Farewell to Everyone

The moment Wang Chuan reached the courtyard outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a murmured voice tinged with tears drifted into his ears on the wind. "Dad doesn't love me anymore, Grandpa Gu won't care about me either, and even Brother Chuan was taken away by bad people... What am I supposed to do?" There was no need to guess who that soft, aggrieved voice belonged to—it was Ning Rongrong.

He softened his footsteps and quietly circled behind the girl, deliberately lowering his voice as he asked with a smile, "Let me see, whose little crybaby is secretly shedding golden beans here?"

Ning Rongrong abruptly turned around. The instant she saw who it was, the tears spinning in her eyes splashed onto her collar. The next second, she threw herself into Wang Chuan's arms like a bird returning to its nest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "Brother Chuan! You're finally back! I heard from Dad that you'd been kidnapped. I hid in my room and cried so many times. I thought..."

"Silly girl, what are you thinking?" Wang Chuan raised a hand and gently ruffled her hair, his voice soft and soothing. "Look, aren't I perfectly fine? If Uncle Ning and Grandpa Gu hadn't found me in time, it really would have been hard to get away today. It's not that they don't love you—they were just too worried about us."

"I don't believe you!" Ning Rongrong buried her face against his shoulder, though her tone had softened considerably. "As long as Brother came back safely, it doesn't matter if they're bad people."

Wang Chuan was helplessly amused. He reached into his Soul Tool and pulled out a skewer of candied hawthorn coated in glistening sugar, waving it before her eyes. "Then does little Rongrong want to accept this compensation from a 'bad person'?"

"Wow! Candied hawthorn!" Ning Rongrong instantly forgot her earlier grievance, her eyes shining like stars. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had every kind of delicacy, this was something Wang Chuan had specially brought for her, so it naturally meant something different. She took the candied hawthorn and carefully bit into one. The sweet-and-sour flavor melted across her tongue, dispersing much of the gloom in her heart as well.

After fooling around with Ning Rongrong for a while, Wang Chuan finally got up and headed toward his parents' residence. The moment he pushed open the door, his mother hurried over and repeatedly touched his arms and cheeks, her eyes reddening. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. These past few days, your father has been sighing in his room every day, terrified that something might have happened to you."

His father walked over as well and patted his shoulder, his tone still carrying lingering fear. "Tell us quickly, what happened? How did you get kidnapped?"

Wang Chuan pulled his parents over to sit down and told them everything that had happened during this time, from how he had been taken to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong threatening Dugu Bo, leaving out no detail. When he finished, he suggested that his parents move into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect so they could look after one another. But after exchanging a glance, his parents still shook their heads. "We're used to living here. Moving into the sect would only be troublesome. Focus on what you need to do. We'll be fine."

Unable to persuade them, Wang Chuan could only let it go. After bidding farewell to his family, he hurried to Heaven Dou Royal Academy without stopping—there was still a group of people waiting for him to reassure them.

As soon as he entered the academy, he went straight to Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan. Looking at the two of them, Wang Chuan solemnly bowed. "Senior Tianheng, Senior Dugu, I'm sorry. Uncle Ning and Grandpa Gu were too worried about me, which was why they acted against you. We were in the wrong in this matter, and I'll definitely compensate you."

Yu Tianheng quickly reached out to pull him upright, then smiled and lightly punched him. "Xiao Chuan, why are you being so polite with us? I was the one who first told Sect Master Ning that you'd been kidnapped. If it had been me, I would have been worried too. Besides, we were worried about you as well. Sect Master Ning and the others reacted normally, so don't apologize. Otherwise, I won't recognize you as one of my teammates anymore."

Dugu Yan nodded beside him, her tone gentler. "I feel the same way as Tianheng. I was actually worried that Grandpa might do something to you. It's enough that you came back safely. There's no need to apologize."

"No, I have to compensate you for this." Wang Chuan's attitude was firm. "No matter what, I caused you trouble. I'll definitely make sure you're satisfied afterward."

Seeing that they could not change his mind, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan could only nod helplessly. "Fine, then we'll wait for your compensation."

After resolving this matter, Wang Chuan went to find Qin Ming. After hearing that he planned to follow Dugu Bo to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes for half a year, Qin Ming did not object. He merely reminded him, "You certainly won't be in danger following Poison Douluo, and half a year isn't too long, but don't forget your cultivation. You can't fall behind."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I won't slack off," Wang Chuan promised earnestly.

After saying goodbye to Qin Ming, he thought of Xue Qinghe. The Crown Prince had always cared deeply about him, and he had to tell him about something this important. Thus, Wang Chuan hurried to the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

After hearing his plans, Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. He then took out a piece of warm jade from his robes and placed it in Wang Chuan's hand. "Xiao Chuan, you must be careful on this journey. This jade pendant will allow us to communicate at any time. If Dugu Bo does anything unusual to you, contact me immediately."

"Thank you, Brother Xue." Wang Chuan accepted the jade pendant, warmth filling his heart.

After bidding Xue Qinghe farewell, Wang Chuan finally set aside all his concerns. He packed his belongings, then turned and headed toward the place he had agreed to meet Dugu Bo. Sunlight fell across him. Though the road ahead was unknown, his gaze was firm—over these next six months, he would not only cure Dugu Bo's poison, but also raise his own strength to a new level.