123 - All Eyes Are On The Peasant Family’ Adorable Baby Girl

In Jiang An's deliberate arrangement, Jiang Xu's tent was placed in the most secluded area of the encampment on Mount Linxian. However, the tent closest to hers belonged to Jiang An. It's not because Jiang An had deep feelings for Jiang Xu; he was merely adept at handling situations. After Jiang Xu became known as the "madwoman," Jiang An naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to use her to garner goodwill. Jiang Xu rarely interacted with the other disciples and had a terrible reputation within the sect due to her frequent episodes of madness. Most of her peers were afraid of her. To accommodate the emotions of the sect's disciples, Jiang An arranged for Jiang Xu to stay in the most remote tent. He himself, using the pretext of caring for his daughter, settled in the tent next to hers. Sheng Qing Ning hadn't come to Mount Yanbi, and among the elders of Mount Linxian who did, Jiang An held the highest status. Logically, he should have lived in the central area, but to ease the disciples' fear of their peer, he personally moved Jiang Xu to the outermost area and then moved to the most remote tent to take care of her, which earned him a good reputation. Fellow elders praised him for his fatherly love, and disciples respected his spirit of sacrifice. Jiang An played both the good and the bad guy. Ruo Qing despised Jiang An's hypocrisy, but the reality was that hypocritical people often had a better life. Jiang An was one such person. The encampment of Mount Linxian was tightly guarded, but with Hu Jinjin's abilities, Shen Su and her group were able to move without any hindrance. In no time, they arrived in front of Jiang Xu's tent. The adjacent tent bore the symbol of Mount Linxian, which indicated Jiang An's presence. Hu Jinjin, understanding some of the entanglements along the way, remarked indifferently, "Isn't he afraid Jiang Xu might sneak into his tent and kill him?" "Of course he's afraid," Ruo Qing sneered. She raised her wrist slightly, and under the dimming sky, a faint light appeared. Outside Jiang An's tent, a light barrier materialized, with countless light blades crisscrossing within. Even a fly trying to pass through would be shattered. It was a mini killing array. Is he afraid? Of course he is, but when weighing fear against his reputation, the latter holds more importance to him. Jiang An had spent nearly two thousand years establishing his hypocritical façade within Mount Linxian and the entire cultivation world. With Jiang Rui Ping around, killing him was easy, but uprooting him from his foundations was challenging. Shen Su didn't want others to condemn those who killed him, nor did she want anyone to bear the stigma for such a person. He doesn't deserve it. "Jiang Rui Ping!" Ruo Qing's exclamation snapped Shen Su out of her thoughts. Shen Su quickly grabbed Jiang Rui Ping with one hand and Ruo Qing with the other. Ruo Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, "Miss Shen, just hold onto her. I know what should and shouldn't be done." Shen Su released Ruo Qing. Just moments ago, when the formation outside the tent became visible, both Ruo Qing and Jiang Rui Ping instinctively moved towards it. Jiang Rui Ping wanted to act, while Ruo Qing intended to stop her. Jiang Rui Ping impulsively rushing in wasn't surprising. Her character was never one to endure. With her strength, she could easily eliminate anyone she found disagreeable. Jiang Rui Ping shrugged off Shen Su's hand, her breath icy and impatient. "You said you had plans and arrangements. Why don't you tell us what they are? If you can't, I'll kill him right now." Wei Nan Yi regathered her composure. She cast a gaze towards Jiang Xu's tent and softly called, "Aunt Jiang." Before she could continue, Jiang Rui Ping cut her off, "Nan Yi, you don't have to speak for her. I just want to know if she understands that allowing someone like him to live is torture for both you and me. I want to know if she truly cares about you or not." "She does care," Ruo Qing said with a hint of teasing in her eyes as she looked at Jiang Rui Ping. "Everyone says you're emotionally insensitive, and you won't admit it. If Miss Shen didn't care about Wei, we wouldn't be here, but rather with the fox tribe." Shen Su didn't expect Ruo Qing to speak up for her, and Jiang Rui Ping