As one ages, not only does life experience, work expertise, knowledge accumulation, and cultivation increase, but also the thickness of one’s skin and the level of shamelessness. Setting aside Ryan’s own experiences, just considering the elderly he has encountered in his life, there have been lovable and kind grandmothers, and knowledgeable, ambitious masters like McAryan. These positive figures nearly made him forget that there are also loathsome old men in the world. Not everyone becomes peaceful with age; some become more despicable, like this man named Casey Dalton, who truly doesn’t deserve the Dalton surname.
In the midst of Ryan’s subtle tactics, the relatives, who dared not even breathe, were somewhat dazed. The child’s cries mingled with his mother’s series of meaningless murmurs, which might have been curses or comfort, but the voice was very soft, hardly daring to let Ryan hear it. Uncle Casey Dalton slowly regained his composure, transforming from a timid quail into an arrogant cuckoo, looking up and down at Ryan, “Who are you?”
Ryan smiled and introduced himself. “Ryan Smith. Auston and I are legally married, and this is my home. Is it too shameless for you to want to lay your eggs here?”
“You!” Casey Dalton’s old face flushed not with shame from having his intentions exposed, but with anger at the fact that Auston was actually married. He raised his trembling arm to point at Ryan, his anger and panic over the impending failure of his plans causing him to shake.
“Auston and I are about to have our own child, so there’s no need for all of you to worry,” Ryan said, scanning the faces of everyone present and delighting in the shocked, disappointed, and contorted expressions he saw. “It would be best to take your own children back home. If they perform well and contribute to the family, Auston and I will provide support and space for their growth. But if they don’t…” He curled his lips into a smile, his gaze growing colder by the moment. “I will show you a hundred ways to eliminate what society considers garbage. Don’t embarrass our family or bring shame to the Dalton name. Don’t collude with outsiders to undermine your own family. And don’t think that just because someone offers you a few tokens, it’s a great favor. You enjoy the generous income from the family fund every year, yet you hide at home complaining that it’s too little. Ha!”
Under Ryan’s powerful aura, no one dared to utter a word. He had commanded thousands in battle and sparred with seasoned politicians in meetings; they were nothing but a bunch of confused clowns, easily prodded into action. At some point, Yuan Chu had quietly entered and stood by. When Ryan extended his hand as a signal, he activated the projection feature, and a holographic image appeared in the center of the small reception room. It showed the old man Casey Dalton meeting in secret with someone, their voices clearly audible without reservation.
“While that man is still over forty and unmarried, you can take action. Don’t forget about the adoption.”
“You don’t need to remind me; I’ll handle that. Are you sure Auston… won’t get married in the short term?”
“Of course. If you’re worried, I can sabotage things and prevent him from being compatible.”
“Good.” In the holographic projection, Casey, wearing a mask and a baseball cap, nodded in satisfaction. “Challenging the patriarch’s authority comes with risks.”
“Understood. Five hundred thousand star coins will be transferred to your account.”
“Make sure the source is clean.”
“Don’t worry.”
“……”
“……”
This was also Ryan’s first time viewing the video. He calmed his thoughts and glanced at Yuan Chu, feeling a bit powerless. What had Yuan Chu done on the star network to obtain such private footage? It was clear that this had come from infiltrating the Empire’s security information database.
The Empire’s Security Department had installed numerous surveillance cameras throughout Eve City, covering every corner. A vast amount of video footage was managed by artificial intelligence, and even the people within the department might not know exactly how many videos there were or what their content entailed. This was a remnant from the wars over seven hundred years ago, a product of the reorganization of the Empire’s intelligence agency.
Yuan Chu, with his yellow eyes flickering, appeared very calm.
