"That monster's finally gone. We were really lucky this time to run into Immortal Maiden Qingyao of the Gushe Celestial Palace!"
Before long, Baili Hongyan, Commander Huang, and the others emerged from their hiding places, relief written across their faces.
They had been clever enough to deliberately choose places with thick vegetation and complicated terrain as they fled. In truth, however, that had done little good. At most, it had given them some comfort.
"Let's go thank Immortal Maiden Qingyao. If not for her, our chances of surviving would have been grim," Baili Hongyan said.
She suddenly remembered something and exclaimed delightedly, "An elder of our Baili Household once married into the Gushe Celestial Palace and became the wife of a member of the second branch of its direct lineage. I think she's my younger great-aunt. Immortal Maiden Qingyao must know her!"
Marriage ties like these were common among great aristocratic clans. Since this one involved relatives of the direct lineage, the connection could indeed be considered quite close. She was not claiming kinship out of thin air.
Baili Hongyan went over to thank Immortal Maiden Qingyao, who had stayed behind, and brought up their family connection.
Immortal Maiden Qingyao was easygoing, and before long, the two were addressing each other as sisters.
Meanwhile, those who had fled began gathering again. Seeing that the party, which had originally numbered nearly a hundred, now had fewer than half its members left, Baili Hongyan's relief at surviving the disaster gave way to gloom.
"Younger Sister Hongyan, please accept my condolences," Gushe Qingyao said. "I only happened to learn of that Spirit Herder's movements and rushed here to help. It's truly a pity that I couldn't kill him."
Baili Hongyan gathered herself and hurriedly replied, "You're being too hard on yourself, Sister Qingyao.