Chapter 148: The Disappearing Sister

Upon hearing that something had happened in Lincheng, Jiang An's tone carried a bone-chilling, wintry murderous intent. Though his expression remained unchanged, Zhuge Qian, fixed in his gaze, felt as though he were looking at the most terrifying entity imaginable. Nearly losing his composure, Zhuge Qian bowed his head in a panic and hastily explained:

"Please calm your anger, Senior! Please calm your anger! According to the reports, although the Yumen Gate was attacked by an unknown expert, everyone is safe and sound."

Jiang An's tension eased slightly, and a cold smile suddenly appeared on his lips. "Good, very good! These people courting death! Tell me the exact details of what happened."

"This morning, just as I arrived in Rongcheng, I received word that your Yumen Gate was searching for you. Not daring to delay, I immediately contacted them for information. It is said that over a month ago, the Yumen Gate was attacked by a foreign master. Because there were no significant losses, the news was kept under wraps. However, another incident occurred recently, requiring your immediate presence to take charge. Right now, members of the Yumen Gate should be on a flight to Rongcheng. Fearing that we might miss each other, I waited here specifically. I hope Senior will discern the truth!"

Zhuge Qian briefly and clearly outlined the sequence of events.

Jiang An nodded and said, "The Zhuge family head is thoughtful. Then let you and I return to Rongcheng first."

"Yes. Oh, there is one more item here that I must present to Senior."

Zhuge Qian produced an exquisite small box and respectfully handed it to Jiang An, explaining, "This is offered by the Mi family of Rongcheng as a token of apology. They hope you will be magnanimous and spare them this once."

An apology from the Mi family?

Jiang An recalled the agreement to trade a treasure for a life. He had merely mentioned it in passing, yet the Mi family had taken it to heart in sheer terror. However, at this moment, Jiang An's heart was set on returning home immediately, and he had no inclination whatsoever to open the box. Tucking it casually into his storage pouch, he grabbed Zhuge Qian by the shoulder and soared into the clouds, flying rapidly toward Rongcheng.

"Senior! Senior! Th-th-this..."

It was Zhuge Qian's first time flying high in the sky stepping on clouds. Naturally, he felt some nervousness, but far greater was his excitement. This was true flight—the dream of all mankind!

"Sit tight, Jiang is going to accelerate. The speed will be even faster than your helicopter!"

Qi-refining stage cultivators could only fly by piloting magical instruments, whereas Foundation Establishment cultivators were capable of using the "Cloud-Riding Technique." From the Golden Core stage and above, they could even streak through the air encased in escape light. Normally, the flight speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was merely average, but Jiang An was different. Operating at full power, the white cloud beneath his feet instantly transformed into a streak of white light, and the scenery below retreated at a breathtaking pace.

After flying for some time, the two reached the outskirts of Rongcheng. To avoid creating a sensational spectacle that would shock the secular world, Jiang An descended from the sky and boarded a car Zhuge Qian had prepared in advance, speeding toward the airport.

Upon arriving at the airport, Fan Jun was already waiting there. As soon as he caught sight of Jiang An, he said with agitated relief, "Your Highness, we have finally found you..."

"We'll talk once we are on the plane," Jiang An said calmly, his composure unshaken.

The two boarded the nearest flight and entered first class, where Fan Jun finally detailed the course of events to Jiang An:

"On June twenty-fourth, Madam and the little princess were attacked by the powerful Thai sorcerer Depeng, who attempted to abduct them. Cheng Yang resisted to the death, and Master Dao arrived just in time to frighten the enemy away. Afterward, we tightened our defenses to prevent another attack while notifying the Guardian Manor to dispatch forces for a search. However, the enemy vanished without a trace and never appeared again, which is why we withheld the news from the public. But the day before yesterday, a young boy came looking for us..."

...

"Aah, my neck is a bit stiff. Ahh—"

Tong Hao woke up from the bed in the hospital's companion ward, stretching lazily and letting out a long yawn. His very first action was to walk over, pull back the privacy curtains surrounding the hospital bed, and look at the figure lying with her back to him, sleeping so quietly that it put his mind at ease.

