Return of the Mythic Bloodline

"Grandfather, why do you come here?" Yuta asked, his voice laced with nervousness.

"Riku broke the protection jade that I gave him," the old man replied in a cracked but firm voice.

"So tell me, Yuta," The ancestor's voice became heavy, and the pressure inside the small room increased.

"Why is your brother unconscious?"

Yuta pushed himself into a sitting position and explained everything to the old man.

As soon as he completed his story, the sharp sound of a slap echoed through the house.

"How dare you take my precious Riku to such a dangerous place?" the lady beside the old man shouted.

Nobody in the room reacted. Rumi and Gumiho were still bowing in front of the old man.

"Forgive me for my mistake, mother," Yuta said. The expression on his previously cheerful face turned unreadable.

Another sharp slap landed on Yuta's face, leaving a print of purple fingertips on his cheek.

Gumiho was about to protest, but Rumi immediately grabbed her hand, hinting for her to keep bowing and not offend these people.

"Do you even know the depth of your mistake?" the lady barked. "You are just a bastard, and you dared put the life of the heir of the fox clan at risk."

Yuta didn't react. As if the sting from the slap didn't bother him at all, he just kept looking down without uttering a word.

"I asked you a question, bastard," the lady shouted, raising her hand for another slap.

"Enough," the ancestor commanded, and the lady stopped immediately.

"But father, if I don't teach him a lesson, he will become more impertinent," the lady protested.

"I think he understands his mistakes now," the ancestor said. Then, turning to Yuta, he spoke in a low, eerie tone.

"Isn't that right, Yuta?"

The expressions returned to the boy's unreadable face. But it wasn't one of relief or resignation.

He was sweating buckets and had turned pale. He was terrified beyond reason. Even when the two knights attacked them, he hadn't been this afraid. It was as if this feeble old man were the most petrifying person in Yuta's eyes.

He immediately moved and bowed, hitting his head on the ground and ignoring the pain from his injured arm as blood began to leak from the sudden movement.

"Yuta understands his mistakes, grandfather."

"Well then, take Riku and return to the main house."

Yuta immediately got up and tried to pick up the unconscious Riku with his only functioning arm.

However, his efforts were in vain as a crashing kick landed on his side, throwing him to the floor.

"Don't touch him with your filthy hands," the lady muttered, veins popping on her head. She didn't seem angry or disappointed at Yuta. It was as if she absolutely despised this innocent kid to her core.

"Oh my baby Riku, what have they done to you?" she murmured, her expression taking a total 180.

She gently picked him up, and as she moved towards the exit, she spoke again, this time in a cold and chilling tone,

"You are still in one piece because of your father's achievements in war, or I would have had your head for your impertinence."

She was hinting at Gumiho's earlier attempt to stand for Yuta, which was halted by Rumi.

"If her father were here, he would have sliced the tongue that dared threaten his daughter," another firm, feminine voice came from outside.

Hana emerged from the forest, wiping her blood-dripping hands with a small cloth.

"How dare you insult a member of the main family?" The lady barked.

Hana passed by the lady, completely ignoring her, and threw the bloody cloth outside before entering the house.

"Greetings, Ancestor," she said, slightly lifting her robe.

"Greetings, Elder Hana," the ancestor responded.

"My daughter risked her life and saved the clan's heir," Hana said, her voice firm. "But to my disbelief, she is threatened by the very mother who should be thanking her with utmost gratitude. Is that how the main family repays their debt?"

The mood inside the small stone house changed again.

"She is a total badass!" I gasped, enjoying the scenario unfolding before me.

The ancestor's grip on his stick tightened, as if he were suppressing the storm inside him.

"Apologize," he murmured.

"Hahaha, didn't you hear what Father said? Kneel and apologize right now," the lady holding Riku scoffed.

"Apologize, Yasuko."

Everyone, including me, looked at the ancestor with confused eyes.

"Who the heck is Yasuko?" I questioned.

After a deep pondering of one second, a smirk appeared on my face as realization hit me.

"Don't tell me, he meant..."

"Huh? Father, why should I apologize?" Riku's mother asked in complete disbelief.

"She was the one who insulted me."

"Don't make me repeat myself," the ancestor said. This time, the tone of his cracked voice was higher.

Yasuko flinched, her pupils contracted, and a dark expression covered her face. She bit her lower lip, suppressing all the fury inside her, before muttering in a low, non-apologetic tone,

"I have offended Elder Hana. Please forgive me."

"I wasn't the one you threatened," Hana responded, looking toward Gumiho.

Numerous veins bulged on Yasuko's head, her body quivered, and blood leaked from her lower lip as she spoke again,

"I was rude to Lady Ume. I ask for your forgiveness."

Before Gumiho could even give the petty forgiveness she asked for, Yasuko had already turned and left the house.

The ancestor raised his stick and moved slowly towards the exit.

As he passed by Hana, he spoke in a low tone, "I heard that Aruma lost his arm in the previous battle. I hope that doesn't affect his position and standing in the clan."

"Don't worry, Ancestor, my husband isn't so weak that he would be diminished by just losing an arm."

"I hope your words are true," the ancestor said before leaving the house quietly, followed by Yuta.

As soon as the group left, Hana buckled and fell to the floor. Tears rolled down her face as she wept,

"Dear husband, how could this happen?"