Inside the slightly dilapidated yet quaint temple, a blazing bonfire danced with energy like a passionate dancer, emitting crisp crackling sounds. This sound was remarkably clear in the utter silence of the night, like a unique and magical melody. The warm, flickering flames illuminated the faces of the crowd, casting soft, hazy shadows on each one, as if draping them with a dreamy veil. At that moment, everyone's face was filled with a smile of relief, a sense of relief at having survived a disaster, a kind of relief that comes from seeing a rainbow after weathering the storm.

Jiang Xiaohuang was holding a broken piece of osmanthus cake in her hand, chewing it in small bites, looking like a cute little squirrel. She tilted her head slightly, and her bright eyes, like twinkling stars, looked at her grandfather Jiang Yan beside her. The cunning light in her eyes was like the occasional meteor across the night sky, flickering and flashing, making people wonder what tricks she was up to. As expected, she deliberately dragged out the tone, her voice as crisp and pleasant as a mountain spring, her face filled with a playful and innocent smile, and said: "Grandpa, the way you raised the fan high just now really looked like those chivalrous and majestic heroes in the storybooks."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan snorted softly, subconsciously raising his chin slightly, a hint of pride inadvertently showing in his expression, as if he had just recalled the moment when he was "a hero", and slowly said: "Of course, thinking back to the time when your grandfather and I..."

However, before he could finish his words, Young Marquis Su, like an uncontrollable child, couldn't help but interrupt. A playful smile, like the shimmering ripples of sunlight on a lake, shrieked in laughter, "Back then, you couldn't even hold your fan steady. Hey, you even dropped the pastry wrapper! Hahaha!" His laughter was hearty and resounding, echoing back and forth in the dilapidated temple, as if injecting a lively atmosphere into the somewhat dull space, causing everyone to chuckle along.

Jiang Yan glared at him unhappily, feigning irritation as he chided him, "How dare you say that? If it weren't for that seemingly childish toy knife of yours that nearly cut through someone's sword, how could the situation have been reversed so quickly? How could we have resolved the crisis so smoothly?"

"That's real, genuine strength of mine!" Young Marquis Su showed no sign of weakness. He puffed out his chest like a proud peacock, his face full of pride and confidence, as if announcing his heroic deeds to everyone.

Nian Li watched the two of them arguing back and forth, neither willing to give in. It was like sparks flying, a quarrel on the verge of breaking out. She quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, gentle and kind, like a flower blooming in spring. "Alright, alright, stop arguing. Let's figure out what to do next. That's the most important thing right now."

At this moment, Mo Chen, who had been sitting quietly nearby, slowly spoke. His gaze was steady and resolute, like the eternal North Star in the deep night sky, giving people a sense of reassurance. His voice was calm, yet filled with undeniable determination: "Bao Banxian is vindictive and narrow-minded. He will not let this go. We must leave Jiangnan, this troubled place, as soon as possible to prevent further trouble from arising and putting everyone in danger."

Su Jinli nodded slightly, her eyes revealing the wisdom and composure of a seasoned veteran, as if she could see through everything. She said softly, "Well, let's go back to the capital first. After all, the capital is a place we're familiar with, with extensive connections, deep roots, and better security."

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. They all decided to set off for the capital the next morning at daybreak.

As the night deepened, it was like a huge piece of black silk slowly unfolding, gently wrapping the whole world in it. Jiang Xiaohuang and Mo Chen sat quietly by the campfire, looking up at the vast night sky together. The stars twinkled in the night sky, like countless dazzling gems inlaid on black satin, emitting a mysterious and charming light. Jiang Xiaohuang gazed at the starry sky, her heart was like a stone dropped into the calm lake, rippling layers of waves, and she was filled with emotion. She tilted her head slightly and said softly: "Mo Chen, I really appreciate you protecting me all the time. If it weren't for you, I really can't imagine what kind of danger I would have encountered."

Mo Chen turned his head and looked at Jiang Xiaohuang tenderly. His eyes were like a spring breeze, gentle and warm. He gently held Jiang Xiaohuang's hand, as if conveying a silent strength, and said with a smile, "Silly, we are friends. Protecting you is a matter of course. Besides, we have been through so many ups and downs together and have long become the most important people in each other's lives."

Not far away, Jiang Yan and Nian Li looked at the two people by the campfire, their eyes showing a relieved smile at the same time. Nian Li turned slightly and cast her eyes on Jiang Yan, her voice soft and whispered: "Dad, you said Xiao Huang and Mo Chen..."

Jiang Yan stroked his beard, the smile on his face growing more intense like a blooming flower, his eyes full of love and recognition for the younger generation: "Very good, Mo Chen is indeed a good kid, he is calm and reliable, and he and Xiao Huang are a perfect match."

The two smiled at each other, no further words needed, as that smile was already filled with deep blessings for the younger generation. They just quietly looked at the two people by the campfire, their hearts filled with expectations for a better life in the future.

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight, like golden threads, filtered through the mottled cracks of the dilapidated temple, gently casting a light upon the crowd, as if waking them to a new day. They had already packed their belongings, preparing to embark on their journey back to the capital. Just as they stepped out of the dilapidated temple, a sharp and familiar voice pierced the morning tranquility like an arrow: "Stop!"

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