Chapter 130: On the Same Front

“Mei, how is your Nine-Tailed Fox clan doing now?”

The three of them walked side by side. Yin Yao glanced toward the distance; the town was not far ahead. A sudden desire to learn about the current state of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan arose in her heart.

Mei smiled. “You want to know?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll tell you. The people of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan are living very happy lives. We did not decline simply because we lost the support of the Spirit Fox clan. Surprising, isn’t it?”

For some reason, there seemed to be a hint of provocation in Mei’s words.

Yin Yao shook her head. “Why would that surprise me? Since the Nine-Tailed Fox clan had the courage to challenge the Spirit Fox clan, your clan leader must have possessed considerable strength.”

Ji Xuanyu nodded beside her. Indeed, if the former clan leader of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan had not possessed sufficient power, she would never have chosen to take such a dangerous course of action. Moreover, once she had made that choice, she had to take responsibility for her people. When the Nine-Tailed Fox clan split away from the Spirit Fox clan, it had not been completely backward or unprepared. They must have planned for it long ago and already prepared a way forward.

“Heh. I never expected you to understand it that way. That’s surprising.” Mei curled his lips into a charming, wicked smile.

Yin Yao said no more. She merely smiled and continued walking. For a while, the three of them fell silent again. Mei was not accustomed to such an atmosphere; the silence felt oppressive.

He wanted to know what attitude Yin Yao truly held toward the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. He wanted to know what had caused the Spirit Fox clan to split in two. He wanted to know why the Spirit Maiden, as a member of the Spirit Fox clan, had completely vanished during the civil war.

There were too many things Mei wanted to know. Even though he was the greatest genius of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan and the son of its leader, he knew nothing about them.

When it came to that civil war, anyone who knew even the slightest bit of its secrets would refuse to associate with him. Even Mei’s mother had never told him anything. As he grew older, however, Mei gradually learned that the person who had prevented him from discovering the truth about the war was none other than his own mother—the clan leader of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.

This aroused his suspicions. Using every source of power he could secretly command, Mei finally managed to uncover a fragment of what had happened.

At that time, the Spirit Maiden had vanished without a trace and failed to appear to preside over the crisis. That was what allowed the Nine-Tailed Fox clan to succeed.

The leader of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan had successfully led her people in seizing half of the Spirit Fox clan’s territory. The other half became the territory of the White Fox clan. During the civil war, the White Fox clan had contributed greatly, and it had already been one of the most powerful branches within the Spirit Fox clan. Naturally, most of the other Spirit Fox clansmen also joined the White Fox clan, while only a small number went to the territory of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.

And now, Yin Yao—who had suddenly appeared before him not long ago—had become the adopted daughter of the White Fox clan’s leader. Her identity was clearly far from ordinary. Her cultivation had also advanced at an astonishing pace.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, the surname “Yin” could only be borne by someone with extraordinary talent, someone capable of inheriting the position of clan leader. Such a person was often the Spirit Maiden of the Spirit Fox clan.

When he had first met her, he had regarded her only as the person associated with that forbidden matter. In his surprise, he had forgotten the true significance of the surname Yin.

In truth, it was also because the leader of the White Fox clan no longer bore the surname Yin that it had taken him so long to recall its meaning.

Yin Yao had appeared out of nowhere and claimed to bear the surname Yin. Yet the leader of the White Fox clan had accepted her, created an entirely new identity for her, done everything possible to protect her, and granted her sufficient authority.

That could only mean that Bai Ling knew Yin Yao’s true identity. Yin Yao had not foolishly or carelessly claimed the surname Yin without reason.

Apart from the vanished Spirit Maiden, Silver Fox, Yin Yao was the first person since then to bear the surname Yin.

“I put in some effort and heard a few rumors. The civil war began because the Spirit Maiden vanished and failed to appear to take control of the situation. That was what allowed the Nine-Tailed Fox clan to succeed.” After stealing a glance at Yin Yao, Mei lifted his head toward the sky and muttered as though speaking to himself.

Yin Yao had noticed his little movements long ago, but she had not expected him to reveal his thoughts in this manner. She smiled. So Mei was curious about the disappearance of the Spirit Maiden and her failure to prevent the Spirit Fox clan from splitting apart.

That was a good sign, wasn’t it?

Yin Yao looked toward Ji Xuanyu. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a smile.

“Xuanyu, you said that my mother fled with my father to the Barren Continent because of the elders’ opposition, and was later taken away by people from the Void Continent. What exactly do I have to do to find her?”

“Yao’er, don’t be anxious. Trust me. We will definitely find Senior Silver Fox—and your father, Senior Qin Mo, as well.”

“What? You’re the daughter of the Spirit Maiden, Silver Fox?!”

Mei knew that the two people beside him were intelligent. After hearing what he had said, they would certainly reveal something to him. But he had never expected the revelation to be so explosive.

