The Blindfolded Emperor: I Only Wanted a Quiet Life

Chapter 5 A Bargain Disguised as a Marriage

Jasper walked to the center of the patriarch's study, his boots clicking softly against the marble floor before he came to a stop. His father sat behind a massive desk, completely focused on the mountain of documents before him.

An ironwood brush glided across parchment in smooth, practiced strokes, never once slowing. He didn't acknowledge Jasper's arrival, allowing the silence to stretch until it became almost unbearable.

Only after finishing the final line did he set the brush down. The tip tapped lightly against the porcelain inkstone, breaking the silence.

The room itself reflected the man who ruled it. Tall shelves lined every wall, packed with jade tablets and old leather-bound scrolls.

A bronze incense burner rested in one corner, filling the air with the bitter scent of sandalwood that clung to Jasper's clothes.

Jasper lowered his gaze, quietly studying the man who now held complete control over his life. The Patriarch of the Stoneheart Clan looked old, but not weak.

His age had been earned through decades of bloodshed and survival. Silver strands ran through his dark hair and thick beard, while a long robe of deep green and black draped over his broad shoulders.

His eyes settled on Jasper with the same look someone might give a broken tool—cold, unmoved, and without a trace of fatherly warmth.

"After disgracing this family before our peers," the patriarch said calmly, "how do you believe you should be punished?"

Jasper was caught off guard by the question. He had expected a lecture, perhaps even a few harsh words. Instead, his father had gone straight to judgment.

He opened his mouth, ready to give the respectful answer he had prepared.

Before a single word left his lips, an overwhelming force crashed down on him. His knees gave out instantly. The air exploded from his lungs as his body slammed against the floor. His palms struck the polished wood, but even they couldn't support him.

The invisible pressure continued pressing down until his entire body was pinned flat. His cheek scraped against the cold floorboards.

He tried to move. His arms shook. His muscles screamed. Nothing happened. It felt as though an entire mountain had been dropped onto his back. This… was the spiritual pressure of a Master Phase cultivator.

Within the Australis Kingdom, where families like the Stoneheart Clan possessed no ancient bloodlines or heavenly gifts, reaching the Master Phase was considered an incredible achievement.

It wasn't something luck could grant. It was earned. Every step had been carved out through years of pain and determination.

*So this is the difference…* Jasper clenched his teeth as sweat gathered across his forehead. In this world, cultivation isn't just growing stronger.

It's standing against heaven itself. Anyone willing to challenge heaven won't hesitate to crush another person… even if that person is his own son.

Time seemed to slow beneath the unbearable weight. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the pressure vanished.

Jasper sucked in a sharp breath as air rushed back into his lungs. He didn't scramble to his feet. Instead, he remained where he was for a moment, steadying his breathing while his father silently watched from behind the desk.

There was no satisfaction in the old man's eyes. No anger. No disappointment. Only complete indifference. To him, Jasper's feelings simply didn't matter.

"Jasper," the patriarch finally said, his voice as calm as someone discussing business, "since you have turned this family into a laughingstock and caused me to lose face before the River Clan, I have already settled your future."

He paused briefly before continuing. "I have arranged a marriage between you and the illegitimate daughter of the Asura Sect.

Through this union, you will enter their sect." His gaze remained cold. "This is not a discussion. You have no choice."

Jasper lowered his head, hiding the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. "I understand, Father."

He slowly rose to his feet, bowed respectfully, then turned around and left the study without another word. Not once did the patriarch stop him.

The moment Jasper stepped out of the inner estate, the calm expression on his face disappeared. A marriage… to the illegitimate daughter of the Asura Sect. A quiet laugh escaped his lips. "So that's what this is."

It wasn't a marriage. It was a transaction. His father wasn't giving him a future. He was getting rid of a problem. The words "marriage alliance" sounded respectable enough, but underneath the polished language was a simple truth. The Stoneheart Clan had decided Jasper was no longer worth keeping.

The original Jasper had spent his entire life trying to earn his father's approval. Praise never came. Encouragement never came. Only disappointment. Now even that disappointment was gone.

His father hadn't shouted. He hadn't cursed. He hadn't even looked angry. To him, Jasper wasn't worth wasting emotion on anymore. Even a failed son still had some value… if another faction was willing to take him away.

Jasper searched through the memories of the novel.

The Asura Sect.

A place where strength decided everything. Poison, assassinations, betrayal and disciples killed one another for resources without a second thought.

Being sent there as the powerless husband of an illegitimate daughter wasn't an opportunity. It was a death sentence. He would have no status, allies or protection.

His father had already placed him on a board filled with players who treated human lives like pieces in a game.

"You have no choice." The words echoed in his mind. The original Jasper might have accepted that fate. He might have lowered his head and walked obediently toward it. But that Jasper was dead.

The new Jasper simply kept walking with a blank expression because he understood one thing. Right now… pretending to obey was the only reason he was still alive. 

