72 It Will Not Be So Simple

Cautiously averting his gaze from his angry son, Zhu Zhang focused on the interrogation he was supposed to hold, attempting to ease the pair into a conversation before he tackled the more difficult topic.

"Describe, from beginning to end, what happened between you and your senior disciples."

Li Meirong reluctantly, for the third time, explained all that had transpired along her journey. She included her encounter with Sheng Jing Wu, the strange obsession he had with her during the past few years, her meeting with Chou in the forest, and the seniors' request for her assistance in finding a particular herb.

She avoided mentioning the volcano, or her dimension, or Feng Huang. Instead, she told Grandmaster Zhu Zhang that Sheng Jing Wu had disappeared after she found Snowball near the volcano.

Bai Qingyue's face blackened; the more he heard her speak, the more he raged. He had to find the appropriate time to get rid of Sheng Jing Wu. He sincerely regretted not wringing that ugly man's neck!

Zhu Zhang stayed silent until Li Meirong finished speaking.

"And your aura?" he asked. "How did you obtain it?"

Li Meirong's face paled as she recalled the way Grandmaster Zhu Zhang had asked her that very same question, years ago, and her legs trembled.

"I-I told you last time, I really don't know. I just have it somehow. I have no idea what you're talking about," Li Meirong answered quietly.

Bai Qingyue's ears twitched as he inspected her subtle reactions.

Zhu Zhang contemplated her words. If she truly did not know about her aura, it could only mean that the Foxfire was bestowed upon her without her knowledge. He eyed his son, who blinked innocently, and in that instant Zhu Zhang knew that he was purposefully hiding information from the girl.

He decided to play along. He, like most foxes, enjoyed a few tricks.

"Since you were only defending yourself, then the fault does not lie with you. I hereby declare you cleared of all charges." he spoke casually, as if her innocence or guilt did not matter to him in the slightest.

Li Meirong's eyes widened in surprise. That was it? She was declared innocent? She hadn't been certain before, but now she was absolutely sure: this Grandmaster was mad!

She had been without doubt that he would interrogate her until she bled. After the emotional rollercoaster of the previous hour, his abrupt conclusion of the case was stupefying.

Her hands clenched inside her sleeves.

Before she had the chance to speak, Zhu Zhang fished out a teleportation stone from his sleeve, and handed the small blue pebble to Li Meirong.

"I have heard your skills in brewing tea are most excellent. Before we continue our discussion, would you mind fetching me a cup of tea?" Zhu Zhang asked, his tone was filled with unexpected fondness.

It was difficult to fathom what thoughts might possibly be passing through this crazy Grandmaster's mind, he was changing his behaviour far too rapidly. Zhu Zhang's pleasant tone when addressing her had her even more alarmed.

Nevertheless, serving meals and beverage to Grandmasters was within her job description, so perhaps she was overthinking the matter. Though, this was the first time she had been given a teleportation stone to simply fetch a drink. 

These stones cost a small fortune, so they were rarely used for such a casual purpose.

"I'll be right back," she said, nodding her head. She hugged Snowball, and raised the pebble in preparation.

"No need to trouble yourself with the fox," the Grandmaster said, slightly hurriedly, rising from his seat. "Since you will be right back, just leave him here."

"No, I don't think so." Li Meirong's tone did not leave any room for disagreement.

She felt Snowball's furry paw tap her arm lightly.

"It is alright, I will stay put. Come back soon, and if anything happens, I will let you know," he said, doing his best to stay as cute as possible so as to elicit a positive response.

Li Meirong felt ill at ease at the thought of leaving her precious bundle with Zhu Zhang, but she had been given the teleportation stone, which meant she could instantly return, should anything occur. She would be close enough for Snowball to communicate with her in the case of danger.

"I'll be right back." She stared at Zhu Zhang as she spoke, silently warning him.

Bai Qingyue saw her fade away as the stone teleported her out, wiggling his little paw as he waved a 'goodbye'.

An uncomfortable silence lingered in the exquisitely-crafted chamber. Bai Qingyue was perched on the chair Li Meirong had occupied only moments ago, clearly comfortable as he licked at his paw nonchalantly. His pupils were slits as the air around him turned freezing cold.

At a loss for words, Zhu Zhang was clueless as to how he could begin conversing with his newly-discovered, incredibly displeased son.

He chose to delve into the irrefutable facts.

"You are the Bai Clan Sovereign Lord…?" Zhu Zhang asked, the end of his question lingering in the air.

"Naturally," Bai Qingyue replied, utterly unperturbed. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhang felt like he needed a warm shower – his son was putting off such a frosty air!

It was time to tell the truth, to let it be known between them. Zhu Zhang tapped his fingers nervously on the table in front of him as he spoke to his son.

"I am Bai Zhang. As a matter of fact, I am—"

"My father." Zhu Zhang was cut off by Bai Qingyue's flat tone.

"You… you knew?" he asked, stammering slightly as he did so.

"Obviously, since I am aware of the whereabouts of everyone in the Bai family, except for yours. Your scent already gave you away. Not to mention the poorly-made mask you put on – any competent person with discerning sight would be able to see through your human disguise."

There were so many words to be said between them. Where would either of them start, now they had finally met?

As an individual grows older, it becomes harder for them to admit their mistakes. Gods were no exception to this, and indeed, perhaps they were even more beholden to this rule. Living for eons, having phenomenal powers, and being part of a prestigious, elite clan, all led Zhu Zhang – better known as Bai Zhang – to be required to abase himself very few times in his life.

What made it worse, however, was the complete lack of emotion from his child. He could handle anger, even hatred, but the aloofness towards him only left him remorseful.

"I have wronged you by leaving the clan, but I have my reasons for doing so. I am aware there is no excuse," he continued, tone growing heavier the longer he spoke. "There was a… slight misunderstanding between Li Meirong and I. At first, I jumped to conclusions, and believed she harmed one of ours. I initially assumed she absorbed one of our family member's magic as her own… and so I wish to offer my apologies."

For the very first time in his long life, Bai Zhang apologized.

Bai Qingyue scoffed, small fangs flashing as a growl of disdain escaped him.

Bai Zhang, his father, had deserted his sacred duties as clan leader, let his wife go mad with grief and solitude, accused Li Meirong of murder, and now, he thought a simple apology would wipe the slate clean?

"I am afraid it will not be so simple as to let bygones be bygones. First, tell me, why does my woman fear you so? She shivered the moment you entered the hall."