Brothel Manager : Unexpected Encounter with A Hidden Family Heirloom

To watch the trial in which Das was going to face the Farus family spirit, they chose the sea shore. The sky was a canvas of deep blue, with the faintest touch of orange bleeding across the horizon. The sun had yet to rise fully, and the southern end of the beach on Hope Island was bathed in the soft glow of morning light. The sea waves lapped gently at the shore, but the crowd was thick with tension. Around Das and Amara, the Farus family had gathered in a tight circle. Their expressions ranged from skeptical to outright hostile. This was no ordinary morning. Today was the day Das would face the trial to prove his worth to the Fire Python Spirit of Farus family. At the heart of the circle stood Princess Amara, with her princess robe. Her long black hair was tied in a braid, cascading down her back as she held up a silver ring glinting faintly in the dim light. The ring was no mere ornament—it contained the weapon spirit of the Fire Python, a being of immense power and pride. Ahead of her, Das stood with his usual nonchalant expression, his cursed red sword strapped to his back and his hands resting lazily on his hips. His eyes, however, betrayed a flicker of curiosity as he glanced at the ring in Amara's hand. His desire for that ring and the weapon spirit inside, made his heart race. Patriarch Long, watching from a distance with his hands clasped behind his back, finally gave a slow nod. "Begin," he commanded, his voice gravelly and low. Amara took a deep breath, her eyes locking with Das's. "Are you ready for this?" she asked quietly. Das smirked. "You might not believe me if I say how ready i'm, Princess." Without further hesitation, Amara closed her eyes and extended her will into the ring. A faint glow enveloped her hand as the power within stirred. The ring trembled, and in an instant, a brilliant light burst forth. A serpentine form materialized from the ring, rising high above them. The Fire Python Spirit shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, its body a gleaming white like untouched snow. Its eyes, burning like molten gold, fixed intently on Das. A hush fell over the gathering as the Fire Python coiled itself, lowering its head slightly to gaze at Das with an expression that seemed almost judgmental. The trail is not a fight. It was a test of the fire python, whether it accepts Das or not will determine future aspects. Elder Farin, who stood near the edge of the circle, scoffed audibly. "This is a waste of time. The Fire Python has been with our family for generations. Do you truly expect it to bow to him?" he sneered, glaring at Das. "Tradition is not so easy to break," Lady Keira added, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "Outsiders cannot command our family's spirits." Amara's grip on the ring tightened, but she said nothing, her focus entirely on the spirit before them. Das, however, let out a light chuckle. "Stop all your nonsense," Das said, shifting his stance slightly. "You're all worried that I will take your fortune?" He paused, flashing a grin. "If not for me, that Taurus family will take it. So, will you all shut up?" Silence followed as Das focused on the task. As the Fire Python continued to stare at Das, its golden eyes unblinking, Das's own eyes began to narrow. The playful glint in his gaze faded, replaced by something more intense—focused. Drawing in a slow breath, Das let his hand drift toward his chest and silently summoned the energy of the phoenix spirit of the Sylvester family. The phoenix spirit energy can control the thoughts of other organisms. A fiery glow flickered in his eyes, which now gleamed with a soft orange light. The people around felt slight nassuia and head turns. Some even muttering about things unconciously. Das ignored the commentary, locking eyes with the Fire Python Spirit. At first, nothing happened. The Fire Python's defenses were ironclad, its will unmoving. It remained distant, as though refusing to acknowledge Das as anything but an intruder. Das's smirk faded. "So that's how you want to play it?" he muttered. The glow in his eyes intensified. A faint outline of a fiery bird flickered in his soul space, the ethereal form of the Phoenix Spirit rising in silent defiance. It burned inside soul space. Das narrowed his gaze, focusing all his energy into his eyes. The Fire Python flinched. A ripple of shock passed through the gathered Farus family members as the spirit recoiled slightly, its serpentine body swaying as if struck by an invisible force. "He's forcing eye contact," Amara whispered, realizing what Das was attempting. "He's trying to break through its defenses by force. It's not good!" "That's impossible," Elder Farin growled. "No one can challenge a spirit like that without suffering immense backlash." But Das pressed forward. The fiery energy pouring from his gaze struck the Fire Python thoughts and own will. For a brief moment, the spirit resisted, its eyes narrowing with anger. But then… it faltered under phoenix spirit energy and it's mind clouded. The Fire Python's head dipped slightly, and its golden eyes flickered uncertainly. Das seized the opening, pushing more of the Phoenix Spirit's energy through his stare. The great serpent trembled, its body swaying as if intoxicated. With a final lurch, the Fire Python lowered its head completely, bowing to Das like a drunkard losing balance. Gasps erupted from the circle. Lady Keira's eyes widened in disbelief. "It… bowed?" Patriarch Long's face remained unreadable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. Das stepped forward, placing a hand gently on the Fire Python's snout. The spirit did not resist, instead lowering its head further in submission. Amara released a long breath, her heart pounding. "It's done," she said softly. Das glanced at the stunned faces around him and grinned. "Enough of this circus. Let's move into battle. Amara, will you pass me full control?" Amara nodded and summoned back the fire python spirit. As the Fire Python dissolved into light, retreating back into the ring on Amara's finger, Patriarch Long stepped forward. "You have passed the trial," Long said reluctantly. "The Fire Python has chosen you. Whether we agree or not… the spirit has spoken." Das gave a mock bow. "Pleasure doing business with you, Patriarch." Amara smiled faintly, stepping beside Das. "Welcome to the family," she said. Das chuckled. "I'll pass on the family traditions. But thanks for the opertunity." The sun finally rose, casting its light over the beach, but for the Farus family, this dawn marked something far greater—a shift in destiny. As Amara wilfully placed the ring in Das hand, an evil grin spread across Das's cheek.