Kanyue City, inn.

When Huang Rang returned, a large group of people was already waiting in the hall.

Seeing her return, these people sat upright without moving.

The elder at the head not only had an imposing presence, but the clothing and magical treasures he wore all displayed his distinguished status.

Huang Rang was utterly baffled. A middle-aged man beside the elder said with a stern face, “Huang Rang, come over and pay respects to your maternal grandfather.”

Maternal grandfather?

Huang Rang frowned, but this small expression did not escape the notice of the elderly man before her. He was also an earth demon, and one with pure bloodline. However, he was quite advanced in years, which made him appear extremely dignified.

The elder leaned on his walking stick, dressed in a gray cloth robe, but the belt at his waist was an extremely valuable storage magical treasure. Faint markings were visible on it—the craftsmanship of Xie Lingbi from Yuhu Xuanzong.

He said in a deep voice, “After your mother Xiyin married down to Huang Shu back then, she cut off ties with her natal family. For so many years, there has been no contact. Now that the past is past, you as a descendant of my Xi family should still acknowledge your ancestral roots.”

Ah, so they were Mother’s family.

Huang Rang wore a smile on her face, but her heart was cold. Memories she had long avoided reliving came flooding back, scene by scene. That woman in her memories had always been cruel, her very gaze filled with resentment.

Even at the end, when she gouged out her own heart and died in that small courtyard, no one had come to ask after her.

Huang Rang and her elder sister had huddled together, silently watching her life force drain away until she finally turned to yellow sand.

Her entire life—bearing suffering alone, old friends scattered—where were any family members?

Huang Rang studied the imposing group of people before her. She truly felt no respect in her heart and could only keep her expression wooden. As she stood there for some time, the old man before her grew displeased.

He said with weighty words, “Before one’s elders, one should maintain proper decorum and respect. Can your knees not bend?”

The middle-aged man beside him also said, “Must Sect Leader Xie come in person before you’ll perform the kowtow ceremony?”

Huang Rang had always known when to adapt to circumstances, but here and now, she could not bring herself to kneel.

Just then, someone outside the door said, “Sect Leader Xie.”

It turned out the martial demonstration had ended, and Xie Hongchen and the others had returned.

The elder in the hall stood and nodded slightly upon seeing him, saying, “Sect Leader Xie.”

Xie Hongchen cupped his hands in salute, saying, “So it’s Elder Xi. I never imagined that even you would be stirred to attend this year’s new disciple martial demonstration.”

Elder Xi gestured with his hand, and naturally someone brought over another chair to place beside him. He said, “Please sit, Sect Leader Xie.”

Xie Hongchen did not decline. After taking his seat, he asked, “What important matter brings Elder Xi here this time?”

As he spoke, he glanced at Huang Rang.

Elder Xi placed his walking stick aside diagonally before saying, “Speaking of it, there is quite a connection. This disciple of yours, Huang Rang, is actually the daughter of my daughter Xiyin.”

“Xiyin?” Xie Hongchen’s brow furrowed slightly. “Such a thing?”

Elder Xi’s tone softened somewhat in his presence as he said, “Back then, my rebellious daughter was foolish and insisted on marrying down to Huang Shu. She cut off contact with the family. It wasn’t until recently that we learned that both she and her husband had passed away.”

In truth, although Huang Shu had been stripped of his cultivation, he had not actually died.

If Huang Rang could have cared for him attentively, he still had hope of successfully cultivating his human form again.

But to Elder Xi and his people, such a son-in-law was naturally better off dead.

—If he weren’t dead, they couldn’t have come to reclaim Huang Rang.

Having said this much, Xie Hongchen understood. He said, “So it seems Elder Xi has heard that this beloved disciple of mine has been fairly diligent, and has come to visit his descendants.”

Xie Hongchen’s words were much more palatable. Elder Xi grunted in acknowledgment and said, “At least this girl has shown some promise.”

With such words, his purpose became extremely clear. He wanted Huang Rang to acknowledge her ancestral roots.

After considering this, Xie Hongchen felt this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He said, “The bond of blood should not be severed. Ah Rang, since this is the case, go and pay respects to your maternal grandfather.”

