A story spanning from ancient times to the present was outlined in a moment, coming abruptly without any prelude.

Mountain winds accompanied, the grass waves below the mountain like surging tides.

Wu Jinliang listened attentively and contemplated deeply. After listening, he couldn't help but grin to himself.

Upon first arriving in Dazhi City, he and Shi Chun suspected that Bai Qiru's expulsion from the family was not so simple, and they discussed the matter. At the time, they felt that Bai Qiru including Huang Yingying was questionable.

They thought about Huang Yingying thoroughly at the time.

Thinking it over, they still couldn't see what about Huang Yingying was worth the Bai Family's effort; they only felt that Huang Yingying's sole highlight was having formidable ancestors.

They suspected back then that the Bai Family's efforts might be related to something about Huang Yingying's impressive ancestor.

Now, indeed, they were right.

They had truly predicted correctly, and it was indeed related to Jin Zhan.

Except it differed from their understanding. It was not out of gain, but gratitude.

Gratitude? Amidst his grinning, Wu Jinliang rubbed his lips.

Because it just so happened that at the time, he had wildly imagined whether the Bai Family had received some kind of favor from Huang Yingying's ancestors and were now repaying it.

As a result, Chun Tian had directly dismissed the idea as petty, saying she didn't believe ancient favors could last so long, but gains indeed might always be coveted.

Well, now Granny Qi directly plastered gratitude onto his face.

Whether it was supernatural, he didn't know. Anyway, he also felt like a petty-minded person, thinking that perhaps Chun Tian's words made more sense?

He inwardly disdained his own and Chun Tian's petty-mindedness born from the Land of Exile.

Meanwhile, Granny Qi felt she had already expressed herself with restraint, believing it to be a melancholic, quite poignant issue. This broad-faced fellow kept grinning; was he mocking, or not believing?

So she explained further, "The Phoenix Clan cherishes its feathers, even the stain left on their feathers by the Golden-haired Rat Clan still burdens them after all these years. You see, despite the fact that Huang Yingying was clearly a victim at Dazhi City, she was taken back just because of a bit of suspicion."

Wu Jinliang was not foolish; he understood this was explaining to him why the Bai Family had never succeeded in repaying its debt over the years.

He nodded with the grin on his face, "Understand, I get it, Granny's right."

Granny Qi wanted to ask him, since you say I'm right, then why are you grinning? She promptly added, "Actually, historically, our Bai Family has occasionally tried to rescue a few Golden-haired Rats, treating them kindly as with Huang Yingying; Huang Yingying is not the first."

It was her first time since aging to see someone so irreverent in her presence.

Seeing the other's gaze seem a bit off when looking at her, Wu Jinliang immediately stopped his habit of grinning and instantly transformed into a respectful demeanor.

Of course, this did not prevent him from voicing his doubts, "Granny, this is your Bai Family's absolute secret. How can someone like me deserve your trust upon first meeting?"

Granny Qi said, "It's not trusting you, but trusting Huang Yingying."

"Trusting Old Huang?" Wu Jinliang looked puzzled, instinctively pointing at himself, meaning clearly: what does trusting Old Huang have to do with telling me secrets?

Granny Qi succinctly replied, "Because Huang Yingying trusts you, says you can rescue him!"

"…" Wu Jinliang was still a little bewildered, though he knew this. Bai Qiru had explained when finding him that Old Huang was captured but had repeatedly instructed to seek him out, saying he could rescue.

The question is, isn't this reason too flimsy, yet your esteemed identity speaks such words? Isn't this being unreasonable?

He wondered, "Just because of Old Huang's words, you told a lifelong outsider Bai Family's secret that has been passed down for countless years?"

Granny Qi: "Of course, combined with your displayed abilities. As soon as you arrived in Yao Mountain City, you befriended the owner of Zhu Lang Pavilion, as well as Inner Court Captain Lou Xiu, and even ventured into the Divine Mountain, wandered freely there. Doesn't this prove Huang Yingying's words? Moreover, the Extreme Fire Sect actually values you so highly."

Wu Jinliang was speechless, couldn't help but scratch his head, "Junior still can't understand, what does this have to do with telling me secrets?"

Granny Qi forcefully thumped her cane against the ground, "To make you quicker to believe us and trust that our directions are aligned!"

Saying this, she turned around, slowly walked to the mountain's edge with her cane, and gazed into the distance wistfully as she said, "Although it's unknown why Huang Yingying would firmly believe you have the capability to rescue him from Divine Mountain, merely rescuing him alone — what's the point? As I said, rescuing an individual is something we Bai Family has done before; the key is what to do about the Golden-haired Rat Clan trapped in Divine Mountain?"

The responsibility passed down through generations, our Bai Family has truly borne for far too long. I also don't wish for the Bai Family descendants to always obscure their faces before the Phoenix Clan. The dignified head of the Bai Family was once the Phoenix Clan's nanny; whenever clansmen have disputes, they are ridiculed by others with this matter.

