Chapter 1175: Yearning to Return
Bai Jiumeng's words caused both Bai Xue and Huang Sha to freeze simultaneously. Neither of them understood what she meant at first. But then, they both processed it, immediately grasping Bai Jiumeng's intention.
"You mean, you're going back to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture?"
Bai Xue asked, her tone and facial expression clearly betraying her surprise.
Huang Sha didn't speak, but his expression mirrored Bai Xue's, clearly showing his own astonishment at Bai Jiumeng's decision.
"President, you guessed correctly. I plan to return to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture."
Bai Jiumeng affirmed, but her response only made Bai Xue and Huang Sha exchange perplexed glances. They clearly couldn't understand why Bai Jiumeng would make such a choice.
"Why the sudden thought of returning? Is it because you haven't adjusted to life here yet? Or perhaps you still can't let go of what happened back then, making it difficult to truly integrate into our Flock of Demons Society?"
Bai Xue asked. "What happened back then" referred to Bai Jiumeng being forcefully brought to the Guardian District, bound hand and foot by Ye Zhiqiu, and made to join the Flock of Demons Society.
Although Bai Jiumeng initially held considerable resentment towards her when she first joined the Flock of Demons Society, and Bai Xue likewise didn't view her favorably, as days turned into weeks and they spent more time together, they gradually began to appreciate each other's strengths, and their mutual aversion dwindled.
Eventually, not only did all animosity between them vanish, but they also grew to admire each other. Bai Xue even promoted Bai Jiumeng to a high-ranking position within the Flock of Demons Society, and their relationship grew increasingly strong.
It was precisely because their relationship blossomed that Bai Xue's way of addressing Bai Jiumeng changed. She no longer called her by her full name but affectionately referred to her as Jiumeng.
Their relationship was not only far from bad but also quite harmonious. Thus, Bai Xue had a rather deep understanding of Bai Jiumeng, and she had a clear idea whether Bai Jiumeng's decision to return to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture was due to a lack of adaptation to life there or her inability to let go of the past incident. She felt that Bai Jiumeng's departure likely had nothing to do with those two reasons. Knowing this, her inquiry was merely a simple probing, designed to make Bai Jiumeng reveal the true reason for her leaving.
As expected, Bai Jiumeng's subsequent words confirmed that her suspicions were correct.
"I've long since adapted to life here, and I quite enjoy it. As for what you mentioned about the past incident, I've already let it go. If I were still bothered by it, I wouldn't have grown fond of this place."
Bai Jiumeng said with a smile. Although she wore a mask, the exquisite beauty beneath it was now graced with a smile.
"If it's not because of those two things, then what is it?"
As she spoke, Bai Xue's brow furrowed slightly, and her expression shifted at that moment, becoming much more serious.
"Could it be. . . people from your White Fox Clan have tracked you down? You fled from Jun Prefecture all the way to Jingling Continent, and we've kept your identity and appearance well-hidden. For them to find you in such a short time, did they use some special sensing technique?"
Not only did Bai Xue have this suspicion, but Huang Sha, standing beside her, also harbored the same thought.
"Hmph, this is Boss's territory. Even if they do come knocking, what of it? As long as Boss hasn't given the word, I refuse to believe they'd dare to forcibly take you away—unless they're tired of living!"
Huang Sha first snorted coldly, then spoke. Although his tone carried intense killing intent, it was also clear that he already considered Bai Jiumeng one of their own.
"No, you've misunderstood. It's not that my family tracked me down; I want to go back myself."
Bai Jiumeng, worried they would continue to misunderstand, quickly explained. But both Bai Xue and Huang Sha were slightly taken aback, clearly having not anticipated that this would be the true reason.
"This. . . your decision truly perplexes me."
Bai Xue's tone was filled with strong incomprehension. Although Huang Sha remained silent, his expression conveyed everything.
The reason they were so baffled by Bai Jiumeng's decision was that she had originally fled from Jun Prefecture to Jingling Continent to escape an arranged marriage within her clan. Now, she was living well, and the White Fox Clan in Jun Prefecture hadn't even come looking for her. Logically, this was the best possible situation, yet Bai Jiumeng was thinking of returning to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture. How could this not fill them with doubt?
However, Bai Jiumeng's subsequent words dispelled their doubts, making them understand why she intended to do this.
"You both know why I fled from Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture to this place, so there's no need for me to explain that again. The reason I've decided to return to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture now is because I believe my strength is sufficient. With my current power, even if my family holds a low status within the White Fox Clan, I don't think they would dare to force me or my family. And my family naturally wouldn't dare to force me either!"
