On Second Thought

"Father, this is nonsense," A young man with handsome features said to a middle-aged man. Judging from the sentence, this was a debate about a serious matter. The middle-aged man's appearance was youthful despite his age, he stared at the young man with a cold look.

"This is none of your business," The middle-aged man said emotionless, devoid of emotions. The young man looked frantic and sweats covered his forehead. He looked as if he was worried about something terrifying.

"You can't do this, he'll die," The young man didn't understand why his father wanted to commit such actions that would offend their ancestors. The young man stared intensely at his father, hoping him would let it go. His father didn't do anything as he turned around, staring at the gloomy sky, he seemed to mutter something that the young man couldn't catch.

"You have no say in this, this is final," The middle-aged turned and left, cold air that he left was extremely cold. The young man stood still, staring at his back. He stood still for a while,

"Looks like nothing will stop him from his faith in those shitty beliefs," A feminine voice could be heard. The young man smiled bitterly, shaking his head. They were worried of the outcome from that decision.

...

"Spirit users are unique in their own ways and could also be awakened by someone who had been shot or touched by a mysterious artefact that is shaped like an arrow," Uncle Lan explained carefully as he rubbed his chin. Wang Kuan, himself, touched the so-called artefact during his trip to Shanghai and it was also around the time he awakened his own.

"How do you know these things? I remember you said you weren't a user but you possessed quite the knowledge of these kinds of things," Wang Kuan said with an expressionless face. For a person who was not a user, to hold such important information was indeed really suspicious.

"It's nothing," Uncle Lan looked to the side, avoiding Wang Kuan's gaze. He then sighed as he rubbed his neck and said, "This knowledge was given to me by none other than my master before he died".

Wang Kuan rubbed his chin and thought over for a sec, "Are there any ways for me to learn how to use it properly". Wang Kuan was curious about how this power works as himself was unfamiliar with this newly received information.

"Spirits are based on mythical legends just like its abilities and weaknesses. Most of the users usually awaken them from birth, for rare occurrences, the amulet"

"To learn how to use it, one must learn how it works and who your Spirit was based on. You must preserve your vital energy and fuse it with the Spirit, it will receive your strength and knowledge. You were pretty lucky yesterday that you managed to fight without acquiring any knowledge about it."

Uncle Lan said a bit impressed with how yesterday's incident had taken place and continued, "Since you've been targeted yesterday, you must be careful in the future. These things aren't a joke and could cause a crack to our current society."

Wang Kuan nodded his head and a question popped up in his head, "Uncle, is there some kind of stages for Spirits like how it is for cultivation?"

"That...It's a bit complicated on its part. It has a system but it doesn't work like cultivation. Your Spirit is tied to your life-force and any harm done to the Spirit will have the same effect on your body. Cultivating will help with its development as well and other ways to develop it are pretty much useless. The stages are normally based on how proficient you use it."

"The first stage would be how aware are you of your Spirit and the second stage would be a beginner level and it goes on till you're an expert."

"Hmm, I see. This is indeed very complicated."

"Also, Kuan, make sure to make use of it. There will be a time where you will be troubled by the superiors and make sure to never break this information to anyone else as this knowledge is delicate and could be used to ignite wars and feuds."

"Hmm, I understand and I'll try my best to make use of it."

Wang Kuan talked for a while before going back to his apartment. On his way to the apartment, he was stopped by three-sport cars. Wang Kuan was approached by a handsome man with guards behind his back. Wang Kuan immediately was alerted trouble and went forward with a smile.

"Who must you be?"

"I'm called Jia Qiang, it's been a long time, my friend." He stretched his hands out to shake hands. His tone was really friendly and outgoing, Wang Kuan was shocked and looked at him strangely. He didn't expect to be pulled over by an old acquaintance.

'Jia Qiang? If I remember correctly he was the one who helped me win over the girls from the senior department?'

"Jia Qiang? Ah, it's you, it's been a long time." Wang Kuan nodded his head and shook his hands like two old friends reuniting for the first time. Ironically, the two of them used to be part of a gang and Jia Qiang was the usual cold and distanced one while as Wang Kuan was the wild and outgoing one.

'Such an embarrassing phase of life! Goddamn it!'

"I'm surprised to see you well, it's been years since we last saw each other, back then you were always playing around with girls and asked me to help you lie to your girlfriend. You look quite mature huh?" Jia Qiang joked and laughed innocently, a stab right into Wang Kuan's heart.

'Can you not bring it up? For god's sake!'

"I couldn't help it when I recognized you a street away and wanted to catch up with you. How are you?"

Wang Kuan laughed bitterly and mocked himself, "Karma hit me so hard back then, I lost my pride and dignity. I don't think I even deserve to be in your presence."

Jia Qiang repeatedly shook his head and said, " Don't say that, we were both stupid and immature brats back then. I kinda realized what I did wrong and improved myself in the work field, I'm a CEO of Jia Groups now so what's your job?"

"I don't have a job," Wang Kuan couldn't disclose what he does and lied with a straight face.

"I see, that's too bad. I know a place where you could apply for a job, the Meng Group. I heard they're looking for a bodyguard and you used to be really good at fighting, I don't know now but why don't you apply for it?"

'Meng Group? One of the top three groups in Hong Kong? I don't think I have the time to do another job. Though a bodyguard does sound nice and having connections to the Meng Group could help me restore some relations back to the Wang Clan, I'll think about it.'

"It would be good if you marry one of the Mengs and you could get revenge on the Wang Clan for abandoning you." Jia Qiang joked and hit him on the shoulders multiple times.

"Get revenge? I'm afraid not, I'm basically a bug in their eyes and it was kinda my fault I got abandoned. Though I do want to rescue my siblings and there, I want them to be free and happy, not under an authoritarian regime under my father's palms."

"It's good that you're still thinking about them no matter where you are, you may be an irrational child back then but your love for your family exceeded your lust and anger, somehow only for them to abandon you causing a crack in your love for them. I hope you'll rethink about it and how the job could benefit your relations. Afterall the business world isn't a playground, it's a cage."

Wang Kuan couldn't help but take his words to heart, maybe he should do something to help his friends and family that were stuck in a cage but first, he needed to build connections and get strong.