Bibi Dong's Eyes Were Clearer Than a College Student's

Around dusk.

"Your Holiness, these are the preliminary statistics." Yue Guan placed a thick stack of documents on Ye Xunfeng's desk, his expression unpleasant. "There are a total of 327 complaints involving the former Pope, Qian Xunji. Only three are directly related to him; the rest were committed by his subordinates under the Pope's name."

Ye Xunfeng flipped through several pages, and his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

Forcibly occupying homes, abducting women, arbitrarily levying taxes, abusing authority to suppress independent soul masters...

Every single case was shocking.

As for the three cases directly related to him, how should he put it? They were not especially vicious, but they were definitely stupid.

Ye Xunfeng felt a headache coming on. Qian Xunji could not handle good deeds properly, and he could not even handle evil deeds properly...

Just like how he dealt with Bibi Dong in the original story. There had clearly been countless ways to turn him around, yet he chose the stupidest one. And after choosing the stupidest one...

He still had not gone all the way.

Supporting his temple with his fingers, Ye Xunfeng suddenly seemed to understand something.

It was like giving his mother abortion medicine back then and throwing her out...

If he knew someone threatened his position and had confirmed it, he would absolutely eradicate them completely.

Why did the Angel Clan seem to have this problem? They were always softhearted at the most inappropriate times.

"Did Qian Xunji know about these matters?" Ye Xunfeng set down the documents and rubbed his temples.

"He knew about most of them, and he even tacitly approved some." Yue Guan sighed. "Your Holiness, during the former Pope's reign, most branch hall masters in various regions obtained their positions through connections. As long as they offered tribute on time, he turned a blind eye within the Pope Palace. He simply did not care how those below behaved, though we do not know what the former Pope was truly thinking."

Ye Xunfeng remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping against the desk one after another with dull thuds.

"Sort these complaints by region. Mark any cases involving deaths separately." He finally spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm. "One month from now, Qian Xunji will stand public trial. Every complaint will be confronted face-to-face, one by one. Let him hear for himself what sins he has committed over these years."

Yue Guan's heart tightened, and he bowed. "Yes."

"And one more thing." Ye Xunfeng called out to Yue Guan, who was about to leave. "Replace those branch hall masters who need replacing, and investigate those who need investigating. Start with the areas with the most complaints. Send people down to investigate discreetly, and act only after obtaining solid evidence. Do not alert them, and do not wrong the innocent."

"This subordinate understands."

"Wait. In some time, convene an Elder Council. There is something I wish to discuss with them." Ye Xunfeng closed the file and rose silently to his feet.

"Yue Guan, what kind of people do you think could investigate corruption with absolute impartiality, fearing neither heaven nor earth?" Ye Xunfeng asked with a quiet smile.

"Th-this... It would have to be people with no conflicting interests, and who also have powerful backing..." Yue Guan answered after hesitating.

Ye Xunfeng lightly clapped his hands. "Exactly. Only people like that can thoroughly investigate things. So the best choice would be the elders' descendants."

Yue Guan's eyes lit up.

"It will also save them from saying they have nowhere to gain experience. Is there any better place to temper people than this?" Ye Xunfeng said with a smile.

After handling his official duties, Ye Xunfeng was preparing to practice with his spear when Bibi Dong entered carrying a bowl of soup.

"Brother Xunfeng, you have not eaten yet, right? I had someone stew some soup. Try it." Bibi Dong placed the bowl on the desk, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

Ye Xunfeng glanced at her. These days, Bibi Dong had been coming to the Pope Palace every few days, serving tea and water, bringing soup and meals. She had been exceedingly attentive.

He accepted the bowl and took a sip. It tasted quite good.

"You should sit and have some too." Ye Xunfeng pointed at the chair beside him.

Bibi Dong shook her head and stood to the side, watching him drink. Her gaze was so gentle it seemed ready to drip with water.

Ye Xunfeng felt somewhat uncomfortable under her stare and put down the bowl. "Why do you keep staring at me?"

"Because you are handsome." Bibi Dong was utterly matter-of-fact.

Ye Xunfeng choked for a moment, then lifted the bowl and took another two sips, changing the subject. "How has your cultivation been lately? What rank is your Soul Power at?"

"Rank sixty-seven." Bibi Dong pulled over a chair and sat across from him, resting her cheek on her hand. "I feel like I can reach rank sixty-eight in another two months."

"Not bad." Ye Xunfeng nodded. Bibi Dong's talent truly needed no explanation. Twin Martial Souls and innately full Soul Power—she was among the very best in all of Douluo Continent.

One could even say that she was the only one to reach godhood through her own efforts.

So how exactly had Bibi Dong fallen for someone like Yu Xiaogang?

Bibi Dong suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Brother Xunfeng, last time you said... that you would take responsibility. Does that still count?"

Ye Xunfeng's hand holding the bowl paused.

"It counts." He put down the bowl, looked into Bibi Dong's eyes, and said seriously, "I never go back on my word."

A brilliant smile blossomed across Bibi Dong's face. Like a cat that had stolen a fish, her eyes and brows were filled with smug delight.

"Then when Sister Ah Yin arrives, I will get along with her properly." Bibi Dong braced both hands on the table and leaned forward, her violet eyes sparkling. "I will not fight her for anything. As long as I can stay by your side, that is enough."

Ye Xunfeng looked at her, unable to describe what he felt.

Bibi Dong at this point really was just an innocent young girl. She did not have any of the later distortion or madness. Her entire heart and gaze were fixed on him.

He did not like people who were love-struck fools, but since this love-struck fool was devoted to him, he found himself unable to say much. He still liked it...

"All right, the soup is finished. Go back and rest." Ye Xunfeng stood and set the bowl aside. "You still need to cultivate tomorrow, so do not stay up late."

Bibi Dong answered and skipped away.

Ye Xunfeng watched her figure disappear through the doorway and softly sighed.

Bibi Dong was so innocent at this point that she was almost foolishly innocent. Her eyes were clearer than a college student's...

Had Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu not taught her that people could be dangerous?

He wondered how Ah Yin was doing. Once he finished dealing with things here, he would go take a look at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Meanwhile, in Star Dou Forest.

"Brother Hao, the roast rabbit you made is so delicious." Chu Ying tilted her head and smiled sweetly.

"Hehe, if Ah Ying likes it, then your Second Brother will make it for you." Tang Hao said with an honest-looking grin.

"That is right, Sister Ah Ying." Tang Xiao said gently from the side.

Chu Ying looked at the two men with a sweet smile, though her eyes were unreadable.

These two fools from the Clear Sky Sect were so easy to deceive. No wonder that expert had sent her to find them.

But that expert had never shown themself, and she had no idea who they were. Back then, the information had merely been revealed to her by her Martial Soul.

As for choosing one of these two? She did not want to choose either one.

She wanted them both.

A smile curled across Chu Ying's lips.