Yu Feng sat in the small room at the restaurant, her eyes frequently darting to the door. She tried to remain calm, but the gnawing worry in her heart made it difficult. Yi Ling had been gone for a while now, and the unease was growing stronger with each passing minute.
She sipped her tea, hoping that the warmth would calm her nerves, but it didn't help. She knew her daughter well enough to understand that Yi Ling wouldn't take this long for a simple task. The shadows in the room seemed to grow longer, and the flickering candlelight only added to her anxiety.
After what felt like an eternity, Yu Feng couldn't take it anymore. She got up quickly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, and dashed out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She hurried to where Yi Ling had said she was going.
By the time she got there, her heart leaped into her throat. Her daughter was gone. She found the hair tie that Yi Ling had been wearing, lying on the ground as if abandoned in haste. Panic surged through her veins. If she isn't here, where did she go? Or, did someone take her? All these questions were making her heart feel uneasy. She couldn't believe it. All these years of hiding and protecting her were for naught.
Yu Feng ran back to the restaurant, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She scoured every corner of the place, her eyes wild with fear. She found nothing. Desperation clawed at her as she began asking the waiters of the restaurant, the stall vendors, and the people walking along the streets. She described Yi Ling to them, hoping for any sign or clue, but no one had sighted a young girl or boy matching her description.
Each denial felt like a blow to her heart. Yu Feng was starting to go crazy. My daughter, please be alright, she prayed in her heart. She couldn't lose her, not like this.
She went back home, hoping against hope that maybe Yi Ling had somehow returned home without her seeing. But the house was empty, cold, and silent. Yi Ling was nowhere to be found. The reality of the situation crashed down on her, and Yu Feng's knees went weak. She collapsed to the ground, her strength leaving her in an instant.
As she cried, she yelled, "Brother Wen! Our daughter is gone, please. She's the only family I've got. Protect our daughter. Keep her from harm. Please... Pleaseeee!!" Yu Feng was devastated. If only she could trade her life for her daughter's, she would. She would rather die than let her daughter be harmed. As she prayed in her heart, a falling star passed by in the dark and starless night, a glimmer of hope in her desperate plea.
Just outside of town, the middle-aged man was inside the carriage along with Yi Ling. Unfortunately, Yi Ling was unconscious. He was happy. Even though he was a 2nd Rank of Qi Condensation, it was still one of the lowest ranks. He didn't think it'd be easy this time. The reason why he ordered a bunch of people five years ago was because he was a coward. He didn't think he was able to fight all the way through the village. Don't underestimate the normal people. Even though they are weaker compared to Qi cultivators, in desperate times they can be stronger than most. This time, it was easy. Luck was on his side, he thought.
Looking back at Yi Ling, sleeping soundlessly, he couldn't help but gulp. Even though she was dressed ruggedly, she was beautiful. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Not even the most beautiful courtesan in the Flower Brothel Pavilion could compare.
The middle-aged man was inside the carriage, reveling in his success. He couldn't help himself. He felt that his body was drawn to her. Just as he was about to indulge his twisted desires, he heard a strange noise outside. The carriage jolted to a stop, throwing him off balance.
The middle-aged man was alerted. Someone is attacking my carriage! Who has the audacity to attack the Young Master of the General's Manor?! He was enraged! Annoyed, he stepped out of the carriage to confront the driver, only to be shocked by what he saw.