In the Duke's mansion, a small figure weaved through the servants' quarters, ignoring the malicious and gloating looks thrown his way.
As he neared the woodshed at the back, Huo Yuhao's heart began pounding uncontrollably, and his pace quickened.
Soon, behind a low wall, he spotted a figure sitting on a small stool washing clothes. The figure seemed to hear the commotion and instinctively turned to look.
Although she appeared somewhat haggard, her graceful features were still unmistakable. Her brows and eyes radiated a gentle and delicate beauty, but the next second, they were filled with horror.
"Yuhao!"
Seeing Huo Yuhao covered in blood, the woman screamed in fright, dropping the half-washed clothes and stumbling toward him.
Looking at that familiar face, Huo Yuhao's throat tightened, and he choked out a soft murmur.
"Mom…"
"I'm here, Yuhao, don't be scared, Mom's here."
Huo Yun'er raised her hand, wanting to check on Huo Yuhao's injuries, but the sight of the blood made her hesitate, afraid that she might hurt him by accident.
"Yuhao, where are you hurt? Let Mom see."
Huo Yun'er, at a loss, kept murmuring reassurances, her eyes brimming with anxious tears.
"Mom, I'm fine, really. Look."
Huo Yuhao forced a smile, lifting his sleeve to reveal his uninjured arm, then raised his shirt, spinning around as if to show off.
Huo Yun'er was momentarily stunned. Then she rushed forward, examining him thoroughly. Only after a long while did she let out a sigh of relief, her entire body relaxing. Just as Huo Yuhao was about to speak, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Thank goodness… I was so scared…"
Hearing the sobs in his mother's voice, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but sniffle, his eyes softening as he gently comforted her.
"Mom, I told you I'm fine…"
After some time, Huo Yun'er finally calmed down. She wiped her tears and, though her voice was still a little hoarse, she looked seriously at Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, tell Mom, what happened?"
"I'm not quite sure myself…"
Huo Yuhao shook his head and began recounting his experience.
"When I awakened my martial soul earlier, it showed that I had innate soul power. I was so excited to tell you, but on the way, I was grabbed by a strange man in a black robe. He dragged me through the side gate into the woods outside the Duke's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yun'er's expression tightened. "What happened next?"
Huo Yuhao took out a white tiger dagger, still stained with a bit of blood, and spoke in a low voice.
"I was terrified. When he wasn't paying attention, I stabbed him with this dagger. His neck started bleeding, and he lost his grip on me. He tried to grab me again but soon collapsed. I didn't dare stay, so I ran back."
After hearing Huo Yuhao's explanation, Huo Yun'er calmed down a bit, relieved that she had sent him with the dagger for his martial soul awakening. Then, as if realizing something, she asked again.
"Yuhao, aside from the black robe, did that person have any distinguishing features?"
"Yes."
Huo Yuhao nodded immediately, half recalling as he spoke, relieved that his mother was the one to bring it up. He had planned to tell her anyway, but now it was easier.
"I noticed that the man was wearing white armor underneath his black robe. When I slashed at him in panic, the robe tore, and I saw that the armor on his shoulder had a tiger's head emblem."
Upon hearing about the white armor, Huo Yun'er felt a sense of dread. When Huo Yuhao mentioned the tiger emblem, it was as if she had been struck by lightning. Her heart even skipped a beat.
"White Tiger Guards…"
She had thought it might have been the Duchess's doing, but to think it was the White Tiger Duke's personal guards—those loyal only to the Duke himself!
Now the truth was laid bare, and there was no denying it.
The last time the White Tiger Guards had been in the Duke's mansion was before Huo Yuhao was born. His description of their armor was completely accurate—something only someone who had seen them would know.
"Mom, what are the White Tiger Guards?"
Huo Yun'er pressed her lips together, a look of sorrow on her face as she gently stroked Huo Yuhao's head.
"It's nothing… Mom misspoke."
How could she explain that the people who had abducted and nearly killed him were his father's personal guards? How could she tell him that his own father might have ordered it?
She had always believed that Duke Dai Hao was ignorant of their suffering, deceived by the Duchess. It was this belief that had allowed her to endure all the hardship, always hoping for the day when the truth would come to light.
She hadn't stayed at the Duke's mansion for wealth or status, but for the hope that her son might one day have a better future. Life outside the mansion wasn't much better, and she believed that if Dai Hao ever found out about his son, Yuhao could at least live a comfortable life, far better than struggling outside on his own.
But now, with the White Tiger Guards involved, her last shred of hope was shattered. Dai Hao had likely known about Yuhao all along and had allowed the Duchess to suppress them. Worse still, upon discovering Yuhao's mediocre talent after his martial soul awakening, Dai Hao had chosen to eliminate him.
There was a slight possibility that the Duchess had impersonated the White Tiger Guards to deceive her. But could she really gamble with her son's life? Besides, forging or stealing the armor of the White Tiger Guards was a serious crime. Would the Duchess dare risk Dai Hao's wrath for such a scheme?
If this truly was Dai Hao's doing, Yuhao would face utter annihilation.
She could endure suffering for her son's future, and even die for him if needed, but now that someone had tried to harm her child, it had crossed the line. No mother could tolerate such a thing.
Huo Yun'er took a deep breath, her gaze growing resolute as she looked at Huo Yuhao, forcing a smile.
"Yuhao, let's leave the Duke's mansion, okay? We won't wait for your father anymore. Let's find a new place and start over."
"Wherever Mom goes, I'll go."
The boy's voice rang clear, and he raised his hand to gently hold Huo Yun'er's thin fingers. His youthful face seemed to mature by several years in that moment as he spoke earnestly.
"From now on, I'll protect you, Mom."
(End of Chapter)