So That How it Is

The warm glow of the lanterns cast a soft light over the dining table, where plates of steaming food filled the air with a comforting aroma. Kazel took another bite of the dish in front of him, savoring the explosion of flavors on his tongue. He had never seen or tasted anything like this in his previous life, and at first, he had been skeptical. However, the moment it touched his palate, all doubt was cast aside. The rich, savory sauce, the tender meat—it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.

His mother, sitting across from him, chuckled as she watched him devour his meal. "Wow, you must have been really hungry."

"How was your cultivation?" she added, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Oh, he was immersed," his father interjected with a knowing grin.

Kazel swallowed his bite before answering, "I think I get the gist of it, but Father, there must be levels for this as well, right?"

His father nodded. "Indeed! The first stage is Body Enhancement, and it spans five levels."

Kazel wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, intrigued. "And after that?"

"The next realm is Soul Formation," his father explained. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. That is still a long way from where you are now. You'll learn more once you reach that stage. The naming conventions can be... difficult to remember."

Kazel tapped his fingers against the wooden table, his mind weaving together fragments of information he had gathered so far. After a moment of contemplation, he set his fork down and looked at his parents.

"Father, Mother, I think I've realized something. Correct me if I'm wrong."

His parents exchanged glances before both turned their attention back to him.

"Hmm?" They waited for him to continue.

"The arranged marriage—it's possible because of the Immortal Sect, isn't it?" Kazel leaned back slightly, his arms crossing over his chest. "I heard that Salma was also engaged to some guy from the Jade Lotus Sect, Yuanggai or whatever his name is. That made me think—my arranged marriage must have been possible because of Grandfather's influence… or, more accurately, the influence of the Immortal Sect at its peak." His eyes flickered with sharpness. "With that in mind, the Rising Stone Sect was nothing compared to the Immortal Sect during its glory days. Am I right?"

A stunned silence fell over the table. His mother looked utterly taken aback, while his father's chopsticks slipped from his fingers, clattering against the plate.

Kazel exhaled slowly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Looks like I hit the nail on the head."

"A-Are you sure you lost most of your memories?" his father asked, still reeling from his son's insight.

Kazel tilted his head slightly. "I'm simply drawing conclusions based on what I've observed so far. Of course, there are other possibilities, but I'll let you be the judge of that." His tone was calm, yet his gaze held an unmistakable sharpness. He then leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly.

"But one question still remains… How did I get sick?"

His words carried weight, sending an unsettling ripple through the atmosphere. His mother tensed, while his father's expression darkened ever so slightly.

For a moment, no one spoke. The only sound in the room was the faint crackling of the lantern's flame.

"Well, you started showing symptoms a few months ago," Kazel's father began, his voice carrying the weight of uncertainty. "We didn't know exactly what happened, but you were brought here by Salma."

Kazel's eyes widened slightly. He leaned back, keeping his posture straight, but inside, his mind raced. Brought here by Salma?

His father exhaled deeply, his expression growing troubled. "You were limp, eyes closed... barely breathing." He rubbed his temple. "Your mother was hysterical. But thankfully, the Rising Stone Sect sponsored a physician to examine you and provide medicine."

Kazel's sharp gaze caught the subtle shift in his father's tone—the unspoken hesitation.

"They say your illness got worse each month," his father continued, his voice tightening with frustration. "And I just... I just couldn't do anything."

Across the table, his mother clenched her fists, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You were getting weaker before our eyes. And then—" Her voice wavered.

"But by some miracle!" his father suddenly declared, lifting his hands in a gesture of relief. "The pills you took every day eventually cured you! Bless the physician!"

Kazel's eyes darkened. His breath slowed as his mind pieced the puzzle together, drawing from the experience of a lifetime spent as a leader, a hero, and a tyrant.

( A cure? No—this was too convenient. ) 

Slowly, he rose from his seat. "Thanks for the meal, Father, Mother," he said, his voice level but distant. "I need to rest."

His parents watched him leave, concern flickering in their eyes, but neither stopped him.

Once inside his room, Kazel quietly shut the door. The moment the latch clicked, his blue eyes sharpened like a predator locking onto prey. His fingers curled into his palm, his nails pressing against his skin.

"It's all too familiar…" he muttered, his voice a whisper laced with menace.

He had seen this play out before—deception wrapped in the guise of kindness. The slow, calculated destruction of a person through subtle means.

"The timing is too precise." His mind worked quickly, unraveling the mystery. "All I need to know is… did Yuanggai visit the Rising Stone Sect before my sickness?"

His fingers tightened further, his nails nearly drawing blood.

"If he did…" His lips curled into a smirk, his voice dripping with cold amusement. "Then the Rising Stone Sect plotted my death… and the so-called physician fed this body nothing but poison to ensure it."

It made perfect sense. Prolonging the sickness, ensuring that it worsened over time. A slow death… without tarnishing the sect's reputation. Then, when he was too far gone, they could call off the arranged marriage with a great reason.

"But sadly for them…" Kazel chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. His grin widened, casting a shadow of his former self—the tyrant, the conqueror.

"With the bygone of Kazel the sick… and the arrival of Kazel the tyrant…" His voice turned into a whisper filled with cold promise.

"Things are about to go in reverse."