Admittedly, Ye Xuan was a bit stunned at this moment.
The child was his?
Ye Xuan looked at Yun Qi, “You have a child?”
Yun Qi glared at him, then turned to the Third Uncle, “What are you talking about?”
Third Uncle said gravely, “Young Clan Leader, I can’t think of any other reason for you to protect him so fiercely!”
He let out a soft sigh.
In the hall, everyone’s expressions grew complicated.
Could their Young Clan Leader really be involved with this young man?
At that moment, Yun Qi said, “Didn’t Grandfather say all clan matters are up to me? My decision is as I just stated, our Yun Clan stands with Young Master Ye!”
The hall fell silent, faces darkening.
The Young Clan Leader was willing to risk the entire Yun Clan for this man.
Third Uncle suddenly spoke, “Young Clan Leader, do you not understand what this means? It could doom our Yun Clan to ruin! That’s the Royal Clan…”
Yun Qi sighed softly, “Didn’t Grandfather say everything is my decision?”
Third Uncle said sternly, “I know, and I’m not questioning your authority, but this concerns the Yun Clan’s future. I must remind you, the Royal Clan’s attitude is clear, they’re determined to kill Young Master Ye. If we protect him so stubbornly, it’s a direct insult to them. They’ll fight us to the death, plunging the clan into a grave crisis, Young Clan Leader…”
Yun Qi waved her hand, “I understand all you’ve said, but my decision won’t change.”
The hall’s occupants looked grim.
Yun Qi stood, glancing at everyone, and said, “I’m the Young Clan Leader, I’ll naturally consider the Yun Clan’s interests. This matter is settled, no more discussion!”
Everyone exchanged looks.
Third Uncle suddenly said, “No!”
Yun Qi turned to him. He said gravely, “This cannot be your reckless decision!”
Yun Qi called out, “Guards!”
Two black-robed elders appeared in the hall.
Seeing them, everyone’s faces changed dramatically.
Yun Qi looked at Third Uncle, “Third Uncle is getting old, it’s time to retire. From today, you’re no longer to interfere in clan matters.”
The hall was shocked.
Third Uncle stood stunned.
The two black-robed elders approached him. One said, “Third Elder, let’s go.”
Third Elder glared at Yun Qi, “You’ll doom the entire Yun Clan!”
Yun Qi waved, and the elders escorted him out.
No one in the hall dared speak.
Yun Qi scanned the room, “I’ll say this one last time, since I’ve chosen to return, all Yun Clan matters are under my control from today. Also, I’m protecting Young Master Ye. Anyone who objects can resign!”
Silence fell.
An elder appeared, saying gravely, “Young Clan Leader, the Royal Clan has sent someone!”
The Royal Clan!
Faces in the hall darkened.
Yun Qi said, “Let them in.”
The elder bowed and left.
A woman in a simple white dress entered, holding a folding fan, a faint smile on her face.
Seeing her, the hall’s mood grew tense.
The Royal Clan, a terrifying force that could command the Dao Realm.
The woman entered, looked at Ye Xuan, and smiled, “This must be Young Master Ye?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
She smiled, “Young Master Ye, I can sense the Dao Ring on you.”
Ye Xuan smiled, “And?”
She looked at him, “Killing for treasure, Young Master Ye, do you think that’s right?”
Ye Xuan shook his head, smiling, “As for the truth, I’m sure you know it better than I do. But you don’t care, do you?”
The woman smiled faintly, turning to Yun Qi, “Miss Yun Qi, I heard you’re determined to protect Young Master Ye on behalf of the Yun Clan. Is that true?”
Yun Qi nodded, “The Yun Clan will stand with Young Master Ye.”
The woman smiled, “Have you considered this carefully, Miss Yun Qi?”
Yun Qi smiled, “There’s no turning back.”
The woman shook her head, smiling, “Miss Yun Qi, as far as I know, the Yun Clan’s rise hasn’t been easy. We have no grudge with your clan. For an outsider, you’d put your people in peril. Is that wise?”
The hall’s occupants grew conflicted.
Indeed, they strongly opposed Yun Qi’s decision.
Ye Xuan was an outsider.
Risking the clan’s lives to fight the Royal Clan for him?
Did their lives not matter?
Discontent stirred in their hearts.
Yun Qi sighed softly, glanced at the crowd, and said, “Grandfather, since you’re here, show yourself.”
An old man appeared in the hall.
