The Flare estate's reception hall was quiet, but the air was thick with tension.
Sunlight filtered through high flame-glass windows, casting shifting patterns of gold and crimson across the polished obsidian floor. The silence wasn't peaceful—it was taut, like a bowstring drawn to its limit.
Simon Flare sat at the head of the chamber, posture relaxed, but his eyes sharp. His crimson robes shimmered faintly with residual qi, the aura of a man who had recently broken through and hadn't yet bothered to suppress it. Across from him stood Ray Erupt, a high-ranking elder of the Erupt family. His robes were embroidered with molten gold, his smile too polished to be sincere.
"Ray Erupt," Simon said, voice calm. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Ray laughed, stepping forward with open arms. "Simon, it's been far too long since our families held a proper meeting."
"Indeed. What can I do for you?"
Ray's smile didn't falter. "Oh, nothing urgent. I simply stopped by to inform you that the Erupt family is currently searching for a boy. A rather dangerous one. He's responsible for the deaths of a few of our outer disciples."
Simon's gaze didn't waver. "You don't say."
"Yes," Ray continued. "And I've heard whispers that he may be staying here. As your guest."
Simon's voice was even. "Is there any proof of these accusations?"
"Many junior disciples claim to have witnessed the killings while they were out on an expedition," Ray said smoothly. "They are willing to testify."
Simon leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled. "That's strange. My guest has been here the entire time. Under our protection."
Ray's tone shifted—just slightly. "Are you sure you want to go down this road, Simon?"
"What road is that?" Simon asked, feigning confusion. "I'm simply stating facts."
He knew exactly what this was. The Erupt family had sent assassins after his daughter. And now that their plan had failed, they wanted to eliminate the one who'd ruined it. Not going to happen.
Ray's smile thinned, but he kept his voice light. "Is the boy really that important to you?"
Simon's eyes narrowed. "He's not just a guest. He's the man who saved my daughter from an assassination attempt. Someone tried to kill her just days ago. Tell me, Ray—do you know anything about that?"
Ray's smile didn't falter, but his eyes cooled. "A tragedy, truly. But I'm not here to discuss assassinations. I'm here for the boy. He must come with me to answer for his crimes."
"If that's all, Ray," Simon said, voice like stone, "you may leave now."
Ray's smile finally cracked. "Are you really willing to risk friction between our families over a stranger?"
"I've already shown you more face than you deserve," Simon said, still calm. "Now go. Before I lose my temper."
Ray's eyes flashed. "Good. Very good."
He turned and left without another word, his footsteps echoing through the chamber like the ticking of a fuse.
As soon as the doors closed, Simon called out. "Ridge."
The silent figure appeared instantly, materializing from the shadows like smoke.
"Increase security," Simon ordered. "Double the outer patrols. Prepare for anything. The Erupt family plays dirty—we need to be ready."
"Understood," Ridge said, vanishing just as quickly.
Simon remained seated for a moment longer, fingers tapping the armrest. He wasn't worried—not yet—but he was alert. The Erupts wouldn't let this go. And now that Jalen had become a variable they couldn't control, they'd try to remove him by force or subterfuge.
Moments later, Jana entered the chamber, her expression tight.
"That snake," she muttered.
"He'll get what's coming to him," Simon replied.
Jana nodded, then her tone shifted. "So… how was the technique the boy refined?"
Simon's expression changed—just slightly. "Genius. Not only did he identify every flaw in our family's method, but he also improved it. Because of him, I broke through to the mid-stage of the Moon Realm in just two days."
Jana's eyes widened, then softened into a smile. "He's truly a man worthy of our Rana."
Simon groaned. "Again with that talk. He's good—but he'll never be good enough for my daughter."
Jana chuckled. "You say that, but you've already started calling him 'the boy,' like he's part of the family."
Simon grunted. "He's useful. That doesn't mean I'm handing over my daughter."
"Speaking of our daughter," Jana said, her voice quieter now, "I hope she's doing well."
It had been days since they'd seen her. The last time, she'd come to them with a list of herbs—items Jalen needed to reset her cultivation. At first, Simon had been against it. The idea of his daughter becoming a cripple, even temporarily, had shaken him.
But Jana had convinced him. And now, after seeing how the improved technique had worked wonders for him, he had no doubt in Jalen's ability to make Rana stronger than ever.
"She has a fiery temper like her father," Jana said, "but she's clever. She'll do well."
Simon nodded. "She will."
There was a pause. Then Jana smiled slyly. "Now that all that's out of the way… Don't you think it's been a while since we—"
"Say no more."
Simon swept her off her feet, kissed her, and vanished with her in a flash of flame.
The guards outside the chamber pretended not to hear the laughter echoing down the hall.
But even as warmth returned to the heart of the estate, the smoke of conflict lingered just beyond its walls.
And in the distance, the Erupt family began to move.