章 9: Theft at Magical Island

Mia's voice echoed through the room as she directed the group, "I have something important to discuss with the Young Master, so the rest of you may leave." With that, they swiftly departed, leaving him standing there, his curiosity piqued. The portal closed behind them, cutting off any glimpse of the outside world.

"Follow me," Mia said, her tone carrying a sense of urgency. She led him to the grandeur of the Conference Hall, its polished surfaces gleaming under the soft glow of ambient light. Mia gracefully took her seat at the head of the table, and with a subtle gesture, invited him to sit beside her.

"Your Highness," he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity, "Is there a specific business matter you require my assistance with?" His eyes met hers, searching for clues in the depths of her gaze. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

Mia regarded him thoughtfully. "Hmm... It's something related to the Island. By the way, do you know what this room is called?"

He contemplated for a moment before replying, "I believe it's a meeting room, given its setup. It could be the Magical Conference Hall. My grandfather mentioned it to me; it's where rulers and leaders held their discussions."

"You're correct. Have you ever been to this conference hall before, Young Master Yang?" Mia inquired, her eyes probing for any signs of familiarity in his expression.

He smiled serenely and replied, "No, Your Highness. Although my grandfather shared stories about this place, I have never had the opportunity to visit. If you don't mind, please call me Lin Yang. Titles like 'old' or 'young master' aren't necessary; you're our superior."

Mia fell silent, her unwavering gaze fixed on his eyes. Despite feeling uneasy under her scrutiny, he remained composed throughout their conversation.

A soft smile played on Mia's lips. "Well then, Mr. Lin Yang, you seem remarkably composed. Your ability to conceal the truth and your emotions is quite impressive."

His eyebrow arched in surprise. "Pardon?" he responded, intrigued by her observation.

Mia maintained a composed smile on her face. "Yesterday, I spent the entire day on the island. I sensed the aura of a Magical White Wolf, but it differed from that of our leader. According to my rules, no one can enter the island without my knowledge. Only those with one of the four jades can gain entry. I discovered that white jade was used, a stone possessed by the White Wolf Leader."

"How can I assist in this matter?" he inquired, his voice steady despite the growing tension in the room.

"The one who entered was you," Mia stated firmly. "Not only that, but a magical instrument is also missing, which I suspect was taken by you. Return it, and explain how you accessed the White Jade," she demanded.

His expression shifted, a mix of surprise and guilt crossing his features. He rose from his chair and knelt in front of Mia. "Your Highness, I am aware of the gravity of my actions. You have every right to execute me, but please, grant me some time. I will return the instrument to you, but right now, I need it," he implored, his words heavy with remorse and desperation.

He appeared to be in emotional anguish, his turmoil evident in his eyes.

Mia met his gaze steadily. "You know, many have made the mistake of kneeling before me, a gesture I despise. But, first and foremost, you should stand," she said firmly. "Regarding the instrument, it's used for locating someone or something. I presume you're using it to find Mi. If you need my assistance, I'm willing to help."

His face lit up with hope. "You know Mi? Will you really help me?" he asked, a glimmer of happiness in his eyes.

She nodded affirmatively.

With her encouragement, he rose from the ground and conjured magic. The instrument materialized in his hands, resembling a delicate flower bud crafted from crystals.

Mia gently took the instrument from him and placed it on the table. "I heard about Mi from your grandfather. He mentioned that my appearance resembles hers to some extent. Don't worry; I'll assist you. However, breaking the rules of the Island demands punishment. What about the White Jade?" she inquired.

He nodded, a mix of relief and gratitude on his face. "It's true that there's a resemblance between you and her, but unlike you, she always needed someone to protect her. As for the White Jade, it was just a replica. I dedicated three years' worth of cultivation to create it. You didn't see me because I used light magic to enhance my speed, and even I couldn't see you that day due to my haste."

Mia fell into a deep silence before abruptly standing from her chair. "Give me your hands," she said, her voice steady. He complied, extending his hands towards her. Mia gently held both of his hands in hers and closed her eyes in deep concentration.

Time seemed to stretch as moments passed. When she opened her eyes, her face was drenched in sweat, her complexion pale as if she had witnessed a ghost. With great effort, she released his hands and sank back into her chair, visibly drained and breathless.

Concern etched his features as he approached her. "Your Highness, are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. Without waiting for a response, he poured water from the jug on the table into a glass and handed it to her. She accepted it gratefully, taking a few sips to steady herself.

"Mr. Lin Yang, you should leave now," Mia said weakly. "But before you go, tell me about the girl's family, the place she lived, and where the two of you used to meet." Her voice was firm despite her exhaustion, indicating the urgency of the information she sought.

He hesitated before speaking, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I... Actually, I don't know anything about her family or house. She didn't know about my family or house either, not even my real name. I told her my name was Li. We used to meet in Yun Valley."

Mia nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "So, that's why you haven't found her yet. I see. But there's one more thing I wanted to ask. Do you know anything about your mother's family?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet probing.

He looked down at the ground, his expression clouded with confusion. "I don't know anything about my mother's family. No one ever told me about them, and I never felt the need to ask. Why do you want to know?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued.

"It's just that I was curious about her death. In any case, you can go now. If I find out anything about Mi, I will let you know," she assured him, her voice softening as she dismissed him.

He nodded and quietly left the room. As he made his way out, Mia's face contorted in pain, and she suddenly vomited blood, her body trembling with the intensity of her agony. Despite her weakened state, she managed to rise slowly from her seat, using her magic to clean the bloodstains.

Summoning the last of her strength, Mia teleported herself to the healing tree, seeking solace beneath its branches. Taking a deep breath, she gazed up at the sky, her voice a whisper in the wind. "Who are you, Lin Yang?" she wondered aloud, her mind filled with questions and uncertainty.