Jasper kept a steady pace as he made his way back to the outer courtyard. He needed power. And he needed it before the wedding carriage arrived. His first goal was simple—step into the very first realm of the Mortal Phase.

For a brief moment, he considered putting on the Eye of the Void. The black blindfold rested safely inside his system inventory, tempting him with its mysterious abilities. But he quickly pushed the thought away. It was far too valuable to use carelessly.

Its strongest power could only be activated three times before disappearing forever. Besides, if he suddenly started walking around blind, the Stoneheart Clan would ask questions he had no intention of answering. The less attention he attracted, the better.

When he reached his small cultivation room, he stepped inside and closed the heavy wooden door behind him.

Click.

The bolt slid into place. Only then did he let out a slow breath and sit cross-legged on the woven straw mat at the center of the room.

Before he could gather his thoughts, a familiar blue screen appeared before him.

[Congratulations, Host.]

[You are about to be married—an achievement you failed to accomplish during your previous mortal life.] 

[Rewards Granted:] 

[Multiple Mind Incense Runes]

[Secondary Cultivation Technique] 

[Mortal Opening Pill] 

[Special Notification:] 

[If the Host experiences what it means to become a true man before the wedding, all rewards will be doubled.]

Jasper stared at the screen. "…" 

"A true man?" His eyebrow twitched. "Is this system seriously trying to play matchmaker?" 

He rubbed his forehead before dismissing the notification. "No. I'm not dealing with that right now." There were far more important things to worry about than whatever strange reward the system was hinting at.

He focused on the first item instead. The description unfolded before his eyes.

[Item: Mind Incense Runes]

[Grade: Unknown] 

Ancient cultivators believed the greatest obstacle to immortality wasn't desire or emotion. It was thought itself. These mysterious runes were created by sword masters who pursued a level of understanding beyond ordinary comprehension. To them, a sword wasn't simply a weapon. It was a truth. Something sharp enough to cut through heaven and earth themselves.

The runes appeared within the mind as drifting strands of silver ash, moving endlessly through one's consciousness. 

Simply observing them caused distracting thoughts to fade into silence. Many cultivators had spent centuries trying to understand them. Most lost their sanity before making any real progress.

Another window appeared beneath it.

[Ability: Mind Cleansing] 

The Mind Incense Runes constantly cleanse the host's consciousness, removing distractions, unstable emotions, and unnecessary thoughts. As the mind grows calmer, the host's understanding of the Sword Dao naturally deepens.

[Warning]

The deeper the host comprehends these runes, the harder it will become to think like an ordinary person.

Jasper frowned. "The Sword Dao…" Back on Earth, he had seen those words countless times while reading cultivation novels. Every author talked about it. Every powerful swordsman chased it. Yet almost none of them explained what it truly was. They simply expected readers to accept it.

Now, standing inside an actual cultivation world, the words felt different they felt real. As he watched the silver ash drift through his consciousness, an unfamiliar feeling slowly settled inside him. Cultivation wasn't simply becoming stronger. It was resisting the natural order. Every breakthrough challenged the heavens. Every realm reached was another step taken against fate itself.

Perhaps… that was what the Sword Dao truly represented. Not just mastering a blade. But possessing a will sharp enough to cut through anything standing in your way.

The silver runes trembled gently. A cold sensation ran down Jasper's spine. He wanted that strength. He wanted the kind of power that could slice through his father's indifference… through Deen River's arrogance… and through the fate that had already been written for him.

His gaze shifted toward his remaining rewards. The secondary cultivation technique could wait. The Mortal Opening Pill, however… that was exactly what his weak body needed.

Jasper took a slow breath before summoning the Silent River Breathing Method from his system inventory. Streams of information flowed into his mind. He carefully followed the circulation paths described in the technique, guiding his breathing exactly as instructed.

Inhale. 

Exhale. 

Again. 

And again.

Nothing, no Qi, no warmth, no spiritual response. His body remained completely silent.

He frowned.

Of course.

He had no cultivation, no foundation and no talent. Even sensing spiritual energy felt impossible. After several more attempts, Jasper finally opened his eyes with a tired sigh. "This is going to take forever…"

Back on Earth, he had lived in crowded cities, surrounded by noise, deadlines, and endless distractions. Sitting perfectly still while waiting to sense invisible energy felt almost impossible. His patience wore thin after only a few minutes.

His eyes drifted back toward the floating Mind Incense Runes. According to the cultivation knowledge stored in his memories, a cultivator couldn't truly understand spiritual energy without first awakening the Mind Sea. Without it… trying to cultivate was like asking a blind man to paint a sunset.

His answer became clear. He had to awaken his Mind Sea first. Only then would everything else become possible.

Jasper looked at the drifting silver runes one last time. A determined smile slowly appeared on his face. "If this is the only way… then let's begin."

Because whether he liked it or not… this wasn't a novel anymore. It was his life.