Xiao Ning'er Is Captured

Late afternoon, at dusk.

Beside the residence's main gate.

A young man and two young women stood there: Xiao Tianhao, Xiao Ning'er, and Huyan Lanruo.

"Ning'er, Lan Ruo, are you leaving so soon?" Xiao Tianhao asked, reluctant to see them go.

"Yes. I haven't been home for three days. If I don't go back soon, my father will worry," Xiao Ning'er explained, looking a little down herself.

Huyan Lanruo slipped her arm around Xiao Tianhao's and spoke in a coaxing voice.

"Tianhao, I have to go home too. Those old fogies in the family insist that I study the family's business operations and management every day. It's so annoying."

"Remember to come visit me..."

Huyan Lanruo was the only child of Huyan Xiong, the current head of the Huyan Family. As its next head, she had to familiarize herself with all the family's businesses and learn how to run and manage them.

Xiao Tianhao put aside his reluctance and smiled. "All right. I'll visit you both often."

"Come on, let's have a hug before we part." With that, he spread his arms.

The two young women willingly stepped in, hugging Xiao Tianhao from either side.

Xiao Tianhao held both women, feeling their soft bodies against him. For now, Lan Ruo still has the better figure, he thought.

After a brief embrace, the three parted.

"Ning'er, Lan Ruo, let me walk you home," Xiao Tianhao offered again.

"Tianhao, you've already spent several days with me. You should walk Sister Lan Ruo home instead. I can go back by myself," Xiao Ning'er declined.

It wasn't night yet, and Glory City was still reasonably safe, so Xiao Tianhao agreed.

Dusky yellow light fell from the sky onto the ground. The crowds in the streets gradually thinned, and shops closed one after another.

Chatting as they walked, the three reached a fork in the road. Xiao Ning'er waved goodbye and parted from them, while Xiao Tianhao took the other road to escort Huyan Lanruo home.

Xiao Ning'er soon reached a relatively secluded lane.

In a corner behind her.

Three figures wore black robes, their faces hidden in shadow. They radiated the powerful auras of one- and two-star Black Gold rank Demon Spirit Masters. A hideous, terrifying Black Demon Emblem adorned the backs of their robes.

They followed close behind Xiao Ning'er until she reached an even more secluded spot, where hardly any passersby remained.

The leader spoke to one of his subordinates.

"Do it!"

The subordinate swiftly merged with his demon spirit. Eerie black smoke rose from his body as he rushed toward Xiao Ning'er at tremendous speed.

The Dark Guild members hadn't been far from Xiao Ning'er to begin with, and the attacker was a speed-type Black Gold rank Demon Spirit Master. She only sensed him as he closed in, and before she could merge with her demon spirit, he knocked her unconscious.

"Let's go."

Within moments, the group vanished from the spot.

Meanwhile, Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo were almost at the Huyan Family's estate. Suddenly, an uneasy feeling stirred in Xiao Tianhao's heart. Unable to work out why, he continued walking.

Huyan Lanruo noticed something was off and asked him about it.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied, shaking his head to clear his mind.

After reaching the Huyan Family's estate and saying goodbye to Huyan Lanruo, he headed back.

As he walked, he grew increasingly agitated, without knowing why.

Suddenly, he remembered Xiao Ning'er. This is bad. Could something really have happened? He raced toward the Winged Dragon Family's estate.

The Winged Dragon Family's estate.

Xiao Tianhao finally reached the main gate. Spotting the guards, he asked them anxiously.

"Has your young lady returned?"

The guards had no idea what was going on and shook their heads to indicate that she hadn't.

This is bad!!!

Something really had happened. The journey from Xiao Tianhao's Residence to the Winged Dragon Family's estate was shorter than the journey to the Huyan Family's estate, yet Xiao Ning'er still hadn't arrived.

