Destiny is preordained; some people are meant to be a blessing, while others are a curse.Accompanied by over two hundred personal guards led by Lord Gong Hui of Xigucheng, Gong Dian and his entourage arrived in Windwood Citadel on the second afternoon after Kong Xiaotian.

　　After parting ways with Gong Dian, Gong Wei immediately dispatched a skilled rider on a camel-horse to swiftly seek reinforcements from the Bear Tribe. Along the way, he also requested his younger brother, Gong Hui, to swiftly send troops to rendezvous with Gong Dian at the Bear Tribe and escort him back to Windwood Citadel.

　　With everything arranged properly, Gong Wei finally felt at ease and transported the Phoenix Egg back to Windwood Citadel.Upon his arrival at Windwood Citadel, Gong Dian received word from Lady Yu Jiao regarding Kong Xiaotian's family visit. His brows furrowed involuntarily, and after a moment of contemplation, he promptly summoned Gong Kang.

　　"Father, what brings you to seek me out?" Gong Kang had been feeling uneasy ever since he appeared with Lian Xiang during the rescue. It was time to confess to his father about their relationship. He had pondered finding the right moment to be honest, but he hadn't anticipated his father approaching him first.

　　Seeing Gong Kang, Gong Dian wasted no time in questioning him.You've come at an opportune moment. With fewer people around, I haven't had the chance to discuss the other day. Now that it's just the two of us, tell me, what's the story with you and that girl from the Baihuo Tribe?"

　　Gong Dian had heard whispers about Gong Kang and Lian Xiang, but he had always doubted their truth. However, witnessing it firsthand forced him to confront a painful reality: his eldest son was indeed entangled with the daughter of the Baidu Tribe's leader.

　　The betrothal from their childhood was a longstanding pact between the two tribes, and as the leader of the Gong Yu clan, Gong Dian should have exemplified adherence to this agreement.

　　"Father, I've been meaning to discuss this with you. I plan to wed Lian Xiang, and she's carrying my child," Gong Kang admitted.

　　"What?" Gong Dian felt as if the earth had shifted beneath him. His vision dimmed, and he nearly stumbled if not for Gong Kang's swift support.

　　This revelation stoked a deep fury within Gong Dian. It took him a moment to regain his composure, and when he did, he forcefully pushed Gong Kang away, leaving a crimson imprint on his face.

　　Pointing sternly at Gong Kang, Gong Dian reprimanded, "You, you disobedient child! You've brought shame upon me." Tears welled up in his eyes. "Remember this! Throughout our history, none from our clan have wed outsiders. You, my son and the future heir of our clan, have dared to defy our ancestral laws. Leave! Never darken my doorstep again.""Then leave!" Gong Kang, his hand covering his face, his anger evident, stomped his foot as if ready to depart.

　　At that moment, Yu Jiao, who had been listening outside, burst in and declared firmly, "Hold on right there!"

　　Yu Jiao first guided Gong Dian to a chair, soothing his troubled heart. "High Chieftain, calm yourself. Don't let this disobedient child affect you."

　　Turning to Gong Kang, Yu Jiao inquired, "Is what you said true? Is Lian Xiang really pregnant with your child?"

　　"Yes, Mother, it's true."

　　"In that case, you have three choices. Firstly, according to our clan's custom, we can take captives from other tribes as concubines. You must inform Lian Xiang that while she can bear your child in secret, there will be no official wedding ceremony. You'll take her as a concubine without violating our clan's rules. However, before that, you must marry Kong Ting, the daughter of Kong Xiao Tian from the Tiger Tribe. Kong Ting will be your lawful wife."

　　"And what's the second option?"

　　"The second option is to sever all ties with her entirely. Lian Xiang can discreetly terminate the pregnancy, and no one will speak of it. We, the Gong Yu clan, will compensate the Baihuo Tribe for our mistake. They may demand money or goods, as long as our clan can afford it."

　　"And the third option?"

　　Observing his son's interest in the third option, Yu Jiao spoke slowly, "The third option is for Lian Xiang to marry you, but in doing so, you'll forfeit your right to inherit as the future chieftain of the Gong Yu clan. Lian Xiang will become your wife, but this union will not be publicly acknowledged."

　　"Not only that, from now on, the entire Gong You clan will reject you. You must leave the clan. I'm sure the Baihuo Tribe won't accept Lian Xiang either. So, from now on, you two will have to wander the world together, with no home to return to. I believe neither of you desires such an outcome."

