Yingying, You Wouldn't Want Your Father to...

Ever since her father had suddenly vanished twelve years ago, Ren Yingying had heard nothing of him.

She had tried every means of finding him, but even with the Sun Moon Holy Cult's power, she could not uncover the slightest news.

For a time, she had thought her father might have suffered a cultivation deviation and died somewhere, his whereabouts forever unknown.

But today, Lin Lang had said he knew where her father was, and she had completely forgotten her original reason for coming to Great Song.

Watching the overwhelmed Ren Yingying, Lin Lang explained, "Miss Ren, it isn't that your father doesn't want to find you. He's been imprisoned and can't come to you."

"Impossible!" Ren Yingying glared at Lin Lang. "Ten years ago, my father was already at the peak of the Grandmaster realm. Even against a Great Grandmaster, he could escape. Who could imprison him?"

She swore that if Lin Lang dared deceive her about this, she would make sure he died without a place to be buried, no matter which prestigious sect he came from!

Lin Lang said solemnly, "Cult Leader Ren's name shook the martial world of Great Ming over a decade ago. With so many Sun Moon Holy Cult members behind him, he certainly wouldn't have been imprisoned under normal circumstances."

"Miss Ren, you've surely used the Holy Cult's resources, both openly and in secret, to search for Cult Leader Ren all these years. Yet you've heard nothing, have you?"

"Have you ever wondered why, with all the Sun Moon Holy Cult's power, you haven't uncovered a single scrap of news?"

Ren Yingying ventured, "The other party operates in absolute secrecy and has enormous influence?"

She lowered her head in thought. Which faction in the martial world could accomplish that? Even Northern Shaolin or the Wudang Sect could not. Could it be the exceedingly mysterious Green Robe Tower or Azure Dragon Society?

Lin Lang shook his head and continued gently guiding her. "What martial sect could keep the Sun Moon Holy Cult from finding even a trace? Cult Leader Ren disappeared from Blackwood Cliff, didn't he? Who benefited most after he vanished?"

Ren Yingying's expression changed drastically. "What are you saying? Could it have been Uncle Dongfang? Impossible!"

After Dongfang Bubai became cult leader, he had even created the position of Holy Maiden especially for her, giving her power and status above the elders.

If Dongfang Bubai had really imprisoned her father, why had he treated her so well instead of killing her?

She even remembered Dongfang Bubai sending people to help search for her father during those first few years, though they had never found any news. Had all of that been a deception?

Ren Yingying's mind was in turmoil. Much as she resisted believing that conclusion, it made perfect sense.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ren Yingying looked at Lin Lang. "Where is my father imprisoned?"

Whether Dongfang Bubai had done it or not, rescuing her father came first.

Once she found her father, she would know what had truly happened.

Rather than answer, Lin Lang asked, "Have you thought about what you'll do after rescuing Cult Leader Ren? He's been imprisoned for so long that he must be very weak. Even his martial prowess may have declined."

"Once he escapes and Dongfang Bubai, that man... that freak, finds out, will he let him live?"

"So what you need to do now isn't rush to rescue Cult Leader Ren. You need to find people you can trust, people utterly loyal to him, before attempting the rescue."

"Will rescuing Cult Leader Ren be enough? No. We also have to find a way to help him reclaim his throne as leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult."

"Besides, the place where he's being held won't be easy to break into. We need a foolproof plan. You wouldn't want to see Cult Leader Ren killed by his guards, who might act like cornered dogs leaping over a wall in desperation, would you?"

Ren Yingying had not offered him a single benefit yet. How could Lin Lang possibly tell her where Ren Woxing was imprisoned?

In the martial world, shouldn't Ren Yingying repay such a great kindness by offering herself in marriage?

When she brought it up, should he accept gladly? Or even more gladly?

"You know who I am, young hero, but I still don't know how to address you." Ren Yingying steadied her emotions. She truly had not thought that far ahead.

Lin Lang said with a broad smile, "My name is Lin Lang. You can call me Brother Lin or Brother Lang, and I'll call you Yingying."

Ren Yingying: "..."

This was their first meeting, wasn't it? Surely such intimate forms of address were inappropriate?

Without giving Ren Yingying time to object, Lin Lang continued, "Yingying, rescuing Cult Leader Ren requires people you can trust absolutely, and they must be powerful. If you can't find a martial arts Grandmaster, they at least need to be among the strongest Martial Arts Masters."

"There can't be too many of them, or we won't be able to prevent word from leaking and reaching Dongfang Bubai beforehand. If that happens, not only will the rescuers die, but Cult Leader Ren will die too."

"Yingying, contact me once you're ready. We'll rescue Cult Leader Ren together."

"Brother... Lin." She simply could not bring herself to use either of the forms of address Lin Lang had suggested. "Just tell me where my father is. I'll find a way to rescue him."

"Once my father is free, he'll certainly reward you generously. He can make you an elder of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and teach you profound martial arts."

Why isn't having your father promise you to me in marriage one of the options? Lin Lang thought.

That offer of thanks lacks sincerity.

He urged her earnestly, "Yingying, worry clouds your judgment. Come find me once you're ready."

Ren Yingying truly did not know how to refute him. Perhaps Lin Lang wanted to make a good impression in front of her father.

"Brother Lin, how can I contact you?"

Lin Lang thought for a moment. "The Jade Green Pavilion, Bailing County, Great Ming."

When he had nothing else to do, he might go there to listen to a little music.

"Yingying, let's part here. I'll await your news."

With that, he strode away.

After Lin Lang left, a woman dressed in Miao clothing approached Ren Yingying. "Holy Maiden, does he really have news of the Old Cult Leader?"

Ren Yingying frowned. "I don't know. But as he said, if someone really did harm my father, Dongfang Bubai is the most likely culprit."

"Sister Lan, help me investigate his background. If possible, get him to reveal my father's whereabouts."

Regardless of when or how they rescued him, she wanted to know where her father was first.

Unfortunately, Uncle Xiang was not with her. Otherwise, she could have asked him what to do.

Uncle Xiang was utterly loyal to her father and had been secretly searching for him all these years. Within the Holy Cult today, his strength and standing were second only to Dongfang Bubai's.

She had to find Uncle Xiang first. With his help, their chances of rescuing her father would be greater.

Lan Fenghuang comforted her. "Don't be anxious. Nothing's been confirmed yet, so you must stay calm. Take your people and keep pursuing Elder Qu. I'll go test that Lin Lang first."

Ren Yingying cautioned her, "He managed to injure Elder Qu, so he must be very strong. Be careful."

Lan Fenghuang laughed sweetly. "At most, he's just a Martial Arts Master. Have so few Martial Arts Masters died from my poison?"

"Once he meets me, he certainly won't keep anything from me."

"Three days. I'll catch up with you in three days and give you an answer."

Lan Fenghuang used her lightness skill and went after Lin Lang.

Ren Yingying stared distractedly at Lan Fenghuang's retreating figure. Would she bring back good news?