The Severed Path!

"I passed? Hahaha, I passed!"

"Top of the provincial examination, the Jieyuan!!"

A youth of fifteen or sixteen stared at the provincial examination results, his heart overflowing with joy.

"Three years..."

"I, Qin Yao, have been in this world for three years now."

"Today, I have finally stood tall!!"

Three years ago, he was still a miserable, overworked wage slave who had just graduated and was struggling to make ends meet.

An accident had caused him to transmigrate into this world where martial arts reigned supreme, inhabiting the body of a thirteen-year-old boy from a branch family of the Qin Family in Red River County who shared his name.

When he first arrived, Qin Yao had also fantasized about stepping onto the path of profound martial arts.

He dreamed that one day, like the protagonists in the novels he had read in his past life, he could suppress mountains and rivers with his fists and trample the sun and moon beneath his feet!

However, reality soon dealt him a heavy blow—the original owner's body possessed crippled meridians, making it impossible to practice martial arts.

In this world where martial arts were divine and profound cultivation was supreme, being unable to open one's meridians meant being inferior to others.

Qin Yao was unwilling to accept this.

He tried every phrase he could think of, like "System-bro" or "Deep Blue, add points," but to no avail.

The insults and mockery from his peers in the clan only added to his immense frustration.

In a fit of pique, Qin Yao simply threw caution to the wind and gave up entirely.

His temper became increasingly eccentric!

Yet, even so, the original owner's grandfather, Qin Dashan, who was in his sixties, never said a word of complaint.

The old man remained silent and stoic, his back hunched as he worked hard from dawn till dusk, never uttering a grievance.

At the time, his seven-year-old sister, Qin Lan, had already begun learning to wash clothes, mend garments, and help support the household.

Occasionally, Old Man Qin would even comfort Qin Yao in return: "It doesn't matter if you can't practice martial arts; just take your time to recover."

"When your spirit returns, then you can find something to do."

Having been an orphan in his past life, Qin Yao experienced the warmth of family affection for the first time.

He buried that unrealistic dream of martial arts deep within himself.

"Since the path of martial arts is closed to me, I will walk the path of literature!"

"I still remember quite a few of the poems and songs I learned before I transmigrated."

"Why not become a 'literary plagiarist'?"

"If I can earn a scholarly title, even if I don't bring glory to the family name, it will at least be enough to ensure Grandfather and my sister live without worry!"

Qin Yao acted as soon as he decided.

He picked up the classics and histories of this world, and relying on the comprehension of a transmigrator and the advantage of "copying books," he threw himself into the path of study.

The lamp burns at midnight, the rooster crows at dawn; this is the time for a man to study...

His performance brought great comfort to his grandfather, Qin Dashan.

Not only did the old man swallow his pride to borrow books from the main clan, but he also spent ninety percent of the meager income he earned from his labor to buy paper, brushes, and lamp oil for Qin Yao.

Days turned into months.

The small savings left behind by the original owner's parents before they passed away had long since been exhausted.

Even the ancestral home had been mortgaged by his grandfather, all to support Qin Yao's continued studies.

His sister, Qin Lan, was so young, yet her fingers were covered in scars from embroidery needles.

Yet, she would always stop him from doing chores: "Brother, put down the bowl, let me wash it."

"Brother, don't touch the broom, let me sweep."

"Brother, you just focus on your studies. When you make a name for yourself in the future, Grandfather and I will be able to enjoy the good life with you~"

Qin Yao felt both heartbroken and warmed, secretly hardening his resolve to work harder.

Three years of bitter study, his green robes worn thin.

Finally, today, he, Qin Yao, surpassed the multitude of scholars to become the Jieyuan!

At this moment, Qin Yao tilted his head back.

The sunlight was blinding.

But it was warm!

Tears could not help but slide from the corners of his eyes.

Three years of humiliation, three years of hardship!

At this moment, it all seemed worth it.

Jieyuan!

This meant he had earned the qualification to head to a high-grade major city and participate in the metropolitan examination!

That was a chance to leap over the dragon gate and completely change his destiny!

Qin Yao sprinted at full speed, gasping for breath!

He only wanted to share this monumental piece of good news with his grandfather and younger sister as quickly as possible.

"Stop right there!"

Suddenly, a group of people darted out from the alley entrance, blocking his path.

