A Failure's hopeful Journey

You Xi Wang entered the main hall with a stern face. The main hall had a ceiling height of 20 feet with two platinum and in the center a twice bigger jade chandelier making it look magnificent. Eight white marble pillars supporting it with azure dragons, red phoenixes, white tigers, and black turtles engraved on each side of all the pillars.

One black, mahogany chair engraved with a mandarin symbol for You family lay beneath every pillar. These chairs were chairs for 8 You family leaders, at the end of the hall of the wall which was depicting a mural of four auspicious beasts in all their splendor. Beneath this wall lay a black, mahogany chair with a headrest thrice the size of other chairs. You symbol engraved on it, was golden.

You Zhichi stood near the throne as their father was the leader of You family, the family had eight elders and their role was to advise the leader. All eight of them were seated in their chairs. They all had white hair and their faces had wrinkles while their eyes showing a variety of emotions. Some were upset, some were in anticipation. While the servants stood in the center with their heads held low.

You Xi Wang walked up to the throne and looked at his sister and nodded at her. As You Zhichi relaxed, he turned around and looked at everyone after he took a heavy breath he said: "I know as per the tradition of our family, we select the leader based on their merit and strength, therefore I stand here and welcome everyone who would like to challenge me for the throne."

All the elders were shocked while servants were in a stupor as they did not expect their young master to start the challenge of ascension.

You Zhichi had color-drenched out of her face when she heard him, but when she was about to stop him You Xi Wang shook his head slightly without looking at her in assurance. She calmed down and stood at her position.

An elder stood up and said in a heavy voice, "Do you know the importance of this challenge and the price you might have to pay if you fail?"

" I know," calmly replied You Xiwang and took a pause and continued, "I am aware of my actions elders, please do not worry, I will follow the rules set by our ancestors, but before that, with your permission, I would like to settle a minor issue which came to my notice,"

The elders gave their consent by nodding, and You Xi Wang glanced at the servants, You family had 100 servants excluding the guards, he had a straight face and in a solemn voice, he said "I know some of you are unsure about the future of the family and are having doubts in your hearts, I don't have time to console you all neither am I interested in it. The only thing I want is to have only those who are loyal to this family to be at ease and perform their duties with no doubts. I give you two choices and five minutes to consider one. The first choice, you swear to heavens that you will be forever loyal to You family and never harm or conspire against any member of the family in return I give you a future you can't even dream of, the second choice take your stuff and one hundred gold credits along with your any due balance and leave, also remember once you make that decision you will have no connection to You family and will have your memories related to You family erased. Now choose,"

He said his piece and fell silent. The servants thought, and thirty people bowed to him and left the hall. You Xi Wang glanced at an elder in the third chair on his left and said, "Elder can I request you to please help me fulfill this task, erase their memories and give them the money we owe and send them away".

The elder smiled and was satisfied with his humble attitude and left to complete the procedure. Then You Xi Wang glanced at the people who did not leave and smiled, "Thank you for your trust I assure you that Your family will strive and reach the peak of this world summit. Now please make the oath to the heavens and go back to work,"

One by one everyone of the servants made the oath and lightning flashed in acknowledgment, after which they left back to their work.

Now, seven elders and the siblings were left in the hall. You Xi Wang looked at the elders and said "Elders I know you might think my decision is hasty, but it has been two weeks since my parents left, the world may be peaceful but we don't know what lies under the shadows and who is waiting to attack us. So I challenged. I hope you bear witness to this. Within half an hour anyone might issue a challenge to me in the family, and I will take it on,"

The elders thought for a while and acknowledged his stance. After ten minutes, a youth of 20 years age walked into the main hall, he had sword-like brows and pointed chin, a broad torso he emitted aura which made others feel like he can destroy mountains he had dark black eyes, and his long hair fell till his shoulders he was handsome but not enough to beat the godly looking You Xi Wang, his name was You Shanwang which meant the king of the mountains, he bowed to the elders. Then he looked at You Xi Wang and said "Cousin I don't know if it's the right time, but since you have started the challenge, I will accept it and if you can beat me, the family will acknowledge you as the new leader, we all know you have a good brain but we need to check your martial talent. I hope you understand."

You Xi Wang heard him say this and smiled at his elder cousin. You family may not be the biggest family in SILICA CITY, but they were all very strong and united. You Xi Wang nodded "Big brother Shan Wang you are too humble, I know that being the youngest in the family I should not be claiming the leadership, but as the son of You Liangxin and Chen Limao I have to continue their legacy. I ask for your advice."

"Well said," exclaimed You Shan Wang and continued "Xiao Wang you have just returned from the hospital, let's do this, tomorrow at 11 in the morning, what say? As for the bet in ascension duel, we bet pride and loyalty of You family if you win, you may send us all to our deaths and none shall complain. What about you?"

You Xi Wang thought for a bit and said with a smile, "Well, I have nothing other than my life so, besides that, I also bet the shares my mom left to me in Chen group. As you know my mom and aunty own majority of the shares in Chen Comtech. Will that do? ," Elders were shocked as they knew how much Chen family shares were worth.

You Zhichi took a step forward and put a hand on her brother's shoulder, "I bet mine too, both life and shares" another bomb was dropped and this time You Xi Wang was dumbstruck. He turned and said, "Chichi what are you doing? Take back those words." his words were filled with concern, he was anxious.

His sister smiled at him and replied softly, "Bro, you are all that matters to me now, without you I won't live and without life, what good are the shares if you love me then stop being a fuss and kick big brothers ass tomorrow," You Xi Wang saw his sister's eyes were firm and strong as he nodded in defeat.

"Hey, you two brats, I can hear you, you know. Kicking my ass won't be easy, but yes, you can try your best Xiao Wang I would like to see you defeat me and as to give you a fair chance I'll lower my cultivation to the peak of body formation from 5th level spirit formation. What do you say?" said You Shan Wang.

"Then it's settled. Elders, you are our witnesses as it was big brother Shanwang who proposed the restriction." You Xi Wang replied with glee.

Elders nodded and gathered the whole family in the training ground in the morning and they left.

The cousins bantered for a bit and then left to prepare. It was going to be a night before the new dawn in You family.