was equally surprised. She knew Ruo Qing well; despite being a sword spirit, she wasn't easily amiable, and this was her first encounter with Shen Su. Shen Su didn't dwell in her surprise, recollecting every detail about Mount Yanbi detailed in the original book. She understood the weight of her task. To gain Jiang Rui Ping's full cooperation, she needed to clarify some matters. Unlike Wei Nan Yi, Jiang Rui Ping wouldn't blindly trust her or follow a junior's orders without some explanation. "Aunt Jiang, even if you kill him now, it won't cause him much harm." Shen Su paused, summoning the courage to explain to Jiang Rui Ping. "For most, death means losing everything, but it's different for Jiang An. He values becoming a celestial and his cultivation level, yet his highest priority has never been life or cultivation." Jiang Rui Ping sneered at Shen Su's assertion. "If he didn't care, why would he harm Nan Yi to steal her spiritual roots?" "Aunt Jiang, if he truly cared about those things, he wouldn't have played the nice guy for so many years. A good reputation doesn't get him cultivation resources. In fact, striving for a good reputation requires him to share his resources freely, contrary to the single-minded path to becoming a celestial," Shen Su refuted. She sighed softly, "I've thought about it. Why didn't he continue his masquerade? Was it really because of that snake? But after meeting Mu Ling and hearing the truth from him, it became clear. He harmed the lady out of jealousy, not just of her talents and what she received, but also because as long as she remained in Mount Linxian, he couldn't be its most revered figure. Though they're partners in reputation and honor, he couldn't stand others always mentioning that she was superior to him." "Jiang An values his reputation above all else. The only way to truly hurt him is to destroy that reputation. You could easily kill him now, but if he suddenly dies, those who've benefitted from his goodwill would investigate his death and stand up for him. If they trace it back to you, Aunt Jiang, you'd face widespread condemnation. Given your nature, you'd likely refuse to defend yourself, and as the leader of Mount Yanbi along with Ruo Qing, our testimonies wouldn't hold much weight in the human cultivation world. Even if some believe the lady, forty years have passed—a long time for mortals, sufficient to forget many things. The newer disciples know Jiang An, not Wei Nan Yi." "You don't need to tell me this. Ruo Qing already said similar things. If you can see through Jiang An without meeting him, you surely understand me as well. Reputation doesn't matter to me. As for Nan Yi," Jiang Rui Ping paused, almost impatient, "I'll handle the killing." "Aunt Jiang, even if you don't care, someone will care on your behalf," Shen Su hinted, her gaze shifting between Wei Nan Yi and Jiang Rui Ping's shoulder. Jiang Rui Ping seemed to catch onto something, her expression softening. "My sister also said something similar." Shen Su wasn't surprised that Shen Yin Xue had said the same thing. Her words were carefully chosen, backed by a deep understanding of the underlying grudges and romantic entanglements. She knew, even before speaking, that Shen Yin Xue probably said something of the sort. No one would want their beloved to face scorn and condemnation. Shen Yin Xue pushed Jiang Rui Ping to be a good person and to accept the role of Mount Linxian's senior sister, partly for this reason. As Jiang Rui Ping reminisced, Shen Su continued, "Aunt Jiang, even if the lady publicly reveals his crimes, as long as Jiang An's false persona remains intact, death isn't a deterrent for him. People would build him a tomb, honor him for generations, and constantly cast doubt on the lady's words. His guilt would result in our suffering. Why let his good name tarnish ours and have him glorified in death?" "Jiang An must die, but only when everyone agrees he deserves it." Jiang Rui Ping had no retort, but Ruo Qing curiously asked, "When will that be?" "After the Mystic Realm, and indeed even within it," Shen Su began, meeting the skeptical looks from both women. "I know of a divine artifact in this world called the Minxian Mirror. The Minxian Mirror is divided into four pieces, each governed by one of the four great sects. The Minxian Mirror can break through all kinds of barriers and