If we get discovered in here, we'll be trapped like rats in a jar—surrounded by thousands of Kee Family members. There's no way we'd make it out alive...
The two of them found a discreet spot and huddled there, doing their best to keep a low profile.
Thankfully, night soon fell. Blending into the crowd, no one paid them any attention.
By nighttime, several large bonfires were lit at the site—it looked like the ceremony would last all night.
But by the second half of the night, things eventually had to pause for a while.
After all that commotion, everyone was exhausted.
Once things settled down, the Kee Family members just lay down where they were and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
From the base of the cliff came a thunderous chorus of snores, rising and falling like a wild symphony.
Grace had already strategically chosen the perfect spot during today's walkthrough.
On the far east side, there was a corner with a big, jutting rock that blocked the view from this direction.
It's best to make a move over there.
So, taking advantage of the darkness, she snuck over.
"Why is she still alive? Didn't you promise you'd hand her over to me—to be Ruby Kee's burial companion?" The man's voice exploded with rage.
Grace brought Ray out, just about to let him get started.
Just then, she heard voices coming from above her head.
Grace quickly hid and looked up.
Up above, she could vaguely make out a stone cave, and there were people inside.
"Why is she still alive? Didn't you swear you'd hand her over to me, to be Ruby Kee's burial companion?" The man's voice rang out, tight with fury.
"It's not just that," said Vice President James Kee. "Something happened last time at Blaze Summit."
"Things are a bit complicated." The other voice sounded very familiar to Grace.
It was James Kee.
"What's so complicated?"
"Chloe Zhu's background isn't simple."
"How so?"
James Kee said, "She's Jun Lionhead's disciple—he's her master."
"Jun Lionhead? The new elder you brought in, the one who was exiled from the Lionhead Family?"
"That's right. They say he was exiled, but he actually mastered all the Lionhead Family secrets. Plus, now he's working for the Grand Elder."
"So what? She's just a little girl. You still can't touch her?"
"It's not just that," said Vice President James. "Something happened last time at Blaze Summit."
"What happened?"
Princess Bianca Whiteshire of the Eastern Luo Empire was poisoned by a demon toxin, but not a single Spirit Alchemist dared to treat her.
"We're talking about Chloe Zhu! The murderer who killed my daughter! What does Bianca Whiteshire's life or death have to do with her?"
"It was Chloe Zhu who poisoned her!" said James Kee. "The White family hates her to the bone, but they haven't laid a finger on her."
The Kee Clan Leader fell silent for a moment, then his voice grew colder: "Why? Who does she have backing her?"
"Rumor has it... she was taken in by Crown Prince Evan Xiao during his visit among the common folk," James Kee whispered.
"Crown Prince Evan Xiao?" The Kee Clan Leader sounded genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, someone saw them with their own eyes—back at Blaze Summit, they were even physically close, hugging and all..."
"I think you're overthinking it!" The Kee Clan Leader clearly wanted Chloe Zhu to be Ruby Kee's burial companion. "She's probably just a plaything for Crown Prince Evan Xiao—he's about to get married! He won't even remember her soon enough!"
You're the plaything!
Your whole damn family are playthings!
Grace bit her lip and glared upward.
"Better safe than sorry," James Kee said cautiously. "I think we shouldn't act rashly. We need to figure out exactly where Crown Prince Evan Xiao stands with her."
"Who knows what Crown Prince Evan Xiao really thinks? If you ask me, it's not that complicated! If we can't do it ourselves, we'll get someone else to do our dirty work. One way or another, I will make her Ruby Kee's burial companion—no matter what!"