Night had fallen over the mysterious valley.
Ye Nantian's figure strode briskly through the moonlit night, appearing thin and solitary. His eyes were filled with urgency and resolve.
Suddenly, a voice echoed behind him:
"Ye Nantian, you think you can just leave?"
Lin Ye's voice was cold, carrying an undeniable authority.
He stepped out of the shadows slowly, moonlight casting a firm outline across his face.
Ye Nantian's body froze slightly. Turning around with a bitter smile, he said, "Lin Ye, I must go."
Lin Ye's gaze sharpened, and he let out a mocking snort.
"You kidnapped the wife of my Lin Clan's heir—Ye Lingling. You think this can just be brushed aside?"
There was a flash of anger in Lin Ye's eyes.
For the Lin Clan, the abduction of Ye Lingling was a tremendous humiliation.
As the clan leader, there was no way he could let Ye Nantian go without consequences.
Ye Nantian frowned, helplessness flashing in his eyes.
"Lin Ye, I understand your stance—but you must understand mine as well."
"I never meant to offend the Lin Clan. I was forced by circumstance."
He knew clearly that every word he said now would determine not only his fate but Lingling's as well.
Looking at Ye Nantian, Lin Ye's anger eased slightly. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"Put the girl down first. We can talk."
Truthfully, he didn't want to escalate this any further—after all, Ye Nantian was still Ye Lingling's grandfather.
"You're a noble. Don't you understand the weight of the Upper Three Sects?"
"Even the empire doesn't dare provoke them lightly."
"If you truly care about your people, you should be hiding some of them."
"Not keeping them all here, waiting for news from Feng'er that may never come."
But Ye Nantian remained unmoved, his tone sharp as he rebuked:
"If that's what you truly believe, why haven't you done so already?"
Lin Ye faltered.
He knew well how terrifying the Upper Three Sects were. He'd just been clinging to blind hope.
He began to ponder: Perhaps Ye Nantian was right—maybe Lin Jian and the others should be moved somewhere safer.
Seeing Lin Ye waver, Ye Nantian's eyes lit up. He pressed further:
"I have to go. I won't allow my granddaughter to remain in unknown danger."
"If you won't let me leave—then I'll die here."
With that, he raised a pill to his lips, adopting a desperate stance.
In truth, he had no certainty of the outcome—this was his final gamble.
Lin Ye stared at him, torn. He glanced toward the area where the rest of the clan was gathered, their safety at stake.
At last, he sighed. There was weariness and frustration in his voice, but he nodded:
"Fine. Go."
Relieved, Ye Nantian turned and disappeared into the night.
Lin Ye stared after him, heart heavy and conflicted.
Soon after, he gathered Dugu Yan and the Lin clan elders.
Inside a temporary tent, the air was tense.
Lin Ye voiced his thoughts:
"I'm starting to think we should send some of our people into hiding."
"Ye Nantian made some good points today."
Dugu Yan's eyes were resolute. She spoke with firm conviction:
"No! I believe in Lin Feng. Even if danger comes, we'll face it together."
To her, Lin Feng was the pillar that held them all together.
As long as he was there, no hardship was insurmountable.
Lin Jian nodded in agreement.
"I trust our young master too. We won't abandon our ground."
His fists clenched. He was ready to fight for the clan at any moment.
Looking into their unwavering eyes, Lin Ye was moved. At last, he said:
"Then we wait. I believe Feng'er will find a way."
Inwardly, he prayed that Lin Feng would soon return, bringing peace and resolution.
---
One day later, scorching sunlight poured over Flame Valley.
At the valley entrance, Lin Feng's figure appeared.
The clan members spotted him at once and cried out in delight:
"Young Master is back!"
"Young Master, how did it go? Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan give you trouble?"
"It's fine now. From today onward, they won't be bothering us again. Everyone, rest easy."
Lin Feng's face wore a confident smile. His voice was steady and powerful as he waved to the crowd.
"That's great!"
Hearing this, the clan's worries vanished. Joy and relief spread across their faces as cheers erupted.
Hearing the commotion, Dugu Yan was the first to rush out of the tent.
Seeing Lin Feng, she immediately threw herself into his arms, saying with emotion:
"You're finally back. I was so worried."
Tears shimmered in her eyes. All her fear and anxiety dissolved into joy at their reunion.
"I'm back now. Don't worry."
Lin Feng gently patted her back, his gaze tender and soothing.
"Grandfather's back too. Everyone can rest easy now."
Dugu Bo stepped forward from behind them, his voice calm and warm.
Seeing her grandfather safe, Dugu Yan turned and hugged him tightly, overjoyed.
Inside the tent, Lin Ye heard the cheers and quickly emerged.
Seeing Lin Feng, his face lit up.
"Feng'er, you're finally back! Is it settled?"
Lin Feng nodded. "It's done."
His tone was light—but only he knew how much effort it had taken.
Then, he noticed someone missing.
"Where's Lingling?"
At that question, everyone's faces turned awkward. No one spoke.
Lin Ye quickly said, "Feng'er, come inside. I'll explain everything."
He was nervous, unsure how to tell Lin Feng that Ye Nantian had taken Ye Lingling.
Inside the room, Lin Ye explained the situation in full.
After hearing it, Lin Feng's expression darkened. Fury flickered in his eyes as he furrowed his brows.
"Do we know where they went?"
"I've had people tracking them. Ask your second uncle in Blazing City—he should know."
Lin Ye replied quickly, guilt tugging at him for failing to protect Ye Lingling.
"I'm going right now," Lin Feng said at once.
His woman—how could she be taken so easily?
He stood up, ready to leave immediately.
At his side, Dugu Yan quickly said:
"I'm going too!"
She didn't want Lin Feng facing danger alone.
He looked at her, then nodded.
"Alright. Let's go together."
He knew her temperament and didn't want her to worry.
Before leaving, Lin Feng turned to Dugu Bo behind him.
"I'll leave it to Grandpa Dugu to explain what happened with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"Don't worry, Feng'er. I'll handle things here."
Dugu Bo nodded with a pleased smile.
Lin Feng had truly matured.
---
Flame City.
In an unremarkable corner stood an ordinary-looking courtyard.
In the dim basement beneath, only a flickering oil lamp lit the cramped room.
Ye Lingling paced restlessly, her face anxious and frustrated.
"I want out! I don't want to stay here anymore!"
"I want to go back to Flame Valley and wait for Lin Feng!"
She shouted at Ye Nantian, her voice tinged with tears.
Ye Nantian sighed wearily, trying to calm her.
"Can't you just stay quietly for a few more days?"
"This morning, I slipped past the Lin Clan's watchers and returned here. No one knows. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan shows up, they won't find us."
"Once the heat dies down, I promise I'll let you go."
He was exhausted from worrying over her these past few days.
"I don't believe you! I want to go back!"
"Lin Feng will come for me—I want to see him!"
Ye Lingling shouted back, eyes brimming with tears.
Ye Nantian looked at her, helpless.
"He's not coming back. If he does, I'll kneel and kowtow three times!"
To him, the idea of Lin Feng finding them was simply a fantasy.
---
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