Chapter 9: A Lost Son

The Yin family manor was enveloped in an uneasy stillness. Days had passed since Yin Zian's disappearance, and worry loomed over the household like a dark cloud.

Lady Lian paced back and forth in the grand hall, her sharp voice breaking the silence. "I always knew this day would come! He has no discipline, no focus—neither in studies nor in swordsmanship. And now? He's run away from home and brought shame upon us!"

She turned toward Master Yin, who sat silently at the head of the table. "And you… You say nothing! Your son is missing, and yet you sit there as if nothing has happened!"

Master Yin exhaled deeply, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Lian, panicking won't solve anything. Zian will return when it's time."

Mei, Zian's younger sister, who had been sitting quietly nearby, looked up with wide, tear-filled eyes. "Father," she asked hesitantly, "will Brother come back?"

Master Yin turned to her, his expression softening. "Yes, Mei. Your brother will come back. Have faith in him."

Just then, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, and Lao Min, one of their trusted servants, entered with a folded letter in his hands. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Master, this letter arrived for you."

Master Yin took the letter and unfolded it carefully. His eyes scanned the contents, and as he read, a flicker of relief crossed his face. "Zian is safe," he announced, looking up at the room. "He is staying with an old friend of mine."

Mei let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, but Lady Lian wasn't so easily appeased. "Safe?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Now even your friend knows our son ran away from home! What will they think of us?"

Master Yin raised his hand to calm her. "According to this letter, Zian was kidnapped by some men who intended to sell him. He was rescued before that could happen."

Lady Lian gasped, her face paling. "Kidnapped? This is what happens when you don't take swordsmanship seriously! If he had trained properly, he could have defended himself!"

Master Yin's tone remained steady. "I'll leave tomorrow morning to bring him back."

"Tomorrow?" Lady Lian snapped. "Why not today? How can you wait even a moment, knowing what he's been through?"

"It's already late," Master Yin replied calmly. "Traveling at night would be foolish. I'll leave at dawn."

Lady Lian fell silent, though her worry was evident in her furrowed brow. Mei, gathering her courage, approached her father and said, "When Brother comes back, can I learn swordsmanship too? I want to be strong, like him."

Master Yin looked at her, a rare smile softening his features. "Yes, Mei. You can learn. But first, we must bring your brother home."

At the break of dawn, Master Yin stood at the manor gates, his horse ready for the journey. Lady Lian handed him a pouch of food and supplies, her expression unreadable. "Bring him back," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "And make him understand what it means to be a part of this family."

Master Yin nodded and mounted his horse. As he rode away, Mei watched from the doorway, clutching the edge of her sleeve. She silently vowed that when her brother returned, she would be strong enough to stand beside him—not as a helpless child, but as someone he could rely on.