For a period afterward, Bai Xianhua lay still in his room. He had been invaded by demonic sounds, leading to a qi deviation, and his meridians had been sealed, costing him a century of cultivation. He was in dire need of rest.
Nangong Mo stayed by his side, informing him of subsequent events and the punishments meted out by the clan to Ming Yuan and Bai Yuetian.
"Brother, I understand that millennia of affection are hard to relinquish, but it is enough for a man to hold such feelings in his heart. With your abilities, a much broader future awaits you."
After Bai Xianhua had repented for all his wrongdoings, Nangong Mo conveyed the elders' thoughts to him.
"The Sacred Feather Clan cannot be without a leader for a day. The other elders are advanced in age, and there are no exceptionally capable individuals among the newer generation. Therefore, they wish for you to return and inherit the position of Clan Leader."
Nangong Mo's words resonated like a bell in Bai Xianhua's ears, lingering without cease.
He had indeed considered that position, but he had never truly vied for it.
Seeing the slight stirring in his eyes, Nangong Mo nodded. Gu Qianying, standing at the doorway, invited the people from outside in.
Four elders of the Sacred Feather Clan stood by Bai Xianhua's bedside.
"We also bear responsibility for what happened back then. You were always capable of taking on the position of Clan Leader, but we listened to slander and truly believed you would become a destructive demon. Thus, we needlessly sacrificed the Sacred Feather Clan's millennia of prosperity and peace."
"The Second Elder speaks the truth. We have always seen your abilities clearly, and we believe that with you inheriting the position of Clan Leader, you will undoubtedly bring a different kind of glory to the Sacred Feather Clan."
The Third Elder and the other two echoed their sentiments.
Looking at their expectant gazes, Bai Xianhua nodded.
A month later, the clan became lively once more. Besides the repairs to the Clan Leader's Palace, which had been damaged during the great battle, the families of those who had been accidentally injured were appeased, and their residences were rebuilt.
With such a powerful Clan Leader, the Bai clan members no longer harbored jealousy or suspicion. They worked alongside others to build a beautiful homeland.
Bai Xianhua's succession to the position of Clan Leader and the celebratory banquet were scheduled for the same day.
This time, Gu Qianying and the others had contributed significantly to the Sacred Feather Clan. As the new Clan Leader, he felt it was his duty to entertain them well.
The grand succession ceremony had concluded, and the evening banquet officially commenced within the Clan Leader's Palace.
"Wow, how much did you drink? Your face is like a monkey's backside." After several rounds of drinks, Nangong Li couldn't help but mock Bai Yulan, who was slumped over the table.
"You, *hic*, you're the monkey's backside! I'm truly wearing makeup, it's a beautification." With the clan now stable, Bai Yulan had, for the first time, applied a vibrant makeup.
She told herself, against her inner feelings, that as a member of the Bai clan, she should dress up well to bring honor to the Bai clan members.
But for whom was this makeup intended? Everyone present knew at a glance.
"Hahaha, you're wearing makeup now? The tomboy is actually wearing makeup! Do you truly not know beauty from ugliness?" Nangong Li had seen countless beauties, yet he refused to admit it. The moment he first saw Bai Yulan today, his heart skipped a beat.
"You two, if you want to argue, go outside. Your squabbling is making it impossible for us to drink properly." Meng Qinghua couldn't stand to see these two bickering.
They clearly had feelings for each other but insisted on quarreling, truly making him, an old bachelor, choke on a large mouthful of dog food.
"Hmph, I can't be bothered with him." Bai Yulan paid no mind to Meng Qinghua's words and continued to verbally deny, while her body honestly stirred Nangong Li to drink with her.
"Heh, today is a joyous occasion. Do as you please, everyone. Come, I'll toast you." Bai Xianhua raised his wine cup and toasted Nangong Mo and Gu Qianying beside him.
Without the two of them this time, the Sacred Feather Realm might truly have turned into a sea of blood.
Gu Qianying disliked alcohol. After taking a sip, she excused herself to get some fresh air and left the palace with Little Yihao.
"Mother, will Father stay here with Uncle Bai?" While everyone was celebrating, Little Yihao had been feeling down.
Gu Qianying thought he disliked the noisy revelry of food and drink inside. It turned out he was worried that Nangong Mo would stay behind.
"You don't like it here?" Gu Qianying gently probed her son's feelings.
Little Yihao pouted.
"Mmm, it's not that I dislike it. Wherever Mother and Father are, I like it. It's just that I know Mother won't stay here, and if I'm separated from Father, I'll be unhappy."
This was his true thought; he wanted his parents to be together forever.
"Father will naturally follow Mother wherever she goes." Seeing Gu Qianying leave with their son, Nangong Mo also lost the inclination to sit inside for long. He came out to find them and overheard their conversation.
Hearing it was his father answering him, Little Yihao happily turned his head and bounced over to Nangong Mo.
"Really! Father, you must keep your word." Seeing his son's small hand reaching out, Nangong Mo also raised his thumb and hooked it.
Gu Qianying smiled. She knew some things, but no matter when, Nangong Mo would choose to stay by her side, and that already satisfied her greatly.
She stepped forward, took Little Yihao's hand, and together with Nangong Mo, they played and frolicked with him among the flowers.
The night had passed midnight. The banquet in the palace had been cleared. Du Chun and Meng Qinghua, addicted to drinking, agreed to continue their revelry in the courtyard.
Seeing others either paired up or married, Ouyang Qinglin felt a pang of melancholy and joined the drinking session of the other two, raising his wine jar.
"You two are such drunks. It's a great joy that the new Clan Leader has inherited the position, and the Sacred Feather Clan has been sleepless day and night these past few days. I have no intention of getting drunk with you drunks here. You, come with me for a stroll."
Bai Yulan, while complaining, also pulled Nangong Li along for a shopping trip.
"Just now, I thought you could finally settle down a bit. I didn't expect you to still want to go out after midnight. Where is a woman's modesty?"
Nangong Li's mouth was never forgiving, but despite his words, his body faithfully followed Bai Yulan's footsteps.
"Why are you so wordy, man? Are you afraid of the night road? Don't worry, it's brightly lit here, it won't scare you."
"You woman, I'm following you because I'm afraid you're timid."
"Oh, then don't come."
Nangong Li and Bai Yulan continued to bicker like this, yet their footsteps still led them towards the bustling streets.
The lights of the realm illuminated the entire night sky. As Nangong Mo was playing with his son, a dull sound suddenly came from behind him. Turning his head, he saw Gu Qianying collapse to the ground.
"Qianying, what's wrong?" Seeing the woman he loved fall to the ground, Nangong Mo was filled with anxiety and hurried over. Little Yihao also stumbled to follow.
"Mother, Mother."
"No need to worry. This old man is merely letting her sleep peacefully." From within a thick white mist, a white-bearded elder appeared with an immortal boy before him.