Chapter 169:


    That afternoon, Duke Gordan already made his decision. Tonight, ire was to temporarily hide in another country. With Katherine’s firm urging, ire had no choice but to agree.


    ire secretly left the manor to contact the Temple of Darkness and inform them not to worry and to send the Xi brothers in Youwusali. Philips warned ire to be careful, his heart uneasy, yet he did not know why.


    Nightfall


    The family ate slowly in the dining hall, not knowing when it would be the next time they could do so again. A morose atmosphere descended.


    After the meal, they all ascended a carriage to see ire off. Katherine hugged ire tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance.


    “Mother, why don’t I not leave? The Temple would not dare to do anything to me. They would have to think carefully before making a move.” ire was already as powerful as a Sorcerer. How many people were her match?


    “No, ire. Hiding temporarily is the best decision. We should first watch the Temple’s movements. If the Temple really does not intend on harming you, then you can returnter.” But although Katherine said this, her heart was full of sorrow. Was that possible? ire had already broken all rtions with the Temple publically, pping them in the face. How could the Temple let her go? Katherine’s heart clenched and she hugged ire even more tightly. Lashia kept quiet, her small face gloomy. Roger, sitting across from them, had a sad expression as well. ire had saved Katherine while he, her husband, had done nothing. He owed ire and Katherine too much. Only Duke Gordan leaned back rxedly with his eyes closed, silent the entire way.


    The carriage slowly made its way out the city. Emery and Charle’s carriage followed from behind.


    Silent night


    The night light was resplendent. It was now the beginning of summer.


    And so, they continued. ire leaned on Katherine’s warm bosom, not saying a word. She had not felt such warmth in so long.


    Katherine wished time would stop.


    But that was impossible. After some time, the carriage finally stopped. They were now far from the capital and the darkness had descended.


    When the carriage stopped, Katherine stiffened. She hugged ire even more tightly.


    “That’s enough, Katherine. This will not be thest time you see ire.” Duke Gordan said softly. “Let’s first get out of the carriage.”


    Katherine was downcast. She slowly let go. Everyone descended the carriage.


    Emery’s carriage caught up and stopped.


    Standing by the carriage, after saying her goodbyes, ire was going to leave. No one knew how long she would be away.


    Katherine hugged ire again, unwilling to let go.


    Lashia also started to sob. White Emperor and ck Feather hopped onto Lashia’s shoulders and waited silently.


    “Alright, alright.” Duke Gordan sighed. “If this continues, even I will not be able to bear it.”


    Only then did Katherine let go. She advised ire, eat well, dress warmly, and so on. Lashia held ire’s hand with tears in her eyes.


    “Without me around, you must protect ire. Also, make sure you watch over Little Leopard, will you?” ire reached out and wiped away Lashia’s tears.


    But Lashia’s tears continued to flow. She could not say anything, only nod her head furiously.


    “My little sister, you will definitely be strong. So, don’t stop training.” ire felt warmth in her heart. This child was honest and smart. In the future, she would definitely be strong.


    “Mhm, mhm...” Lashia could not stop sobbing.


    “ire,e here. I have something to say to you,” Duke Gordan said solemnly.


    “Yes, Grandfather.” ire patted Lashia’s head to console her, then followed Duke Gordan,


    The two walked farther and farther away. Katherine and the rest watched them, understanding that Duke Gordan was going to tell ire something important.


    ire followed Duke from behind. Duke Gordan did not say a word, only advancing forward.


    Suddenly, an ominous feeling arose in ire’s heart. She could not quite exin why. Her sense of danger grew. It had nothing to do with killing intent nor hints in her surroundings. It was purely instinct. ire frowned slightly and started to concentrate. Just as she started to release her consciousness, Duke Gordan’s clear voice interrupted.


    “ire, you must be careful. Contact us once you reach there, ok? Don’t let your mother worry.” Duke Gordan’s voice was unusually loud, somewhat forceful.


    “Yes, Grandfather.” ire nodded.


    ire knew that as the head of the n, Duke Gordan was definitely no ordinary person. But as for what Duke Gordan’s specialty was, ire did not know. ire mused to herself. In her memories, Duke Gordan never fought anyone. The force Duke Gordan had just revealed, was it a warrior’s?


    Suddenly, Duke Gordan stopped.


    He turned to face ire, his face expressionless.


    The inexplicable sense of danger heightened again. ire watched her surroundings alertly, but nothing was unusual.


    “What is it, ire?” Duke Gordan could sense ire’s vignce.


    “I don’t know, Grandfather. I keep on feeling like something is observing me, but I can’t find it.” ire frowned.


    “What?” Duke Gordan’s expression changed. He frowned and started to scan their surroundings. “Perhaps an ambush by the Temple?”


    ire frowned. The Temple of Light would not attack her so brazenly. Even if her current strength had not already far surpass their expectations, she still had the backing of the Hill n and her master, Cliff. It would not be easy for them to oppose her. If they wanted to bite her, weren’t they afraid of their teeth falling out? The Temple of Light would definitely not do such a foolhardy action.


    “ire, what do you feel is wrong?” Duke Gordan frowned, starting to shift to better observe their surroundings.


    “I don’t know either.” ire shook her head.


    Duke Gordan’s frown deepend. He walked to ire’s side.


    “Is there something strange in front of you?” Duke Gordan’s voice was low.


    “In front?” ire looked ahead, her attentionpletely focused ahead, leaving her back to bepletely exposed to Duke Gordan.


    Duke Gordan’s expression darkened abruptly. With half a step forward, a dagger glinting coldly appeared. It glowed faintly blue, meaning it was smeared in deadly poison!


    Duke Gordan stabbed towards ire’s heart from behind.


    ire immediately sensed the different air cirction. She hastily erected a magic barrier and dove away.


    But the dagger had already sliced through ire’s clothes and pierced her skin. Before ire could catch her breath, a heavy fist attacked her. She hastily dove away. The sudden attack was sessful because Duke Gordan hadpletely hid his killing intent and ire had left her back exposed.


    Taken by surprise, ire backed into arge tree, watching the expressionless Duke Gordan coldly. But ire began to feel dizzy. The extreme pain she felt from her wounded back indicated something was abnormal with the dagger. Her chest continued to contract and she spat out blood. The blood was ckish! Poison! Unordinary poison!