Bai Zihan walked toward his father’s study room, and all around the Bai Estate, there were preparations for his birthday.
(Isn’t it bigger than last year?)
As the heir, of course, his birthday was always celebrated lavishly, with guests being the most prominent figures.
However, this time, it seemed even more extravagant.
Bai Zihan arrived at his father’s study with a casual stride, arms behind his head and a faint frown on his face.
He didn’t bother knocking.
The door creaked open, and he stepped inside.
“You called, Father?”
Bai Tianheng glanced up from a pile of scrolls, then gestured for him to enter.
“You’re finally out. Sit!”
Bai Zihan dropped into the chair across from his father with an exaggerated sigh.
“So, what is it? If it’s about the celebration—can we not? I don’t have time for such things.”
Bai Tianheng raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t like it?”
He asked mildly.
“I didn’t say that. I’m saying it’s unnecessary,” Zihan replied, scratching his cheek.
“A quiet dinner with some good food would be enough. Not this whole extravagant celebration.”
Bai Tianheng set down his brush and leaned back.
“You might not care about birthdays or celebrations, but your name carries more weight than ever now. Our enemies are watching. Our allies are uncertain. The world thinks we barely survived.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“We need to show them we didn’t just survive—we’re thriving. And what better opportunity than your birthday?”
He stood up and walked to the window, looking out over the courtyard where disciples and servants were hanging ceremonial lanterns.
“Just accept it whether you like it or not. Invitation letters have already been sent to most of our allies and influential clans.”
Bai Zihan clicked his tongue but gave up on trying to stop the celebration. He understood why it was needed.
“So, why did you call me? It shouldn’t be just to explain this, right?”
Bai Tianheng paused for a moment, gaze unreadable.
Then he let out a sigh and turned away from the window.
“You’re right. I have a task for you.”
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow.
“A task?”
“Yes,” Bai Tianheng said, his voice quieter now. “I want you to go and invite your mother.”
Bai Zihan blinked.
“Mother?”
His mother, Mu Yuelan—the one who had taken Bai Xinyue’s Dao Bone and given it to him.
“You want me to go to Mu Clan?”
The Mu Clan, his Maternal Clan, was not known for producing martial experts or fierce warriors.
Instead, their prestige lay in alchemy—particularly pill refinement, medicinal concoctions, and spiritual herb cultivation.
Though not a major power in terms of military strength, the Mu Clan held significant influence in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Their pills were widely sought after for healing, breakthrough assistance, and longevity.
The Bai Clan and Mu Clan had long enjoyed a mutually beneficial alliance.
The Bai Clan provided protection, spirit ore trade, and market access in exchange for exclusive supply rights to the Mu Clan’s high-grade pills.
Bai Tianheng’s marriage to Mu Yuelan had been both political and personal—seen at the time as a brilliant union between the two allies.
However, the relationship between the two clans remained geographically distant.
Most Mu Clan members stayed within their secluded estate, refining pills rather than getting involved in marital conflict.
Other than going out to find rare and precious Spiritual Herbs that they can’t buy, they hardly go out.
Bai Tinaheng nodded.
“But isn’t mother in seclusion?”
Last year, his mother had been in seclusion—trying to break through to the Great Ascension Realm—and missed Bai Zihan’s birthday.
It isn’t abnormal for cultivators to take a year or two to break through to the next realm—especially when the realm is as high as the Great Ascension Realm.
“This year, she’s out of her seclusion. And… she should be here for your birthday.”
Bai Zihan stayed silent for a few seconds before his lips twitched.
“Shouldn’t you be the one to invite her?”
Bai Tianheng’s expression darkened slightly.
“You know very well… It’s been quite a while since we talked.”
(Not since Bai Xinyue’s Dao Bone was taken.)
Bai Zihan thought.
Bai Zihan didn’t know the full details, but he did know they had argued—and after getting angry, his mother had left the Bai Clan.
Since then, unless it involved him or Bai Xueqing, she hadn’t appeared in Bai Clan.
Well, Bai Zihan understood why his father was angry at his mother—because no matter how much you love your child, stealing someone’s Dao Bone, especially from a relative, was simply wrong.
As the Clan Leader, Bai Tianheng also had to consider how the rest of the clan would react to such news—one of their own having their Dao Bone taken.
So in a way, it was understandable that he got angry.
But Bai Zihan had always wondered why his mother did what she did.
Although many—including himself—believed it was to increase his cultivation talent, Bai Zihan had never thought of his mother as someone capable of doing something so ruthless.
Not to mention, she had always treated Bai Xinyue well—almost like her own daughter.
She was even the one who suggested bringing Bai Xinyue into the family, since Bai Xinyue’s mother had been a close friend of hers.
Of course, after what happened, everyone assumed it had all been part of a plan to obtain Bai Xinyue’s Dao Bone.
“Why not go yourself and talk it through? Maybe you two can resolve it.”
Silence!
Bai Tianheng didn’t say anything—but it was clear he didn’t want to go.
Bai Zihan studied him, then exhaled through his nose.
“So you want me to go because it’s awkward for you?”
“Because she’ll come if you ask,” Tianheng said.
“She might still be angry with me—but you’re her son. She won’t ignore your request.”
Zihan clicked his tongue.
“Fine! But you better talk with her once she arrives. Your fight has been dragging on for too long—and I already gave Bai Xinyue her Dao Bone back. There isn’t much left to argue about.”
Bai Tianheng just nodded.
Bai Zihan knew his father understood even without him saying it—but he said it anyway, just in case his pride got in the way.
“Right. Then I’ll head out tomorrow morning then.”
“Good!”