THE SECOND AWAKENING

chapter 6

Chen POV

"Evidence that the Four Pillars maintain their power through cultivation resource monopolies. They control the best herb gardens, the most productive mines, the most talented craftsmen. Any family that gets too strong or independent gets... eliminated. Usually through arranged accidents."

Uncle Feng's hands clenched into fists. "The Chen family was too successful. So they targeted us."

"Exactly. Your father discovered that one of the Four Pillars families has agents planted in many prominent clans—including yours and the Zhao family. These agents work to weaken the families from inside. Sabotage, misinformation, creating conflicts."

I felt cold. "There's a traitor in our family?"

"Your father believed so. He was trying to identify them when he disappeared."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

Lin Wei shook his head. "He came here one last time, ten years ago. He said he'd finally found proof of everything—actual documents showing the Four Pillars' conspiracy. He was taking them to the provincial governor to demand an investigation. But he never arrived. Neither your father nor the documents were ever seen again."

"Someone intercepted him," Uncle Feng said bitterly. "Killed him and took the evidence."

"Probably. I'm sorry. Your father was a good man, trying to do the right thing."

I took a deep breath, processing everything. "These Four Pillars families—what are their names?"

"That's where it gets difficult. Your father never learned their true identities. They hide behind subordinate families and false names. He only knew they existed and controlled things."

This was frustrating. We'd learned a lot but still couldn't identify our actual enemies.

"However," Lin Wei continued, "your father left something with me. He said if he didn't return within a year, I should give it to his family. But no one came asking until now."

He pulled a small wooden box from a drawer. Inside was a crystal—deep blue, about the size of my thumb.

"What is it?" Uncle Feng asked.

"A memory crystal. Your father stored information in it using a special technique. To access the memories, you need to be blood-related to him and have reached at least the middle level of Earth realm. Can you do that, Chen Wei?"

"Yes, I'm in the ninth stage of middle Earth realm."

"Good. Hold the crystal and channel your energy into it. Your father's memories will transfer to you."

I took the crystal carefully. It felt warm, almost alive. I closed my eyes and pushed my internal energy into it.

Suddenly, I was somewhere else.

I saw through my father's eyes as he walked through dark streets at night. He was heading toward a meeting—someone had promised him proof about the Four Pillars. But as he rounded a corner, five masked figures surrounded him.

"Chen Tianlong," one said. "You should have stayed out of this."

My father fought, and he was incredibly skilled. He defeated three attackers quickly. But the last two were strong—at least eighth level Heavenly Spirit realm. They overwhelmed him eventually.

"Where are the documents?" one demanded.

"Gone. Safe. You'll never find them." Father's voice was strained from his injuries.

"Doesn't matter. Without you to present them, they're useless. No one will believe your family's accusations without proof."

"My son will finish what I started. He'll expose you all."

The attackers laughed. "That spoiled boy? He couldn't cultivate his way out of a paper bag. The Chen family line ends with you."

Then darkness. The memory ended.

I opened my eyes, breathing hard. Tears ran down my cheeks—both from grief and rage. Uncle Feng gripped my shoulder, supporting me.

"What did you see?" he asked gently.

I told them everything. Lin Wei nodded sadly.

"Your father was brave to the end. But now you understand the danger. These people killed him without hesitation. They'll kill you too if they think you're continuing his investigation."

"Let them try," I said, my voice cold. "I'm not the same person they dismissed as worthless. I'll find the truth and make them pay."

Uncle Feng looked worried. "Wei, we're not strong enough to fight the Four Pillars. If they're as powerful as your father believed—"

"Then I'll become stronger. I'll reach heights they can't imagine. And when I'm ready, I'll destroy them completely."

Lin Wei studied me with new interest. "You've changed, haven't you? You're not the Chen Wei everyone talks about."

I didn't answer that. "The documents my father hid—do you know where they are?"

"No. He didn't tell me, probably to keep me safe. But he did say something strange right before he left that last time. He said, 'When spring turns to autumn, seek the Moonless Valley.' Does that mean anything to you?"

The Moonless Valley again. Everything kept pointing to that place.

"It might. Thank you for your help, Lin Wei. This information is valuable."

"Be careful, young master Chen. The Four Pillars have eyes everywhere. They might already know you're investigating."

We left the shop carefully, making sure no one was following us. The walk home was quiet—both Uncle Feng and I were lost in thought.

Back at the compound, we went directly to grandfather's study and told him everything we'd learned. His face grew grimmer with each detail.

"So it's true," he muttered when we finished. "All of it. The conspiracy, the Four Pillars, the agents in our family. Your father wasn't paranoid. He was right about everything."

"Grandfather, we need to find the traitor in our family," I said. "If someone here is reporting to the Four Pillars, everything we do is compromised."

"I agree. But how? We can't accuse people without proof. It would tear the family apart."

"Then we watch and wait. The traitor will make a mistake eventually. Meanwhile, I'll continue improving my cultivation. The stronger I become, the less they can threaten us."

Grandfather nodded slowly. "Very well. But Wei, promise me you won't do anything reckless. Your father charged ahead alone and look what happened."

"I promise. I'll be smart about this."

After leaving grandfather's study, Uncle Feng pulled me aside.

"Wei, I'm worried about you. This is a huge burden for someone your age. You don't have to carry it alone."

"I know, uncle. But I'm the one who has to do this. Father meant for me to continue his work. I won't let him down."

Uncle Feng sighed. "You remind me so much of him right now. That same determination, that same fire in your eyes. Just... don't lose yourself to revenge. Your father wanted justice, not just vengeance."

"I understand the difference."

That night, I couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts raced through my mind. My father's last words. The Four Pillars. The traitor in our family. The Moonless Valley. The upcoming competition with the Zhao family.

Everything was connected somehow. I just had to figure out how.

I got up and went to the window. Stars filled the sky, countless points of light in the darkness. In my merged consciousness, I remembered standing among those stars, commanding powers that could reshape reality.

But that was then. Now I was just Chen Wei, a seventeen-year-old with a weak body and dangerous enemies.

Yet I also had knowledge those enemies couldn't imagine. Techniques they'd never seen. Wisdom from lifetimes of experience.

I would become strong enough to protect my family and uncover the truth. No matter how long it took. No matter what it cost.

The Four Pillars had made their first mistake when they killed my mother. They made their second when they killed my father.

Their third mistake was assuming I'd be as easy to eliminate.

I smiled in the darkness, a smile without humor.

They had no idea what was coming for them.