Ryan lightly tapped the armrest and, amidst the visibly agitated Casey Dalton, said softly, “According to the ancestral teachings, those who collude with outsiders to seize family assets, along with their descendants, forfeit their right to benefit from the family foundation. Any inheritance from the clan must be returned to the family. Let me see…”
Yuan Chu was reliable; while investigating Beavis Dalton, he hadn’t overlooked other relatives. Now, all the information on everyone had just been sent to Ryan’s personal terminal. He opened it to take a look. The weakened Dalton family had a total of 122 collateral relatives. At first glance, that seemed like a large number—more than a hundred people could form dozens of tables for mahjong—but compared to other families that had been passed down for seven hundred years, it was far too few. For instance, just the direct and collateral branches of the Gustav family combined had over ten thousand members.
Not everyone in the Dalton family looked at their small holdings with the same perspective. Many took advantage of the funds provided by the family to start their own businesses and work hard, while others served in the military, all of whom were supporters of Auston. People are complex; among those sitting in the small reception room, only a handful were bad, and bad people were like weeds—cut one down, and another would grow back, incredibly annoying.
“Assets under Casey Dalton’s name…”
Ryan read them out one by one, his voice matching the sounds from the holographic projection. Casey’s face turned from green to pale; he had hidden things very well, meeting in a secluded little bar and even using disguises. How could there be video evidence? How had so many assets under his wife’s and daughter-in-law’s names been uncovered?
“These assets greatly exceed your purchasing power. Who provided them to you? Gustav, Bromfield, the Li family, or someone else?” Ryan smiled lightly at the pale-faced Casey. “It seems that without the family’s support, you’ve still been living quite well. So, according to our ancestral teachings, we will reclaim them. Tsk tsk, every Dalton family member receives a subsidy of three thousand five hundred star coins a month, and they can also invest in the family business. That’s no small amount.”
With a little effort, one could have a decent life in the high-cost capital. The premise was that the standard was for a family of four; if they had too many children, Ryan would have to reconsider his idea of a “decent life.”
“No, no, no…” Casey Dalton’s face twisted in anger, his thin hands gripping the sofa’s armrest, sinking deeply into it. “You don’t have that right.”
“I do,” Ryan reiterated firmly. “Auston and I are legally married, and I have both the right and the duty to maintain stability within the clan.”
Beep, beep, beep—
Casey’s personal terminal kept pinging with alerts. He looked down, momentarily bewildered, and then despair washed over him, as if his spine had been completely removed, leaving him slumped on the sofa. Beavis, sitting close by, glanced at his1T/N: Casey Dalton’s terminal and saw several lawyer notifications informing him that the assets inherited from the Dalton family under his name were being reclaimed. This included not just their three-hundred-square-meter apartment in the city center, but also three storefronts in Adam City and a plantation star in the Red Coral starfield, among others. Furthermore, every Dalton family member lost the protection of the foundation, meaning that after the family was divided, they would no longer receive subsidies, and their shares in the family business would be frozen…
Beavis looked at Ryan in terror. This man had managed to take down his uncle’s family in just an instant. With such power, was the Smith family a hidden aristocracy? Who exactly was Ryan Smith? He felt relieved that he hadn’t brought his daughter here to claim anything from the family, but merely to ask for his nephew’s help. Nana wanted to attend the art academy and study under a great professor; a family recommendation would be the fastest and best way to get that help.
Otherwise, Beavis, having committed wrongdoings, would feel ashamed to enter the family’s main gate.
“What does everyone think?” Ryan smiled at the crowd. “I have some interesting videos here; if you want to see them, I can show them all. Some of you are quite clever and didn’t agree to the other party’s demands, but just watched… Heh, did you think we were fools? Speak up—who have you been in contact with?”
“I… I don’t know.” The mother holding the child had lost her earlier arrogance, trembling as she looked at Ryan. “I don’t know where they came from; as long as I can give my son to Auston… the general, I can get fifty million star coins.”
