But the current situation was probably for the best. If his granddaughter had to suffer a little, then so be it. As the Xiao Family Patriarch, he felt that it was worth it.


    It was good as long as she wasn''t in danger.


    Old Master Xiao smiled at Cheng Yanand said, "Well, then. I will have to trouble you to take care of my Bingbing in the meantime. I trust that she would do an excellent job of touring you around the valley, my young friends."


    They just had to stay within the Xiao family''s territory, and Old Master Xiao could monitor them should anything bad happen.


    Old Master Yu rolled his eyes then, and what he said next took everyone aback. "Young man, why don''t you and your friendse to my house? Our family doctor is the best in the entire mountain valley. He is proficient in both Western and Traditional Chinese medicine. Let him have a look at the girl, and she might have a better chance at recovery. You may bring my unfilial grandson as well, if you like. Of course, Miss Xiao is also wee to tag along."


    Sure enough, Old Master Yu''s mind had been honed in the decades that he had served as the family patriarch.


    Aside from getting a step ahead of Old Master Xiao, his offer might also prove to be to the advantage of the Yu family. This certainly wouldn''t incur them any loss.


    As expected, Old Master Xiao flushed in anger. He red at the other elder, demanding, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that our Xiao family iscking? And why would you take my granddaughter, anyway? You shameless sack of bones!"


    The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.


    Old Master Xiao had always hated Old Master Yufor his shamelessness. Over the years, thetter had only grown more brazen and thick-skinned. Clearly, his grandson had taken after him, and eventuallynded them in this preposterous situation.


    He did not want his precious granddaughter to be brought to the household of the uncouth Yu family.


    In his opinion, the Yu residence was no different from a viper''s nest. Everyone who resided there was shameless and ill-mannered. He couldn''t let Bingbing be exposed to those people, or she might pick up their habits.


    More importantly, if Bingbing had to go there, then Old Master Xiao, as the patriarch of the Xiao family, would have to apany her. And he absolutely refused to step foot in the Yu residence!


    Before he could say anything else, Xiao Bingapproached him.


    "Grandpa," she said quietly. "I''ve been doing fine. These people are good and strong. I think I can learn a lot from them if I stay. Please don''t worry about me."


    If Cheng Yanneeded them as leverage, then she was willing to be their hostage.


    She had spent most of her life learning formations, but this was the first time she hade across an expert such as Cheng Yan. He was even capable of defeating the Yu Family Patriarch''s formation.


    Needless to say, Xiao Bingwas very impressed.Cheng Yanhad moved her heart, and she was more than happy to stay.


    A few feet away, Yu Chen curled his lips in disdain and swore to himself. He was so close to returning to his home!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He, too, wanted to stick around and learn more about formations. But he had been away for a year, and he was dying to go back.


    No matter how fun and engaging it was outside, he still felt the mostfortable in his own bed at home.


    Besides, and this was what really riled him up, he didn''t know why, but the most innocent-looking girl in the group seemed to have been targeting him.


    She woulde over every so often, only to taunt him endlessly.


    Sometimes, she would even go so far as tond a few blows. She had even hit his face!


    Lin Xin, that detestable girl!


    And yet, she was very nice to Xiao Bing, to whom she would asionally give snacks. She even gaveXiao Bingsome tea.


    Why?! They were both hostages, so why were they treated differently?


    Yu Chen cursed his stars. He had been starving all this time, and had lost count of the instances his stomach had growled. That cruel girl had never given him even just a sip of water!


    "I think it would be better to have the Xiao family check on the girl first," Old Master Yusuggested toCheng Yan.


    "She is probably trapped inside the array formation. You might not know this, but if that is the case, then there is no escape for her unless her physical body perished."


    He assumed that the array formation was to me, as there was no other usible exnation for why the girl had been unconscious for so long.


    Old Master Yu was convinced that they needed to check the formation once more. They just needed to be sure of that, and everything else would be easy to solve.


    Old Master Xiao nodded in agreement, acknowledging the necessity of a second check.


    However, Cheng Yanshook his head. "There''s no need for that."


    There was another reason why Yao Tanghadn''t woken up yet. It couldn''t be because of the array formation.


    Something that small could never trap Yao Tang.