Huang Rang knew that no matter what, this kinship was decided for her. This kowtow was decided for her.

Speaking practically, there was no real loss—just a few drops of blood from her heart, nothing significant.

Then she would kneel!

Just as she was about to kneel down, suddenly someone came down the stairs.

“During the demonstration of new immortal sect disciples, Kanyue City is under martial law. All who enter or exit must register with the court and be issued travel waist tokens. Now this official suspects that evildoers have infiltrated the city. Everyone, please present your waist tokens first.” A voice, still cold and clear, rang out with authority.

Everyone in the main hall of the inn looked over.

They saw a handsome man descending the stairs at an unhurried pace. His face was pale, his expression cold and solemn. He wore a purple official robe with a black cloak draped over it. A jade belt encircled his waist, beneath which hung a golden fish pouch. Black official boots on his feet, his gait steady and firm.

Most people in the immortal sects recognized this attire.

—Di Yiqiu…

As soon as he finished speaking, chaotic footsteps sounded outside. Moments later, government officers surrounded the inn.

Elder Xi stared at the young powerful minister before him, his expression darkening involuntarily. “Director Jianzheng, what is the meaning of this?”

To the side, Vice Director Li Lu kept wiping away sweat.

But his Director Jianzheng remained unhurried, his tone composed. “Official inspection by the authorities. I ask that everyone please not take offense.”

Everyone fell silent—of all times, you choose now to inspect!

Among those present in the hall were Xie Hongchen and Elder Xi of the Xi family. Who were you here to investigate?

Yet the Director Jianzheng maintained a solemn expression, the very picture of impartial law enforcement. He said with iron-faced impartiality, “Since Elder Xi spoke first, we’ll start with you then.” He gestured to Li Lu.

Li Lu’s face went pale. Wiping away sweat as he walked before Elder Xi, he said, “Please present your waist token, Elder Xi.”

“I! You!” Elder Xi’s normally dignified face immediately showed hints of ferocity. “What did you say?”

Li Lu steeled himself, not daring to look at him, keeping his head lowered as he repeated, “Please present your waist token, Elder Xi!”

But what was Elder Xi’s status? In terms of position, he was equivalent to Xie Lingbi, Miao Yunzhi, and others. The earth spirit clan didn’t participate in immortal sect demonstrations to begin with, so naturally they hadn’t planned to come. It was only because Huang Rang had won first place that he hurriedly brought people here. How could he have had time to register with the court?

Without registration, naturally he had no waist token.

Xie Hongchen was also deeply shocked—the court and the Xi family had extremely close ties.

The court needed quality seeds, and the Xi family, as the purest bloodline of the Xirang clan, was a major supplier of quality seeds.

Both sides had always maintained mutually beneficial relations.

Today, with Di Yiqiu acting this way—what, were they no longer going to maintain relations?

But Di Yiqiu stood as steady as a mountain. He slowly paced before Elder Xi, as if the person before him were just an ordinary old man.

“So you don’t have a waist token?” He frowned, turning to ask Li Lu, “This seat has already ordered martial law. This is how you enforce martial law?”

Everyone looked at him with bewildered expressions, while he calmly said, “Someone come, take this old man back to the government office for thorough questioning.”

…You truly have a death wish!

That’s what everyone was thinking.

Huang Rang stared at the “law-enforcing mountain” of a Director Jianzheng before her, her mind completely numb.

Though Li Lu’s head dripped with sweat, he could only step forward and escort Elder Xi and his entire group out.

Though Elder Xi held a noble position among the earth spirit clan, he was still an earth spirit. He had no combat ability.

If Li Lu wanted to escort him away, he truly had no way to resist.

But how could this matter possibly end well!

As Vice Director Li escorted him out, he was truly worried sick.

As Elder Xi passed by the Director Jianzheng, his gaze was as fierce as a tiger’s. He said in a deep voice, “Di Yiqiu, very good indeed!”

The Director Jianzheng’s expression became solemn. He straightened his sleeves and bowed deeply, answering, “Merely enforcing the law impartially. I cannot accept the word ‘good.'”

Elder Xi was so furious he nearly burst into flames. He left with a cold laugh. Everyone looked back at the Director Jianzheng with gazes both reverent and horrified.