Ryan nodded lightly and looked at the others. They obediently began to speak up, but none of the information was particularly useful. The other party was meticulous in their operations; the individuals involved, as investigated by Yuan Chu, all had simple backgrounds with no connections. This method resembled that of the Gustav family; if it were someone else, it would be impossible for there to be no clues left behind. Ryan formulated a plan in his mind and stood up, nodding at everyone. “Remember, colluding with outsiders will cost you everything you enjoy as Daltons. He is your cautionary tale. And by the way, educate your children well; if they bring shame to the Dalton family, I will make sure you have no face left at all, in the most painful way. Now, let me ask you, who is Auston?”
“Sa—” The bear-like child who had been scribbling on the walls was eager to answer, but his mother quickly covered his mouth. However, the child, refusing to be silenced, bit down on his mother’s hand with such force that blood instantly flowed.
Ryan asked again, “Who is Auston Dalton to you?”
“Clan leader.”
“The general.”
“A great hero.”
“Our protector.”
The scattered voices came one after another, but Ryan was not very satisfied. “What are you saying?”
“Auston Dalton is our clan leader!”
“The admired general!”
“He provides us with protection; he is our support.”
“He is a great hero who defeated the Zerg and saved all humanity.”
Now satisfied, Ryan turned kindly to the children, but his words were directed at their parents. “I will periodically send people to check in and ask the children about their views on the family. If I’m not satisfied, I know over a thousand ways to inflict pain without leaving marks, and I can teach you slowly.”
The crowd fell silent, looking at Ryan as if he were a devil.
The devil Ryan, continued, “Make sure my message is conveyed well; it applies to all family members. Now, let’s disperse. Life isn’t easy for the family either; there are too many useless people to support, so I won’t be inviting you to dinner.”
They hurried to leave, as if a beast were chasing them. Ryan ensured they wouldn’t disturb Auston in their panic, having arranged for the housekeeping robots to manage their exit, guiding them on the “straight path” to leave the old residence as quickly as possible. Some left, while others stayed behind—Casey, slumped on the sofa, and Beavis and his daughter, who had their own motives. Ryan didn’t look at them yet; instead, he strolled over to Casey, towering over the oldest member of the clan. “Your family really does have a knack for trouble. Your brother was dealt with by Auston three years ago for stirring up issues, and now you’ve started again. Is all the rebellion in the Dalton family rooted in your house?”
In just a few minutes, Casey looked even older, forcing a bitter smile. “Why is it that you can be generals, commanders, and heroes, while we can only be ordinary people? James Dalton failed in his command and harmed Emperor Qin Feng. Why should our branch bear the consequences of that mistake, with no chance to turn things around?”
Ryan didn’t know the history behind it, but he could guess. “Because James worked hard to rise again, while your ancestor just blamed others for his failures. Since you say you won’t be given opportunities, fine. Your family has three who just turned twenty this year; there’s no need to think about job prospects anymore. They will all enlist in the military. This is the foundation of the Dalton family; even Auston started as a foot soldier and worked his way up to his current position. As long as they are willing to put in the effort, promotions will come easily. For the sake of military merit, they’ll face pirates and fight the Zerg. Young men should be ready to shed blood for their country!”
Casey trembled. “No, they’re still too young.”
“They’re not that young; At their age, Auston had already won the championship in the army’s martial arts competition,” Ryan replied with pride. “Of course, they can choose not to enlist, but then they will lose the assets that have been taken away.”
Casey trembled, his lips quivering, eyes filled with intense struggle. “You can’t do this, you can’t…”
“Ha, no, I can, and you don’t have the qualifications to negotiate with me,” Ryan replied, no longer wasting words as he turned and walked out. If Beavis and his daughter were smart, they would follow him.
Beavis was weak-willed and couldn’t take charge, but his daughter was quite capable, firm yet gentle, pulling her father along behind Ryan. Ryan received them in another reception room and, after learning their request, surprisingly agreed to help. Beavis looked at Ryan in disbelief, too timid to voice his confusion.
“We won’t ignore capable family members,” Ryan said, taking the initiative to answer. He was also curious, “How did you recognize Auston that day in the maternity store?”
Beavis fumbled for words. “I—I’m a painter, good at portraiture, and I have some understanding of body language. As long as I spend a few days with someone, I can recognize them by their walking posture when we meet again.”
