The tribe elders in the house continued their debate about Xiao Houzi becoming more formidable despite lacking a moonprint. Most of the elders have worshiped the Moon God their entire lives and find it difficult to change their beliefs.
"We must report to the Divine Lord. Without the moonprint, he is no longer pure."
"Without the moonprint, Xiao Houzi has lost the Divine Lord’s protection, possibly bringing misfortune to our tribe. What do you all think?"
"Right, the Divine Lord said that the Yellow Spring demons were once tribes who didn’t worship the Moon God, losing their humanity as their rationality was gradually overtaken by their ferocious nature, turning them into what they are."
"Are you suggesting that Xiao Houzi might also become... a Yellow Spring demon in the future?"
"No way! Xiao Houzi must leave..."
The voices of the elders were suddenly interrupted as Jiang Shan angrily slapped the table, possibly breaking it!
"Xiao Houzi is my son. He is no jinx! Anyone who dares to touch him, try me!"
Jiang Shan’s voice was filled with anger. He would never allow his son, who narrowly escaped death, to be driven out as a jinx by this group of elders.
"Jiang Shan, you must understand! We are all the Divine Lord’s people. Xiao Houzi has lost the moonprint, and he no longer enjoys the Divine Lord’s protection! He is an extremely dangerous person!" shouted one elder.
"Nonsense! Xiao Houzi is just a child! Have you ever considered what awaits him outside the village? Desolate beasts roam everywhere, how dare you say such things!" Jiang Shan erupted in fury.
"If he falls and becomes a Yellow Spring demon in the future, it will bring disaster to this tribe! We are considering the tribe’s interests! Look, he now possesses the power of a Yellow Spring demon!" barked another elder.
"Exactly, Clan Leader, you are now the strongest in our tribe and the most understanding of reason. You have to judge fairly." Many elders hoped Jiang Feng would handle the situation regarding Xiao Houzi.
Jiang Feng pondered for a moment and said, "It’s too early to say that Xiao Houzi will fall and become a Yellow Spring demon. Xiao Houzi has only lost his memory, and he is still just a child."
"He’s already sixteen! The Divine Lord mentioned that humans without moonprints have short lifespans, twenty years is considered old age, so he isn’t a child anymore! Yellow Spring demons lose their rationality step by step. Xiao Houzi’s memory loss is just the beginning! Clan Leader, if you don’t act now, the whole tribe will suffer!"
"Jiang Shan, don’t be so stubborn. If you truly care for the tribe, you should nip this danger in the bud! I still remember what happened when Xiao Houzi was born. Now that I think about it, perhaps the Yellow Spring demon attack back then was because of Xiao Houzi..."
"Get out! Xiao Houzi is a normal child! You stubborn old things, I’ll make my stand here today, anyone who dares to harm Xiao Houzi will have to step over my dead body first!"
Jiang Shan was furious, unwilling to argue with the elders any longer. He forcefully swung the door open, walked out of the room, grabbed Xiang Beifei, and whispered, "Let’s go! Home!"
His demeanor was resolute, willing to oppose all the tribe elders to protect his son.
Xiang Beifei watched Jiang Shan’s back and suddenly felt a bit hesitant.
This was a very responsible father, able to turn against the village elders to protect his son decisively.
However, the real Jiang Hou was already dead, and Xiang Beifei was merely pretending temporarily. He would surely leave one day, and how would Jiang Shan face his son’s death then?
Xiang Beifei already regretted pretending to be Jiang Hou, as the truth was cruel to Jiang Shan.
Jiang Shan didn’t know what Xiang Beifei was thinking. He hurriedly brought Xiang Beifei home and then said, "From now on, you can no longer go out, nor wander in the village. You must stay within my sight."
Xiang Beifei said, "If they come for me, you won’t be able to stop them."
"I will stop them even if I can’t! I promised your mother I would protect you, and I won’t break my promise!" Jiang Shan said through gritted teeth.
Xiang Beifei was silent for a moment and asked, "Where is she? Why do those elders say my birth is related to the Yellow Spring demon?"
Jiang Shan looked at Xiang Beifei as if he remembered something and sighed heavily.
"When she gave birth to you, the Yellow Spring demons attacked the tribe. She protected you, hiding you under the bed, but she was... At that time, I was out hunting, and by the time I rushed back, it was too late."
Jiang Shan’s eyes slightly reddened as he spoke. The scene from back then appeared vividly in his mind: his wife protecting their son, only to be dragged away by the Yellow Spring demon while he, as her husband, was powerless and could only watch as the demon devoured his wife.
That scene was one he could never forget. The Yellow Spring demon, like a nightmare, loomed over everyone’s hearts.
"They think the Yellow Spring demon back then was brought by you, but I know clearly it has nothing to do with you. You are just my son, not a Yellow Spring demon, and I will never let anything happen to you." Jiang Shan clenched his fist.
They had already taken his wife; he would never allow the Yellow Spring demons to take his son.
Xiang Beifei sat silently on the stone bench in the yard, saying nothing.
Seeing Xiang Beifei’s silence, Jiang Shan thought he was afraid, so he said, "Don’t worry, no need to feel burdened. Rest assured, if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you!"