Array

Hours later... Emily was up in the middle of the night.

Earlier, the family had returned home from Starlight Paradise.

"The Lin Family, huh." Emily's voice was the coldest it had ever been. "Your son is too great, even daring to toy with my daughter's life."

"I've been far too easygoing." Emily blamed herself. "My daughter is just a normal child, but she was in such danger..."

From now on, she would no longer allow her children to be out alone; there had to be armed guards present protecting them from the shadows.

Even if this interference risked exposing her identity as the Winter's Edge leader, which would bring unprecedented trouble.

If that time came, Emily hoped that she would be able to handle it; she did not want the organization's enemies to go after her children. Their freedom would forever be restricted if that were to happen. Living on edge, it would not be a happy childhood.

It was a peaceful era, and normal parents wouldn't ever expect their children to be in such great danger in public places like schools and fancy restaurants.

Unfortunately, crazy, erratic children like Keith Lin existed, who had too much power for their own good since birth.

Tylem and Lynne were middle schoolers and both very intelligent for their age, which was a tender age where youths could solve things on their own. Emily had wanted them to grow up with freedom and independence, being too overprotective and controlling could ruin a child, after all.

Lots of working parents also left their middle-school children alone at home, even allowing them to wander without supervision after school with friends.

Both options were not perfect. Each brought its own possible troubles. She had hoped to not involve her children with this unsafe world, but it was no longer safe to leave them unattended.

Having overheard a bit of Tylem's discussion with Ava, Emily was infuriated.

"You raised your son well." Emily sneered, her face covered with a black-peach mask. "Lin Family, you're all equally as guilty for having nurtured such a bastard."

It was no longer just simple bullying anymore. This kid would even go as far as to take Lynne's life.

If she didn't wipe their entire Lin Family off the face of the Earth tonight, her heart would not rest.

Emily closed the door behind her. Walking down the stairs, she was shocked to see Tylem standing at the bottom with his arms crossed.

"Mother," Tylem stated, his eyes clear. The masked woman did not resemble the former Emily at all.

But how could Tylem not recognize the person who had changed his life?

"..." Emily looked at Tylem. "What are you doing here?"

"Mother, you're too obvious." Tylem smiled. "Did you think I was unable to see you hiding back there at Starlight?"

"Knowing Mother, there is no way you would sit still after hearing all that." Tylem nodded.

Ava and Lynne had managed to make up.

For a while, Emily just stared at Tylem like this. That's right—her son wasn't a normal child. There was no chance she had not been noticed back then. Because of her rage, she had overlooked this.

"So what are you trying to do now then?" Emily poked Tylem's forehead with her gloved finger. "You want to stop me?"

"Stop?" Tylem shook his head. "Mother, who do you think I am?"

"Just like how you're Lynne's mother... Don't forget that I'm also family, her big brother." Tylem laughed. "What kind of big brother would I be if I don't pay Keith back for all that he has done?"

"Honey, I appreciate the thought, but this is a dangerous matter." Emily sighed. "It's true that I don't know the full extent of your capabilities and how you became so strong for your age, but I still can't let you come with me."

"I want to help, Mother." Tylem clenched his teeth. "Don't push me away."

"Son, let me ask you this." Emily, in the blink of an eye, appeared behind Tylem. "Do you have the confidence to beat guns?"

Tylem's eyes widened, Emily's hand was placed at his neck.

"You're still young, son." Emily pulled Tylem's fleshy cheeks. "You are the most talented child I've ever seen."

"But that's the point, son. No matter how mature you are, you're still just a child. Your body is still growing."

In this vast modern world, there were many mysteries, such as the spatial rings which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Since even spatial rings could exist, it meant that there was, of course, also objects like life-changing talismans in private circulation. Hidden from the public eye, diagrams of formations and arrays were real. However, even with all of this, there had never been a true cultivator spotted before.

Perhaps, a legendary cultivator from a higher world had descended onto Earth at some point and left all his belongings here as he or she passed away. Regardless, there had never been a public cultivation manual.

Seeing the peaceful modern world, it was possible that the legendary cultivator had foreseen the dangers that would follow from leaving an authentic cultivation manual and chosen not to do so. Nevertheless, the theories were all just guesswork.

"Mother, so because I'm a child, I am of no use?" Tylem stated, "In your eyes, am I that weak?"

"Not at all, darling. You have done a lot. You're strong, and I know that you would be of help." Emily hugged Tylem. "But I just can't accept the thought of your life being in danger."

"Wouldn't it be safer for me to stay at your side then? It would be easier for you to protect me like this." Tylem knew he was not being logical at all. "My mother is so capable. How could Mother not be able to ensure the safety of just one child following you?"

"Let me stay at your side, Mother." Tylem pushed. No matter what, he did not want Emily to go alone; his heart wouldn't be at ease.

"Sigh." Emily rubbed Tylem's back. "Fine..."

"Thank you, Mo—" Abruptly falling into Emily's arms, Tylem's vision dimmed.

"I'm sorry, son." Retrieving her hand, Emily carried Tylem back to his bedroom, covering him in the duvet.

"Sleep tight, son." Emily stepped out of the room, closing the door without a sound. "I'll be back very soon."

Silence ensued the room, and it seemed that all would be fine.

However, moments later, Tylem got up with a calm face.

Shaking his head, Tylem sighed, "You're too predictable, Mother."

Tylem, of course, knew that Emily would not allow him to follow her.

It was also within his expectations that Emily would try to ditch him.

Searching for the direction she had left in, Tylem began to follow Emily's trail. In this time, he also put on a blood-red mask of his own. It was taken out from seemingly nowhere. Naturally, it had been in the ball of light's storage.

The wind was fierce as it collided with his mask.

Time flowed like water.

"Hah..." Emily could feel the small figure trailing her from behind. It was a mother's sense.

Slowing down so that Tylem would not be left behind, a small, helpless smile appeared on Emily's face. "I guess this is also destiny."

Emily knew that Tylem, her son, was destined to not be a normal character, his feats would impress the entire world one day. Even if she hid everything from him, he would still find his way into the darker world regardless. It was too obvious.

Tylem was far too different from Lynne. It was wishful thinking for him to be a normal, carefree child.

Emily had not truly tried to knock Tylem out. It was just a minor test. If he couldn't even handle such a weak blow, he would be unqualified to follow her tonight on this dangerous mission.

From the strength Tylem had shown her back during their run together, there was no way he would suffer true damage from such a weak blow. This would be her son's first time at a true battlefield, and she would protect him every step of the way. It was better for him to earn this experience while she was still able to be with him, rather than alone.

The two carried on like this for a while until Emily vanished at the hidden array with Tylem following shortly after.

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