Unlike what Xiao Ran and the others had experienced in the Dream Pool, the role their families had played in this incident back then had been far from honorable in reality.
The Five Immortals Hall had suffered devastating losses in Luoshi. Many had died, many more had been crippled, and their elite forces had taken heavy casualties. They had paid a terrible price. If not for the ironclad rule that the Five Immortals Hall could not cross Shanhai Pass, Xiao Ran's elders would have had no justification at all.
It was only because of that rule that the Five Immortals Hall had ultimately chosen not to retaliate.
But such a deep-seated grudge couldn't simply be brushed aside with a few words.
Xiao Ran nodded. "It's ancient history. My family never brought it up, but I've heard a little about it. If the Five Immortals Hall has something up its sleeve, let them use it. I'll take responsibility for the consequences."
"Hahahahaha!"
Tears filled the Hu family elder's eyes. Though he was laughing, his expression was twisted and savage. "Excellent. Just excellent."
The Huang family elder beside him wore a dark expression. He cupped his hands to Xiao Ran. "We respect you as the Plum Blossom Daoist, the origin of the art. But the grudge between us is deep. The Five Immortals Hall will settle this with you ourselves. Please."
After all that, what else could Xiao Ran say? He cupped his hands, turned, and left.
As soon as Xiao Ran was gone, the Hu and Huang family elders burst into tears.
"Dawei!"
The Hu family elder called Chang Dawei over. "Go. Have people keep an eye on him. Whatever you do, don't let him leave."
"Don't worry, Master Hu. Once he's in the city, he won't get out. It's just...