Beautiful Vengeance (Ruthless Legacy #1)

Prologue

Kill Them All

Lei

Several Years Ago

The full moon glowed over me and the rest of the men who’d come to fight to the death.

Can I do it? Or. . .will I die?

On the stage, thirty-six men stood behind the red line, waiting to kill me.

I was only fourteen years old.

My opponents were much older. Some were in their twenties. Others were in their fifties. Muscle stacked many of them. They gripped swords and axes, guns and meat cleavers. Unlike me, they’d fought in this ceremony before.

One bulky man in front swung a huge, spiked ball from a chain. He curved his lips into a smile and studied me, probably assessing the best points on my body to bash spikes into.

My heart boomed in my chest.

But on my face, I put on a mask of confidence.

Like me, they’d trained most of their life to succeed in this moment.

Only one person would leave this stage.

Whoever did would take the throne from my father and rule the East.

Somewhere behind me, a baby cried.

I glanced over my shoulder.

The massive audience watched me and whispered amongst themselves.

Every resident in the East had come, bearing offerings of incense and rice wine, flowers and prayers of hope written with blood on gold joss paper. It was a sea of different shades of blue. Old and young. Married and single. Kids played between their parent’s legs, not understanding the severity of this evening. Multiple generations of families waited for the ceremony.

I won’t embarrass my father. I won’t bring pain to my mother. I won’t disappoint my family.

When my father created our gang, the Four Aces, he came up with the initiation ceremony. I’d only been a toddler at the time, yet Father planned to make me prove myself to everyone.

Just because I was his son didn’t mean I deserved to take over.

In East Paradise, a man’s social status and authority were directly tied to his willingness and ability to defend his loved ones and property. To allow someone to disrespect you and get away with it, would be to become nothing.

I will not die. I will win.

I gripped my father’s sword—the Baoteng Saber . It meant Soaring Precious in Chinese.

Many centuries past, an Imperial Sword Master crafted Soaring Precious during the Qing Dynasty and the reign of the Qianlong emperor. Ornate leaves covered the white jade handle. The steel blade curved and was decorated with inlaid gold, silver, and copper.

Five years ago, a London billionaire went to an auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. There, the billionaire bought the sword for his collection. He paid seven million dollars.

The next evening, my father and his assassins woke the billionaire up in the middle of the night. My father had sat on the edge of the bed and sipped a cup of tea. Smiling at the man’s sleeping wife, my father politely offered to hold the sword for him.

And the billionaire gave him Soaring Precious with no hesitation.

I am my father’s son.

I pulled Soaring Precious out of its intricately embellished sheath.

I am strength.

Gulping down fear, I took in the exquisite blade. Since in my father’s possession, lots of blood had stained it.

Tonight, I hoped to God that I could paint the sword with death, too.

I am power.

I slung the sheath down. It fell to the ground.

One of the thirty-sex men snickered.

I am victory.

I snapped the sword to my side and got in a proper fighting stance.

A young girl shrieked, “Be careful, Lei!”

Another person shushed her.

Nervous, I glanced back at the audience.

They won’t see me die. I won’t dishonor my father in front of his men.

The top ranks and positions sat in the front rows with their wives and children.

The Four Aces had a set hierarchy.

My father served as the Mountain Master —the highest power in the East.

His brother, Song was the Deputy Mountain Master . Uncle Song forbid his wife to come, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to handle it if I was killed.

However, my cousins Chen and Duck sat next to him. Worry crossed both of their faces. Chen bit his nails—a nervous habit that annoyed the hell out of his mother. Last night, my cousins tried to sneak me out of Paradise. I’d refused their help and told them to go home. However, right before they left, I made Chen promise that he would watch over my strays—ten street dogs that I kept in the back of the estates and secretly took care of.

Ham was next to Uncle Song, served as the Incense Master, and handled operations.

Jay was next to him and held position as the Vanguard . Basically, he was a high-level personal assistant that could kill a man in seconds.

Then, there was Guan. He was the Red Pole —the military commander. When it was time for war, he oversaw defensive and offensive operations.

My father’s sister, Min, was the White Paper Fan . Aunt Min managed legitimate financial and business decisions. She sat at the end with tears running down her face. Her fingers shook in her lap as she gripped her handkerchief.

The rest were Blue Lanterns —soldiers, gun mules, and low-ranking assassins. They filled out many of the middle rows.

And they were all waiting to see who would live and who would die.

My body shivered with terror.