formations to glimpse what happens inside them. Its size can also be controlled; I plan to place the four pieces of the Minxian Mirror in the four cardinal directions. Then, I'll enter the Mystic Realm with her old lover Mu Ling to confront him. Once the Minxian Mirror adjusts to the right size, not only the entire cultivation world but even ordinary mortals will see what kind of person Jiang An truly is. He'll have no chance to redeem himself." In the original book, the Minxian Mirror was also used within the Mystic Realm at Mount Yanbi. However, only the piece from Mount Linxian was brought out, and the size wasn't greatly expanded. Moreover, with Feng Yin Yue controlling it, every time the mirror focused on the protagonist, it captured his heroic and fearless image, mesmerizing many young disciples. Instead of allowing others to spy on what happens inside, the author seemed to enhance the protagonist's aura. After all, the mirror diligently followed Yu Mu Han’s heroic presence, conveniently missing the moment he was in trouble, Jiang Xu came to rescue him despite her injuries, and Jiang An seized the opportunity to kill Wei Nan Yi. This time, Shen Su intended to seize control of the Minxian Mirror herself. She recalled another way to use the Minxian Mirror. The more Shen Su said, the more confused the listeners became. Even Hu Jinjin found it strange, asking, "The Mystic Realm only allows those below the Nascent Soul stage to enter the formation. Why would he go in?" They were still at the Mount Linxian encampment, standing outside Jiang Xu's tent. Even with Hu Jinjin's black fog shielding them, they could see the young disciples patrolling. Though Jiang Rui Ping and her group paid no heed, Shen Su felt a bit anxious and quickened her speech. "As I mentioned, Jiang An cares about his reputation. If his disciple is in danger, to maintain his benevolent master image, of course he would go in. Should he hesitate, we can have Chief Sheng enter the Mystic Realm first." With the Minxian Mirror in place, everyone would clearly see the disciple's suffering and the Chief Sheng’s demonstration of master-disciple affection. Naturally, Jiang An would follow. Ruo Qing shook her head, disagreeing with her. "Miss Shen, you're still too young. Knowing there's a Minxian Mirror, why would he confront you? And the Minxian Mirror is a treasured artifact of each sect; they won't easily bring it out. Chief Sheng's current condition also doesn't allow her to cooperate with you. Have you considered that to sustain the Minxian Mirror at the size you mentioned requires immense spiritual stones and energy? Even if Jiang Rui Ping split herself into pieces, she couldn't manage the four mirrors alone." "That's why I've already found help. The power of the four major demon clans of Mount Yanbi is sufficient. If they want to save themselves, they will surely assist me, because the ones I intend to deal with aren't just Jiang An but also Yu Mu Han." Shen Su sighed deeply, finding it tiresome to explain her plans. "I know they won't easily bring out the Minxian Mirror, which is why I need the authority of Mount Yanbi's leader to negotiate with them. If I dare to talk, I'm confident they'll agree. Chief Sheng cannot stay unconscious and mad forever; Ruan Tong overcame her fate, did she not? Keeping Chief Sheng unconscious is merely a delaying tactic. I don't intend to keep her restrained indefinitely. As long as she can regain some clarity before entering the Mystic Realm, she'll help us. If she can't, isn't there still Elder Feng? Among so many masters with disciples, can't I find one willing to cooperate with me?" Jiang Rui Ping and Hu Jinjin simultaneously grabbed Shen Su. "You have a way to awaken Chief Sheng?" "What about Yu Mu Han?" Shen Su looked at her firmly held wrists, feeling the weight on her shoulders increase. She decided to address Hu Jinjin's question first. "Senior Jinjin, the Minxian Mirror can originally randomly spy on existences within the Mystic Realm. But there’s another method; it can create mirror bugs. Anyone carrying a mirror bug into the Mystic Realm, controlled from the outside, can allow us to see everything they see. We only need to disclose one functionality without revealing the other. Yu Mu Han's lust and fickleness should be known by everyone, not just us." "You have suitable candidates?" Hu Jinjin asked. Shen