บท 18: Peace before the storm
After Nero's group left the front of the Dai Family's mansion, almost everyone went back inside.
Dai Dong was furious about Wei Ping's death, but he understood that no matter how bad things were, it could have been worse, and maybe it is not over yet. But now all he could do was go home and mourn the death of his friend.
But there were still two people standing on the sidewalk looking in the direction that Nero went. The Dai Sisters were standing side by side looking at the street with curious and concerned looks.
It was evident that they were curious because everything that happened was extraordinary. But Dai Zhi's concern was about Nero liking a non-human more than she. Dai Jingyi, on the other hand, was concerned that Nero would not forgive her family and return to kill everyone.
"Big Sis, what did you do..." Dai Jingyi understood that it all started with her sister's mistakes, but now it was too late, and all she could do was try to save her family.
"I don't understand how things ended up like this. I didn't do anything wrong! It is the fault of that non-human who somehow seduced Nero." Dai Zhi looked at his younger sister with a questioning look. "Do you understand that it is not normal to like non-humans? Or do you also admire these animals?!"
"Whether he likes it or not, it shouldn't be our problem. But now that you've touched his reverse scale, we're in trouble. We didn't saw his strength, but to defeat Wei Ping and a person in the sixth layer of Qi Refinement at such a young age, do you think we have a chance to live if he decides to kill us?" Dai Jingyi was really good with words, and Dai Zhi understood that she did shit.
"And now what do we do? If only the mother were here..." Dai Zhi thought of her mother, who was a very authoritarian and even scary woman at times but always had a good plan in mind.
"I think we can try to hand you over to Nero so that he can punish you until he's satisfied that probably will be when you die in pain." Dai Jingyi seriously spoke, making Dai Zhi feel an enormous fear running down her spine.
"Little Sis? Boo-hoo, how can you!?" Dai Zhi did not believe that her little sister would do that, but she still couldn't resist crying as she was already depressed about everything.
"Of course, there is another solution that is to leave the city and try our luck in the north. The mother must have done it so we can too." Dai Jingyi spoke while patting Dai Zhi on the head, who bent down to hug her little sister, who was the most mature person there.
"The mountains are full of scary beasts that can even kill a Martial Warrior. How cou-" Dai Zhi thought out loud about this solution, but Dai Jingyi put a finger in her mouth, making an 'Shh' sound to her stop talking.
"You can't see because you're in love, but Nero is scarier than any beast." Dai Jingyi was very smart and observant. She couldn't even imagine that Nero was non-human but she could feel that he was a terrible and cruel person. She would regret being right about that.
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"Lead Nero to the guest room. I will call someone with knowledge of healing to help the girl." Dai Dong spoke to his daughter when they arrived at the Xun Family home.
"Marie is her name. She may be non-human, but she is a person and a very important one to me. I appreciate your hospitality, and I will be even more grateful if you can help her heal." Nero spoke respectfully to Xun He but made his point about Marie's importance clear.
Nobody there understood why Nero liked a non-human so much. Except for Elder Xiong, who had some suspicions. But Xun He and his family knew that not everyone hates non-humans, and they want to be in good shape with Nero to take good care of Marie.
"Come with me. You will like the guest room, and it is close to mine." Xun Lan spoke excitedly even though Nero only nodded in agreement and followed her, still carrying Marie very carefully.
Nero remembered well that Xun Lan was there in the forest with Dai Zhi when they hit the already very injured Marie. Xun Lan didn't kick her like the others but talked about 'taking information from her, ' which meant torturing Marie in search of her secrets.
A part of Nero wanted to rip Xun Lan's throat by separating her head from the body and throwing it at her father. But he knew that he could not go to war against all humans in this world because his strength was close to the bottom in the 'food chain.'
If he has to look human and be among them to have more blood, it is better to choose well with which humans to ally. Nero already has an idea that Elder Xiong may know about him being non-human from the curious looks he has been doing. But Nero still doesn't know much about Xun Family, so he wants to know more about them.
"You know, Nero. I had no idea that Marie was so important to you. I'm sorry for not helping her in the forest." Xun Lan was not stupid and could feel Nero's murderous gaze on his back. She didn't have to think long to understand that he should be mad at her for the events in the forest.
"Good that you understand your mistakes. But now your family is helping me, and I will try to forget about it. But if Marie wants to settle this with you when she recovers, I won't stop her." Nero spoke the truth because he did not want to kill those who are helping him even though they are human. But he could still kill them all at any time if he felt like it.
