Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1078: Let me remind you then

Ko Fuan reached his father’s office entrance, discovering two of his elder brothers already present and awaiting.

"Youngest Brother!" Ko Wenlu, the second eldest, who appeared quite indifferent towards the third brother, Ko Furen, standing beside him, brightened considerably upon seeing Ko Fuan. He offered a broad grin and, as Ko Fuan approached, inquired in a slightly lowered, yet still cheerful, tone while casting a glance towards the door, "Do you... have any idea what this is all about?"

Ko Fuan responded with a deadpan expression, "Truly... a profound enigma..."

"Haha, well, I suspect it concerns the auction, but why summon all of us? Isn't it apparent that he intends to send you?" Ko Wenlu chuckled, unperturbed by his youngest sibling's sarcastic remark.

The latter sighed, uncertain if he truly appreciated this sudden camaraderie from Ko Wenlu, who seemed fond of empty pleasantries. Then, an unreadable expression flickered across his eyes as he observed his second eldest brother.

After all, the intended recipient of an assignment had shifted just days prior, transitioning from his eldest brother to Ko Wenlu.

This turn of events proved advantageous, as he had encountered difficulties in inciting Ko Gunwen to take action.

In Ko Fuan’s assessment, his eldest brother was now utterly broken and defeated, devoid of any hope, wallowing in self-pity and despair. This had rendered him almost impossible to provoke into any sort of response, as he remained inert, seemingly impervious to any form of stimulation.

Ko Fuan understood he could not act directly; his only recourse was to subtly guide his brother towards seeking external assistance without implicating himself.

Ko Wenlu, however, presented a considerably more accessible target.

Ko Fuan recognized that his second eldest brother merely feigned a lack of seriousness, maintaining a cautious approach by never divulging his true ambitions.

Ko Wenlu was acutely aware of his inability to best Ko Gunwen previously, and now, with Ko Fuan having triumphed over the latter, his strategy was simply one of survival: to actively support and align with whomever appeared dominant, adopting a jester-like persona to conceal any underlying vulnerabilities.

This did not preclude him from being genuinely provoked or from harboring ambition if an opportunity for success actually presented itself.

The youngest sibling made his decision and then scoffed, "What? Hoping for some meager scraps to fall your way?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa~... Someone's feeling feisty today~!!!" Ko Wenlu exclaimed, raising both hands to his sides with open palms in mock surrender as he took a step back with a grin. "Easy there, Brother, easy~, hahaha, I'm on your side, pal, let's just-..."

"Are you quite sure about that?" Ko Fuan narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on his second eldest brother and stepping closer. "Your memory seems rather short, Brother, as this wasn't always your stance. You simply attach yourself to whoever you perceive is on the winning track, securing your own future..."

Then, with an air of complete disdain that reminded both older brothers of their father, he scanned Ko Wenlu from head to toe and declared with disgust, "...how utterly pathetic can you possibly be?"

"Fuan..." Ko Furen interjected with a tone of slight reproach.

"Oh, spare me your 'let's all be friends' drivel!" Ko Fuan dismissed him with a flick of his hand and a grimace, not even glancing his way, continuing to address his second eldest brother. "You comprehend precisely what I'm implying, and you know I speak the truth."

Ko Wenlu's characteristic smirk faltered slightly before returning with even greater emphasis. He let out a short, high-pitched giggle, as if it had escaped despite his efforts to contain it. "Pfft~ hihihi... You caught me~! It's true, my aim is to back the likely winner, and in this instance, that's you! See? I'm your loyal supporter, man~, go, our youngest!"

"Tsk," Ko Fuan clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned away. As he did, a flicker of satisfaction crossed his eyes. *'That's sufficient for now. No need to push too hard.'*

It was at this precise moment that the eldest brother, Ko Gunwen, arrived, drawing the attention of all present.

"Pfft!!! ~ehehehe!" Ko Wenlu was the first to react to Ko Gunwen's unmasked appearance, pointing a finger at him. "Did you bump your head or something?! Hahaha! No, I mean, I know you did, or rather, someone else did. I'm inquiring about your current state, hehehe! Are you truly intending to meet Father looking like that?"

"If you dislike the mask I provided last time, I can procure another one," Ko Furen offered almost concurrently with the second eldest, his expression etched with concern, while Ko Fuan merely snorted disdainfully, remaining silent.

"No, no, it's quite alright, thank you for the mask. I've simply... decided I prefer not to wear anything," Ko Gunwen replied with a smile towards Ko Furen, surprising all three of his younger siblings.

Before they could offer a response, the doors to their father’s study creaked open, an unspoken invitation for them to enter. The four siblings exchanged glances, a myriad of emotions passing between them as they stepped inside.

City Lord Ko was seated at his desk, deeply engrossed in paperwork, an advisor standing dutifully by his side. His sons were accustomed to his apparent lack of acknowledgment, his usual indifference to their presence.

