Among the sects of the immortal realm, the Three Upper Sects stood above all others. Several guards inspected Huo Chongxiao’s token, and their attitudes instantly grew respectful. "So you are an immortal master from Danxia Palace! We detected fluctuations of demonic qi here and suspected trouble. We never expected an immortal master to be present and have the matter already resolved. We are deeply grateful."
Huo Chongxiao nodded and pointed at the bridegroom lying on the ground. "Since you officers are here, this corpse..."
"We'll take care of it." The guard captain smiled warmly. Seeing Huo Chongxiao glance at the terrified bride, he preempted him by saying, "Cleaning up the aftermath is our duty anyway. If you could simply recount what happened, immortal master, we will handle the rest."
Huo Chongxiao then explained the situation at the farmstead.
The guard captain assented repeatedly, adding at last, "Please wait a moment, immortal master. I shall go report this to my superior right away."
This was standard procedure, so Huo Chongxiao had no objections.
After a little while, the yamen sent personnel over. The farmstead was completely sealed off, and mages went inside to clear out the remaining demonic qi.
Huo Chongxiao retrieved his array flags, puppets, and other items, then squatted by the entrance with Yue Yunqiao and Bai Mengjin to watch the commotion.
The guard captain soon led over a man dressed like a scholar.
After exchanging formal greetings, the scholar smiled and said, "I am Guan Mowen, a retainer of the Qingyun Bai Family. My master heard that an immortal master from Danxia Palace had arrived here, and specifically dispatched me to invite you."
Since the Bai Family was affiliated with Danxia Palace, it was hardly strange for them to invite the visitors. Only...
Huo Chongxiao looked over at Bai Mengjin.
Following his gaze, Guan Mowen was momentarily startled. "Second Young Miss? Why are you here?"
Bai Mengjin forced an awkward laugh. She could hardly admit that she had given her own brother a beating and run away from home out of fear of punishment, could she? With so many people present, she still cared about her dignity.
Fortunately, Huo Chongxiao was quick-witted and answered for her: "As it happens, tonight's affair owes much to Miss Bai. When we were tracking the demonic creature, we were almost injured. It was sheer coincidence that Miss Bai saw this and stepped in to help, allowing us to emerge unscathed."
Guan Mowen came to a sudden realization and smiled. "Such a wonderful coincidence! All the more reason for Immortal Master Huo and Fairy Yue to come be guests at the Bai Family." He then turned to Bai Mengjin. "The Second Young Miss has rendered a great service; the master will certainly be delighted."
Since he had put it that way, Huo Chongxiao had no reason to refuse. Besides, he and his junior sister indeed needed a place to stay, and the Bai Family seemed like a fine choice.
Guan Mowen then had carriages brought over. He and Huo Chongxiao shared one, while Yue Yunqiao and Bai Mengjin shared the other.
Inside the carriage, seeing her solemn expression, Yue Yunqiao comforted her, "Junior Sister Bai, don't worry. My senior brother and I will definitely put in a good word for you. You contributed to tonight's achievements, and from what I can see, your family head is not an unreasonable man."
Bai Mengjin smiled faintly.
She wasn't worried about that. The head of the Bai Family was the clan's only surviving Golden Core cultivator, whom she had to address as grand-uncle. Though he seldom managed everyday affairs, his imposing aura was formidable; with him around, her eldest uncle wouldn't dare act presumptuously.
Rather, she felt that something was amiss. This was Yue Yunqiao’s first time venturing out, and Huo Chongxiao was still a green youth; lacking experience, neither of them had perceived the underlying problem.
From the moment those guards appeared, they had been excluded from the entire incident. Even when squatting by the side just to watch the excitement, they had been politely ushered away.
Was there a deeper story behind the appearance of this demonic creature? And what role had the Bai Family played in it?
Bai Mengjin couldn't help recalling the tragic extermination of her clan.
Back then, when her cultivation method had reached fruition, she wanted to return to the Bai Family to retrieve her parents' legacy items. But what greeted her was a horrific scene of rivers of blood and flying flesh and bone.
Throughout the entire Bai Family estate, there was not a single clean patch of ground, not a single intact human being!
Right as she was searching through the wreckage, the immortal sects arrived.
