Facing Victor Kael's question, Senju Yukika's father nervously pointed toward the courtyard to the west and said, "That man is over there, my lord. You must be cautious—his strength is terrifying!"
The man known as Victor Kael frowned with clear displeasure. Coldly, he asked, "He's strong? How strong exactly?"
Realizing too late that he'd misspoken, the middle-aged man quickly backpedaled, nodding, "But of course, with someone of your strength, my lord, he's certainly no match for you!"
Flattered by the response, Victor's expression eased slightly. He sneered and began walking toward the courtyard.
Watching from behind, Yukika's father spat through gritted teeth, "You little bastard, bringing an outsider to threaten me? This time I'll skin you alive!"
Just then, a steward hurried over and whispered something into his ear.
Surprised, the middle-aged man quickly turned and jogged toward a courtyard on the east side of the compound.
Meanwhile, back at the west courtyard, standing before the old, broken house, Senju Yukika's gaze pierced through space as if he could see the tall figure with a longsword approaching from a distance.
At the same time, his spiritual pressure—an overwhelming presence—flooded the entire estate. Every hidden expert in the manor instantly felt its weight, as if their deepest secrets were being laid bare beneath Yukika's pressure.
And yet, none of them realized how utterly exposed they now were.
Marcus Vane, wielding his longsword, stormed into the courtyard. As he activated his internal chakra, he shouted, "Who dares stir up trouble here? Step out now!"
His voice boomed like thunder, shaking the roof tiles off the already-crumbling building.
Senju Yukika simply shook his head and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a shimmering barrier formed in mid-air, encasing the entire house in an invisible dome.
When Marcus stepped into the yard and spotted Yukika standing calmly by the door, he sneered coldly and slashed his sword forward. The blade unleashed a stream of sword light, like a flying serpent marked with a faint red glow, aimed straight at Yukika.
But the sword light met the barrier and dissolved into nothing, as if consumed by a layer of light.
"What the—what is this?" Marcus was shocked. He hadn't seen any kind of shield—how could it be so strong?
His strongest attack hadn't even made a dent.
"Impossible!" he growled. Unwilling to accept defeat, he summoned even more power and slashed again. This time, countless white serpents of sword light converged into a single monstrous force that crashed into the barrier like a tidal wave.
But the stronger the strike, the more violently it rebounded. The barrier deflected the energy in all directions, sending the sword light ricocheting like a swarm of wild spirits.
Marcus's eyes widened in terror.
The very energy he'd unleashed was now turning against him!
With no time to think, he waved his sword frantically, slashing at the storm of light to keep it at bay. Even for someone of his skill, one wrong move would mean serious injury—or worse.
Having seen the sheer power of this unseen force, Marcus dared not strike again. Narrowing his eyes, he stared at Yukika in deep scrutiny.
From his calm posture to the subtle aura around him, this stranger radiated an air of terrifying composure. The longer he looked, the more disturbed Marcus became.
He'd only ever felt this kind of presence from his master...
At that moment, Yukika's image in Marcus's mind grew vast and unshakable.
Swallowing hard, Marcus sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully. "I am Victor Kael, disciple of the Sword Palace. May I ask... who are you, esteemed one?"
Yukika gave no reply. His eyes instead fell upon the grieving boy within the house—Senju Yukika Jr., broken with sorrow.
The boy had lost his mother forever. His thin shoulders trembled as he held her lifeless body, his voice gone hoarse from crying. Tears streamed silently down his face.
No one knew how much time had passed, but outside, the courtyard had fallen completely silent. Victor stood frozen, waiting without a word.
Finally, Yukika Jr. stood, lifting his mother's corpse into his arms and walking step by step out of the house.
With a wave of Yukika's hand, the barrier dissolved. Together, he and the boy stepped out into the open.
The moment he saw Yukika again, Victor Kael's heart trembled. He was now certain—this young man wasn't just powerful. He was a hidden titan among mortals.
Even a casual gesture from him sent chills down the spine.
Without a word, Victor followed behind him, eyes flickering with awe and unease.
But then, the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps rushing toward them. Yukika Jr.'s father reappeared—this time with a lavishly dressed middle-aged woman at his side, her face painted with cold arrogance.
She was the current mistress of the estate, and Yukika Jr.'s stepmother.
At the sight of the boy and his dead mother, the woman's eyes instantly filled with hatred. But a moment later, realizing that the woman she loathed was finally dead, she burst into laughter.
"Haha! That wretched woman is finally dead! Did she really think she could win against me?"
Yukika Jr. slowly raised his head. His eyes had gone cold, void of any trace of human warmth or emotion.
In a low, deadened voice, he asked, "Master, may I ask you something?"
Yukika sighed softly, knowing what the boy was about to say. "Go ahead."
"I want this woman dead."
The moment he spoke, the garish woman screamed, "You dare?! Kill him!"
At once, a group of family guards charged forward with weapons in hand—but before they could reach him, Victor Kael stepped forward and blocked their path with a flash of his sword.