The next morning, everyone woke up early to get ready as the army was supposed to return before noon.
Ladies, as usual, needed quite a bit of time to prepare, which made Paul laugh a bit since they spent most of the previous day discussing this matter.
The return of the army was not that elaborate, since it mostly entailed everyone greeting them at the gate.
However, the banquet was a different story altogether.
Moreover, everyone heard that the welcoming banquet for the lords would be a shared celebration with the addition of the birthday of a young lady from Xiao Han's nephew's house.
This was something unprecedented, but since the lords agreed to it, no one dared say anything against it.
However, not everything went according to plan, since the moment Paul saw the two women accompanying his uncle, he was pissed.
Seeing his reaction, Xiao Han was happy that the banquet would only start in the evening, which gave him some time to explain everything to Paul, who at the moment looked ready to kill someone.
As soon as they returned to the province lord's mansion, Xiao Han asked Paul and both ladies from the Yuki clan into his study to clear out the misunderstanding between them.
-Alright, what do you want from me?
Paul asked both women, not beating around the bush.
He had more important things to do than chat with them, especially since both of them tried to kill him only a few days ago.
-Not too fond of etiquette, are you?.
The older woman asked, a bit stunned and angered at the young man's tone.
-I see no reason to be courteous with people who tried to kill me.
Paul said not bothered by her words.
This time, she had nothing to say, since it was the truth, and most people would not even bother to meet them after what they did to him, and she was certain that it was only because of Xiao Han that this young man was even here right now.
-Alright, we need your help.
From what Xiao Han told me and our own investigation, we learned that you are the one responsible for curing Xiao Su.
My eldest son is in a very similar situation, and I want you to cure him.
Madam Yuki said, not wanting to prolong this any more than necessary, since it was obvious that this young man would prefer to never see them again.
-I refuse.
Paul said, cutting her off before she could say another word.
Everyone present was stunned at his words.
-But why?
Mio Yuki asked, not believing what she just heard.
-A few reasons, actually.
One of which is our last encounter, but it's not the main reason.
-Then what is your main reason?
Xiao Han asked, opening his mouth for the first time since they entered the study.
-The main reason is that almost no one in this world knows the way to do what was done to Su, and even fewer people know how to reverse it.
Meaning that whoever did it was from the higher realm, and I already have more than enough enemies up there, before I even set foot in a higher realm, and I see no benefit in making more.
Additionally, some techniques are irreversible, and our recent history would make it look like
I purposefully didn't want to heal the patient out of petty vengeance.
Or if he dies during treatment, then the whole Yuki clan will most likely use this excuse to hunt me down and kill me.
Should I continue?
Paul said, making them all speechless.
-Are there more reasons?
Mio Asked, not able to keep quiet after hearing his words.
-Sure, but I don't feel like spending the whole day explaining them to you.
Paul answered with a sneer.
-Well, ladies, you heard him, and I doubt that you can change his mind in this matter.
Xiao Han said.
After hearing the explanation, he had to agree that there was nothing in this world that could compensate for all the trouble this would cause for his nephew.
-So you want us to give up?
Mio Yuki asked, surprised that Lord Xiao would even suggest that.
In the end, they were talking about her brother.
-You can always try to find another healer.
Paul suggested, wishing them luck with that.
-I'll take my leave, uncle. I still have a few things to prepare before the banquet.
The young man said and wanted to leave, but was stopped.
-Where do you think you're going?
Mio Yuki screamed, grabbing him by his shoulder, furious at his attitude towards them.
What she didn't expect was that Paul would spin around, grab her hand, and twist it, making her scream in pain.
-Touch me again, and you'll lose this hand.
He said coldly.
-Release my daughter!
Madam Yuki demanded, before discovering the tip of a sword, right before her neck.
-Try using these icicles of yours again, and you won't survive the outcome.
Paul hissed in fury.
-Everyone, calm down.
Xiao Han said, seeing as the situation was quickly getting out of hand.
-Paul let them go, and you two better keep your hands off of him.
The provincial lord said sternly.
He didn't blame Paul for defending himself, but he could not allow these two women to die there as well.
Paul did as he was told and released Mio Yuki at the same time, storing his sword back into the spatial device.
-Uncle, I'll let them go this time, but if they come after me again…
Paul said, not feeling the need to finish the sentence.
Everyone understood what he meant.
Then he turned around and left.
-Well, ladies, you just made it impossible to gain his help.
Xiao Han stated the obvious.
-If he won't help of his own will, then I'll force him to heal my brother.
Mio Yuki hissed in anger.
This was already the second time she had been humiliated by this man, and she would not let it go.
-How do you want to do that?
Xiao Han asked.
-If you haven't noticed, you are no longer a stage above him, and even when you were, you were defeated.
Additionally, Paul is a man of his word; if you come after him again, he will end you.
The province lord added.
-So what?
The woman almost screamed.
-Should I simply let my brother waste away when there is someone who can help?
She asked.
-Calm down, Mio.
Madam Yuki said, finally regaining her voice.
She was shocked when this young man stopped her in her tracks before she could even do anything to help her daughter, and even more so when she discovered that he was now in the Sorcerer stage of cultivation.
-How can I calm down when my brother is suffering?
The girl almost cried at this point.
-Making this young man into an enemy won't help; besides, his reasons for refusing to help us are quite reasonable.
Madam Yuki said, with sadness in her voice.
Unlike her daughter, she could understand Paul's reasoning.
-Are you saying that I'm at fault here?
Mio asked, with eyes as wide as saucers.
-No, or not entirely.
Xiao Han chimed in.
-What Paul said about people who did it was true; they are most likely from the upper world.
Not long ago, he had an encounter with someone from up there, and he was lucky to survive.
What you are asking him to do is basically make a new enemy in the upper world.
Why should he do that for a person he does not know, nor does he care about?
Xiao Han asked, stunning the two women.
-To add to that, you also offended him.
So tell me why should he even lift a finger to help you or your brother?
Hearing Lord Xiao's question, the younger woman shut up, since she had no answer to that.
-Lord Xiao, I thank you for your assistance in this matter, and your debt to my husband has been repaid as well.
Madam Yuki said, after a moment of silence.
She finally figured out that there was no way Paul would agree to help them, so there was no reason for them to stay in Storm Wave City.
-We shall leave at once since there is nothing more for us to do here, and I doubt we would be welcomed by everyone after what happened.
She added, before taking her daughter and leaving the study.
Xiao Han was a bit relieved that at least one of them understood the situation and hoped that their departure would end this whole mess.
Not long later, he was notified that both ladies had left the city with their people.