The first thing Huang'er's maternal grandfather did after escaping was to come to the Eternal God-realm to seek vengeance. The Xiahou family, the chief culprits, had long since been wiped out. With nowhere to direct his fury, he had funneled all his rage onto the Yan family — and that was how the tragedy of their extermination had come to pass.
The full story, at last, was laid bare.
"Huang'er…" Now that she knew the truth, her longing for her parents grew fiercer by the moment, more desperate than ever.
Jiang Chen and Huang'er had always shared an intuitive bond. A single gesture, a single glance, and they could read each other's hearts.
"I'll go with you." Jiang Chen nodded without a moment's hesitation.
Yan Wanjun's lips moved. He had wanted to say he would go too, but the words stuck in his throat and never came out.
He knew that the master of this Feng Yi — his own son-in-law whom he had never once met — certainly held no affection for him. If he went along as well, he would only be inviting embarrassment and making a fool of himself.
So he had no choice but to suppress the ache of missing his son and say to Huang'er: "You should go see him. Your grandfather has failed them, and I've failed you. That the three of you can be reunited is a kind of fulfillment. The Yan family reaching this end… it is nothing less than karmic retribution. I… I have no face left to say anything more. Go."
Feng Yi sneered coldly. In his eyes, Yan Wanjun's words in front of his granddaughter were nothing but a pitiful act — a ploy for sympathy.
Over the years, Huang'er had genuinely reconciled with Yan Wanjun. Standing in her grandfather's shoes, she could understand the torment and the impossible choices he had endured.
Moreover, she knew that he had spent all these years drowning in regret and suffering.
"Grandfather, what happened back then — no single person could have stemmed the tide. I believe Father has surely come to understand that by now. After all, you are father and son, in the end…"
Yan Wanjun let out a long, desolate sigh, waved his hand, and said nothing more.
"Qingsang, Elder Shun — escort Elder Wanjun back to the Holy Land. I'll accompany Huang'er." Jiang Chen gave his instructions.
"Very well. Take care of yourself, and look after Huang'er." Elder Shun nodded readily. As a subordinate, there was little he could say about such matters. It was, after all, a family affair.
Feng Yi and the others showed no objection to Jiang Chen coming along. They nodded. "As it happens, our master has heard that the eldest miss has found a son-in-law — a prodigious talent. Our master is very curious to see whether the reputation is exaggerated or not. Chen Shao, having you come along is even better."
Feng Yi's tone had shifted markedly from his earlier arrogance.
Clearly, Jiang Chen's prowess and his Divine Abilities had won Feng Yi over, earning him genuine respect and a seat at the table.
"Lead the way, then." Jiang Chen remained composed, unmoved by either favor or slight.
Seeing him so calm and self-possessed, the four cloaked figures raised their estimation of Jiang Chen yet another notch. For someone of the younger generation to match Feng Yi in combat was impressive enough — but to maintain such steadiness of mind was truly rare.
A young man like this was bound for greatness sooner or later.
As the eldest miss's husband, he was well worthy of the match. Their master would surely be satisfied once they laid eyes on him.
Along the way, through the chatter of the four cloaked figures, Huang'er learned that her maternal grandfather's name was An Jiaye — the famed Lord Jiaye of the Infinite Prison.
Her mother's name was An Yu'er.
Huang'er was not ordinarily one for many words, but on this occasion she was uncharacteristically talkative, peppering the four cloaked figures with questions throughout the journey, hungry for any scrap of news about her parents.
The place where Lord Jiaye had taken up residence was exceedingly remote. Even by flying vessel, the journey consumed several full days before they finally arrived on a desolate and forsaken island domain.
"Here?" Huang'er was surprised. "I recall this area is a forbidden zone of Myriad Abyss Island. The Ten Great God-realms generally prohibit anyone from trespassing."