“The Ether Mountain lineage, as the guardian of Glavale, has a long and complex history that spans thousands of years, far more intricate than what the outside world perceives,” Sol Stuart continued. “The Ether Mountain lineage has numerous members dispersed outside, and even the old master on the Mountain might not be fully aware of all of them.”
Everyone nodded in unison.
“Mr Stuart, was Boss’s grandfather’s arrival in the Polar Domain also arranged by the Ether Mountain old master?” Night Orchid pondered and asked.
“Exactly!” Sol Stuart nodded and continued, “And he did not disappoint the Ether Mountain patriarch’s expectations. In just a short ten years, he established his own prestige in this world filled with powerful individuals. Twenty years ago, he smoothly became the Lord of Skydragon City, laying a solid foundation for Glavale’s presence in this region. And five years after that, Young Master’s parents and I came to the Polar Domain. As the old master put it, it was the mission of the Stuart family.”
At this point, Sol Stuart added with a meaningful tone, “The old master of the Stuart family once said that when the young master grows up, he will also come to the Polar Domain.”
“I see!” Night Orchid and Frostblade nodded in agreement.
“Mr Stuart, is there any connection between the Ether Mountain lineage and the Polar Domain?” Billy, who had been pondering this question for a while, finally asked. He had long suspected that there was some connection but had yet to find an answer.
“I’m not entirely sure about the specifics of their connection. Your grandfather should know best.” Sol Stuart responded.
“Billy, are you here?” Just then, Stephanie’s voice came from outside. Soon after, two graceful ladies walked in through the door. It was Stephanie and Edie.
“Mom!” Billy and Harleen stood up to greet them, then turned to greet Edie.
Casey and the others also stood up and bowed to the two of them.
“We’re all family, no need to be so formal. Sit down and let’s chat!” Stephanie smiled at everyone.
“Billy, I heard you had a conflict with the people from the Polar Trading Guild. Did you get hurt?” After everyone took their seats, Stephanie asked Billy.
“No one got hurt.” Billy smiled in response. After a brief pause, he looked at Stephanie and asked, “Mom, I assume the heads of the major families came to see you for something important?”
Though Stephanie had been smiling since entering the courtyard, Billy could tell from her eyes that something was bothering her.
“Don’t worry about that.” Stephanie paused for a moment before smiling again.
“Stephanie, should we tell them about it? Might as well, they’ll find out soon enough.” Edie said.
“Aunt Edie, what happened?” Billy asked.
“Two bastards proposed to hold a new election for the Lord of the City!” Edie said with a hint of anger.
“Why?” Harleen asked, her face showing surprise.
“Their reasoning is that the Lord has been absent for several years, and his whereabouts are unknown. The position of Lord cannot remain vacant for such a long time.” Edie replied.
Upon hearing this, Billy furrowed his brow slightly.
“Aunt Edie, didn’t Ms Stuart take over as the acting Lord?” Night Orchid asked.
“Their point is, Stephanie is a woman. For the sake of her health, she shouldn’t be burdened with this position for a long time,” Edie said with an unpleasant expression.
“They are a bunch of ungrateful ingrates! They conveniently forget how the Lord helped them defend against external enemies when he was still here!”
“Mom, is what Aunt Edie said true?” Harleen looked at Stephanie and asked.
“It’s understandable that they have such thoughts!” Stephanie nodded slightly, then smiled faintly. “After all, the position of the Lord is for the capable. When your father was here, his prestige and personal abilities were enough to convince people. But now that he’s not here, and my health has been problematic, it’s indeed not suitable for me to act as the Lord for an extended period of time.”
“But, Stephanie, your got injured over a year ago when you fought for Skydragon City, didn’t you?” Edie added. “Otherwise, how could your cultivation have directly declined to the Sovereign Realm over a year ago!”
“Mrs Stuart, do you have hidden injuries?” Ivy’s face showed a tinge of concern.
“It’s nothing, just a minor injury!” Stephanie smiled and replied.
“Mom, what do those clan leaders say now?” Billy took a deep breath before asking. He and Harleen already knew about their mother’s hidden injuries, and one of the purposes of his visit this time was to help her heal.
“They gave Stephanie a few days to consider!” Edie responded on Stephanie’s behalf. “With their character, if Stephanie doesn’t voluntarily suggest choosing a new city lord after a few days, they will definitely force her out!”
“Is that so?” Billy narrowed his eyes slightly. After a brief pause, he continued to look at Stephanie and said, “Mom, let me check your body!”
“It’s okay, Billy. It will take some time for me to heal, and it needs slow adjustment…” Stephanie responded.
“Mrs Stuart, let Billy take a look!” Ivy spoke up. “His medical skills are excellent, maybe he can help!”
“Mom, Ivy is right, let Billy take a look!” Harleen chimed in at the same time.
“Alright then!” Stephanie didn’t insist any further.
Billy then stood up and walked to his mother’s side. He reached out and placed his hand on Stephanie’s pulse, while simultaneously releasing a powerful mental force to envelop her. After a while, Billy furrowed his brows slightly. After about ten minutes, he withdrew his spiritual force.
“How is it, Billy?” Harleen asked.
Ivy and the others also looked at Billy at the same time.
“The damaged meridians are significant, and there is a residual force from the opponent.” Billy’s expression was grim as he spoke. “Not only has it greatly reduced my Mother’s cultivation, but it will also affect her future cultivation progress, making it twice as difficult! Furthermore, although that force has been sealed, if it remains in her body for a long time, it will cause trouble sooner or later!”
“Billy, do you have a solution?” Harleen continued to ask.
“For now, I can only help Mom repair the damaged meridians!” Billy took a deep breath and continued, “That force is domineering, and it can only be completely eliminated with the assistance of medicine. Only by removing that force can Mom’s cultivation fully recover!”
Upon hearing his words, Sol Stuart’s eyes lit up. “Young Master, can you really repair Madam’s meridians?” He was most aware of Stephanie’s injuries, as he was the one who sealed that force for her. He had tried countless methods, but they could only temporarily stabilize the injuries and were difficult to completely heal.
“Billy, you’re not joking, right?” Edie’s face brightened.
Although Stephanie didn’t speak, a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes as well. This injury had troubled her for over a year, not only greatly reducing her cultivation, but also causing intermittent pain and suffering. Almost all the medical experts in Skydragon City had tried to treat her, but with little effect. She had already given up hope, but now hearing that her son could actually heal her damaged meridians, naturally filled her with joy and anticipation.