Escalation

Inside a small dilapidated room, three figures clad in black robes could be seen standing before each other. One of the men said in a hoarse voice, "How's it going?" the figure whom he indicated took off his robe, revealing the figure of the middle-aged man who wreaked havoc back at the Longinus Clan Estate.

"It's going fine, young master, but I didn't expect that bastard to be that shameless..."

The figure referred to as "Young Master" took off his robe, revealing the figure of a young man underneath. He threw his robe on the bed and chuckled, "It's fine, as long as we can rally the public opinion against him, you can consider your job as done."

"As for the next phase, take this medallion and complain towards his Majesty, I'm sure that when he sees this, he will address your problem..." The young man handed over a golden jade token carved with numerous intricate sigils. The middle-aged man who received the token became excited beyond belief.

"Thank you, young master, for your generosity..." His eyes flashed in a critical light. How could he not accept such a good deal? Not only he would receive money, he could also take possession of his wife!

"As for the end of the deal, we shall talk about it once you succeed..." The young man uttered in a nonchalant tone, turning around to leave. He gestured with the other man who observed all this while as both of them, came out of the inn.

But little did they realize that when they came out of the room, a shadowy figure wearing a vicious smile could be seen, standing at a dark corner, on his hands, a faintly shining Profound Imagery Stone could be seen.

...

Several days later, the condition of Natalie's daughter became better, thanks to Elder Manong's treatment. The young child finally recovered from her illness. When she opened her eyes, Natalie's tears rolled down from her eyes as she embraced her daughter who looked confused about what's going on.

Staring at her surroundings; she realized that they were inside a luxurious room with a constant smell of medicinal herbs wafting around the area.

She was a precocious child, and she understood the cost of treating her illness. "Mother? Where are we?" She mumbled, staring at her mother in confusion.

Natalie replied with a small smile, "Do you remember that young man who ate at our stall several days ago?" Memories flashed in the young child's mind before she nodded. Seeing her response, Natalie continued, "We're inside his home, he's the one who paid the money to treat you..."

Upon hearing her mother's words, she frowned, about several weeks ago, people came into their stall with lecherous intentions, saying that they could pay for her treatment. But in exchange, their mother would become a hostess in a brothel.

Her mother looked heartbroken as she adamantly begged for that landlord's help. But the latter only shrugged and said, "If you accept my offer, I will definitely treat that child, but if not...How could you expect me to treat her without something in exchange? Well, if you're really that persistent," She remembered that the ugly man scanned her mother's body with a lustful light within his eyes, "If you can help me vent out my stress, I may rethink my decision..."

Of course, her mother denied doing such things, but because of this encounter. That bastard of a landlord increased their rent which made them destitute in a matter of weeks. A week later, her illness frailed up, and without any other choice, it seems like her mother came to this noble's house for help.

"Mother...Did he ask you for something like...Your body?" She spoke in a hushed voice, Natalie's expression abruptly flushed in embarrassment, while Dan who heard her words with his heightened senses couldn't help but twitch.

"What are you saying, you bad child! Dan is not someone like that!" Natalie refuted in anger. But her crimson expression said otherwise which made her daughter, frown in doubt.

She glared at Dan and the latter staggered backward. Wryly smiling, he explained, "Don't worry, I didn't ask something in exchange for your treatment..." But he didn't expect that the young child would reply, "I don't believe you! Mother said that all noble are lecherous people with hidden intentions, and you're a noble!" She pointed with her small finger, causing Natalie to abruptly embrace her in an effort to hide her presumptuousness.

Dan wanted to explain. But before he could, a familiar light chuckled echoed at the door. The group turned around, and found the figure of Zaramias who scanned the three, "Dan, so that's the woman that you picked up from the slums?" His eyes narrowed when he stared at the young child, "This girl's tongue really is vicious..."

Natalie and her daughter twitched upon hearing the man's words. Dan noticed their anxiety and explained, "Don't worry, this is my father, Zaramias Longinus. He won't do something outrageous." Dan consoled Natalie.

The latter slowly raised her head, but she still was reluctant in seeing Zaramias eye to eye as she mumbled, "Really? Won't he punish you for paying so much for my daughter's treatment?"

"Well, he certainly would, but if that really happens, I will just accept it." Dan nonchalantly chuckled, turning towards his father, he said, "Old man, is there any matter that you need me for? Why did you come here?"

Zaramias slapped his head to the ground, "Brat, do you know how much trouble you've caused me? Everyone around us is talking about how you stole someone's wife!" Natalie's expression turned pale, and her embrace of her daughter tightened.

Dan rubbed his aching head, "Do you really care about the public's opinion that much?" Zaramias rolled his eyes in vexation, "Normally, I wouldn't, but that man who complained in here actually used an Imperial Token to complain towards the majesty!"

Dan's expression flickered, 'Imperial Token?' From what he remembered, those who possessed such token would have the ability to make a single request towards the current reigning Emperor. Unfortunately for the possessor, the token would be confiscated after making a request so it could only be used, once.

"Really?"

"Really, your ass! If you're a man, bring over your woman and her daughter, come with me to the Imperial Palace and explain what you did!" Zaramias' eyes shone in a critical light, he scanned the apprehensive pair of mother and daughter before he gestured at his son.

Dan stretched his body, standing up. He stretched his right hand towards Natalie and said, "Let's go, it seems like that bastard of a husband of yours is really going all out to take you back again..." Natalie lifted her head, she didn't say anything as she stared at Dan.

"Do you want to return back to him?" Dan asked. Natalie's expression trembled for a moment before she shook her head.

"Well, if you don't want to return, no one can take you away from me..." Dan stood up, turning towards his father, a slight smile of anticipation leaked on his lips as the group, walked towards the direction of the Imperial Palace.