I wish Mom were here.

This morning, Aunt Suzi had taken my mother away. Mom had cried and begged with my father to not go on with the ceremony. They’d argued about it all last night.

In the end, my father had the final word.

I won’t bring her any pain.

The audience went silent when my father stepped onto the stage. He wore a dark blue leather trench coat. His suit was dark blue too. However, he had a baby blue tie on—the one I’d given him for his birthday.

I will honor him.

He held a large rooster in his arms. The animal’s brown feathers fluttered as it wound its neck around. Shushing the rooster, my father smiled down at the animal and ran his finger along the feathers. He continued to head my way.

Upon seeing my father, the thirty-six men—my opponents—lowered to their knees and bowed, remaining on the ground until he walked by.

I won’t disappoint him.

I forced myself to stay still. Father could not see me tremble or shake. There could be no fear in my eyes.

I really. . .wish Mom were here.

Uncle Song left his front row seat and headed to the stage, carrying a box.

Father stopped in front of me, radiating power and strength. He was coiled muscle and threatening menace. This year, I’d finally reached his height and met him eye-to-eye. Aunt Min claimed I would be taller than him one day. I couldn’t wait.

Uncle Song got to Father’s side. “Are you ready, Lei?”

Sweat beaded around my forehead. “I am.”

Father gestured to the side. “You have visitors.”

I turned that way, wishing it were Mom and Aunt Suzi.

To my shock, my three friends, Romeo, Chanel, and Dima hurried onto the stage. They were all dressed in blue as if they were trying to trick the East into thinking they were Four Aces.

What are they doing?! I told them that they couldn’t come.

East Paradise was a private body drenched in ancient customs and traditions. Outsiders were forbidden to see a ceremony like this.

Petting the rooster, Father frowned at my friends. “They snuck onto the property and fought through the guards.”

I did my best to keep back my smile.

Father sneered. “The damn kids could have gotten themselves killed and started a war within the Diamond Syndicate.”

I widened my eyes. “Can I. . . talk to them?”

Father scowled. “Say hello and then goodbye. Next, you switch your mind to death. That is the only thing that can be in your head when you fight. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Father.”

Still scowling, he gestured for them to come over.

Romeo got to us first. “Thanks, Leo. I swear we’ll be quick.”

Father glared at them. “You’re lucky I love you all like my own children.”

“Thank you, sir.” Chanel bowed to him, pulled out a wooden dagger from her pocket, and got to my side. “L, I had a dream about this ghost. She was a tall woman with two long braids. A brown cowboy hat was on top of her head—”

“Hurry, Chanel.” Romeo gazed at the crowd.

She swallowed. “I woke up in the middle of the night and that same ghost was by my bed, she guided me to this dagger and said that you had to keep it on you during this whole fight.”

She handed it to me. “It will protect you.”

Father frowned at the exchange.

“That dagger is just made of wood.” Dima rolled his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you let me bring my uncle’s bomb?”

Romeo sighed. “Because it would kill everyone, Dima.”

Chanel shook her head. “L, the ghost said that this dagger will lead you to your destiny and—”

“I don’t believe in ghosts.” Dima took my arm. “We need to get you out of here.”

“Chill, man.” Romeo moved Dima’s hand away. “It’s too late for that. Let the East do what the East do.”

Dima sighed. “But I want everyone to do what I want to do.”

Romeo patted his back. “Let it go, Dima.”

“Hurry this up.” Father stroked the rooster’s feathers.

“I can’t leave, but thanks for coming to try and save me, guys.” I placed the wooden dagger in my pocket. “And thank you, Chanel. I believe it will protect me.”

“No problem, L.” Her eyes watered. She placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

Oh my God.

My body hummed.

If I die, then that kiss was worth it.

She leaned away. “The ghost said that you were going to beat them all, and that your destiny was to expose the cruelty of men and protect the powerless.”

“That’s right. Therefore, all my bets are on you, Lei.” Romeo nodded. “Breathe. Don’t look at this as a huge mission. Break it down to little tasks. Kill one guy at a time.”

“Thanks. That’s what I’ll do.” I turned to Dima. He was the smartest kid I knew. Surely, he had a good strategy, too. “What do you think, Dima?”

With a sad expression, Dima looked at the thirty-six men behind the red line. They’d risen from their knees and gripped their weapons. Dima returned his view to me. “I brought the number to Paradise’s Social Services. This is a clear case of child abuse.”

