As Li Chen awoke after a night of intense training that had left him physically exhausted, there was a sense of accomplishnt and a hint of fatigue on his face. He had been secretly practising martial arts for a long ti, but this newfound training had provided him with a sense of fulfilnt he had never experienced before.
The voice of the God of War echoed in his mind, breaking the silence. "Finally, you have woken up," the voice remarked with a hint of dissatisfaction. "Your body gets tired easily, and it’s a disgrace to . But I have to say this: your body seems like it was built for martial arts. Have you trained before?"
Li Chen furrowed his brow, slightly bewildered by the early morning conversation happening within his own head. "So early in the morning, and you’re busy talking in my head," he muttered in response. "Go away."
The God of War chuckled softly, though it sounded more like an ethereal echo. "I’m just a soul inhabiting your body, so I don’t sleep," the voice explained. "I am awake but can’t do much, since I depend on your body."
Li Chen shook his head, feeling both puzzled and frustrated. "What do you an?" he asked, seeking clarity.
The voice of the God of War replied, "I don’t know either. I just had to reply to you, though."
With that enigmatic response hanging in the air, Li Chen decided to put the unusual conversation aside for the mont and headed to the bathroom to start his day with a refreshing shower.
After his shower, the voice of the God of War resounded in Li Chen’s mind once more, "You should ditate before eating." God of War continued and explained, "martial arts requires not just physical fitness but also ntal fitness".
Li Chen, feeling sowhat sceptical and inexperienced in the practice of ditation, admitted, "I have never ditated before, so I have no clue about it."
The God of War reassured him, saying, "Lucky you, I am a master when it cos to ntal fitness. Allow to take over, and you will thank when I am done."
With a slight roll of his eyes, Li Chen decided to trust the mysterious presence within him and allowed the God of War to take control of his body. He found a comfortable sitting position, closed his eyes, and began the process of ditation. His breathing beca slow and deliberate, and his mind was fully focused on the task at hand.
As he sat there cross-legged with his breath steady, his consciousness was suddenly flooded with images. First, he saw a young boy in ancient clothing, vigorously throwing punches in the air. Beside the boy sat a man wearing a large robe, his expression filled with anger. The scene was vague, like a distant mory that had resurfaced.
Before he could fully make sense of the first image, another flashed before him. It was a mory from when he was just six years old, a ti when his aunt, who had raised him, had mysteriously disappeared without a trace. He had been taken in by one of his mother’s relatives to live with her. These two images continued to alternate rapidly, as though sothing within him was compelling him to rember.
After two hours of ditation, with these unclear images playing in his mind, Li Chen finally opened his eyes, heaving a sigh of relief.
Li Chen couldn’t help but be curious about the mories that had surfaced during his ditation. Inwardly, he asked the God of War, "What was that?"
The God of War remained quiet for a few minutes before responding, saying, "That was the mory of when I was 6 years old. It was the day my father started training in martial arts."
Li Chen, now understanding a bit more, inquired further, "Was the man in the mory your father?"
The God of War confird, "Yes, he is."
Li Chen then questioned, "But why does he seem angry in the mory?"
The God of War explained, "He was angry because I said I wanted to be a doctor like my mother. He wanted to learn martial arts and war strategies so I could live his dreams for him."
Li Chen sighed, feeling a mix of emotions, and said, "Well, at least you knew your father. I never got the chance to know mine."
The God of War replied somberly, "There is nothing good about it. My father trained cruelly, like I wasn’t his child."
Li Chen then pointed out, "But at least his training earned you the title of God of War."
The God of War acknowledged this fact, saying, "That is true. So, what are we eating today?"
As Li Chen was about to answer the God of War’s question about their al, he heard the unmistakable sound of a lock clicking, signalling that soone was unlocking the door to his room. He imdiately stepped aside, ready to face whoever was about to enter.
The guard assigned to release Li Chen entered the room and inford him, "You have gained your freedom, Li Chen."
Li Chen regarded the guard with a thoughtful expression and responded, "Really?"
