"Master, you must not agitate yourself in your condition."
Not just Qingling, but all the disciples nearby grew tense. Seeing the old man leaning weakly in his chair, Qingling made a quick decision and had him taken upstairs to a room in the inn.
"You all go, go and... bring Ah Huan out."
The journey had been bumpy, and the old man's body simply couldn't bear it anymore.
He patted the quilt sadly with his hand. This wretched body of his didn't even have the strength left for him to stand before Ah Huan and personally bring her home.
"Don't worry, Master. We'll go right away."
Qingling looked at the youngest junior brother. "Qingchi, you stay here and look after Master."
The youth called Qingchi nodded, but his expression dimmed. It wasn't that he was unwilling to care for the master; he just also wanted to be among the first to see the little girl who was about to become the first in the Qingyun Realm.
A whole bunch of men—he was truly sick of the sight!
"Behave, or after we find her, we'll talk nonstop about how awful Qingchi is."
Qingchi nearly jumped out of his skin. These people always bullied him, the young and handsome one!
...
One hour later, the guards at the palace gate stared wide-eyed at the five exceptionally handsome young men before them, each with his own distinct charm.
Where had these distinguished guests come from? Their bearing and aura were extraordinary at first glance.
The leader appeared mature and steady, yet an aura of sharp, sword-like energy surrounded him, making the guards hesitant to move.
"Please inform the Eastern Palace that the princess's family has come to take her home."
The guards felt their heads buzzing. They immediately turned and sprinted toward the Eastern Palace.
Heavens above! Where had these so-called relatives of the princess sprung from?
Eastern Palace.
"What?"
Song Yu shot to his feet. "This prince is Ah Huan's family. Ah Huan said she has no one else in this world but me."
"Where did these damned relatives come from?"
Liuxi, standing nearby, felt his eyelid twitch.
"Your Highness, perhaps we should first send someone to investigate the identities of these men?"
What if they really were connected to the princess... His Highness's sharp tongue would have already offended them irreparably.
"This prince will go personally!"
Song Yu strode away, leaving Liuxi with a resolute and determined back.
Outside the palace gate.
"Qingling, eldest disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
Qingling did not bow to Song Yu. Instead, he stood facing him as an equal.
During the many years the old master was unconscious, Qingling single-handedly managed the entire Qingyun Sect. His reputation as Young Master Qingling was known throughout all the kingdoms.
"Song Yu, Crown Prince of Great Qi."
Song Yu looked at Qingling, his heart sinking slightly. "Ah Huan is this prince's daughter."
"Does the Crown Prince know from where Ah Huan's name originates?"
Qingling seemed certain Song Yu wouldn't know and continued, "'Constant joy, born to be happy.' Our master only wished for Ah Huan a life of happiness and carefree joy."
Master...
Connecting this to the 'master' Ah Huan had mentioned in the past, Song Yu felt his breath catch.
What in the world was this? The renowned Qingyun Sect was here to snatch his child away?
The world had gone mad.
"This prince will not allow anyone to take Ah Huan from my side."
Song Yu stared fixedly at Qingling. "No matter who it is."
"What a coincidence. By our master's command, we are to take Ah Huan back no matter what."
The two stood in confrontation, the air between them seeming ready to spark at any moment.
At the same time, in the Eastern Palace.
"Princess, something terrible has happened!"
...
"If you truly cherish Ah Huan, why did you allow her to be criticized by Great Qi's ministers and common people?"
"Our Qingyun Sect may be entirely male, but if Ah Huan returns, she could even become the future sect leader. Why can't she hold a position of succession here in your Great Qi?"
The four men behind Qingling also began chattering, but their core purpose was singular: even if they had to use a sack, they would carry the little girl back.
Song Yu felt even more wronged than if it had snowed in June.
Just as Song Yu was at a loss for how to defend himself, a clear voice rang out:
"What's happening?"
"Ah Huan." Song Yu looked at Song Shihuan, his eyes lighting up. The savior had arrived!
The eyes of the five men opposite also lit up simultaneously.
Song Yu was shoved aside.
"I am your eldest senior brother, Qingling."
"I am your second senior brother, Qingfan."
"And me..."
"The sixth is the most mischievous, so we specifically left him with Master to avoid scaring you."
The five men tightly encircled Song Shihuan. Song Yu couldn't even see a strand of her hair.
"Little junior sister, you're amazing! To use the battle formations Master taught you so masterfully, sending Great Yue running with their tails between their legs."
"As soon as Master woke up, he said he wanted to find you. But upon arriving in Great Qi, we heard you were being criticized by so many. Don't be afraid, little junior sister. Your senior brothers will get justice for you."
From their eager, overlapping words, Song Shihuan pieced together the complete story.
"Master... is here too?"
Song Shihuan's heart ached terribly. So the old man had been in trouble; he hadn't abandoned her.
"He's here, but he's too weak to get up. Otherwise, he would have come to fetch you himself."
"Little junior sister, come with us."
Song Yu immediately grew wary.
Hearing this, Song Shihuan was stunned for a moment. Then, with effort, she made her way to Song Yu. "Father, I want to go see Master."
"Of course, of course." Song Yu forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace.
Watching Ah Huan's figure surrounded and escorted by her five senior brothers, the Crown Prince of Great Qi lowered his proud head.
Would Ah Huan... not come back?
But thinking of the criticism Ah Huan had faced recently, Song Yu felt a wave of helplessness. The Qingyun Sect's anger... was justified.
When it came down to it, Ah Huan had devised such a strategy for his sake.
Dejected, Song Yu made his way to the Zichen Hall.
"Didn't I say you shouldn't come to the Zichen Hall while I am gravely ill?"
"Ah Huan has been taken away."
Song Yu spoke listlessly.
"What? My granddaughter has been kidnapped?" Emperor Yuanyou's voice boomed, startling even Mei Zhilin, who trembled.
Who could understand a gravely ill man producing such a sound?
"Not kidnapped, taken away."
Song Yu looked at Emperor Yuanyou. "Her master, the one who taught her all those battle formations, is the leader of the Qingyun Sect."
"Now that the leader has regained consciousness, he's come to the capital with his disciples to find her."
Emperor Yuanyou was also dumbfounded.
"No, we absolutely cannot let them take my granddaughter away." Emperor Yuanyou grew anxious. "I will go see this sect leader myself."
Seeing this, Song Yu sighed softly. "Father, you are currently gravely ill in bed. If you appear before everyone hale and hearty..."
"Then what should we do? Just watch as Ah Huan is taken away?"
"Let's leave it all to Ah Huan's decision."
Song Yu's eyes suddenly reddened. "Father, her name was given by that man. If not for him in those first ten years, Ah Huan might not have survived to return."
"If Ah Huan wishes to return to the Qingyun Realm, I... I won't stop her."
Plop—
A tear slid from the corner of Song Yu's eye.
