Longchen paled slightly. "Yes... he mentioned something about the clan needing strong new blood. I suspect he intended to take her back as a bargaining chip, or... worse, to force her into marriage with someone from the Dark Heaven Turtle Clan." He shivered at the thought.
Dave folded his arms, his expression growing thoughtful. "So, you were hiding to protect your family from the politics of these hidden clans. Now that you’ve been found, what’s your plan?"
Longchen looked back towards his wife and daughter. "I... I don’t know," he admitted, his voice laced with uncertainty. "I thought running was the answer, but it only delayed the inevitable. They’ll keep hunting us, especially now that they know about my daughter’s spirit."
Dave sighed. "Sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. You can keep running, but they’ll keep chasing. Or you can try to stand your ground, but against a hidden clan like the Dark Heaven Turtle, that’s a tough fight."
"What else can I do?" Longchen asked, his voice filled with despair.
Dave paused, considering. He wasn’t eager to get involved in clan politics, but something about Longchen’s quiet desperation touched him. Besides, the prospect of a twelve-year-old being forced into a loveless marriage by a bunch of power-hungry old men didn’t sit right with him.
"Look," Dave said, "I’m not saying I have all the answers, but maybe... maybe there’s a third option. Instead of running or fighting alone, you could find allies. People who can help you protect your family."
Longchen’s eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. "Allies? Who?"
"Well," Dave said, gesturing back towards the room. "I know a couple of very powerful women who might be willing to help... for a price." He grinned slightly. "And I’m sure they know even more people who might be interested in fighting against injustice. Let’s go talk to your wife."
Longchen’s face grew even more brighter, and he then followed Dave back into the room.
As they entered, the tension hadn’t lessened. Dugu Yan and Signora still stood face to face, and their glares are stronger than ever. Meilin was casually sitting on a table, as if this was a normal occurence for her.
Longchen’s wife had awoken and was now sitting on the bench.
"I am back..." Longchen said, and his wife looks up at him. Her eyes glinted with fatigue, but she was relieved that he was with them.
"Oh, my dear..." she says, and then looked at Dave with an inquisitive gaze.
"This man is one of our saviors, and his name is Dave," Longchen explained.
Longchen’s wife slowly bowed her head and gave her gratitude.
"Thank you," she said. "Because of you two, my family is together.
Dave nodded. "There is no need to thank me. If you need help, I will provide it."
"I heard that you are from two Hidden Clans..." Dave added. "It must be difficult to be hunted because you ran away from your Clans."
Longchen and his wife sighed, and Dugu Yan finally speaks up:
"Now that I think about it... the Hidden Clans... What are they? Can you elaborate?"
"The Hidden Clans are family clans and organizations with profound background and strength, but they aren’t well known by the public. Most of them stays away from the daily struggles and focus on their strength," Longchen explained. "Sometimes their strength are even more grand than the Seven Great Sects."
"And they are still alive even now?" Dugu Yan frowned. "I thought that all of the clans had disappeared."
"They didn’t," Longchen spoke. "We are still here. Staying out of the battles and cultivating. But if we were to meddle..."
Dugu Yan gulped. "I can understand..."
"The Hidden Clan that had been hunting them... the Dark Heaven Turtle Clan... I assume that they want to force them to go back. If she doesn’t agree, they will kill her and her family," Dave assessed.
Longchen was shocked. "You knew?"
Dave smiled slyly. "I’ve seen too much of this sort of thing... hidden clans, forbidden marriages, power struggles... it’s a cycle."
"So... you’re going to help them?" Meilin asked, raising a brow. "I mean, I also find them pitiful, but aren’t we on vacation right now?"
Dave chuckled, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "Who said I’m letting them stay with us?"
"Then what?" Longchen asked, genuinely confused.
Dave turned to him, his expression thoughtful but firm. "Go to Spirit Hall. You can stay there. They’re powerful enough that even those hidden clans won’t dare move against them lightly."
Longchen’s eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. He fell silent, considering it.
"You’re right," he said after a moment. "Spirit Hall isn’t easily provoked. But that would mean... we’d have to bind ourselves to them. Accept their protection—and their rules."
He glanced back toward the inn where his wife and daughter rested, then clenched his fists.
"But for their safety... for my family, I can accept that."
Dave gave a satisfied nod. "Smart choice. Sometimes, strength isn’t about winning fights—it’s about knowing where to stand."
Longchen, however, gave a deep bow. "Thank you. I don’t know how fate led us to cross paths... but I’ll never forget this."
Dave waved him off. "Just take care of them. That’s thanks enough."
Just then, Dugu Yan stepped out from the room, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. It was clear she’d been listening in for a while.
"Well then," she said coolly. "When are you guys planning to leave?"
Dave glanced at her with a raised brow, catching her tone. "Is that really what you want to ask?"
Longchen stepped forward respectfully and shook his head. "No... we’ve already interfered in your lives more than enough. We’re truly grateful. We’ll be on our way once my wife has fully recovered."
Dave gave a small nod of understanding. "Take your time. No rush. And... don’t mind her," he added, gently nudging Dugu Yan aside with a half-smile.
Dugu Yan huffed but didn’t resist as Meilin gave a polite bow to Longchen and turned to leave.
Dave stretched and rubbed his stomach. "Now then—let’s go eat dinner. I’m starving," he said, already walking ahead toward the lower dining hall in the inn.
Meilin fell into step beside him, and Dugu Yan trailed behind with a quiet sigh. But even as she kept her arms crossed, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
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