Ye Yunfei looked at the Third Prince and did not reply. In truth, he didn't know how to respond.
His feelings towards this Third Prince were extremely complex.
"Child, you should leave," the Third Prince said softly, his eyes slightly red as he looked Ye Yunfei up and down for a moment. "Most people in the Vermilion Bird Realm will target you. Use the same method you used to get in and leave. These are gifts for you as a meeting present. Take them."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and five spatial rings flew out, landing before Ye Yunfei.
From each spatial ring emanated a dense aura of energy, clearly indicating the valuables within. Yet Ye Yunfei made no move to take them; he had no intention of accepting this gift from the Third Prince.
"Take them, child. I know I owe you and your family a great debt. This is just a token of my feelings," the Third Prince said, gazing at the motionless Ye Yunfei, his expression tinged with sorrow. He could tell this grandson of his seemed to harbor no affection for him whatsoever.
"Child, I know you hate me. I have truly wronged your mother. But... I also acted against my own will." The Third Prince sighed, his expression profoundly complex.
"Wu Lao, escort this child out of the Vermilion Bird Realm," the Third Prince suddenly said, gritting his teeth as if reaching a resolution. "And take Zi Qiong and Xiao Fei as well. Protect them, don't let them suffer any more harm."
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's expression shifted slightly, and he looked towards a corner of the room.
There, a figure slowly materialized—an old man in grey robes whose aura was as deep and vast as the sea.
"Third Prince, are you truly determined to do this?" the grey-robed elder said, a trace of surprise on his face. "Are you not afraid they will exploit this vulnerability?"
"It seems there are underlying circumstances I'm not aware of," Ye Yunfei thought. His keen perception allowed him to sense that this grandfather of his genuinely seemed to be constrained.
"Wu Lao, my entire life has been dedicated to serving the Miao Clan and my father. I have never taken proper care of my own children and grandchildren, especially Zi Qiong. I owe her the most." The Third Prince let out a soft sigh as he addressed Wu Lao. "Of all my descendants, she has suffered the most. I cannot allow this to continue. I know her current situation is very precarious. Not long ago, I even received a bloodline transmission from her. I cannot stand idly by any longer. Wu Lao, I beg of you. Don't worry, I will hold this place."
"Third Prince, you had already made up your mind long ago, hadn't you?" Wu Lao asked, looking at him.
"Yes," the Third Prince nodded. "Blood is thicker than water. My own child—I cannot simply abandon her. I have no intention of letting her continue to suffer. Wu Lao, go."
"Very well, Third Prince. Since you have made your decision, I will act according to your wishes," Wu Lao replied. "However, after I escort them out, I will return."
"Good," the Third Prince nodded once more.
"Child, I suspect your primary reason for coming to the Vermilion Bird Realm is for your mother's sake," the Third Prince said, turning his gaze to Ye Yunfei. "Rest assured, your mother, your sister, and you yourself will all be safe. I will send someone to escort you out of the Vermilion Bird Realm. Child, to possess semi-emperor level strength at such a young age is truly outstanding. To think my own bloodline could produce such a monstrously talented young genius… I find great solace in that. My dear child, cultivate diligently in the future."
"Do you think simply sending us out of the Vermilion Bird Realm will keep us safe?" Ye Yunfei looked at the Third Prince and asked calmly. "The fact is, our family was not in the Vermilion Bird Realm for many years and had no desire for any connection with your Miao Clan. Yet weren't we still forced to come here? Even if you send the three of us out of the Vermilion Bird Realm, the Miao Clan will not let us go. This time you may be able to help us, but what about the next time?"
"You were all forced to come to the Vermilion Bird Realm?" The Third Prince was stunned by Ye Yunfei's words and then inquired further.
"It seems you know nothing," Ye Yunfei replied with a cold laugh.
"I heard Xiao Fei returned to the Vermilion Bird Realm voluntarily," the Third Prince said with a frown. "And Zi Qiong returned because Xiao Fei was poisoned, to care for her. Could there be more to the story?"
"Hah… Are you feigning ignorance and asking questions you already know the answers to?" Ye Yunfei sneered. "The reason my mother and sister are here—one was taken by force, the other was compelled. Behind all this, it is your Miao Clan's higher-ups who are pulling the strings."
"One was taken by force, the other was compelled?" The Third Prince's face drastically changed. "Why?"
"Why?" Ye Yunfei replied flatly. "Because someone coveted their bloodline, wanted to steal the essence of their lineage, and then destroy it."
"Could it be that Eldest Brother and Second Brother coveted the Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian within Zi Qiong?" Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Third Prince immediately guessed at some of the truth.
"It's the Da Wangye. Not only did he covet my mother's Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian, but he also covets Xiao Fei's," Ye Yunfei stated coldly.
"How high is the purity of Xiao Fei's Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian?" the Third Prince quickly asked.
"Much higher than my mother's," Ye Yunfei answered calmly. "In the entire Miao Clan, few possess a Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian that can compare to my sister's."
"Is that true?!" The Third Prince instantly became agitated upon hearing this.
Even Wu Lao appeared greatly shocked, almost unable to believe it.
"You just said my Eldest Brother coveted Zi Qiong and Xiao Fei's Vermilion Bird Divine Meridians, wanting to steal the essence of their divine veins and destroy them!" the Third Prince exclaimed angrily, once the initial excitement subsided. "How could Eldest Brother do such a thing! It's too much! A Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian of such astonishing purity is a rare occurrence for our entire Miao Clan; it is our shared fortune! Eldest Brother actually wants to destroy it!"
"Heh… He really has done it. Over the years, thanks to him and the old Wizard, my mother and Xiao Fei have endured no small amount of suffering," Ye Yunfei sneered, observing the Third Prince's reaction.
It was clear to Ye Yunfei that this Third Prince was utterly unaware of the details, so he laid them bare to see his response.
"The old Wizard! My Eldest Brother has gotten mixed up with the old Wizard!" the Third Prince raged.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's mind stirred. It seemed this Third Prince harbored no goodwill towards the old Wizard.
"Wu Lao, you heard him. Now, please, go immediately and take Zi Qiong and Xiao Fei away!" the Third Prince declared with a face full of anger. "Should anyone dare to stop you, show no courtesy! My daughter and granddaughter will not be bullied at others' whim!"
"Very well. I will go now. Young man, let's go," Wu Lao nodded and then said to Ye Yunfei.
Seeing the Third Prince adopt such an attitude, Ye Yunfei felt slightly better inside. It appeared this Third Prince's previous negligence towards his mother and sister was due to his ignorance. Now that he knew the truth, he was indeed willing to intervene.
"Third Prince, this matter does not require your concern," Ye Yunfei said coolly. "I will take care of my mother's and Xiao Fei's affairs. Right now, I only wish to know about the Vermilion Bird King. Or rather, if I go to settle accounts with the Da Wangye and the old Wizard, will the Vermilion Bird King intervene?"
"Child, you want to settle accounts with the Da Wangye and the old Wizard?" Both the Third Prince and Wu Lao were stunned upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.