Ryan understood that this skill was not just developed through painting practice but also stemmed from talent. It was a pity to limit it to art alone.
After sending off Beavis and his daughter, Ryan had spent half an hour dealing with troublesome relatives. He stood up and stretched, and as he lowered his arms, he spotted Auston. With a resigned look, he said, “I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You need to send that information to the lawyer; they can only proceed with my signature,” Auston replied, standing at the door without stepping inside. He reached out his hand to Ryan. “Come on, let’s eat.”
Ryan quickly stepped forward to grasp Auston’s hand, eager for approval. “How did I do?”
“Very well, even better than I would have done,” Auston acknowledged. His own methods would have involved much more effort and would not have been as straightforward as Ryan’s.
Ryan humbly replied, “It’s mainly thanks to Yuan Chu’s support.”
“Hmm.” Auston looked a bit worried. “Isn’t their approach of delving into the corners of the star network somewhat dangerous?”
“Yuan Chu knows where to draw the line.” When Ryan first developed Yuan Chu as a long-term AI, he considered many factors to prevent an indiscriminate AI from going out of control. He had placed a directive at Yuan Chu’s core: it must never endanger humanity’s fundamental safety. Recently, although he had ostensibly restricted Yuan Chu and Zero’s internet access, he had in fact reinforced and elaborated on that directive.
As they walked to the dining room, the two discussed more about their relatives. Human desires are endless; after suppressing one batch of clan members’ wants, new problems arise. Not everyone in the family adheres to the principles of self-discipline and restraint. No matter how many external constraints there are, without internal self-governance, they are always teetering on a shaky balance.
“Other families take advantage of the fact that ours has no one to defend it, they threaten or bribe the branches,” Auston said, pursing his lips. He couldn’t confine all the clan members in one place; outsiders would always find a gap.
The Dalton family is small but holds high military positions. Generations of management have established their deep-rooted authority in the military, making them a target of envy for outsiders. The conspiracy against Auston would have no end once it began. In the past, he faced everything with unwavering strength, charging forward alone. But now, he no longer walks this path alone; Ryan stands by his side.
This journey will never feel lonely. They will have children, who in turn will have children, all shouldering the legacy of the Dalton family together, and of course, carrying forward the ideals of Qin Feng Anderson.
- ··
Ryan immersed himself in research, bringing back a vast collection of blueprints. The room in their home designated for him, once just a simple study with a desk and a few bookshelves, had become increasingly cluttered with items from the research institute. Unlike its initial sparse arrangement, the space now featured a massive design drawing screen. Noticing Ryan’s dedication to design, Auston had ordered a state-of-the-art drawing tablet, integrating the latest technology to make it easier for him to create designs.
Ryan frequently visited the research institute to discuss ideas with McAryan, and sometimes McAryan would come to their home for collaborative research. Living in the same district made their visits convenient. Time flew by in this busy routine, and when Ryan checked the calendar, he realized a month had passed. Auston was already two months pregnant, and the baby was developing healthily, with all indicators within perfect ranges. The nursery had been fully renovated and was currently airing out. A new incubation pod would arrive in half a month, to be placed in the nursery, simulating a quiet, dim environment for the baby’s growth.
Deeply immersed in researching how to enhance the synchronization of beast-like biological mechas, Ryan missed his cousin Connor’s book signing event in Capital Star. They didn’t get a chance to meet, but there was no need to feel regretful; Connor’s final stop on this signing tour was Eve City in Capital Star, and he planned to stay there for six months.
Connor explained to Ryan that he wanted to experience the atmosphere of a big city to inspire ideas for his next novel. His current work, “The Song of Beacon,” was nearing completion, featuring Qin Feng Anderson’s heroic downfall as he embarked on his destined journey. Each time Ryan saw Auston tearing up while following the serialized chapters (his emotions heightened during pregnancy), he felt a pang of discomfort and sought to affirm his presence, reminding Auston that the original story was right here and there was no need for pirated versions.
