While confusion and heated debate raged in the chamber of the Mio familyâs patriarch, the elders eventually reached a consensus: the best course of action was to fortify their defenses. The first order was to seal all exits, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving until further notice. The tension in the air was palpable. Even the guards of the Earth Rank stood at full alert, positioned at the gates to ensure no one passed.
Huang Di decided to attempt leaving around midday, assuming there would be fewer guards. However, as he approached the main gate, he saw the commotion surrounding it. People were trying to enter and exit, only to be firmly blocked by the sentinels. He quickly realized the situation was far more serious than he had anticipated.
Believing it had nothing to do with him, he tried to continue his way but was stopped.
"I have no connection with the Mio family," he said calmly. "Amitabha, let me pass."
The guard, uninterested in further discussion, replied bluntly:
"No exceptions. No one leaves."
Huang Di could have forced his way out, but that would reveal his strength and spark a scene that would likely draw more guardsâand possibly even alert the hidden elders of the household. Opting for a more subtle route, he retreated quietly and began to look for alternate escape paths, all while noting how rapidly the situation within the estate was deteriorating.
"It looks like they activated a Rank 6 defensive formation on the outer walls," he thought. "The energy required to sustain that is immense... They're preparing for war. I need more information."
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Just then, he spotted Mio Hio and Sara hurrying toward him. Mio Hio arrived, panting:
"I finally found you. Iâve been looking for you since morning."
Huang Di, cutting her off before she could continue, asked:
"Werenât you the one who told me to leave? Now I canât even do that. And what about that little incident with your servant? Do you know anything about it?"
Mio Hio, clearly perplexed, showed a confused expression. She genuinely didnât seem to understand what he was referring to.
"I see," he said, gauging her reaction.
Wanting to change the subject, Mio Hio insisted:
"Thatâs not important right now. What matters is that you must get out of hereâimmediately. Come with me," she urged. "Thereâs an emergency evacuation site for the younger generation of my family. Even if you didnât trust me, you saved my life. The least I can do is get you out before these turns into a battlefield."
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Huang Di chose to trust her. He followed Mio Hio and Sara to the hidden retreat meant for the younger members of the family. There, they found a few dozen Mio family youths and some servants. All of them turned with curiosity at the arrival of a âmonkâ among them.
The grandson of the First Elder, known as Mio Sato Neto, stepped forward, frowning with disdain:
"What is this filthy old man doing here, Mio Hio? In a secret location meant only for the familyâs young members. Hm?"
Mio Hio, knowing she had broken protocol, lowered her head. But Sara, ever bold, stepped forward:
"Young Master Mio Sato Neto, this is the new personal guard of Young Miss Mio Hio. Heâs here to fulfill his duties. What does that have to do with you, hm?"
Mio Sato Netoâwho hated being called by his full name, especially by a servantânarrowed his eyes and replied furiously:
"You, a mere servantâwatch your tongue. Itâs not your place to speak."
Before he could continue, Mio Hio, emboldened by Saraâs quick thinking, shot back:
"Since when do you get to question my decisions? Stay in your place and wait your turn for evacuation."
Mio Sato Neto was visibly infuriated, but for the moment, he could do nothing. Still, deep inside, he was already scheming, he wouldnât wait long to have the last laugh.