MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin



Here's the edited version of the chapter with corrected grammar and spelling errors:

Yui had stopped her Kundalini Yoga [1]. Even for her, it was a rather dangerous practice, and now that she was completely focused on Shuri, she had a hard time avoiding mistakes.

This yoga was practiced by humans as well, as cultivators spread the initial and simplified version in the hope of finding more seedlings. But sadly, the results had been subpar.

Each generation of humans was worse than the last in terms of potential, and because of the pollution and destruction of nature, the Prana and the power of mystery were thinning.

They were already in a period of great drought where most celestials, such as fairies and Yokai, avoided staying too long on Earth as the air was more akin to poison for them.

Sighing as she felt heat spread through her body and her muscles twitch, Yui asked, "So, who is it?"

"My half-sister."

Shuri had a calm expression on her face even as she calmly said that her sister had hired people to eliminate her.

Yui winced a little. She was not unfamiliar with this kind of thing, especially in a rich and powerful family.

She had done her research and knew that while the Nakiri family was not super noble, they were still quite a conglomerate in the past, and as a result, they had their share of disputes.

"Don't worry. Honestly, I am not particularly surprised. Even though I am the legitimate daughter, I was never the favorite."

Shuri shrugged. Was it because of her personality? Ever since she was young, she had always worked to prove herself.

She was the eldest daughter of the family, and it was her duty to set an example.

At least, this was what she thought it was.

For this, she worked harder than anyone else, sacrificed her youth, and did her best to always be at the top of her class.

"But it was never enough."

While she worked hard and was reprimanded for the slightest mistake, her sister, born only two months after her, was the jewel of the family.

"Two months?"

Yui asked with confusion before realization struck her.

"Don't tell me."

Shuri simply sneered, "My father had a child outside while my mother was pregnant."

She couldn't help but laugh bitterly inwardly since her situation was quite similar to what her mother went through.

"She was the jewel of the family. Where I was tough, she was gentle. Where I was too headstrong, she was the kind lady all the servants appreciated."

"Well, in the end, I am the one who succeeded while everyone else failed."

When her family fell because of the stupidity of her father, she was the one who rose and kept everyone afloat.

She obtained everything, and even her grandfather left her name in the will as the only successor.

All those who ignored her started fawning and treating her like a princess.

—It was disgusting.

"Technically, I am the matriarch of the family now, but many aren't happy about this."

"So your sister decided to make you vanish and take your place."

"Nah. That woman is too naive. I don't like her, but there is a higher chance that the one who incited her was her husband and a few of my cousins or uncles."

Shuri's eyes reddened a little. Though, whether it was because of sadness or anger, one could not say.

"I would hug you, but I am quite sweaty now."

The atmosphere lightened after Yui made that silly joke, and Shuri showed a smile.

"So what are you going to do?"

Yui was quite serious. She knew very well that filial pi

ety was a notion taught quite early, and while many ignored it nowadays, for some others, those rules were like shackles that could not be erased.

Shuri was one of those. Someone who was so deep in the world of rules and tradition that she could not walk away from them.

"I am done being too gentle with my family."

She had been kind and accepted all the small machinations they had done behind her back.

It was because they were family. Because it was her duty to protect them. So she had accepted everything.

Everything until now.

By attacking her, they showed that they had stopped caring about any relationship, as small as it may be.

"Our forefathers always say that blood is thicker than water. Don't you find this quite funny?"

Yui had no words. She knew very well that nowadays, the word 'family' had basically no more value.

Then again, the first murder in the world was one done between brothers.

—Perhaps blood never had any value in the first place.

—-

When Adam walked into the VIP room after a few more encores, he was not surprised to see Shuri sitting quietly while admiring the ceiling that had a beautiful painting. It was quite the work, and even Adam admired it sometimes.

One could say many things about Yui, but she had great taste.

"So, I see that you had quite the drink while waiting for me."

Shuri giggled while holding her glass that was only half full. Close to her were two bottles of wine that were completely empty.

"I needed to relax. So I took some wine from Yui's cellar. Being an ally is really cool."

"You shouldn't drink too much."

Adam said as he took her glass away from her and took a seat.

"Well, shouldn't you encourage me to drink more? After all, the more I drink, the more you will get as a commission."

"I don't need money."

"Hmm... Well, I guess the little brother of the boss wouldn't need money indeed."

Shuri smiled, her eyes half-opened as she gazed at the young masked man who had served as both a confidant and something of a friend.

"Cinder, you know, I talked with the mother of the young man I am interested in. Quite old woman style, but hey, she was the one who caught me off guard."

Adam looked at Shuri, wondering if she was completely drunk and ready for the night.

"You are drunk."

"I am not drunk. I am just a little tipsy."

"—That's literally what all drunk people say."

"Hehehe. Sigh..."

The giggly appearance on her face vanished as she looked up again. "Cinder, you know, sometimes I wonder why I work so hard when all I receive is hatred and jealousy from my own family."

"I think the mistake was trying to work to make people who don't like you happy."

"Hahaha. Indeed. I guess I am only a poor dumb woman who is too hesitant to cut off the leeches."

She sighed and covered her face. "Well, enough of this discussion. Maybe we should talk about something more interesting."

"Such as?"

Shuri stood up and walked up to Adam before sitting on his lap. This was quite surprising and bold from Shuri. But what followed next proved to be even more surprising.

"So, Adam — What does it feel like to work as a gigolo?"

[1]: So, Kundalini is a form of energy coiled at the base of the spine. This energy can be drawn up through the body, awakening each of the seven chakras. Full enlightenment occurs when this energy reaches the crown chakra at the top of the head.

Kundalini Yoga exists in real life and was principally a Hindu practice. Basically, it's a combination of movement, breath, meditation, and chanting. Its goal is not only to make the body stronger and more energetic but also to increase your level of self-awareness and consciousness.