Hearing this voice, Gu Chen looked up at the imposing figure, a distinct chill entering his gaze.

"Punish me by making me kneel for a day and night? Are you even worthy?"

Gu Chen stated coldly, "As far as I'm concerned, you haven't fulfilled a father's duty for even a single day. So don't you dare try to act like a parent in front of me."

"Still talking about having 'no choice'? The second son is kept by your side, carefully nurtured, living in luxury, while the eldest son is just left to fend for himself, completely ignored for eighteen years."

"Is this what you call considering my well-being? Acting for my own good?"

"Bastard! You..." Gu Qingfeng's face contorted with rage, but he found himself speechless. He hadn't expected this child would actually dare to defy him. And even be jealous of his own half-brother?

Short-sighted, petty... He, Gu Qingfeng, had lived his life upright and honorable! How could he have such a disappointing son? Rage burned in Gu Qingfeng's heart. "Bastard! Even so, that's no excuse for your own degeneracy!"

"Look at you! No ambition at school, hanging around with those shady lowlifes all day, still not even a Class Holder! How dare you compare yourself to your brother? In what way are you possibly his equal?"

Gu Chen laughed coldly. "Yes, he's so precious, isn't he? He's your real son!"

"He never worried about food or clothing, has guards escorting him everywhere, advanced into a Rare Class, got into Shangjing Academy... Since your son is so wonderful, why did you even bother coming to find me?"

"As you can see, I'm just a farmer's son, covered in mud, willingly degenerate, only knowing how to waste my days with worthless companions. Since you've already started a new family, why bother seeking me out?"

Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng's breathing grew ragged, his face flushed with fury as rage burned fiercely within him.

Seeing the argument between father and son escalating, Qin Yun finally spoke, her tone deliberately calm and unhurried.

"Gu Chen, how can you speak to your father like that? Do you have any idea how high his hopes were for you? Kneel and apologize to him at once."

As she spoke, her eyes fixed on Gu Chen, a hidden flicker of malicious amusement deep within them.

The great eldest son of the royal lineage, unable to return home for eighteen years, suffering poverty and bullying in some backwater town, reduced to a common thug.

All of this was thanks to this stepmother.

After all, the Gu family was the royal family of the North. As long as this legitimate eldest son existed, her own son would never have his day.

So she had to ruin Gu Chen, turn this royal heir into worthless trash in the eyes of the nobility.

Let him grow up in the countryside, mix with unsavory types, lack upbringing and etiquette, and pick up all sorts of nasty habits.

Meanwhile, she fed Gu Qingfeng pillow talk, claiming under the noble pretext that this harsh environment would temper the eldest son's character, preparing him to inherit the throne.

The crucial part was that Gu Qingfeng, consumed by war, had no idea what kind of life Gu Chen truly led and actually believed her lies.

Over the years, swayed by Qin Yun's artful words, Gu Qingfeng had showered all his affection on his younger son, keeping him close, nurturing him carefully, and providing any resource he desired.

His daily life attended by servants, top-tier equipment and items his for the asking, even accompanied by royal commanders when grinding levels—he was lauded to the heavens wherever he went.

Now, he had not only advanced early into a Rare Class but was also admitted to the Empire's premier institution, Shangjing Academy.

The eldest and second sons—truly polar opposites, like heaven and earth.

"High hopes for me?" Gu Chen scoffed. "Heh, I think the one you really have high hopes for is your precious younger son!" Gu Chen laughed coldly again, his face filled with utter contempt.

"What kind of attitude is that?" Gu Qingfeng glared, snapping, "Defying your parents, showing no respect for your elders! How are you any different from those common street thugs?"

"Your talent is abysmal, you failed your class advancement! What gives you the right to compare yourself to your brother? In what single aspect are you better than him?"

"That's right, he's the favored son of heaven. How could I possibly compare?" Gu Chen retorted mercilessly, "From the very first moment you saw me, you looked down on me. Aside from accusations and curses, you've never shown an ounce of concern, let alone asked whether I was living well."

"In your eyes, your son should be like him—a genius admired by all—not a worthless failure like me."

"I'm just a commoner raised in the countryside, a ruffian unworthy of the noble status of the War King of the North. From now on, just pretend I don't exist. Pretend you never had this son. How about that?"

As these words echoed, the entire hall instantly fell silent. Gu Qingfeng's fierce eyes blazed with uncontrollable fury.

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Qin Yun's eyes before she sternly rebuked him, her voice sharp, "Gu Chen, who gave you permission to speak to your father like that? Kneel and apologize this instant!"

Seeing the barely concealed mockery in Qin Yun's eyes, Gu Chen remained indifferent.

Kneel?

She wants to use this situation to suppress me and solidify her position as the lady of the house, he thought. If I kneel now, it means I, the legitimate heir, am afraid of my stepmother. From that moment on, even the servants would dare to look down on me.

