Chen's Burden: Ambition and Expectations

The resources of the Zhu Flame Demon family couldn't be focused on just one individual. Chen had persuaded his family to send him to Huohui because they desired a scribe of their lineage. This ambition was shared by many powerful families across the continent. As a Flame Demon with the potential to become a scribe, Chen obtained more resources than his siblings and started participating in family affairs in recent years, demonstrating his exceptional abilities.

However, his family anticipated returns on their investment. Chen was not the first in his family to aspire to become a scribe. Several relatives had attempted to do so with the support of the family, but ultimately their efforts were all in vain. The family's patience for nurturing scribes was wearing thin. Chen's father planned to spend only two or three years securing his status as a legendary being before initiating a large-scale expansion. Now that Huohui no longer provided Chen with free resources for his scribe training, the situation had changed.

Chen also had to support Wei and the other young women he entertained. Since they belonged to his faction, he was responsible for their expenses as well. Wei, in particular, would become his foremost apprentice when he achieved the status of a scribe. Her father, the Magistrate, had been quick to arrange a marriage with the Zhu Flame Demon family.

Once the marriage was settled, Wei's father, the magistrate, eagerly ceased covering his daughter's fees. With the battlefront growing tense and his own territory at risk, it was uncertain whether he could even maintain control until the end of the following year. Ultimately, this was due to the incompetence of his subordinates.

Upon receiving the news about Yuan becoming a level one scribe, Chen maintained his composure, at least outwardly. There were no audible disturbances within his residence when he reached his abode.

For two hours, he stood in his room, scrutinizing the copy of the lesser arcane seal that Yuan had created, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Wei stood motionless by the window behind her as if she were an inanimate statue.

Outside, it was snowing, and it seemed like nothing had changed since he came back from the scribe Qin's study. Although the snow was typical during this season, it had never been this intense or persistent before.

The residence had always been a sanctuary from the harsh world outside. Even with the window open, a magical barrier would block the cold and haze. However, now it seemed as though the oppressive gray atmosphere from outside had penetrated the window and invaded the residence. The air felt heavy and thick, laden with a dark gray mist that made it difficult to breathe.

Wei unconsciously hugged herself tighter, feeling that her delicate body, draped in magical robes, couldn't withstand the relentless storm.

Scribe Peak was an awe-inspiring sight, but it was not welcoming. Before the fury of the blizzard was unleashed, there was usually an eerie calm, like the one they were experiencing right now. The residence was eerily quiet.

To Wei, Chen's residence was vast and impressive, reflecting his status and power.

Wei had once been enamored with its beauty, but now it seemed too overwhelming and unsettling. The uneasiness grew as they stood together in the expansive space, experiencing both the mysterious chill and the fear of becoming lost.

Although Wei felt the urge to flee, she bit her lips firmly, refusing to make any sound or movement. She knew that the longer the silence lingered, the more devastating the impending blizzard would be. Chen had already been silent for two hours, and there was no telling how much longer it would last. With only the two of them in the vast residence, she realized that she would be the one he would lash out at when the storm finally struck.

At last, Chen began to move. He approached a mirror and removed his shirt. The mirror revealed his toned body, his Fire Demon bloodline, and his robust physique, setting him apart from the average arcanes and immortals. The young yet mature man in the mirror was tall and powerful, with no excess flesh. His limbs were proportioned impeccably, and he could take pride in his body, a symbol of masculine beauty. The Fire Demon bloodline appeared as a dark red flame in the magical mirror, circulating around his body's surface, enhancing his allure.

After staring at his reflection in the mirror for a while, Chen moved.

Chen's residence had been a picture of elegance for many years, but now the sound of shattering utensils filled the air. Delicate and sophisticated art pieces were ruthlessly smashed against walls or the floor, scattering fragments everywhere. Some shards even grazed the young man's face, leaving a few thin, bloody lines. The physical and emotional burden on his shoulders was nearly suffocating, and although breaking things provided temporary relief, it wasn't enough. He needed to vent his frustration, or he'd lose his mind.

"It's Liu Immortals! Those lunatics from the Liu Immortals again! They should go to hell! Why do they have to obstruct my path?" Chen raved and cursed, but it did little to quell the anger in his heart.

However, there was nothing left to smash in the bedroom. The only item still standing was an antique gold vase adorned with crystals, a treasured possession of a foreign emperor. The vase's artistic value aside, the superior purple crystals alone could fetch more than a million aurums. Chen couldn't afford to break such an expensive piece, so it remained untouched.

Wei stood silently in a corner, her beauty accentuated by the beginnings of womanhood. Her slender figure and confident demeanor only enhanced her youthful allure. 'However, the flying shards had left thin red lines on her face and arms; Chen's rage hadn't spared her either.'

Looking at Wei, Chen's anger grew. In his eyes, she was not a beautiful girl or a talented acolyte but rather a financial burden. Her expenses weren't insignificant, and with Chen's own costs skyrocketing, the addition of Wei's expenses was suffocating. Even a small stone could be overwhelming in a ship that was already sinking.

Chen knew that the immense investment his family made in him left no room for failure. As the scion of a powerful family, he faced immense pressure to succeed. He understood that without resources, a genius would be nothing more than an empty title, and he was desperate not to fall into that category.

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