I WAS A USELESS SON-IN-LAW, NOW I DECIDE FATE

here to help you navigate

"Yes, me." The man smiled.

Jason, the base commander of the military camp where Edward trained sat in the car staring at him

He still looked the same. his hair, a mixture of grey and black, exactly as Edward remembered. Same amount as though it was just yesterday.

His aura still commanded the space around him, but surprisingly, Edward didn't feel the usual chill Jason's presence used to bring.

Does he even age? Edward scoffed inwardly.

Eleven years ago, right after high school, Edward had enlisted. That was when he met Jason at the training camp. Rumors swirled back then that Jason had been there for years, long after his own training ended, he simply refused to leave. Eventually, they made him base commander. That was before Edward arrived.

Contrary to what everyone said about the man being cruel, Jason had taken a special liking to Edward. Treated him well. Not always, though. Sometimes Jason acted like he loved him, other times, like he hated him.

One time, he'd called Edward into his office and asked if he was truly a Gavins. Just that no explanation, no follow-up. After that, Jason made sure Edward trained extra hard every single day.

Now, thinking back on that question... Jason had sounded so sure. Like he already knew Edward wasn't really a Gavins. But back then, there'd been no sign. No reason to doubt he was Caleb's son, not until today. Edward had always thought two people could look completely alike and share no blood at all.

Caleb had always treated him kindly Until Edward stubbornly enlisted. That was when everything started going wrong. Then the girl with Ethan became the final straw, and Caleb disinherited him.

Funny thing a few days before Edward left camp, Jason vanished. Edward never saw him again Until now. Until the mysterious caller.

He never thought they'd meet again.

"The sight is really bad," Jason said, frowning at the dead bodies.

The words jolted Edward back to reality.

"I know you have a lot of questions," Jason continued. "But let's leave here first. Then you can ask whatever you want."

Edward agreed. The scene was brutal. He still couldn't believe he'd singlehandedly killed those huge, dangerous men. He took one final look at the bodies, then climbed into the front seat beside Jason. The car roared to life and sped off.

Edward's mind drifted back to what had happened.

He was certain that bullet had gone through his stomach. He'd seen the blood. Felt himself slipping close to death. Then out of nowhere, strength flooded him.

He heard the voice.... System activated Something like that. But He couldn't explain it.

He looked down at his stomach. Still bleeding, but the wound wasn't a hole anymore. Just a tiny scratch. His shirt, though deeply stained with blood a Confirmation that everything he remembered was real. No way a scratch that small could produce that much blood.

"What happened?" He turned to face Jason. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Jason kept his eyes on the road, making his Expression unreadable.

Silence prevailed for sometime

"Your martial art system was activated." He finally said.

"Yes, that was exactly what I heard. But I still don't understand."

"It's one of the Zhenyu family's gifts. Every heir automatically inherits it. They're trained, and in the process, they master martial arts. They don't fight like others. But since you never knew about it, you never trained to master the arts. However" Jason glanced at him briefly, "you've been involved in combat. That's why your skill unlocked. That's why I made you train extra hard during military camp."

Edward listened, everything making sense now.

"Under extreme threat, a near-death situation, martial arts skills can unlock. But the last time that happened? Many years ago. More than a hundred years ago."

"Wait." Edward's brows drew together. "If it doesn't just happen to any heir of the Zhenyu family, and the last one was over a hundred years ago like you said... then what does that mean? Because I know this didn't just happen to me by chance."

Jason's jaw tightened. "You have a divine destiny, Edward. And I'm here to help you navigate it. You'll learn more as time goes on."

"And my father?"

Jason swallow a bitter lump that suddenly formed in his throat but he knew he had to answer anyway.

"Li was the only son of your grandparents. He was supposed to take over from them. But then he died. With your mother and you." Jason paused. "Their death spelled murder. But there was no evidence. So It was officially ruled...an accident."

Edward felt the weight of the words settle into his bones. His palm unconsciously fold into a fist.

"Just know this," Jason said. "The family has been without an heir for a long time. You have a lot to do. But that starts tomorrow. You need to sleep now. I'll drive you to Goldmere Grand. But if you'd rather spend the night somewhere else, just say the word. It'll be done, sir."

Sweat formed on Edward's head even with the Freezing Ac in the car. He sure had a lot to do

Whoever that had killed his parents, must pay he would make sure of that.

"Just continue with Edward I'm fine with that," Edward said, discomfort crawling up his neck. As not just an elder but his former base commander was addressing him with such respect.

"You'll have to get used to it." Jason's eyes stayed fixed on the road. "Almost everyone will address you with great respect when you're finally introduced as the heir."

But Jason's mind had already travelled backward. Twenty-nine years ago. That fateful evening.

He and Li had grown up in the same house. Jason was older by a few years. His own parents died when he was young, and Li's parents took him in. Treated him like their own. He never once felt like a stranger in that house. Same opportunities, Same upbringing. If you didn't know, you would've mistaken them for blood siblings. They even shared the same surname 'Zhenyu' as Jason was an extended relation.

He had travelled to finalize a business setup when Li called.

Everything happened so fast.

"Jason... that business... it was a trap." Li's voice had cracked. "I've gone to pick up my wife and son from the hospital. We're leaving Goldmere."

"What do you mean? What business?" Panic had clawed up Jason's throat.

"He made me invest all my money. His business is a lie." Li was crying now. "I threatened to expose him. Now some men are chasing my car... Jason, my wife and son are with me. I'm scared."

Then Jason heard it... tires screeching followed by scream of scared Voices, and a crying baby, then the line went dead.

Li's car was burned beyond recognition. All that remained were skeletons of a man, a woman and a baby. Which everyone assumed was Li, his wife and a week old son. If not for that call, Jason would have believed the accident narrative too.

No clues was left behind. The man who killed them knew how to erase his tracks. Worst of all, Li had never mentioned investing in any business. Not until that call so he didn't know where to start investigation. That call still haunted Jason to this day.

...Until he saw Li again when he was young Staring back at him from a young man who answered to a completely different name.

He had enlisted after the death was ruled as accident swearing never to return

abandoning his business to a friend.

Jason left the place he'd sworn to spend the rest of his life in. He watched Edward leave four years ago. His eyes never left him after that. Always watching from afar. Even when Edward traveled abroad for school, Jason had men watching. He was determined to find out why this young man looked exactly like Li.

And now he finally had a lead to Li's death.

That bastard Caleb.