A Mother's Advice and a Place to Stay

The elderly couple heard Bibi Dong's words, and their smiles grew even wider.

"How wonderful! It truly is a blessing from heaven. Who would have thought the girl we saved on a whim would also have the surname Zhu? It's as though she came to let the two of us enjoy our later years."

"Qian Xun, Qian Xun. A treasure found after searching far and wide. What a lovely name." Tears streamed down the old woman's face, but she was smiling.

"Eat up, daughter. Tonight, your father and I will make you braised pork."

The old woman's wrinkled skin seemed to glow with new life, as though even her face had grown smoother.

Bibi Dong accepted with a smile. Her delicate face was bright, and her heart felt unusually peaceful.

After the meal, life settled back into its old rhythm. Bibi Dong continued studying and treating the sick.

But the old woman always had a smile on her face and often drew Bibi Dong aside to talk about one thing or another.

When she asked whether Bibi Dong had someone she liked, Bibi Dong blushed at once, making the old woman smile all the more.

"Daughter, if you meet someone you love, be brave and pursue him. In love, it isn't about who's right or wrong, or who gives more or less. It's about whether you love each other."

"If someone doesn't truly love you, then no matter what you do for him, he won't value it. He'll only take it for granted."

The old woman watched the old man bustle about outside, turning over the herbs laid out to dry, as she spoke.

"And if there's a misunderstanding and he refuses to understand you, choosing to resent you instead, then he isn't the right one either. You must let go before it's too late."

"Let go?" Bibi Dong repeated under her breath.

Seeing her reaction, the old woman knew she must have suffered something of the sort. She went on, "Love has nothing to do with status. You either like someone or you don't. Even if he's a little younger, you should pursue him if your heart stirs. But only if the feelings go both ways."

"Little girl, do you know why I married this poor old man? I saw that he was steady and kind. And once I fell in love, I stayed in love for nearly fifty years."

"When he was young, he had plenty of women who were fond of him. But what did that matter? In the end, I was the one who stayed by his side, and he's put up with me for nearly fifty years..."

As the old woman spoke, her face shone with pride, as though she had won a great victory.

"I understand, Mother." After listening to her, Bibi Dong suddenly pictured a young man and recalled everything that had happened over the past month.

"Pfft!" Bibi Dong could not help laughing aloud. The old woman teased her, "Daughter, you must let me meet the one you like someday."

"All right," Bibi Dong agreed with a smile, and the old woman resumed her chatter.

"All I ask of this life," the old woman often said, "is peace of mind, not wealth or rank."

Bibi Dong took those words to heart and began asking herself what she truly wanted.

A few days later, Bibi Dong accompanied the old couple deep into the forest to gather several rare antidote herbs. They had not intended to bring her, but she insisted on going.

"I need to learn to recognize some herbs where they grow, too. Father, Mother, I'm coming with you," she said.

The old man looked worried. "Silly girl, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you..."

"Don't worry," Bibi Dong said calmly. "Father, your daughter is a Soul Ancestor. I can protect myself."

Unable to talk her out of it, the two agreed to take her along.

The three entered the Star Dou Great Forest together.

The elderly couple would not let her walk in front. The old man led the way, while the old woman kept Bibi Dong close behind him, guarding her carefully. Bibi Dong was moved once again.

From time to time, Bibi Dong glanced at the herbs beside the path and named them and their uses on sight, delighting the elderly couple.

They never asked about her past, only what she needed now.

To them, this young woman was a gift from heaven. That was enough.

Bibi Dong had no intention of contacting Spirit Hall, either.

With her strength reduced to that of a Soul Ancestor, she would be treated as little better than useless there.

Now she understood what that little fellow had meant.

Only after experiencing weakness herself could she understand why he longed so fiercely for strength, and how precious it was.

For now, she did not want anyone to see her like this.

Least of all those who feared her power and had chosen her as pope only because they had no other choice.

She would wait until the poison was completely purged and her strength returned...

But until then, she was willing to be the old couple's "daughter." She was willing to live in their humble home and use the hands that held power over Spirit Hall to heal strangers and cleanse them of poison.

Meanwhile, under Snake Lance Douluo's escort, Ning Chengyi arrived safely at Star Dou Town.

The sight of the town surprised him.

It rivaled some small and medium-sized cities, perhaps even surpassed them.

"Kid, this is as far as I'm taking you. The rest is up to you. We have a shop here, too."

"It's a bit smaller, but it can still pass on information."

Ning Chengyi nodded and, without paying She Long any further attention, headed off on his own.

After all, "smaller" only meant smaller than the Nightglow Tower in Heaven Dou City.

In the center of town, Nightglow Tower's sign was hard to miss.

Ning Chengyi took out his VIP card and went inside.

Xue Qinghe had already upgraded his card to Heaven-Class.

Once inside, he spotted a familiar face.

"What are you doing here?!" Ning Chengyi exclaimed. The person who had come to greet him was the manager of Nightglow Tower in Heaven Dou City.

"His Highness the crown prince said I would be responsible for all your needs from now on."

Dressed in gray, the manager bowed and spoke with an ingratiating smile.

"What's your name?" Ning Chengyi asked. The manager brightened at once. At last, I'm worth knowing by name!

"My surname is Cao, and my given name is Deshuang, sir!"

"Cao... Who gave you that name?"

"My father wasn't much of a scholar. He just knew that a man should have morals if he wanted to live well, so he gave me this name."

Cao Deshuang chuckled. He clearly admired his father for it.

"All right, Cao... Deshuang. Arrange a meal. I'm hungry."

"Yes, sir."

Watching the manager leave, Ning Chengyi shook his head helplessly. His father certainly had a way with words.

As a regular at Nightglow Tower, Ning Chengyi made his own way upstairs to the Heaven-Class Room.

He felt no guilt at all about spending money there. If anything, it felt entirely justified.

"Who was that? The manager seemed awfully attentive to him."

"Probably someone important. I've no idea."

"When will we get to be people like that?"

There were still many guests in the main hall.

After seeing how eagerly the manager had fawned over Ning Chengyi, they talked and dreamed of receiving the same treatment.

"Oh, did you hear? Old Zhu and his wife took in an incredibly beautiful girl as their adopted daughter!"

"Hah! You made it sound like some great secret. Everyone in town already knows." The friend across from him snorted, disappointed, but kept talking.

"Old Zhu's had a hard life, but he's always treated the rest of us well."

"Hasn't he? It's good to see things finally looking up for him. Good people deserve good fortune!"

"I hope Old Zhu and his wife get to enjoy the rest of their lives."

"Enough talk. Drink! If anyone tries to bully them, they'll have to answer to more than ninety percent of the folks in town..."

The two chatted idly.

But the gratitude in their eyes whenever they spoke of Old Zhu and his wife was genuine.

That was the reputation the elderly couple had built over a lifetime.

Once Ning Chengyi had eaten and drunk his fill, he decided to look around. He was curious about Star Dou Town.

After asking the manager, he learned where the real intelligence organization was. Once he was ready, he headed straight there.