NTR: Choice Based System

Ye Yang told everything that happened from the time he left for the training: how he was misled to a different location where he was for months, fighting for his life, but in the end, he reached the place where the actual training ground was.

He omitted two parts: one, Dan Ya's humiliation, and second, the identity of the helper.

Barad, after listening to everything, felt frustrated and angry at himself for not seeing the Training Head's real face.

Then Barad asked, "What about the man who helped? Who was he?" His tone was eager as he felt gratitude for his help.

Ye Yang shook his head. "Unfortunately, he left after helping. I didn't even get to thank him for saving our lives."

As he said this, Hell scoffed, speaking mentally with Ye Yang, mocking him, "Why not bow to this king, right here, right now, if you truly wish to thank me."

Ye Yang glared at Hell, a sharp, silent warning in his eyes, but didn't let his external expression betray the internal exchange. He had to maintain the facade for Barad.

Barad's face fell slightly at the news that the helper had vanished. "He left? Just like that?" He leaned back in his chair, a troubled look in his eyes.

"Someone so powerful... yet he didn't reveal himself? That's... unusual. We owe him a great debt." He looked at Dan Ya, still appearing withdrawn on the sofa. "He saved you both."

"He did," Ye Yang confirmed, keeping his voice steady despite Hell's irritating presence in his mind. "His power was... incredible. Beyond anything I've ever witnessed." This, at least, was the truth.

Barad was silent for a moment, processing the layers of betrayal and unexpected salvation.

The thought that someone he trusted his escort warriors, his wife's training and Nephew Ye Yang's life, could commit such an act gnawed at him. And the appearance of an unknown, powerful entity who intervened added another layer of complexity.

"The Training Head..." Barad finally said, his voice laced with bitterness. "To think I saw nothing... How could I have been so blind?" He slammed a fist lightly on the arm of his chair, his frustration evident.

"This goes beyond mere malice. To turn into a demon... this is no simple thing, I have to inform this to others."

Ye Yang nodded, agreeing with the assessment, though he knew the truth was even more intricate and terrifying than Barad could currently imagine. Hell's involvement and existence of system was a secret he wasn't ready to reveal.

"What about the training grounds?" Barad asked, his mind shifting slightly. "Was anyone else hurt? The other guards?"

"They are all safe," Ye Yang assured him. "They weren't at the original location where the Training Head cornered us. We met up with them afterward. They are weary, as you saw, but unharmed."

Barad sighed; a heavy sound of relief mixed with lingering tension. He looked at Dan Ya again, his gaze softening. "Dan Ya... are you... are you alright?" he asked gently, his voice full of concern.

Dan Ya stirred slightly, her eyes slowly focusing on Barad. She managed a weak smile, a pale imitation of her usual warmth. "I'm... I'm tired, Barad," she murmured, her voice faint. "Just tired." Hell, beside her, remained a silent, watchful shadow.

Barad reached out and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Get some rest," he said. "We can talk more later. You've been through enough."

He then looked back at Ye Yang, his expression turning serious again. "We need to understand why the Training Head did this. And who this helper was. This isn't over, Yang."

Ye Yang met his uncle's gaze, a grim determination settling over him. "I know, Uncle Barad. I know."

Then Ye Yang told them he wanted to leave and go home, also to meet his mother. He also had to prepare for the banquet as he was assigned as escort guard by his father.

Dan Ya, despite her exhaustion, got up and hugged Ye Yang tightly. Her eyes were filled with a mix of gratitude and self-reproach.

"Oh, Yang," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "This... this was all my decision in the beginning, agreeing to this training. Because of me, you had to suffer so much."

Ye Yang gently patted her back, offering a comforting presence. "Aunt Ya, please don't say that," he said softly.

"It wasn't your fault. Though things didn't go as they should have, I learned many things from this journey. Important things."

Barad also spoke; his voice heavy with regret. "No, Dan Ya is right to feel that way, but I am equally to blame. You already told us everything about the Training Head, and that assassin girl... she also pointed towards the Training Head, but we were blind. Sorry, Nephew Yang."

Ye Yang offered them a warm, genuine smile. "Uncle Barad, Aunt Ya, please don't blame yourselves," he said.

"This was just what fate wanted us to go through. Let's not blame anyone. What's important is that we are all safe now."

He then looked down at Hell, who was still comfortably curled near Dan Ya's side, his head perhaps a little too close to her bosom for propriety, especially with Barad watching. With a quick, decisive movement, Ye Yang scooped Hell up into his arms.

Hell let out a disgruntled yowl, twisting and struggling slightly in Ye Yang's grasp. His head was indeed just pulled away from a very comfortable spot. Ye Yang ignored the protest, holding the creature securely.

"I should head home now," Ye Yang said, tightening his hold on Hell. "I need to inform my family and also prepare for the banquet."

Barad and Dan Ya nodded, understanding the need for his departure. The air in the room, while still heavy with the recent revelations, now held a touch of resolution.

"Go," Barad said, a grateful look in his eyes. "Rest. We will deal with the fallout from this."

With a final nod to his aunt and uncle, Ye Yang turned and left the room, carrying the surprisingly heavy Hell who continued to grumble softly in his arms.

As they moved through the outer parts of the agency, the sounds of normal activity seemed strangely distant after the intense conversation they had just had.

Ye Yang returned to the familiar, imposing gates of the Ye clan. The stone lions guarding the entrance seemed to watch him with silent, ancient eyes.

As He stepped inside, Hell, who had been relatively quiet since leaving the Escort Agency, suddenly twisted in Ye Yang's arms and leaped down, landing lightly on his paws.

"I'm not coming inside," Hell spoke, his internal voice sharp and agitated. "I'll go for a walk. Around the city."

Ye Yang paused, looking down at the him. Hell's emotions seemed disturbed for some reason, whatever was bothering the creature, it seemed tied to entering the demon he fought. Ye Yang didn't press him. Pushing Hell when he was in such a mood was rarely productive.

Okay. Don't go too far. And stay out of sight, Ye Yang sent back mentally, a note of caution in his tone. Though he didn't asked Hell, he decided to speak with him when Hell is ready to speak about his problem.