Even after entering the pavilion, Ian Song still hadn't let go of Harriet Gu's hand. It was as if he'd forgotten, holding her hand only to keep her from stumbling.
Harriet Gu herself forgot to pull away.
Ian was long past the age of being 'in a rush,' so for the next hour or so, he made no further moves—just held hands with Harriet and told her a few stories: 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl,' 'Butterfly Lovers,' and 'Legend of the White Snake.'
As for why he told these three stories or what his intentions were, that's for everyone to guess.
But the stories did have an effect. At the very least, when Ian escorted Harriet back to her courtyard, she hesitated several times as if wanting to speak, her eyes faintly worried.
"Get some rest early. I'm heading back."
Ian smiled and waved to Harriet, then turned and left.
A few days passed in a flash.
Just as he was out searching for Yvette, a child delivered a note to him.
The note only had a place name written on it.
But he had a feeling the person who delivered the note definitely knew where Yvette was, so without hesitation, he rushed to that place.
This place was already outside the academy's safe zone.
Worried sick about Yvette, Howard rushed over at top speed, so now his clothes were drenched in sweat.
"I'm here! Who are you? Please come out and show yourself!" Howard shouted to the surroundings.
Howard kept searching for Yvette, but it was as if she'd vanished from the world—no trace at all.
Because of this, Howard couldn't eat or sleep, lost weight, and looked haggard.
At the same time, his worries kept growing.
"Did something happen to Yvette?"
"Who are you? Why did you ask me to come here?"
Howard asked impatiently.
But just as he was out searching for Yvette Hu, a child delivered a note to him.
The note had only a place name written on it.
Howard had a feeling that the person who sent the note definitely knew where Yvette was, so without hesitation, he rushed to that location.
This place was already outside the academy's safe zone.
Worried sick about Yvette, Howard rushed over at top speed, so now his clothes were drenched in sweat.
"I'm here! Who are you? Please come out and show yourself!" Howard shouted to the surroundings.
"Tsk tsk, what a lovesick fool!"
A mocking voice suddenly rang out. Howard turned to look and saw that, at some point, a masked man in black had appeared a few meters away.
"Who are you? Why did you ask me to come here?"
Howard asked impatiently.
"Do you want to save Yvette's life?" the masked man said coldly.
"Did you kidnap Yvette?" Howard glared at him, eyes blazing with fury.
"That's right."
The masked man nodded. "Yvette is indeed in my hands. If you want to save her, you need to do something for me."
Suddenly.
The sound of a sword rang out.
Howard suddenly drew his sword, its light flashing as he stabbed straight at the masked man's shoulder.
But his sword struck only empty air—a shadow, nothing more.
Bang!
A palm landed on Howard's back, sending him flying.
Aagh!
Howard spat out blood twice, then charged at the masked man with his sword again.
"Looks like you don't want to save Yvette's life. In that case, I'll just kill her!" the masked man sneered.
Howard froze, face darkening. "What exactly do you want?"
"Kneel and speak."
The masked man mocked.
A look of humiliation flashed in Howard's eyes. With a thud, he knelt before the masked man.
Smack!
The masked man threw a jade bottle in front of Howard and said coldly, "Within three days, make Leon Huang take the medicine in this bottle. If you do it, we'll release Yvette. If you fail, we'll kill her."
Hearing the masked man's demand, Howard flew into a rage and shook his head. "If you want me to do this, forget it."
In Howard's view, Leon Huang could revitalize Pristine Way Sect. If he died, the sect would lose its chance to rise again. Besides, Leon was likely to become his brother-in-law; though Howard hadn't paid much attention to Leon and Harriet's relationship, he knew they were close.
Whether for public or private reasons, Leon Huang must not die.
Heh, looks like your feelings for Yvette aren't as deep as I thought. In that case..." The masked man's eyes flashed with a cold smile. "Bring out Yvette!"
Soon, two masked men dragged Yvette out.
At this moment, Yvette looked pale and exhausted.
When she saw Howard, a look of joy flashed across her face, but it quickly turned to worry. "Howard, you have to leave! They're trying to use me to threaten you. Don't fall for it!"
Shut up, you wretch!
One of the masked men slapped her face, leaving five crimson finger marks on her pale cheek.
Bastard! I'll fight you!
Howard roared in fury, leapt up, and charged at the two masked men with his sword.
Aagh!
The masked man sneered, raised his hand, and struck out with a palm.
Aagh!
Howard's body was knocked backward, crashing several meters away.
"Howard, don't be foolish. Don't trust them. Even if you agree, they'll never let us go!" Yvette shouted again.
The masked man mocked.
A look of humiliation flashed in Howard's eyes. With a thud, he knelt before the masked man.
Smack!
With a ripping sound, Yvette's outer garment was torn off, revealing her underclothes.
Howard stared at Yvette, his face full of conflict.
Howard, don't be foolish. Don't trust them. Even if you agree, they'll never let us go!" Yvette shouted again.
How touching!
The masked man said mockingly, then looked at the two masked men holding Yvette. "Since he doesn't care about this woman's life, have your fun before you kill her!"
Heh heh, thank you, sir!
The two masked men grinned with delight and simultaneously reached for Yvette's clothes.
With a ripping sound, Yvette's outer garment was torn off, revealing her underclothes.
You beasts! If you have a problem, come at me. Don't hurt Yvette!
Howard charged forward again, only to be struck down mercilessly.
With another ripping sound, Yvette's underclothes were torn away, exposing a silk camisole.
Tsk tsk, her skin is so smooth and tender!
The two masked men greedily ran their hands over Yvette's exposed skin.
Witnessing this, Howard was nearly driven mad with rage. Seeing the masked men's hands reaching for Yvette's camisole, he finally broke down and screamed, "Stop! Stop! I agree to your terms!"