The Zuo Clan was one of the most powerful and largest families under Divine Moon.
As a legendary clan that had made immense contributions during wartime and produced humanity's strongest warrior in the Holy War, its patriarchs had inherited the prestigious Grand Duke position for generations.
The Zuo Clan had always been fiercely loyal, even earning the title of the nation's unbroken blade.
Moreover, due to its legendary figures and generations of formidable warriors, it was revered by countless people.
However, despite its strength, the Zuo Clan's lineage was not particularly abundant.
Especially the main patriarchal line, which had always had only one son.
It was as if cursed; no matter how hard the patriarchs and their wives tried, they could never produce a second child.
This had led them to repeatedly question if their bodies were flawed.
But since it persisted through generations, it could only be a bloodline issue.
Of course, though pure-blooded heirs were scarce, every patriarch had been a monstrous talent that stunned the world.
This compensated for their sparse numbers.
From the first patriarch to Zuo Yuan's father, there had never been an exception.
But some things are meant to be broken.
No one knew what changed, but after diligent efforts, Zuo Yuan's mother gave birth to twins.
This shock even roused the ancient ancestor who was half in the grave.
After all, the lack of descendants had always been a sore point. With the clan so large, it had inevitably made many enemies, both openly and secretly.
Those who disliked them were surely plotting against them.
Zuo Clan tradition dictated that only pure-blooded heirs could inherit the patriarch position. Eliminating them before they matured would deal a devastating blow.
With twins born, did it mean the 'curse' had lifted?
However, facts proved the inexplicable 'curse' still existed.
After bearing Zuo Yuan and his brother, no further pregnancies occurred despite efforts.
As the brothers grew, their contrast became stark.
As the elder brother born minutes earlier, Zuo Yuan showed exceptional talent since childhood. He was highly intelligent and grasped martial arts effortlessly.
During his childhood potential assessment, he achieved the highest possible rating, shocking the clan elders.
On the other hand, his younger brother Zuo Xi was at the opposite extreme.
Frail and sickly since birth, even walking a few steps left him breathless. He required constant medication to survive.
His body was too weak for martial arts and lacked prerequisites for elemental cultivation.
Cruelly put, he had a talentless physique.
Moreover, this frailty had no discernible cause.
Everything seemed normal yet made no sense.
Personality-wise, the brothers were vastly different.
Zuo Yuan had been clever since childhood. Growing up, he inherited his father's fox-like cunning, becoming deeply inscrutable. He perfectly fit the successor role.
As for Zuo Xi...
Timid, introverted, and reclusive, he didn't fit in. His relationship with his parents seemed distant.
In fact, many weren't even aware of his existence when mentioning the Zuo Clan.
"Are you sure you're not telling me some melodramatic novel plot...?"
Setting down her teacup and looking at the expressionless Zuo Yuan, Yuri wore a pained expression.
This over-the-top plot was far too common in novels. Hmm... it was clearly heading toward brothers loving and killing each other!
Interrupted, Zuo Yuan frowned slightly. "Novel plot? And... what does 'melodramatic' mean?"
"Don't mind that. Let me guess next. Your brother wants to overthrow the clan and become patriarch? Then he sends assassins after you? Oh, perfect!"
"...What nonsense are you spouting."
Watching the girl whose eyes gleamed strangely, a few black lines appeared on Zuo Yuan's forehead.
"First, Xi is a good kid. He rarely leaves home. He's just shy and bad at expressing feelings. Overthrow the clan? What are you talking about?"
"...Huh?" His explanation left Yuri utterly bewildered.
Wasn't the plot supposed to go her way?
The younger brother, jealous, eliminates the elder to prove himself.
Yet Zuo Yuan's expression suggested their bond was strong.
As if confirming her suspicion, the young man sighed. "Due to Xi's health, our parents downplayed his existence. He has few friends, but he's been attached to me since childhood..."
Zuo Xi's frailty meant accidents could happen despite protection.
This made him easy prey for schemers.
Though he lacked the bloodline's talent, his parents never disdained him.
He was their flesh and blood; how could they reject him?
With Zuo Yuan to carry the clan, there was no worry.
But high visibility would draw threats to Zuo Xi. His condition left him unable to protect himself.
So, their parents put Zuo Yuan in the spotlight while minimizing Zuo Xi's presence.
This was simply protection.
Zuo Xi's distance from his parents wasn't mere estrangement. More accurately... it was inferiority.
Yes, inferiority.
Yuri's earlier guesses were impossible.
He had no motive or power to act.
"Alright, skip details. You said your pursuers belong to the Central Capital. Could it be...?"
"Honestly, I can't be sure."
Facing Yuri's doubt, Zuo Yuan slightly shook his head.
Or rather, couldn't trust?
"Serving the ruler is like walking beside a tiger, young man. As you said, the Zuo Clan seems too powerful."
Yuri lowered her gaze, her face unreadable.
Rulers controlled everything. Anything beyond their grasp was a thorn in their side.
"And our enemy might be this nation itself?"
Zuo Yuan fell silent but didn't refute it.
Finally, he too lowered his eyes. "It's unconfirmed. Something feels off. My pursuers are indeed the Central Capital's direct knights, but..."
They were too obvious, as if deliberate.
Unless dead set on killing me, why be so blatant with little concealment?
"Moreover, I feel... they deliberately forced me into the Lost Woods."
They even revealed clues about a possible crisis!
That potential crisis made Zuo Yuan hesitate before unsealing Yuri's seal.
Wait...
As if remembering something, Zuo Yuan's eyes widened slightly.
Suppose unsealing Yuri was exactly what those hidden enemies wanted? Then...
Noticing his suddenly grave expression, Yuri chuckled softly.
"Heh, it's getting more and more interesting."