Only after the Director Jianzheng had upheld legal discipline did he survey the crowd, saying, “The court has always supported immortal sect demonstrations. His Majesty is also quite concerned. I hope all sects will restrain their disciples and observe the laws. Do not recklessly cause trouble. Otherwise, when criminal law comes to bear, there will be no distinction between noble and base.”

Having said this, the Director Jianzheng departed with composed grace.

He left behind a hall full of immortal sect members with mouths agape, everyone bewildered and shocked.

After a long while, everyone finally processed what had just happened—the Si Tianjian had arrested Elder Xi, patriarch of the Xirang clan, on grounds of not having a waist token!

Wu Zichou stared at Di Yiqiu’s retreating figure, muttering, “Damn, this Si Tianjian really is thick-headed…”

Huang Rang quickened her pace and came to the inn entrance. She watched that person’s robes flutter as his figure slowly disappeared at the end of the long street.

In that instant, she heard her own heartbeat. If this wasn’t a heart running wild, what else could it be?

How could there exist such a person in this world, so wonderful?

In the inn, everyone began heatedly discussing what had just transpired, conjuring up numerous theories.

Even Xie Hongchen furrowed his brow, deeply puzzled.

But Elder Xi had been arrested and taken to the government office—this was a matter between the court and the Xirang clan. With Xie Hongchen’s position, it wasn’t really appropriate for him to say anything.

He could only say to Huang Rang, “Elder Xi is your maternal grandfather after all. As he’s encountered trouble, you as a junior cannot simply stand by and watch.” He casually removed the jade pendant from his waist and, along with two transmission talismans, placed them in Huang Rang’s hands. “Take this pendant and go to the Xi family residence to inform them of the news. The Xi family will naturally have people to handle it.”

Huang Rang accepted his jade pendant, saying, “This disciple obeys.”

Only then did Xie Hongchen nod and head straight back to his room.

Huang Rang held the jade pendant and transmission talismans, preparing to go out. Suddenly someone behind her called out, “Miss Ah Rang.”

“Ah?” Huang Rang turned around to find a woman standing behind her. She even recognized this woman—it was none other than Qu Manying, He Xijin’s wife.

Huang Rang cupped her fists in salute, saying, “Madam He.”

Qu Manying was also startled, saying, “Miss Ah Rang recognizes me? I recall we haven’t met before.”

Ah, Huang Rang nearly forgot. The last time she’d seen Qu Manying was at the Si Tianjian. Qu Manying had brought her younger sister Qu Manci to see Di Yiqiu. Although she couldn’t speak or move at the time, she had at least seen them.

She bowed respectfully, saying, “Because I greatly revere Sect Leader He, I’ve also paid attention to Madam. I hope Madam won’t take offense.”

This flattery was well executed. Madam He beamed with delight. “Look at this child, truly worthy of being Sect Leader Xie’s beloved disciple. So well-spoken.”

As she spoke, she took Huang Rang’s hand, saying, “Seeing you on the demonstration grounds today, you were truly as graceful as a swimming dragon. It filled my heart with joy at first sight. As a daughter, one should indeed be like this.”

Her words carried genuine delight, every word from the heart. Being praised so thoroughly by her, Huang Rang actually didn’t feel uncomfortable. She said, “Ah Rang has dull aptitude, so I can only work harder.”

Madam He grasped her hand, overjoyed, saying, “I’ve long heard of your seed cultivation abilities, and later heard you switched to practicing martial dao. I always wondered what kind of heroic and extraordinary young woman you must be. Now seeing you, you truly exceed all imagination.”

Huang Rang actually felt quite indifferent to her enthusiasm. From childhood to adulthood, she’d seen far too much false sentiment.

So she smiled in response, “Madam He praises me too much. Ah Rang truly doesn’t deserve such words.”

But Madam He held her hand, reluctant to let go. “Good child, ever since you joined Yuhu Xuanzong, my husband has constantly sighed with worry, fearing you would no longer cultivate seeds. These years, every time you’ve sent seeds over, he’s given a thousand reminders and ten thousand instructions, saying this represents your heart’s blood and must not be wasted. So we’ve also been extraordinarily cautious and careful. Whenever people come to claim seeds, we always verify thoroughly.”

