Chapter One Hundred Eleven: Preparing for a Rainstorm — Better Safe Than Sorry

“This is not a reminder—it’s an order!” The woman, seeing the old director’s ungrateful attitude, snapped sharply. If he weren’t the grandfather of Meng Youyuan, she would have taught this old man a lesson long ago. Though he clearly cared deeply for that young girl in his heart, he always put on a cold front. Wasn’t that exhausting? They were family bound by blood, yet he insisted on creating such distance. Why make things so difficult for himself? She truly couldn’t understand what went on in this old man’s mind—always saying one thing and meaning another, hurting others while harming himself.

Without waiting for the old director’s response, the woman waved her hand and freed everyone trapped inside the inner room. Seeing this, the old director snorted coldly and, displeased, retreated to a corner to sulk alone, ignoring them completely. The group, witnessing this, was filled with confusion—how did this old man’s mood sour so quickly?

They were even more curious about the woman. What had she given the old man, and what deal had they struck? Earlier, because the woman had forcibly confined them inside, they couldn’t overhear the conversation. What annoyed them most was her overwhelming confinement technique; no matter how they struggled, they couldn’t break free, forced to watch the two conversing outside.

In a hurried glance, they caught sight of a mysterious blueprint and a delicate jade pendant. But before they could get a clearer look, the two items vanished into thin air. Clearly, the old man had quickly hidden them, fearing they might discover something. Yet he forgot that everyone present had sharp eyes and keen perception; the more he tried to conceal, the more obvious the flaw became.

“Hmph, what could be so secret that you have to send us all away just to tell this old man? Do you think we’re all dead and you can do as you please without asking?” Xiao Yin’s anger flared instantly after the woman’s antics. No matter that she was a daughter of the Immortal Realm, she couldn’t behave so recklessly before his Blood-Red Serpent Spirit. This girl simply didn’t respect them!

Xiao Yin hated most in life being locked away silently. That feeling of confinement always triggered memories of a tragic past, fueling his rage. The woman had truly stepped on his taboos. Yet what puzzled him was that this fear hadn’t surfaced in a long time—why did it all come flooding back the moment this woman locked him up? It was truly strange.

“Even if I asked, what difference would it make? In the end, you’d still be invited inside. Besides, I’m avoiding it all for your own good. Some things, if heard, bring calamity; if known, cause trouble. It’s better to remain ignorant,” the woman replied dismissively, ignoring Xiao Yin’s fury. The others chuckled quietly at her boldness—daring to defy the Blood-Red Serpent Spirit was no small feat.

“Enough, Xiao Yin. This lady means well. Don’t blame her,” Yu Shang said with a meaningful glance toward the almost erupting Xiao Yin, signaling him to hold back and not confront her for now. Yu Shang sensed that the woman harbored too many secrets, and her knowledge was vast. A direct clash would only harm their side, so it was wiser to swallow their pride for the time being.

“Hmph, I’m magnanimous enough not to quarrel with this little girl,” Xiao Yin gritted his teeth, understanding Yu Shang’s intention. In truth, he longed to teach this arrogant girl a lesson, but he couldn’t act rashly—not yet at full strength. Any sudden move would alert enemies and worsen matters.

“Then I suppose I should thank you for your generosity. If you insist on not letting me go, I won’t have a way out!” The woman shot Xiao Yin a disdainful glance. The onlookers, amused by her humor, felt something strange as well. It seemed she and Xiao Yin were old acquaintances. Their sharp exchanges lacked true malice, more like old friends teasing each other after a long absence.

“You really know how to joke. We’d never treat you so badly. After all, we’re acquainted. Even if our friendship is as mild as water, we’re not enemies who meet with red eyes,” Yu Shang hurried to smooth things over, fearing Xiao Yin might say something inappropriate in his anger. The woman was no ordinary figure; a head-on confrontation could cause harm, even if they survived.

Besides, with her mysterious connection to Meng Youyuan, and this girl caught in between, it was best not to break ties. If conflict arose, it was Meng Youyuan who would suffer most. Better to keep things peaceful and let her win a few verbal battles; after all, they wouldn’t lose anything by holding back. Yu Shang smiled gently, but the woman remained wary, stepping back as if fearing he might harm her.

“By the way, I’m kindly warning you: that man named Ye Wangchen must not be killed yet. If you eliminate him too soon, you’ll regret it,” the woman said, seeming to know everything—including some knowledge of the man. The group admired her uncanny insight. If she were a real person and not just a spiritual presence, she might well rule this world.