“That’s enough,” Father growled. “Go to the side. Now.”

Chanel scolded him. “Dima, really?”

Dima walked off. “But it is child abuse.”

I wish they could fight with me.

They headed away.

Putting the wooden dagger in my back pocket, I directed my view back to Uncle Song and Father.

Uncle Song spoke, “Put the sword up.”

Stunned, I placed Soaring Precious in my sword belt.

Uncle opened the box and took out a gun. “Your first kill must be with this weapon.”

A little relief poured through me.

I grabbed the gun, knowing I could take out several guys with bullets. I’d been shooting since I was four years old.

“The next rule is that you must kill all of them .” Uncle Song didn’t waste his time pointing their way. “The third rule is that you grab the gold Dragon Head on the mantle.”

I looked that way but couldn’t see it. For now, the men blocked the view of the Dragon Head.

“And for the final rule,” Uncle Song gave me a sad smile. “You must walk to the edge of the stage and hold the Dragon Head in the air to show that you are the final victor.”

“And you will not crawl or limp to the edge,” Father said. “You will walk with the strength of many men.”

“Yes, sir.”

Father smiled. “And you will hold the Dragon Head as if it weighs nothing at all. You will not drop it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I expect nothing but victory from you today.” Father took out his copper dagger from under his trench. “Are you ready, son?”

Gripping the gun, I let out a long breath and straightened my shoulders. “Yes, sir.”

Father grabbed the top of the rooster’s head and brought the blade to its neck. In the next second, he sliced the animal’s throat. Blood sprayed on my face and spilled down my father’s hands.

I am my father’s son.

Uncle Song closed the box and left the stage.

Father dropped the dead rooster at my feet.

It’s truly time. This is what I’ve been training for.

I had Soaring Precious in its sheath and dangling at my side. I had my wooden dagger from Chanel stuffed tightly in my back pocket. I gripped the gun and kept it at my side.

I am strength.

Father raised his hand to my face and smeared a bloody line onto my forehead.

I am power.

Father stepped to the side and then roared, “Begin!”

I am victory.

I raced for the thirty-six men and raised my gun in front of me. I had to get the big man with the spiked metal ball first. If I took him down, it would make the others nervous.

Running his way, I pointed the gun at him and pulled the trigger.

But no bullet came.

What?!

Still running, I looked at it and then pulled the trigger again. It just clicked. Nothing happened.

They gave me an unloaded gun!? This really is child abuse!

“Time to die, little emperor.” The huge man swung the ball at my head.

I barely ducked it and rushed to the side.

Uncle Song’s words returned to me.

“Your first kill must be with this.”

The man swung the metal ball my way again. He was damn good and almost got me with the second swing.

Shit.

“He’s mine!” Some guy sliced another one’s head off. “Get out of my way!”

Don’t worry about him yet. Focus on who you’re fighting now.

Fast, I began to break apart the gun. In seconds, I pulled the gun’s slide back, removed it from the frame, and pushed the spring away.

Someone kicked me in the back. Another stabbed my shoulder. Swiftly, someone tried to slash at my leg. I hopped away and twisted around another attacker.

Meanwhile, my main opponent swung that damn spiked ball at me.

Shit. Shit.

Still holding the gun parts, I flipped back. The ball had almost smashed my head. Instead, it crashed to the ground and dented that part of the stage.

Someone slammed the back of my hand.

Focus!

I stumbled forward, took the dismantled gun’s barrel, and leaped for the big man right before he swung the spiked ball my way again.

Die!

I stabbed part of the dismantled gun’s slide in one eye and stuck the barrel in the other eye. The man screamed and dropped the spiked ball.

People cheered.

I did it!

Two men grabbed my legs.

I fell to the ground.

They dragged me away.

A woman shrieked, “God, help him!”

Is that Aunt Min?

I fought to get out of the men’s hold and got one leg free. I had Soaring Precious out in seconds. I sliced one man’s hand, and then stabbed the other in the heart. Once he went down, I chopped a man’s head off.

Someone else punched me in the face.

Where did that come from?

I blinked and slashed the sword at anything in front of me, slicing and dicing, stabbing and chopping.

And that was how the hour went.

Blood sprayed.

I quickly moved through the sea of fighting men, barely touching the ground. When I needed to, I used their legs and arms as steps, leaping from this guy to that. Slicing an arm off and then cutting another’s head, stabbing someone in the heart and then gouging out several eyes with the sword’s tip.

And my opponents screamed in horror.

