Wang lay in his room, staring at the ceiling, reminiscing about his last memory of his mother from when he was nine years old.
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Wang, take this—it's the sacred Tao parchment from your father. And never forget that I love you, my son."
She had held him in her arms and then walked away into the forest while the village they lived in was engulfed in flames. Just then, Elva knocked and entered the room.
Elva: "How are you feeling?"
Wang: "I don't know what to say. She left and never tried to see me or contact me again."
Elva: "She must have had her reasons."
Wang: "I don't know what to say to her."
Elva: "Don't worry, the words will come."
Then she left the room. Wang gazed at the ceiling once more before pulling out the pendant hanging around his neck—it had belonged to his mother. Wang stepped out of his room to find the whole team waiting for him, even Johnny.
On the way in the automated cart, Wang stared absently out the window.
They arrived at a place far from the city, almost deserted—a massive, nearly abandoned mansion. Everyone was surprised, and the name "Middlesbrough" was inscribed on the doors and buildings. Inside, a maid and a butler maintained minimal service.
Sir Richard: "Hello, dear friends. I am looking for the lady of the house."
Butler: "I'm afraid no one has come to this place for a long time."
Sir Richard: "Let me introduce Wang Middlesbrough... her son."
The butler and the maid exchanged glances. Then the butler stepped aside, and a woman in her late thirties or early forties appeared before them. Wang couldn't believe his eyes—she was a stunning, elegant, and well-groomed woman.
Wang: "Mom!!!"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "My son." (She takes his hand.)
"You've grown into a fine young man, my child." (Wang, emotional, throws himself into her arms.)
Everyone was happy for Wang. Johnny smiled at him, tipping his hat before stepping out.
Sarah Middlesbrough: "I'm sorry I left like that."
Wang: "Where have you been all this time? Why didn't you try to contact me?"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "After your father's death, I couldn't stay with you. Our family was being targeted, and staying together would have made you a target too. But I never really left you."
Wang: "What do you mean?"
Sarah Middlesbrough pointed to the pendant around Wang's neck.
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Thanks to this pendant, I could always know where you were. And do you think it was a coincidence that a Chinese woman took you in and that Vandenberg the Tartarian took you under his wing?"
Wang: "That was you?"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "A mother never truly abandons her son." (She smiles, placing her hand on his cheek.)
"You remind me so much of your father." (She looks sad.)
"I miss him. I needed time to grieve after his death, and I knew you would be okay. You're as strong as he was."
Wang: "What have you been doing all this time?"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "I spent months tracking down the Drifters responsible for his death, and I killed them, one by one."
Elva: "I wouldn't want to get on your bad side, ma'am."
Wang: "Mother, let me introduce—"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Elva, I know."
Elva: "How...?"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Did you think I would let just anyone get close to my son without checking? No, young lady. I know each one of you, and I knew you would come here one day."
Sir Richard: "Lady Middlesbrough, are you aware of what's happening?"
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Yes, and now it's time for me to pass on the seal of the Middlesbrough family to you."
Wang: "I'm not interested in all that."
Sarah Middlesbrough: "I know, dear, and that's exactly why you're the best person for this responsibility."
Sarah Middlesbrought reveals a small chest and opens it. Inside is a golden necklace.
Sarah Middlesbrough: "This is the symbol of the Middlesbrough family—the seal of our lineage, your lineage. Now, this is your fight."
Suddenly, a dark smoke surrounded by flames appears, and a figure emerges—it's Johnny.
Wang: "Johnny, what's wrong?"
Johnny: "Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but we've been followed."
Sir Richard: "By whom?"
They all rush outside to find dozens of Drifters surrounding the estate.
Sarah Middlesbrough: "Go out through the back."
Wang: "Mother, I can't leave you to fight them alone."
Sarah Middlesbrough: "My son, I've been fighting these creatures long before you were born. Go, fulfill your destiny."
Sir Richard: "Come on, Wang, let's go!"
Butler: "We will inform you of our new destination."
Sarah Middlesbrough steps into the courtyard as a horde of Drifters attacks. She summons a long, glowing blue-green whip that strikes them down. Wang watches in awe as his mother wields the whip with masterful technique, a blade in her left hand, moving with incredible grace and precision. With fluid, sweeping motions, she cuts through the tide of Drifters, splitting them apart.
Huan: "Incredible... I would have loved to have a woman like that." (With a lovestruck expression.)
Elva: "Easy there, old man."
Johnny: "Let's go!"
When they returned home, Wang's establishment was in flames.
Elva: "How dare they!"
Huan: "Where do we go now?"
Wang: "Home. To the Middlesbroughs."