The upheaval at Shrek Academy finally came to a temporary end with Tang Hao's dejected departure.
As Tang Hao left, he gave Gu Han one last hateful glance. He stubbornly blamed everything on Gu Han, convinced that the boy had used some wicked sorcery to steal his Ah Yin away.
But with Chen Xin by his side, he hadn't dared to make another move. He hadn't taken Tang San with him, either; he simply vanished from everyone's sight.
Gu Han knew that his feud with Tang Hao wasn't over, but he had more important things to do.
He politely declined Chen Xin's invitation to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and earnestly thanked the senior for coming to his aid.
Chen Xin didn't press him. He simply gave Gu Han a look, left him with a parting "Take care of yourself," and drifted away.
Several days later, Gu Han set out for Spirit City with Xiao Wu.
On the way, he used the power of the Karma Scissors again. This time, it wasn't a simple "Fiber Severing." Combining his newly acquired divine sense with his deeper understanding of karma, he placed a defensive layer over Xiao Wu.
Unless a god deliberately targeted her with an investigation, even a Titled Douluo would find it difficult to see through Xiao Wu's Soul Beast identity. He had also repaired the Thousand-Change Mask, improving its concealment.
Standing before Pope Hall once more, Gu Han felt less apprehensive and more at ease.
Inside the hall, Bibi Dong listened as Gu Han gave a brief report on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He didn't mention what had happened at Shrek Academy. Little could be read in Bibi Dong's eyes; she merely nodded.
"You handled things well enough."
"You've formed a connection with Chen Xin." She abruptly changed the subject and turned her gaze on Gu Han. "But you didn't come back just to report, did you?"
"Nothing escapes your notice, Teacher."
Meeting Bibi Dong's gaze, Gu Han said, "There is indeed something I'd like to ask your permission for."
"Go on."
"I want to establish a force of my own." Gu Han's voice was clear.
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, though she didn't seem particularly surprised. "Oh? You want to establish a force? Tell me more."
"This force will operate independently of Spirit Hall's usual structure, but it will be entirely loyal to Spirit Hall and to you, Teacher."
Gu Han had already prepared his proposal. "Its main duties will be gathering intelligence and resolving certain 'karma' that's difficult to deal with."
He emphasized the word "karma" on purpose. It both highlighted the force's defining purpose and laid the groundwork for what it would become.
Bibi Dong fell silent for a moment, lightly tapping her scepter with her fingertips.
She naturally understood Gu Han's intentions. A force directly controlled by the Holy Son, with a degree of independence, would be a sharper hidden blade for Spirit Hall.
"What's its name?" she finally asked.
"Karma Pavilion." Gu Han spoke the three words.
"Karma Pavilion..."
Bibi Dong murmured the name, a glint passing through her eyes.
"Very well. I approve. You may plan and submit a request for its initial personnel and resources. If Nana and Xie Yue have time, they can help you as well."
"There's an old archive in the eastern part of Spirit City's inner district. It's spacious enough and sufficiently secluded. You may use it."
"Thank you, Teacher." Gu Han was delighted. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to agree so readily—or to have a location ready for him.
After leaving Pope Hall, Gu Han didn't go straight to inspect the site Bibi Dong had found. Instead, he took Xiao Wu to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace once more, to the Crown Prince's East Palace.
Qian Renxue, who had learned of Gu Han's return early, had already discarded her disguise and resumed her stunning appearance.
When she saw the adorable girl in pink beside Gu Han, with clear, bright eyes, she paused briefly. Then a smile blossomed across her face.
"So this is little sister Xiao Wu? What a lovely girl. Come here and let your big sister have a look."
Qian Renxue affectionately took the shy Xiao Wu by the hand and looked her up and down, her eyes brimming with fondness. She could tell how much Gu Han liked Xiao Wu and how openly Xiao Wu relied on him. Qian Renxue was genuinely happy for him.
At first, Xiao Wu was a little nervous. After all, this "Sister Xue" was not only the person closest to Gu Han, but also someone of very high status.
But Qian Renxue's gentle warmth, entirely free of airs, soon put her at ease. The two girls quickly leaned together and started whispering, their laughter ringing like silver bells.
"Xiao Han, I'm warning you,"
Qian Renxue suddenly put on a stern face and admonished Gu Han. "You're not allowed to bully Xiao Wu. If I find out you have, I won't let you off." She even raised a fist, though the amusement in her eyes gave her away.
Watching them, Gu Han felt a warmth in his heart and could only agree again and again.
Some time later, Qian Renxue suddenly remembered something. She took a sachet woven from Ice Silkworm thread from her robes.
The sachet was exquisitely made. A graceful, flowing "Xue" was embroidered on the front in gold thread, and a steady "Han" on the back in silver. A subtle fragrance drifted from it, soothing the mind and calming the spirit.
"Here. This is the return gift I promised you. I embroidered it myself, and it took ages. You'd better not turn your nose up at it."
Qian Renxue handed the sachet to Gu Han, her cheeks faintly red and her eyes carrying a trace of anticipation. Given her status, a gift she had embroidered by hand carried more heartfelt meaning than any treasure.
Gu Han took the sachet, still warm from Qian Renxue's body. His fingers brushed over the "Han" embroidered on it, and he was deeply moved. He carefully tucked it away against his chest. "Thank you, Sister Xue. I like it—very much."
Seeing how much Gu Han cherished it, Qian Renxue's smile deepened. Gu Han then told her about his plans to establish Karma Pavilion.
"Karma Pavilion? A force that seeks out and resolves the karma of the world?"
Qian Renxue's eyes shone with interest. Of course she knew that her younger brother was no ordinary person. The force's name and purpose suited his Martial Soul perfectly.
"It sounds impressive, and it suits you. Do you need your big sister's help? I might have some connections and information here in Heaven Dou."
"Sister Xue, I don't need help for now." Gu Han shook his head. "In its early stages, I want to rely on Spirit Hall's resources to establish a foothold."
"But if I need anything later, I won't hesitate to come to you."
Qian Renxue nodded and said gently,
"All right. Be careful, whatever you do. Remember, no matter what happens, your big sister and your grandfather will always have your back."
Amid the warmth of the moment, the sachet in Gu Han's arms seemed to flicker faintly. An imperceptible ripple briefly connected it to an item Qian Renxue wore.
Neither Gu Han nor Qian Renxue noticed the tiny phenomenon right away. This sachet, bearing his sister's heartfelt wishes, might one day draw them into a thread of "karma."
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