"Ah? Is this real or just a jest?"
"Did he truly achieve the same commendable results at the Dead Sea border as we did?"
Barney and Juliette expressed their disbelief.
It was surprising to think that Chu Yan, who had set off so abruptly for the Dead Sea, managed to complete the trial successfully.
They had no doubts about the integrity of the executioner; for her, the process was secondary, and the outcome was paramount.
Had the Dead Sea border been in chaos, she would have awarded a zero without hesitation—there had been precedents for such actions.
A certain young dragonborn, believing such tests unnecessary given their family's influence, had once requested the executioner to assign a score directly, only to receive a swift reprimand and a zero for his efforts.
Such a result would not tarnish his standing among his family, but it would certainly etch itself prominently onto the pillar of disgrace.
As Barney's remarks drew attention, others around them began to join the discourse, inquiring about the recent developments.
"Has Chu Yan completed the family trial? I wasn't aware; it seems we haven't seen him for months."
"We all assumed he had been asleep for a few months... Is this part of the Dead Sea border trial? How did he manage it!"
Those contributing to the discussion likely had backgrounds of their own, and they felt a growing sense of imbalance within.
Even though everyone received an "excellent" rating, the difficulty of their tests paled in comparison to Chu Yan's; it left them feeling somewhat envious.
"Could it be that he secretly summoned a maid?" someone speculated.
In the Dragon Flame family, many maids possessed formidable combat abilities, capable of serving as guards, so it would be no challenge for Chu Yan to call upon one given his status.
"Yet in a place like the Dead Sea border, simply summoning two maids wouldn't suffice. You would need an entire team of guards to tackle even a single monster."
They were left baffled, pondering the complexities of the situation, but since the executioner endorsed the result, any further doubts could only be whispered behind closed doors.
At that moment, a yawning woman approached, her figure voluptuous and alluring, exuding an air of languor.
Upon overhearing their conversation, she paused in surprise.
"Oh no, Veline asked me to keep an eye on him, and only now that his family trial has concluded did I realize... How did he end up at the Dead Sea border?"
...
The executioner returned to her office, collapsing wearily into her chair.
Noticing her state, Bird Feather couldn't help but inquire:
"Lady, what troubles you? You rested throughout the journey, yet seem even more fatigued after disembarking."
Sossia longed to share her current sentiments with her subordinate.
It was a sense of powerlessness, akin to the feeling of a child silently scheming mischief; despite his innocent appearance, Chu Yan's actions were undeniably ruthless!
Moreover, she learned of them only after the fact, and crucially, she couldn't discuss it with others.
In truth, Sossia had a nagging suspicion that he was hiding more than he revealed.
Perhaps if she merely prodded a bit, Chu Yan would involuntarily divulge everything, but she decided against it...
Such revelations would be too disruptive to her inner tranquility; she felt such matters should be left to his guardians to worry over.
"It's nothing; I simply returned from the Dead Sea border with a multitude of thoughts. You may leave now; I wish to meditate in solitude."
"Understood."
Bird Feather exited, taking position in the administrative hall outside.
Sossia then retrieved a magical stone, attempting to reach out to the woman from the Black Ice Dragonborn family.
During this "dialing and awaiting a response" process, the executioner pondered the possible reactions of the Black Ice Dragonborn.
From her knowledge of Chu Yan's three mothers, their dispositions were vastly different; they seemed so incompatible that they could easily come to blows if placed together.
Veline, from the Red Magic Dragonborn lineage, was gentle and indulgent but had her limits, at least in her dealings with Chu Yan over the years.
Tiffany, from the Purple Poison Dragonborn, was pathologically doting and had no boundaries, as evidenced by her assistance in obliterating the entire Pi family.
As for Losta, from the Black Ice Dragonborn, she was stern, aloof, and rarely smiled; one could only speculate on her interactions with Chu Yan, but she would likely take on the role of a strict mother.
Chu Yan had executed his actions with precision and thoroughness, but such a secret could not be concealed indefinitely.
Connie's parents would, within a month at most, gather enough information from merchants and passersby across the continent to learn that their family carriage had ventured towards the Dead Sea border.
With their son's last known whereabouts pointing to that location, Chu Yan had become the prime suspect.
They would not be concerned with the intricacies of the clues; their priority was to exact vengeance.
**"Hello, Executioner. What do you seek from me?"**
A breathtakingly beautiful, cold woman materialized in the executioner's office, her lace-trimmed black stockings elegantly crossed.
She sat poised, gazing intently at the executioner.
"Connie from the Black Ice Dragonborn has died and is missing, correct?"
**"Do you have information regarding this matter?"**
Losta clearly took the situation seriously; although she was at odds with Connie's branch, as a fellow clanswoman, she did not wish for the offspring of the Black Ice Dragonborn to perish without cause.
Internal family disputes were acceptable, but destroying the family altogether was not.
Losta maintained a rational perspective towards the larger picture.
"I would assert that Connie met his end at the hands of young Chu Yan. Do you consider this a matter of internecine conflict among your Black Ice Dragonborn?"
Losta was taken aback; this was not an outcome she had anticipated.
Her elegant legs fell to the floor, and her posture conveyed a newfound gravity.
**"Please provide me with all the details!"**
...
After a long absence, Chu Yan returned to his room, only to find the bed devoid of a familiar, soft presence, which felt somewhat disconcerting.
Upon his journey home, he had already scheduled a meeting with the clan leader; once he presented her with the "leave request" for her signature, he would be able to set off for Extreme City.
He could not remain in this old home for even a moment longer before Veline returned.
Rolling comfortably across the bed, Chu Yan didn't linger in leisure for long.
Now he needed to attempt to contact Veline.
Although she was currently at sea, if she happened to be sailing in safe waters, there was a chance the projection magic would connect.
However, this required a more advanced magical array to enhance the signal.
The difference was akin to that between "domestic roaming" and a "satellite phone."
Chu Yan made his way to the family castle's magical workshop, which boasted comprehensive magical facilities to meet his needs.
Before long, he gathered his bedding and entered the workshop, working diligently to complete the signal-boosting magical array.
A larger projection magic stone was placed within the array, and now he could only await the reception of signals from the other end.
If Veline happened to sail into calmer waters, she would respond immediately.
But how long would he need to wait? That remained an unknown.
After sending a "good night" to his beloved dragon mother, he found it difficult to sleep, anxiously awaiting her response of "good night," worried that he might miss her reply and be unable to respond promptly.
However, contacting his beautiful dragon mother required only that he lie back comfortably and rest.
He was uncertain how long he had been asleep, but his slumber grew restless and abstract, his head twisting from one end of the bed to the other.
Something soft and elastic pressed gently against his face.
"Guess what this is?"
Veline's familiar, sweet voice roused Chu Yan from his stupor.