　　"Lian Xiang has expressed her willingness to elope with me, to journey the world together."

　　"My foolish child! You must think carefully!"

　　"Mother, my decision is final. Without Lian Xiang by my side, life holds no meaning for me.""The first option allows both of you to be together."

　　"That wouldn't be fair to Lian Xiang. I've thought it over, and I'm ready to choose the third option for her sake."

　　"Take some more time to consider it."

　　"I don't need any more time. My mind's made up."Upon Gong Dian's return to Windwood Citadel, another family banquet was arranged, this time to honor the Kong Xiao Tian family from the Tiger Tribe. All members of the chieftain's family were present except for Gong Kang and Gong Kong.

　　Kong Xiao Tian had already heard about Chieftain Gong Dian and Gong Kang's return, and his disappointment at Gong Kang's absence was palpable. His countenance darkened visibly.

　　Chieftain Gong Dian opened the evening with some polite words, but Kong Xiao Tian remained sullen, listening in silence without offering any words of gratitude. He simply poured himself cup after cup of wine, his expression unreadable.

　　The aroma of freshly cooked Thorn Tiger meat filled the air, enticing the senses. Yet, despite the lavish feast laid out before them, an unsettling chill hung over the banquet.Yu Jiao took the lead in breaking the awkward silence, getting straight to the point. "Chief Kong, I've already discussed the marriage arrangement between our two families with Chief Gong. How would you feel about holding the wedding ceremonies for our children within this year?"

　　"Really? That sounds wonderful!" Kong Xiao Tian's face lit up instantly upon hearing the proposal.

　　"However, there's a slight change, and I'm not sure if Chief Kong, your wife, and Miss Kong would be open to it."

　　"What do you mean?" Kong Xiao Tian inquired with curiosity.

　　Observing the reactions of Kong Xiao Tian's family, Yu Jiao cautiously floated the idea. "Instead of Gong Kang and Kong Ting's wedding, it would be Gong Yi and Kong Ting's wedding."After Gong Kang's abrupt departure, Yu Jiao and Gong Dian deliberated on their next steps. Eventually, they came to a consensus: since Gong Kang was unwilling, to avoid breaching the agreement, Gong Yi would have to step in and marry Kong Ting, thereby becoming the heir to the chieftainship.

　　Summoning Gong Yi urgently, Yu Jiao laid out the plan. Gong Yi, taken aback, pondered, "Can something as significant as marriage be treated so casually?" Consequently, he hesitated to agree.

　　Despite Yu Jiao's persistent persuasion, Gong Yi remained hesitant. Eventually, with a tone almost pleading, Yu Jiao appealed to Gong Yi to consider the broader implications for the clan and agree to the arrangement.

　　Unable to refuse any longer, Gong Yi reluctantly acquiesced to his mother's request, consenting to marry Kong Ting.

　　Upon hearing Yu Jiao's explanation, Xinqiu Ping erupted in fury, slamming her hand on the table as she rose from her seat. "What? You plan to break the agreement?"

　　Observing Xinqiu Ping's agitation, Yu Jiao calmly responded, "My dear Madam, please don't be hasty. Let me explain. Due to various reasons, my eldest son, Gong Kang, is willing to forgo his right to inherit the chieftainship, meaning the future chieftain will be Gong Yi. So, it's only fitting for my son, who holds the right to inherit, to marry Miss Kong Ting from the Tiger Tribe. This does not violate the agreement between our two tribes."

　　With this revelation, the entire room fell into stunned silence.Gong Yi couldn't believe his ears. When his parents approached him to stand in for Gong Kang in marrying Kong Ting, they hadn't mentioned anything about him eventually replacing Gong Kang as the heir to the chieftainship.

　　"So, old man, what do you think?" Xinqiu Ping turned to Kong Xiao Tian and asked.

　　"If my daughter Kong Ting agrees, then I have no objections. Kong Ting, do you agree?"Kong Xiao Tian asked Kong Ting on the spot, causing her to blush and lower her head, speechless.

　　"Old man, is this the right time to ask such a question?" Xinqiu Ping gave Kong Xiao Tian a glare. "Madam Yu Jiao, how about this? Let us ask our daughter in private and then get back to you."

　　After the banquet dispersed, Gong Yi lingered, unwilling to leave. He sought out Gong Dian alone and said, "Father, are you really going to strip Big Brother of his inheritance rights? I heard that when Big Brother was born, there were auspicious signs, and the Yello Clan celestial gods predicted that Big Brother was chosen by the gods and would achieve great things in the future.""Gong Yi, this is our last resort. I don't want to strip your older brother Gong Kang of his inheritance rights, but he's chosen to deviate from the path and has been ostracized by our clan."

