Three Seconds

Patriarch Ember's gaze set upon Ryu, his features stuck in a sort of weird limbo between fury and apprehension. It was as though he was trying to hold himself back from doing something stupid, but his self control could hardly leash itself properly. 

Instead of answering Ryu's questions, his heart steeled. 

"Surround him."

Patriarch Ember had brought with him several Immortal Ring Realm and Connecting Heaven Realm experts who didn't dare to disobey his orders. Ryu was actually surprised to find that among the latter group, there was even another person he recognized. 

"Oh?"

It felt like a reunion of old friends. Not only had Patriarch Ember appeared here, but so had Tae's grandfather, City Lord Loom.