The guard nodded and said, "Yes, you are one lucky man. You’re married to a beautiful woman, have free accommodation, and get free food."
Li Chen couldn’t help but chuckle at the guard’s perspective and replied, "You think all of this is free? Aren’t I paying for it with the chores I’m doing here?"
With that, Li Chen walked past the guard and out of the room, leaving the guard to ponder the implications of his words.
After leaving his room, Li Chen made his way to the kitchen, where he could still sense the God of War’s thoughts and surprise at the delicate leftover dishes. Ignoring the presence in his head, Li Chen began to heat up a al and pulled a chair over to sit down and eat.
As he devoured his al, Li Chen couldn’t help but address the God of War, saying, "Hey, God of War, you need to get used to this kitchen and this type of food soon. Hearing you in my head like this makes uncomfortable."
The God of War chuckled and responded, "Just continue eating; we need the energy."
Li Chen finished his al, and just as he was done, the butler entered the kitchen and inford him, "Master Gu would like to talk to you in his study."
Li Chen’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he followed the butler to the study, wondering what this eting with Master Gu would entail.
Li Chen entered the study, and as he stepped in, he imdiately felt the weight of the room’s tension. The entire Gu family was gathered there, and Master Gu’s piercing gaze bore into him with undisguised hatred. Li Chen couldn’t help but hear God of War’s voice in his head, a constant presence that had beco eerily familiar.
"The man is looking at like he wants dead."
"Well, you haven’t exactly made a favourable impression on him."
Li Chen took a deep breath and shot a defiant look back at Master Gu, his face maintaining an almost stoic expression, as if he were in a world of his own.
"You are to bla for that. I wonder what would happen to your soul if I were to die now."
"I will continue to wander around until the issue I have is resolved."
"Whatever."
Master Gu’s intense stare seed to drill into Li Chen’s soul as he coldly instructed him to sit down.
"Li Chen, sit down. I have sothing to discuss with you regarding your upcoming divorce with Liang."
Li Chen turned his head to face Master Gu, his expression unchanging. He glanced over at Gu Liang, who remained seated, her eyes fixed on him with an unmistakable disdain.
"Your wife hates you".
As the room fell into an uneasy silence, Li Chen braced himself for the impending conversation that could potentially alter the course of his life.
Li Chen sat down, a sense of defiance in his posture as he faced the imposing presence of the Gu family in their grand study. Master Gu, his face etched with disapproval, wasted no ti in addressing the matter at hand.
"Li Chen, only two months remain in your marriage. What do you plan to do?"
Li Chen t Master Gu’s gaze, his own expression cool and detached, giving away nothing.
"I will see when the ti cos."
Mada Gu, eager to understand Li Chen’s intentions, leaned in and inquired further.
"You were an orphan, and my grandmother, Mada Gu, found you holess. What is your plan for the future?"
Li Chen, growing increasingly annoyed with the inquisition, responded curtly.
"I will figure it out. You don’t have to worry about ."
Gu Hua, defending his mother’s line of questioning, interjected with a hint of irritation.
"Don’t speak to my mother like that."
Li Chen, seemingly unfazed by Gu Hua’s rebuke, turned his attention back to Master Gu, impatiently prompting him to get to the point.
"Is that all you wanted to discuss?"
Master Gu, struggling to maintain his composure in the face of Li Chen’s defiance, offered an apology for Mada Gu’s unwarranted action.
"First, I must apologise for my wife’s decision to lock you in the basent. It was uncalled for. But the issue at hand is more important."
Li Chen regarded Master Gu with a mixture of curiosity and impatience, waiting for the real purpose of this eting to be revealed.
"Since the Gu family has provided you with shelter for six years, I am sure that doing sothing for this family won’t be a problem, right?"
Li Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone still laced with scepticism.
"I have been paying for my stay here with the house chores. I don’t think I owe you anything."
Tension hung thick in the air as Li Chen and Master Gu locked eyes, both n unwilling to back down in the face of the other’s resolve.
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