　　"Father, I'm willing to marry Kong Ting, but I can't agree to take away my brother's inheritance rights. The Gong Yu clan can survive without Gong Yi, but it can't thrive without Gong Kang."

　　Gong Dian placed a reassuring hand on Gong Yi's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Gong Yi, I too had hoped that your older brother Gong Kang would inherit the chieftainship in the future. But now he's set on the wrong course, and I hope he'll calm down and reconsider. However, if he persists in his wrongdoing, the responsibility of becoming the future chieftain will fall on your shoulders.""Father, both the Baihuo Tribe and ours are human tribes. We once stood united, fought shoulder to shoulder in war. I just can't wrap my head around why our tribes are forbidden from intermarriage. What's the harm in my brother Gong Kang and Lian Xiang falling in love? Why should he lose his inheritance rights over this?"

　　"Gong Yi, there are forces beyond our control in this world. Even as chieftain, I'm bound by certain constraints. Our clan's traditions forbid intermarriage with other tribes, treating women from them as mere objects. It's a rule that seems unchangeable."

　　"But Father, these customs are archaic! After the War of the Gods, the Green Tribe suggested resolving conflicts through combat to decide on human sacrifices and labor. It was a ploy to drive a wedge between us. If our tribes could coexist peacefully, even intermarry, the Green Tribe wouldn't dare to undermine us in the future."

　　"Gong Yi, don't act rashly! Our clan's rules are like divine decrees, inviolable. Even when we allied with the Baihuo Tribe, intermarriage was off the table."

　　"And, over the years, our tribes have been at odds, nearly irreconcilable. In such times, Gong Kang's actions have brought dishonor upon the clan. How can I entrust him with leading the Gong You clan after I'm gone?""You must remember! Despite having the leader of the Dragon Tribe, traditionally, the chieftain of the Gong You clan has always held sway. But with the Bear Tribe and the Tiger Tribe constantly eyeing our leadership position, how can your brother, after committing such a disgraceful act, ever hope to become a chieftain? How can he expect to command respect?"

　　Seeing his father's anger, Gong Yi could only depart with regret, having failed to persuade him.

　　Not long after Gong Yi left, a guard arrived to inform Gong Dian that Gong Kong had returned and sought an audience with the chieftain.

　　"Allow him to enter immediately," Gong Dian commanded.

　　Gong Kong entered and knelt on one knee. "Greetings, Father."

　　"Gong Kong, as I've told you before, there's no need for formality when we're alone," Gong Dian said, swiftly assisting Gong Kong to his feet. "I heard from the harvesting team that you and Yao Gang didn't return to the city that day. I was worried about both of you, fearing that something might have happened.""Father, Uncle Yao Gang and I paid a visit to the Divine Forsaken Clan," Gong Kong respectfully responded. Despite being Gong Dian's nephew, he referred to Gong Dian as "Father" due to being adopted by him.

　　"What? You went to the Divine Forsaken Clan? What's in the pouch on your back?"

　　Gong Kong began recounting his experiences at the Divine Forsaken Clan, glossing over the part where he was captured.

　　After hearing him out, Gong Dian nodded thoughtfully. "The expulsion of the Divine Forsaken Clan from our territory by the divine beings of the Yellow Tribe was an insider secret known only to the successive chieftains. I learned about it from my father, Gong Chang."

　　When Gong Kong mentioned encountering the Divine Forsaken Child in the Qiongling Fairy Valley, Gong Dian expressed surprise. "I met the Divine Forsaken Child once twenty years ago. I heard she was already over a hundred years old at that time. I never expected she was still alive and well. Truly remarkable."Gong Kong concluded, "The Grand Mage of the Divine Forsaken Clan instructed me to bring her disciple, Jiang Er, back to the Gong You clan and keep him by my side for his services."

　　Gong Dian nodded thoughtfully, remarking, "Every member of the Divine Forsaken Clan possesses exceptional skills. If the Grand Mage wants Jiang Er by your side, she must have her reasons."

　　Turning towards the door, Gong Kong called out, "Jiang Er, come in and meet the chieftain."

　　As his words echoed, a young man pushed open the door, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, exuding a charming presence.

　　"Greetings, Chieftain," Jiang Er knelt down and respectfully bowed.

　　"At ease, rise," the chieftain warmly replied.