The Song Clan's Waters Aren't Clear

Just as the man in the wheelchair was feeling gratified by Song Xue's capabilities, a voice calling "Big Brother" pulled him from his thoughts.

"Second Brother!"

Song Zhu walked over, took over the guard's duties, and signaled for the guard to leave so he could push his elder brother himself; the guard naturally took the hint and departed.

"Big Brother, are you thinking about Xue'er again?"

Song Ping nodded, acknowledging that he was indeed thinking of his daughter, Song Xue.

"Rest assured, Big Brother. Although this is Xue'er's first time traveling so far, I believe in her ability. Besides, the family steward is with her, so nothing will go wrong."

Song Zhu comforted his elder brother while pushing Song Ping forward.

Song Ping nodded slightly and gently patted the hand Song Zhu had placed on his shoulder.

"If not for my crippled legs and the fact that you need to stay behind to deal with the Su Clan, why would I have needed a child like her to go out?"

Song Ping felt that if anything were to happen to Song Xue, it would all be because of him.

"Big Brother, didn't Xue'er send word a few days ago saying she had already obtained the holy medicine? She will be back in a few days, so don't worry too much. I believe Xue'er will return safe and sound."

Song Ping looked up to meet Song Zhu's eyes, and the two shared a smile.

Three days later, Li Xingluo and Song Xue appeared in Ink Cloud City. Song Xue seemed exceptionally happy upon entering the city, pointing out the sights of Ink Cloud City all along the way.

When the Song Clan guards saw Song Xue returning, they scrambled inside to report the news.

Just as she stepped through the main gate, the sound of wheelchair wheels rolling echoed from the end of the corridor leading to the main hall.

Song Ping looked at the safely returned Song Xue with excitement. Seeing him, Song Xue was equally moved and happy, rushing forward to throw herself into Song Ping's arms.

Li Xingluo stood quietly to the side, watching the father and daughter reunite after surviving life and death; it made him feel particularly envious.

"Xue'er, you've worked hard."

Song Ping stroked Song Xue's hair, his eyes filled with doting affection.

Song Xue tilted her head, a warm, healing smile on her face as she enjoyed her father's love.

"It wasn't hard, this is what Xue'er should do," Song Xue replied obediently. "Father, how is Grandfather?"

The moment Song Xue mentioned this, Song Ping's face darkened instantly.

"Father, Grandfather, he..." Seeing Song Ping's heavy expression, Song Xue's heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar, and her initial lively spirit vanished.

"Your grandfather is the same as always, only his body is growing weaker. It is a relief that you have returned."

Song Ping secretly wiped the corner of his eye, struggling to control his emotions; he was afraid that any sign of distress would lead Song Xue to dark conclusions.

Noticing that Song Xue had become unhappy, Song Ping forced a smile and looked behind her, as if searching for something.

"By the way, where is Steward Song?"

Usually, Steward Song was extremely good to Song Xue and rarely left her side in the manor. Now that she had returned with the holy medicine, why was he nowhere to be seen?

Song Xue lowered her head, grieving in silence. A tear welled up in her beautiful eyes, and she struggled to keep from crying.

"Father, Steward Song, he... he..."

Song Ping let out an "Hmm," and from Song Xue's attitude, he could see that Steward Song would likely never return.

Song Xue gathered her courage and said, "Uncle Song... he isn't coming back."

"Alas, he spent his life for the Song Clan. I never expected that he would lose his life on this trip to find medicine. Our entire clan owes him a debt of gratitude."

"Father, Uncle Song died on the road back. This time..." Song Xue recounted everything that had happened on the journey home.

Speaking with a choked voice, she felt a heavy weight in her heart knowing that so many people had sacrificed their lives to protect her and the Song Clan.

As Song Ping listened to her account, he clenched his fists tightly against the wheelchair, his expression turning fierce.

"Those sand bandits! Do they really think the Song Clan has no one left?"

