NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Seven Kill Sword
After freshening up, he entered the side house to the left of the main courtyard. This was where the family ate together. On the round table in the center of the hall, seven or eight dishes were laid out.
Seated directly opposite him was an elder with a youthful face and graying hair. He was slender, energetic, and carried an inner calmness. His clothes were clean and neat, and his hair was meticulously combed. He bore a 60-70% resemblance to a certain future figure named Chen Xin but appeared even more refined, like a gentle spring breeze.
On the elder's left sat Ye Xiuxin, and on his right was a robust boy of about eleven or twelve years old—his older brother, Chen Jianjun, who stood over 1.6 meters tall.
Here, it's worth noting that in the Douluo Continent, people measure age by their bone age, so their ages are all calculated by full years.
"Grandfather, Mother, Big Brother."
Chen Xiaojun greeted them with a beaming smile and said, "Let's eat!"
The family sat down and began their meal. Chen Xiaojun ate slowly and carefully, while Ye Xiuxin ate elegantly. As for his older brother, Chen Jianjun, his eating habits could only be described as wolfing down his food.
Chen Jianjun resembled their father, Chen Xun. He was tall, strong, and exuded a sense of robustness even in his youth. Frankly, Chen Xiaojun couldn't understand how his refined grandfather, Chen Yu, had a son like his father, Chen Xun, who seemed so rough and rugged. If not for the similar facial contours and bone structure, one might suspect Chen Xun wasn't even Chen Yu's biological son.
Chen Xiaojun himself took more after his mother, with softer facial lines and a more balanced physique—neither too thin nor too fat.
Ye Xiuxin, on the other hand, must have been a beauty in her youth. Even now, in her early forties, she retained a graceful charm. Being a Soul Emperor-level soul master certainly contributed; soul power could slow down aging, enhance one's appearance, and maintain good health. Additionally, Ye Xiuxin was an auxiliary-type soul master, so she didn't suffer the hidden injuries that battle soul masters often did. Her gentle soul power further aided her longevity and well-being.
Chen Xiaojun had overheard her soul master level before. The family didn't make a particular effort to hide such things from the children.
The family adhered to the principle of not speaking during meals. Once they finished, everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, and Ye Xiuxin began tidying up the leftovers.
"Xiao'er," Chen Yu began slowly, "Your father is out handling some affairs. He should be back in five or six days, in time for your birthday on June 20th. By then, he'll bring back the Awakening Stone so we can go to the ancestral hall in the village to awaken your martial soul."
"Understood, Grandfather," Chen Xiaojun replied with a nod.
"I hope you can inherit the family's martial soul by then. If you do, our Chen family will have one more successor. My greatest pride in life has been fathering your father, Chen Xun, and your second uncle, Chen Zhang.
"Our family is small in number. Your father has you two children, and your second uncle had Chen Feng. When I pass on, I'll be able to face our ancestors and say I've done the Chen family proud!" Chen Yu said with a hint of pride.
"Grandfather, how many people are in our family, exactly?" Chen Xiaojun seized the opportunity to ask a question that had been on his mind for some time.
"The Chen family has been around for nearly two thousand years. We've been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. Excluding branch families, there are still thirty-two direct descendants who have inherited the family's martial soul.
"In this village, there are a few families like ours: your second great-uncle's family, your Hong grandpa's family, your Chao grandpa's family, and your Xin grandma's family, among others.
"Most of the others are scattered elsewhere—some are traveling, some are working, some serve other factions as guest elders, and some are even in the military. Some have been away for decades."
Chen Yu, the patriarch of the Chen family and the official village chief of Chenlin Village, paused after explaining.
Chen Xiaojun, puzzled, asked, "What do you mean by 'destroyed and rebuilt'?"
Knowing this child's early intelligence, Chen Yu decided it was time to reveal a bit more.
"You're about to awaken your martial soul, so it's time you learned some things. Do you know what our family's martial soul is?" Chen Yu asked seriously.
"Yes," Chen Xiaojun replied, his tone tinged with longing. "I've read biographies, martial soul records, and historical collections. If I'm not mistaken, our family possesses one of the most powerful martial souls, the Seven Kill Sword, and we should be surnamed Chen—Chen as in 'flying dust.'"
