Inside the wooden cabin.
While Karen's attention was drawn to the commotion outside, the young man suddenly tensed his arms and used all his strength to break free from the loosened ropes.
The rough hemp rope scraped his wrists raw, leaving two bright red marks.
Yet he seemed unable to feel the pain as he staggered out of the master bedroom and slammed open the door across the hall.
"Lia!"
Hearing the familiar voice, the young wife abruptly looked up.
"Xiu'en!"
She threw herself at him in tears.
The man pulled her tightly into his arms, his arms shaking violently from lingering fear, as if the person before him would be taken away again if he loosened his hold even slightly.
"Are you hurt?"
"Did they touch you?"
He frantically checked his wife's shoulders and neck. Only after confirming that she had no injuries beyond the red marks left by the ropes did he carefully place a hand over her swollen belly.
The man's eyes instantly reddened.
"What about the baby?"
Lia nodded hard through her tears.
"The baby is fine..."
"We're both fine."
"Xiu'en, we're alive."
The two embraced tightly once more.
This time, they no longer had to suppress their sobs.
Their cries of survival after disaster echoed through the cramped wooden cabin, mingled with relief, fear, and an unspeakable sense of grievance.
Ace silently watched the scene.
Yet the fury still burning in his eyes slowly settled beneath the couple's sobs.
Inside the master bedroom.
Karen leaned against the shattered doorframe, listening to the gunfire, crashing sounds, and dying screams of his men coming continuously from all over the village.
There was not the slightest hint of panic on his face. Instead, his cold eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"So that's how it is."
He chuckled