Along the way…
"How could you be so terrified by a woman only a few years older than you?" the man questioned. He was in disbelief when he saw Blood's terrified expression as he drew near. He had thought he was being bullied, but it seemed that was not the case.
Blood grumbled and bit his lips. So, he had seen everything from the very start. He shook his head when he thought he was once relieved when the man appeared.
Just wait until I repay your deeds. Blood complained inwardly before he said,
"I wasn't terrified. I was only shocked by her voice which came the instant I left the forest. It was as if she was watching me beforehand." Blood argued back. How could someone catch him being scared off by a woman—so young at that?
The thought alone gnawed at him. If his little Ivory ever came to know of it, wouldn't it become a trauma forever?
Smack...
"You don't talk back." the man said as he smacked Blood's ass.
"Ouch." He cried and struggled.
"Leave me, I can walk myself."
The man immediately grimaced when he heard that, realizing he had completely forgotten the young master's difficulty with his legs.
At first, he considered dropping the servant on his back, but then it struck him—they had been walking for so long, and the boy showed no sign of exhaustion. It was in stark contrast to what he had always known.
Could the rumors have been false? No, that was impossible. He had heard the deputy chief confirm them once, so it couldn't have been a lie. Yet before his eyes, the young master swaggered along with ease, defying his reasoning further.
How could the news be true in the face of such defiance? Or perhaps he had recently been cured, and word of it hadn't yet spread.
Yes, that must be it. That thought settled his mind, though the sight of Blood's confident walk left him bewildered.
"By the way, who was she?" Blood asked, remembering the sterned lady.
"By she, you meant the lady who almost made you kneel?" the man inquired with a hidden smirk.
"Yeah." Blood confirmed solemnly. He really wanted to know about her now.
"It appears you're interested in her." the man laughed.
Blood's face sweated and turned red, feeling embarrassed. He hmphed and didn't bother anymore.
"She is Young Miss Kate, the daughter of this zone's commander, Lord Bargle. Not everyone knows about her, since she has a special identity." the guard said and continued,
"She is only four years older than you, being only 18. She's also a Silver Realm expert." he said, looking at Blood's face. He too was impressed by her pace.
However, Blood's face was indifferent. It was as if he hadn't heard what he said.
Blood's face soon changed when he learned her age. She was only 18. That revelation unsettled him, especially when paired with the look she carried. He clenched his fist subtly. He promised himself that the next time they met, he would surely teach her a lesson.
"And most important of all, she is the youngest to ever step into the Silver Realm since the establishment of the zone." he added.
Blood kept silent as they walk. Her achievements had really opened his mind. He didn't think he could catch up with her in four years. Many people spent those years in a single realm, not to talk of crossing all the way to the third realm within those years, being only a first realm cultivator.
They eventually reached the manor's periphery and moved in the direction of Main Manor. The gate stood tall and imposing, no one could pass through without being summoned, except for a few.
When they arrived just before the gate, the guard handed Ballock back to Blood and departed after he said, "By the way, I'm Galock."
"It was nice meeting you, Senior Galock, and thank you for the trouble and… teachings. Good thing usually come back to people, right?" Blood smiled a diligent smile, blinking his eyes.
Galock's brows furrowed. Was the kid threatening him? Realization suddenly dawned on him. Oh, you still hadn't forgotten the smack?
He was bewildered as his lips curled up and said, "Right." Leaving afterward, completely unperturbed.
Blood laughed silently. His men are all the same, humph. He grunted while the guards at the gate let him in.
Inside the Main Manor…
Blood carried Ballock into the family's sickhouse, where the air was heavy with the scent of herbs. After conversing briefly with the head healer, he turned and left.
Just a meter beyond stood a child, her small hands clutching a white horse doll. Her auburn hair was tied neatly into a ponytail that hung to her shoulder length, framing her large red eyes that seemed to glow with curiosity. She had a slender waist and slightly longer legs; her youthful figure dressed in red shirts and trousers.
The moment her gaze met his, a radiant and innocent smile blossomed across her face, full of warmth as she looked at the person standing before her.
"Brother!" she called as she ran toward him for her usual thing.
"Little Cutie." Blood voiced out as a large smile spread across his face when he received the hug. That was the moment he had been waiting for all these whiles.
Finally, something soft and pleasing to hold. He thought as he tightened his grip.
Ivory squirmed when she felt his grip tightened. It usually came to this.
"Hehe, you wanted a hug, didn't you?"
Blood teased and loosened his grip slightly, careful not to break her bones in the zeal of fun.
Ivory flushed instantly when she heard that. Her brother was such a shameless badass, and his words left her both embarrassed and amused.
The wrapped wolf hit the ground hard when Blood released it, eager to enjoy a more comfortable hug. Strangely, it didn't seem to feel the impact at all, remaining fast asleep as though nothing had happened.
Ivory's expression shifted as she frowned, the sharp scent of blood reached her nose. It was all over her brother, wafting in all directions. It was impossible to ignore.
The Head Healer had been worried earlier when Blood arrived with Ballock, both of them bloodied. Her concern was immediate, her eyes narrowed, taking in the sight.
Blood assured her he was very fine, but the Head Healer refused to let him go until she had checked him thoroughly. She had also searched for wounds that might have been hidden beneath the stains. Even after she confirmed that he was okay, she still poured some of her energy into him. The blood on his clothes worried her deeply.
"Don't worry, your hug is the best healing ever." Blood assured.
"Therefore, I wouldn't tolerate you giving it to others easily." Blood tone turned solemn when he thought of his elder brothers.
Ivory grew a little embarrassed as she twisted and turned in Blood's arms. She knew who Blood was referring to. Almost immediately she realized something.
"I don't see your servant with you." she noticed.
That Ballock guy was always with him wherever he went. His presence had become almost inseparable, like a shadow that followed Blood in every step. Yet, he wasn't present now.
"You don't have to call him servant each time. After today we've become real brothers!" Blood declared, his tone serious yet soft.
"I left him with the Head Healer. He will be fine!" he said firmly, though the words seemed aimed at consoling himself.
Ivory's expression dimmed as she caught the downturn in her brother's face. "It's okay! Everything will be okay!" she affirmed in a comforting tone.
She knew how dearly her brother loved Ballock after that incident—it appeared even more now. Their bond had clearly deepened, something recent must have tightened it further.
Ivory had only been teasing when she called Ballock a servant, but it seemed her brother no longer wanted that word spoken at all.
Blood nodded, understanding that his little sister had only been joking all this while, but he felt it should end now. The word 'servant' no longer fit, not after everything that had happened.
He picked up the wolf and guided his little sister inside the main building. Blood knew his Little Ivory had seen the beast, and that matter wasn't closed...