The Past of Jiang Yun 1

The ancestor guarding the Scripture Hall began to recount what he knew about Jiang Yun in a voice filled with sorrow and guilt.

After Jiang Yun had finished reading and comprehending all the skills and techniques within the Scripture Hall, there was nothing more for him to learn. He had acquired all the knowledge he needed to advance his skills to the level of the Immortal Emperor. At that moment, he silently spoke:

"System, conceal my identity and block everything. Don't let anyone notice me or anything that will happen next. Do you understand?"

The system responded confidently, [Rest assured, host. Everything will be perfectly hidden.]

In an instant, Jiang Yun's body seemed to freeze. Yet, this change emitted no signal, and no energy leaked from him. The three elders below continued their conversation, unaware of any changes.

"Don't you think letting that boy slip away is too risky?" The 107th ancestor asked hesitantly.

"Risky, indeed... but he is unlike anyone else. If we press him too hard, it may cause damage to the entire family, and we would certainly lose this genius," the 13th ancestor responded cautiously, his voice tinged with concern.

"I think it's better to let him go. As long as he doesn't harm the family, we don't need to harm him," the old man guarding the Scripture Hall nodded in agreement.

Sitting in the Scripture Hall, Jiang Yun suddenly felt memories of the body's previous owner flowing back. These memories gradually unveiled the pain, loneliness, and hatred buried deep in his heart. It all started from the moment he was just a baby.

On the day Jiang Yun was born, the joyful voice of Jiang Hao, his father, echoed:

"How is my son?"

"No special physique, no special bloodline, nothing remarkable at all... just an ordinary child," a woman replied coldly. Jiang Hao's expression immediately darkened. He felt intense stress knowing he had fathered an ordinary child, which could damage his reputation. He ordered the child to be taken out of his sight immediately, then turned to the two other children born that day—Jiang Yun's twin sisters, Jiang Ting and Jiang Li, both born with the physique of Immortal Emperors. His face lit up with smiles and warmth.

More memories surfaced, scene by scene. At one year old, Jiang Yun was abandoned in an isolated room and nearly starved to death due to the neglect of the servants. He waited endlessly for the love and care that never came from his parents. His sisters, on the other hand, were treated like princesses, while Jiang Yun... was regarded as nothing more than an ordinary child. He rarely saw his parents, and any hope of receiving their love slowly faded away. Yet, he studied diligently, always hoping that one day he might be noticed.

At the age of three, Jiang Yun stole food from the kitchen. Jiang Hao, his father, was furious. Despite Jiang Yun being a mere mortal, Jiang Hao had still held onto hope that his son would show some kind of talent. But after three years, nothing had changed. Being born an ordinary mortal in this world felt like a sin, a lifelong burden.

"You are so disrespectful!" Jiang Hao shouted in rage. His hatred for Jiang Yun had only grown.

"From now on, you are no longer my son. You don't deserve any resources or rights in the Jiang family!"

Both Jiang Ting and Jiang Li tried to plead with their father, but in truth, they didn't care much for their brother either. They found Jiang Yun irritating, constantly seeking their attention and following them everywhere. Gossip from those around them only fueled their disdain for their younger brother.

Jiang Yun smiled when he saw his sisters defending him, thinking they had accepted him at last. Jiang Hao smiled as well, pleased to see his daughters pleading on Jiang Yun's behalf. He praised them in front of others without even glancing at his son.

After finishing his conversation with his daughters, Jiang Hao turned to Jiang Yun with cold eyes.

"Take this boy away and send him to live with the servants. He will remain there until I say otherwise."

Jiang Hao spoke indifferently, ordering a nearby servant to take the boy away without so much as a glance in his direction.

"Treat him like any other servant."

Jiang Yun trembled in shock. He still didn't understand why he was being treated this way. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked to his mother, Wei Ning, hoping for mercy or protection. But what he received was only cold indifference. She didn't even look at him. Jiang Yun was dragged away like a worthless object, and with a voice filled with sobs, he whispered:

"Mother... please..."

But before he could finish, "Take him away!" Jiang Hao's voice rang out again. The servant grabbed Jiang Yun and dragged him out, ignoring his cries and struggles. As he was pulled away, Jiang Yun could still hear the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation continuing in the family hall.

"I..."

A year passed, and Jiang Yun, now four years old, lived a difficult life as a servant. He was bullied and humiliated by other servants and even some family members. Verbal abuse, physical harm, and emotional torment became his daily life. Jiang Yun would return to the servants' quarters battered and bruised nearly every day. Yet, despite everything, someone always secretly left him healing medicine, helping him recover from his wounds so he could keep enduring.

One day, a piece of news spread throughout the Jiang family. It brought a smile to Jiang Yun's face and filled his heart with happiness. The news was:

"Jiang Hao will announce the existence of his hidden third child to the world!"

This news made Jiang Yun's heart swell with joy. He jumped with excitement, thinking to himself:

"Finally, I'll be acknowledged! At last, I'll be part of the family!"