When Bai Jiumeng first joined the Flock of Demons Society, she had already reached the peak of the Great Demon realm. After joining, she undertook many missions and received numerous rewards, which successfully allowed her to break through from the peak Great Demon realm to the Demon King realm.
In her view, as long as she successfully entered the Demon King realm, her clan's regard for her would undoubtedly surpass their attention when she was merely at the peak Great Demon realm. Forced marriages would naturally no longer be an issue for her. This was why she dared to voluntarily return to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture.
Upon hearing this, Bai Xue pondered for a moment, then asked with a charming smile.
"You have indeed successfully broken through to the Demon King realm. But can you be certain that reaching the Demon King realm will definitely change your clan's attitude towards you?"
Without even a moment's hesitation, Bai Jiumeng nodded affirmatively at Bai Xue.
"Although there are quite a few Demon Kings in our White Fox Clan on Snow Fox Mountain, every single one of them holds a very high status within our clan, far beyond what Great Demons can compare to. So I can say with certainty that once I return to Snow Fox Mountain, I will definitely be able to handle the arranged marriage matter properly, with no unforeseen incidents. President, don't worry. Since I chose to join the Flock of Demons Society, I will be a member of the Flock of Demons Society for life. I won't do anything like 'burning bridges'. Once I return to Snow Fox Mountain and resolve the arranged marriage, I will immediately rush back."
Bai Jiumeng's words deepened the charming smile on Bai Xue's face.
"Heh heh, I've spent quite some time with you now, so I have a good idea of your character. Of course, I believe you wouldn't abandon our Flock of Demons Society. I'm just a little worried about you going back alone, single-handedly."
After Bai Xue finished speaking, Huang Sha added a remark from the side.
"If it's just about dealing with the arranged marriage, why not wait until your clan comes looking for you before you go back to handle it? The longer this matter drags on, not only will the intensity die down, but your strength will also gradually increase with each passing day. The later they find you, the stronger you'll be, giving you more leverage in negotiations. There's only benefit, no harm, in that for you."
Bai Xue nodded with a smile after hearing this, clearly agreeing with Huang Sha's line of reasoning.
"Huang Sha is right, the longer you drag this out, the more beneficial it will be for you. Furthermore, I think if your clan can't find you for a long time, they might eventually give up on the matter completely, no longer searching the world for you. And over time, this affair will simply become a forgotten piece of your clan's history. You just need to wait for that day to come; there's no need to proactively go back and deal with it."
Bai Xue smiled as she spoke, voicing her thoughts while also offering her advice to Bai Jiumeng. However, Bai Jiumeng merely shook her head gently after hearing it, clearly disagreeing with Bai Xue's suggestion.
"No, I can't keep dragging this out. I must resolve this matter as soon as possible to set my mind at ease."
Bai Jiumeng's words once again brought expressions of bewilderment to Bai Xue and Huang Sha's faces.
"Why?"
Bai Xue asked, a mix of surprise and confusion in her voice. Bai Jiumeng thought for a moment, then finally voiced her inner worries.
"If I don't go back, I'm worried the clan will take their anger out on my family. During this arranged marriage, my family, for various reasons, chose to side with the clan. Although this made me very angry, they are still my family, and I'm still concerned that something might happen to them because of me."
As she spoke, Bai Jiumeng let out a soft sigh, then continued.
"Back then, I fled without regard for my family because I had no other choice. Only by escaping could I get rid of this matter. At most, my family would only face some suppression and bullying; their lives wouldn't be in danger. After all, they are of the same clan, and no matter how angry the clan elders became, they wouldn't possibly harm my family's lives. This was also one of the reasons I dared to flee without my family. Now that my strength has greatly advanced and I've successfully entered the Demon King realm, I believe that with my current power, I can handle this matter properly. Naturally, I don't want my family to continue suffering ostracization and ridicule within the clan. If I go back early and resolve this, they can endure less hardship."
Bai Jiumeng's explanation made Bai Xue and Huang Sha understand why she was so determined to return. It turned out Bai Jiumeng wasn't thinking of herself, but of her family.
"Heh heh, those with families truly are different from us who have none."
Bai Xue said with a hint of sourness. Upon hearing this, Huang Sha, standing nearby, couldn't help but crack an awkward smile, as he was a sand spirit and likewise had no family.
"Since you've already decided to go back, of course, I won't stop you. However, I'm still a bit uneasy about you returning alone. How about this: I'll go to Snow Fox Mountain in Jun Prefecture with you!"
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