The leader, an old man with gray hair, a white beard, and a potbelly, was none other than the patriarch of the Qin Clan: Qin Yongnian.

Behind him followed several clan elders.

And a girl of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a brand-new silk dress, beautiful in appearance, with eyes full of arrogance: Qin Yuwei.

She was also the patriarch's precious granddaughter; not only was she outstanding in looks, but her martial arts talent was also exceptionally brilliant, making her the number one among the younger generation of the Qin Family!

According to their lineage, Qin Yuwei was Qin Yao's cousin.

"Qin Yao, do you know your crime?!"

Patriarch Qin Yongnian spoke abruptly, his voice carrying an unquestionable majesty.

Qin Yao was filled with astonishment. "What crime could this junior possibly have committed?"

"Hmph!"

The patriarch let out a cold snort. "The provincial examination Jieyuan should have been Yuwei's!

"You cheated in the examination hall and stole her honor; are you not going to confess the truth?!"

"Cheated in the examination? Stole honor?"

Qin Yao was stunned. "What kind of bullshit is this?!"

He even thought he was too excited and was experiencing hallucinations.

It was just like Fan Jin passing the imperial examination...

He pinched his face hard.

It hurt!

"Qin Yao, stop pretending."

At this moment, Qin Yuwei raised her face arrogantly, looking at him with triumph and provocation, and said nonchalantly, "You stole my test paper while I was finished writing and sleeping on the desk, and you wrote your own name on it."

"You really deserve to die!"

Looking at the undisguised, sinister, and playful look in the depths of Qin Yuwei's eyes, Qin Yao felt his blood boil. "You're full of shit!"

The immense injustice made his voice tremble. "You want to frame me? It won't be that easy!

"The top-ranked Jieyuan of this provincial examination was earned through my own true talent and learning!

"Every word of the essays, policy critiques, and poetry was written with my heart's blood!

"I can rewrite the content of my answer sheet right now, word for word.

"I ask you, Qin Yuwei, can you do the same?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the high-ranking members of the clan were all taken aback.

They clearly hadn't expected Qin Yao to be so capable that he could rewrite his answer sheet word for word!

After all, he was a plagiarist.

But, how could they possibly give Qin Yao a chance to prove his innocence?

"Insolent!"

Before Qin Yuwei could speak, the several clan elders chimed in one after another: "Qin Yao, you are rebellious!"

"You are a useless collateral descendant who cannot practice martial arts; who gave you the guts to speak to the 'main family's legitimate daughter' like this?!"

"Exactly, you cheated in the examination hall with conclusive evidence, yet you still dare to act out?"

"The clan has already decided to strip you of your honor and have Yuwei take your place!"

"What?!"

Qin Yao's eyes were wide enough to split.

For someone like him who could not practice martial arts, the honor he had earned was his only chance to turn his life around.

How could he just watch as his opportunity was snatched away by someone else?!

"On what grounds? I don't accept this!"

The youth stiffened his neck and roared: "I will go to the prefectural government to file a complaint and expose this black-and-white-reversing affair to the public!"

"File a complaint?"

Qin Yongnian's eyes were cold, his murderous intent already apparent!

At this moment, Third Uncle, who usually maintained a somewhat close relationship with Qin Yao's family, hurried forward. "Patriarch, please calm your anger. Let me try to reason with the boy?"

"Hmph!"

Qin Yongnian flicked his sleeves coldly, his gaze filled with Baleful Intent. "If it weren't for the fact that he is, after all, a member of the Qin Family, the words he just uttered would have been enough to have this degenerate killed ten times over!"

Third Uncle nodded and bowed as he pulled Qin Yao aside, whispering, "Qin Yao, let me be blunt with you.

"Handing your title of Jieyuan over to Yuwei is a collective decision made by the Patriarch and the council of elders."

"Just because she is the Patriarch's granddaughter?!"

Qin Yao asked through gritted teeth.

"It's not just that; it's because she is a woman!"

Third Uncle lowered his voice. "Half a month ago, Yuwei already secured the Jieyuan title in the martial examinations.

"If she now takes the Jieyuan title in the literary examinations as well, she will be accomplished in both literature and martial arts!

"A woman of such extraordinary beauty, who is also skilled in both literature and martial arts—Red River County hasn't seen the likes of her in a thousand years!

"The elders are all convinced that a 'dual-talented' Yuwei will one day lead our clan to new heights.

