Jin mo’s secret

The next morning, Jin Mo was on his way to meet his mother. As he walked through the hallways of the Mo estate, he spotted her speaking with some maids. He approached with a bright smile.

"Hi, Mom."

His mother turned, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her son. "Hello, dear. How was your day yesterday?"

Jin Mo's face beamed with excitement. "It was amazing! I went hunting with Dad and fought some monsters."

His mother's expression instantly tensed. "Oh dear, are you hurt anywhere?"

Jin Mo chuckled and flexed his small arms. "No, Mom, I'm fine. Dad protected me."

She sighed in relief. "Thank heavens! Don't scare me like that."

"Don't worry, Mom. I'm strong now!" he said confidently, showing off his arm.

She smiled warmly. "That's great! It's good that you enjoyed your time with your father."

"Yeah, I had a lot of fun."

His mother reached out and gently patted his head. "Ahh, I was on my way to see your father. Come with me."

Jin Mo followed her as they made their way to his father's study. His mother knocked on the door.

"Come in," his father's deep voice called from inside.

They entered the room to find his father seated at his desk, reviewing documents with a serious expression. At the sight of his wife and son, he set the files aside and looked up attentively.

His mother approached with a soft smile. "Dear, you know our son's fifth birthday is in two weeks."

His father's gaze shifted to Jin Mo. "Is that so?"

"Yes! We should have a grand celebration. It's also his coming-of-age ceremony."

Jin Mo's mind raced. Oh yeah, the coming-of-age ceremony. Many clans practice this tradition. When a child turns five, they officially begin their cultivation. Before that, they focus on strengthening their body to prepare for cultivation. Some start early, but waiting until five is the norm. This will be a major milestone for me.

His father nodded. "Yes, we should make it a grand occasion." A rare blush dusted his cheeks.

His mother clapped her hands excitedly. "Yay! Jin Mo, we will celebrate your birthday in a big way. We'll invite many great clans, sects, and families. You'll get to meet people outside our clan and build connections that may help you in the future."

Jin Mo felt a surge of excitement. This will be my first time meeting people beyond my clan. "Thank you, Mom!"

She smiled warmly. "Oh, you're welcome, dear."

His father cleared his throat. "Ahem. Jin Mo, after your birthday, you will begin cultivating."

"Okay, Dad."

His mother's eyes widened in surprise. "Dad?" she echoed, glancing between them.

His father coughed and looked away. "Yes. I accepted Jin Mo as my son."

His mother gasped. "What? You didn't tell me! Jin Mo?"

His father rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "It happened yesterday during our hunt. But Jin Mo, I told you to only call me that when we're alone."

Jin Mo shook his head. "It's fine, Dad. We're family after all."

His parents were stunned. Tears welled in his mother's eyes, and even his father looked visibly moved. His father had spent so long chasing strength that he had forgotten the warmth of family.

His mother pulled him into a tight hug. "Oh, Jin Mo!"

His father quickly composed himself, but his voice was softer. "Yes, you are right. Now, come here, Jin Mo. I want to check your Qi."

Jin Mo's breath hitched. If he checks my Qi, he'll discover my dantian, my necro Qi, and my vast reserves!

Hey, Nyx! he called mentally.

Nyx's voice chimed in his head. What happened?

If my father checks my Qi, he'll find out about my dantian, necro Qi, and the sheer amount of Qi I have. What should I do?

Nyx chuckled. No worries, dummy. I'm here. No one can detect your necro Qi unless you want them to. I'll hide your dantian and suppress your Qi to only 30% of its true amount.

Thanks, Nyx! You're the best!

Of course.

"Jin Mo? Why aren't you answering?" his father's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Jin Mo quickly composed himself. "Nothing. Here I come."

He approached his father, who extended a hand. "Give me your arm."

Jin Mo obeyed. His father placed his fingers on Jin Mo's wrist, sending a trace of his own Qi into Jin Mo's body to examine it.

His father's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, son. You have a lot of Qi in your body. Have you been consuming elixirs or pills?"

Jin Mo shook his head. "No, Dad."

His father furrowed his brows. "Then how?"

Jin Mo grinned. "Maybe I'm your son, after all."

His father let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! That's true. But even so, this is an exceptional amount of Qi for your age."

Jin Mo smirked internally. He only saw 30%, and he's already shocked. I wonder how he'd react if he knew the full extent of my power.

His mother smiled proudly. "Well, I did raise him."

His father laughed again. "Ha ha. Good, good. Well, in two weeks, we will hold your birthday celebration. Be prepared, Jin Mo. You may leave now—I need to speak with your mother."

Jin Mo bowed. "Okay, Dad."

As he left, his parents remained in the room. His father leaned back in his chair and exhaled. "Our son has grown a lot."

His mother nodded. "Yes. He takes after you."

His father looked thoughtful. "He's stronger than I was at his age."

She blinked. "Is that true?"

He nodded. "Yes."

She grew serious. "Dear, we must protect our child."

His father shook his head. "No. If we shield him too much, he will never surpass me. You've protected him enough. Once he steps into cultivation, he will enter the world of Murim. We can't protect him forever."

She sighed. "You're right. I just hope the heavens watch over our child."

His father's gaze hardened. "If they don't, I will."