Su nodded. "Yes, I will." Hu Jinjin released her, but Jiang Rui Ping did not. "Chief Sheng?" Shen Su sighed long and helplessly. "Aunt Jiang, I am only one person; I can't split myself into many. I have to tackle things one by one." Jiang Rui Ping loosened her grip; she seemed persuaded but still confused. She looked towards the calm Wei Nan Yi. "Nan Yi, did you know all this beforehand? Is that why you protect her so much?" Wei Nan Yi honestly shook her head. "Aunt, I didn't. But Xiao Su has always had her ideas. If she says she'll do something, she'll do her best. I just need to follow her arrangements and make sure she stays safe." She trusted Shen Su deeply, and her instinct was rooted in a fear of Shen Su risking her life too often. Shen Su, hearing Wei Nan Yi's words, felt as if her heart was filled with sweet honey. Her displeasure at being stopped to explain her plans slowly dissipated. Her former family hadn't taught her much, except that most of the time, people are alone. Shen Su was used to planning and acting on her own. If something went wrong, she would find a way to fix it; the mind is flexible, but plans are rigid. But things were different now; she needed to manage many people. These people were older and stronger than her, unlike Wei Nan Yi, who trusted her implicitly. So indeed, she needed to clarify her plans. This was for Wei Nan Yi, and for the lingroot game's unavoidable necessity. However, the success of the game still needed repeated trials. Shen Su was unsure; the way to exit the lingroot game involved either weakening emotional ties or death, with Jiang Xu being an extreme case of hatred for Yu Mu Han before entering the game. She had already made her intentions clear to Gui Cang and the others. If they were wise, they wouldn't keep Zhu Xian Er and the rest in a perpetual state of sleep but would use their emotions. If Zhu Xian Er and the others could gain some clarity, they would be ideal candidates for merging with the mirror bugs. If everyone became Yu Mu Han's sacrifice, and if everyone saw his hideous nature, wouldn't they all stand on the extreme side of hatred? Love was nothing to be ashamed of, but loving one after another was a flaw, especially given Zhu Xian Er and the others’ status. Even if they forgave Yu Mu Han, their followers would hate him to the core. Could a man hated by all really be considered the Chosen of Heaven? If Heaven had any spirit, would it not question its choice in selecting such a person? Moreover, there was a bead within the Mystic Realm that only she knew was supposed to belong to Yu Mu Han. No one else knew. She would get the bead first and wait for Yu Mu Han to try to snatch it, making him the plunderer. Shen Su knew how to portray herself as innocent in the story. Her plan was thorough and intricate, something Jiang Rui Ping would never think of. Shen Su had calculated every move, ensuring that each person, whether Hu Jinjin or the others, would cooperate with her because of their self-interests. Jiang Rui Ping frowned deeply. "Nan Yi, following her blindly could harm you." Wei Nan Yi quickly refuted, "Aunt, Xiao Su would never harm me." Jiang Rui Ping wanted to say more, but Hu Jinjin tugged at her sleeve. "Elder Jiang, how much power is needed to control the Minxian Mirror?" "The Minxian Mirror isn't too hard to control, but achieving the range Shen Su wants is challenging." As Ruo Qing, Hu Jinjin, and Jiang Rui Ping discussed Shen Su's plan's feasibility, Shen Su took Wei Nan Yi by the hand. "Lady, let them deliberate. Let's go inside." Wei Nan Yi hadn't seen Jiang Xu for a long time. It was time she did. Before entering the tent, Wei Nan Yi held Shen Su's hand tighter, her fingers curling, fingertips pressing on Shen Su’s hand. When Shen Su looked at her, she whispered, "Xiao Su, thank you." Before Shen Su could respond, Wei Nan Yi added with a smile, "I should be thanking you." Ruo Qing was right. If Shen Su hadn't considered her, they wouldn't be here now. Jiang Rui Ping’s treasures were important, but Shen Su never had an overwhelming desire for material wealth. "Now, the most pressing matter is the Lingroot Game," Lie said. Just a moment ago, the five of them, including the three seniors Ruo Qing, wanted to return immediately to the fox clan to investigate Hu Rou's condition. However, Shen Su had guided them here to Jiang Xu