Bar Mitzvah ceremony

Although Gao Ying felt a bit scared facing this guy, the thought of having a powerful older brother by her side instantly gave her confidence. She stood with one hand on her hip and pointed at Gao Xiao, shouting, "Why do you talk in such a sinister and ambiguous way? Your laughter is eerie, and your gaze is as filthy as it gets, tsk tsk~~~~"

The final tsk tsk was an imitation of Gao Xiao's tone. As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately jumped behind Gao Jian, poked her head out, rolled her eyes at Gao Xiao, and playfully stuck out her tongue.

Gao Xiao's smile froze on his face. The surrounding young people looked cautiously at Gao Xiao's expression, and even the laughter quickly ceased.

He touched his nose, coughed lightly, and his face showed no signs of anger. Instead, he chuckled and said, "Gao Ying, your little mouth is getting more and more mischievous." After speaking, he burst into laughter and led the group of youths towards the central stage.

Gao Jian's eyes shimmered as he watched Gao Xiao's departing figure. He waved his hand, gently ruffled his sister's hair, and reprimanded her in a low voice, "Little sister, say less of such things in the future. Offending a cunning person like Gao Xiao is not a good idea."

Gao Ying wrinkled her petite nose, giggling, "Anyway, with big brother around, I'm not afraid, hehe~~~~"

Gao Jian shook his head with a wry smile. Dealing with this mischievous sister was truly beyond him. He looked at Gao Ming, then said emotionlessly, "Be careful of Gao Xiao." After that, he led Gao Ying by the hand, heading towards the central stage.

Although surprised by Gao Jian's warning, Gao Ming felt an overwhelming heaviness in his heart. He lacked Gao Jian's strength and had no means to resist Gao Xiao's threats. What should he do?

"Gao Ming, what should we do? Gao Xiao pushed you into the water last time, and it seems he has conflicts with Gao Jian. We, mother and son, are involved in this. He will definitely come after you this time~~~~"

Li Qing looked panic-stricken, facing such a situation, she had no solutions, and her entire heart was in chaos.

Gao Ming had no other option but to take things one step at a time. Even if he left the clan, there was no escaping if Gao Xiao decided to cause trouble. Leaving the Gao City was just a fleeting thought; this world was different from his previous life, with strong animosity between clans. It was nearly impossible for a member of one noble family to live in the territory of another.

He held Li Qing's hand and whispered, "Mother, things have come to this point. Let's leave it to fate. At most, Gao Xiao will make things difficult for me. He probably won't go as far as killing me." Saying this, he lacked confidence in his own words.

Li Qing closed her eyes slightly, sighed, and held onto Gao Ming's hand tightly, as if afraid he would disappear suddenly.

With heavy hearts, the mother and son arrived at the central square. Gao Ming was so preoccupied with the recent incident that he didn't even hear his name being called by the ceremony official on the coming-of-age stage. He was contemplating how to navigate through the impending difficulty. Just as he was lost in thought, Gao Ying bounced over to him. Standing on her tiptoes, she shouted into Gao Ming's ear, "Gao Ming, the ceremony official is calling your name!"

Startled, Gao Ming looked at Gao Ying and remembered that the coming-of-age ceremony had begun. He quickly composed himself and ascended the stage in the center of the square.

This coming-of-age ceremony included a total of twenty-three young men and women, including the offspring of the clan leader Gao Meng and the siblings Gao Bo.

After the ceremony, except for a few individuals, everyone else had to leave the clan. Therefore, most of the young men and women wore expressions devoid of joy, with no hint of the excitement that usually came with adulthood.

The ceremony official held a square leather scroll covered in densely written characters. It contained the verses of the coming-of-age ceremony. On this continent of superpowers, paper hadn't been introduced yet. characters were inscribed on bamboo slips, cloth, and animal skins.

Moreover, literacy was only prevalent among the nobility at this stage, with the majority of commoners being illiterate. However, there were exceptions among commoners as well. Many commoners had been expelled from major noble families, and these individuals had received education.

Gao Ming had learned the characters of this world. It was similar to the oracle bone script in his previous life, making it challenging to learn. Imagining the limited education opportunities for lower-class citizens, coupled with the lack of emphasis on the quality of the clan members by the upper class, it could be said that this was a world of ignorance and barbarism.

However, in a world where strength reigns supreme, there was simply no environment for the survival and development of what could be considered culture.

If it were possible, Gao Ming might make a mark in this cultural desert. However, his current situation was too dire. To have a good start with such an idea, he needed powerful strength as a guarantee; otherwise, everything would be too distant.

After reciting the coming-of-age verses, the ceremony official droned on with a lengthy speech before entering the most crucial part of the coming-of-age ceremony – the acceptance of the coming-of-age belt. This was a tradition for the Gao clan, and every adult would possess one, regardless of gender.

However, these coming-of-age belts were not ordinary. Men received belts designed for women, and women received those meant for men. Later, on their wedding night, the belts would be exchanged between the bride and groom.

Though the coming-of-age belts seemed similar, they had different grades. Someone like Gao Ming, who was about to be demoted to a commoner, received an ordinary silk belt. Those with higher status received special leather belts, while those with abilities received golden jade belts – crafted from valuable materials like gold, jade, and crystal stones using special methods.

In this world, the strict hierarchy was evident at every moment, even during the current coming-of-age ceremony.

The final part of the ceremony was the coming-of-age reward.

These rewards encompassed various aspects, such as money, items, estates, shops, workshops, and even concubines, maids, and servants, among other things.

If the coming-of-age belts weren't enough to highlight the strict hierarchy, the coming-of-age rewards made it even more apparent. The rewards given to two individuals with abilities made others green with envy, especially Gao Xiao, the legitimate son of Gao Bo. He received a thousand acres of fertile land, three manors, four shops and workshops, as well as two beautiful maids. Additionally, he got a substantial amount of ability coins and other valuable items.

Although Gao Jian's status couldn't be compared to Gao Xiao's, his coming-of-age rewards were still incredibly generous.

The other legitimate sons and daughters, even those without special status, also received substantial rewards. These rewards would ensure they could lead a pleasant life even if they left the family estate.

It was inevitable. They were ability users, or their mothers behind them were legitimate wives with high status!

As for illegitimate children like Gao Ming, the rewards were meager. Gao Ming only received a meager sum of one thousand ability coins. It seemed like a lot, but considering the leaving-home fund after departing from the family estate, it was probably included in that amount!

Fairness? The word flashed in Gao Ming's mind. His lips pursed slightly, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. There was never anything fair in the world. Not to mention this world, where strength was supreme, even in the so-called civilized world of his previous life, it was filled with cunning, conspiracy, and unfairness. Fairness was always a cheap synonym.

The coming-of-age ceremony finally ended.

Holding the coming-of-age belt and a bag of ability coins, Gao Ming descended from the coming-of-age platform. Below, Li Qing was already waiting anxiously. Once Gao Ming came down, she grabbed him and headed towards the side gate of the right courtyard of the family estate. From here, they could leave the family estate, and from now on, they would have no connection with the family estate.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, the mother and son no longer had the status of nobility. In other words, many privileges they once enjoyed would be stripped away, turning them into ordinary commoners.