'So that's how Servant Mark works, huh?' Karl pondered.
'Since my stepmother knew me from my birth, it's no wonder she got that mark'
After a few minutes, Erena woke up and dressed her clothes quickly with a shy look on her face.
" So, now you are shy he-he…"
" How can I not be? You did to me in this public library. If anyone had seen me, I would have died from shock." She snapped.
" Don't tell me, you didn't like it doing here."
"Shameless bastard…"
" Anyway, got any news on her?" Erena asked.
" Yeah, just now. It seems you are correct about it. My loving uncle didn't make things hard for her."
" I told you, right? So, rate my intelligence with five stars, okay?"
" Never!"
"But I tried hard, you know. You should reward me now."
"Hmm, I can reward you now, but I'm not sure whether you are ready for that"
He grabbed her by her waist with his hand while sealing her lips with his. Soon, she closed her eyes and began enjoying the shower of love her stepson was giving. But before things could go any further, Karl heard Rowanna's voice in her mind.
"Master, everything is ready. You can return now."
" What did he say about my disappearance?"
" He knows about it, master. And he had already positioned spies in the entire Imperial Capital. You should hurry."
" Yeah, I'm on my way."
***
By the time they reached the entrance of the Neitherhood Clan residence, it was already noon. And following Erena, Karl entered with an imposing manner, and directly started to proceed towards the study of his uncle, and the current patriarch, Euger Neitherhood.
As his status was at the peak of clan's hierarchy, his residence was at the middle of the clan premises and of course, it was a mansion. Though it was smaller than the Imperial Castle of the Emperor, it still held the dignity of its history.
On the way to his uncle's mansion, he identified many of his childhood friends and relatives. They were all looking at him with curious faces, wondering what had happened to him the past few days. Even though they identified Karl's face, they weren't sure of it.
" Is he Karl?"
" He must be, right?"
" I don't think so, though his face seems familiar, the Karl I knew never had such strong build! Look at those muscles, a cripple who couldn't cultivate, would have such well-trained body, Impossible."
Noticing the disturbances occurring around, Erena turned to face them all and yelled," Yes, it's him, my lost stepson. Don't you have something to do, you idiots?"
" I told you, it's really him"
" Go go, that demoness is here, quickly go."
" Yo, my silly uncle, did you miss me?"
Karl could clearly see a few veins bulging on his forehead. On his right, was Rowanna with a stern look on her face. When Karl, entered, she bowed her head lightly at his direction.
" Lord Patriarch, after a thorough search in the Northern division of the Empire, I found him in a carriage, heading to the Imperial Capital" Erena bowed and reported.
"As you see, at the time I found him he had been at the peak level of the Lotus Condensation realm, which is also my current cultivation level."
" Hmm, good work, Erena." Euger replied while studying Karl from heel to toe.
' Peak level of the Lotus Condensation realm? Now, I'm sure enough! There is no way that couple of idiots left him unprotected. Haah, what should I do now? I guess his strength should also be at my level, right? In that case, I should be more careful when dealing with him'
Was this thought enough to scare him? Of course, not. Knowing that, Karl decided to use his suspicions to get some more time.
" Karl! Oh honey, you are back!" Suddenly, a melancholic and seductive voice of a female spread in the room.
'Here, she comes…' Karl thought.
Yeah, it was his cousin sister Rene Neitherhood, as usual, she was wearing a simple robe which was dark blue entered with a smile on her face, while studying the obvious changes of his body.
' Huh, this dog has become relatively handsome… he has gained some muscles even? What the fuck happened to him'
Naturally, Karl knew what was going on her mind right now.
" Have I become more attractive and more strong, darling?" He replied with a similar smile to her while hugging her.
This reaction of Karl, startled, her which, made her lost for a second.
Before she could react, Karl let go of her and returned his attention to his uncle.
" HAHAHAHAHA pfft.. HAHAHA…"
" My beloved uncle and my little sister, don't you feel enough with this act? How long do you plan to keep this going? Huh?"
" I agree, there is no use of acting right now, knowing this you still dared to come here. I appreciate your courage. So now hand over the Clan Seal obediently, and perhaps I will keep you alive for another ten years" Euger replied while bringing forth his peak level Mark Condensation realm cultivation.
The moment it was released, the entire clan knew, someone had managed to anger the patriarch. The pressure he released, made all non cultivators cough blood kneeling on the ground.