instead. She hadn't explicitly mentioned Wei Nan Yi's wishes, but her actions fulfilled them. Shen Su understood that Wei Nan Yi wanted to see her daughter. Plus, if Jiang Rui Ping and the others hadn't questioned her today, they wouldn't have realized Shen Su had considered so much on their behalf. Wei Nan Yi didn't know how long Shen Su must have deliberated and overturned countless scenarios to come up with a plan that wouldn't harm her in the least. Wei Nan Yi had noticed that Shen Su's scheme didn't include her. The person confronting Jiang An would be Mu Ling, not Wei Nan Yi. There was a brief silence from Shen Su. She pressed her lips together gently before forcing a weak smile. "Lady, there's no need for thanks between us. I don't like hearing those words." She felt that such gratitude would create distance between them. Shen Su took another step forward, guiding Wei Nan Yi further inside. The tent flap was lifted, allowing a slight breeze and a delicate fragrance to waft past Shen Su's ear. "Then, Xiao Su, what do you like to hear?" Shen Su responded naturally, "I like to hear you say you love me, like me, and care about me. As long as it's about me, it's fine." "I love you." The unwavering and resolute voice echoed in her ears, leaving Shen Su momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Wei Nan Yi to confess her love so straightforwardly. She knew how reserved Wei Nan Yi was, and her identity had always restrained her from openly expressing her emotions. Shen Su’s feet felt heavy, and she found herself unable to take another step. She stopped and looked at Wei Nan Yi. Wei Nan Yi's face was flushed, but her gaze was steadfast. She looked at Shen Su with deep affection in her eyes and whispered, "And I care about you a lot." This was perhaps the best comfort Shen Su could receive. Her nose tingled, and just as she was about to say something, Wei Nan Yi suddenly smiled at her and said, "Xiao Su, if you go to the Mystic Realm, I'm going with you. I have faith in every step you take, as I know you've thought it through. But I won't be a burden. I just want to protect you. No matter how well-planned, there are always unforeseen events. Just as you're worried about me, I'm worried about you. I don't want to lose you, so I want to stay by your side at all times. Will you promise me that?" She had said so many words, and each one sounded so endearing. Not only did Wei Nan Yi express her love, but she also showed her concern and worry for Shen Su. Though Shen Su had known all of this, hearing it directly from Wei Nan Yi made it feel different. She shouldn't reject Wei Nan Yi, but this wasn't part of her plan. It had even been dismissed in her previous considerations. To seize the protagonist's bead, they needed immense strength to defy fate. However, upon regaining her strength, they learned about the Lingroot Game, and now Wei Nan Yi was a part of it. Shen Su was unsure if Wei Nan Yi might perish in the game, so she didn’t want to take her into the Mystic Realm. It was originally destined to be Wei Nan Yi's place of doom. "Lady." Shen Su still wanted to dissuade Wei Nan Yi, but Wei Nan Yi moved closer on her own. She grabbed Shen Su's hand, gently nudging it toward her head. Before Shen Su could comprehend Wei Nan Yi’s intentions, two soft white and pink bunny ears emerged, swaying gently in Shen Su's palm. Instinctively, Shen Su tried to grasp them fully, but Wei Nan Yi held her wrist tightly, allowing her hand to rest only on the ear tips. Wei Nan Yi likely did this deliberately to let Shen Su feel the bunny ears while depriving her of the satisfaction of holding them completely. Perhaps due to partially revealing her beast form, Wei Nan Yi's dark pupils had a slight red tint. "Xiao Su, I can turn into a bunny and hide." Not far behind them were Jiang Rui Ping and the others, still standing within Hu Jinjin's black fog. To persuade her, Wei Nan Yi revealed her beast form in such a public setting. It was very effective. "No bunnies. Turn into something else." Shen Su pressed her hand down, and Wei Nan Yi, without resisting, allowed her to finally fully touch the bunny ears. Blushing, she replied softly, "Okay." Noticing the onlookers' gazes, Wei Nan Yi quickly retracted the bunny ears, held Shen Su's hand, and pulled her into the tent. Once they were away from prying eyes, Wei Nan Yi laughed. "Xiao