Under the cover of night in the Royal City, Kaisha wrapped herself in a black robe and used a mask to conceal most of her face. Like a ghost of the night, she slipped into the city.
She moved cautiously, avoiding patrols and weaving through the shadows of the alleys. Anxiety gnawed at her heart; every passing second meant more potential torture for her father. She tried to guess where he was being held—the palace dungeon? A secret military prison?
However, the Royal City was vast. After hours of searching, Kaisha leaned against a shadowed wall, breathing heavily. Sweat soaked her hair, and her face beneath the mask was tense. She knew she couldn't keep wandering like a headless fly. The longer this dragged on, the more danger her father was in, and the higher the risk of her own exposure.
In her desperation, a figure uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
Chu Mo.
The man who had helped them escape five years ago. Perhaps... he might know something? Even if it was just a small clue...
But five years had passed. Chu Mo's status was different now. Would he choose self-preservation out of fear of Hua Ye, or even... betray her?
Kaisha had no other choice. Her concern for her father overrode all caution. Gritting her teeth, she decided to gamble once more. She adjusted her direction and, relying on her memory, moved toward the commercial district where "Another Village" was located.
Another Village was as bustling as ever, the familiar scent of food mixing with the noise of the crowd. Kaisha hid in the shadows of an opposite building and observed for a moment. The flow of people was complex, but she didn't see Chu Mo, nor did she spot any obvious guards.
Taking a deep breath, she lowered the brim of her hat, blended in behind a few drunken diners, and quickly crossed the street to slip into the restaurant.
Inside, the hall was brightly lit and noisy. She scanned the room quickly—no Chu Mo. A sweet-smiling angel waitress in a maid uniform approached her. "Welcome! A table for one?"
Kaisha lowered her voice, trying to sound natural. "I'm looking for Boss Chu. I have some business to discuss."
The waitress's smile didn't falter, but her eyes flickered slightly. "I'm so sorry, Boss Chu isn't here tonight. If you have business, you could try your luck at the Cloud-Top Celestial Palace, or perhaps come back another day?"
Not here? Kaisha's heart sank. The Cloud-Top Celestial Palace? That was a place Hua Ye frequented; the risk was too high.
As she was weighing her options, a sudden chill—the feeling of being locked onto by a cold gaze—surged up her spine without warning!
Without time to think, Kaisha spun around, intending to retreat.
However, it was too late.
The entrance to the restaurant had been cleared at some unknown point. Several male angel warriors clad in ancient Roman-style armor blocked her path.
From behind them, a figure slowly stepped forward—it was Su Mari! A feminine yet cruel smile hung on his face, his gaze locking onto her like a venomous snake.
What made Kaisha's heart sink to the bottom was the man walking out slowly behind Su Mari: Hua Ye!
Hua Ye's gaze landed on Kaisha. Even though her face was covered, he seemed to recognize her instantly. His mouth curled into a triumphant grin as he walked straight up to her. Before Kaisha could react, he reached out and violently tore off her mask!
Her golden hair tumbled down, revealing Kaisha's beautiful and resolute face.
"It really is you, little Kaisha!" Hua Ye's eyes lit up with terrifying excitement.
Kaisha's heart was like ice, but she forced herself to stand tall, staring directly at Hua Ye with cold eyes. Her voice was freezing. "Hua Ye! Where is my father?!"
"Tsk, don't be in such a hurry." Hua Ye's gaze turned lecherous. "Don't worry, I'll take you to see him right now. I'll let you father and daughter... have a good reunion!"
He waved a hand. "Take her away!"
The warriors brought by Su Mari immediately stepped forward and restrained Kaisha. She struggled, but she was outnumbered and alone; resistance was futile.
She glared coldly at Hua Ye and Su Mari, ceasing her useless struggling. Hua Ye personally "escorted" Kaisha, surrounded by Su Mari and the guards, toward the grim prison deep within the palace.
---
Almost at the same time Kaisha was taken, Chu Mo received a message from the Shadow Guard:
[Kaisha of Merlo has been captured by Hua Ye and Su Mari...]
The message was brief, but it made Chu Mo clench his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.
Hua Ye... has started moving against Merlo.
Over the last five years, Hua Ye had purged dissenting voices within the Royal City and seized firm control of the major legions. Now, he finally had his hands free to deal with the disobedient forces on the frontier. The Hoffman family of Merlo was undoubtedly the primary target.
