Dark Ruler’s Blade

Sui Jiang’s Deception

The sky above seemed to collapse upon him, crushing his spirit beneath the weight of his father’s ultimatum. To choose between death or exile—such a cruel demand for a boy of only eleven years.  

“Enough!” Wen Jiang cried, her voice trembling yet fierce. She snatched the dagger from Lin Jiang’s trembling hands, her touch warm against his cold fingers. “Come inside, Lin Jiang,” she urged, guiding his frail body back toward the dim chamber. The air smelled of dust and old wood, the silence broken only by his uneven breaths.  

“You have three days,” Lord Jiang’s voice thundered from behind, echoing like a curse. “If you do not leave this house, I will kill you myself!” His footsteps receded, leaving behind a trail of dread.  

Lin Jiang’s body quivered, his heart pounding against his ribs. The world he thought he knew had twisted into something unrecognizable.  

“Mother… why has it come to this?” he whispered, his eyes searching hers for comfort.  

Wen Jiang’s smile was tender, though sorrow lingered in her gaze. “It is only anger, Lin Jiang. Do not let it weigh upon you. Your father loves you still.”  

“No, Mother. He loved me only when I had talent. Now that it is gone, so is his affection.”  

“Do not say such things. He cares for you, always.”  

“If he truly cared, he would not cast me out.”  

The burden pressed heavily upon Lin Jiang’s small shoulders. He was just a child, yet fate demanded he endure torment beyond his years.  

“Rest now,” Wen Jiang whispered, smoothing his hair. “We will find a way to restore you.”  

“Yes, Mother… thank you,” Lin Jiang murmured, his voice hollow.  

She left him alone, swallowed by shadows and despair. His thoughts spiraled, the bitter truth gnawing at him. Once, he had been a prodigy, his spirit foundation already formed at eleven. A gift born once in a century, a destiny carved into his very being. But the explosion had shattered it all, leaving him broken, discarded.  

“Why has it come to this?” he whispered again, his face etched with regret.  

*****

Three days passed, yet his wounds remained unhealed. The pain lingered, sharp and unyielding, like embers smoldering beneath his skin.  

“How are you, little brother?” a voice asked.  

Lin Jiang turned, his eyes meeting those of Sui Jiang.  

“Brother Sui…” Lin Jiang forced a faint smile, though emptiness clouded his gaze.  

Sui Jiang sat beside him, his expression softened, his tone unusually gentle. “Forgive my anger the other day.”  

“You did nothing wrong. This is fate’s doing.”  

“Do not drown in sorrow. What if we take a walk outside the city?” Sui Jiang suggested, his voice carrying a strange warmth.  

“But Brother, I am not yet recovered.”  

“You will have me by your side. Come.”  

Lin Jiang hesitated, then nodded. “Very well.”  

Together, they stepped out of the Jiang family’s grand residence. The house loomed behind them, its walls heavy with ancestral pride, yet its halls now echoed with shame.  

From a distance, Ning Jiang watched, her brows furrowed. It was unusual for Sui Jiang to invite Lin Jiang out.  

“What is Brother Sui planning?” she murmured. Yet her young heart clung to hope. “Perhaps he wishes to help Lin regain his strength.”  

*****

The streets of Linjiang were alive with voices, but none offered kindness.  

“Look, the useless boy dares to show his face!” someone jeered.  

“Why not die already, trash?” another shouted, their laughter sharp as knives.  

Lin Jiang lowered his head, his steps heavy. The insults pierced him, yet he remained silent. He had expected nothing less.  

“I know their words wound you,” Sui Jiang said, his tone deceptively soothing. “Let us leave the city. I will take you somewhere that will erase your suffering.”  

“Where, Brother?” Lin Jiang asked, hope flickering faintly.  

“Just follow me. I promise you peace.”  

Lin Jiang’s heart warmed at the thought, clinging to his brother’s promise. Together, they left the city behind, their path winding into the forest. The air grew cooler, filled with the scent of damp earth and pine. Birds called faintly from the canopy, though their songs seemed distant, drowned by unease.  

But as they ventured deeper, Lin Jiang’s confusion grew.  

“Brother Sui, where are we going?” he asked, his voice uncertain.  

“Stop your whining. Just follow me, trash,” Sui Jiang snapped, his words laced with venom.  

Lin Jiang halted, his eyes wide. “What do you mean?”  

“Do not question me. Walk!” Sui Jiang barked, yanking Lin Jiang’s arm with cruel force.  

“I am your brother… what are you doing?”  

“Silence! Father commanded this. You must die, for you are nothing but disgrace to our family!”  

“No… it cannot be true!” Lin Jiang gasped, his heart breaking.  

“Hah! Fool! Since the day you lost your gift, you ceased to matter. You are worthless!” Sui Jiang’s laughter was harsh, echoing through the trees. He dragged Lin Jiang onward, ignoring his cries.  

“Let me go!” Lin Jiang pleaded, his voice trembling.  

But his strength was gone. He could not resist.  

At last, they reached the edge of a cliff—the dreaded Abyss of Death, feared by all who lived in Linjiang. The wind howled through the chasm, carrying the scent of damp stone and decay.  

“Do you remember when I said I would take you to a place where your suffering would end?” Sui Jiang sneered.  

“No… don’t tell me you mean to kill me?” Lin Jiang’s voice cracked, terror flooding his veins.  

“That is exactly what I intend.”  

A chorus of cruel laughter erupted. From the shadows of the trees emerged a dozen boys, their eyes gleaming with malice.  

“Sui Jiang, are you certain you will hand your brother to us?” one asked, his tone mocking.  

“Yes. Beat him, then cast him into the abyss!” Sui Jiang declared.  

“I have long awaited this moment!” another shouted, his fists clenched.  

Thud!  

A brutal strike slammed into Lin Jiang’s stomach, forcing the air from his lungs. Pain radiated through his body, his cry swallowed by the forest.  

The assault continued, fists and feet raining down upon him. Blood stained his clothes, the coppery scent mingling with the damp earth. His small frame crumpled beneath the blows, his vision blurring.  

“Is he dead yet?” Sui Jiang asked coldly, watching his brother’s broken body.  

“Why bother asking? You wanted this.”  

“Then finish it. Throw him into the abyss!” Sui Jiang commanded.  

“As you wish.”  

Kick!  

A savage strike sent Lin Jiang’s body tumbling over the cliff’s edge. The wind roared in his ears, the world spinning as darkness swallowed him.  

“Farewell, brother. May hell welcome you,” Sui Jiang spat, his voice echoing into the void.