"Haha... Make me kneel?" Gu Chen laughed mockingly. "Who the hell do you think you are? Even if I am unpresentable, I am still the legitimate eldest son of the Northern Border's royal lineage! What right does a mere concubine like you have to point fingers at me?"

At his words, Qin Yun's expression turned utterly glacial. The term 'concubine' had always been a thorn festering in her heart. For years, no one had dared address her so disrespectfully. Now, being openly mocked by Gu Chen in front of everyone, her carefully maintained dignity as the War King's consort evaporated.

Qin Yun's almond eyes widened, raw killing intent flashing within their depths. But with Gu Qingfeng right there, she could only forcibly suppress her murderous rage.

"Chen'er," she began, trying a softer approach, "no matter what, I am still your stepmother. How could you possibly—"

"Enough!" Gu Chen cut her off sharply. "Stop with the hypocritical act!" His face was glacial as he interrupted her. "You haven't given me a proper look since I arrived. Now you're suddenly feigning concern? Who is this performance for?"

"Bastard..." Gu Qingfeng roared, about to launch into another tirade.

"You're the bastard!" Gu Chen shot back, meeting his fury head-on without a shred of fear. "If you can't stand the sight of me, then just kill me! My life is worthless anyway."

"But remember this: in eighteen years, you've done nothing to raise or support me. Even if I am a failure, you have absolutely no right to berate me."

"Since you believe I've so thoroughly disgraced you, then starting today, I hereby sever all ties with the Gu family! From this moment forward, we have absolutely nothing to do with each other!"

"We shall live out our lives and die without ever crossing paths again!"

Hearing this declaration, a flash of surprise erupted in Qin Yun's eyes, swiftly followed by unconcealable, ecstatic joy. Immediately, her expression shifted subtly, as if she had instantly made a critical decision.

"Chen'er, you mustn't!" Qin Yun rushed forward and knelt down with a resounding thud.

"Chen'er, your Auntie is kneeling before you!" she cried out. "You are the legitimate heir of the Gu family! The future of the Northern Border's royal lineage depends on you! How could you possibly sever ties with your family?"

A stepmother kneeling to her stepson—this is grossly violating propriety! She's trying to frame me as unfilial and immoral! Gu Chen thought. If word of this spreads, my reputation will be utterly ruined.

Gu Chen watched this display coolly, recalling the whispers he'd overheard on his very first day in the Gu residence. "Throughout Gubei City, who doesn't say Mistress Qin is the very model of a perfect stepmother?"

With this kneel, there will be no place left for me in the Northern Border royalty.

With this kneel, the position of heir apparent is bound to change.

With this kneel, I'll be completely isolated.

The Python-Sparrow devours the Dragon!

This is exactly it! The Python-Sparrow devouring the Dragon!

The stepmother is the Python, and that genius brother is the Sparrow.

Seeing this scene, Gu Qingfeng's fury surged to new heights.

Treason! Utter rebellion! This is absolutely treasonous!

"Worthless bastard! I am your father! Am I not even allowed to scold you?!"

"Publicly humiliating your stepmother? Severing ties with my family? Don't you understand your own pathetic state? Without my protection, what are you?!"

"Heh, your protection?" Gu Chen sneered. "Don't worry. Your status as the War King of the North is far too illustrious. I wouldn't dare tarnish your precious reputation out in the world!"

With a final cold laugh, Gu Chen turned and walked away without looking back.

"Get out!" Gu Qingfeng roared after him. "Let him go! From this day forward, I will consider myself to have never fathered this son!"

After Gu Chen had departed, Qin Yun slowly rose to her feet, a triumphant glint flashing deep within her eyes. Now that Gu Chen is gone, my son can rightfully take the position of heir to the Northern Border!

Gu Qingfeng's palpable fury enveloped the entire Gu estate. All the servants remained silent as cicadas in winter, trembling uncontrollably. The War King of the North's fearsome reputation was well-known; it was said that even the otherworldly races of the Abyss would retreat upon hearing his name.

After venting his explosive anger, Gu Qingfeng gradually calmed down. At the same time, a complex look entered his eyes.

His eldest son, Gu Chen... how had he become like this? He had only shown a little extra care towards his second son; what was so wrong with that? Just because his younger brother was more outstanding, did he have to defy his father, humiliate his stepmother, and abandon his family?

"Hmph. This rebellious son is foolish and ignorant, utterly incapable of gratitude. I should never have acknowledged him." Annoyed, Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze towards a servant standing in the hall.

"Steward!"

"My Lord, your orders?"

"Starting today, remove Gu Chen's name from the family registry."

Hearing this command, the steward's expression faltered, a look of difficulty crossing his face.

"What? Do you intend to plead for that rebellious whelp?" Gu Qingfeng demanded.

The steward trembled and quickly shook his head. "No, My Lord, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that... Young Master Gu Chen's name was never actually entered into the family registry."