My lifespan likely won't be very long, I hope to completely resolve this burden in my lifetime.

The reason I'm telling you all this is to ensure you don't act recklessly; forcibly rescuing Huang Yingying would implicate the entire Golden-haired Rat clan.

The approach needs to be comprehensive, the method needs to be reliable. I'm sure you're somewhat aware of the Bai Family's reputation with the Phoenix Clan. With my family's collaboration and mutual efforts, wouldn't the chances of success increase significantly?"

Wu Jinliang roughly understood; this was about negotiating a collaboration.

Seeing no response from behind, Granny Qi continued, "If the Phoenix Clan learns of the Bai Family's secret, it would be a catastrophe for us. The leverage I'm giving you speaks volumes of our sincerity.

As I've said, the Bai Family has already borne too much for the entire Golden-haired Rat clan. Rescuing Huang Yingying alone is not an option. Until a suitable plan is coordinated, I won't allow you to act impulsively.

To prevent mishaps and prevent you from recklessly divulging the Bai Family's secrets, you should stay by my side until a proper rescue plan is in place."

Wu Jinliang wasn't naive; staying by her side was simply a polite way of saying they'd be held hostage.

He finally realized the old witch revealed the secret just to rightfully detain them.

You old witch, he nearly cursed out loud. I didn't ask you to reveal the secret, you exposed it willingly!

He had never seen someone play this way; revealing a secret to someone, then detaining the person for discretion.

Not even in the brazen Land of Exile had he seen this kind of negotiation tactic; today he learned something new.

But considering her power, there's no use complaining. If he dared to curse, he might suffer, so he had to swallow his words.

He found it somewhat amusing; with Chun Tian's identity swapped, the old witch was thoroughly deceived. The real person is outside, why detain me?

His earlier enthusiasm for impersonating the leader was completely dashed, feeling like he shot himself in the foot.

Meanwhile, Shi Chun, who was waiting for news in a Heart-wrapping Grass grove, received Wu Jinliang's message.

Granny Qi only detained them, not cutting off Wu Jinliang's external communication. This meant she hoped for the forces behind Wu Jinliang to emerge for collaboration.

No choice, patting Wu Jinliang's young frame, Granny Qi understood his cultivation thoroughly, believing there must be significant forces behind him. Otherwise, how could mere small figures match the Extreme Fire Sect's battle formation?

Wu Jinliang conveyed the news of being held hostage and shared the details clearly.

After understanding the situation, Shi Chun frowned. From what he knew, the Bai Family, without Phoenix Clan backing, would be third-rate in the Demon Realm. Where did they gather the courage to involve themselves?

Previously, he worried the Bai Family might not make enough effort to rescue, but their eagerness to get involved exceeded his imagination.

He found their talk of gratitude absurd, with his mindset, he didn't buy it for a second.

There's the Extreme Fire Sect, the Phoenix Clan, and the Demon Path; as someone in the know, he wouldn't dare act rashly. He truly couldn't fathom how an uninformed Bai Family dared to plunge in carelessly; he worried for them, fearing they'd be unable to escape.

The only explanation was some substantial motive worth risking.

They themselves frequently dabbled in such matters; otherwise, why would the Demon Path latch onto them?

Moreover, the message conveyed by Wu Jinliang said he had returned to the Divine Mountain.

Claiming those Bai Family folks went too far, he mentioned how they packed him alone into a chest and blatantly carried him up the mountain.

Chu Jingtang and others were also taken up in boxes, leaving Shi Chun feeling quite isolated.

At the same time, at the Extreme Fire Sect's base on the Divine Mountain, Qiu Ben paced inside the hall, while senior disciple Huang Lang paced outside under the eaves.

Suddenly, Huang Lang checked the Mother-child Talisman in his hand, quickly entered the hall, and urgently reported, "Yin Tianlu and the others went out of the city to investigate; they couldn't find the missing Master Hao and others. The commotion might have been from Master Hao and company."

Qiu Ben said in shock and doubt, "The Sect handed the 'Great Sun Golden Ring' to Junior Brother Hao for convenience. That means the commotion was the 'Great Sun Golden Ring' in combat, involving a Heavenly Immortal Realm expert. Who could it be? We've been cautious enough capturing those small fries, yet their protector was even more prudent…"

His eyes flashed decisively as he loudly instructed the disciple, "Immediately notify the Sect, liaise well with Juku State, ensure Xun Gate's exit is secured, do not let them escape, be quick. Also inform those backing Zhu Lang Pavilion, I intend to directly raid the pavilion to capture people!"

"Understood." Huang Lang, taking his orders, knew the Sect might owe a significant favor this time.

"Too late, they might flee; let's go!" Qiu Ben flicked his sleeve, swiftly exited, and summoned Sect disciples to depart immediately.

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