With great anticipation, the next day, Jiang Yun hurried to the Jiang family courtyard. It was packed with people, both from the family and visitors. Jiang Yun pushed through the crowd, eagerly making his way to the front with a smile that never left his face, waiting to hear the announcement from Jiang Hao, his father. Voices buzzed around him:

"I can't wait to see the third child of Lord Jiang Hao."

"I've heard he's a boy too."

"They say he's already four years old."

"I heard that the third child had been disguised as a servant to protect him from assassins."

Hearing these whispers filled Jiang Yun with warmth and happiness. He felt guilty for ever doubting his parents. Today, he thought, would be a day he would remember for the rest of his life.

Jiang Hao stood on a high platform, his voice resounding clearly. "Today, I will announce the third son of mine!"

Jiang Yun continued to push his way forward, his heart racing with excitement.

"I… finally… when I get back… I'll go get some delicious duck," he thought to himself, drooling a little as tears of joy welled up in his eyes. And then, Jiang Hao's voice echoed once more.

"Please welcome…"

…

…

"My son, the one with the Immortal Emperor of Chaos physique!"

…

…

Jiang Hao proclaimed loudly, "Come forth and greet everyone, Jiang Feng!"

…

Jiang Yun immediately stopped in his tracks, his once beaming face slowly fading away as his hopes dissipated, leaving him confused.

"Huh…"

"What…"

He tried to convince himself that he had misheard, but something warm started streaming from his eyes, and his trembling voice whispered,

"I must've… misheard... that's right, that must be it."

"It… has to be… Jiang Yun."

"Yeah, that's right."

Jiang Yun still attempted to push forward, holding onto that last glimmer of hope. But suddenly, voices around him began to echo.

"Greetings to the young master, Jiang Feng."

"Greetings to the young master, Jiang Feng."

"Greetings to the young master, Jiang Feng."

Jiang Yun's heart stopped for a moment. Tears streamed from his eyes, and he came to a halt, staring at Jiang Feng, the other boy standing proudly beside his father. Jiang Yun stood frozen in shock. The hope he had clung to for so long was shattered in an instant. He couldn't move, his face filled with confusion and pain, tears flowing continuously, a silent cry trapped in his throat. The harsh reality flooded his mind as tears and snot ran down uncontrollably. He watched his sisters, parents, and Jiang Feng walk into the clan hall without even glancing in his direction. Jiang Yun stood there crying, and just then, someone rushed over and kicked him hard, sending him flying out of the courtyard with a shout.

"How dare you neglect your duties of feeding the third young master's horses and come to the clan courtyard to stand here crying like a fool… Hmph! Do you think you're the third young master yourself? Trash!"

"Father… help," Jiang Yun whispered weakly.

But before he could finish his sentence, the man kicked him again, knocking him unconscious. He was then dragged away immediately. Jiang Ting, who had witnessed the entire scene, spoke up.

"That servant was beaten up so badly."

Jiang Li interjected, "Don't bother about him. He's probably just one of those lazy ones… Anyway, forget about that. Let's hurry and go see our brother. I'm eager to meet him."

"But…"

Jiang Li ignored her and dragged Jiang Ting into the clan hall without another word.

Another year passed, and Jiang Yun's life only worsened. His existence had become that of a complete servant. His body was constantly bruised and battered by the hands of both the clan's children and the servants' offspring, who treated him as a mere tool for their whims. Despite his battered body and bruised spirit, Jiang Yun still clung to a tiny spark of hope. He believed that if he endured and worked hard enough, one day, his parents would accept him, and he would finally be part of the family again.

One evening, after feeding the horses, Jiang Yun walked back to the servants' quarters, utterly exhausted both physically and mentally. Yet, the small flicker of hope still pushed him forward. Suddenly, a group of young men who had a habit of bullying him appeared. They were the children of the Jiang clan who had already begun cultivating some strength. That day, they wanted to test their newly learned abilities.

"Jiang Yun! Come here!" One of the young men called out loudly as they approached, grinning wickedly.

Jiang Yun sensed the impending danger. He stepped back, but there was no escape. They grabbed him and tied him to a tree, leaving him no chance to resist.

"I just learned a new technique, and I'm in need of a sparring partner. Can you help me out?" One of the young men mocked, punching Jiang Yun hard in the stomach. His body bent over from the pain, but he weakly pleaded,

"Please… I beg you… stop…" Jiang Yun begged, his voice trembling with pain and fear.

But the group of young men ignored his pleas. They took turns beating him mercilessly. His stomach felt like it was on fire, and his arms and legs were so bruised they went numb. Once they were satisfied with their fun, they left him tied to the tree

and walked away without a second thought. Jiang Yun remained there, his body battered and bruised, eventually losing consciousness.

The next morning, when Jiang Yun opened his eyes, he found himself back in the servants' quarters. His body still ached with pain, but he was surprised to be there, unsure how he had returned. He remembered being left tied to the tree the previous night, but now, somehow, he was back in his room.

Though confused, Jiang Yun didn't ask questions. He just knew he had to continue with his duties.

That morning, as he made his way to the training grounds, he overheard whispers among the servants and other members of the clan about some recent news.

"Have you heard? Jiang Feng was attacked while outside the clan. He was gravely injured, almost died."