A few raced away, trying to escape.

However, my father’s Blue Lanterns blocked the exit and shoved them back, allowing me to kill them, too.

After a while, the stage was flooded in blood and dead bodies. We slipped and slid around each other.

We fought to survive.

We battled to the death.

I followed Romeo’s advice and focused on killing one man at a time.

“Almost done!” Chanel’s voice rose over the audience’s cheering. “Just one more guy, L! Come on!”

Really? Just. . .one?

Blood dripped down my face. Some got in my right eye and stung, but I had no time to wipe it away.

My heart pounded in my chest. I assessed my body and knew for sure that I had bruised ribs. My left arm was possibly broken, if not severely sprained. The pain was horrific. I could barely bend my left fingers. My breathing was heavy as if one of my lungs were crushed or punctured.

But I knew that it was all in my mind. Pain did that to the head. It sent alarming messages to the brain.

I am. . .strength.

Blood drenched my shirt and pants, too.

I am power.

My hair stuck to my neck and head.

I stank of death.

Searching for the last guy, I stumbled over cut-off arms and legs. Many men groaned in pain on the ground.

I stabbed them in the chest and walked on by.

I am victory.

And then I spotted the last man. By this point, I could barely hold onto the sword or stand up.

I am. . .almost done.

Whimpering, he balanced on his knees with his hands in prayer. “Please, show me mercy. I no longer want to do this anymore. I want to live! I have a son just like you. He’s your age.”

He’s a father. Maybe. . .I shouldn’t kill him.

Exhausted, I stepped up to the poor man and turned to my father. He stood on the side of the stage next to my uncle and friends. A neutral mask covered Father’s face. There was no joy or relief in his eyes. I had no idea if he was disappointed or pleased.

“Don’t kill me!” My final opponent crawled my way. “Don’t make my son a fatherless child!”

I looked back at my father.

Do I kill him?

My father raised his hand to his neck and did a quick slice.

Swallowing, I turned back to the man and raised Soaring Precious in the air.

“Please! Please!”

I cut his head off. It fell to the floor. The body crashed to the ground next.

And now the Dragon’s Head.

Before I moved forward, I spotted the wooden dagger that Chanel had given me floating in blood. I bent over and grabbed it.

Father roared, “Focus, Lei!”

“Sorry.” Stuffing the bloody wooden dagger in my pocket, I returned to the whole purpose of tonight.

I limped over to the Dragon Head. I wanted to crawl. In fact, I would have liked to have been taken to an emergency room immediately.

Minutes later, I held the heavy head in my bruised shaking hands. It must’ve been solid gold. It surely felt that heavy.

One last thing.

Drained and badly injured, I finally faced the silent audience. Many gaped at me with wide eyes and opened mouths.

Aunt Min was the only one on her feet. She had both of her swords out. Four men were currently holding her back. She must’ve been close to jumping on the stage several times.

I love you, Aunt Min.

I was too tired to go to the edge of the stage. It was ten feet away, but it looked like ten miles. I wiped blood away from my eyes. My chest rose and fell fast. I felt hot like I had a fever.

But I had to move forward. I wouldn’t disappoint.

I am. . .

I pushed myself to take a step and then another.

I am tired.

Somehow, I made it to the edge. It felt like an hour had passed.

And when I arrived, the audience rose and stood together, cheering and screaming out my name.

I raised the Dragon Head in the air, mentally groaning in pain. That left arm could barely go straight or help hold it.

The moment the Dragon Head rose above my head, everyone kneeled.

The whole sea of blue gave honor to me.

I did it. Now go tell my mom! I need her.

None of the audience’s cheers could replace her warm arms and the expression of love covering her face. I couldn’t wait to see the pride in her eyes.

Movement came to my side.

I wasn’t sure who was coming. All I knew was that if I lowered my hands, the Dragon Head would fall and so would I. Pain quaked through my body.

Then, suddenly my legs gave out. I lost balance. My head went dizzy and huge arms caught me before I fell to the floor.

The person carried me.

Who. . .is this?

So out of it, I couldn’t even open my eyes.

“Lei!” The audience cheered and clapped. “Lei!”

I mumbled to whoever was helping me, “T-thank you.”

The person spoke, “I’m proud of you, son.”

Father!

He kissed my forehead. “I’m so proud.”

A silly grin spread across my bruised and beaten face.

“Rest, Lei.”

And then I sank into cold darkness, warmed only by my father’s love.