Seeing her mother's grief-stricken state, Xu Qingxuan said mournfully, "Don't ask Mother any more. Back when the Moon God Sect exiled little brother, Mother was under house arrest the entire time. She couldn't possibly see him — the Moon God Sect wouldn't let her anywhere near him…"
That settled it. There were simply no leads.
But Jiang Feng suddenly spoke up: "Meng'er, could the Moon God Sect have… driven him out of their territory and then secretly sent someone to…"
Xu Meng quickly shook her head. "That would be the Moon God Sect's style — if they had nothing to worry about, they absolutely would have done it. But with Xuan'er here, they wouldn't dare. If it made Xuan'er hold a grudge against them, it would be more than they could afford. That's exactly why they've kept me under house arrest all these years, smearing my name but never actually doing anything to me."
"That's good, that's good." Jiang Feng harbored deep hatred toward the Moon God Sect himself. But since his daughter was now their Holy Maiden, he couldn't very well bad-mouth them to her face.
Jiang Chen, however, said with absolute conviction: "As long as my little brother still lives, we will find him. I swear it."
His tone was more resolute than anyone had ever heard from him.
Since this family should have five members, not a single one would be left behind.
After the family reunion, the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Xu Meng had originally worried that her daughter might have objections or act out in some way.
But she was pleasantly surprised — her daughter was remarkably sensible.
For three days, they stayed at the First Branch without venturing outside, savoring this precious time of family togetherness.
"Mother, I promised my master I'd be away for three days. So… are you going to Glazed King City with Father?" Xu Qingxuan knew this question had to be raised sooner or later.
Xu Meng hesitated. If she had her way, she would follow her husband forever and never return to this wretched place called the Moon God Sect.
But her daughter was here. If she just left, what would become of her?
Xu Meng loved her husband. She loved her son. But she loved her daughter just as much.
Jiang Feng smiled and took Xu Meng's hand. "Meng'er, Chen'er and I have already discussed this. For now, Chen'er and I will return to Glazed King City. You and Xuan'er will go back to the Moon God Sect."
Xu Meng was momentarily stunned. She had expected her husband to insist on taking her with him.
"Father, take Mother with you. I can handle the Moon God Sect on my own! Even if they punish me, it won't be anything too severe. Compared to reuniting our parents, a little punishment is nothing." Xu Qingxuan's voice was firm.
"If we take Mother away now, it would be eloping — sneaking around in the dark. It would look terrible for Mother's reputation and put you in an even worse position. Father wouldn't want to slink away like a coward, taking Mother by stealth either. One day, I will bring Father to the Moon God Sect in broad daylight and escort Mother out with all the dignity she deserves. No one will be able to stop us — and no one will dare!"
Jiang Chen's tone was even more unwavering, carrying with it an authority that no one could possibly doubt.
Jiang Feng nodded as well. "Meng'er, this is Chen'er's promise, and it is mine too. That day won't be too far off. For your reputation, so that Xuan'er won't be implicated, and so that our family can reunite openly — we must handle this matter with honor and in the light of day!"
Though it pained Xu Meng to part from her husband again, she was ultimately a woman who understood the bigger picture. She knew that clinging to him now and forcing him to take her away would only drag her daughter into trouble and turn everything into chaos.
As for confronting the Moon God Sect directly — setting aside the fact that Jiang Chen's identity couldn't be revealed yet, even if it were, whether the Young Master of Peacock Sacred Mountain could force the Moon God Sect to yield even a single step was entirely uncertain.
Most critically, the moment his identity as the Young Master of Peacock Sacred Mountain was exposed, Jiang Chen's road back to Glazed King City would be met with relentless pursuit from Pill Fire City.
And the first place they would have to pass through on the way from the Crescent Upper Realm back to Glazed King City was Pill Fire City.
Xu Meng was reluctant to part, shedding tears as she said her farewells.
However, this parting felt far better than the one from twenty or thirty years ago. After all, this time the separation was in service of a better reunion down the road.
After seeing his mother and little sister off, Jiang Chen felt a slight heaviness in his heart.
He had made this choice partly out of necessity. As a son, he naturally wished for his parents to never be separated again.
But the situation called for it, and all he could do was wait for the right moment.
Jiang Chen was not the type to sit around idly waiting, however. He resolved to act swiftly. Within three to five years, he would reunite his parents — he would bring the whole family back together.
The Peerless Emperor had clearly learned of Jiang Chen's family matters as well. Seeing him looking a bit down, he offered some words of comfort: "Brother, I don't know the right words to console you, but if there ever comes a day when you need me to step forward, just say the word. And it won't be just me — I'll rally a whole bunch of heavyweights from the rogue cultivator world, and together we'll put pressure on the Moon God Sect."
Peerless Emperor's encouragement lifted Jiang Chen's spirits: "Don't worry, Brother Mo. Something small like this isn't going to weigh me down. This trip has left me with no regrets — I found my father, I found my mother, and I let them each know the other is still alive. The little regrets I do have, I'll find a way to make up for them. Brother Mo, we've delayed you long enough, and you must be itching to get back. Tomorrow, we head for Glazed King City!"
Third Master Jing, upon hearing that Jiang Chen and the others planned to leave, felt a pang of loss. If it were up to him, he would have had them stay in Frost Moon City permanently.
But he knew that was unrealistic.
Third Master Jing still did not know Jiang Chen's exact identity, but by now he had pieced together a few things. He knew this Brother Shao had to be someone of tremendous background.
Otherwise, there was no way the Peerless Emperor would so willingly play second fiddle to him.