Chapter Forty-Two: The Mystery of Origins (A Matter of Utmost Importance)

"Huh? How did you know that?" Li Su turned around, mouth agape in astonishment as he looked at Silver Yao, genuinely surprised.

He walked to her side, taking her hand in his, "Yao’er, heh, is it alright if I call you that?"

"Yao’er," Silver Yao echoed softly, a touch of sorrow in her expression, her brows slightly furrowed. I wonder how Xuan Yu and the others are… They must be alive, right? Would they think I’m dead? Or are they still searching…

Li Su noticed the sudden shift in Silver Yao’s demeanor and felt helpless; they had barely exchanged a few words, yet it seemed he’d twice touched on matters she’d rather avoid.

"Yao’er, let’s go. I’ll take you to meet the old manor master—my father. If there’s anything you don’t know, you can ask him!" Li Su stepped forward, childlike, holding her hand and leading her outside, intent on diverting her attention.

Silver Yao stared blankly at his hand clasping hers, but in her heart, she did not resent his closeness.

A sharp breath escaped her lips behind him. Only then did Li Su remember—Silver Yao was still injured!

"Yao’er, are you alright? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have rushed!" He halted hurriedly. No longer just holding her hand, he placed her arm around his shoulder and supported her by the waist, moving with utmost care.

Silver Yao shifted awkwardly; she hadn’t expected Li Su to suddenly support her like this. She glanced at him, but his eyes were clear, as if he was simply assisting her.

"Li—Li Su, you don’t have to do this. I can walk on my own."

"No, I’ll support you. Otherwise, you’ll aggravate your wound again!" Though his tone was playful, there was an irrepressible determination in it.

Silver Yao looked at him, then nodded helplessly—such a domineering child!

An elderly man with white hair sat at the head of the great hall, sipping tea from a blue-and-white porcelain cup. Seeing his son supporting the mysterious young woman toward him, he set the cup aside.

"Greetings, Manor Master!"

Along the way, Li Su had already explained the general situation to Silver Yao, so she was not entirely unfamiliar with her surroundings.

"Rise, child," Li Jin, seated above, waved a hand, and attendants appeared, serving tea and water.

"Father, let me tell you! Yao’er is the daughter of Aunt Silver Fox!" Li Su announced excitedly, gesturing animatedly.

"What!" Li Jin, who had long harbored suspicions, was visibly agitated by the news. He stood abruptly, approaching Silver Yao and clutching her hands tightly.

"You truly are, truly Silver Fox’s daughter?" His voice trembled with emotion.

"Yes, Manor Master," Silver Yao replied respectfully, gazing at the kindly old man. Seeing his reaction, she knew she had come to the right place.

Li Jin gripped her hands, urgently asking, "Your mother, Silver Fox—where is she?"

Li Su wanted to stop his father from asking, but he was not quick enough; he could only stand aside, watching Silver Yao’s response.

When Silver Yao heard someone mention her mother, her voice caught with emotion, "Mother… mother was framed by a villain and died four years ago…"

Silver Fox, Silver Yao’s mother, was now her only weakness.

"Child, don’t cry. Uncle Li will take care of you! It’s the least I can do for Silver Fox," Li Jin said, releasing her hands and patting her shoulder. He turned away, sorrowful, his eyes reddening, tears glistening as he wiped them away with his sleeve.

"Manor Master Li, could you tell me about my mother and your relationship?" Silver Yao looked at him hopefully, wishing to learn more about her mother. She had always been curious about her hidden past but had never had a chance to seek answers.

Li Jin turned, leading her to the upper seats, dismissing the attendants with a wave.

Li Su and Silver Yao sat to either side of Li Jin, their faces expectant, eager for his story.

Li Jin’s voice, deep and low, began:

"The Li Yin Clan, the White Fox Clan, and the Ji family were once close allies. All three clans possessed extraordinary powers, which is how we came to know one another. Our Li Yin Clan specializes in recovery and healing, the White Fox Clan excels in offense, and the Ji family combines offense and defense."

At the mention of the Ji family, a ripple stirred in Silver Yao’s eyes, but she forced herself to remain composed, listening intently.

"Our three clans possess rare abilities, drawing the attention of many who sought to win us over. Our Li Yin Clan, not adept in martial strength, chose seclusion. The White Fox Clan is small in number, though I never understood why. The Ji family decided to remain in the mortal world and has grown powerful."

"Once, when I brought Silver Fox and some friends from the martial world to the manor, all but your mother chose to stay. They wished to hide away, and to ensure Silver Fox and her descendants could enter the manor, I imbued her blood with a special spiritual power—that’s why you could enter."

"Why didn’t my mother choose to stay?" Silver Yao sensed she had found a crucial point and looked at Li Jin with urgency.

"She said she was waiting for someone," Li Jin mused, his thoughts drifting far away, as if he could still see Silver Fox’s resolute figure.

"Waiting for someone?" Silver Yao murmured.

"I believe the one she waited for was your father," Li Jin said quietly.

"My father?!" Silver Yao’s head snapped up, astonished. This was the first time she’d ever heard anything about her father from someone else. Her mother had never once spoken of him, leaving her to piece together scraps of information overheard in secret.

Li Jin saw her reaction and spoke gravely, "Child, did your mother ever tell you that there’s more than one parallel world?"

"What?!" Silver Yao was stunned. She already knew she was not ordinary—she had crossed from another world. But to hear that there was more than one parallel world left even her, a girl of the 21st century, overwhelmed.

"It seems Silver Fox truly intended to tell you nothing," Li Jin remarked, almost to himself.

Li Su, who had been silent, was equally astounded—the revelations of this day rivaled Silver Yao’s own.

"This parallel world is called the Wasteland Continent, while the other is the Realm of Void. The people of the Realm of Void possess fantastical powers. If someone in one of their families commits a grave crime, they are exiled to the Wasteland—the very place we now inhabit."

"Manor Master Li, were you and my mother from the Realm of Void? And my father as well?" Silver Yao felt something taking shape in her mind.

Li Jin gazed at her with sympathy, but having come this far, could not turn back. He sighed and continued, "Child, you are clever. Indeed, they were, but they were not exiled—they escaped."

"Escaped?"

"Yes, escaped. Your mother and father’s union violated a taboo. Your father was one of the rare humans to reach the highest level of cultivation and enter the Realm of Void, while your mother was of the purest White Fox bloodline. Their union was not blessed."

...

A story long buried had finally been told. Li Jin felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart; such a secret had been his burden for too long.

Silver Fox, forgive me. In the end, I have told Yao’er—your daughter.