Seeing him, everyone bowed, “Greetings, Clan Leader!”
This was Yun Tian, the current Yun Clan Leader.
Yun Tian looked at Yun Qi, “Is this your decision?”
Yun Qi nodded.
Yun Tian asked, “Do you know the consequences?”
Yun Qi nodded.
Yun Tian shook his head, “Girl, I know you’re cautious and wouldn’t make such a choice without reason. But no matter your reason, you shouldn’t gamble with the entire clan’s lives and future.”
The Royal Clan woman’s lips curved slightly.
The hall’s occupants sighed in relief.
Yun Tian’s meaning was clear.
Yun Qi suddenly smiled, “Grandfather, I understand.”
She turned to Ye Xuan, “Let’s go.”
The hall was stunned.
Ye Xuan said gravely, “You don’t have to do this. This is my issue, I can handle it, you…”
Yun Qi interrupted, “Let’s go.”
She walked out.
Yun Tian called, “Girl, must you do this?”
Yun Qi paused, saying softly, “Grandfather, you always said you’d give me full authority to lead the clan. But now, it seems being Clan Leader means nothing. You should keep the role. From today, I’m still a Yun Clan member, but a free one. I’ll no longer involve myself in clan affairs. Choose a new heir.”
She walked out.
Ye Xuan said nothing and followed.
In the hall, Yun Tian was silent.
The woman said, “Clan Leader Yun Tian, congratulations, your clan won’t face extinction.”
She turned and left.
After leaving the Yun Clan, Yun Qi and Ye Xuan arrived in a desolate starry sky. Yun Qi glanced around, “Will we die here?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “No.”
Yun Qi looked at him, “I had two reasons for what I did. First, I wanted to return and be a true Clan Leader. I’ve wandered long enough. But I also knew Grandfather might not truly give me power, so I took a gamble.”
Ye Xuan said gravely, “That was wrong. If I were Clan Leader, I wouldn’t approve such a risky decision either.”
Yun Qi smiled, “I know. That’s why I don’t blame them.”
Ye Xuan sighed softly, “When they rejected you, you felt relieved, didn’t you?”
Yun Qi nodded, “Yes.”
Ye Xuan shook his head. He could see Yun Qi never wanted to be Clan Leader. Now, she could leave with justification.
As if recalling something, Yun Qi turned and smiled, “Come out.”
The woman from before appeared, tapping her fan against her palm, smiling, “You two are quite calm.”
Yun Qi stepped beside Ye Xuan, “Your turn to perform.”
Ye Xuan was speechless.
Perform how?
One against twenty?
He shook his head, smiling.
The woman looked at Ye Xuan, “I heard you single-handedly fought twelve Order Realm experts and killed two. Truly remarkable.”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Want to duel me?”
He wouldn’t fight a group, but a one-on-one? He was up for it.
He wasn’t afraid of a duel.
The woman shook her head, smiling, “I won’t fight you. Your physical strength is too great, I can’t kill you.”
Ye Xuan laughed, “So, a group fight?”
She looked at him, “You must know about our Royal Clan. Even if you don’t, Miss Yun must have told you. Yet you’re so calm, you must have something to rely on.”
Ye Xuan nodded, “You’re right.”
She smiled, “Care to share what that is?”
Ye Xuan sighed, “Let’s skip the talk. Get to it. You won’t duel, and I can’t win a group fight, so I’ll call for help. Bring your people out.”
The woman looked at him, “As you wish.”
She clapped her fan lightly, and thirty-six terrifying auras surged around them.
Thirty-six Heaven’s End Realm experts.
She smiled at Ye Xuan, “Thirty-six Heaven’s End Realm, enough? If not, I can call more.”
Ye Xuan thought, then said, “Probably not enough.”
She laughed, “Really? Your turn to perform.”
Yun Qi tugged Ye Xuan’s sleeve, “I want to see your performance too. You’ve been acting tough so long, don’t falter now.”
Ye Xuan’s face darkened. What kind of talk was that?
The woman laughed, “Hurry up, we’re all busy.”
Ye Xuan nodded, opened his palm, and the Qingxuan Sword appeared. The sword trembled, and the space beside him cracked open. A woman in a plain dress stepped out slowly.
Seeing her, the Royal Clan woman frowned, looking at Ye Xuan, “Just one?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
Her smile cooled, “Who are you underestimating?”
She felt insulted.
Ye Xuan: “…”
