***

「The next morning.」

Dressed in the local traditional attire, Aurora Sinclair followed dutifully behind Mama Young, making her way to the site of the ceremony.

The ceremony was set up in the backyard, beneath a massive cherry blossom tree.

The woman who had given birth was now clad in splendid attire, a floral wreath on her head. She held her child in her arms, her face glowing with motherly love—a far cry from her previous, near-death desperation.

The young woman stood behind her, the fear on her face gone. Her eyes were filled with joy as she gazed at the child in the other woman’s arms.

The courtyard where the ceremony was held was surrounded by High Rank Martial Cultivators, all of them at the Grandmaster level. It was clearly a measure to prevent outsiders from causing trouble.

Aurora Sinclair pressed her lips together, a complicated expression in her eyes.

’Her master’s words from long ago came to mind: "There is no absolute good or evil in this world, only the inscrutable nature of humanity. Never make decisions for others; after all, you are not them..."’

Beneath the cherry blossom tree.

The Clan Leader of Yamada, dressed in special ceremonial robes, took the swaddled infant from the mother. He unwrapped the baby and placed him in a large basin.

The baby’s cries instantly echoed throughout the entire courtyard.

Beaming, the Clan Leader of Yamada bathed the baby, then kissed his brow before wrapping him back in his swaddling clothes.

Next, members of the Yamada Clan carefully poured the water from the basin into cups and offered it to all the guests to drink.

Aurora Sinclair didn’t drink. When no one was looking, she poured it onto the ground.

After everyone drank the baby’s bathwater, they all knelt on the ground, listening as the Clan Leader of Yamada recited an obscure and difficult chant.

The ceremony finally ended more than an hour later.

Aurora Sinclair helped Mama Young to her feet, and they were just about to head back.

Suddenly, the entire backyard was surrounded by members of the Yamada Clan.

The Clan Leader of Yamada announced from the front, "My apologies, everyone. There is one more matter to attend to before you may leave. This is to dispel any lingering misfortune."

The woman who had given birth and two other pregnant women were seen walking over from the front. They carried a bowl, from which they dabbed water onto the foreheads of the guests.

A flicker of vigilance rose in Aurora Sinclair’s heart. ’They might be coming for me.’

’Good thing I didn’t show my real face then.’

As they approached, Aurora Sinclair watched them with a calm expression, allowing them to dab her forehead.

The woman in the lead said, "May you have peace."

The young woman behind her followed, pressing a small sachet into her hand. "May you have peace."

Mama Young received the same treatment: a dab on the forehead and a small sachet.

Aurora Sinclair felt the sachet and discovered a slip of paper inside.

Only after this ritual was complete did the Clan Leader of the Yamada Clan permit everyone to leave.

After everyone had left, the Clan Leader of Yamada asked the three women in a low voice, "Did you find the person?"

The woman nodded slightly. "There were three people with a similar build. I’m not sure which one it was."

The Clan Leader of Yamada pondered for a moment. "Did she ask you about our clan’s heritage at the time?"

"No, she just removed my Golden Needles. Clan Leader, I beg you, for the sake of her saving me and my child, please don’t pursue this matter any further."

The woman suddenly dropped to her knees and began to kowtow to the Clan Leader.

The Clan Leader of Yamada’s expression darkened slightly. He thought for a moment before saying, "Since she did nothing out of line, we’ll let this matter drop. You are not to speak of this to any outsiders."

"Thank you, Clan Leader—"

Once the women had left, the Clan Leader of Yamada’s confidant asked in a low voice, "Clan Leader, are we really going to let it go just like that?"

The Clan Leader of Yamada glanced at him, then looked up at the nearby Holy Tree and said calmly:

"Someone who can move through our clan’s territory without a trace, even while the Old Ancestor is present... If they truly wished to act against us, our clan would be annihilated. Since we have retreated to this place, the Yamada Clan should not stir up any more trouble."

***

「Meanwhile.」

"Joy, the Family Head said we’re leaving today. Go back and pack your things in a bit," Mama Young instructed.

"Mm," Aurora Sinclair acknowledged, feeling a little regretful.

She had wanted to explore more of this ancient clan.

The Clan Leader of Yamada was very friendly toward Victor Trent, even coming out personally to see them off before they left.

He was holding a porcelain jar, from which a faint scent of blood could be smelled.

"Tiger, this is what you asked for. Can such a foul object really break the Yamada Clan’s curse?" the Clan Leader of Yamada asked, confused.

Victor Trent took the porcelain jar, his face alight with excitement. "Master, I will definitely find a way to break it."

The Clan Leader of Yamada nodded in satisfaction.

Victor Trent again paid his respects with an Ancient Martial Ceremony.

After they left, the Clan Leader of Yamada said to his confidant, "Go to the backyard and test that medicine."

The confidant nodded and left, carrying the silver box Victor Trent had given him to the backyard.

About ten minutes later, he was seen running out, his face beaming with joy, shouting, "The Young Master, he’s calmed down!"

Meanwhile, in the car, Victor Trent gazed excitedly at the porcelain jar in his arms and said to Raina Young, "Darling, with this, our experiment can be even more perfect..."

Raina Young gave a perfunctory smile, her brow furrowed slightly. She seemed to dislike the porcelain jar he was holding.

In the car behind them, Aurora Sinclair was playing a word puzzle game on her phone. It was developed by Alvin Morgan, and it was one of a kind.

It looked like she was playing a game, but it could actually be used to transmit information.

[The son of the Yamada Clan’s leader is covered in hair, resembles a beast, possesses immense strength, and is incredibly agile.]

[Victor Trent asked the Clan Leader of Yamada for the newborn’s placenta, presumably for research.]

[I might have a connection to this clan.]

After sending the last message, Aurora Sinclair’s gaze darkened.

The game soon chimed, signaling that she had passed the level. It rewarded her with a large number of gold coins. When decoded, the number of coins spelled out a message: [We have arrived.]

The car braked suddenly, and Aurora Sinclair nearly slammed into the back of the front seat.

"Ma’am—"

The roar of gunfire already echoed from outside. Victor Trent’s car was under attack.

The members of the Trent Family who had come to pick them up immediately returned fire, but the opposing force’s firepower was intense, and they quickly surrounded the Trent Family’s people.

With a grim expression, Victor Trent raised his hands. "I’ll give you money, just don’t harm my family."

But one of the masked assailants went straight for the porcelain jar he had hidden in the car and took it.

The color drained from Victor Trent’s face. "Put that down—" he roared.