Elder Gu Jin's tone left no room for negotiation. He was clearly determined to get his way.
Looking at the old man's indifferent gaze, Xiao Xun'er knew she had no chance of refusing.
She gently closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, the reluctance and struggle in her eyes had faded, replaced by a trace of resolve.
"So be it." Xiao Xun'er spoke softly, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "I might as well go back and get a clear answer about what happened to the Xiao Clan all those years ago."
She turned to look in the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect. Her beautiful eyes brimmed with longing and worry as she silently thought, Brother Xiao Yan, wait for me. Once I uncover the truth, I'll come back to find you.
The old man in the golden robe gave a slight nod. Then he turned his gaze to Ling Ying, who stood nearby, and his eyes instantly turned icily cold. "Ling Ying, do you know your crime?"
Ling Ying shuddered and quickly bowed. "This subordinate does not know. Please enlighten me, Elder."
"You don't know your crime?" The old man in the golden robe gave a cold snort, his voice full of displeasure. "You were assigned by the Ancient Clan to protect Miss Xun'er, yet you repeatedly failed to report what you knew. Now you even intend to conceal the crucial information that the Xiao Family's bloodline has awakened. You've violated the Ancient Clan's rules. What punishment do you deserve?"
Ling Ying's heart sank. This is bad.
It seemed the Ancient Clan had never truly been fooled by Ling Ying, the bodyguard who had ostensibly been guarding Xiao Xun'er all along.
"Elder, this subordinate..." Ling Ying began to explain, but the