Qian Xunji had thoroughly enjoyed his time away from Spirit City. During that time, whether because of his state of mind or something else...
His Soul Power Level had risen from level ninety-two to level ninety-three, making him a level ninety-three Titled Douluo. The future protagonist was now his son, and he had given up trying so hard, but he had not abandoned his cultivation entirely.
"Finally, we're back!" The carriage stopped at the foot of Divine Mountain. Qian Xunji lifted the curtain, stepped out, and stretched.
Ah Yin held both children in her arms. They had grown quite a bit since they left.
They could even say "Daddy" and "Mommy" now. To Ah Yin, both her children were exceptionally bright.
"Come on, Ah Yin. Let's go to the Worship Hall first. It's been so long since Dad saw Xiao Xue and Xiao Feng. He must be getting anxious."
Ah Yin smiled faintly and followed him. Anxious? Father might give you a beating.
Before long, Qian Xunji and Ah Yin arrived at the Worship Hall. They passed through corridor after corridor and entered the main hall.
"Well, look who's here." Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes and looked at them. "Must be nice being the Pope! You decide you're done working, take my grandchildren away for ages, and leave this old man waiting!"
Qian Xunji gave an awkward laugh. "Come on, Dad. You know how the Cabinet works. They don't need me for the little things, and if something big happens, they still have you."
Qian Daoliu said nothing. Of course he knew about the Cabinet. Just how did his son's mind work?
To think he had come up with a way to share the burden of governing. Why had Qian Daoliu never thought of it himself?
The Cabinet had plenty of drawbacks and would take some power away from the Pope. But strength ruled this world, and power went hand in hand with strength. Giving up that small share of authority hardly mattered!
The other elders watched with interest. Their eldest brother might give Qian Xunji another beating today.
"Hm?" Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned, then smiled. "Not bad, Xunji. You weren't just sightseeing all this time!"
"I remember you were only at level ninety-two when you left. Now you're back at level ninety-three."
"Hahaha!" Qian Xunji laughed. "You flatter me, Grandpa. It was luck, nothing but luck!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face darkened. This brat really couldn't take a compliment...
"I won't teach you a lesson today. Come on, hand me the little ones. Let me have a look!"
Qian Daoliu paid Qian Xunji and Ah Yin no further attention. He wanted to see his grandchildren. They had been gone so long; of course he had missed them!
People grew fond of children as they aged, especially their own family's children. And Qian Daoliu was very old indeed.
Qian Xunji took Qian Renxue and Qian Renfeng from Ah Yin's arms and passed them to Qian Daoliu.
"Grandpa?" little Qian Renfeng suddenly said.
"Grandpa?" Qian Renxue said too.
"Oh?" Qian Daoliu was beside himself with joy. Both little ones could talk already?
Ah Yin covered her mouth with a smile. "Father, while we were away, Xiao Xue and Xiao Feng learned to say 'Daddy' and 'Mommy.' So we taught them to say 'Grandpa' too, to surprise you when we came back!"
"Hahahaha!" Qian Daoliu beamed. "You've put some thought into this, my dear daughter-in-law. Unlike that rascal!"
"Oh?" The other elders crowded around. Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke first. "Come on, Xiao Xue, Xiao Feng. I'm your second grandpa. Say 'Grandpa' for me!"
"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue and Qian Renfeng said together.
They seemed to sense the elders' affection for them and broke into delighted smiles.
"Me too! Don't forget me! Second Brother, move aside. They've called you Grandpa already. Give the rest of us a turn!" Azure Luan Douluo shoved Golden Crocodile Douluo aside.
Golden Crocodile Douluo gave him a resentful look but said nothing. He had gotten his turn, after all.
Qian Daoliu shook his head helplessly as his old brothers crowded around.
"Grandpa..."
"Grandpa..."
"Grandpa..."
"Grandpa..."
Soon, the hall rang with nothing but Qian Renxue and Qian Renfeng calling out "Grandpa" and the elders' laughter.
Qian Xunji glanced at Ah Yin. "See? What did I tell you? We're just bystanders. Dad and the others can't get enough of these two!"
"What's wrong?" Ah Yin teased. "Are you jealous of your own children? You used to be the center of attention. Having trouble adjusting now that they are?"
"Am I?" Qian Xunji said. "I never said that. Don't put words in my mouth!"
Ah Yin smiled. "Why don't we leave Father and the others to it? We can come back tonight."
Qian Xunji looked at the elders, who had forgotten they were there, then nodded and left with Ah Yin.
They went straight back to the Papal Palace. This time, he did not send Ah Yin away. Instead, he brought her to his usual office.
At the sight of the few files on his desk, Qian Xunji laughed aloud. "Creating the Cabinet was the best decision I ever made! Ah Yin, you have no idea. Back then, if I left these files alone for a single day, they'd pile up like a mountain!"
Better for the Cabinet members to bear the workload than for him, the Pope, to suffer!
And they seemed to enjoy it, too. Both sides thought they had come out ahead—or so Qian Xunji believed.
"What are these about?" Ah Yin asked.
Qian Xunji casually picked up a file and began reading. "Routine matters. Anything that reaches my desk is something the Cabinet couldn't decide."
"Hm?" He looked at the file, then smiled. "Spirit Hall may protect the continent, but even we have our parasites!"
"Take a look, Ah Yin." Qian Xunji handed her the file and began leafing through the others.
Ah Yin glanced at it. "This... A bishop abusing other Soul Masters in his jurisdiction? Even ordinary people? That's... Xunji, what are you going to do?"
Qian Xunji took the file back and put pen to paper. "Investigate thoroughly! Arrest whoever needs arresting and look into everyone involved. We can't let parasites like this remain in Spirit Hall. Follow every lead."
"That's about it. Spirit Hall has its parasites too. Every organization does!"
"We just have far fewer than most... mainly because the culture in Spirit Hall is good."
Ah Yin nodded slightly, then sat nearby and quietly watched Qian Xunji at work. He looked handsome when he was so focused.
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