Su, you really like bunnies." "I like you, Lady," Shen Su replied straightforwardly, expressing her feelings openly. No matter what form Wei Nan Yi took, she liked her all the same. What mattered was Wei Nan Yi’s persistence and determination. Of course, her bunny form was soft and adorable. Shen Su decided she’d touch them longer next time. As Shen Su daydreamed, Wei Nan Yi approached the only bed in the tent, where Jiang Xu lay asleep. Not only Wei Nan Yi, but Shen Su also hadn't seen Jiang Xu for a long time. All these years, Shen Su had often thought she would be terrified or at least angry when seeing Jiang Xu again, given that Jiang Xu nearly killed her in Bi You Valley. But today, seeing Jiang Xu, Shen Su felt unexpectedly calm, perhaps even thankful. If not for Jiang Xu entrusting her with Wei Nan Yi, she might still be a rootless wanderer. When she first met Jiang Xu, her appearance was already set. Over the years, she hadn't changed much. Jiang Xu had striking features, but asleep, her sharp edges softened. Ruo Qing, wary of her stirring in her sleep, had covered her with multiple thick blankets, pressing her down securely, leaving only her small head exposed. Her pale face was mostly obscured, with her chin buried under the layers. In this state, she resembled Wei Nan Yi a bit. Maybe due to the heavy blankets, Jiang Xu’s breathing was shallow, and her brows knitted tightly. Her pink lips murmured faintly. Shen Su moved closer to hear. "Mother, run quickly..." She wasn’t sure what Jiang Xu was dreaming about, but it didn’t seem pleasant. She was urging Wei Nan Yi to escape. Shen Su recalled the scene from ten years ago when Jiang Xu entrusted her with her mother in such a determined manner, holding her hand and stabbing herself. Despite all her faults, her love for Wei Nan Yi was genuine. As Wei Nan Yi missed Jiang Xu, Jiang Xu also longed for Wei Nan Yi. Wei Nan Yi bent down gently, hugging Jiang Xu and whispering in her ear, "Xu'er." As Wei Nan Yi embraced Jiang Xu, the others started to enter the tent. Seeing Wei Nan Yi’s longing for Jiang Xu, Jiang Rui Ping nudged Ruo Qing. "Wake her up. If you're worried about her speaking erratically, cast a sealing spell." Ruo Qing shook her head. "A sealing spell? She knows that too. Even if she didn't, she'd break it as soon as she spoke." Jiang Rui Ping almost thought she misheard. She rubbed her ears. "Are you mad? You know she's in a severe state of madness, yet you want to listen to her?" Ruo Qing chuckled. "She’s my young mistress. If not her, then who should I listen to? You?" Jiang Rui Ping muttered, "You’re not really a sword spirit." "Thanks to you, I am now," Ruo Qing replied, her eyes harboring a mysterious emotion. Jiang Rui Ping turned her head away. "I’ll separate you sooner or later." As she turned away, a gleam of light appeared at her fingertip, her expression suddenly shifting. Jiang Rui Ping turned back, incredulously looking at Ruo Qing. "Ruo Qing, where is the ring I gave Jiang Xu?" Hearing Jiang Rui Ping’s question, Wei Nan Yi loosened her grip on Jiang Xu. Ruo Qing quickly lifted a corner of the blanket, pulling out Jiang Xu's wrist. On it hung a silver chain with a jade-green ring, carved with a dragon pattern, clearly extraordinary. "Isn't this it?" Jiang Rui Ping's face turned pale with anger. She pointed at Jiang Xu. "You're as foolish as she is!" By now, Shen Su understood; the storage ring Jiang Rui Ping gave Jiang Xu had an issue. Wei Nan Yi also realized and began to investigate. Golden light seeped into the ring, and she frowned. "Aunt, both its exterior and interior space, even its spiritual aura, match your storage ring." Jiang Rui Ping sighed. "Seems like Jiang Xu was tricked. The ring’s appearance and aura were mimicked to look identical. The real ring might have been swapped." Shen Su, however, was confident Wei Nan Yi would step up to solve this problem and gain insight into the trickery at play. Her determination to protect Wei Nan Yi while unveiling the deceptive reality reflected her strategy’s thoughtful precision. Jiang Rui Ping was initially furious. However, seeing that even Wei Nan Yi hadn't noticed anything amiss calmed her down. "This must be a counterfeit. My ring contains a Fire Pearl and a ten-thousand-year-old Fire Ling Grass. Constant contact with these fire-attributed treasures has imbued the