"What?" Song Qingshu was instantly stunned.
"Rong'er was taken away." Guo Jing repeated himself, both hands trembling. Clearly, his heart was already in turmoil.
"How could that be?" Song Qingshu looked bewildered. "With her intelligence and martial arts, and with you watching over her, who in the world could have the ability to abduct her?"
"It was all my fault," Guo Jing said reproachfully. "Lord Jia called me over to discuss something. Rong'er was feeling a little tired and said she wanted to go back by herself, so I agreed. Lord Jia had his men arrange a carriage and several guards to escort Rong'er back, but they encountered a masked expert on the way, and he took her."
Song Qingshu's heart sank. "Did Rong'er have any guards with her?" In his anxiety, he had even called her Rong'er aloud, but Guo Jing was like an ant on a hot pan at the moment and did not notice the unusual familiarity in his form of address.
"Yes, Lord Jia sent several guards," Guo Jing replied. "According to them, the masked man had grizzled white hair and was probably an old man. His martial arts were also extremely formidable. In practically the blink of an eye, he broke through the guards' defenses and took Rong'er from the carriage."
Song Qingshu said gravely, "Jia Sidao's guards are all quite skilled. Rong... Sister-in-law was resting in the carriage. Though she was caught somewhat off guard, she is still the leader of a sect and is proficient in the Dog Beating Staff Technique. For someone to take her away so quickly, his martial arts are likely no weaker than those of the Five Greats."
Guo Jing nodded. "That was my thought as well. I wonder which senior of this age would disregard his status and