CHAPTER 868: CHAPTER 868: THE LOYAL HOUND TRIO’S DEEP BOND

After all, the Elder Token is still with the Zong Family. If we search carefully, we’ll find it eventually, and at worst suffer some punishment. But if the Supreme Elder Token leaves the Zong Family and goes too far for the Supreme Elder to sense, that’s a disaster of epic proportions.

Even if we were to kill these guards, it still wouldn’t quell the Supreme Elder’s anger.

Listening to his words, Han Yan’s heart sank further, wishing she could curse at the Supreme Elder: Use blood as a covenant for a worthless token, are you tired of living?

Divine Artifacts recognize their owner usually through a blood covenant. Once recognized, the artifact and owner can communicate mentally, just like the Star Plate turned Jade Pendant hanging on Han Yan’s chest. Since Divine Artifacts possess spiritual nature, a blood covenant doesn’t harm the owner.

Ordinary alchemy artifacts can also form a blood covenant. While they can’t communicate mentally, they can still sense each other. However, since these alchemy artifacts lack spiritual nature, forming a blood covenant greatly drains the owner’s power, and can even reduce their lifespan.

The Supreme Elder Token is in Han Yan’s room. Clearly, it’s not a Divine Artifact. For the Supreme Elder to form a blood covenant with it, he must have paid a hefty price, possibly even shortening his life by several years.

Of course, Han Yan was merely muttering. She also knew the Supreme Elder had his reasons for using a blood covenant.

The Mu Family Zong Family has only one Supreme Elder Token, said to have been passed down since the family’s establishment, with a history spanning at least hundreds of thousands of years. Although it’s not a Divine Artifact, it holds extraordinary significance.

If the Family Leader Token represents the Zong Family’s supreme authority, then the Supreme Elder Token symbolizes the family’s deep heritage and former glory.

If the Supreme Elder Token were lost, the Zong Family’s reputation would suffer greatly, not just in Anyun Country but also among the other noble families of various countries.

The Supreme Elder was willing to endure a loss of power and possibly reduce his lifespan with a blood covenant, which makes perfect sense.

But this isn’t what Han Yan is worried about. What concerns her now is: the Supreme Elder Token is in her room, and there’s no way to hide it.

It’s a pity she came back a little late. The Supreme Elder Token, after all, isn’t a Divine Artifact. Even with the blood covenant’s sensing capability, it’s far inferior to a Divine Artifact. If only she had discovered it earlier and had someone take the Supreme Elder Token out of the city, the Supreme Elder would have been powerless. But moving now, it’s already too late.

Every entrance to the courtyards is guarded by sentries, and at this moment, any action by anyone would be as good as admitting guilt.

Han Yan felt a bit frustrated, but she quickly calmed herself. Two familiar shadows reappeared in her mind, making it clear that someone had calculated the timing accurately, acting only after they returned to the residence, leaving her no time to react. Even if she had come back a bit earlier, the result would have been the same.

"Thank you both; you must keep a strict watch and not let the Supreme Elder Token leave the Mu Residence," Han Yan forced herself to stay calm, instructing the guards before closing the courtyard door.

Huayue and others also heard the guards and wore heavy expressions.

"How could this happen? It makes no sense," Jiang Yuzhe said, shaking his head, eyebrows furrowed into a tight line.

As a family member of a big family, Jiang Yuzhe had seen a lot of intrigue and sensed that the situation was more complicated than it seemed.

Huayue and Zirong, possessing keen insight, looked at Han Yan with both doubt and concern.

"This truly isn’t a simple matter," Han Yan said.

Although her expression remained calm as always, there was an undeniable hint of worry in her eyes. At the moment, no one would dare come to investigate her, but time was running short.

Since her rebirth, this was the greatest crisis she had faced.

Even when confronting mysterious temple experts or super masters like Zhao Yuanji, Han Yan didn’t feel as powerless as she did now. No matter how strong the opponent, she was always determined to fight, even if it meant a slim chance of survival or dying together; she wouldn’t wait helplessly.

Now, however, Han Yan was at a loss. The evidence was undeniable, and it wasn’t something she could explain away with a few words.

As for making a move, Han Yan hadn’t even considered it. While no one suspected her yet, forging a bloody path out of the Mu Residence wasn’t impossible, but what then?

Betraying the family and committing treason against the master is an absolute taboo on the Holy Court Continent. If she did so, she’d become an enemy of the entire continent and might not even find refuge on the Divine Continent. And for her grandfather, parents, and brother, she couldn’t flee.

"What should I do? What should I do?" Han Yan frowned, mulling over the situation.

She didn’t tell Huayue and others because she knew they couldn’t help, and revealing it would only add to their troubles.

Han Yan’s silence didn’t mean Huayue and the others couldn’t guess.

Having followed her through many trials, even in life-and-death moments, they had never seen Han Yan look so anxious.

They all simultaneously guessed something and exchanged glances.

"Young Master, whatever it is, let it fall on me," Huayue said, still with a cool demeanor, addressing Han Yan.

"No, your great revenge remains unmet; let me handle it," Zirong said.

"Your fiancée remains unfound; take care of your own matters first," Huayue glanced at him and said.

"That matter, I’m of little help anyway; let the Young Master handle it," Zirong replied mildly but with clear determination.

"Stop arguing. I’m also a Jiang Family member. Even if it falls on me, surely appearances must be kept, and they might not harm me, so let me do it," Jiang Yuzhe grinned, seemingly carefree.

"Idiot, if they ignore appearances, not only you but your entire family could suffer, so step aside," Zirong rolled his eyes, speaking irritably.

"Calling me an idiot? Draw your sword then! Whoever wins takes the responsibility," Jiang Yuzhe shouted angrily, gripping his sword hilt.

"Draw my sword? Do you think I’m scared?" Zirong unsheathed his longsword without hesitation.

"Stop fighting; none of you can bear this," Han Yan looked at them, eyes moistening.

She knew very well the consequences if Huayue and the others took the responsibility; even a punishment as severe as Ten Thousand Swords Splitting Corpse would be lenient. They must have known too, yet they hesitated not a moment, and such loyalty and resolve touched her deeply.

But she also understood that this was beyond what they could take on, and even if they stepped up, she wouldn’t escape the blame in the end.

"Should I make a move?" Ye Lanfeng asked, looking directly at Han Yan.