Return to Spirit City, Mother and Daughter Face to Face

After they had traveled a hundred li from Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue finally called a halt to let the convoy rest.

Snake Lance and Pufferfish had yet to recover from their injuries, and most of the Soul Masters traveling with them were exhausted. Yuan Yu was in no hurry. He found an open spot by the river, lit a fire, and let the wounded tend to their injuries first.

Qian Renxue sat by the river, holding the White Jade Wine Flask.

Yuan Yu sat down beside her. "You used my wine to treat the wounded. Did you ask me first?"

"They were hurt protecting me."

"That's why I didn't stop you."

Qian Renxue handed him the flask. Yuan Yu opened it and sniffed. Only half remained, and his heart ached a little.

"Elder Chrysanthemum sneaked three mouthfuls, and you gave away half the flask. I'll have to lock this up from now on."

"I'll make it up to you."

"How?"

"Pick any jar you like from the Worship Hall's wine cellar."

Yuan Yu immediately put the flask away. "So the coup wasn't all bad."

They sat along the riverbank for a while. In the distance, Spirit Hall's Soul Masters pitched tents, while Snake Lance's and Pufferfish's coughs drifted over from the other side of the fire.

Qian Renxue gazed at the water. "I still want power."

Yuan Yu took a sip of wine. "Then take it. Just find another way."

"The Heaven Dou Throne is gone."

"You still have the Worship Hall, the Angel God Trial, and the people who've followed you for fifteen years. If you can truly run Spirit Hall well, that's better than sitting in the Heaven Dou Court pretending to be someone else."

"You don't think I'm too ambitious?"

"When I first met you, you