Though the matter of the sea serpent hadn’t blown up for the time being, and the Jiao Clan wouldn’t likely make too much of it either, the Xiao family would absolutely come looking for them—and behind the Xiao family stood the entire Beast Clan.

At this delicate juncture, whether it was the Nanzhao royal family or Nanzhao’s three great clans, the best course of action was to avoid them entirely; courting trouble was hardly a wise choice.

Once they learned of the clue pointing to Wuxie Ravine, Ziqing and the others simply couldn’t sit still, itching to depart immediately.

After all, back when they’d first come to the Meng Clan, aside from figuring out little Xiong Bao’s constitution, their other major purpose had been to chase down clues about the Lishang score.

Leaving was imperative; leaving was urgent!

But before anyone could even bring up the subject of departing, while everyone was still gathered behind closed doors in the main hall, Meng Wanyue was the first to speak up.

“Beiyue, we need to leave the Meng Clan immediately. Once the Xiao family comes looking, it won’t just be trouble for us—the Meng Clan will face trouble too!”

The word “we” in these words left everyone present even more silent than before.

The Meng Clan Leader’s brow furrowed deeply, as though he wanted to say something but held back.

At that moment, though, Old Meng Five spoke up immediately. “Father, though Fourth Sister broke clan law, she was acting on the founding ancestor’s legacy instructions—Fourth Sister did nothing wrong!”

This was precisely what troubled the Meng Clan Leader so deeply—truly troubled him.

Old Meng Five wasn’t wrong; he had no remaining grounds to punish Meng Wanyue. The best course of action would be to keep this matter hidden from the rest of the clan and let Meng Wanyue leave together with Jun Beiyue and the others.

Yet the Meng Clan Leader’s gaze lingered on little Xiong Bao for a long moment. He had to admit—he knew his own daughter all too well. Even if Meng Wanyue wasn’t quite as they’d all imagined, intent on using the Qiankun Poison Pouch to cultivate human Gu vessels, given her temperament, would she really give up the pouch so easily?

Meng Wanyue’s current gentle, doting demeanor was utterly unlike the forceful, domineering woman she’d once been—entirely different people. Age might explain some of it, but still…

The Meng Clan Leader couldn’t shake the sense that something was off, though he couldn’t quite pin down what exactly. What worried him more was the Qiankun Poison Pouch—if Meng Wanyue and Ziqing, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, spent too much time together because of it, who knew what trouble it might bring down on Beiyue.

Deep down, the Meng Clan Leader still hoped Meng Wanyue would stay with the Meng Clan. After all, her expertise lay solely in barrier techniques—she couldn’t offer Beiyue and Ziqing much substantial help on their journey. She would do better to remain in the clan, devoting herself to mastering the art of controlling the Qiankun Poison Pouch. By the time Beiyue truly confronted Nanzhao head-on, whoever held the pouch by then, it would serve as a powerful reserve of strength for him.

“That’s true enough.” The Meng Clan Leader stroked his beard and nodded, then continued, “Fourth Child, you’ve wandered abroad for so long already, and you’re no longer young. Why not stay with the clan for now, and work through the mastery of the Qiankun Poison Pouch together with your father. As far as I understand, even though this thing changes according to its owner’s strength, there may well be other methods too.”

Unexpectedly, Meng Wanyue refused at once. She rose and stepped forward, bowing with the utmost respect, and said with great earnestness, “Father, the founding ancestor’s legacy has been passed down to me. Finding the Solitary Island and clearing its name is my lifelong duty. Please forgive your daughter’s lack of filial devotion! On the day the Solitary Island’s secrets can be revealed to the world, your daughter will return!”

Invoking the “legacy instructions” was essentially invoking the founding ancestor himself—a trump card that overrode everything else!

What more could the Meng Clan Leader say? He nodded. “Since you’re so determined, I won’t try to keep you. Just remember this: the Meng Clan will always be your home. And barrier techniques remain the very foundation of our clan!”

Barrier techniques remain the very foundation of our clan.

