The man in the wheelchair was just feeling gratified by Song Xue's abilities when a voice calling, "Big Brother," pulled him from his thoughts.
"Second Brother!"
Song Zhu came over, took over from the guard, and gestured for him to leave. He would take his elder brother for a walk himself. The guard naturally took the hint and left.
"Big Brother, were you thinking about Xue'er again?"
Song Ping nodded, showing that he really had been thinking about his daughter, Song Xue.
"Don't worry, Big Brother. Although this is Xue'er's first time traveling far from home, I believe in her abilities. Besides, the family steward is with her. Nothing will happen."
As Song Zhu pushed Song Ping forward, he reassured his elder brother.
Song Ping nodded slightly and gently patted Song Zhu's hand where it rested on his shoulder.
"If my legs weren't disabled, and Second Brother didn't have to stay behind to deal with the Su Clan, why would I send a child like her out?"
Song Ping felt that if anything happened to Song Xue, it would all be his fault.
"Big Brother, didn't Xue'er send word a few days ago that she'd found the sacred medicine and would be back in a few days? You don't need to worry so much. I believe she'll return safe and sound."
Song Ping looked up and met Song Zhu's eyes. The two exchanged a smile.
Three days later, Li Xingluo and Song Xue appeared in Ink Cloud City. Song Xue was especially happy to be back in the city, introducing it as they went.
When the Song Clan guards saw Song Xue return, they hurried inside to report the news.
They had only just stepped through the gate when the sound of a wheelchair rolling came from one end of the corridor leading to the hall.
Song Ping gazed excitedly at Song Xue, who had returned safe and sound. Song Xue was just as excited and happy to see him, and she threw herself into his arms.
Li Xingluo stood quietly, watching the father and daughter reunite after surviving life and death. He couldn't help feeling envious.
"Xue'er, you've worked hard."
Song Ping stroked Song Xue's hair, his eyes filled with affection.
Song Xue raised her head, a warm, healing smile on her face as she basked in her father's love.
"It wasn't hard. It was what I should do." Song Xue answered obediently. "Father, how is Grandpa?"
At the mention of this, Song Ping's expression darkened at once.
"Father, Grandpa, he..." Seeing Song Ping's grave expression, Song Xue felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. The lively spirit she'd had moments before vanished.
"Your grandfather is still the same. His health is just getting weaker and weaker. Fortunately, you're back."
Song Ping discreetly wiped the corner of his eye and tried to control his emotions. He was afraid that any misstep might lead Song Xue to imagine the worst.
Seeing Song Xue grow unhappy, Song Ping forced a faint smile. He glanced behind her, as if searching for someone.
"By the way, where's Steward Song?"
Steward Song had always treated Song Xue extremely well and was practically by her side at all times in the manor. Now that she had returned with the sacred medicine, why wasn't he with her?
Song Xue lowered her head, her heart heavy with grief. A tear glimmered in her beautiful eyes, and she struggled not to cry.
"Father, Uncle Song, he... he..."
Song Ping murmured, "Mm." From Song Xue's manner, he could tell that Steward Song probably wasn't coming back.
Song Xue summoned her courage and said, "Uncle Song won't be coming back."
"Alas, he devoted his whole life to the Song Clan. I never imagined he'd die while searching for medicine this time. We all owe him our gratitude."
"Father, Uncle Song died on the way back. This time..." Song Xue recounted everything that had happened on their way home.
Her voice choked with tears. So many people had given their lives to protect her, and to serve the Song Clan. It weighed heavily on her heart.
As Song Ping listened to Song Xue's story, he clenched his fists and slammed them against the wheelchair, his eyes blazing with fury.
"These Sand Bandits really think there's no one left in the Song Clan?"
Song Ping suddenly seemed to remember something and comforted the grieving Song Xue.
"By the way, Xue'er, where is the righteous man you mentioned?"
To avoid disturbing the father and daughter's reunion, Li Xingluo had deliberately moved away from them and stood behind a pillar at the corner. Song Ping's view of him was blocked.
Song Xue stood up and turned around, only to discover that Li Xingluo, who had been following her, was nowhere to be seen.
She stepped forward, craned her neck, and called out cautiously, "Big Brother Luo Xing!"
Hearing Song Xue's voice, Li Xingluo finally stepped out. Seeing that he hadn't left, Song Xue beamed with delight.
She still didn't understand why Li Xingluo wore half a mask. She'd asked him before they returned home, but he had only said he didn't want to attract trouble. Innocent as she was, Song Xue hadn't thought any more of it.
When Song Ping saw Li Xingluo, he sensed an unusual air about him, one that made him seem unfathomable.
Song Xue grabbed Li Xingluo's arm. He stole a glance at her. Did this girl not know that men and women shouldn't touch?
This was the first time Song Ping had seen his daughter so close to a man. Even if he had saved her, she barely knew him—how could she be so familiar with him?
Perhaps Song Xue noticed Song Ping's awkward expression. She let go of Li Xingluo's arm, still smiling cheerfully as if nothing was wrong.
"Father, this is Big Brother Luo Xing, the one I told you about. If not for him, your daughter would have been separated from you by life and death."
"Big Brother Luo Xing, this is my father!"
Song Xue introduced them to each other. Song Ping clasped his hands and bowed.
"Thank you for protecting my daughter. Please accept my gratitude."
Li Xingluo returned the salute. "I saw injustice and drew my blade to help. It was nothing, Senior. There's no need to thank me."
Li Xingluo was approachable rather than aloof, and Song Ping's favorable impression of him immediately grew.
According to Song Xue, he had single-handedly wiped out the entire Tiger Mountain Sand Bandits. His strength was far beyond ordinary, yet Li Xingluo didn't carry himself with the haughty air of someone far above others, beyond their reach.
"Saving my daughter may have been a small matter to you, but to me, it is a debt of gratitude as vast as the sky. If you don't mind, please allow me to welcome you as your host and show my gratitude."
"Then I'll trouble you, Senior. It's just that the reason I came this time was..." As he spoke, Li Xingluo glanced at Song Xue, but when she didn't understand, he prompted her again.
Song Ping looked from Li Xingluo to Song Xue and back, unable to figure out what riddle the two were speaking in.
Song Ping couldn't very well ask Li Xingluo, so he asked Song Xue instead.
"Xue'er, you two...?"
Song Xue suddenly slapped her forehead and laughed sheepishly.
"I almost forgot. Father, Big Brother Luo Xing is not only highly skilled in cultivation, he's also a physician. When he heard Grandpa was ill, he only agreed to come and examine him because I kept begging him."
Hearing this, Song Ping understood what the two had been hinting at.
At the same time, Song Ping's eyes lit up as he heard Song Xue's words, but the light soon faded.
"Xue'er, the physicians already reached a conclusion about your grandfather's illness. Only the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid can help."
"Senior, the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid is indeed a fine high-grade medicinal herb, but it isn't the right medicine for his condition. Not only will it fail to cure him, it could very well cost the old master of the Song Clan his life."
Li Xingluo stated his opinion calmly and unhurriedly.
The Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid couldn't be wasted carelessly. It was too difficult to find, and Li Xingluo vaguely sensed that some mysterious force was driving everything behind the scenes.
He still didn't know what it was, but the game had begun the moment Song Xue set out to find the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid.
Whoever this person was, they were quite capable. The Song Clan's waters ran deep. Besides, he needed the Seven-Colored Immortal Orchid too.
Before Song Ping could answer, a deep, booming voice rang out: "What wild brat are you, daring to pass judgment so carelessly?"
Before you continue