She retrieved a ledger from her storage ring and placed it in Huang Rang’s hands. “Ah, we specifically recorded the destinations of all quality seeds in detail. We wanted to deliver it to you long ago, but Xijin said he worried about affecting your studies, so it was delayed.”

Huang Rang accepted the ledger, her heart unmoved.

There were far too many ways in this world to balance accounts.

Madam He’s enthusiasm had no purpose other than hoping she would continue cultivating seeds.

Though she thought this in her heart, her face still wore a smile as she said, “Madam He has truly worked hard. These quality seeds were originally Sect Leader He’s painstaking effort. With you distributing them, there naturally won’t be any errors. I needn’t examine them.”

But Madam He said, “No, no, you must keep the ledger. Oh my, in past years I never came to these new disciple demonstrations. But this year when my husband said you’d be here, I rushed over. But truly seeing you, I don’t know what to say!”

Huang Rang couldn’t determine how much truth versus falsehood lay in her words, but could only smile and say, “To receive Madam’s kind regard, Ah Rang is truly overwhelmed with honor.”

But indeed, when she had previously come to Kanyue City as Xie Hongchen’s wife, she had never seen Qu Manying and the others.

Qu Manying grasped her hand, patting the back of it, saying, “If you ever travel for study, you must come to Ruyi Sword Sect. Truth be told, I still have some old connections with your mother’s clan. But after your mother married down to Huang Shu, she cut ties with her family. With us… there was even less connection. But the old are gone. Today I’ll presume upon our relationship and still call myself your aunt.”

Aunt? Huang Rang lowered her gaze, her heart ice-cold.

She was born into such a household, where even blood kinship was cold and distant. Why would she care about an aunt with virtually no connection?

She suppressed the emotions in her heart. After a long moment she smiled faintly and said, “Mother took one wrong step and suffered for her entire life. If she could meet Aunt again, she would surely be filled with emotion. The old lady passed away early. Since Aunt mentions her today, please accept a bow from Ah Rang on her behalf.”

She gracefully bowed. Qu Manying helped her up, smiling and shaking her head, her expression both sighing and affectionate.

While Huang Rang engaged in empty pleasantries with Qu Manying, Vice Director Li Lu was locking Elder Xi and his group in the prison cells.

The prison was damp and dark, with a layer of dry straw piled in the corners. Occasionally cockroaches and bedbugs would crawl through. When the cell door locked, these people stared coldly at Li Lu. As if they could slice him to pieces with their gazes alone.

Vice Director Li really didn’t want to live anymore.

In the government office, other officials stood below, their gazes fixed on their shoe tips, saying nothing. The Director Jianzheng sat before the official’s desk, one hand lightly stroking his chin, deep in thought.

Before long, Vice Director Li hurried over. He said quietly, “They’re all in the cells now. No resistance. Just faces that look like they want to devour someone.”

The Director Jianzheng grunted acknowledgment. After a long pause he said, “Keep them locked up for one night first.”

“Keep—keep them for a night?” Vice Director Li clutched his chest. “Director Jianzheng, he is…”

“This seat knows.” The Director Jianzheng looked deeply contemplative. “Earth demons aren’t skilled in combat. With just those few, they can’t break out of prison.”

He can’t break out of prison!

But how will you release him afterward?!

The Vice Director said weakly, “But we can’t keep him imprisoned for life…” All because of a mere waist token. Heavens above, His Majesty will truly slaughter you…

The Director Jianzheng showed no fear. He instructed, “Tomorrow at dawn, you people release him.”

Li Lu felt completely powerless, dizzy and disoriented as he asked, “What if he refuses to leave?”

The Director Jianzheng had a solution for this too. He said, “Drag him out and toss him on the main street. His cultivation is weak, he can’t break free. With many passersby on the main street, considering his status, he won’t make a scene there either.”

This is truly a fucking brilliant idea. Elder Xi really will skin you alive…

Li Lu looked utterly despairing as he asked, “And then?”

The Director Jianzheng had everything well in hand. He said, “Then you prepare a generous gift for this seat. This seat will personally visit to apologize.”

…