Zhen and Ren run through the forest as fast as they can without missing clues. Every time Ren sees a bloody mark or spot, he pulls at his hair with fear. Zhen ignores the Shadow guard and continues tracking his Granddaughter with fear and worry.
When they reach the dense part of the woods, Ren starts making choking sounds. "Why was she going further in!? This woman is directionally challenged!! These woods are packed with spirit beast!!" He follows her tracks until they come to a path of destruction.
Zhen's heart races in fear as he says "The scent of her blood is thicker here... this doesn't look good." They continue walking as Ren continues to pulls his hair. Zhen freezes and says "A Spirit Beast attacked her... It was a Golden King Gorilla!"
Ren rips his hair out in horror as his face loses all color. A Golden King Gorilla!?! He looks back to the destruction with impending doom as his eyes begin to water. He reaches up and starts pulling his hair again but this time, his hands came away with hair.
If she's dead... he'll never be able to go back to master's side!!! They quickly follow the tracks until they come across the carcass of the dead gorilla. Ren runs over with shaky legs and says "How!?" He looks around and sees that a massive amount of power was used in the attack.
Nova isn't capable of this... "I don't know if she's lucky... or has incredibly bad luck," Zhen says with a weird look on his face. Ren snaps his head back over to Zhen and asks "What does that mean? Is she alive? Is she okay??"
Zhen sighs and looks to Ren with a grave look while saying "It looks like someone saved her but that someone was Guozhi. The leader of the Blood Bandits." Ren falls to his knees and weeps. His heart can't take anymore!!
What crime did he commit in his past life?! Zhen shakes his head at the Shadow guard and continues following the scent of blood. Ren struggles to collect himself as he follows behind. How was he going to explain this to his Master??
Zhen stops next to a tree and takes a deep breath. "She was bleeding a lot... If I have to take a guess, the man Guozhi saved her and even helped her. She's probably in his hands. I smell traces of the man following Nova as well so I can only assume that he knows where she is as well."
Ren's face darkens as he says "Then let's go get Nova. We'll sneak in and snatch her back before anyone notices." Zhen shakes his head and says "It's not that easy. Guozhi is strong and he's smart. He will have several things up his sleeve. We should quickly head back and notify Bai Lei. I think he's the only one who can retrieve Nova without casualties on our side."
Ren's heart nearly flatlines as he thinks about breaking the news to his Master but Zhen's voice quickly breaks him out of his horrish imagination as he says "I will notify Bai Lei. I can move faster so I can get there sooner. You need to start scouting out the Blood Bandits and their compound."
"Whatever you do, don't get caught and don't let them know that you're there. We need the element of surprise." Ren nods his head as he quickly becomes serious. He will map everything out for his Master and watch over Nova from a distance. If anything happens, he will sacrifice his life for her!
~~~~~~~~~~
Biyu giggles with happiness as news continues to travel about Nova's disappearance. She didn't even have to do anything!! It was perfect! She quickly collects herself and puts on a sad face while walking into Mother's room.
Lady Xue sits at her table with worry pinching at her delicate eyebrows. She rings her slender fingers in fear for Nova. The poor child had just gotten here and already, something bad has happened. She prays for her every day in hopes of her safe return.
Her son has been sick with worry. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep... he's falling apart and she can't do anything to help! If she could get her hands on the bastard who took her future daughter away!!! "Mother! What's wrong? Your complexion doesn't look good. You still haven't fully recovered from the poison. You need to rest." Biyu says walking in with a frown.
Lady Xue looks to Biyu with a sigh and says "How can I possibly rest when the poor child was taken. She's out there all alone... I'm worried sick." Biyu clenches her fists as she tries to keep a straight face. Why was she so worried about that bitch? She hardly even knows her!
"Mother's a kind and caring person but you should think about your son. What would happen to him if you fall sick again? Let me help you to bed and I'll keep you company." Biyu says with a gentle smile. Lady Xue frowns and smacks the table with both hands before suddenly getting up.
"You're right! I need to think about my son. I need to go check on him." Lady Xue says as she quickly leaves the room. Biyu stands in the room with a blank look. That's not what I meant!! She stomps her foot in anger and grits her teeth. Why was everyone acting so different now!? Why doesn't anyone listen to her!?
Lady Xue races over to see her son but she's blocked from entering the study. She frowns at the guards and says "I want to see my son! Step aside, now!" The guards nervously lick their lips and politely say "We're sorry your highness. The King has given orders... he wants no one to disturb him at the moment."
Lady Xue wants to argue but she also knows her son all too well. She sighs and says "Tell him I was here..." She looks to the study doors one last time before leaving. Please be okay dear Nova... My son needs you.
Inside the dark study, Bai Lei sits in his chair with his eyes closed. Sitting in the chair, he's leaned to the side, as his hand props up his head. His black robe is open, revealing his toned chest and abs as his black hair falls over his shoulders like dark water.
"Her grace was here, my King." The eunuch says in a trembling voice. When Bai Lei opens his eyes a fraction, his eyes glow a blood-red in the dark room, nearly causing the eunuch to cry out in fear. "Mmm," Bai Lei says and slowly closes his eyes again.
The eunuch quickly backs out of the room and gently closes the door. He slides down the wall with tears in his eyes as he thanks Buda for sparing his life. The King was truly terrifying!! It was like looking at King Yama himself!!