Bai Ran, on the other side, was quietly approaching Bai Zhantian.
In a grim cell, the ground was filthy, a foul stench permeated the air, and a bound person lay within.
"This old man's mouth is truly stubborn, why won't he admit anything?" a young man stood before Bai Zhantian, holding a whip dripping with blood, and spoke.
Beside the man stood a petite and adorable girl, but her expression was the opposite of her appearance—vicious and poisonous.
"I don't care, you find a way! This old geezer stole my limelight, I'll make him wish he were dead!"
The woman glared fiercely at the bloodied Bai Zhantian.
"Pah! I, this old man, came to kill demonized beings, I have never betrayed anyone! Nor have I hoarded grain! And there is absolutely no way I will plead guilty!"
Bai Zhantian was shackled by iron chains, his tendons in both hands and feet completely severed. His chest was covered in whip marks, his flesh torn and bloody.
Bai Ran listened from the shadows, her eyes icy cold.
She revealed her true form and boldly walked to the cell door, knocking.
The man inside, annoyed, opened the door and froze: "You, you are?"
What a beautiful woman!
He had never seen such a beautiful woman before!
Bai Ran looked at him, let out a cold laugh, and struck with a hand chop. The man fell to the ground.
She strode in.
Hearing the commotion, the woman turned around and saw the man lying on the floor.
"Who are you!" the woman stared at Bai Ran's peerless face, her nails digging deeply into her flesh, wishing she could scratch Bai Ran's fair face.
Bai Zhantian looked at the newcomer, struggling with all his might, "Ranran! How could she be here!"
Bai Ran walked up to the woman and stopped.
"Who are you! I'm telling you! I am General Zhao's daughter, Zhao Yutong! If you dare touch me!"
Before she could finish, Bai Ran knocked her out with a hand chop. So verbose, so annoying.
"Ranran! Why are you here!" Bai Zhantian looked at Bai Ran, his voice trembling.
It was too dangerous, she was just a young girl, and she had knocked out Zhao Yutong. What could be done? Zhao Kang would surely not let her off.
Bai Ran crouched down, took out her Feng Yin sword, and cut through the chains, then began to examine Bai Zhantian's injuries.
"If Grandpa is worried about these things, why not tell Ranran what exactly happened first." She quietly crushed a pill and applied it to Bai Zhantian's wounds.
Bai Zhantian sighed, "It's a long story, let's get out of here first."
Watching Bai Zhantian leave the cell, Bai Ran deliberately slowed her pace.
"Jing Feng, go pass a message to Murong Chen: there's a spy in the borderlands of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom."
With that, she followed Bai Zhantian away.
Jing Feng, hidden in the shadows, felt helpless. This young lady truly found him wherever she went. He obediently headed for the imperial capital.
The two returned to the dungeon where Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tian Hui were held.
So this is Sister Bai's grandfather.
Fang Tian Hui saw Bai Ran supporting a white-haired elder as he sat down, and she leaned in, "Grandpa Bai, here's some water, please have a drink first."
Qin Mu Bai saw Fang Tian Hui's action and rolled his eyes, "Flatterer."
He slowly moved to Bai Zhantian's side, holding a few pills, "Grandpa Bai, I have some pills here."
Fang Tian Hui glared at Qin Mu Bai. What was wrong with him?
Bai Ran watched the two bicker back and forth, feeling a headache coming on.
"Grandpa, you should tell me now."
Bai Zhantian took a sip of water, understanding Bai Ran's meaning, and spoke softly.
"When I was still in the Bai family, I received a letter from Bai Han Feng. The letter said the border defenses were about to fall and I was needed for urgent rescue. To my surprise, after arriving, I didn't see Bai Han Feng, but a large number of demonized beings attacked."
"I, this old man, took up my saber and went to fight. Unexpectedly, after a great victory, Zhao Kang held a grudge against me. At the victory banquet, he poisoned the wine, and that's how I ended up like this."
Bai Ran listened and bandaged Bai Zhantian.
"Zhao Yutong is Zhao Kang's daughter?" Bai Ran asked.
Bai Zhantian stroked his beard and nodded.
"Your uncle and elder brother are both missing, and I've been captured. I couldn't get any information. I never expected you, girl, to come," Bai Zhantian said with emotion.
Bai Ran looked at him and replied, "Because demonized beings have appeared in the Vermilion Bird Kingdom."
"What! Demonized beings have entered the Vermilion Bird Kingdom!" Bai Zhantian finally understood why Bai Ran was here.
Once demonized beings appeared in the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, it meant the border defenses had been breached.
Bai Ran elaborated on the previous situation.
"Could it be..." Bai Zhantian's expression turned grim. Seeing Bai Ran nod, he continued,
"A spy," Bai Ran said.
There was a spy at the border, which was why small groups of demonized beings attacked, but there wasn't any serious impact on the border.
Someone let demonized beings into the country!
Bai Zhantian gritted his teeth in anger, clenching his fists.
Nonsense! If demonized beings poured into the country, things would become uncontrollable. The common people would suffer endlessly, and tens of thousands of humans would be killed by demonized beings.
Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tian Hui listened quietly from the side, also realizing the seriousness of the situation.
Bai Zhantian looked at Bai Ran and said, "Ranran, this matter is too dangerous, Grandpa will handle it."
Bai Ran patted her clothes and stood up.
"Grandpa, Ranran is not foolish anymore."
Bai Zhantian looked into Bai Ran's eyes and, for a moment, saw the little figure who used to reach only his knees, pouncing towards him.
Looking at his grown granddaughter before him, Bai Zhantian sighed deeply.
Ranran had truly grown up. This old man, he had become useless.
"If anything happens, tell Grandpa."
Seeing the worried Bai Zhantian, Bai Ran gave Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tian Hui a look. They immediately understood and went to try and please Bai Zhantian.
She looked at the smiling Bai Zhantian and, for the first time, thought these two were quite useful.
Bai Ran watched the three of them and quietly walked out, setting up a barrier around the dungeon.
"Little one, let me out," Xiao Zi said from within the spatial artifact.
Bai Ran waved her hand and released him.
Xiao Zi, now outside, breathed in the fresh air with excitement, "I'm finally out!"
"If you misbehave, I'll lock you up again," Bai Ran said coldly.
"Stinky brat, why are you so heartless," Xiao Zi said coquettishly, wagging his tail behind him.
Bai Ran looked at his fluffy tail and ears.
"Put away your ears and tail. You should understand why I let you out."
"Oh my, it's just finding two people. Leave it to your grandpa," he said, retracting his ears and tail and transforming into a seductive male human.
Xiao Zi left. Bai Ran walked out of the dungeon and was met by several soldiers who were stunned by her beauty.
"Where is Zhao Kang?" Bai Ran stretched her joints.
"Little beauty, what are you looking for General Zhao for? We can play with you."
Bai Ran's lips curved into a smile, "Alright."