Chapter 533: You Old Witch

A story spanning from ancient times to the present was clearly summarized in an instant. It came abruptly, without any prelude.

The mountain wind blew, and the grass below rippled like waves.

Wu Jinliang listened and pondered intently. After hearing the story, he couldn't help but grin.

When he and Shi Chun first arrived in Dazhi City, they had discussed this matter after realizing that Bai Qiru's expulsion from the family was not as straightforward as it seemed. Even then, they suspected that Bai Qiru's acceptance of Huang Yingying into the sect was problematic.

They had thoroughly considered Huang Yingying then.

After much deliberation, they couldn't find anything about Huang Yingying that would warrant the Bai clan's effort. Their only conclusion at the time was that her sole remarkable attribute was her highly influential ancestors.

They had suspected that the Bai clan's investment might be linked to Huang Yingying's formidable ancestor.

And now, it was confirmed.

Their prediction was indeed accurate; it really was connected to Jin Zhan.

However, it differed from their assumption. It wasn't about gaining something, but about repaying a debt of gratitude.

"Repaying a debt of gratitude?" Wu Jinliang muttered, still grinning, as he scratched at the corner of his mouth.

This was because, at the time, he had whimsically suspected that the Bai clan might be repaying an ancient favor owed to Huang Yingying's ancestors.

However, Shi Chun had immediately dismissed it as a petty thought, arguing that ancient favors couldn't possibly endure for so long, whereas self-interest was a motive that could persist indefinitely.

Well, now Grandma Qi had practically thrown the concept of 'repaying a debt of gratitude' right in his face.

He wasn't sure if he was seeing things, but he felt his own thoughts were rather petty. Why did Shi Chun's words still seem more logical after all?

Internally, he scoffed at both his own and Shi Chun's 'petty' mindset, a mentality seemingly born of their origins in the land of exile.

Meanwhile, Grandma Qi, who believed she had presented the story with great solemnity and found it rather melancholic and poignant, wondered why this thick-browed, big-eyed fellow was grinning. Was he mocking her, or simply disbelieving?

So she elaborated, "The Phoenix clan guards its reputation fiercely. After all these years, they still resent the blemish the Golden Rat clan left on their name. As you've witnessed, in the Dazhi City incident, Huang Yingying was clearly a victim, yet she was detained again merely due to a hint of suspicion."

Wu Jinliang wasn't foolish; he understood. She was explaining why the Bai clan had been unable to fully repay their debt of gratitude over all these years.

He nodded, still grinning, and said, "I understand, Grandma. What you say makes perfect sense."

Grandma Qi wanted to ask him why he was still grinning if he understood, but instead, she added, "Historically, our Bai clan has, on occasion, found ways to rescue Golden Rats, treating them with the same kindness as Huang Yingying. She is not the first."

In her old age, it was the first time she had encountered someone so disrespectful in her presence.

Noticing the slightly off look in her eyes, Wu Jinliang immediately dropped his grinning habit. He changed his demeanor in an instant, adopting a look of solemn respect.

Of course, this didn't stop him from voicing his doubt: "Grandma, this is a top secret of your Bai clan. What makes me, a stranger you've just met, worthy of such trust?"

Grandma Qi replied, "It's not that I trust you, but rather that I trust Huang Yingying."

"Trusting Old Huang?" Wu Jinliang looked bewildered, instinctively pointing to himself. The implication was clear: What does trusting Old Huang have to do with revealing secrets to me?

Grandma Qi simply stated, "Because Huang Yingying trusts you and believes you can save him!"

Wu Jinliang was still somewhat bewildered, though he did recall Bai Qiru mentioning this when they first met. Old Huang had repeatedly instructed them, just before his capture, to find Wu Jinliang, claiming he could provide rescue.

But was this reason too flimsy? And was it truly fitting for someone of her status to state it? Wasn't it just a pretext?

He questioned, "So, simply based on Old Huang's words, you're revealing a top secret, inherited by the Bai clan for countless years, to an outsider whose background you know nothing about?"

Grandma Qi replied, "Of course, there are also the capabilities you've demonstrated. As soon as you arrived in Yaoshan City, you befriended the proprietress of Zhulang Pavilion, and also Lou Xiu, the Inner Court Supervisor. You even entered the Divine Mountain at will and could wander freely within it. Doesn't all this validate Huang Yingying's assessment? And then there's the fact that the Extreme Fire Sect values you so highly."

Wu Jinliang was momentarily speechless. He couldn't help but scratch his head, saying, "I still don't understand what any of this has to do with telling me your secrets."

Grandma Qi firmly struck the ground with her staff. "It's to make you believe us more quickly, to realize that our objectives are aligned!"

With that, she turned and slowly walked to the edge of the mountain, leaning on her staff. Gazing into the distance, she said with a sigh, "Though I don't know why Huang Yingying so firmly believes you have the ability to rescue him from the Divine Mountain, what good would it do to rescue him alone? As I've said, the Bai clan has carried out individual rescues before. The real question is, what about the entire Golden Rat clan trapped on the Divine Mountain?

Our Bai clan has truly borne this generational responsibility for far too long. I don't want the Bai descendants to continue bowing and scraping before the Phoenix clan. The dignified patriarch of the Bai clan was once the Phoenix clan's 'wet nurse,' and any minor dispute among our clan members would inevitably lead to us being mocked with this fact.

My lifespan is likely not long. I hope to resolve this burden completely within my lifetime, by my own hand.

