“Because I want to,” An Jiu replied concisely.

Mei Zhengjing said, “It’s easier to find shade under a big tree. The Mei family hasn’t fallen yet. Are you sure you won’t regret leaving in such a hurry?”

Without hesitation, An Jiu answered, “I won’t.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Relying on a family means following its rules and contributing to it. An Jiu could survive on her own, so why shoulder the family’s responsibilities? She didn’t want any connection with the Mei family.

“Very well,” Mei Zhengjing could judge the truth in her words.

He had always been groomed as the next head of the Mei family and knew the secrets of the Loyalty and Righteousness Pavilion. Even Mei Tingzhu and the others were unaware of this. Mei Fourteen had only recently returned to Meihua Village, and if not for the dying wish of the family head, he wouldn’t have known either.

“Go fetch the martial arts manual,” he instructed Mei Tingzhu.

Mei Tingzhu glanced at An Jiu before leaving. She understood that An Jiu didn’t want to bear family responsibilities, but she couldn’t comprehend how that once fragile woman could now confidently survive alone in the Crane Control Army. How could a delicate woman transform into a peerless expert in such a short time? Or perhaps she had found a better place to go…

The Mei Fist manual had always been kept in the study, not particularly hidden. Firstly, because external cultivators were rare nowadays, and those who could break into the Mei family were even rarer. Secondly, the most dangerous place is often the safest.

The hall fell silent. Mei Tingyuan’s eyes reddened.

She had no particular feelings for An Jiu, but she couldn’t bear to see the Mei family fall apart. Although the Mei family was a shadow clan, often living in danger, they had the clan leader, elders, and familiar relatives from childhood, naturally creating a sense of belonging.

“Elder Zhi is considered your master. Since you’re in the Crane Control Army, don’t you plan to visit him?” Mei Zhengjing broke the silence.

An Jiu’s expression remained unchanged. If not mentioned, she would have almost forgotten about him. Back then, her meridians were destroyed, partly due to her reasons, but largely because of Elder Zhi’s stubbornness. It wasn’t hard to imagine that with Elder Zhi’s obsession with archery, he wouldn’t have considered her wishes at all. The result would have been the same, whether she cooperated or not.

In short, it was a case of the strong overwhelming the weak. An Jiu had no regrets about her defeat, and to her, that old man, like this matter, was just a thing of the past.

An Jiu said, “He destroyed my meridians. Teaching me a little in return was just compensation. We have no further connection after that.”

Mei Zhengjing’s expression changed slightly, showing surprise for the first time. “Then how did you just…”

An Jiu interrupted him, “The secret of the Loyalty and Righteousness Pavilion in exchange for the Mei Fist manual, and for my mother and me to cut ties with the Mei family completely. It’s a fair deal. You’re not losing out.”

“Since I’ve agreed, I won’t go back on my word,” Mei Zhengjing didn’t pursue the matter further. “If you ever change your mind, the Mei family will welcome you back.”

Leaving room for reconciliation was the way of the previous Mei family head. Mei Zhengjing used to think it was indecisive, but now, after the Mei family suffered a heavy blow, they neither fell apart nor were kicked while they were down. It was all thanks to the previous generation’s efforts.

An Jiu was somewhat moved, as if a lonely boat drifting at sea had found a harbor to dock. She almost couldn’t resist agreeing. However, she bit her lip and didn’t answer, telling herself not to look back.

Mei Tingzhu entered carrying a box, which he placed on the table next to An Jiu.

“Take a look,” Mei Zhengjing said.

An Jiu opened the box to find several worn books inside.

Mei Zhengjing explained, “To preserve the original, the clan made three copies. This is one of them, which you can take with you.”

An Jiu flipped through it and asked, “Is this the complete set?”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Mei Zhengjing didn’t hide anything. “I can promise that if it’s not complete and I discover other content, I’ll send someone to deliver it to you.”

An Jiu had read many external cultivation manuals and had some ability to discern them. She put away the books and took out a piece of jade from her bosom, placing it on the table.

The three people in the room saw it, and their expressions darkened. They all recognized it as the jade the previous family head used to wear at his waist. Especially for Mei Tingzhu and Mei Tingyuan, who saw it almost daily, it was like seeing their father.

“Farewell,” An Jiu stood up and left.

Her back remained tense, constantly wary that they might try to reclaim the Mei Fist manual after obtaining the jade pendant. However, no one followed her even as she reached the main gate.

Inside the hall, Mei Tingyuan rushed over to grab the jade, tears falling as she made suppressed sobbing sounds.

“Ah Yuan,” Mei Tingzhu hugged her, closing her eyes and gently patting her back.

Mei Tingyuan suddenly burst into loud sobs.

Mei Zhengjing turned his face away, gripping the armrests of his chair tightly.

After Mei Tingyuan finished crying, she remembered to ask, “Sixth Uncle, why are you still so kind to Mei Fourteen when she’s so eager to cut ties with us?”

“She’s not ordinary,” Mei Zhengjing gazed at the bright moonlight outside. “She could sneak in here without any of us noticing. She’s no common person. As for that martial arts manual…”

He looked at Mei Tingzhu. This niece had always been clever; many things didn’t need to be explained to her.

“I kept the last volume,” Mei Tingzhu said.

Mei Zhengjing nodded. Giving An Jiu this last volume in the future would be doing her a favor. Even if she wasn’t moved, at least it could be exchanged for her doing something for the Mei family.

“Uncle, what’s in the pavilion? Can it help us rebuild the Mei family?” Mei Tingzhu asked.

Mei Zhengjing sighed, “It can. Not only is there the enormous wealth accumulated by the Mei family over a hundred years but also a secret scroll recording the forces secretly cultivated by the Mei family.”

Hearing this, Mei Tingyuan couldn’t help but say, “It’s good that Mei Fourteen didn’t have any selfish intentions!”

“Even if she did, she couldn’t get in. I’ve been in and out of that secret passage since childhood, and even now, it would take me several days of fumbling to get through,” Mei Zhengjing recalled the past, a hint of a smile in his eyes. “There were a few years when I wasn’t at home, and you all thought I was out traveling again, but actually, I was trapped inside for years. There’s a dense forest in there, with fruit trees and wild animals. Food isn’t a problem, but if you’re unlucky, you might be trapped for a lifetime.”

“Elder Brother also went out traveling before. Could it be that he also went there…” Mei Tingyuan thought of Mei Tingjun, her face turning pale, her eyes showing pain.

In the temple, Mei Tingjun was hit by the blue light crossbow while pushing her away, turning into a puddle of flesh and blood. This scene, Mei Tingyuan would never forget. In her midnight dreams, everything was vivid, and even many details she had forgotten became clearer.

Time blurred many things but also made some things more profound.

The moon’s shadow shifted westward.

An Jiu wandered through the city. As dawn approached, He Cai came to tell her that the mission was completed.

She could rest for a few days again and practice the Mei Fist. An Jiu sighed inwardly.

“Elder Sister?”

An Jiu was about to quicken her pace when a familiar voice sounded behind her.