Chapter 29: Young Master strikes again

Tony Fallar's fingers tapped restlessly against the polished surface of his study desk. The room was suffused with an air of tense anticipation as he contemplated his next move. The encounter at the Golden Dragon Inn had left a bitter taste in his mouth, a wound to his pride that demanded retribution. The memory of Seraphina's disdainful look fueled his determination, stoking the flames of his impulsive nature.

"She thinks she can mock me and get away with it?" Tony muttered to himself, his jaw clenching with anger.

Tony summoned his loyal butler, Shen. The man's presence was like a shadow, silent and unobtrusive, as he stood before Tony, awaiting his instructions.

"Shen, I have a task for you," Tony began, his voice low and deliberate. "I want you to gather a few of our best men. We're going to bring that woman here."

Shen's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. "Young Master, may I inquire about the purpose of this action? Is it wise to provoke her further?"

Tony's lips curled into a defiant smirk. "It's not about provocation, Shen. It's about making a statement. I won't tolerate anyone belittling the Fallar name. Besides, I'm merely extending an invitation for her to witness our family's power firsthand. We shall advance this evening."

Shen's expression remained guarded, but he nodded in deference to Tony's wishes. "Very well, Young Master. I will gather the men as you instructed."

[At night]

Shen approached his footsteps barely making a sound on the grassy terrain. He carried an air of calculated efficiency as he addressed Tony. "Young Master, the men are ready and briefed on the plan. We await your command."

"Good," Tony replied curtly, his tone laced with anticipation. "When returns to the Inn, I want her brought to me immediately. Use whatever means necessary, but be discreet. We don't want to attract unnecessary attention."

Shen inclined his head, acknowledging the order. "Understood, Young Master."

Finally, a figure emerged, and Tony's heart skipped a beat. It was Seraphina, her silhouette illuminated by the moon's soft light. She returned after discussing the recent developments with Sona, seemingly unaware of the impending danger that lurked in the shadows.

Tony's grip tightened on his cane, his resolve hardening. "Now, Shen."

Without hesitation, Shen signaled to the waiting men, and they moved into action. They blended seamlessly into the surroundings, their movements swift and calculated. Seraphina's steps faltered as she became aware of their presence, her instincts kicking in.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Looks like the little lady wandered into the wrong part of town."

Seraphina's response was a mere quirk of her lips, her expression unflinching. "And it seems like the big tough men have nothing better to do than harass a woman in an alleyway. How quaint."

Tony's voice cut through the tension, his tone a mix of defiance and triumph. "Fancy meeting you here."

The men's taunting laughter was short-lived as Seraphina's movements blurred into action. In an instant, she closed the distance between herself and the nearest assailant, her hand a streak of motion as it struck out with unerring precision. Her palm connected with the man's chest, and a surge of energy erupted from her touch, rendering him immobile.

The alleyway erupted into chaos as Tony's men scrambled to react. But Seraphina was already in motion, her body a dance of speed and grace as she weaved between them. Her strikes were swift and efficient, each blow incapacitating her opponents with minimal effort.

One man lunged at her with a knife, but Seraphina sidestepped his attack and delivered a precise strike to his pressure point, sending him crumpling to the ground in a daze. Another assailant attempted to land a punch, but Seraphina smoothly redirected his momentum, sending him crashing into a stack of crates.

The remaining men exchanged wary glances, their bravado waning as they witnessed their comrades fall one by one. They were beginning to realize that they were outmatched.

With a flick of her wrist, Seraphina conjured a wind seal that swept through the alley, disarming the remaining men and leaving them disoriented and vulnerable.

Seraphina narrowed her brows, her eyes locked onto Tony's form. "Haa~ What is this today? Getting ambushed twice? Another Young Master trope? I'm tired of this shit."

"What do you mea-"

Seraphina's body moved with a grace and speed that caught Tony and his men off guard. In the blink of an eye, she had closed the distance between them, her movements a blur of fluidity and precision. Before Tony could finish his sentence, Seraphina's hand shot out, a single finger pressing against his forehead with a touch that was deceptively light yet unyielding.

A surge of energy pulsed from Seraphina's touch, and Tony felt his muscles freeze, his body immobilized as if trapped in an invisible vice. His words turned into an involuntary gasp as he realized the extent of her power.

Seraphina's smile remained, her voice dripping with a playful sarcasm. "Oh dear, it seems I've interrupted you. How terribly rude of me."

Tony's men scrambled, their expressions a mix of surprise and alarm as they tried to comprehend the sudden turn of events. But Seraphina's attention remained solely on Tony, her cross-shaped pupils boring into his eyes with a mixture of amusement and something else - an underlying intensity that hinted at the depths of her capabilities.

"Now," Seraphina continued, her voice silky yet commanding. "Let's have that little chat you mentioned. Shall we?"

Tony's attempts to move were futile, his body firmly held in place by Seraphina's unfaltering control. He could only grit his teeth in frustration, his earlier bravado reduced to a mere facade.

Tony's gaze met hers, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he managed to regain a semblance of composure. "I won't tell you anything."

Seraphina's smile never wavered, though her grip on his movements tightened imperceptibly. "Oh, I think you will. You see, Tony, I have a particular talent for getting people to talk."

Tony's mental barriers strained, the pressure of Seraphina's intrusion threatening to overwhelm him. He clenched his fists, his teeth gritted as he fought to resist her influence. But Seraphina's power was relentless, a steady tide that eroded his defenses bit by bit.

Images flashed before Tony's mind, memories he had tried to bury resurfacing under Seraphina's probing gaze. He saw clandestine meetings, whispered conversations, and symbols etched in darkness. The connection between the Fallar family and the underground sect became painfully clear.

As the truth unfurled within his mind, Tony's resistance crumbled. His mental walls shattered, and the floodgates of information opened. He began to speak, his words tumbling out in a desperate rush.

"Tell me about your involvement with the underground sect," Seraphina's voice was a soft echo in his mind, her words laced with undeniable authority. "Tell me why they seek the stolen ginseng and what their true intentions are."

"The underground sect... they approached me months ago," Tony admitted, his voice tinged with defeat. "They offered resources, power, everything our family needed to regain its former glory. All they asked in return was our cooperation in their rituals and our assistance in acquiring rare materials."

Tony's gaze met Seraphina's, a mixture of fear and resignation in his eyes. "I don't know the full extent of their plans. They're shrouded in secrecy, even from those of us within the family. But their ultimate goal is to harness dark energy, to gain power beyond imagination."

Seraphina's expression hardened, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle. "And the ginseng? Why do they need it?"

"They believe that the ginseng holds a unique energy that can be harnessed for their rituals," Tony explained, his voice trembling. "It's a vital component for their dark spell, a source of immense power."

Seraphina released her hold on Tony's mind, allowing him to slump against the wall, his breathing ragged. She regarded him with a mixture of pity and resolve. "You've made a grave mistake, Tony. But now, you have a chance to make amends."

Tony's gaze met hers, his expression a mix of desperation and guilt. "What do you want from me?"

"You will provide me with whatever information you have, and you will do everything in your power to expose their activities. And if you fail to cooperate, rest assured that my influence over your mind is far from over."

Tony nodded, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He had no choice but to comply with Seraphina's demands.