"Therefore..."

"Then why couldn't you have discussed it with me beforehand?"

Qin Yao asked, his heart filled with indignation, his voice rising: "Did you have to use such underhanded tactics to forcibly seize my hard-earned honor, and on top of that, slander me with cheating in the examination hall, effectively destroying my future path in the imperial examinations?!"

"This..."

Third Uncle was momentarily speechless.

Just then, Qin Yuwei flashed over to stand before Qin Yao, pointing at the tip of his nose as she enunciated each word: "Be! Cause! You! Are! Not! Worthy!"

"You useless waste who can't even cultivate, do you really have no self-awareness at all?"

"What is your status? Do you think you're worthy of us discussing anything with you?"

With no one else around, Qin Yuwei didn't even bother to keep up appearances anymore.

She looked down at him from her superior position. "Qin Yao, handing your Jieyuan title over to me will not only bring immense prestige to Red River County, but it will also cause our clan's reputation to soar.

"In time, I will lead our clan to unprecedented prosperity!

"For a waste like you who can't even open your meridians, having something of value that I can actually use is just making the best of a useless object. You should feel honored!"

"Well said!"

The Patriarch waved his hand with a sanctimonious air. "Qin Yao, you are nearly sixteen; it is time you learned to consider the bigger picture!"

Consider the bigger picture?

What a high-sounding, hypocritical excuse for "the bigger picture!"

Back when he spent years studying by the light of the snow, working his heart out over his books, had the clan ever offered him even a shred of support?

No!

Not only did they not help, but people often mocked, ridiculed, insulted, and suppressed him!

And among them, Qin Yuwei was the worst of all!

Now that Qin Yao had relied on his own strength to win the Jieyuan title, and was finally on the verge of leading his grandfather and younger sister out of the mire, the high-and-mighty figures of the clan jumped out to force him to hand over the fruits of his years of hard work!

They didn't care in the slightest that he, someone already unable to practice martial arts, might lose his last path to redemption—his "official honor"—and be left with no future at all...

To hell with it!

Qin Yao felt a chill surge from the soles of his feet straight to his crown.

"They hide behind the name of the 'bigger picture,' yet I am the only one who truly has to sacrifice everything!"

Qin Yao's voice was hoarse.

He looked at those sanctimonious high-ranking clan members, then at the cousin who was about to usurp his honor, his heart overflowing with grief and fury: "Go to hell, all of you!!"

"Stubborn and unrepentant!"

Qin Yongnian lost his patience and waved his hand. "Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame the clan rules for being heartless!

"Men, seize Qin Yao!

"Strip him of his honor, reclaim his ancestral land, and expel him from the clan!"

Two guards, fierce as wolves and tigers, immediately rushed forward.

"No! You can't do this! My grandson is innocent!"

Grandfather Qin Dashan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, wept with old tears. "When the boy's parents gave their lives for this clan, the compensation the Patriarch promised was never even fulfilled.

"I, Qin Dashan, have already suffered the pain of losing a child for the sake of this 'bigger picture' you speak of; I have sacrificed enough.

"And now, you actually want to strip away the only path to survival my grandson has carved out for himself after years of bitter struggle?

"Qin Yongnian, are you even human anymore?!"

Qin Yongnian's eyelids twitched as he flatly denied it, "Nonsense!"

"What does the death of your son and daughter-in-law have to do with me? They were just stupid!"

"Get lost!"

Qin Yongnian kicked Grandfather away.

Little sister Qin Lan, who had been following behind Grandfather, burst into terrified wails.

"I didn't cheat!"

"The clan is unjust!"

"You are the ones who stole my merit!"

"I... ugh! Ugh!"

Qin Yao let out a beast-like roar, but a guard shoved a rag tightly into his mouth and pinned him to the ground.

The official document of merit, which he hadn't even had the chance to warm in his hands, was snatched away just like that.

He looked at his grandfather, who had collapsed to the ground in tears, and his terrified, helpless sister; he looked at the sinister, ruthless, and gloating faces of the clan elders; he looked at the contemptuous and cruel smile on Qin Yuwei's lips...

"Pfft!"

Qin Yao spat out a mouthful of blood and, consumed by overwhelming indignation, lost consciousness.

In his daze, he seemed to hear a mechanical voice—"Ding! System awakening, beginning integration."

"Current integration progress: 1%... 2%... 3%..."