Chapter 110: An Elder?

The events of this morning were a resounding success, and Bai Ling was very pleased with everyone’s performance. As they returned together to the Spirit Hall, Bai Ling had already invited several elders of the clan to meet Yin Yao.

The elders had been waiting in the hall for some time. Seeing Bai Ling enter first, they stood up in unison and bowed slightly; there was no need for them to perform a formal kowtow.

Bai Ling stepped forward quickly. "Please, no need for formalities. You are all my elders. I have invited you here today because I would like you to meet someone. It is not convenient to discuss many things here, so let us head to my residence."

The elders had no objections. They cast glances at the strange woman and the man trailing behind Bai Ling. They had heard today that this young woman was named Bai Yao, the daughter of a friend of the Clan Leader. Since the friend was not present, the girl had been entrusted to Bai Ling’s care, and the man was Bai Yao’s close companion.

Looking at Bai Yao’s face, the elders felt a faint sense of familiarity, though they could not pinpoint why. They simply felt an inexplicable connection to the girl.

Still puzzled, the elders followed Bai Ling. Once they were well ahead, Bai Yun whispered, "Oh, that scared me! Those old grandfathers are truly something! Ever since the Spirit Fox Clan split in two, they have been so cold and expressionless, as if we all owed them money!"

Seeing Bai Yun patting her chest and complaining in a hushed tone, the others found it quite amusing. Bai Ziye stepped forward and tugged at her. "Yun'er, don't speak nonsense. Do not think the elders cannot hear your muttering! You do not know how great a blow the split of the Spirit Fox Clan dealt them. Do not offer comments on things you do not understand."

Seeing Bai Ziye’s rare show of annoyance, Bai Yun fell silent. She knew Ziye disliked it when she spoke that way about the elders, but those people were truly unpleasant—they lacked even a hint of the warmth one expects from the elderly. They loved to keep long faces and frequently gave her mother cold looks. She hated it!

Yin Yao watched Bai Yun and could not quite understand why the warm-hearted and lively girl disliked the six elders so much. They were merely stern; there did not seem to be anything particularly detestable about them.

"Yun'er, why do you dislike those elders so much?" Yin Yao asked.

"Oh, Mother invited them here today for a reason, and it surely concerns you. You had better think about how you will handle those old men later!" Having received a warning look from Bai Ziye, Bai Yun changed the subject.

Bai Ziye looked at Yin Yao’s puzzled expression and explained, "Yin Yao, don't be too curious. I know your identity, and I can more or less guess the Clan Leader’s intentions. You should do as Yun'er says and prepare yourself. The Clan Leader specifically called these long-secluded elders out for your sake!"

Yin Yao scanned Bai Ziye with her eyes. Bai Ziye did not flinch, and eventually, Yin Yao had to look away. She decided to heed their advice and ponder the situation. She was, in fact, quite curious to see how those elders intended to make things difficult for her.

Bai Ling’s residence was very quiet. After dismissing all the servants, the group entered the main hall. Bai Ling sat in the seat of honor, the elders took their places, and Bai Yong led Bai Yun and the others to stand by Bai Ling’s side.

"Bai Ling, why did you call us all out this time? If there is nothing important, do not disturb us so casually!" Just as Bai Ling was about to speak, one of the elders interrupted, his tone harsh.

Yin Yao looked at this elder. He was stony-faced, offering no kindness whatsoever. Suddenly, she understood, and she interjected coolly, "If there were nothing to discuss, wouldn't calling you here be a waste of time?"

Normally, Bai Ling would have stepped in to explain, but she had not expected Yin Yao to make such a stinging remark. She quickly apologized: "I am sorry, Yao'er is ignorant, please do not take it to heart! Yao'er, apologize at once!"

The elders’ gazes fell upon the impudent girl. They wanted to see if she was truly ignorant or if she were looking for trouble. Among the six, one silent elder did not seem angry like the others. He watched Yin Yao with a probing look; his intuition told him this girl was not simple.

After hearing Bai Ling, Yin Yao raised an eyebrow. "I only spoke the truth. Is there something wrong with that?"

"You—you little girl, you have quite some nerve, hmph." The elder who had spoken earlier was even more infuriated. He had the urge to strike, but he held back for the moment, wanting to see what trick she was playing.

The other elders were equally displeased. They were usually held in high regard; when had they ever been treated this way by a mere girl? She was truly ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth.

