The newcomer wore black from head to toe, with an ancient bronze mask on his face, its edges speckled with verdigris.
The only visible pair of eyes held a hint of mockery, clear and bright as they reflected Liu Hong and his son.
Liu Taoyao came to his senses, rose to his feet, and drew the longsword at his waist, pointing it straight at the man. "Who are you, to dare trespass into my Liu Family?"
Liu Hong, on the other hand, cast aside his previous gravity. Surprise appeared on his face, and his gaze carried a faint complexity.
Dejection, panic, relief—there was no lack of any of them.
The newcomer glanced at Liu Taoyao and sneered. "They say a tiger father has no dog son. Looking at you, I'd say that may not always be true."
His gaze settled on Liu Hong. "What do you say, Lord Liu?"
Just as Liu Taoyao was about to speak again, Liu Hong abruptly said, "Taoyao, remember what Father just told you. Leave now."
"Father, but he..."
"He is an old friend of mine. This has nothing to do with you. Go!"
Seeing the stern expression on Liu Hong's face, Liu Taoyao froze for a moment. Then he glanced at the man in the bronze mask, sheathed his sword, and hurried away.
Though his belly was full of questions, after so many years under Liu Hong's instruction, he knew that something grave must have happened.
Once he left this place, he would find another chance to investigate Shuzhou's situation.
The bronze-masked newcomer did not stop him. Only after Liu Taoyao had gone far away did he sit opposite Liu Hong.
"Lord Liu is a smart man. You ought to know that making this trip here was no easy matter for me."
Liu Hong