As the advisor collected the documents with a bow and moved past the four brothers, the door swung shut behind him. Only then did Ko Zhumen lift his gaze to survey his four children.

His eyes immediately fixed on his eldest son’s face, a frown creasing his brow. "I believe I instructed you to conceal that," he remarked.

Ko Gunwen swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He didn't dare meet his father’s eyes, but as he prepared to speak, his voice emerged with an unexpected steadiness. "You did. However, that does not obligate me to comply."

This declaration caused three pairs of eyes to swivel towards him, filled with absolute disbelief and shock. Their father, however, seemed amused. Ko Zhumen leaned back in his armchair, setting aside the scroll and brush. He focused his attention on his eldest son, visibly intrigued, especially when Ko Gunwen finally dared to meet his gaze directly.

A faint smile touched the City Lord’s lips. "Truly?"

"Yes," Ko Gunwen affirmed, his voice firm.

"Would you care to elaborate?" Ko Zhumen’s amusement deepened.

"I am uncertain as to what elaboration you require," Ko Gunwen replied, his tone unwavering.

"You do not believe you owe me an explanation?" Ko Zhumen raised an eyebrow, his expression questioning.

"No, I do not," Ko Gunwen stated, shaking his head. His three siblings began to feel a bead of sweat trickle down their temples.

Of the three, Ko Fuan was the most astonished, staring at his eldest brother as if he had lost his mind. Ko Furen watched with a hint of concern, while Ko Wenlu struggled valiantly to maintain a neutral expression, an inner struggle against the urge to burst into laughter.

"Hmm... fascinating," Ko Zhumen murmured, raising a hand to lightly touch his lower face, his fingers tracing his mouth in a contemplative gesture. "No, truly, it is quite captivating..."

In the very next instant, his hand shot out, gripping his eldest son’s neck and lifting him bodily off the ground.

"Father--!" Ko Furen attempted to interject.

But his plea was silenced by Ko Zhumen’s icy retort, "I am not speaking to you."

The City Lord’s eyes narrowed, a merciless, steely glint appearing as he gazed at Ko Gunwen’s contorted, struggling face. The latter’s hands desperately grasped his father’s wrist. "You believe you owe me no explanation, you say... for disregarding my command? You appear to be forgetting your station, Gunwen."

With a powerful shove, Ko Gunwen was sent hurtling across the room, crashing against the far wall near the door. He crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath amidst harsh coughs. Ko Zhumen strode towards him with determined steps and then deliberately placed his foot upon the elder son’s head, pressing his forehead firmly against the polished floor.

"It seems my leniency towards all of you has become excessive of late," Ko Zhumen declared, leaning forward slightly. His gaze swept over the other three sons, who remained frozen in their positions, "Allow me to offer a reminder, then. All of you."

"Everything and everyone within this city belongs to me. You may be my sons, but that grants you no special privilege. On the contrary, you should be the most acutely aware of this fact," City Lord Ko’s voice remained calm and measured, devoid of shouting. "What is it that you possess which has not been bestowed upon you by me? Your status, your wealth, your comfortable lifestyle, your rights and your authority, your cultivation techniques, your cultivation base, and even your very life... what in this did you earn through your own efforts? You reside in my mansion, you command my subordinates, and yet you believe you have no obligations towards me?"

The three brothers who remained standing displayed varying reactions. Ko Furen stood tall, his expression grim. Ko Wenlu visibly shrank, his shoulders slumping and his head lowering in evident fear. Ko Fuan, meanwhile, adopted an air of extreme caution.

"Ah~, I suppose that is not entirely accurate for the youngest... Is that perhaps the source of this misunderstanding?" Ko Zhumen’s gaze then shifted to the last of his sons. "I concede that he has at least accomplished something independently. I respect that initiative..."

A flicker of approval momentarily crossed his face, only to be replaced by a steely resolve. "...However, if you interpreted that as a sign that defiance would be tolerated, you are gravely mistaken."

Ko Zhumen carried on explaining, his gaze returning to the eldest son whose head remained pinned beneath his foot. "I overlooked and permitted Fuan's endeavors to establish an independent faction, not due to an inability to act, but out of a desire to observe his capabilities and the extent of his reach. However, let there be no misunderstanding: any achievements he claims as his own are, in fact, derivatives of what I provided. Would any of it have been attainable had he not possessed the status of my son? Consequently, it is not genuinely his; it belongs to me as well. And that which is mine must yield to my control. This principle applies to all actions undertaken by any of you."

These pronouncements stirred a desire within Ko Fuan to clench his fists, but he fiercely suppressed the impulse, acutely aware of the peril in displaying any defiance at this critical juncture. His hands twitched only subtly.

Meanwhile, Ko Zhumen concluded his statement. "Therefore... yes, you must comply with my commands. Because I possess the ability to reclaim anything I have bestowed upon you, be it your status, wealth, comfort, authority..."

He then leaned closer once more, applying slightly more pressure with the foot resting upon Ko Gunwen’s head. "...or even your life."