Chapter 2032

However, she didn't immediately deny it, nor did she flee, but instead placed her hands before her and bowed deeply. “Father, I know.”

Ito Yuhiko smiled contentedly. “I’m getting old; I don’t feel the cold wind anymore. I’m going home to rest. You should go to bed early, too.”

Nanako quickly said, “Father, I’ll see you off.”

Ito Yuhiko waved his hand. “No need. If you wish to meditate, continue.”

He then maneuvered his electric wheelchair, spun halfway around, and returned to his room.

Nanako watched her father disappear down the corridor, feeling her face burn. She gently covered her hands with the thick snow, then covered her face.

The cold hands cooled her cheeks, calming her heart. A moment later, she used her fingers to write Charlie Wade’s name in the snow.

Then, she propped her chin on her hands and watched the snowflakes obscure the words until they vanished. Only then did she stand and return to her room.

Meanwhile, in Osaka, Japan—only a few dozen kilometers from Kyoto—a one-armed woman, escorted by several Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers, arrived at the Osaka garrison. This woman, surnamed Elms, was the eldest daughter of one of China’s four great ancient martial arts families. She was Xion Banks’ mother, Kairi.

Because Japan’s time zone is an hour ahead, it was already 10:00 p.m. in Osaka. Kairi was led through a rigorous security check before entering the Self-Defense Force garrison. A soldier then escorted her down in a high-speed elevator to a depth of fifty meters, reaching the Osaka Self-Defense Force’s triple-defense underground base.

While civilian “triple-proofing” refers to waterproofing, dustproofing, and fall protection, military “triple-defense” signifies protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. This base was thus Osaka’s most heavily defended area. It now served a different purpose: more than fifty Banks family experts, including Xion, were detained there, effectively preventing escapes.

After Kairi’s arrival, she was placed in an airtight room. Its twenty-centimeter-thick iron door was far stronger than a bank vault. As she sat down, a Japanese soldier whispered, “They’ll be here in a moment. You have five minutes.” Kairi nodded earnestly. “Thank you!”

The soldier left. A minute later, two soldiers led in a young woman shackled hand and foot. The young woman appeared gloomy, her eyes cold. But upon entering the room, her eyes widened in surprise, and tears streamed down her face. She looked at the silently weeping Kairi and choked out, “Mom…”

Kairi quickly took two steps, embraced her with one arm, and gently stroked her head. “Xion, you’ve suffered…”