Kai Consortium

Kai Consortium, Hanmiryeong Region

"For ages, the Kai Consortium has been under the rule of the Kai Family," sighed the man in the bucket hat, eyeing the vacant chair where the chairman of the Kai Consortium once sat. He shook his head, expressing his surprise, saying, "I never thought that someday this would change and that I would still be alive to witness it."

"Old Man Lin might have lost his senses," sneered a man in his late twenties. "How can you suggest that the Kai Family would no longer lead the Kai Consortium anymore? Remember, we only found the old man's body. Are you implying that the Young Master is already gone?"

"Stop twisting my words, Yun," Old Man Lin warned Joseph Yun, who was seated across from him.

"You might be mistaken this time, Old Man Lin. Do you truly think that the Kai Consortium would fall into other people's hand?" chimed in an older man who appeared to be nearing the end of his days. He opened his eyes wide and fixed them on Old Man Lin. "You may be growing old, but it seems you haven't changed at all. Looks like the Lin Family is still the same, ah."

"Now what do you mean by that, Mr. Kim?" Old Man Lin's face immediately turned ugly.

"Old Man Kai was declared dead just yesterday, and you're already bickering about who's going to lead the clan next?" added another elderly man. "If this isn't shameless, I don't know what is."

"Don't put words in my mouth, old man!" Old Man Lin retorted. "Who's arguing with whom here?"

"Shouldn't we be more concerned about the young master? We found the old man's body, but we haven't located his body yet. If he's alive..." Joseph Yun smirked. "I can only imagine what will happen to those who plotted against him."

The room's tension escalated as the elders of the Kai Clan continued their heated arguments. Old grievances and hidden motives emerged as the discussion shifted from the old man's death to each person's personal agenda.

Suddenly, Master Wu, the trusted aide of Old Man Kai, who had remained silent until now, intervened. "Enough of this quarreling," he declared firmly. "We must focus on the bigger picture. The Kai Consortium faces a huge problem, we need to find a way forward, regardless of whether we stick with tradition or not."

Old Man Lin, Joseph Yun, and the others fell silent, turning their attention to Master Wu, who worked as Old Man Kai's Right hand man for years.

Master Wu continued, "Solving the mystery of Young Master Kai's disappearance is vital, but we must also decide the clan's future leadership. Our stock is plummeting, and all we've done so far is argue."

Joseph Yun interjected with a smirk, "You seem to have forgotten something, Master Wu. There are two young masters in the Kai Family. I've heard that Jihoon is on his way here with the younger one. Shall we discuss the second young master of the Kai Family?"

His words changed the atmosphere in an instant. Everyone knew about the second young master, but...

"Are you referring to Young Ethan? He hasn't even turned nineteen yet. Furthermore, he lacks an Essentia. Are you suggesting we hand the company over to a teenager? Do we want to become a laughingstock?" Old Man Lin furrowed his brows. Everyone knew about the two young masters in the Kai Family.

One was the heir, Sander Kai, a brilliant Essentia user, known for his cold, ruthless, and intelligent nature. Under his leadership, the Kai Consortium had risen to prominence in Yeonsin. However, the second one...

Ethan Kai was an unexpected addition, an accidental addition.

It was common knowledge that Sander's father, the late Mr. Kai, never intended to have a child with a younger entertainer after his wife's passing. However, the chairman of the Kai Family would never abandon his own flesh and blood. Thus, Ethan came into existence.

Ethan was handsome, but aside from his looks, he was rather unremarkable. Like his mother, he lacked an Essentia and had a rebellious streak. Instead of assisting his grandfather and brother in managing the business, he chose to study medicine abroad, a field where Essentia Users with healing abilities were abundant.

It was widely known that he left abroad because his fiancée wished to end their engagement, deeming him unworthy.

In simple terms, Ethan Kai was seen as a coward and a waste.

How could they entrust Kai Consortium to a coward without an Essentia?

Old Man Lin concurred, "Ethan is still just a child. Furthermore, he has never been exposed to violence and possesses a tender heart. Didn't he flee abroad because his fiancée wanted to break off their engagement? How can someone who cannot confront the truth and his own weaknesses run the company?"

"It's only right to choose someone experienced and capable. As for young Ethan Kai, we may have to persuade him to relinquish his shares or forfeit his voting rights. After all, Kai Consortium and the Kai Clan are no child's play," another one added.

The room fell into contemplative silence as they pondered Ethan Kai's suitability. The young man lacked experience and resilience, raising doubts about his ability to lead the company.

Furthermore, with the old master's passing, other clans from different regions were likely eyeing Hanmiryeong, which was situated in the central part of Yeonsin. Known for its fertile land and large dungeons with an almost endless supply of magic stones and relics, it was only natural that other clans sought to claim leadership in the now-vacant Hanmiryeong Region.

"In that case, we can only wait for the young master's arrival to hear his thoughts," Master Wu suggested. His unwavering loyalty to the Kai Family had earned him respect, and his words were met with approval from the assembled elders.

"Oh? It appears you've all been anticipating my arrival," a voice echoed as the meeting room's door swung open, revealing a young man in a shirt and thick glasses.

Upon seeing him, the expressions of the elderly attendees underwent a swift transformation. Some showed surprise, others disappointment, while a few concealed a hint of cunning in their eyes. However, these fleeting emotions vanished as rapidly as they had surfaced, replaced by warm and gracious smiles.

"How touching," Ethan remarked as he made his way towards the empty chair where his grandfather once sat. "Well, shall we proceed and discuss my grandfather's funeral?"