“Why can’t that villain be killed? If you know he exists, you must also know what evil he has done. Leaving such a fiend alive is dangerous. No matter what, I will avenge my family!” Yan Xuesu’s brows furrowed as hatred surged. Why did this woman try to stop her from seeking revenge? Could she be secretly connected to that villain?

“You’re clever, but blinded by hatred. If you kill Ye Wangchen now, the true culprit will escape justice. You wouldn’t want to let the bigger villain go free because of a small shrimp, would you?” The woman patiently explained, unfazed by Yan Xuesu’s hostility. This only deepened their suspicion: why did she seem to know all the secrets yet refuse to reveal the truth? What was her true motive? They certainly didn’t believe she was genuinely helping these strangers out of kindness.

“So you’re saying I’ve been aiming at the wrong target all along? The real enemy who destroyed my family isn’t the Ye family, but someone else?” Yan Xuesu asked incredulously. She couldn’t fathom who else could harbor such hatred against her clan, wanting them completely wiped out. Her family had always lived by the rules, offending no one.

“Think carefully. Although the Ye family absorbed many alien tribes, they didn’t persecute them so cruelly. Why single you out? Why place a child within your tribe and patiently endure for years before wiping you out in one blow? The Ye family’s strength alone doesn’t require such elaborate schemes—it must be someone else, using them to kill you off,” the woman mused thoughtfully.

“You seem to know something. Tell me—who is so cruel as to want my innocent family exterminated?” Yan Xuesu’s voice was filled with anguish. The thought of her family’s suffering tore at her heart like a wound. She would never forget how her warm home turned into a river of blood, nor the agonized cries of her clan.

“I cannot say. Even if I did, no one would believe me. You must uncover the truth yourself. I only warn you—Ye Wangchen must not be killed. He is the last clue left in this world. If he disappears, the truth will never surface, your family’s vengeance will remain unfulfilled, and your parents’ fate will remain a mystery,” the woman said coldly, her eyes devoid of pity, filled instead with endless indifference and a sorrowful resignation.

“If you don’t tell us, how can we believe? You must speak so Sister Yan has a clear path to follow!” Meng Youyuan tried to break down her defenses, hoping she would reveal at least some secrets. Only then could Yan Xuesu hope for revenge instead of groping blindly. After spending time with her, Meng Youyuan understood her tears and pain—this grudge had to be avenged for Yan Xuesu’s sake.

“Even if you beg me, Yuan Yuan, it’s useless. The laws of cause and effect govern this world. Some things are not mine to say, and I should remain silent. I’ve spoken enough. If I continue, the consequences of revealing heavenly secrets will be unbearable,” the woman sighed helplessly. Even with her vast knowledge, what must happen will happen, and what must end will end.

“That’s enough. Stop pressing her. Even if you plead, she won’t reveal more. Yan, rest assured, no matter how far you go, I will find the true culprit for you. Your vengeance and pain will be settled,” Yu Xiaoran said, stepping aside to embrace the overwhelmed Yan Xuesu. Seeing her so worn down, his heart ached deeply. The only thing he could do was find the killer quickly and give Yan Xuesu closure.

“Not just Brother Yu, but all of us will help you take revenge. Just don’t be so heartbroken anymore, or we’ll have no choice but to stand aside!” Leng Huayi, seeing Yan Xuesu suffer like a sister, quickly comforted her. Among them, he understood her pain best. When he brought the battered girl home years ago, she was already broken beyond recognition. That showed how cruelly their clan had been slaughtered.

“Yes, we’re brothers. We share hardships and joys. Your enemy is our enemy. Rest assured, we’ll help you find and kill the real villain!” Even Lan Bingxian, usually calm and detached, couldn’t help but speak. He opposed killing, but this time it was their friend who suffered. He would not stand by idly—this was settled, and that heinous villain would die.

“Your brotherhood is truly moving. But passion alone won’t suffice. You must enter the mysterious realm soon—it holds treasures that will aid you greatly. Only when the ten swords unite will their true power awaken. Finding the remaining sword bearers is the urgent task,” the woman sighed helplessly, watching them. Her words astonished everyone. It seemed nothing in this world escaped her notice—even the ten swords were clear to her. Thankfully, she was not their enemy, or they would have serious trouble.