Xiao Tianhao's expression turned frighteningly dark. He strode into the Winged Dragon Family's estate and headed toward the study of Xiao Ning'er's father, Xiao Yunfeng.

He knocked on the study door, then opened it and entered after receiving permission.

Xiao Yunfeng was reading a book while sipping tea. With the Winged Dragon Family's recent financial crisis resolved, he had finally been able to relax for once.

Xiao Yunfeng looked up, saw Xiao Tianhao, and greeted him.

"Oh, Tianhao, you're here. Have a seat."

"Uncle, I'm sorry. I failed to protect Ning'er." Rather than sitting, Xiao Tianhao looked at Xiao Yunfeng, his face full of guilt.

Hearing that his daughter might be in trouble, Xiao Yunfeng immediately set down his book and teacup and rose anxiously.

"What!!!"

"What happened?"

"Ning'er left my residence to head home two hours ago, but she still hasn't arrived! I felt uneasy just now, so I came to check here. I never imagined she really hadn't returned," Xiao Tianhao hurriedly explained.

Xiao Yunfeng paced anxiously back and forth. After thinking for a moment, he asked.

"Could Ning'er have gone to see Zi Yun?"

Well...

Xiao Tianhao couldn't be sure, but he decided to visit the City Lord's Mansion.

"Uncle, I'll go to the City Lord's Mansion first. Sorry for the trouble, but please send some people to search for her too."

Once Xiao Yunfeng agreed, he quickly ran out.

After leaving through the main gate, he swiftly merged with his demon spirit and raced toward the City Lord's Mansion.

Upon reaching the City Lord's Mansion, he had a guard announce his arrival and hurried inside. After a brief meeting with City Lord Ye Zong, a guard led him to Ye Ziyun's quarters.

Night had only just fallen. Ye Ziyun hadn't gone to bed yet and was cultivating in the courtyard.

She heard a knock at the door.

Opening it, she was surprised to see Xiao Tianhao.

"Xiao Tianhao, what brings you here?" Ye Ziyun asked in puzzlement.

"Zi Yun, is Ning'er with you?" Xiao Tianhao had no time to answer and blurted out his question anxiously.

"No. What's wrong? Has something happened to Ning'er?" Hearing how urgently Xiao Tianhao spoke of Xiao Ning'er, Ye Ziyun couldn't help feeling a surge of panic.

Xiao Tianhao's heart sank completely.

With a heavy heart, he explained Xiao Ning'er's disappearance to Ye Ziyun.

*[The Sacred Family?*

The Dark Eye Guild?

Who could it be?

He rapidly analyzed the possibilities.

At this point, the Sacred Family shouldn't be so utterly deranged as to strike directly at the daughter of a noble family. Doing so would not only offend a noble family, but also show complete disregard for the City Lord's Mansion.

The Dark Guild!!

It must be the Dark Guild!!!

They must have discovered Ning'er's relationship with me. Since they aren't confident they can capture me in Glory City, they want to seize her to threaten me.

Damn it.

*Nie Li already warned me about the Dark Guild, yet I still let my guard down.]*

"Zi Yun, Tianhao, what's wrong?" Nie Li arrived in Ye Ziyun's courtyard and questioned them.

Nie Li's room was right beside Ye Ziyun's. With his perceptive abilities, he had naturally noticed the commotion.

He walked over and saw the scene before him.

Xiao Tianhao stood with a dark expression and clenched fists, seemingly deep in thought.

Ye Ziyun paced anxiously around the courtyard, muttering.

"What should I do... what should I do..."

"I'll go find Father. We have to bring Ning'er back!" Unable to think of any other solution, she rushed straight toward the gate.

Just as Ye Ziyun reached the gate, she encountered Nie Li.

Ye Ziyun explained Xiao Ning'er's disappearance to him.

Nie Li pondered for a moment.

He also believed the Dark Guild was responsible.

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(The author wishes all you dear readers success in your studies, progress at work, a happy family, and joy every day.)