Nezha was in grave danger now!
Li Jing's two probes over the past month had already proved that the Chan Sect had set its sights on Nezha.
Those people from the Chan Sect had already decided to destroy what they could not obtain.
Wuyun Xian might have been quite powerful, but that could not make up for his one-track mind.
If the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals charged out to fight Wuyun Xian, he certainly would not be afraid. His combat prowess was formidable, after all.
But when it came to schemes and intrigue, Wuyun Xian really could not handle them.
Given the circumstances, Wuyun Xian believed they either needed to send Nezha and his mother to Golden Ao Island as soon as possible, or ask the sect master to send someone equally versed in schemes and intrigue to oversee things here.
Ideally, Daoist Duobao, the sect's eldest senior brother, would come.
About four hours later, the three of them returned to the Li residence in Chentang Pass.
Li Jing said nothing upon their arrival. He merely snorted, flicked his sleeves, and left.
In the rear quarters of the Li residence.
Inside Yin Shiniang's courtyard.
Wuyun Xian wasted no words and voiced his concerns directly.
"This is where things stand. Whether it's Li Jing's earlier probes against Nezha or what happened to you this time, Yin Shiniang..."
"All of it is more than enough to prove that the Chan Sect has intervened. From now on, things will only grow harder for you and your son."
"After all, Li Jing has become the Chan Sect's running dog through and through. Since Nezha has entered our Interception Sect, the Chan Sect must destroy him."
"Yin Shiniang, I hope you'll think this through. If you still refuse to make a decision, Nezha will die, and so will you!"
"Although I, Wuyun Xian, have considerable strength, I'm truly hopeless at schemes and intrigue. I don't understand the first thing about them."
"So in that respect, I cannot protect you."
As Wuyun Xian spoke, Yin Shiniang fell completely silent.
Of course she could not bear to leave Li Jing. That was simply her nature: she was accustomed to following wherever her husband led, as was clear from the original series.
But what had happened this time had truly frightened Yin Shiniang.
To destroy Nezha, a Jie Sect Disciple, Li Jing really was capable of anything.
If she went to Golden Ao Island, she might see Jin Zha and Mu Zha less often, but at least all three of her sons could have a good future.
If she stayed, however, that would be far from certain.
In particular, Li Jing's dark expression when he saw them return had made Yin Shiniang realize that their bond was nowhere near as deep as she had imagined.
At the very least, Li Jing did not love her as much as she had thought.
That was indeed the case. If he truly loved her, why would he have married that pipa fox spirit?
In that case, why stay at all?
Yet just as Yin Shiniang struggled to steel herself and make up her mind, she found, for some inexplicable reason, that she could not open her mouth.
After all, how could years of affection be cast aside so easily?
Seeing this, Nezha hurried to speak.
"Mother, please make up your mind soon. Don't you feel that staying in this house is more dangerous than fighting on a battlefield?"
"As for my eldest and second brothers, they haven't lived at home since childhood. How close could they really be to you and Li Jing? I imagine the Chan Sect did that deliberately, to raise disciples who would be devoted to it."
"The Chan Sect won't let its disciples retain affection for their parents. Otherwise, if the sect and their family ties ever clashed, which would they choose?"
"I will enter the Investiture Calamity eventually. After all, it's both a tribulation and an opportunity. Perhaps it'll be what allows me to truly become a Profound Immortal, or even a Golden Immortal."
"Mother, you know there isn't much brotherly affection between me and those two brothers. But as long as you're willing to go to Golden Ao Island, I promise that when I encounter them, I will never send them onto the Investiture of the Gods List. I'll send them to Golden Ao Island instead, so they can build a bond with you."
"I believe that, given enough time, both my brothers will surely forget the Chan Sect."
"And you needn't worry about whether we'll succeed, Mother. Our Interception Sect has ten thousand immortals paying court. Even if the Chan Sect joins forces with the Western Teachings, they will be no match for us."
Clearly.
Nezha's words were the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Ever since Li Jing married the pipa fox spirit, he and Yin Shiniang had never shared a bed again. In truth, any affection between them had been one-sided. Li Jing had little feeling left for her.
Perhaps even Yin Shiniang had not realized that the ones she truly could not let go of were her two children, Jin Zha and Mu Zha.
After all, no matter what, they were children she had carried for ten months and brought into the world.
How could she possibly not care?
Now that Nezha had said this, and given that Yin Shiniang was a disciple of Nuwa, she did have some knowledge and insight.
Of course she understood the Interception Sect's deep reserves, and she understood those of Yin Shang even better.
For the Chan Sect and Xiqi to succeed would be extraordinarily difficult.
Now that Jin Zha and Mu Zha would have Nezha's help, the last trace of hesitation in Yin Shiniang's heart naturally vanished like smoke and scattered clouds.
"All right. I'll go back to Golden Ao Island with you."
"But Nezha, you must remember this: if you encounter your two brothers, you must show them mercy!"
"I don't want to think about anything else now. As long as you and your two brothers are all right, nothing else matters. Truly, none of it matters anymore."
After saying all this, Yin Shiniang suddenly seemed to have laid down a heavy burden, and her entire being relaxed.
In the past, she had had too much to consider, and she had poured all her energy into her family.
She had even set aside her cultivation.
Yin Shiniang was a disciple of Nuwa, after all, with exceptional mastery of Daoist arts. Back when she had helped Li Jing wage war on the battlefield, she had earned military merit time and again.
Only because she understood Li Jing's temperament had she willingly remained in his shadow, giving him all the credit to preserve his dignity and reputation.
Otherwise, how could the post of commander of Chentang Pass ever have fallen to Li Jing?
Over the years, Yin Shiniang had gradually set aside her cultivation to support her husband and raise her children.
But if she took it up again now, then with her abilities, she might well become a Profound Immortal within a few years.
And as Yin Shiniang finally thought everything through, her entire demeanor changed in an instant.
She was no longer indecisive. Instead, she became clear-minded and composed, turning straight around to pack her belongings.
She acted decisively, doing exactly what she said she would.
There was not a trace of her earlier timid, womanly manner.
Seeing this, Nezha and Wuyun Xian could not help exchanging a glance, astonishment plain in both their eyes.
Clearly, neither of them had ever seen Yin Shiniang like this.
Before they could make sense of it, Yin Shiniang had finished packing her personal belongings and returned to their side.
"I'm all packed. Since we've made our decision, there's no need to stay any longer."
"Why do you two look so surprised? Do we need to pick an auspicious day just to leave?"
"Let's go!"
With that, Yin Shiniang took the lead and headed out of the Li residence.
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