the hall, Chu Li spoke his last words and stepped out, leaving behind a hall full of people too shocked to speak.

Only after a long silence did a furious roar finally echo out.

“Chu Li! How dare you!?”

“If you dare to step out of the Chu family gates, don’t ever come back!”

Chu Lingtian’s voice roared with rage—but it could no longer reach Chu Li’s ears.

Beneath the clear blue sky, he walked away calmly.