Could a shattered bond ever be restored?
"No need for that."
Bai Wanwan smiled calmly and placed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum she was holding on the table, "I only want to know one thing, Elder Chrysanthemum, are you loyal to the Spirit Hall or to His Holiness the His Holiness the Pope?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Guan's body trembled almost imperceptibly, and his gaze met Bai Wanwan's deep blue eyes.
"Young Lady, what do you mean by this?"
"There seems to be no difference between the two."
Yue Guan gave a somewhat forced smile, and a slightly effeminate voice came from his mouth.
"I was just asking casually."
"As for the difference, perhaps there is, perhaps there isn't."
Bai Wanwan placed her hands on the table, propped her head up with her hands, and quietly gazed into Yue Guan's eyes.
Bai Wanwan's impression of Yue Guan was not bad; in fact, it was quite good.
In the original novel, Yue Guan was a very competent subordinate, not only loyal but also capable. His only minor flaw was that he had the idea of surrendering to Tang San before his death.
But in reality, this was the result of a combination of factors, and in the end, Yue Guan did not die in a subservient manner. He died to avenge Ghost Douluo and to fight for the Spirit Hall.
Furthermore, Yue Guan eventually considered surrendering; strictly speaking, he was tricked by Hu Liena.
First, the failure in the operation to capture Xiao Wu led to her and Ghost Douluo being punished by the Pope.
Later, when he was hunting Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest, his partner and good brother of several decades, Ghost Douluo, perished. After returning to the Papal Hall, his status in the Papal Hall declined, and he was treated coldly and not valued by the Pope, which led to a change in his state of mind.
Hu Liena bears a great deal of responsibility in this.
After all, when capturing Xiao Wu, Bibi Dong had already had Yue Guan and Gui Mei seal off the surrounding area. Normally, with Tang San's strength at the time, it would have been impossible for him to break through Yue Guan and Gui Mei's seal.
The problem lay with Hu Liena; it was she who brought Tang San in, which triggered a chain reaction and led to the failure of the operation.
Although Hu Liena did not participate in the second operation, the problem still lay with her. If she hadn't told Tang San that her Teacher was hunting Spirit Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest with Titled Douluo, that operation would likely not have failed, leading to Ghost Douluo's death and Tang San's 100,000 Year Spirit Ring becoming a stepping stone for him.
It just goes to show that it's not the cunning of bad people that's scary, but the sudden inspiration of fools.
Hu Liena's two attacks directly gifted Tang San three 100,000 Year Spirit Rings, and incidentally killed Ghost Douluo on the spot, and indirectly killed Chrysanthemum Douluo as well.
Their efficiency is comparable to that of an undercover agent.
Even undercover agents might not be able to achieve this level of skill.
"Young Lady, I am naturally loyal to the Spirit Hall, but as Elder in the Papal Hall, I must obey His Holiness the Pope's orders. This was true of the previous Pope, it is true of the current His Holiness the Pope, and it will be true of the next His Holiness the Pope."
"As long as I am in the Papal Hall, I am obligated to obey His Holiness the Pope's orders. Therefore, in my view, loyalty to the Spirit Hall and loyalty to His Holiness the His Holiness the Pope are the same; there is no difference."
Yue Guan's expression was very serious, and his eyes were exceptionally focused.
Upon hearing this, Bai Wanwan did not answer immediately, but looked at Yue Guan with a half-smile.
Yue Guan's answer was very tactful.
Yes, at least that's how she sees it.
First they said they were loyal to the Spirit Hall, then they said there was no difference between the two.
After a while.
Bai Wanwan smiled and reached out to push the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in front of Yue Guan.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, I'm giving you this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, but I hope you will remain loyal to the Spirit Hall, just as you've said."
Bai Wanwan spoke, she got up and walked out of the courtyard without waiting for Yue Guan's reply.
Yue Guan rose to see Bai Wanwan off, only stopping when he had escorted her to the door.
Watching Bai Wanwan's departing figure, a thoughtful look gradually appeared in Yue Guan's eyes, as if he were pondering something.
Only after Bai Wanwan's figure disappeared from sight did Yue Guan turn around and walk back into the courtyard, closing the gate behind him.
On the other side...
As Bai Wanwan walked along the flat path, preparing to return to the Worship Hall, she saw a figure walking towards her from the front.
The figure, dressed in Pope's attire, was none other Bibi Dong.
"Your His Holiness the Pope."
Looking at Bibi Dong had stopped in front of her, Bai Wanwan called out softly.
"Yes, I just went to the Worship Hall to look for you, but you ended up in the Papal Hall."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, turned around without making a sound, and walked forward with Bai Wanwan.
Looking for me?
"Your His Holiness the Pope, is there something you need from me?"
A hint of confusion flickered in Bai Wanwan's eyes; she couldn't quite figure out what Bibi Dong wanted to see her about.
Hearing Bai Wanwan's words, Bibi Dong remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts or perhaps pondering something.
The two walked silently along the flat path.
A gentle breeze blew, softly ruffling their hair.
After a while.
Bibi Dong stopped and turned to look at Bai Wanwan, saying softly, "Do you think there's any chance for a mother and daughter to be reunited?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Wanwan was momentarily stunned, her gaze secretly sweeping over Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's question surprised her greatly.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, would you like to hear the truth or a lie?"
Bai Wanwan asked softly.
Just tell the truth.
Bibi Dong's tone was very calm, without any ripples.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, have you ever heard this saying?"
Bai Wanwan reached out and plucked a leaf, continuing before Bibi Dong could answer, "To give birth and not raise a child is to be ungrateful; to raise a child and not teach them will ruin their life."
"His Holiness the Pope just asked, 'Can a broken mirror ever be mended?'"
"This problem is like the leaf in my hand. It has been torn in two. Even if I use my Soul Power to reassemble them, there is no problem on the surface, but the cracks inside are still there."
"Some things, once too late, are simply too late. What once seemed priceless may now be less valuable than roadside weeds."
"But nothing is absolute. I always believe that anything is possible if you try, even if the hope is slim. But if you don't even try, then it's completely impossible."
Bibi Dong stared at Bai Wanwan silently for Jiujiu without speaking, but her eyes did not change at all in response to Bai Wanwan's answer, as if she had already expected this answer.
He appeared very calm.
Bai Wanwan casually tossed away the leaf in her hand and looked at Bibi Dong with a normal expression.
Time slips away, bit by bit.
Two minutes later.
Bibi Dong gave a soft "hmm," then silently turned and headed towards the Papal Hall.
Bai Wanwan then strode towards the Worship Hall.