Chapter 3: Unbreakable Rules

Words : 2016 Updated : Feb 26th, 2025

Abel shook his hand, not even sparing Rowan a glance as he took the scissors from Anna's hands. He reassured her, "Don't be afraid. He's just a rabid dog. I'll handle him." "But…" Anna's delicate frame trembled, her beautiful eyes filled with worry. Rowan was at the fifth stage of the Body Refining Realm. Meanwhile, Abel had only just regained consciousness. Although he still had some cultivation left, his energy center and martial meridians had been crippled. He couldn't stand a chance against Rowan. The next moment, a furious roar erupted. "Abel, you worthless trash! How dare you hit me? Go to hell!" Rowan charged forward, his aura surging as he threw a punch at Abel. Back then, Rowan wouldn't have dared to disrespect Abel, let alone set his sights on Anna. But times had changed. Abel was now a cripple, expelled from the Letherdale Family. Rowan could bully him without any consequences. Even if he beat Abel to death, George would cover for him. At worst, he'd get a scolding from the elders—nothing more. "A dog like you dares to bark at me? You must have a death wish!" Abel didn't budge. His hand moved like lightning, catching Rowan's incoming fist with ease. Then, he clenched down—just slightly. Crack! A bone-snapping sound echoed through the air. "Ahhh!!!" Rowan let out a bloodcurdling scream. His fist was completely crushed—reduced to a mangled mess of flesh and bones. "You… weren't you crippled? How do you still have your cultivation?" Tears and snot streamed down Rowan's face as he howled in agony, his eyes filled with sheer terror. "Is that any of your business?" Abel sneered. His palm pressed against Rowan's head, making the man panic. "Mr. Abel! I was wrong! I won't do it again! Please… spare my life!" Rowan begged desperately. Abel's gaze turned cold. "Anna said you've been coming here again. I'm curious—how many times have you shown up since yesterday? And what exactly were you doing?" Rowan shuddered under Abel's murderous stare. "You'd better tell the truth, or you'll regret it. And don't count on George avenging you—he wouldn't waste his time on a dead man." "I... I came three times," Rowan stammered, terrified. "George sent me. When you woke up, he ordered me to drive you out of the Letherdale Family." "But Anna wouldn't let me in. She stood guard outside the whole time." "I was wrong! Anna's beauty tempted me, so I tried to harass her. But she threatened to kill herself, so I backed off!" Rowan spilled everything in a panic, desperate to save his own life. "They gave me three days to leave, yet George is already in a rush to kick me out? Only an idiot would believe there's no hidden agenda here." Abel smirked, looking down at Rowan. "Do I look like an idiot to you?" "N-no! You're right! It's a setup! George was afraid of delays, so he sent me to get rid of you early. Then, once you were outside, he planned to have you assassinated!" Rowan knew he couldn't fool Abel, so he confessed everything. "Please, I had no choice! Spare me!" Abel's expression darkened. "George wants me dead? He's not qualified to kill me." With that, Abel grabbed Rowan's other hand and crushed it. Rowan screamed in agony, his cries like a wailing ghost. "Go back and tell your master—I'm not leaving. He should start preparing to face my wrath." With a swift kick, Abel sent Rowan flying. Killing someone like him was a waste of effort. Instead, he would send Rowan back to humiliate and challenge George. Rowan scrambled away like a beaten stray. "Mr. Abel, are you staying?" Anna's voice was filled with concern. Abel had never gone back on his word. If he said he wasn't leaving, then he meant it. But the Letherdale Family had already abandoned him. Could he stay? "My father may be missing, but he's still the head of the Letherdale Family. This is my home—I'm not going anywhere." A cold smile played on Abel's lips. "The Letherdale Family may be ruthless, but they follow one rule—if you have talent, they'll invest in you." "If my cultivation were truly gone, I'd have no choice but to die. But since I still have it, those old geezers will hesitate. Knowing them, they'll probably bet on my future in martial arts." "But it's too risky," Anna said worriedly. "The path of martial arts is all about taking risks." Abel shook his head and strode outside, murmuring, "I am a warrior. Why would I fear?" ... Meanwhile, the Letherdale Family elders gathered in the meeting hall to discuss making George the new heir. Since Julien, the family head, had gone missing, Trey had been the temporary leader. However, major decisions still required a unanimous vote from the elders. Trey had been in a hurry to strip Abel of his position and install his son, George, in his place. "Does anyone object?" Trey asked. Silence filled the hall. No one spoke up. Trey's expression remained stern, but inwardly, he was pleased. George had reached the ninth stage of the Body Refining Realm. Without Abel, he was the strongest among the younger generation. Who could challenge him? "Since no one objects, then George shall be—" Before Trey could finish, a voice rang out. "I object!" Heads turned toward the entrance, where a familiar figure appeared. Abel walked in, hands behind his back, his pace slow and deliberate. "A cripple like you dares to show up? What a joke!" "Abel, your position has already been stripped. You have no place here." "You offended the city lord and were expelled from the family. Leave now." "Someone, throw this trash out!" Mockery and scorn filled the room. Most of the people present looked at Abel with nothing but disdain. "The Letherdale Family has rules," Abel said, sweeping his gaze over the crowd before locking eyes with Trey. His expression was one of pure contempt. "Expelling the family head's son requires the head's approval. None of you have the authority to drive me out." Trey was Julien's younger brother. When Julien was around, he treated Abel like his own son. But the moment Julien disappeared, Trey's true colors had shown. He had done everything in his power to oppress Abel. Abel's words ignited fury, but no one could refute him. He was right. They had violated family law by expelling him. "Your father has been missing for five years. He's probably dead. The family head will change sooner or later. When that happens, you'll be forced out." Trey's expression darkened. He was furious but couldn't attack Abel in front of everyone. "We'll see about that when the time comes." Abel wasn't interested in arguing. Changing the family head wasn't so simple. If they could have done it already, they would have. Julien's legacy still loomed over them. Who knew if he might return one day? Julien was a peerless talent, the strongest in Sunway City, commanding respect and admiration. Even Luca had to bow before him. As long as the Letherdale Family still bore Julien's name, all the major forces in the city had to show the family respect. Would the Letherdale Family dare to change the head? Would they be willing to? If not for Abel, Julien would have long advanced into the realm of martial experts, exploring a broader martial world. "The family rules cannot be violated." A deep, authoritative voice echoed through the hall. The Supreme Elder had spoken. The Supreme Elder was a man of few words, detached from worldly affairs. He rarely involved himself in the Letherdale Family's matters, let alone the appointment or removal of a successor. But his authority was absolute. The moment he spoke, his word was final. "Abel, what do you want?" The Supreme Elder fixed his gaze on Abel, his clouded eyes flickering with confusion. There was a mysterious aura around Abel, a veil of chaos that blocked the Supreme Elder's insight. He couldn't see through him. Abel met Trey's gaze and spoke coolly. "The Letherdale Family has another rule—only the strong deserve the title of a successor." "So what if you strip me of my position? No matter who you appoint as the next heir, every young member of this family has the right to challenge them for it—including me."

Chapter 3: Unbreakable Rules

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