"Release me before it's too late!" Raphael glared at them with absolute spite
"You talk too much." Fredrinn stuffed his mouth with a cloth to prevent him from causing more disturbance.
"Mnnnnhhhhhnnn!!" Raphael struggled under his restraint.
Fredrinn glanced at Cain. "Make him shut up."
Cain nodded. He then smacked an acupoint on the back of Raphael's head, causing the latter to black out.
Kristine looked at the unconscious Raphael before she turned her gaze to Fredrinn. "Cousin, we need to be careful in handling this man. If something happens to him, there could be a full-blown war between the two families."
"I know." Fredrinn understood her worries. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew that the Firecrown Household was weaker than the Blackcrow Household. The only reason the latter didn't attack was because of the presence of Roland Firecrown. His cultivation was a bit stronger than the patriarch of the Blackcrow Household.
"I'll leave the decision to my father. He should know how to deal with these men."
Soon, they arrived at the estate.
Upon their arrival, they immediately headed to the patriarch's office to report the situation. They also brought Raphael's group for questioning.
Roland's face was dark when he heard their report. "I understand the situation. You guys should go back and rest. Leave those men here. We will deal with them accordingly." His voice was calm, but Fredrinn felt the rage in his voice.
Kristine and the others turned their gazes toward Fredrinn. Luckily for them, the latter complied without saying a word.
Fredrinn's group then left the patriarch's office.
"Cousin, I'll go back to my room first." Kristine lightly bowed to Fredrinn. She felt that she was about to break through the Foundation Establishment realm.
"Alright." Fredrinn nodded. "You guys may go too." He said to Felix, Ren, and the carriage driver.
"Yes, my lord!" They bowed to him before they left.
Fredrinn glanced at their backs with a deep look.
***
The next day, Roland Firecrown summoned the important members of the household for a meeting. To everyone's surprise, Fredrinn was also invited to join them.
"Why do you think the patriarch called us for a meeting?"
"I'm not sure, but I heard that this is about the Blackcrow Household."
"It seems like this matter is more serious than I thought."
Fredrinn stared at this bunch of old people to see if there was a familiar face.
'That old man should be our family's array master, Sir Ardul.' Fredrinn's gaze stopped at an old man with long white hair and a long white beard.
As if sensing his gaze, the old man smiled gently at him.
Fredrinn nodded in response.
'That should be Sir Glen who manages the family's finances.' This time it was a kind-looking, but pot-bellied old man dressed in red and white yishang.
Fredrinn's gaze swiftly moved towards another person. 'That fierce-looking middle-aged man should be Sir Dontos. I heard that he is already at the peak of the Core Formation stage. He is in the same generation as Roland and everyone believes that he will be the next Nascent Soul martial practitioner in the family.'
Fredrinn also found out that Darius was there.
The latter walked to his side and whispered. "My lord, my men had already investigated the Snake Gang. I will give you their detailed report after the meeting."
Hearing this, Fredrinn nodded.
Soon, more people filled the room.
At this moment, someone suddenly cried out in surprise. "Head Elder! Patriarch!"
Everyone turned their gazes and saw a decrepit old man with a walking stick.
This person was the second Nascent Soul martial practitioner in the family and also the former patriarch. He was also Fredrinn's grandfather, Head Elder Marcus Firecrown.
Seeing them, everyone stood up and lowered their heads in greeting.
Roland waved his hand to acknowledge their greeting. He walked to the head seat, while the head elder sat next to him. "Take your seat, everyone."
Roland scanned everyone's faces before he spoke. "Thank you for coming here despite your busy schedules. I didn't want to disturb you guys, but this matter is of grave importance. It is related to the Blackcrow Household."
As soon as he mentioned this name, everyone's faces turned serious.
"Recently, I sent a group of young disciples to the Silversword Treasure House to purchase Limit Breaking Pills, but on their way back to the estate, a group of men clad in black robes attacked them. Luckily for them, Fredrinn brought a Core Formation guard with him so they managed to subdue those men. When we interrogated those men, we found out that they were from the Blackcrow Household! Raphael Blackcrow, the third heir of the household was also among the attackers!"
"What?! How dare they?!" Sir Dontos slapped the table in his anger.
The other elders were also furious, but they were more calm than Sir Dontos.
"Bring them inside," Roland instructed the guard standing by the door.
Looking at the guard, Fredrinn realized that it was the carriage driver from yesterday. 'It seems like Roland is already aware of my strength…'
Not long after, five men dressed in black robes were pushed inside the meeting room. Their arms were tied in special chains that prevented them from using Qi.
Raphael noticed Fredrinn and sent him a mocking glance.
Roland pointed at Raphael and said. "That man right there is Raphael Blackcrow."
Everyone turned their gazes over.
Raphael had short black hair and a pair of onyx eyes. When he sensed the elders' gazes, he shook his head and chuckled. "Are you people the elders of the Firecrown Household? How disappointing…"
His voice carried a trace of mockery.
The hotheaded Sir Dontos stood up and grabbed Raphael's neck. "Do you think you would still be alive right now if you weren't the heir of the Blackcrow Household?!" He wanted to rip apart this guy's head, but he knew that doing that would only complicate the situation.
Raphael's face turned red under Sir Dontos strong grip. "Y-You will p-pay for this ckkkkshkk!" He muttered with great difficulty.
"Sir Dontos!" Roland called out.
Sir Dontos glared at Raphael before he threw him to the floor.