These words seemed to be reminding Meng Wanyue of something. A flicker of barely perceptible panic crossed her eyes, but it quickly settled into calm resolve. “Yes, Father, your daughter will remember!”

And so, Meng Wanyue decided to leave together with Ziqing and the others. And yet, throughout the entire exchange, Beiyue and Ziqing, the couple, hadn’t said a single word! The matter had already been settled.

Could they refuse?

Not really possible.

“Beiyue, Ziqing, we set out tomorrow! Until I find the Solitary Island, I won’t be coming back!” Meng Wanyue declared, her tone charged with excitement and resolve.

Jun Beiyue merely nodded, saying nothing. And seeing her husband stay silent in such a setting, over such a matter, Ziqing, as his wife, remained quiet as well.

Unexpectedly, at this point, Baili Weisheng spoke up, smiling cheerfully. “Fourth Elder Meng, if you ask me, you’d be better off staying with the clan. Just let your son and daughter-in-law carry out the founding ancestor’s legacy on your behalf. You’re getting on in years, and you have no martial skills to speak of—this whole journey is bound to be full of unknown dangers, sleeping rough and braving the elements. If, heaven forbid, you’re not properly cared for and end up injured or falling ill, we, as your juniors, would feel terrible about it!”

Yet Meng Wanyue’s smile grew even brighter than Baili Weisheng’s own. “Young man, I’ve walked more roads than you’ve eaten grains of rice. Rest assured, along the way, I won’t be any trouble to you all.”

As she spoke, Meng Wanyue finally turned to look at Ziqing, smiling. “Daughter-in-law, don’t you agree?”

Agree?

Agree with what, exactly?

Should Ziqing respond, “Yes, you won’t be any trouble”?

Or should she say, “No, it will be quite troublesome”?

Ziqing merely offered a faint smile, saying nothing at all. This smiling silence left even Meng Wanyue unable to read her daughter-in-law’s true thoughts.

Seeing Ziqing’s reaction, a complicated look flickered through Baili Weisheng’s eyes, but he chose not to say anything further either.

Meng Wanyue was overjoyed. She took little Xiong Bao from Jun Beiyue’s arms and said cheerfully, “Precious grandson, how about sleeping with Grandma tonight?”

Xiong Bao hesitated only slightly before agreeing. “Okay! Grandma’s going to teach me how to master the Qiankun Poison Pouch!”

“No problem! I promise to teach you everything!” Meng Wanyue agreed just as readily.

And so, with Ziqing and Jun Beiyue saying not a word throughout, the matter was settled just like that.

That night, Old Meng Five returned to his cell at peace and thoroughly content, with Meng Duo’er dutifully keeping him company as always. Before parting, the Meng Clan Leader spoke quietly to Jun Beiyue. “Beiyue, your mother’s temperament has always been quite forceful. It’s just… perhaps meeting you all for the first time, she might hold herself back a little in front of you. As long as she doesn’t harbor any intent to cultivate human Gu vessels… let her do as she pleases. Give her some leeway going forward—after all, she is your mother.”

This was the kind of gentle guidance and reminder that comes from someone who has lived through much. Jun Beiyue nodded seriously, and the Meng Clan Leader patted his shoulder before taking his leave.

Little Xiong Bao went off with his grandmother, while Jun Beiyue and Ziqing returned to their room alone. In perfect unspoken harmony, the two of them poured tea for each other and sat facing one another—clearly settling in for a long conversation.

But before they could begin, Jun Beiyue glanced up toward the ceiling, his cold gaze carrying a trace of displeasure.

He stared upward for a long while, but the ceiling remained utterly still. Ziqing merely smiled faintly and sipped her tea in silence.

Finally, Jun Beiyue said coldly, “Baili Weisheng… this is this prince’s family matter… get lost!”

Only then did Baili Weisheng, perched on the ceiling, grumble reluctantly, muttering to himself, “Fine, I’ll go find your mother and son instead, hmph!”

At this point, Jun Beiyue finally lowered his head, about to speak, when he noticed Ziqing had deliberately set aside a teacup, placing it off to one side.

What did this mean…?

…