"What do I think of him?" Lian contemplated for a moment, "Of course, he is strong, not only did he save us he even took down four of the black-clothed men at once with just one move." she said proudly as if it was her doing.
"Ohhh." Reona then smiled with an ambiguous meaning while looking at her daughter with doting eyes.
She may be calm outside but inside she was shocked after learning that Azrael took down one 9th Qi Refining stage and three 7th Qi Refining stage cultivators at once with one move. [As expected he is strong, he must be at least a Qi Liquification stage cultivator.]
"Is that so." She then continued to comb her daughter's hair.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, eight people are having a meeting.
"What do you think?" Maxwell asked with a serious expression.
"It is possible that the other family has received information about the cultivator recruiting Lian. Maybe they were afraid that our family would dominate the whole city." said an old man while he frowned from his contemplation. "The only family that I can think of is the Greenhill family. And since we have a great relationship with the Sallow family they can't be the mastermind."
The other elders expressed their agreement.
"I beg to disagree." a mellow voice disagreed.
The elders looked at the one who disagreed. The one who spoke was Elmy Rose, Maxwell's little sister.
She has a mature and kind aura around her. Although she is the youngest inside this main hall, her intelligence and strength couldn't be underestimated. Her cultivation has reached 9th Qi refining stage same as Reona's cultivation
Maxwell looked at her sister while he pondered.
"What do you mean?" the old man who made the conclusion earlier raised his right eyebrow.
"Because according to Lian, the black-clothed men wanted to capture her not to kill her. If the other family wants to prevent the possibility of our family's domination they should have killed her right away and not captured her."
This statement made the people in the hall fall into deep contemplation.
"That makes sense."
"Then why?" some couldn't help but ask.
They were puzzled why those black-clothed men attack Lian and the others. And as for why they want to capture her.
Who would do that kind of stunt? Would anyone from this city be brave enough to do that to one of the three powerful families? Or could it be that the Greenhill family plan is originally to capture her instead of killing her? But why? There's no benefit at all. If they want to benefit, getting rid of Lian is the only answer instead of capturing her. These were Maxwell's last thoughts before being interrupted by an old and authoritative voice.
"In any case, we need to be alert at all times."
This voice woke up and startled the elders and Maxwell.
Maxwell looked in the direction where the voice came from, "Father!"
An old man with a wild and vigorous aura that would put any youths in shame was standing near them. He walked towards them and sat at one of the available seats.
His name is Dillon Rose. When he was younger he used his strength to build the prestige that the Rose family has today.
Maxwell stood up and bowed slightly to show his respect, the elders did the same too.
"When did you come back from your trip?" Maxwell asked.
"Just now. But as soon as I entered the estate I heard the rumors from the maid about Lian's distress state and their speculations that something must have happened in the forest. And I rushed towards the main hall. To think that something happened to my beloved granddaughter when I was away doing some business at Pinklight city." he then waved his hand as a sign that they may raise their heads.
Although Maxwell is now the current patriarch of the Rose family, Dillon still has the biggest influence in the family.
Maxwell and the others' faces twitched after hearing his last sentence. They know that the so-called 'business' is just a fancy word for going to a brothel. Because Pinklight city is known for its brothels.
"And you, Maxwell."
"Y-yes father." Maxwell nervously responded.
Dillon squinted his eyes and scolded, "I couldn't believe that you let your daughter face a dangerous situation like that! You failed as a father."
"S-sorry, father." Maxwell lowered his head and apologized meekly. He couldn't rebuke his father's statement.
"Don't you know, I didn't allow anyone to approach your sister that easily! Treat your wife as your equal and treat your daughter as your treasure!"
[Treat your wife as your equal and treat your daughter as your treasure, then what about your son?] Maxwell silently lamented. He wanted to complain but couldn't.
"I'm still not done with you, I'll lecture you later until your ears bleed." he snorted, "As for now, I'll go and see my granddaughter." he heartily said as he walked out.
The elders looked at Maxwell pitifully as they sighed in relief internally as if they were saved from judgment day.
***
Reona and Lian have no idea that Dillon had returned and scolded Maxwell in front of the elders.
"Mother, I would like to go to Azrael."
"It looks like you couldn't wait to see him again." her mother teased.
"T-That's not it. I-It's just rude to let my savior wait for a long time." she stuttered.
"Is that really the reason?" Reona smiled and looked ambiguously.
"O-of course, that's o-only the reason." she averted her eyes from her mother's meaningful stare.
"P-please mother stop teasing me."
Reona chuckled, "Alright, alright I'll stop teasing you. Do you want me to follow?"
"No, I'm fine by myself." she then shook her head.
"Okay. Your father and I would meet him later to thank him personally."
"Un." Lian nodded, she stood up and walked towards the door, she looked at her mother, "Then, mother I'll be going."
Reona only smiled and watched her daughter walk out of the room. She stayed for a good moment in her daughter's room before she decided to leave and join the meeting. As she walked towards the door she heard a creepy voice coming from outside.
"Liaaaaaaan, my precious granddaughter are you alright?"
The door opened, "Grandpa is he—, huh?" before he could even finish his sentence he saw Reona standing in front and looking at him weirdly.