In the afternoon, Auston dozed in a rocking chair made of peach wood from E69, which had been included in the shipment. Ryan sat nearby, shifting through materials and occasionally jotting down notes. His research had hit a bottleneck; although he had managed to increase the synchronization rate of the neural core from 55.55% to 69.98% through his modifications, the target of 90% still felt far out of reach.
In front of him, a 1.8-meter by 0.9-meter holographic drawing board displayed a concept image of a mecha, serving as a screensaver. The blueprint depicted a silver-white steel beast resembling a white lion, adorned with a pair of proud wings. Its powerful limbs ended in fierce claws, and its enormous mouth gaped open, as if a lion’s roar was bursting forth from the screen.
This was the mecha design referencing Da Fu’s adult form. While Ryan researched ways to improve the neural core’s synchronization rate, he also created this design.
Da Fu accidentally caught sight of it. Recently, Da Fu had been strutting around with its chest puffed out and chin held high, feeling quite proud of itself.
“Uh?” Ryan responded softly as he answered the call.
“Ryan, I’m free now. Let’s hang out, bro. You’re going to be a dad, and I haven’t congratulated you yet. My little Ryan has finally grown up.”
“Mm.”
“I’m really busy lately, stressing over the ending of ‘The Song of Beacon.’ I want to chat with you for some inspiration.”
“Oh.”
“Summer City is so lively; there are people everywhere. I can’t even go out without some disguise, or I’ll get recognized in no time. The fans are too enthusiastic, too scary—none of them are as rational as Fan Lanting.”
“Oh?”
“Why are you only replying with one word?”
“No.”
Connor: “…” His silence conveyed his speechlessness.
Ryan: “Hmm?” Why aren’t you talking?
Connor: “Oh.” Just doesn’t want to say.
Ryan: “Uh…” Should I just hang up then?
Connor: “…How about we meet tonight?”
Ryan thought for a moment and said, “Sure.”
Connor: “If you come out with Auston, we’ll go to a quieter tea house. If you come out alone, we’ll go to a bar. You choose.”
Ryan: “Later.” It’s too noisy outside; better not let Auston go out.
Connor: “Alright, eight o’clock tonight. I’ll be waiting for you at the Red Mill.”
Ryan: “Uh.” The Red Mill isn’t just a regular bar.
Connor: “I’m not taking you next door. No need to be nervous. Alright, I’m done. Talking to you is annoying right now. Hanging up, see you tonight.”
Ryan: “Oh.”
After the call ended, the study returned to silence. Ryan found himself unable to focus on the materials. He quietly stood up, tiptoed over to Auston, adjusted the thin blanket covering him, then pushed open the sliding door and stepped outside onto the balcony to clear his mind. In the brilliant afternoon sunlight, he saw the clear lake shimmering like scattered gems beneath the surface. Black swans and mandarin ducks were resting in the shade, while groups of sheep-like creatures clustered by the water’s edge, enjoying the sun. Among them was a plump figure with wings—Da Fu.
Da Fu was well-fed and rested, living a comfortable life without enemies. Despite his daily antics—chasing cats and teasing dogs, climbing trees and roofs—he was developing a rounder shape, showing little of the fierceness expected of a fully grown griffin. The sheep-like creatures he chased had given up their fight; knowing they couldn’t overpower him, they simply lay down and accepted their fate, losing their spirit of resistance.The chaos of Da Fu’s excited howls and the panicked cries of fleeing sheep had finally ceased, bringing peace to the world. Yet, Da Fu felt a little disappointed, having lost one of his favorite pastimes.
“Peacefully coexisting…”
Ryan pondered this phrase, and suddenly the tightly closed windows in his mind flew open, letting a flood of inspiration pour in.
Translator’s Little Theatre:
Ryan: Oh?
Connor: Hmm
Ryan: Oh
Connor: No
Ryan: Uh..
Connor: Mn
**Conversation ends**
Onlookers: 🙄😵
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152