At the summit stood the ancestral hall, its sweeping eaves casting long shadows across the plaza before it. Even from a distance, Kaito could see the faint shimmer of protective barriers around the hall, though they were masked to blend seamlessly with the surrounding mountain air. This was the heart of the estate, where generations of the Ren family gathered for rites, and celebrations.
The closer they drew, the more memories stirred in Kaito's mind. He had been here many times before, particularly during ancestral worship. He recalled the long stone steps leading up to the hall, the murmured conversations between elders, and the laughter of countless cousins running through the courtyards. Though he had always respected his granduncles and the others living here, he could not deny his agreement with his grandfather's belief—that a life spent entirely within the safety of the estate's walls was like living inside a turtle shell. Without venturing beyond, without facing the wider world, one could never truly grow.
The Ren family here numbered close to a hundred souls, a community unto itself. One of their deeply held mottos was to always carry on the family line, and they practiced it with fervor. The result was a lively, multigenerational household where marriages were encouraged, and children were never in short supply.
Even counting Kaito's group, his grandfather's branch of the family totaled only twelve members. In contrast, each of his granduncles had at least five children, and those children, now grown, had at least five of their own. The sheer number of relatives bustling about during his past visits had been overwhelming at times, yet it also gave the estate an unshakable sense of vitality.
As the RV climbed higher, passing by terraces and courtyards alive with activity, Kaito watched small groups tending gardens, repairing rooftops, or practicing martial forms on sunlit platforms. The air was filled with the faint scent of pine and the distant sound of bamboo chimes swaying in the breeze. It was, in every sense, a world apart—both timeless and quietly advanced, where tradition and technology lived in seamless harmony.
As the convoy wound its way up the mountain road, it inevitably drew attention from everyone traveling the same path. people guiding automated carts, pedestrians making their way between the estate's lower villages, even children playing on the roadside—all stopped what they were doing and turned to stare. Mouths fell open in unguarded surprise, eyes following the sleek RV and the string of luxury vehicles behind it.
Whispers spread quickly, rippling through the onlookers as the convoy passed. Though the Ren family had many visitors, few arrived in such an impressive and well-coordinated procession. The faint hum of the RV's high-performance engine, combined with the low, dignified purr of the escort cars, exuded a restrained kind of power. No one dared to block the road; instead, they stepped aside respectfully, some gasping slightly as the line of vehicles glided past.
The climb continued until the convoy approached a broad plateau halfway up the mountain. Here stood the Green Moon Hall, the Ren family's main villa—a sprawling complex of interlinked courtyards and pavilions surrounded by manicured gardens. Though the ancestral hall loomed far above at the summit, this was where the heart of family governance beat. Most major decisions concerning the Ren family were made within these walls, and during ancestral worship, the Green Moon Hall served as the meeting place for the entire clan before they ascended to the top.
As tradition dictated, Kaito's branch of the family would first present themselves here before retiring to their own villa inside the estate. The convoy slowed to a graceful halt in the grand forecourt, its polished stone tiles gleaming under the soft mountain sunlight.
The moment the vehicles stopped, uniformed guards and neatly dressed servants moved forward with disciplined efficiency, opening doors and offering polite bows. Kaito stepped down from the RV, his gaze immediately drawn to the welcoming party assembled before them.
Waiting at the foot of the steps leading into the hall were his two granduncles, flanked by seven uncles from the ancestral branch. Their postures were upright and dignified, but their expressions were warm. To the side stood three aunts, who quickly moved forward to greet Kaito's fourth aunt with cheerful familiarity.
His father and second and third uncles were soon surrounded by the ancestral branch's uncles, clasping forearms and exchanging hearty words. The fourth aunt's arrival was met with lively chatter from the aunts, their voices carrying the lilting tones of long-held affection. Even Kaito's mother was drawn into the gathering, exchanging respectful greetings with the women. Nearby, his grandmother approached her own two grandaunts, embracing them with genuine warmth.
The forecourt was alive with greetings, laughter, and the overlapping hum of family voices. For Kaito, the sight stirred something deep within. The scene was so full of life and unity that, for a moment, the weight of his past struggles eased. A quiet resolve took root in his heart.
This time, he vowed, he would see to it that the Ren family's name would not merely be known within these mountains. He would make it resound across the entire world.
After the warm welcome at the main family villa's gates, Kaito stepped forward with his cousins and Aika to pay their respects.
Bowing respectfully, he greeted the elders one by one. "Eldest Grandfather, Second Grandfather—it's an honor to see you both in good health." His voice carried a deep, genuine respect for these two men who had carried the Ren name on their shoulders for decades.
The Eldest Grandfather gave a satisfied nod. "Mm. You've grown well, Kaito. Taller, stronger—your father has raised you right."
The Second Grandfather's eyes studied him with a mix of appraisal and quiet pride. "Keep that strength steady, boy. Our family needs young blood with spirit."
Beside Kaito, Aika bowed politely. "Eldest Grandmother, Second Grandmother, it's been too long."
The two grandmothers immediately broke into warm smiles, stepping forward to take Aika's hands and pinch her cheeks with affection. "Aika, look at you—you've blossomed so much. Just like your mother when she was your age."
Aika giggled under their touch, her eyes sparkling. "Grandmothers, you're making me shy…"
Following them, Hiroto stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Eldest Grandfather, Second Grandfather, junior greets you."
Suzune, Daichi, Kaede, the other cousins followed suit, each offering their greetings in turn. The elders returned polite nods, though their eyes never strayed long to the figure of the youngest among their generation—Kaito's grandfather. Even now, the old dispute between him and his brothers hung silently in the air, an unspoken wall that time had not yet broken.
Still, formalities prevailed. The elders extended a hand toward the great double doors. "Come, let us go inside the family hall. We'll talk further there."
As the group began moving toward the entrance, the Eldest Grandfather's gaze returned to Kaito. "I see you've already reached Rank 1?"
Kaito inclined his head. "Yes, Eldest Grandfather."
"Good, good… very good." The old man's tone carried genuine approval. "It's been a long time since a member of our family achieved Rank 1 so early. Most take at least a year of hard work in the basics before crossing that threshold. To do it in such a short time…" He shook his head in disbelief.
Kaito's lips curled into a faint smile, though inwardly he acknowledged the truth of those words. For an ordinary martial artist, even beginning training at sixteen, reaching Rank 1 required countless hours of foundational practice and steady cultivation over many months. For him, however, things had been different—his rebirth, the techniques and resources from the Library Ruins, and his prior life's experience had allowed him to accomplish in two weeks what would take others a year or more.