"Apologize? Did he do something shameful?"
"Look at Susan trembling like that—it must have been something horrifying."
Indeed, Susan was actually shaking, and putting on quite the convincing act too.
"That’s unlikely, isn’t it?" someone questioned.
But others responded, "A noble member of the Blood Clan wouldn’t, but a Blood Clan member who believes in human religion? Well, that’s another story. Hahaha."
In an instant, the gossiping around them intensified.
Susan hid behind Aunt Sarah, sneaking out her tongue to mock Jones in provocation.
Jones’s face turned red as he forced a stiff smile, glaring daggers at Susan.
Aunt Sarah looked like she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself. She hastily explained, "No, no, it’s just a small misunderstanding! Really, it’s nothing!"
Then she turned her head and said to Jones coldly, "All right, your apology is accepted. You can leave now! And in the future, stay far away from our Susan!"
"Of course! I’d be more than happy to! Thank you, Aunt Sarah! I’ll leave immediately!" His mission complete, Jones felt that he couldn’t bear another minute in this hellish place. He turned on his heel, ready to escape as quickly as possible. But just as he was about to leave, a figure blocked his way.
Looking up, Jones was greeted by a familiar face.
With flowing long hair, dressed in a sharp blue suit, and a handsome face that stood a head taller than Jones—it was none other than his so-called "genius" Cousin Bailey. A 130-year-old, soon-to-reach-maturity upper-class member of the Blood Clan. The younger brother of today’s birthday girl, Cousin Lipika.
"Cousin Jones, where do you think you’re going?" Cousin Bailey asked with a sly, malicious smile as he fixed his gaze on Jones.
Jones stared back with an expressionless face. "Home. Why? What do you want?"
"Oh, no rush to leave," Bailey said with an amused chuckle. "I’ve heard you’ve spent six years in the Human World. Surely you’ve learned a lot that you simply must share with us. For instance, why not regale us with the story of how you came to believe in human religion? I’m so curious." He clapped for dramatic effect, stealing the spotlight as everyone turned their gaze toward Jones. "Come, let my dear Cousin Jones introduce us to the wondrous world of human religion. Hahaha."
What was bound to happen had finally happened.
The world of the Blood Clan was just —a den of idlers constantly scheming against one another. While maintaining superficial familial harmony, they delighted in each other’s misfortunes, hurling insults back and forth. They were more depraved and boring than human aristocrats.
The people in the hall all turned their attention this way. The noblewomen, hiding behind their little fans, began to titter discreetly. Even Aunt Sarah, who should have been Jones’s greatest ally in this setting, quietly stood by without intervening.
Dora, meanwhile, rushed over to Jones, terrified, standing beside him.
Well, in that instant, he felt something snap in his brain. On the whole, Jones could only be considered someone with more bark than bite. But even someone like that couldn’t be pushed too far, or things were bound to get ugly.
"Which aspect would Cousin Bailey like me to introduce?" Jones asked icily.
Noticing something amiss, Dora quickly grabbed Jones’s hand but was immediately shaken off.
"Oh, all of it, of course," Bailey said with a sarcastic snort.
"All of it? That’s a lot. It might take quite some time."
"Then... why don’t you focus on the highlights? Like, how you fell so far as to believe in human religion. That way, we can all learn a valuable lesson and avoid suffering the same fate. Hahaha."
The surrounding members of the Blood Clan burst into laughter.
"Lord Jones, let’s leave this place at once..."
Dora whispered nervously. However, Jones completely ignored her.
With a stomach full of suppressed anger, Jones tilted his head up and smiled. "I know a way for Cousin Bailey to experience it firsthand."
"Oh? What way?" Bailey asked.
"A duel," said Jones as he removed his glove and smacked it against Bailey’s face with a sharp "thwack."
For a moment, everyone was stunned—even Aunt Sarah froze in place. Susan’s wide-eyed shock was unmistakable.
The entire hall fell deathly silent. Even the Blood Clan musicians in the far corners stretched their necks to see what was happening.
"What the hell are you doing?" Cousin Bailey roared, clutching Jones’s glove.
Dora, scared witless, tried again to grab Jones’s hand, only to be shrugged off once more.
Jones stepped back a few paces, positioning himself about ten meters away from Bailey. He raised one hand.
The decorative swords hanging on the walls trembled violently before one shot free, tracing an arc through the air before landing in Jones’s hand.
Pointing the sword at Bailey, Jones smiled and said, "Perhaps you didn’t know this? In addition to believing in human religion, I am also a Knight. And this is the etiquette for issuing a duel challenge. Dear Cousin Bailey, your cousin wishes to engage you in a ’graceful’ duel to demonstrate his knightly honor. I hope you won’t decline out of cowardice."
Dora was utterly dumbfounded.
After a brief pause, everyone except Dora and Aunt Sarah—whose expressions had darkened—burst into laughter.
Bailey smirked and said, "Cousin Jones, have you read the Bible so much that your brain’s turned to mush? You’re challenging me to a duel? You do realize I’m nearly twice your age."
"So are you afraid?" Jones asked coldly.
"Jones, stop it right now! Don’t embarrass your father !" Aunt Sarah scolded sharply.
Bailey stepped in front of Aunt Sarah to block her and said, "Aunt Sarah, don’t worry. I won’t harm him. But with his arrogance, he needs to be taught a lesson."