Song Ping suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to comfort the grieving Song Xue.

"By the way, where is the righteous hero you mentioned, Xue'er?"

To avoid interrupting the father-daughter reunion, Li Xingluo had intentionally kept his distance, standing behind a pillar at the corner of the corridor. Song Ping's line of sight had been blocked.

Song Xue stood up and turned around, only to find that Li Xingluo, who had been following her, was nowhere to be seen.

She took a step forward, craned her neck, and called out cautiously, "Brother Luo Xing!"

Hearing Song Xue's voice, Li Xingluo finally stepped out. Seeing that he hadn't left, Song Xue smiled happily.

She didn't understand why Li Xingluo wore a half-mask; she had asked before they arrived home, and he had simply said he didn't want to invite trouble. The innocent Song Xue hadn't thought much of it.

Song Ping observed the unique aura radiating from Li Xingluo, which made him seem unfathomable.

Song Xue grabbed Li Xingluo's arm. Li Xingluo glanced at it secretly; didn't this girl know that men and women should keep their distance?

It was the first time Song Ping had seen his daughter be so intimate with a man. Even if he had saved her, they didn't know him well—how could she be so close?

Perhaps noticing Song Ping's awkward expression, Song Xue let go of his arm, though she still smiled in her carefree, bubbly way.

"Father, this is the Brother Luo Xing I told you about. If not for him, your daughter would likely be separated from you by the veil of life and death."

"Brother Luo Xing, this is my father!"

Song Xue introduced the two parties, and Song Ping bowed with cupped hands.

"Many thanks to you for saving my daughter; I express my gratitude here."

Li Xingluo returned the salute, saying, "Seeing an injustice on the road and drawing one's blade to help is a mere trifle. There is no need for you to be so formal, Senior."

Li Xingluo's approachable and down-to-earth nature caused Song Ping's favor toward him to increase instantly.

According to Song Xue's description, he had wiped out the entire Tiger Mountain Sand Bandits single-handedly; his strength was far from ordinary, yet Li Xingluo did not carry the air of someone aloof or unreachable.

"It may be a small matter in your eyes, but for me, it is a debt of immense gratitude. If you do not mind, please allow me to play the host to express my thanks."

"In that case, I shall impose upon you, Senior. However, the reason I came on this trip is..."

Li Xingluo spoke while casting a glance at Song Xue, and seeing that she did not understand, he continued to prompt her.

Song Ping looked from Li Xingluo to Song Xue, unsure of what riddle the two were playing at.

Unable to ask Li Xingluo, Song Ping had no choice but to question Song Xue.

"Xue'er, what is this?"

Song Xue slapped her forehead abruptly and gave a silly laugh.

"I almost forgot. Father, Brother Luo Xing is not only highly cultivated but also a physician. He heard that Grandfather was ill, and only after my constant pleading did he agree to come and diagnose him."

Hearing this, Song Ping finally understood the reason for their earlier exchange.

At the same time, upon hearing Song Xue's words, Song Ping's eyes gleamed, though the light vanished just as quickly.

"Xue'er, the physicians already concluded long ago that only the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid would be of any use for your grandfather's illness."

"Senior, while the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid is indeed an excellent high-grade medicinal herb, it is not the correct prescription. Not only would it have no curative effect, but it would also very likely cost the old master of the Song Clan his life."

Li Xingluo stated his opinion calmly and unhurriedly.

The Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid could not be wasted recklessly; the item was too difficult to find, and Li Xingluo vaguely sensed that some mysterious force was driving this behind the scenes.

As for what it was, Li Xingluo was not yet certain, but the scheme had begun the moment Song Xue set out to search for the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid.

This person certainly had some ability; it had to be said that the waters of the Song Clan ran deep, and furthermore, he himself had a need for the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid.

Before Song Ping could open his mouth to reply, a booming voice rang out: "What wild brat dares to make such reckless conclusions?"