The second and fourth daughters, Bai Xiuwan and Bai Xiushu, had average talent but were the most diligent, still ditating and practicing at this hour.
The fifth, Bai Xiuyou, wore a sour expression.
Her talent was the best, and she’d already gone to bed, only to be roused by Bai Peng’s summons, sparking her irritation.
She plopped down, grumbling, "Father, this better be about soone dying or a clan being wiped out, or I’m tearing the house apart."
Seeing her temper, Cinian instinctively shuffled away, keeping his distance from the fifth daughter.
The other Shans quickly followed their master’s lead.
Only Yun Shen stood there, oblivious and alone.
Bai Xiuyou glanced at him, scoffing, "Why hasn’t this big oaf taken the tonsure?"
Cinian cleared his throat. "He’s not my disciple."
Bai Xiuyou raised an eyebrow, dismissing Yun Shen with a look. "Father, get on with it."
Bai Xiangyu explained the situation.
Hearing it, the sisters grasped the dire straits the Bai family was in.
Yet they didn’t question Bai Peng’s choices or harbor any resentnt toward Cinian and his group.
Bai Xiuwan, the sharpest of them, spoke up. "It seems the Chi family has discovered we’re hiding Zen Master and his disciples. They haven’t reported it yet, likely hoping to gain sothing behind Qingwu’s back."
"Exactly. The best way to minimize losses now is for Zen Master Cinian and his group to fight their way out on their own."
Cinian offered a Buddhist salute. "Then let’s settle on that."
The Bai family had already helped imnsely—they couldn’t drag them down further.
Bai Xiuwan raised a hand. "No, since the Chi family knows we’re sheltering you, they’ll report to Qingwu eventually, even if they want benefits first. When that ti cos, we’ll be passive, open to attack and slaughter."
"Second Sister ans..." Bai Xiangyu clenched his fists. "We turn the tables and strike first?"
"Great!" Bai Xiuyou, the most impulsive, leapt up, suddenly energized and no longer sleepy. "I’ve long despised the Chi family. Fighting them suits perfectly!"
"Calm down!"
Bai Peng rebuked them. "The Chi family is powerful, with Qingwu behind them. If we wage war, how will we stand in Jiuzhou Town afterward?"
His words forced them to face reality.
True—the Bai family’s roots and Spirit Mine were in Jiuzhou Town!
Leaving was easy, but where would they go?
As the family head, he had to think deeply.
He couldn’t lead the Bai family to ruin!
Bai Xiangyu and the others fell silent.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t fight their way out—it was the life of exile that would follow.
Cinian quickly said, "Then go to the Human World! Your Bai family... has plenty of people. Chu family’s second son has vast lands—you can pick a spot and rebuild there!"
Bai Xiangyu sighed. "Zen Master, that’s easier said than done. If we leave, our foundation’s gone."
Bai Xiuwan, less attached to Cinian’s group, spoke directly to Bai Peng. "Father, there’s one last way to turn this around."
"Speak," Bai Peng said.
Bai Xiuwan turned to Cinian and his group. "We report to Qingwu first. That way, we not only stay out of it but earn rit. The Chi family won’t touch us then."
Cinian’s expression remained steady.
Shan Pei and the others jolted. "Master..."
Cinian stayed calm. "If this keeps the Bai family safe and preserves their foundation, I have no complaints—none of us will."
Yun Shen panicked. "No! If we’re caught, who’ll save Master?!"
Cinian raised a hand, silencing him.
"Old Bai, after all these years of friendship, I’ve one request. After you report to Qingwu, feign a fight with . Whether I can escape his grasp then depends on my own fate." Pointing to Yun Shen, he added, "As for him, keep him here. Once things settle, send him off. If you can spare a few to aid him, I’d be truly grateful."
Bai Peng furrowed his brow, calculating briefly before slamming his sleeve in frustration. "I can’t do it! I just can’t!"
His sudden outburst startled his children.
"Father..."
Even the carefree Bai Xiuyou showed concern.
"Serve Qingwu, that petty man? I can’t! Betray a friend of many years? I can’t do that either!"
Bai Peng made his choice, his face resolute.
He continued, "Notify all Bai family mbers—pack everything imdiately and prepare for a big fight!"
Bai Xiuwan, respecting his decision, didn’t argue. "Yes, Father. Even if the Chi family reports to Qingwu, it’ll take ti for him to arrive..."
She calculated. "If we break out with our clan within the ti it takes to brew a cup of tea, we’ll be safe."
The third daughter asked, "What if Qingwu has a Transfer Talisman?"
Bai Xiuwan, well-inford, shook her head. "Jialan Celestial Mountain lacks skilled Talisman Cultivators. Qingwu’s talisman skills are average—he can’t craft a Transfer Talisman. That’s why he’s flown by sword to catch Nanli every ti."
If he had one, he’d have used it already.
Why wait till now?
Hearing this, confidence surged among them.
Bai Xiuwan asked again, "Zen Master Cinian, once we reach the array barrier’s edge, how do we cross?"
Cinian replied, "Simple—Nanli gave a talisman to open a gap."
Everything was settled.
The four Bai siblings sprang into action—no ti to waste.
After they left, Cinian wiped his moist eyes. "Old Bai, to have a friend like you—this monk’s life is worth it, with no regrets!"
Bai Peng couldn’t stand the sentintality, showing a hint of disgust. "Old bald donkey, I’m warning you—if we get to the Human World’s Mu Nation with nowhere to stay, I’m not done with you!"
"Don’t worry, your Bai family’s what—a few hundred, a thousand at most? Chu family’s second son will sort it out perfectly," Cinian assured, patting his chest. "I’ll make sure he finds a spot rich in spiritual qi. Oh, and I’ll talk to Nanli—maybe we can compensate you with a Spirit Mine."
Bai Peng was first shocked, then skeptical.
"Spiritual qi? Spirit Mine? What nonsense are you spouting? Dreaming?"
They called it the Human World precisely because it lacked spiritual qi.
What was Cinian saying now?
Spiritual qi in the Human World?
A Spirit Mine?
Who’d believe that!
Cinian knew Qingwu and the others wouldn’t spread such news. With no ti to explain, he said, "Alright, start packing—don’t leave anything behind."
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