The reason I'm telling you all this is also to prevent you from acting rashly. Forcibly rescuing just Huang Yingying would implicate the entire Golden Rat clan.

The plan must be comprehensive, and the approach secure. You must have some idea of our Bai clan's standing with the Phoenix clan. With our Bai clan's cooperation, and a concerted effort from both sides, wouldn't the chances of success be significantly higher?"

Wu Jinliang roughly understood: this was a proposition for cooperation.

When no response came from behind, Grandma Qi continued, "Should the Phoenix clan ever learn of our Bai clan's secret, it would spell disaster for us. Handing you this leverage should demonstrate our sincerity without further explanation.

As I said before, for the sake of the entire Golden Rat clan, our Bai clan has already endured too much. Rescuing Huang Yingying alone is absolutely unacceptable. I will not permit any reckless actions until a suitable plan is coordinated.

To be safe, to prevent you from acting impulsively, and also to ensure you don't inadvertently reveal our Bai clan's secret, you will remain by my side until a proper rescue plan is devised."

Wu Jinliang wasn't foolish; 'temporarily staying by her side' was merely a polite way of saying they would be held as hostages.

It was only then that he realized the old woman's true intention in divulging the secret: to legitimately detain them.

"You old hag!" he nearly cursed aloud. "I didn't ask you to reveal your secrets; you disclosed them yourself!"

It was the first time he had witnessed such a ploy: casually revealing a secret to someone, then detaining them on the grounds of maintaining confidentiality.

Even in the shameless land of exile, he had never encountered such a method of negotiating cooperation. He had certainly learned something new today.

However, their formidable power was undeniable, making any objections futile. Daring to curse would likely result in suffering consequences, so he reluctantly swallowed his angry words.

At the same time, he was somewhat dumbfounded. Having swapped identities with Shi Chun, he had certainly managed to thoroughly deceive the old hag. 'The real person is outside, so why are you detaining *me*?' he thought to himself, half in exasperation.

His earlier enthusiasm for impersonating the boss was now completely gone. He felt a bit like he had shot himself in the foot.

Thus, Shi Chun, who was quietly awaiting news while hidden in a thicket of heart-wrapping grass, received a message from Wu Jinliang.

Grandma Qi had merely detained him, not severed Wu Jinliang's external communication. Her intention was clearly to encourage the forces behind Wu Jinliang to emerge and discuss cooperation.

Indeed, after a mere touch of Wu Jinliang's physique, Grandma Qi had discerned his cultivation level perfectly. She concluded that there must be a formidable power backing him; otherwise, how could a few minor figures warrant such a significant move from the Extreme Fire Sect?

In his message, Wu Jinliang conveyed the news of his detainment as a hostage and provided a detailed account of the situation.

Upon understanding the situation, Shi Chun's brows furrowed. From what he knew, without the Phoenix clan's backing, the Bai clan was merely a third-rate presence in the demon world. Where did they get the courage to get involved in such a matter?

Before, when they had relied on the Bai clan for rescue, he had worried they might not exert their full effort. He hadn't expected their eagerness to get involved to exceed his wildest imagination.

'Repaying a debt of gratitude' was utter nonsense; given his nature, he didn't believe a word of it.

This involved the Extreme Fire Sect, the Phoenix clan, and demonic cultivators. Even he, an insider, dared not act rashly. He truly couldn't fathom how the Bai clan, seemingly uninformed, dared to recklessly involve themselves. He worried for them, concerned they wouldn't be able to extricate themselves.

The only explanation was that they stood to gain something significant and were willing to take risks for it.

They often engaged in such ventures themselves; otherwise, they wouldn't have become entangled with demonic cultivators.

Furthermore, the message from Wu Jinliang stated that he had returned to the Divine Mountain.

He recounted how the Bai clan members were excessive, actually fitting a large man like himself into a box and brazenly carrying him back up the mountain.

Chu Jingting and the others had also been boxed up and taken to the mountain. Shi Chun now felt isolated and alone.

Meanwhile, inside the Extreme Fire Sect's outpost on the Divine Mountain, Qiu Ben paced within the hall, while his senior disciple, Huang Lang, paced under the eaves outside.

Suddenly, Huang Lang picked up a communication talisman he held. After inspecting it, he quickly entered the hall and urgently reported, "Yin Tianlu and his team have gone to investigate outside the city. It's confirmed that Martial Uncle Hao and the others, who lost contact, cannot be found. The commotion from the earlier fight likely originated from them."

Qiu Ben exclaimed in surprise and doubt, "To facilitate their mission, the sect entrusted Junior Brother Hao with the 'Great Sun Golden Ring' for his protection. This means the commotion was from the Great Sun Golden Ring engaging someone, indicating a master of the Celestial Immortal realm intervened. Who on earth could it be? We've been cautious enough just to apprehend those few small fries, but their protectors are even more discreet than us..."

At this point, his eyes hardened with resolve. He turned to his disciple and said in a deep voice, "Immediately notify the sect to establish good relations with Juku Continent and secure the Xun Gate exit. Under no circumstances must they be allowed to escape; act quickly. Simultaneously, notify the benefactors behind Zhulang Pavilion. I intend to directly enter the pavilion and apprehend them myself!"

"Yes, Master." Huang Lang, bowing in acknowledgment, knew in his heart that the sect was likely to incur a significant debt of gratitude this time.

"If we're late, those two might escape! Let's go!" With a flick of his wide sleeve, Qiu Ben strode quickly out the door, signaling his disciples to depart immediately.