Her mother was an orphan of the Ming River Gu Clan and excelled in Yin-Yang arts. Among the legacy items was a Yin-Yang Umbrella capable of manipulating wandering souls. Seeing her holding the umbrella, those people blindly concluded that she was the one who had slaughtered the entire Bai Family.
At that time, Bai Mengjin had not long since rebelled against Danxia Palace; her heart remained unheeded and she utterly detested these hypocritical people of the immortal sects, refusing to lower herself to explanations. Thus, she had shouldered the monstrous charge of unfilial rebellion.
Having spent a long time as a supreme villain, Bai Mengjin didn't care much about whether she suffered injustices, but if she could uncover the truth behind her clan's extermination, she would naturally give it a try.
Yet, this event was not among her memories; an illusion realm could not possibly simulate it. Could it be that the Samsara Mirror had managed to retrace time? If so, this Samsara Mirror was capable of controlling time after all, making it not entirely useless.
Lost in thought, they arrived at the Bai Family estate.
The house was brightly lit and noisy, though it was unclear what commotion was taking place.
The moment Bai Mengjin stepped inside, Bai Mengking spotted her and turned back to report, "Mother, she's the one who hit me! Her blows were so vicious that I still can't stand up!"
Sitting in the main hall was none other than her eldest aunt, Lady Jing. Raising Bai Mengking to be such a spoiled wretch meant Lady Jing bore no less responsibility than her eldest uncle. Upon hearing her son's words, Lady Jing pointed at Bai Mengjin and cursed, "Wretched girl, you actually dare to return! To dare beat your own brother—truly lawless! With your parents gone, as your elder, I have no choice but to discipline you on their behalf. Someone, fetch the family rod!"
Seeing this scene, Huo Chongxiao and Yue Yunqiao simultaneously turned their heads to look at her.
She had said she only had a minor disagreement with her eldest brother, and yet it turned out she had given the fellow a severe thrashing? So fierce—she really didn't look the part!
Bai Mengjin’s eyes reddened, and she edged a short step behind Yue Yunqiao, looking pitiful. "I... I..."
Yue Yunqiao’s protective instincts flared up, and she immediately rushed to cover for her: "Junior Sister Bai is so gentle and fragile; you must have gone too far for her to resort to hitting you!"
Gentle and fragile? Bai Mengking's eyes widened in a ghost-like expression.
"Gentle and fragile my foot, it's all an act!" he shouted loudly. "And who on earth are you? Go beg for alms at the porter's lodge; our Bai Family isn't some place where any stray cat or dog can just walk in."
Yue Yunqiao was so angry her face turned red. As the universally pampered little junior sister in Danxia Palace, when had she ever been treated with such disdain?
This Bai Family young master was utterly lacking in manners. No wonder he had provoked Junior Sister Bai into action.
Huo Chongxiao also furrowed his brows, his impression of the Bai Family plummeting. For an illustrious family passing down immortal arts through generations, how could they raise such a junior? No wonder Miss Bai had not dared to return home; she must have suffered endless bullying in the past.
Guan Mowen had lingered outside to give a few instructions upon alighting and had entered a step late, only to find chaos already erupting. Seeing Lady Jing order the family rod brought out and men sent to seize Bai Mengjin, he quickly spoke up, "Eldest Madam, wait. These two are immortal masters and fairies from Danxia Palace, guests whom the Master is currently waiting for."
Lady Jing was momentarily stunned. Looking at Huo Chongxiao and Yue Yunqiao, she forced a smile. "So they are immortals from Danxia Palace! Oh my, why didn't you say so earlier? We almost had a misunderstanding."
She added, "The two of you may not know, but our second brother passed away early, leaving this girl unmanaged since childhood, so she's picked up a mouth full of lies. Since the Grand-uncle is waiting for the two of you, I won't delay your important business. I can discipline this girl slowly myself."
Before Bai Mengjin could speak, Guan Mowen had already replied, "Eldest Madam needn't trouble yourself. Among the people the Master is waiting for is also the Second Young Miss. I will report on this matter later, and I imagine the Master will handle it accordingly."
Lady Jing naturally dared not cross the family head. Blocked by his words, she could only swallow her anger and say, "Understood."