Standing up and heading out of his room, the door clasped shut behind him.
"Let's get this over with."
Ryo smiled and rolled his eyes as he walked toward the kitchen.
'I bet I'm gonna have to spar today. I'd rather read... but getting stronger is kinda fun too.'
Pulling a drawer open, he took out a bowl, filled it with rice, and retrieved a wrapped portion of a Mappa Sea-Type—a chunk of Kraken tentacle bound in a glossy mappa leaf.
Grabbing a wooden spoon from the shelf, he sat down and dug in.
A good breakfast, as always.
As he raised another spoonful to his mouth, his hand stiffened mid-air.
Ryo sighed.
Who the hell's knocking this early? Everyone else is still asleep…
He set the spoon down and walked to the door. The knocking grew more insistent.
When he opened it, Ryo froze.
Five masked figures stood before him.
The one at the front pulled off his mask.
Peng Fu.
He smirked. "What? Something wrong?"
His fist lifted.
Behind him, the four masked figures summoned weapons into their hands, cold steel flashing.
Four Qi Refining Realm cultivators?!
One of them spoke with a gravelly voice. "Finish him. Quickly."
Peng Fu scoffed, and his punch lashed out like a blur, but it never reached.
A flash of silver intercepted the strike.
Ren's spear slammed down, sparks bursting from the clash. With a grunt, Ren kicked the masked figure back, Peng Fu skidded across the ground behind the masked figure, his eyes narrowed.
"Welcome to the Tanaka household," Ren said, stepping forward with a crooked smile. "Take your shoes off before you come in."
Su rushed out of her room, alarmed by the noise. Her eyes widened at the sight outside. Without hesitation, she reached above the tall wall drawer and grabbed two thin rapiers.
Ryo blinked. Were those always there?
Su ran past him—then paused mid-stride.
"Ryo... my boy. Take Sayuri and run. Run as far and fast as you can. Don't come back."
She didn't turn around. Her voice cracked just slightly, but the steel in it held.
Ryo could hear his father chuckling.
"Mom, I can help! If we go down, we go down together—!"
"No." Su's voice cut sharply. Ryo flinched, his mouth tightening.
She glanced back at him. Her eyes were wet now.
"For me. For your dad. For Sayuri. Run—and don't look back."
Teeth gritted, Ryo spun around and sprinted toward Sayuri's room.
Outside, Ren stood calmly, eyes fixed on the five intruders. Su moved to stand beside him, rapiers drawn and steady.
Without looking at her, Ren muttered, "So tell me. What brings five minor clan dogs to my humble home?"
Peng Fu sneered stepping forwards. "Hand over Ryo Tanaka, and we'll let you live."
Su's eyes narrowed. "Never," she spat, raising her blades.
Peng Fu laughed, licking his lips as he stepped forward. "Is that so?"
Ren's smile widened when he noticed the bruised shadows under Peng Fu's blackened eyes.
"I figured something like this might happen. My boy beat an heir, after all. Who beat you when you got home, your mother or your father?"
"You—!" Peng Fu's face twisted with rage. "Kill them both. I'll deal with Ryo myself!"
He pointed, and the four masked cultivators dashed forward.
The sharp screech of clashing weapons echoed as Peng Fu darted inside.
Ryo scooped up a startled Sayuri, who yelped in confusion.
"...What!?"
Without answering, Ryo leapt out her window, landing in a roll, and sprinted toward the streets.
"Sayuri, quiet!"
Heavy footsteps thundered behind them—too fast. Ryo's legs burned with effort, vision blurred with tears. His lip bled where he bit it, refusing to cry out.
"Keep running, Ryo," Peng Fu laughed behind him, voice manic. "You're just making it more fun—!"
The morning streets were mostly empty. Sayuri clutched him, crying in panic.
"Ryo, what's going on?! Why is he after us?!"
A sharp noise sliced through the air—Ryo looked left.
Earth spikes!
He jumped aside, just in time to dodge. Sayuri's head hit the ground with a thud as he landed hard. She cried louder.
He let her go gently and stepped forward, glaring at Peng Fu.
Peng Fu grinned back, eyes narrow.
"Peng Fu! You're doing all this just because you lost?! Have you lost your mind?!"
He's trying to purge my family... over a duel?
Ryo remembered Tian Ye's warning—but he'd never imagined this.
Peng Fu's face twisted in fury. "You... insignificant bastard. You humiliated me. First one in my clan to lose to a peasant."
Sayuri trembled, curled up on the ground. Tears streaked her dirt-smudged cheeks.
Ryo stepped forward, jaw clenched. "You lost. Fair and square. Your arrogance cost you."
A wind arrow exploded toward Peng Fu.
He punched it away, his hand coated in earth.
Ryo followed up, turning to Sayuri. He sent a gentler Wind Gale, rolling her farther away from the battlefield.
She yelped and whimpered as she tumbled.
Ryo winced. Sorry, Sayuri. Please stay safe.
He looked forward, fists clenched.
"I won't let you hurt her."
Peng Fu smirked. Earth crawled up his other arm—both fists now sheathed in rock.
He glanced once more at Sayuri, then back to Ryo.
"After I'm done with you, your little bird's next."
"PENG FU!!"