"Sister, just wait a little longer. Sis—uh, Teacher Jiang is coming soon. Hang in there, okay? I'll go buy you some breakfast first. Be a good girl and don't move around."

After speaking softly, regardless of whether anyone had heard him, Tong Hao quickly washed up and headed down to the cafeteria on the lower floor to buy breakfast.

Twenty minutes later, he returned with the breakfast, placed it on the table, and said, "Sister, it's time to wake up. Let me get a towel to wipe your face first."

With that, he stepped into the bathroom, drew a basin of water, and flung the curtains all the way open to let the bright morning light stream in. The room instantly became cheerful and radiant. What a truly wonderful day it would be if only his sister could recover soon.

"Come, come, time to wipe your face. Don't be shy; I've seen you in this state countless times already. If we don't wash the sleep crust from your eyes, you won't have the face to see Teacher Jiang when he arrives later."

Tong Hao soaked the towel, wrung it dry, and stood up. Seeing that his sister was still curled up inside the blanket refusing to come out, he teased her affectionately.

There was still not the slightest movement from the hospital bed.

Tong Hao suddenly felt a jolt of foreboding. He whipped the blanket away—it was stuffed entirely with pillows and clothes! Where was his sister?!

"Sis, stop joking around! Sis, where are you?!"

Panicking and flustered, Tong Hao searched everywhere in a frenzy and pressed the call button to summon a nurse. Within moments, a nurse hurried over and asked what was wrong.

"Nurse, did you guys take my sister for an examination or something? Have you seen her?"

He stared fixedly at the nurse with hopeful eyes, praying to hear good news from her lips.

"Who would take a patient for an examination this early? Besides, don't you know your sister's condition? What good would an examination do? Furthermore, even if there were an examination, we would have notified the family first..."

Before the nurse could finish, Tong Hao's pupils constricted. He collapsed weakly to the floor, tears streaming from his eyes as he wailed aloud: "I—I lost my sister! I lost my sister! What do I do..."

Clatter!

Outside the corridor, a food container dropped to the ground, splashing soup everywhere. Mother Tong could not believe the news she had just heard, while Father Tong charged into the hospital ward like a madman. A moment later, his furious roar erupted: "Tong Hao! You little bastard! I'm going to beat you to death!"

He burst out and kicked Tong Hao hard, sending him flying across the floor, his face distorted with rage. "How could you lose your sister?! How could you lose your sister?!"

He rained blow after blow down upon his own flesh and blood. Mother Tong and the nurse rushed over to intervene, grabbing hold of him with all their might. "Stop hitting him, stop hitting him! You'll beat your son to death! Our daughter has limited mobility, so even if she left on her own, she couldn't have gone far. Finding her is what matters now!"

Father Tong's chest heaved violently. He halted his violent onslaught and said through clenched teeth, "Search! Find her immediately! Call the police at once and check the surveillance footage! Nurse, take me there!"

The nurse was momentarily stunned. "Wh—where to?"

"To your leadership! To the surveillance room!" Father Tong roared.

Mother Tong helped the sobbing Tong Hao to his feet. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Should we notify the people on that side? They have more manpower..."

"Don't you dare! Isn't my daughter in this state because of that bastard?!" Father Tong glared with bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth. "Whoever dares to notify them, don't blame me for turning hostile!"

With that, he left with the nurse.

Mother Tong stood rooted to the spot in thought. She stroked her son's head and said, "Child, it's not your fault. The most urgent task right now is to find your sister. We can't listen to your father. Yesterday, those people offered to leave guards, but he refused. Now that something like this has happened... Oh, Mom is calling the police now. You go notify the people on that side. Let's all search together. How can your sister's body endure being out there alone?"

Tong Hao sniffled hard, wiped the tears from his face, and said resolutely, "Okay! I will definitely find Sister. Definitely!"

With that, he sprinted rapidly down toward the first floor, biting his lower lip fiercely the entire way, his expression blank. He knew this was not the time for tears or guilt. He could die, but only *after* he found his sister!

To his surprise, the moment he rushed out the hospital gates, a group of people was walking toward him. The leading man instantly caused his defenses to shatter completely.

"Brother-in-law! Sister is gone! I lost her!"

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