Seeing the elders on the verge of erupting, Bai Yun tugged at Yin Yao’s hand, signaling her with her eyes to apologize. Bai Yong did the same. Even Bai Ziye could not fathom why Yin Yao was doing this. Only Ji Xuanyu wore a faint smile. *Yao'er would never let herself be put on the defensive! Heh.*

Yin Yao ignored their signals and locked eyes with the enraged elder. She smiled, which only fueled his fury.

The elder gathered his strength. In the blink of an eye, he was before Yin Yao. With a wave of his hand, he sent Bai Yun and the others flying to the ground. Ji Xuanyu struggled to stay upright, but his body trembled uncontrollably. He was terrified—he had not expected the elder to be this powerful with just a single strike!

Seeing only one person still standing, the elder raised an eyebrow. "Heh, I didn't expect you to still be standing, boy! But now, get out of my sight!"

With another wave of his hand, Ji Xuanyu was sent flying.

"Third Uncle, please calm your anger! Do not treat the children this way; they are young and do not know better!" Bai Ling stood up quickly, shocked that in such a short time, the children had been struck down. Her Third Uncle was truly ruthless!

Yin Yao realized then that this man was Bai Ling’s Third Uncle—which meant he was the grandfather of Bai Yun and Bai Yong! How could he be like this? The other elders must be his brothers—they were all family!

Bai Ling stood up and pulled Yin Yao behind her to shield her, knowing that from such a distance, Yin Yao could not possibly dodge the Third Uncle’s attack.

"Bai Ling, step aside! Don't force me to strike you. Out of respect for you managing the clan all these years, I do not wish to harm you!" the Third Uncle growled.

Bai Ling shook her head with a smile. "No, Third Uncle, I will not step aside."

By now, the four youths had climbed to their feet, supporting one another. They stood looking at the three figures above, unsure of what to do. Yin Yao felt touched by Bai Ling’s protection, but she knew she had to face this herself. Now that she knew their identities, she understood Bai Ling’s purpose. Since she understood, she would take charge.

She was not one to be afraid.

"Is this how an elder bullies us juniors?" Yin Yao stepped out from behind Bai Ling, showing no trace of fear. Bai Ling was startled once again! She rushed to grab her, but it was too late—Yin Yao had already spoken and stood fearlessly against the Third Uncle.

"Heh, little girl, are you not afraid of death?" The Third Uncle sneered, refusing to look at her directly.

Bai Ling tried to move in front of Yin Yao again, but Yin Yao held her hand and shook her head, signaling her not to worry. Bai Ling was unconvinced, but Yin Yao squeezed her hand firmly, walked to the center of the hall, scanned the other five elders, and turned her gaze back to the Third Uncle.

Watching her movements, the Third Uncle turned to face her, increasingly unable to fathom what the little girl was planning.

"In terms of age, you are our elder. But just because a junior spoke the truth and offended you, you would kill me? That truly makes you a 'good' elder!" Yin Yao emphasized the word "elder." She wanted to provoke him. She wanted to see exactly what kind of "elder" these men, who constantly boasted of their status, truly were.

"You! You are courting death!" The Third Uncle raised his hand and teleported directly in front of Yin Yao. He reached out and gripped her throat, tightening his hold. Watching her face flush with blood, he laughed. "Weren't you very arrogant? Let's see how arrogant you remain once you lose your life! I will teach you just how high the sky is and how deep the earth lies!"

"Cough, cough." Yin Yao couldn't help but cough. This old man was truly ruthless!

Bai Ling could no longer remain indifferent. "Third Uncle, you cannot kill her! She is—"

"Third Brother, that is enough." The silent elder finally spoke to intervene.

But just as he and Bai Ling called out, Ji Xuanyu surged forward. Using the element of surprise, he struck the Third Uncle in the stomach. Taking advantage of the elder's momentary reaction, he swiped his hand to break the grip on Yin Yao’s throat, saving her.

"Ah, Ji Xuanyu!" Bai Yun cried out in alarm, covering her mouth in fear.

Bai Ziye and Bai Yong were stunned by Ji Xuanyu’s sudden move. They didn't know what to do; he was being far too reckless! Did he not know this would only make things worse?

"You!" The Third Uncle realized he had been ambushed by a mere boy. Enraged, he struck out with both hands, attacking Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu.

"Stop!" A majestic voice thundered, "With behavior like this, how can you call yourself an elder!"