ring with a fire element. The extreme flames within me can counteract that fire element, so I can sense the difference. This is definitely not my storage ring." "You mean the ring was swapped?" Ruo Qing scowled, murmuring to herself, "Perhaps it was stolen while I was distracted at Mount Linxian." "Fools! How could you not notice for so long?" Jiang Rui Ping cursed, unable to figure out who had taken the ring. Ruo Qing was unconvinced and pointed at Shen Su. "You said the ring was meant for Miss Shen. Are we supposed to recognize if the contents match by bleeding on it? You can sense the fire element, but we can't. Wei Xianzi said it looks identical and the spiritual energy matches. Instead of blaming us, you should reflect on how your ring got copied." Their voices grew louder, and Shen Su worried they would wake Jiang Xu. She quickly stepped between them and asked, "Aunt Jiang, did you ever give your ring to Jiang An?" Given Jiang An's character, Shen Su couldn't help suspecting him. Wei Nan Yi answered instead of Jiang Rui Ping. Lost in thought, she spoke softly, "I remember when our master taught us artifact refining, the first thing we learned was how to make storage rings. The example we used was Aunt's ring. Because of its exquisite design and spatial layout, Yi Wen, Jiang An, and I are very familiar with it." That cleared up any uncertainty. Yi Wen was dead; Wei Nan Yi was here. Only Jiang An remained. "Hah! How dare he steal from me!" Jiang Rui Ping, brimming with rage, stormed out. Shen Su quickly grabbed her. "Aunt Jiang, where are you going?" It was a rhetorical question, but Jiang Rui Ping answered anyway, "To retrieve my belongings, of course." "Senior Jinjin, please accompany Aunt Jiang. Make sure no one notices, especially Jiang An." Shen Su responded swiftly, instructing Hu Jinjin, who was watching the commotion, to lend a hand. Once Hu Jinjin agreed, Shen Su turned to Jiang Rui Ping and coaxed, "Aunt Jiang, you don’t need to take everything back. Leave him a couple of items." Jiang Rui Ping sneered, "What do you mean? Too many good things for you, so you're tossing him a couple?" "No, that's not what I meant," Shen Su hastened to explain, waving her hands. "I mean, Aunt Jiang, you've been a force in the cultivation world for thousands of years. Surely you possess items that everyone would instantly recognize as yours. Leave some of those with Jiang An. If he dares to use them, it'll be proof of his theft." If Jiang Rui Ping died, Jiang An could claim the treasures were inherited. But if she was still alive and Jiang An showed those items, he'd be branded a thief. "Let me think about it," Jiang Rui Ping pondered. Before she could decide, Hu Jinjin spoke up, "She has a Fire Pearl, which once burned the Three Whites. A Wind Pearl, used alongside the Fire Pearl, nearly incinerated our entire sanctuary. She also has an Underworld Chain, a treasured artifact of the Demon Sect, taken from Shui Feng, the sect leader. Everyone in the Demon Sect recognizes it. She used the chain to overcome my innate ability." With each item Hu Jinjin listed, Jiang Rui Ping's face grew darker. She glared at him before he could finish. "Old fox, don't hold grudges." Hu Jinjin coughed awkwardly, looking away. "That’s all I remember. Elder Jiang, maybe leave more items. If it's only a few, he’ll grow suspicious." Jiang Rui Ping gave a soft acknowledgment, grabbed Hu Jinjin, and left Jiang Xu's tent. How she would retrieve her ring and other items without alerting Jiang An was no longer Shen Su’s concern. Jiang Rui Ping surely had her plans. "Mother," a soft murmur came from the bed as Jiang Rui Ping and Hu Jinjin left. Jiang Xu stirred, seemingly waking. Without Hu Jinjin’s black fog outside, they risked being discovered by patrolling disciples. Jiang Xu’s tent wasn't large, leaving them no place to hide. Shen Su moved to use the power of the Morning Jewel hanging around Wei Nan Yi's neck, but before she could touch it, Ruo Qing approached Jiang Xu's bed. With practiced ease, she half-lifted Jiang Xu and struck her neck. Just as Jiang Xu was almost awake, she fell unconscious again. Ruo Qing's firm strike left a pale red mark on Jiang Xu’s fair skin, the sound of the impact clear to both Shen Su and Wei Nan Yi. Shen Su was stunned. After a long moment, she softly advised, "Senior Ruo Qing, maybe next time, be gentler."