Family

The room was unusually silent when father and I stepped in. Several eyes stared coldly at us, or rather Father as if wondering what he was doing here.

"Brother? So you have returned. Father, how could you not inform us of Val's return. We need to celebrate."

Staring at the young man with long pointed ears and ashen hair, my mind distorted in thought regarding his race. His eyes held a deep shade of darkness, reminding me of Father's, but deep within his pupils held a hint of crimson radiating out.

His entire demeanor screamed elegance, and yet all I could feel was a blade of the reaper against my throat. He sent an indifferent glance towards me but didn't acknowledge my presence.

"That is my bad, Grey. I had forgotten to inform you all that my dear son had returned. Time is really passing by so quickly. Come here, boy! let me have a look at my grandson."

His words were like that of a Siron, and before I even knew it, I was standing before a tall, middle-aged man. His hair and eyes were the color of snow, with a slight smirk hanging on his kind expression.

Trying to hide my astonishment, I bowed, trying to be as graceful as possible, "Good afternoon, Grandfather, my name is Arsène Snow."

Grandfather rubbed his well-groomed beard and beamed kindly before touching my forehead. A light flashed from his hand but was only met with a dark light that flickered from my forehead. His eyes grew wide, filled with anger and sorrow as he glared at father.

"You're a sick bastard Val, what the hell did you do to this child." He demanded, trembling in rage. The entire room began to shake as Grandfather rose from his throne, shattering the massive table that laid in the middle of the room.

Confused, I gazed at Father, who rolled his eyes before bowing, "Greetings, Father, I have not done anything. There was a mutation that occurred during his bloodline Awakening. He has some soul damage from resonating with what we believe is the Dao of Darkness."

"WHAT!!!!" Everyone, including me, shouted aloud.

My soul was shaking as I gazed at my hands. I knew Flama couldn't have done that. He may have made me suffer when awakening the body I asked for, but soul damage seems excessive of a being of his power and authority.

"Val, are you saying a one-year-old was able to resonate with the Heavenly Law? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds, especially the Dao of Darkness, one of the most Ancient and powerful Laws?" Grey stated with a piercing stare.

"I have to agree with Grey. Dao is not something that can be comprehended so easily, even if it was a resonance." an elderly voice abruptly said, as a hint of mockery shone from his very demeanor.

Eyeing the elderly man who just spoke, I could feel a cold sweat covering my body as something seeped deep inside me. Fear entered my mind as my face turned cold as ice, standing next to grandfather.

"That's enough, Yarmor," Grandfather commanded with a sharp voice sending a burst of energy out from his body.

Nodding his head, Yarmor smiled before I could finally breathe again. A tinge of anger was slowly birth from my heart as I eyed Yarmor with an innocent smile. I usually don't eat the elderly, but I will definitely make an exception for this old bastard.

Sensing my gaze, he stared at me, grinning from ear to ear, ignorant of his imminent doom...Foolish old man, I'm going to flambe your bitch ass.

Grey seemed to be lost in thought as he stared at Father, "So what will you do about the inheritance. To allow your first and second born to share the same house is asking for disaster. You were the firstborn that relinquished his title. Are you really willing to allow a blood bath to occur because of your children? They are not us, Elder Brother." Grey warned with a friendly tone.

Raising my brow, I laughed, "Uncle Grey, although I may be young, I can honestly say I have no interest in gaining political power. Brother can have it all. If it's not something I created with my own hands, why should I want it."

There was a loud gasp as everyone eyed me. Grey was quickly able to mask his surprise as he strangely smiled as if understanding something, "It would seem I underestimated you...is this a side effect from resonating with Dao? but young Arsène...what of cultivation resources are you really willing to pass upon such opportunities?"

"Of course not, Uncle, but I believe that the snow family is not run based on title but rather effort and results. Should my brother or anyone with talent fail to perform, I would hazard a guess that you all would punish that failure, not to mention I doubt brother shall absorb every resource. If that were the case, the entire snow family would die out."

A look of surprise flickered across Grey's and grandfather's eyes as they stared at me. I didn't know what they were thinking, but I could hazard a few guesses. Showing intelligence is a must; hiding it will only hurt me. Even if some assassin comes after me, I have the protection of the Snow family...at least for now.

I was gifted with a high level of comprehension and my memories of my previous life. It would be a waste not to take advantage of it in the early stages of my life.

Father smiled as he released a massive laugh; his grizzled features trembled as he clutched his stomach in laughter, "Brother, he is quite interesting, isn't he, only one year's of age and already having an intelligent conversation with you."

Grey merely smiled, "Yes, he is indeed...intelligent, but will that be enough. Young Arsène, I hope you have the talent...no, I hope you have the resolve to push past aversion. Cultivation is key in this world, and you are but a child. Train hard, young one."

My uncle was surprisingly different from what he seems, he was still cold, but he seems to think a lot more than father and mother. I will have to watch out for him or have him train me.

"I hope never to disappoint uncle," I said with a deep bow.

Grandfather smiled tenderly before looking down at me, "Arsène, leave us. There should be someone to take you to your room. When you rise, there may be a seat at this table for you."

Gazing deeply at my grandfather, I bowed before everyone taking my leave. There were two people in this room that I needed to watch out for, Yarmor and the other elderly man that never spoke nor showed emotion no matter what happened. Something was unsettling about those two.