"L-Lady Ning! What are you doing?!" The guard exclaimed with a shocked expression on his face after she kicked down the door to Bai Xutaoâs training area.
"You didnât disobey Xutaoâs order since I will be forcing my way to him," she said to him.
"Thatâs not the issue here..." the guard wore a look of disbelief.
Bai Ning narrowed her eyes at him and spoke in a threatening voice, "What? Should I tear one of your limbs to make it more convincing?"
The guard trembled in fear, and he immediately took several steps back.
"That wonât be necessary, Lady Ning!"
Then, without hesitation, the guard punched himself in the face with so much force that he knocked himself out cold.
"..."
Bai Ning stared at the guardâs unconscious body for a brief moment before turning around and walking into the cave.
Inside was a long descending staircase that continued for several minutes.
Eventually, Bai Ning arrived before another closed door.
Bai Ning glanced at the metal door for a moment before lifting her slender leg and also kicking it down with a loud bang.
Bai Ning stepped through the shattered entrance into a massive training hall. The space was filled with a wide array of amenitiesâracks of weapons lined the walls, several cauldrons brimmed with medicinal pills, and further in, a luxurious bathtub sat quietly.
In the middle of this training hall was none other than Bai Xutao, who appeared to be in a vicious battle against a ghost as he constantly swung at the empty air before him.
Bai Ning approached him, but before she could even call out to him, Bai Xutao suddenly lunged in her direction with immense killing intent.
Judging by Bai Xutaoâs blank expression, he was likely too absorbed in his training and instinctively attacked Bai Ning.
"You dare bare your claws at me? You must have forgotten how to behave in just a few short years!" Bai Ning sneered without an ounce of concern within her.
Then, she raised her hand and gave a powerful slap to Bai Xutao in the face once he was close enough.
Pap!
Bai Xutao was sent flying instantly, his body slamming into the metal wall moments later.
"Which fucking bitch dares to disturb my training?!" Bai Xutao cursed out loud the moment he snapped out of his daze.
However, when his eyes snapped to Bai Ning, they immediately widened with horror.
"S-Senior Sister Ning? What are you doing here...?" He asked her in a timid voice, even appearing as harmless as possible before her presence.
"Come with me," she said, not even bothering to offer an explanation.
"What is this about? I donât have that much time to spare. Once I finish my training, I am immediately going to return to the lower heaven to find that bastard who humiliated me," he said.
"Are you questioning me?" Bai Ning narrowed her eyes at him.
"I-I am just asking for clarification... I have received Fatherâs approval, too."
"You can get your revenge later. This matter is much more important, and it probably wonât take long. If you dare dillydally any longer, Iâll forcefully drag you out of here."
"Ok, ok! I will come with you! Just give me a minute to clean up..."
Sometime later, Bai Xutao followed Bai Ning outside. The first thing he noticed was the guard who was still lying unconscious by the entrance.
"What a useless bastard..." he mumbled under his breath.
As they traveled to Yuan, Bai Ning said, "Listen here, you troublemaker. Weâre about to meet someone incredibly important. I donât know why he wants to meet you, but you will treat him like you treat our father. If I dare sense any disrespect from you, Iâll make you beg me to kill you."
Bai Xutao wore a look of disbelief on his face as he realized the reason for Bai Ningâs appearance.
"I have never seen you treat someone with such importance. Who the hell is this guy, and what does he want with me?" Bai Xutao frowned.
Bai Ning suddenly stopped moving and turned around to slap Bai Xutao in the face.
"That will be my first and last warning to you. Donât you dare use that disrespectful tone before him. Also, I already said I donât know why he wants to meet you, but from the sound of it, you seem to know each other."
Bai Xutao rubbed his face with a defeated face, looking like he had been wronged.
âWho the hell is this bastard? I donât recall knowing anyone so important to her... Itâs not like weâre meeting the Immortal Monarch, so why is she acting like this?â Bai Xutao sighed inwardly, no longer daring to speak out loud.
Eventually, they arrived at their destination.
"I have returned with Bai Xutao." Bai Ning knocked on the door this time to announce their presence.
Bai Xutao swallowed nervously as they waited for the door to open.
The door opened a few moments later, and it was Bai Xutaoâs servant who greeted them.
"The esteemed guest is waiting inside..."
Bai Ning entered the house without a hint of hesitation, her steps firm and confident.
Meanwhile, Bai Xutao stood motionless at the threshold, a strange expression twisting his face, as though heâd forgotten how to move.
âWhat is this feeling...?â he wondered, staring at the open doorway.
His instincts screamed at himâwarning him not to step inside.
"Bai Xutao! What are you doing? Hurry up and come inside!" Bai Ningâs voice snapped him out of his daze, and before he realized, Bai Xutao had entered the house.
The sense of dread became undeniable and was almost suffocating, but Bai Xutao ignored it and subconsciously followed Bai Ningâs presence.
Once he entered the living room with Bai Ning, Bai Xutao could see three other individuals there. He instantly recognized Bai Sulan, but he didnât instantly recognize Feng Yuxiang or Yuan.
âWho the hell is this guy? I definitely donât know him!â Bai Xutao exclaimed inwardly after seeing Yuanâs handsome face.