" I know, you can't kill, me here right now. So my beloved uncle, don't waste your energy, just to scare me." Karl leisurely thought out loud.
" If you wanted to kill me, you had many chances in doing so, while I was at the Library."
"Don't think you can outsmart me with that little brain of yours, if you weren't entrusted with the seal I would have killed you a thousand times" Euger roared.
" I know I can't go against you, so how about a deal?"
" You think you are qualified to have a deal with me?"
" Of course, why not? I will give you the location of the seal right after spending some time alone with your daughter." He said, looking at Rene, who had a cold look on her face.
"Huh?" She became surprised.
" Bold! Seal or not! I won't tolerate this anymore. Just die." Euger disappeared and appeared in front of him with a palm strike straight at his chest.
Facing such heaven defying strike with the power of peak of the Mark Condensation realm, Karl didn't show any fear. When Euger's palm was almost about to hit his chest, Rene appeared in front of him and nullified his attack with ease.
"Rene?"
" Go back to your place, fool? Did you get permission from me to kill him? Do I have to remind you of your place again?" Rene roared.
' I guessed right, my adorable sister had been the mastermind behind all these situations'
Seeing this both Rowanna and Erena sneered inwardly.
With the same cold look, she turned to face Karl and said," Alright, you want to spend time with me alone? Let's get going? How much time do you need? A day? A week? Tell me."
" Hmm no, just 4 hours" Karl replied.
Wondering what he had planned to do in just 4 hours, she blinked a few times, and thinking he was just as foolish as then, she agreed.
" How about now?"
" I'm fine with that."
Rene grabbed him like a doll and disappeared from the room, and brought him to her personal chamber.
" Everyone, leave the room, and give us some space." She ordered and everyone ran away.
" So, what now?"
" Just let me hug you."
She looked at him curiously.
" What? Are you shy?"
"Me? Huh, in your dreams!"
And they both hugged each other for a few minutes, and then Rene's body started to show the symptoms.
Her breathing became somewhat unsteady, and she could feel her body was heating up. Her crotch started to itch, which made her quite surprised about these changes. And unbeknownst to her, sacred juices started to drip down through her forbidden paradise wetting her pants, and her nipples erected as if they were trying to penetrate her bra. Noticing these changes, Karl softly whispered in her ear,
" Do you feel uncomfortable? We can do this another time, you know!"
Feeling his breath near her ear, she couldn't help but shiver with anticipation. Yeah, she was hoping to be ravaged by him.
' Huh? What are you thinking, you idiot? You are aroused by just a hug from a dog? Pull yourself together, Rene!!!'
Mustering courage, she clenched her teeth and called froth, her cultivation of peak level Mark Condensation realm. And, yeah, the aura she emitted surpassed Euger by many times. As her spiritual energy began to flow through her spiritual veins, her body became calm like the sky before a storm.
' Something is wrong with him, what is his cultivation technique? I should find it out before killing him'
Turning her head, she looked at the hourglass and found out it had been just 10 minutes!
'What the fuck? I thought it had been at least an hour!'
After another two minutes, her previous symptoms began showing up again. She tried hard to suppress, alas, still she couldn't succeed. Noticing something's off with him, she decided to stop.
" Alright, enough, we will continue this tomorrow, 3 hours and 45 minutes of hugging is left."
" Huh? How can I be sure of my life by tomorrow? How can you be sure about your father, not harming me?" Karl asked innocently.
Rene narrowed her eyes.
"You have my word, he won't dare to harm you?"
" HAHAHAHA, you are so funny! Now., you are asking me to trust you? My enemy?"
Hearing this, her eyes twitched.
" Alright, I will sign a blood contract with you as long as the clan seal is in your hands, I will not let anyone under, me harm you."
Both of them put two blood drops on the magical contract paper, sealing the deal. Karl signed a same contract with Euger, under the pressure of his daughter.
" Well, now I would like to thank you, my stupid uncle, for taking care of the clan seal for me. Believe me, I really do appreciate your hard work." With that, Karl walked up to the mirror in the room, and touched it.
A blinding golden light spread through the room, and when the light disappeared, they witnessed a shocking scene.
On his hand was the clan seal of the Neitherhood Clan!
" No, this can't be…" Rene roared with rage and envy.
" Bastard, I am going to kill you!!" Euger also roared with rage.