Nero could be hypocritical at times, but he didn't care because he did what he wanted and whenever he wanted. He had no one to talk about what is right or wrong or anything about morals. His family was dead, and Sarah supported him in everything at any time.
Nero didn't know how Marie became more and more important to him even though they had nothing to do with except being non-humans. He had no control over that overprotective side that awakened every time he looked at the cute little fox.
Sarah didn't like having a woman other than her in Nero's arms, but that overprotective side of him was cute for her. She was more and more sure that there was a destiny that brought them together because she knew that Nero was the best ally she could have in her revenge. Super protective with his partners and cruel to enemies.
"Thank you for trying to forget this. I will understand if she is still mad at me, and I will accept any punishment because it was my mistake." Xun Lan was not very happy that Nero showed so much consideration for the non-human, but she couldn't do anything. She still thought he was special, and it was worth anything to be with him. If Nero were hers one day, it would be perfect, and Xun Lan would never give up on that goal.
Xun Lan took Nero to a huge and expensive room. He put Marie in a large double bed and turned to Xun Lan, waiting for her to leave and give them some privacy.
"My father must already be bringing a healer to help Marie. I'm leaving now, and if you need anything, just find anyone in the house and send them to tell me." Xun Lan spoke with a sad face as it was quite unfortunate to see that expressionless look of Nero. She wanted him to look at her with a smile, or it would be better if he looked at her like he looks at the non-human.
After Xun Lan left the room and closed the door, Nero sat down beside the unconscious Little Fox and looked at her fondly.
"What is her situation?" Nero asked Sarah in his mind.
"I'm not sure. My spiritual sense was much weaker after I lost my body and is almost nonexistent now. But I can say that she is stronger than a Martial Warrior and who knows how many realms up there. But she suffered a lot of injuries and is now without all her cultivation."
Sarah spoke calmly and lied about her spiritual sense being weak as it was really a miracle that she could still use even that little bit of spiritual sense after burning her spirit Qi to help Nero merge with the Dark Soul Stone.
Sarah knew the consequences and did everything thinking about Nero to help her revenge. But after spending two years together, she started to feel very guilty because they will be connected forever, and Nero doesn't even know the effects of her spirit Qi on his body.
Nero was very concerned because if Marie was so strong, she must have faced an enemy too powerful to have ended so badly. He wanted to protect Marie eliminating the person who hurt her, but he understood that it is needed a lot of strength to kill someone from Realms above Martial Warrior. All he could do was take revenge on the Xun Family and let Marie recover in peace.
"Rest, Little Fox. As you recover, I will accompany the Dai Family. And don't worry because I'm not going to touch those lovely cute ears." Nero spoke to Marie, who slept with a peaceful face as if she were feeling very safe, but when Nero spoke, he could see her ears shaking instinctively. Nero didn't know, but it was a sign that Marie was very comfortable in his presence.
While Nero comforted the unconscious and cute little fox, someone knocked on the door. After he sent Xun He in, he came to him with an older woman looking like a nice grandma who smelled of herbs and medicine.
"She is an experienced healer and is in my family ever since. She is trustworthy and will take good care of Marie." Xun He spoke proudly because that old lady was known in the city as the best healer in the region.
Xun He tried to take Nero to talk outside the room and let the healer work in peace. But Nero insisted on being there all the time watching everything that was done with Marie. As she was unconscious, the old woman washed her body with wet cloths and warm water full of herbs. Nero was careful not to see Marie's naked body while the Grandma took care of her.
"She must be very important to you. I've done everything in my power. Now we have to wait for her to regain her mental strength to wake up. But it can take days or even weeks." The healer looked at Marie and then gave Nero a friendly look as she left the room.
Nero looked at Marie, who was now full of ointments, herbs, and bandages. He couldn't help feeling sad and angry that she was hurt, but now she was being treated and could soon recover. Having loved ones hurt was better than dead loved ones, and Nero understood well that terrible feeling that would never leave him.
Nero spent more than two hours watching Marie sleep peacefully then left the room. In the corridor, he saw Xun Lan and Zhu Tai sitting on the floor talking.
"How is she?" They both asked Nero about Marie.
"She'll be fine. Unlike the Dai Family." Nero spoke in a way that made it clear what was coming next.
"She is lucky to have you." Zhu Tai spoke because his master had already warned him to be more friendly to Nero that would return with them to the Black Sword Sect.
Nero can't help but wonder how things could end up like this. He knew nothing about Marie and had only talked to her for a few seconds. Now their paths were connected in ways they would never have imagined.
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