The Eastern Heretic, Disheveled in the Wind

The two left one after the other. Huang Yaoshi did not pursue them, merely standing where he was with a dark expression, lost in thought.

"Father..." Huang Rong called out guiltily.

"Mm." Huang Yaoshi answered casually. "You weren't hurt, were you?"

"No... no." Huang Rong hurriedly replied, and silence fell over the scene once more.

Unable to bear the strange atmosphere any longer, Huang Rong was the first to break the silence. "Father, why were you and Zhou Botong here?"

Huang Yaoshi frowned slightly and answered indifferently, "I travel the realm as usual. When I passed through Kaifeng, I heard that you and Jing'er were in danger, so I came to take a look. I ran into Zhou Botong on the way, and he insisted on coming along. We happened to find you..."

Huang Rong blushed, her gaze shifting evasively. "It's a pity that bastard got away."

"Is that so?" Huang Yaoshi gave a noncommittal snort and studied her thoughtfully.

Huang Rong felt uncomfortable under his stare and forced a smile. "Father, why are you looking at Rong'er so strangely?"

Huang Yaoshi let out a faint sigh. "Rong'er, why did you deliberately let him go?"

"Ah?" Huang Rong's expression changed. "Father, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Are you going to play dumb with your father too?" Huang Yaoshi frowned. "If you hadn't deliberately protected him just now, I would have killed him with a palm strike long ago."

"You're overthinking it." Huang Rong bit her lip. She was a married woman, after all. If word got out that she had protected another man, it would not sound good. Even before her father, she did not want to tell the truth.

"Is that so?" Obvious anger flashed across Huang Yaoshi's face. "If I was overthinking it just now,