The intruder was dressed entirely in black. He wore a bronze mask of an archaic design, its edges speckled with verdigris rust.
The only visible features were a pair of clear, bright eyes that carried a hint of mockery, reflecting the figures of Liu Hong and his son.
Liu Taoyao recovered from his shock, stood up, and unsheathed the long sword at his waist. Pointing it directly at the intruder, he demanded, "Who are you to dare trespass into the Liu family's home?"
In contrast, Liu Hong shed his previous solemnity, revealing a look of surprise. His gaze became subtly complex—a mixture of dejection, panic, and relief, among other emotions.
The intruder glanced at Liu Taoyao and let out a scoff. "They say a tiger father begets no dog son, but from what I see, that's not always true." He shifted his gaze to Liu Hong. "What do you say, Lord Liu?"
Just as Liu Taoyao was about to speak again, Liu Hong abruptly cut in. "Yao'er, remember what I just told you. Leave now."