Chu Mo rapidly analyzed the situation. With his current strength and influence, he could cause some waves in the city and create trouble for Hua Ye. But to face Hua Ye's massive legions and royal authority head-on was still not enough.
To save her, or not to save her?
Saving her meant a premature frontal confrontation with Hua Ye. Years of endurance and all his planning would go down the drain.
But if he didn't... would he just watch Kaisha fall into Hua Ye's demonic clutches?
Chu Mo felt a surge of irritability and conflict. He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured a glass of strong spirits, and downed it in one go. The cold liquid slid down his throat but couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.
A crazy thought even flashed through his mind: force a breakout with Kaisha and flee the Royal City...
But the thought vanished as quickly as it appeared. Not only was the success rate slim, but even if they escaped, everything he had built for years would vanish. He couldn't abandon everyone who followed him for the sake of one person.
But... Kaisha...
The image of Kaisha flashed in his mind, and Chu Mo felt as if something had grabbed his heart and squeezed.
---
In the prison holding the Old Lord:
Kaisha was shoved by two guards into the cell. Through the dim light, she immediately saw her father bound to a torture rack.
The Old Lord was covered in blood. His noble robes were torn to shreds, and his exposed skin was covered in wounds of varying depths.
"Father!" Kaisha's heart tightened instantly. Ignoring the guards, she broke free like a madwoman and rushed to the rack.
Her trembling hands carefully brushed over her father's wounds, tears falling uncontrollably. "How are you? Is it bad?"
The Old Lord struggled to open his eyes. His clouded pupils contracted the moment they touched Kaisha. Seeing the dust on his daughter and her disheveled hair, his weak breathing suddenly became heavy and ragged.
"Kaisha..." he rasped. He suddenly twisted his body, making the iron chains rattle harshly. With bloodshot eyes, he glared at the slowly approaching Hua Ye and let out a deafening roar. "Hua Ye! You despicable coward! Let my daughter go! If you have the guts, come at me!"
Kaisha bit her lip hard, tears hitting the cold floor.
Hua Ye stood with his hands behind his back, a playful smirk on his face as he walked to the rack.
He looked down at the enraged Old Lord with contempt. "That won't do," he drawled. "I told you—Merlo, and these sisters, I want them all." He leaned down, his finger lightly tracing Kaisha's cheek, feeling her skin shudder. "Old man, I advise you to be a bit more sensible. Maybe then I'll show some mercy to you and your daughter."
"In your dreams!" the Old Lord's roar echoed in the cell. "Merlo is my life's work; it will never fall into the hands of a degenerate like you! And Kaisha... they will never be at your beck and call!"
"Stubborn." The smile vanished from Hua Ye's face, replaced by a sinister look. He straightened up and suddenly grabbed Kaisha's wrist.
Kaisha was caught off guard, grunting in pain as she struggled. "Let go of me! You bastard!" The two guards immediately stepped up, pinning her arms and shoulders so she couldn't move.
Hua Ye ignored her struggling and screaming. His greedy eyes swept over her tense body, his mouth curling into a lecherous grin.
He reached out and roughly grabbed the armor on Kaisha's chest. With the crisp sound of snapping metal, the chest plate was torn off and hit the ground with a heavy thud. Kaisha froze. Humiliation and rage made her whole body tremble. Tears flowed, but she still stared defiantly at Hua Ye. "Don't you dare!"
"What wouldn't I dare?" Hua Ye leaned down, his nose pressed against Kaisha's neck, taking a deep breath of the girl's crisp scent. He sighed in satisfaction. "So fragrant... I like this unyielding spirit of yours. The fiercer you are, the more I like it."
"Hua Ye! I'll kill you!" Witnessing his daughter being shamed, the Old Lord's eyes nearly split from rage. His chest heaved violently, and he suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of blood. The light left his eyes, his head slumped, and he went completely limp against the rack, falling unconscious.
"Tsk, boring." Hua Ye straightened up, looking at the unconscious Old Lord with annoyance. He turned to Kaisha. The girl's eyes were red and tears were falling silently, but her gaze burned with a bone-eroding hatred. That look made Hua Ye feel an odd blockage in his chest, and his interest mostly evaporated.
He released his grip on Kaisha and brushed the wrinkles from his robe. He commanded the guards: "Throw this brat into the Colosseum."
He glanced at the still-struggling Kaisha with a mocking sneer. "I want to see exactly how long her pride can last."