"Smart!"
Chen Yu nodded and sighed. "Seven Kill Sword… it's both our blessing and our curse."
"The Seven Kill Sword is the most potent offensive martial soul on the continent, rivaling the Clear Sky Hammer. The Seven Kill Sword exudes and absorbs killing intent, enhancing its attack power. But it also requires its wielder to nurture it with their own killing aura. The higher the soul master's level, the more killing aura is needed.
"But obtaining killing aura isn't easy. You have to kill soul beasts or people, and excessive killing comes with a price.
"This martial soul frightens others with its overwhelming killing intent. Over the centuries, we've been accused of having an 'evil martial soul.'
"We've founded sects and noble families to protect ourselves, but they've all been wiped out.
"Thankfully, our ancestors were wise and left contingency plans. Through numerous trials and tribulations, the martial soul's legacy has endured.
"It wasn't until ancestors Chen Xili and Chen Feiyi developed two techniques—Righteous Sword Qi Technique and Seven Kill Aura Concealment Technique—that we turned the tide. These techniques not only utilized killing aura to enhance the sword's power but also made us appear less cold and intimidating.
"Today, we keep a low profile, hiding our martial soul and claiming to be surnamed Chen. We live quietly in this mountain village. Only when we travel or work do we reveal our true surname, Chen, to restore the Seven Kill Sword's reputation."
"Does that mean people no longer fear us?" Chen Xiaojun asked solemnly.
"They still fear us to some extent, but the soul master world has largely accepted us again, thanks to our strength and the power of our martial soul.
"For centuries, we've avoided forming sects or noble families and refrained from disrupting the established order. Even when we work for factions, we act as individuals, not as representatives of the family.
"This dispersal has helped alleviate suspicion. But enough of that for now. I'll tell you more when the time is right."
Chen Yu shifted the conversation.
"The Seven Kill Sword harms others but also damages its wielder. Its soul power is sharp and violent. Only by mastering the Seven Kill Aura Concealment Technique can one safely marry and have children. That's why most of our family members marry in their thirties.
"Even so, our lineage remains sparse. While most top-tier martial souls are difficult to pass on, our family is particularly affected. Fortunately, the children born into the family are predominantly male—around 80%. Moreover, the Seven Kill Sword awakens reliably among our descendants."
Chen Xiaojun's thoughts wandered. "In Douluo Continent, the Chen family only appeared as one person: Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who served as a protector for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. No other relatives were mentioned, not even my uncle.
"Am I reincarnated? Or is this a transmigration? Did I also meet an untimely end? What happened to the rest of the family? Could there have been some calamity that led to their demise?"
At this moment, Ye Xiuxin interjected to console Chen Yu. "Father, don't be upset. Things are improving. Look at these two children—they're exceptional. Especially the eldest; he's strong and healthy. You'll live to see a thriving family with many descendants!"
"Haha, yes, yes!"
Chen Yu turned to Chen Jianjun. "Jianjun, have you decided which academy to attend in two months?"
Chen Jianjun, serious as ever, replied, "Not yet. I've been focusing on cultivating my soul power to break through to Soul Elder before the clan celebration on July 15th. I haven't reviewed the advanced academy options carefully."
The Chen family followed a tradition: children awakened their martial soul at six, studied at home for six years, and then left to study at an academy at twelve. The family had partnerships with several academies due to the immense power and potential of the Seven Kill Sword. Their children, often prodigies, rarely had an innate soul power below level six, making them highly sought after.
Jianjun's rival was Chen Jianzun, the grandson of Hong Grandpa, who was slightly older and less talented but still formidable. Their rivalry was a source of amusement and contention among the elders.
For context: Jianjun had an innate soul power of level nine, while Jianzun was level eight, or nearly level nine. Jianjun had been stuck at level 29 for several months, while Jianzun had already advanced to Soul Elder.
"Fine. When you reach level 30, I'll find you a good soul beast to give the old Hong a reason to stop boasting," Chen Yu said encouragingly.
"Grandfather, I'm already level 30," Jianjun declared boldly.