Chapter 46: Could it be that one cannot guard against a thief within one's own house?

The wailing that suddenly erupted from Chiyan Feng caused the Great Elder, who was pursuing from behind, to involuntarily halt his steps and pause to observe.

Traces of helplessness and sorrow flickered in his eyes.

Not far ahead of him, it was unclear which of Qi Qianhui's words had struck a chord in Lu Guangyan's heart; at this moment, she was weeping desperately like a mother beast that had lost her cub, while still clutching Qi Qianhui tightly in her arms.

Although bewildered, Qi Qianhui still subconsciously reached out to embrace Lu Guangyan, patting her back in a decent imitation, mimicking her own father's manner to clumsily comfort her.

"Don't cry, don't cry, it doesn't hurt..."

"Don't cry, don't cry, it'll be fine after a pat."

Lu Yanyi, who had been playing with Qi Qianhui, was only seven years old this year; he walked slowly to the Great Elder's side, looked up, and asked, "Will Sister Tong not be coming back?"

The Great Elder remained silent, saying nothing.

After a long while, he reached out his aged hand and gently stroked Lu Yanyi's hair. "She will."

It was as if he were speaking to himself, and as if he were making a firm resolution.

"She will return to our side in another way, and those who harmed her will surely pay the price."

……

……

The Main Peak Great Hall.

The people from the various sects had finally been sent away, yet the group still kept looking back every few steps, reluctant to leave.

Had it not been for the Lu Family's strict rules and Lu Ren's particular lack of sentimentality, they likely would have wanted to move in directly.

Although they had left, the Sound Transmission Jade Pendants remained.

Lu Guangyang held a pile of Sound Transmission Jade Pendants in his arms, his complexion appearing even paler.

He shook his head, put them away, and turned to look at the maid who had been following behind him. "Where has the Family Head gone?"

The maid tilted her head and reached out to point toward the back of the Main Peak.

Through her slightly parted lips, one could see a pitch-black oral cavity containing only a short, severed tongue, with dense, intricate curse scripts covering it.

Lu Guangyang looked toward that direction, lost in thought.

That is... Chiyan Feng, isn't it?

A trace of a smile crossed his lips; he shook his head, signaled for the maid to push him back, and sighed inwardly.

Although the Family Head appeared cold, only they, the Lu Family members, knew that he was the most gentle person of all; otherwise, how could the entire Lu Family follow his every command and willingly entrust their lives to him?

Chiyan Feng.

Lu Guangyan had already calmed down and felt somewhat embarrassed.

She spoke softly in apology, "Perhaps I was having a nightmare, which is why I acted so inappropriately. I am truly sorry."

Qi Yi had already learned what had happened here; ever since arriving, he had remained silent, his eyes filled with deep empathy.

He did not blame Lu Guangyan; if it were he who had lost a daughter, he dared not even imagine what he would do.

Seeing Qi Yi's silence, Lu Guangyan assumed he was dissatisfied with her explanation. She looked guiltily at the bruises tightly gripped onto Qi Qianhui's wrists, pursed her lips, and took an item from her Storage Bag: "I observe that this child seems to have a deficiency in her mental faculties. I have a Ling Grass here that enhances intelligence; perhaps it will be of some use. Please accept it as my apology."

Qi Yi was stunned.

He had the heart to refuse, but this item was not only hard to find, it was also a Ling Grass required in the prescription for Qi Qianhui.

Qi Yi felt slightly embarrassed: "Although I should not take advantage of someone's distress, Qianhui does indeed need this. I thank you on her behalf."

After he accepted it, Lu Guangyan's expression softened somewhat.

She looked at Qi Qianhui and could not help but lose herself in thought.

If she had a daughter, she would be like this, wouldn't she...

Seeing Qi Yi leading Qi Qianhui away, an inexplicable impulse in Lu Guangyan's heart kept driving her to speak. She watched Qi Qianhui's figure as she walked further and further away, her eyes involuntarily welling up with tears.

In the blur, she seemed to see a girl with her hair tied high, wielding a sword, with a brilliant and mischievous smile, wearing pale yellow clothes, waving at her from far away while walking off into the distance.

A tremendous panic struck Lu Guangyan's heart, causing her tears to fall in torrents, becoming increasingly torrential.

She almost uncontrollably took a sudden step forward.

"Qi Yi, would you be willing to let Qianhui acknowledge me as her godmother?"

"Uh... Elder Yan, I wonder if you would be willing to accept a goddaughter?"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and after speaking, they were both stunned.

Qi Yi did not know why he had said that either.

Perhaps it was pity for a mother who had lost her child, or perhaps the hope that his daughter could board the Lu Family's ship, but...

He steadied his mind, put on his usual honest-man expression, and smiled ingenuously: "If Elder Yan is also willing, then that would be perfect!"

And for this matter, one should find a witness.

Qi Yi had originally intended for the Great Elder to be the one.

But as he turned his head, he saw Lu Ren, who had arrived at some point, and was instantly startled, hurriedly bowing to greet him: "Greetings, Lu Family Head!"

Qi Qianhui saw him too, and a sweet smile appeared on her innocent face, "Pretty big brother!"

"Hmm."

To everyone's surprise, Lu Ren actually responded, ruffled Qi Qianhui's hair, and walked to the Great Elder's side.

"Since Elder Yan has the intention, and you, Qi Yi, do not object, then choose an auspicious day to perform the godparent ceremony."

"However, if you do not walk the Questioning Path, you cannot enter the Lu Family."

The last sentence was directed at Qi Yi.

A massive surprise descended from the sky, nearly knocking Qi Yi senseless.

He joyfully cupped his hands, thanking him repeatedly: "Thank you! Thank you, Family Head, for your grace. Rest assured, Family Head, I, Lu Yi, will henceforth go through fire and water for the Lu Family, and will not refuse!"

Lu Ren:...

The only person who could leave him speechless so many times was Qi Yi.

He waved his hand, "No need, I don't have the hobby of forcing others to take the surname Lu."

Qi Yi heard this and gave a dry response; looking at his expression, he smacked his lips, seemingly still feeling a bit of regret.

Lu Ren had not come here for the sake of Qi Qianhui; such a matter was merely something done in passing.

He looked toward the Great Elder and instructed, "Great Elder, has the auction list been compiled? Distribute a copy to each of the great families so they can prepare their Spirit Stones early."

When the order was given that day, the Great Elder had already begun preparations; by now, it was just a list, so it should have been ready.

Who would have thought that upon hearing Lu Ren's question, the Great Elder not only failed to agree immediately but instead furrowed his brows, as if he had encountered some obstacle.

His brows were tightly locked, "This... it should have been ready, but some items in the storehouse seem to have been stolen."

Lu Ren had intended to leave after asking his question, but who would have imagined the Great Elder would say such a thing, causing his footsteps to stop at once.

Lu Ren raised a long eyebrow, "Oh? Stolen?"

This was somewhat interesting.

The Lu Family's Protective Clan Array was not something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry could enter; once inside, they would certainly trigger the array, especially in a place as private as the clan storehouse, yet not only did the Great Elder not sense it, but Lu Ren had not sensed it either.

Could it be that it is hard to guard against a thief within one's own house?

(End of chapter)