"Young friend, is there something you need?" Lei Ying asked, his rugged face showing a hint of curiosity.
"Senior, I want to return home and visit my family," Gu Fei said with a slight smile, getting straight to the point.
Hearing this, Lei Ying and Yan Jin exchanged a glance, understanding dawning in their eyes.
Although he was young, he was already the leader of his clan, bearing a heavy responsibility. After the intense battle, where he fought tirelessly, it made sense for him to take some rest.
"We understand," Yan Jin nodded approvingly, his fiery red eyes showing a trace of appreciation.
"That's right," Lei Ying agreed, leaning forward slightly and patting Gu Fei's shoulder. "If anything comes up, we'll notify you."
He hadn't expected such understanding from these two seniors. In the past, they were lofty figures, far above him, yet now they treated him with great kindness.
But that was because he had proven his worth through his strength! Even these two respected him deeply now.
"Thank you for your understanding," He said sincerely. "I'll return soon."
Lei Ying and Yan Jin nodded, watching him leave. As they looked at his tall, upright figure, a sense of envy flashed in their eyes. They knew that with someone like Gu Fei leading the clan, its future was sure to be glorious.
After leaving the tent, he didn't delay and immediately took off into the sky.
---
Meanwhile, in the Gu Realm...
"I can't believe you dared to harm the Young Clan Leader's children!" A furious roar echoed through the skies.
Countless black-armored warriors sped through the air, their target a white-haired old man- none other than Gu Yang, the guardian of the Gu Clan's ancestral hall.
It turned out that after hearing of the Hun Clan's defeat, he harbored malicious intentions. He attempted to take Gu Fei's children as hostages to leverage them for his own gain. However, Cai Lin stopped him and even injured him in the process. Once the news spread, the entire clan was in an uproar, and many strong warriors began hunting him.
"Damn it!" Gu Yang clenched his teeth, his face twisted with anger and unwillingness. Cold sweat covered his aged face- clearly, he was severely injured.
He moved with astonishing speed, darting through the mountains, trying to shake off his pursuers.
"Don't let him escape!"
"Capture the traitor!"
Shouts of rage echoed behind him as numerous warriors of the Black Submerged Army followed closely, their eyes burning with fury, eager to tear him to pieces.
Gu Yang silently cursed his luck. He hadn't expected things to turn out like this. He thought most of the Gu Clan's forces were engaged with the coalition army, leaving the clan's defenses weakened. He assumed it would be easy to succeed in his plan. Who could have predicted that Cai Lin would stop him?
"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, a sinister gleam flashing in his eyes. He knew that if he were caught, his punishment would be worse than death.
He entered a dense forest, his eyes lighting up. Without hesitation, he plunged into it. Being highly familiar with the terrain of the Gu Realm, he knew this forest was the perfect hiding place due to its complex layout.
As expected, after he entered, the sounds of pursuit gradually faded.
He breathed a sigh of relief, though he was clearly in a sorry state.
But he knew this was only temporary safety. There was no turning back for him now!
"Gu Yang." A voice called out, and Xun Er appeared in front of him.
Her beautiful face bore an expression of disbelief, clearly not expecting that the once-respected elder would commit such a betrayal.
His face turned pale at the sight of her. He hadn't expected to run into Xun Er here. Meeting her meant his position was about to be exposed.
"Xun Er, I..." he tried to maintain his composure, but before he could finish his sentence, Xun Er interrupted him.
"No need to explain. Your actions speak for themselves," she said coldly, her eyes flashing with icy determination.
In the next moment, Gu Yang waved his hand, releasing a blinding flash of light that swept across the area. When she reopened her eyes, he was nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, a commotion arose in the distance as Gu Lie arrived with a group of clan warriors, quickly surrounding the area.
"Xun Er, the Gu Sacred Mountains are now sealed off. He couldn't have escaped," Gu Lie said solemnly, scanning the surroundings.
She nodded and respectfully responded, "Understood!"
"Split into teams! Search the entire Gu Sacred Mountain range thoroughly. We must find Gu Yang!" She ordered loudly, her voice clear and authoritative.
"Yes!" The warriors of the Black Submerged Army responded in unison, their voices resounding powerfully.
With her command, the entire mountain range was stirred into action. Countless warriors spread out like ants, conducting a comprehensive search. No corner was left unchecked, as they nearly turned the entire clan upside down.
However, what everyone failed to anticipate was that Gu Yang seemed to have vanished into thin air.
This wasn't surprising, given that he had an intimate knowledge of the clan's terrain after so many years. Finding him would take considerable effort.
Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard atop a mountain within the clan, Cai Lin and Xiao Yi Xian were keeping watch over Xian Yue and Wushuang, the two children soundly asleep, unaware of the turmoil outside.
"That damned geezer dared to target the children!" Cai Lin gritted her teeth in anger, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Don't worry. As long as we're here, the children will be safe," Xiao Yi Xian comforted her, gently patting her shoulder.
The two women exchanged determined looks, ready to do whatever it took to protect the children.
At that moment, a commotion arose outside.
"Gu Yang, in consideration of your past service guarding the ancestral hall, if you surrender and explain yourself, perhaps you can receive leniency," Xun Er's voice echoed throughout the Gu Realm. Her clear, melodious voice carried a hint of persuasion, hoping that he would surrender.
But her words were met with silence.
He was never truly part of the Gu Clan. In fact, the real Gu Yang had died hundreds of years ago. The current him was a member of the Hun Clan, and there was no way he would turn back now.
"If only the Black Submerged King could unseal the Ancient Sacred Mountains' space, we could have found him by now!"
"You fool, if that happens, what's stopping that traitor from escaping? We'll have to search through the entire realm then!"
"When the clan leader returns, no matter how deep he hides, he won't escape his grasp!"
Some Gu Clan members muttered in low voices, their faces filled with anger.