During the time Bai Qingyue was imposing his demands, Bai Zhang's expression only sank further.

As they kept talking throughout the night, the skies gradually changed colours from coal-black to midnight-blue

Listening to his son's plans, Bai Zhang couldn't help but concernedly comment his opinion on the matter.

"Aren't you afraid she would leave you after finding out about all your… mischief?" And he was putting the term mildly so, Bai Zhang thought to himself.

Bai Qingyue snorted, waving his hand in the air to emphasize his opinion. Finding the very notion preposterous, he said, "Leave me? As if I would let her get away."

His answer was short, yet filled with an oppressive force. The whole idea of her escaping from him only riled him to further enact his plans.

Bai Zhang wanted to shed a little light on his son's complete lack of understanding when it comes to a romantic relationship, but before he was able to do so, Bai Qingyue had long since vanished.

A lone man stood inside his intricately made chambers. The ice encasing his walls had melted, however, the cracked floor and the dust of the disintegrated chair remained, showing the evidence of his family meeting.

"... Ungrateful whelp"

The grumbles of The Grandmaster were said only to himself.

Concluding the arrangement with his father, Bai Qingyue's ethereal figure disappeared from the pagoda and materialised instantaneously in the lush, verdant garden of Li Meirong's backyard. The moonlight graced his presence with a shimmer, making the paleness of his tresses and the light in his eyes shine in the darkness

The silken, silver hair cascading down his back lightly swayed due to his unhurried gait as he circled the perimeters, studying his new "residence".

A wordless command was uttered as the bewitching Fox God parted his lips, similarly to an underwater animal communicating with the usage of a soundwave. The vibrations of his commands were able to transcend through the realms, instantly reaching the desired destination.

At once, the silhouette of a man kneeling on the ground came into view inside the garden, right behind the Fox Lord. It was his second in command, the captain of his guard.

"Sire, It's been too long! Your servant has grown sick with worry!" Bai Yu's intimidatingly tall figure and broad shoulders did not match his grovelling form and worry-filled cries.

"Quiet down. I'll chop your head off if you wake her up." The Fox Lord hissed.

Her?

Bai Yu gulped, wondering if his Sire referred to the new Huli Jing matron. Not daring to ask, he sealed his mouth shut.

He gradually lifted his head only to be met with the sight of his Lord's imposing back.

For all his years of service, Bai Yu knew his Lord could mercilessly chop him into pieces in less than the blink of an eye, was he so inclined.

Turning around, Bai Qingyue approached the kneeling subordinate, signalling him to rise. He inquired, "In the upper realm it has been less than a day since I left, why are you so anxious?"

Refusing to move from his position, Bai Yu kept his knees on the ground, refusing to stand up. Despite noting his Sire's exquisitely beautiful face looking as calm as ever, he knew very well how still waters can turn into raging waves upon the sea.

The skies turned brighter still. Dawn was soon approaching.

Impatiently, Bai Qingyue clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Speak now. My time is running short."

Knowing he had to inform him of the urgent news, Bai Yu rose to his feet, mustering the courage to speak and narrating the passing events to his Lord.

"While you were away, Hong Meigui… your mother, she fled from her confined quarters. We are suspecting the infiltration of the Red Fox clan was aiding her escape." Bai Yu paused and eyed his Lord. Seeing his tranquil expression, he continued, "When Hong Meigui fled…"

Bai Yu gulped again and said, "She unlocked the eternal dungeons and released the monster, Taotie. I dread to think what she's been scheming all this while."

After finishing, Bai Yu heaved a sigh, as though he faced a potential demise from simply speaking, glad to discover he was still alive by the end of the sentence.

Bai Qingyue stayed still as the moon behind him. The only movement that portrayed his emotion was the tight clench of his fists. Sharp claws dug into the ivory flesh and caused his own palms to bleed upon the damp soil.

Seeing his Sire regarding him so intently, the slightly taller, burly looking man, Bai Yu ended up nervously stammering. "I s-see you've gotten your powers back. Well-done, Sire! I always had faith in you!"

Golden eyes glimmered furiously in the early hours of the morning while the Fox Lord disregarded Bai Yu's comment.

Bai Qingyue pointed bloody palm to the ground with one pale finger, outstretched. An order was spoken aloud. "Kneel."

It was the calm before the storm. That was what Bai Yu felt.

It wasn't my fault! The second in command inwardly cried.

Hong Meigui had ruled the Huli Jing for eons! Despite the heavy guard, she had connections everywhere that could assist with her escape.

Knowing he was not permitted to talk, Bai Yu kept all the explanations he wished to provide to himself. He immediately followed the Fox Lord's order, dutifully falling down to his knees and staring at the ground, again. His wide, muscular back was now shuddering.

Bai Qingyue's authoritative voice was heard from above.

"You mean to tell me that you, the person I left in charge of the clan while I dealt with highly important matters had failed his duties. You allowed my mother to escape despite my strict warnings to keep a close watch over her..."

Bai Qingyue's killing intent heightened, his eyes glinted with malevolence. He then added, " And my supposedly impenetrable prison hall was invaded. That is what you're telling me?"

Bai Yu didn't dare respond.

As the sun rose up in the skies, the cracking sounds of bones breaking could be heard from Li Meirong's garden.