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Chapter 8: A Mother's Bottom Line
The Duke's Mansion.
A small, thin figure made his way through the servants' quarters, indifferent to the mocking, pitying gazes cast upon him from all directions.
As the firewood shed at the back of the estate drew nearer, Huo Yuhao's heart began to pound uncontrollably, his steps quickening of their own accord.
Before long, a low wall came into view—and beyond it, a woman sat on a small wooden stool, washing clothes by hand. Hearing the faint rustle of movement, she turned instinctively toward the sound.
Though her face showed traces of weariness, it could not conceal her natural grace and beauty. Her gentle brows and eyes radiated the softness and warmth of one who had suffered yet remained kind. But in the very next second, those same eyes widened in terror.
"Yuhao!"
Seeing her son covered in blood from head to toe, the woman let out a frightened cry. Forgetting the half-washed laundry, she stumbled forward in panic, rushing toward him.
Huo Yuhao's throat tightened as he met that familiar, loving face. A choked whisper escaped his lips.
"...Mom."
"I'm here, Yuhao. Don't be afraid—Mother's here."
Huo Yun'er reached out with trembling hands, wanting to examine her son's injuries. But as soon as her eyes fell upon the blood and grime covering him, she froze, afraid that her touch might bring him pain.
"Yuhao, don't be scared... Tell Mom where it hurts, let me take a look."
She spoke in a panic, her hands hovering helplessly, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Mom, I'm fine. Really—look."
Yuhao forced a smile and lifted his sleeve, showing an uninjured arm. Then he tugged up his shirt and spun in a small circle, as if to prove his words.
Huo Yun'er blinked in disbelief, then hurried forward, frantically checking her son from head to toe. Only after a long moment did she finally exhale, her shoulders slumping in relief. Just as Yuhao was about to speak, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Thank the heavens... thank the heavens... You scared Mother half to death!"
Her voice trembled with sobs against his ear. Yuhao sniffled softly, eyes gentle as he whispered in comfort.
"Mom, I told you I'm fine…"
It took quite a while before Huo Yun'er's emotions settled. She wiped at her tears, her voice still hoarse but steady, and looked earnestly at her son.
"Yuhao, tell me what happened."
"I... I don't really understand it myself."
Yuhao shook his head, then began recounting what had occurred.
"When I awakened my Martial Soul just now, they said I possessed innate soul power. I was so happy that I wanted to hurry back and tell you. But on my way home, a strange man in a black robe suddenly appeared and grabbed me. He dragged me through the side gate into the forest outside the Duke's Mansion."
At his words, Huo Yun'er's expression tightened. "And then?" she asked quickly.
Yuhao reached into his clothes and pulled out a small dagger—its blade still faintly stained with blood. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I was terrified. When he wasn't paying attention, I panicked and stabbed him with this dagger. Blood came pouring out of his neck, and his grip on me loosened. I broke free... He tried to grab me again, but then he fell to the ground and stopped moving. I didn't dare stay—I just ran back here as fast as I could."
As she listened, Huo Yun'er's panic slowly gave way to grim composure. A trace of relief crossed her face—thank the heavens she'd insisted Yuhao carry the White Tiger Dagger when he went for his Martial Soul awakening. Then, as a sudden thought struck her, she asked again, voice trembling slightly.
"Yuhao, this man you saw... other than his black robe, did he have any other distinguishing features?"
"Yes."
Yuhao nodded immediately, recalling the details carefully as he spoke—relieved that she had asked before he needed to bring it up himself.
"When he ran, I noticed he was wearing white armor underneath the robe. When I slashed at him, the blade tore the fabric, and I saw a tiger's head emblem engraved on the shoulder of his armor."
At the mention of white armor, a heavy sense of dread welled up in Huo Yun'er's heart. And when she heard about the tiger's head insignia, her entire body went cold—her heart nearly stopping mid-beat.
"The... White Tiger Guards…" she whispered in disbelief.
Those were the personal guards of the White Tiger Duke himself—men loyal only to Dai Hao.
She had long suspected that the Duchess's people might be behind the attacks, but never—never—did she imagine it would be his men.
The last time the White Tiger Guards had appeared within the Duke's Mansion was before Yuhao was even born. Yet the details her son described matched perfectly—down to the design of the armor—something no outsider could possibly know.
"Mom, what are the White Tiger Guards?" Yuhao asked softly, confusion in his eyes.
Huo Yun'er pressed her lips together, forcing a faint smile as she gently stroked his head.
"It's nothing, sweetheart. Mother just misspoke."
How could she explain? How could she tell her child that the man who had tried to capture—perhaps even kill—him was a soldier serving his own father?
All these years, she had believed Dai Hao to be blind to the truth—that he was deceived by the Duchess's lies. That was the only reason she endured humiliation and hardship within the mansion. Deep down, she still clung to hope—that one day he would discover the truth and acknowledge their son.
She hadn't stayed for wealth or comfort. She stayed because she wanted Yuhao to have a chance—because even a cold, distant Duke's Mansion offered more safety and opportunity than the cruel world outside. She believed that once Dai Hao learned of his son's existence, Yuhao could at least live a peaceful, stable life.
But now… the White Tiger Guards had acted against her child.
That single fact shattered her last illusion.
If Dai Hao's own men had moved, it meant he had known all along—knew of Yuhao's existence, and still allowed the Duchess to oppress them. And when he learned that Yuhao's innate soul power was weak, he chose to eradicate him completely.
Could it have been the Duchess impersonating the Guards, hoping to crush her last hope? Possible—but unlikely. Forging or stealing the White Tiger Guards' armor was a crime punishable by death, and the Duchess would never risk incurring Dai Hao's wrath for something so dangerous.
If this was truly Dai Hao's will… then what awaited Yuhao was annihilation.
She could bear humiliation. She could endure hardship. Even death was nothing to her.But if they dared lay a hand on her child—then they had crossed a mother's final bottom line.
Taking a deep breath, Huo Yun'er's eyes hardened with resolve. She looked at Yuhao, forcing a gentle smile despite the turmoil within.
"Yuhao, let's leave the Duke's Mansion, alright? We won't wait for your father to come back. We'll go somewhere new—find a new home and start over."
"Wherever Mom goes, I'll go."
The boy's clear, firm voice carried through the courtyard. He reached out and clasped his mother's thin, trembling hand. His youthful face seemed to mature several years in that instant.
"From now on," he said seriously, "it'll be my turn to protect you, Mom."
(End of Chapter)