The Mission Begins!

"Insolence?"

Bibi Dong laughed, the sound echoing through the empty hall.

"Was I wrong?"

She stepped closer, hatred suppressed for years churning in her violet eyes.

"You guard this Worship Hall, this so-called legacy, these hollow, elusive beliefs, yet you cannot even protect those closest to you."

"Qian Daoliu, I don't think you've grown old. You've grown muddleheaded!"

Qian Daoliu's face went from ashen to white. Veins bulged on the hand gripping his scepter, his knuckles almost digging into its cold stone shaft.

"Bibi Dong, if you came to mock me, you can leave now!"

"Leave?"

Bibi Dong suddenly burst into laughter, undisguised malice lacing the sound.

"Ha ha, Qian Daoliu, I've come to tell you some good news."

"Your precious granddaughter, Qian Renxue, has already agreed to go to the Heaven Dou Empire."

She deliberately stressed the word "agreed," like a dagger steeped in poison.

"Qian Daoliu, what does it matter if you stop me? All I have to do is reach out, and she'll agree to anything I ask."

Qian Daoliu clenched his hands, his knuckles whitening with the force, his fingers digging hard into his palms.

"Bibi Dong! The blood of our Qian Family runs through Xiao Xue's veins, but she is your daughter too!"

"Are you truly going to watch Xiao Xue die in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"Yes!"

Bibi Dong met his gaze, tears having gathered in her eyes at some point.

The instant the word left her lips, an invisible hand seemed to seize her chest in a vicious grip.

She staggered, pressing a hand to her heart, her fingertips digging into her robes with the force. Her voice carried a suppressed tremor.

"I want to see it! To see your Qian Family destroyed! It was you... you were the ones who ruined me!"

Tears slid down her cheeks and struck the cold floor, mingling with her hoarse, desperate accusations.

Laden with years of pent-up hatred and resentment, they echoed through the empty hall.

Watching Bibi Dong teeter on the edge of collapse, Qian Daoliu suddenly gave the faintest smile.

"What are you smiling at? What are you smiling at?"

As though stung by his smile, Bibi Dong demanded shrilly. The pain in her chest nearly left her unable to stand, yet she stubbornly kept her head raised, refusing to show weakness.

Qian Daoliu slowly let his smile fade. His gaze settled calmly on her, his voice quiet but every word clear.

"Bibi Dong, you cannot make peace with your past self, yet neither can you let go of your love as a mother."

Bibi Dong shuddered, as though someone had stripped away layer after layer of her disguise in public, exposing the most wretched parts within.

Instinctively, she wanted to argue, but her throat seemed blocked, and she could not make a sound.

"Though there is hatred in your eyes!"

Qian Daoliu continued, as though he could see through every one of her attempts to act strong.

"I saw love there too."

"Nonsense!"

Bibi Dong finally found her voice again, sharp and piercing.

"I hate! All I feel is hate! I hate every one of you!"

"Is that so?"

Qian Daoliu gently shook his head.

"Perhaps your lips refuse to admit it, but your heart cannot deceive you."

"If there truly was only hatred, how do you explain the panic and anguish that flashed through your eyes when Xiao Xue's safety was mentioned just now?"

His words were like a key, abruptly prying open the door to Bibi Dong's long-sealed heart.

The tenderness and concern buried deep beneath her hatred, which even she had deliberately forgotten, came surging out at that moment.

Yes, how could she not ache?

That child was flesh of her flesh, the name she had secretly whispered on countless lonely nights.

Bibi Dong abruptly stepped back and struck the cold wall, the chill against her back making her shiver.

She looked at Qian Daoliu, tears pouring from her eyes. This time, it was no longer anger, but endless pain and inner turmoil.

"I..."

She opened her mouth, only to find she could not utter even a complete sentence.

Seeing her like this, Qian Daoliu sighed softly.

"After all these years of hatred, the one who suffers is still you."

With that, he turned and walked slowly outside.

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the hall doors, stretching his shadow long behind him.

Inside the hall, Bibi Dong was left alone. With her back against the wall, she slowly slid to the floor.

She covered her face, the sobs she had stifled finally escaping her lips, filled with endless regret and confusion.

Could her heart not deceive her?

Then why did this love and hatred cause her such pain, make it so hard for her to choose?

Early in the morning three days later, before the thin mist had fully dispersed, quite a few people had already gathered at the gates of Martial Soul Holy City.

A cold wind swept fine flecks of snow past the city walls, making everyone's robes flutter.

Qian Daoliu held Qian Renxue's hand. The old man's palm was rough but warm as he gently patted the back of her hand, the worry in his eyes almost spilling over.

"Xiao Xue, once you reach the Heaven Dou Empire, put safety first in everything you do."

"If you encounter even the slightest danger, send word to She Long and Ci Xue immediately. You must not try to brave it alone."

Qian Renxue wore a fitted light-purple outfit that allowed for easy movement, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail. Her usual girlish innocence had faded from her face, replaced by a measure of composure.

She nodded firmly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible catch.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll remember."

Beside them, She Long and Ci Xue stood solemnly in black. When they saw Qian Daoliu look their way, they immediately bowed.

"Rest assured, Great Enshrined. The two of us will keep the young mistress safe."

Not far away, Bibi Dong stood beneath the covered walkway in black robes, her gaze resting on Qian Renxue. She did not approach or speak, only twisting her cuff unconsciously between her fingertips.

The wind lifted a corner of her cloak, revealing a sliver of cold, pale skin at her neck. Her expression was indistinct.

Qian Renxue walked up to Qian Daoliu, bent her knees gently, and knelt on the ground.

She lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting faint shadows beneath them, her voice carrying an indescribable solemnity.

"Grandpa."

Seeing this, Qian Daoliu hurriedly reached out to help her up, his brows drawing together slightly.

"Silly child, what are you doing? Get up."

But Qian Renxue gently pushed his hand away, pressed her forehead to the icy ground, and kowtowed three times with heavy, resounding knocks.

Each bow carried a resolute finality, as though she wanted to drive all the guilt and determination in her heart into those three dull thuds.

"Grandpa, I've been an unfilial granddaughter!"

When she raised her head, her eyes were slightly red, but she stubbornly kept her tears from falling.

"I've made you worry yourself sick over me all these years. From now on... I'm afraid I won't be able to stay by your side often."

"You're getting on in years. You must take good care of yourself and stop worrying about me."

Looking at his granddaughter's stubborn expression, Qian Daoliu felt both heartache and reassurance.

He sighed and, in the end, stopped trying to pull her up. His voice was a little hoarse.

"You child... you've always been this stubborn."

"Go. Do what you want to do. Your grandpa isn't so old that he needs someone watching over him every moment."

"Just remember, no matter when, this will always be your home."

"I'll be here waiting for you, keeping your favorite osmanthus cakes for you. If they go cold, I'll steam them warm again..."