---
Stephen studied Miho's expression carefully. Then he asked, "Dead or alive?"
Mihos replied, "Alive."
Stephen's expression shifted.
Mihos continued.
"I do not care what condition."
Stephen waited for him to finish.
"Broken bones. Missing limbs. Torture. Crippled cultivation. Destroyed face. I do not care."
Mihos's voice remained calm now.
That calmness made the words colder.
"As long as Sekhmet Dawn is breathing when they deliver him to me, they receive the full bounty."
Stephen looked at him.
"You want him captured, not killed."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Mihos's jaw tightened.
"The seed."
That alone was enough.
Stephen understood.
Mihos still believed Sekhmet knew what happened to it.
Killing him could destroy the only useful lead they possessed.
Mihos continued, "And I am not finished with him."
Stephen remained quiet. That part had nothing to do with the seed.
Mihos wanted Sekhmet alive because death would be too simple for his revenge.
