In the morning, three days after the attempted abduction and Huang Diâs return with the ladies of the Mio family, he was taken to a secluded area modest house behind the main estate, designated for servantsâwhere he remained under light supervision. Since then, he had not seen young Miu Hio or any of her companions.
As he was guided by a maid toward the tearoom, Huang Di maintained a serene expression, carefully playing the role of a humble monk in search of peace. Yet his mind remained sharp, absorbing every detail around him. Despite the outward calm, he could feel that the Mio residence was on the verge of a storm.
In the family council chamber, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. Elders and key members of the clan were gathered, their expressions ranging from outrage to deep concern. At the center of the room stood Mio Yotoâhis long red hair, a hallmark of the family line, flowing down his back. His presence, fitting for a cultivator at the Minor Stage of the Sky Rank, commanded respect. As head of the Mio family, he remained silent, listening to the raised voices surrounding him without interruption.
Previously, a few hours after the kidnapping. A rotund man with a prominent scar arrived at the site where the women were supposed to have been delivered. He was accompanied by a thin, hunched elder. The two found the transport party unconscious, their bodies strewn across the ground. The fat man, his eyes filled with disdain, kicked one of the downed menâthe one with a broken armârousing him with a pained groan.
"Wake up, your worthless dog!" the fat man barked. "Where are the women? The meeting is overdue for a long overdue!"
The wounded man, still dazed, struggled to explain:
"Forgive me, Big Brother. We were ambushed. Someone interfered and took the women. He was strong... I believe he is a specialist at the Earth Rank."
The thin elderâan aged, hunchbacked man with deep wrinklesâwas none other than Butler Qui Su. He looked at the group with visible disgust and anger.
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"What happened here?" he asked, each word slow and deliberate, carrying a threatening calm. "Why are you all in such a pathetic state?"
The kneeling man, sobbing, answered:
"We were attacked by someone who came out of nowhere. He was fast, powerful. We had no chance."
Qui Suâs gaze darkened as he pondered aloud:
"Only a specialist at the Earth Rank could have left you in this condition..."
he muttered.
"Clean yourselves up and return home. Bathe and tend to your injuries. Useless as you may be, youâre still lions of the Qui family. Once youâve calmed down, find Sauroâour guestâs servantâand have him sketch the face of the man who took the women. Now go!"
Without hesitation, the men rose and departed, leaving the fat man behind. He chuckled with smug satisfaction:
"Looks like Iâll be getting more out of this. Seems you messed everything up, and thatâs going to complicate our plans. Once they return, theyâre not likely to leave again... We wonât get another chance."
"Not necessarily, Ryoto," Qui Su replied. "This only forces us to accelerate the plans and move toward direct confrontation."
"I told you not to call me that name. Iâm known as Big Brother now! Hahaha!" the fat man laughed at his own joke, oblivious to the tension.
Back at the Mio estate, the atmosphere was one of urgency and uneasy. Mio Yoto, fully aware of the gravity of the situation, addressed the gathered elders and family members:
"Elders, brothers, and sisters, we face a clear threat. We must not underestimate our enemies. A solid plan is needed to safeguard our family and our interests."
The First Elder, Mio SatoâMio Yotoâs older brother and the third and last member of the clan at the Sky Rank, also at the Minor Stageâwas considerably older. His once-vibrant red hair had turned white with age, and he leaned on a cane that, in truth, concealed a hidden weapon. Though frail in appearance, he was a wolf clad in sheepâs skin.
He nodded solemnly:
"I agree, Mio Yoto. We must prepare for any eventuality. Yet we must also weigh our strategic options carefully."
Meanwhile, in the tearoom, Huang Di listened intently to the murmurs and conversations around him, sensing that the situation was far more intricate than it appeared. He understood that his presence within the Mio household could be an assetâbut also a dangerous liability. He would have to choose his next steps with utmost caution.