Zed never imagined that it would be such a big task to keep the Yanlei and the Kinkou separate, and at the same time have a relationship with Shen.

After he reconciled with Shen, and Shen saw what kind of person his father actually was, they finally found their way back to each other. They tried to act as independently as possible because it was important for Ionia that there were both the righteous Kinkou and the immoral Yanlei.

They agreed that their main residence would be in Shen's house with the Kinkou, since his presence is often required. The Yanlei can act largely autonomously their master was not so often required. Zed had decided to go back to his order 3 days a week to observe the training of the students and to give orders. Shen had made a portal from his house to the Yanleis especially for this purpose.

Kayn, on the other hand, was at the Yanleis more often, not only for missions, but also for his training. He should not do this on the ground of the Kinkou, because Zed was afraid that he would scare the unknowing Kinkou and create unnecessary panic.

Therefore, it was rather a rare moment when the white-haired man takes his breakfast together with his son, Shen and his newest adopted daughter Akali.

"I still haven't gotten used to all the luxury food here," Kayn expresses while shoving chunks of mango into his mouth with his chopsticks. "Our chef would have to do the same"

"Don't get too used to it, you don't have that on missions either. And don't talk with food in your mouth" grumbles Zed, visibly annoyed by his son's misbehavior.

"Yes, father"

Akali can't suppress a giggle.

"Anyway, how far did you get with interrogating the Supreme Council of Ionia in my father's case, do you have enough evidence to expose the corruption by now?" Shen asked.

Zed took a big sip of tea before answering, "We're getting there. But we need some more time to really make sure that-"

He is interrupted by a sudden knock on the front door.

Shen gets up and goes to the door. "Can't I have breakfast with my family in peace for once..."

When he opens the door, there stands a Kinkou messenger, visibly out of breath as if he had just run a marathon.

"Master..." he puffed while bowing deeply "I'm sorry for the disturbance, but a Yanlei messenger has just arrived. He asks for Master Zed, and says there is an emergency and his presence is urgently required."

Zed immediately got up and headed for the door as well, Kayn following seconds later grumbling.

"Did he say what it was about?" Zed asked.

"He said it was strictly confidential."

Sighing, Zed turns to Shen. "We'll talk later, I'll be back as soon as I can." Meanwhile, he pulled the brown-haired man into a hug and gave him a quick kiss.

"Take care."

Quickly they both walk towards the exit of the temple where is a portal to Thanjuul.

"Since when are you not disgusted by us kissing?" Zed asks, he noticed and could not restrain his curiosity.

"I'm seventeen and almost eighteen, do you think I've never kissed anyone?" replies Kayn, and there's a hint of shame in his voice.

Interesting, Zed thought, he would ask him about it later. He didn't know this side of his son. But now he had more important things to do.

When both arrived at the exit, the Yanlei messenger was already waiting for them.

"Lord Zed, Young Master Kayn" he bowed to both of them.

"What's the problem?" breaks Zed immediately to the point.

"My lord, the other masters demanded you as soon as possible, there was an attack by the Bailong clan and there was another problem, but they didn't tell me exactly what."

Bailong Clan? Interesting. A few months ago, there was an unpleasant incident with the heiress of the clan, who was a talented student of the Yanlei, until she went back home because of her dying mother, and then mysteriously died there. To this day, he does not know what exactly happened.

"...Bailong Clan?" Kayn looks equally confused.

"We will leave immediately."

Zed hated portal travel, but for such cases he was very glad that Shen had made one directly to his temple.

A few minutes later they arrive at the temple and there was chaos.

Zed immediately observed the situation and noticed that there was no more direct danger.

He looked around carefully and remained on alert in case there was still an enemy.

The masters had gathered in front of the main temple and seemed to be discussing something animatedly. The students, on the other hand, seemed agitated and were still walking around, some of them fearful, while others were trying to calm the situation.

Zed wondered what was so important to discuss that prevented the teachers from calming the students.

He and Kann walked quickly toward them.

"If it's really from her, then HE is probably the-"

"What's going on?!"

Startled, everyone turned to Zed and Kayn. "Lord Zed, Young Master Kayn," they all say in chorus and bow.

Master Ysdra steps out of the crowd and reports to Word. "My Lord,we are out of danger for now, but you should urgently call an emergency meeting together with your closest masters, meanwhile I would give you a rough summary of what happened."

Zed nodded. "Kayn, please gather my closest people and bring them to my briefing room. You will be there, too."

"Yes, Father " Kayn could not hide the pride in his voice. Zed had wanted to take him to one of the meetings for a long time and now seemed to be a good moment for him to learn how to deal with such situations.

"And the rest of you go back to your work!"

The crowd dissolved into a murmur and Kayn also went on his way. When he was sure everyone was out of earshot, he turned back to Ysdra.

"Ysdra, what happened?"

She did not answer immediately but took a few seconds and seemed nervous.

"Some warriors of the Bailong clan tried to attack us, but we were able to put them out quickly."

An info he already had. However, he wonders why. Why would the Bailong Clan

attack them? They didn't have any great connections, except that the daughter of the matriach was a very good student of the Yanlei. The Bailong clan was not small, yet attacking the Yanleis was rather suicidal.

For Zed, none of this made sense

"Why did they attack us?"

"We don't know exactly, but we assume they wanted what we found just outside our gates."

Zed frowns. "Something was placed outside our gates? What did you find?"

"A bunch of highly confidential documents that you really need to go over with the others right away, as well as a letter addressed to you, my lord." She pulls out a scroll and a thick stack of notes from her shoulder bag.

Strictly confidential documents? Were they documents that would get the Bailongs in trouble? Was that the reason they attacked? Because they didn't want the Yanlei to get them?

But who would put such documents on their doorstep? The Yanlei didn't have the best reputation and could count their allies on one hand. And a letter addressed directly to him?

"And...and.." stammers Ysdra.

"And what?"

"A baby."