Ji Xuanyu immediately raised a hand and covered Mei’s mouth. His reaction was far too loud. If he accidentally attracted the attention of others and brought trouble upon them, it would be disastrous. This was not their territory; they could not afford to provoke anyone here.

Mei pried Ji Xuanyu’s hand away and pouted, looking pitiful. His alluring eyes brimmed with tears, making him appear utterly lovable. Unfortunately, the two people standing before him were no ordinary individuals. How could such a trick possibly work on them?

“Enough. Put away your tears and withdraw your enchantment. They have no effect on either of us.”

Although Ji Xuanyu said this, he still stepped in front of Yin Yao, blocking Mei’s gaze.

Standing behind him, Yin Yao silently laughed. Wasn’t this behavior a little childish?

Mei instantly dried his tears, abandoning his pitiful expression. He gave them a sinister smile. “All right. Now we’re on the same side.”

Ignoring the astonished and helpless expressions on Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu’s faces, Mei continued with a curl of his lips. “Now I know your secret, and you know mine. That means we’re allies.”

“Then tell us what you can do. Since we’re allies now, you should show us some sincerity.” Yin Yao crossed her arms and regarded Mei with an ambiguous smile.

Ji Xuanyu stood beside her. Suddenly, he felt that when it came to so many matters, he could not intervene at all. A sense of disappointment rose within him. He wondered whether remaining beside Yin Yao in such an ordinary, unremarkable manner was truly the right choice.

Perhaps if he returned to the Dragon clan, he could rapidly increase his strength. Then, when he appeared before Yin Yao again, he would be able to shield her from every storm.

But after silently shaking his head, Ji Xuanyu reaffirmed his determination to remain at Yin Yao’s side.

He had relied on countless opportunities to earn the chance to stay beside her. He could not be the one to give it up. Besides, only by remaining at Yin Yao’s side could he offer her assistance whenever she needed it.

Mei glanced around. His expression suddenly grew serious.

“Come with me. I’ll take you somewhere first.”

Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu nodded. Suppressing their curiosity, they followed Mei closely.

Ahead stood an imposing estate. There was no need to ask; its owner clearly possessed an extraordinary status. They simply did not know why Mei had brought them there.

“You two wait here for me,” Mei instructed before walking alone toward the estate.

He knocked on the door, and a servant came out. The servant was momentarily startled upon seeing Mei, but quickly recovered and gave him a respectful smile.

With his back to Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu, Mei said something to the servant. The servant leaned out and glanced at Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu in the distance.

After a while, Mei waved to them, signaling that they should come over.

Yin Yao had more or less guessed what was happening, and Ji Xuanyu naturally had as well. He was very curious to know how many people like Mei existed within the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.

Once they entered the estate, Mei explained quietly, “Given your intelligence, you must have already guessed what this is about. The Nine-Tailed Fox clan is not united in supporting the split that took place back then. After those people came to know one another, they gradually formed an organization. I discovered its existence while investigating those events.”

“These people are scattered throughout every faction of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. Some are ordinary clansmen, while others hold important positions. They gather here at a fixed time every month to discuss their next move. They have always been searching within the clan for others who share their beliefs. As for me, I can only say that I became involved by chance.”

“Of course, through them I gained a much deeper understanding of the civil war. The person with the greatest prestige among them is an old man who took part in the war himself. Everyone calls him Uncle Qiang. I’m taking you to meet him shortly.”

By now, Yin Yao had gained a certain understanding of the organization. She frowned. “Then what is their ultimate goal?”

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s the same as yours.” Mei gave a faint smile. The seductive edge had faded, replaced by a trace of gentleness.

Yin Yao laughed softly. “Mei, thank you. Without you, I could never have learned about these people so quickly. Thank you. I will uncover the truth that was concealed back then and tell you everything.”

“Why don’t they contact the White Fox clan?” Ji Xuanyu, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke.

“Heh. They want to, of course. But no message can get through. And even if one did, who would believe them?” There was a hint of mockery in Mei’s voice.

Ji Xuanyu fell silent. He had not thought the matter through carefully enough. Indeed, the Nine-Tailed Fox clan had started the civil war. Why would the people of the White Fox clan believe anything the Nine-Tailed Fox clan told them?

“All right, let’s hurry,” Yin Yao said, quickening her pace.

“Mei, you’re here. I heard you brought two friends. Heh.”

A deep, powerful male voice came from the end of the corridor.

Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu exchanged a glance. This man was probably the Uncle Qiang Mei had mentioned.

“Uncle Qiang, don’t worry. They’re trustworthy. Besides, there are some matters we should discuss inside.”

Mei naturally understood the question hidden in Uncle Qiang’s words and answered him frankly.

“All right. Since you say so, bring them in.”

“Yes.”