At first, she thought her teacher treated Xuan Ming like a child like herself, but ever since Xuan Ming went to Spirit City with the Soul Bone a year ago and left in the middle of the night for some unknown reason, she felt something was wrong.
That wasn't affection for her, nor for the child.
Bibi Dong gently pushed Hu Liena away, her gaze somewhat evasive. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. " Nana, some things aren't what you think, I..."
Hu Liena interrupted her, saying, "I know you're worried about me, afraid I won't be able to accept it."
Bibi Dong opened her mouth, but hesitated, and turned her back to him.
She dared not let Hu Liena know about this, which was why she was reluctant to let Hu Liena absorb the Nine-Tailed Fox Heart Lotus.
She didn't know how to face Hu Liena.
Hu Liena slowly stepped forward, hugged Bibi Dong from behind, pressed her face against Bibi Dong's back, and whispered, "Teacher, you don't need to worry about me."
Bibi Dong sighed softly, grasped Hu Liena's hands, and said in a slightly choked voice, " Nana, some things aren't as simple as you think."
Hu Liena hugged her even tighter. "Teacher, I just don't want to see you suppressing yourself like this all the time."
Bibi Dong paused slightly, then gave a bitter smile. "Suppressed? Nana, you're too young. You don't understand. There are too many obstacles between him and me, not just our social status, but also our insurmountable past."
Hu Liena gripped Bibi Dong's wrist tightly. "Teacher, let bygones be bygones. What matters is the present and the future. Look, Xuan Ming has done so much for you; he definitely cares about you."
Bibi Dong's gaze drifted, as if lost in memories. After a moment, she snapped out of her reverie, pulling away from Hu Liena's grasp. " Nana, stop talking. I know very well that there's no future for us."
"I admit, I do have those kinds of feelings for him, but I promise I will never try to take him from you."
As Bibi Dong was about to leave, Hu Liena suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her way. Looking into Bibi Dong's eyes, she said earnestly, "Teacher, you don't need to worry about me. I hope you can be happy. You've sacrificed so much for me; now it's my turn to do something for you."
Bibi Dong's eyes dimmed slightly. " Nana, some things are long beyond my reach."
"Teacher..."
Bibi Dong opened her arms and embraced Hu Liena, gently stroking her hair. " Nana, I'm so glad you don't hate me after you found out about this. You're still young, you can pursue your own happiness, and your teacher will support you. As for me, this is enough for me now."
Hu Liena slightly raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "Teacher, you..."
Bibi Dong released Hu Liena and gently wiped away her tears. " Nana, get some rest."
After saying that, she flashed away and instantly left the courtyard, leaving Hu Liena standing there, staring in the direction she had gone, speechless for Jiujiu.
At the same time, Xuan Ming had already arrived at the Moonlight Pavilion.
The Moonlight Pavilion remains as tranquil and elegant as ever, with moonlight spilling onto the windowsill, coating the exquisite carvings with a layer of silver frost.
Knock knock!
A sudden knocking sound came from outside the window, startling Tang Yuehua awake. She looked towards the windowsill, " Xuan Ming?"
"Hmm." Xuan Ming's voice came from outside the window.
Tang Yuehua was slightly taken aback, then quickly got up, walked to the window, opened it, and saw Xuan Ming hovering by the window.
"How many times have I told you, don't go out the window."
Before Xuan Ming could say anything, Tang Yuehua reached out and pulled him inside.
"I don't know who taught you to climb through a girl's window in the middle of the night."
"The gate is already closed," Xuan Ming said.
"Can't it be turned on if it's closed?" Tang Yuehua gave him a light, reproachful glare, pulled him to sit down at the table, and poured him a cup of flower wine.
"It's too late at night, it's not appropriate," Xuan Ming said.
Tang Yuehua's lips curled up slightly, with a hint of teasing, "Oh, you're quite particular. Then climbing through my window would be appropriate, wouldn't it?"
"The situation is special, and including today, I've flipped it seven times," Xuan Ming said.
Tang Yuehua was slightly taken aback, then chuckled at Xuan Ming's earnest response. Her eyes were full of reproachful yet tender affection. "Do you think seven times isn't enough?"
After saying that, Tang Yuehua gently handed the flower wine to Xuan Ming.
Xuan Ming took the flower wine, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, the sweet floral fragrance spreading in his mouth.
"You've been gone for so long, have you gone into seclusion in Sunset Forest again?" Tang Yuehua asked.
"Hmm." Xuan Ming placed the empty cup on the table.
"Couldn't you have told me beforehand?" Tang Yuehua looked at Xuan Ming with a hint of resentment.
"Disappeared without a word again."
"The situation is rather unusual; there's no time," Xuan Ming said.
Tang Yuehua's expression changed slightly. "What happened?"
"It's nothing serious, but I probably won't be able to stay here for much longer," Xuan Ming said.
You must have heard about what happened at the auction.
Tang Yuehua frowned slightly, a hint of worry creeping into her expression. "This matter isn't beyond redemption. You can use this opportunity to push for change. His Highness the Crown Prince and Sect Master Ning have also contacted me; they will do everything in their power..."
Xuan Ming gently shook his head, interrupting Tang Yuehua, "No need."
"..."
"Does it have to be this way?" Tang Yuehua asked.
Everyone is trying to suppress this matter now, and it's not impossible that Xuan Ming might use it as an excuse to actually push it forward.
The combined power of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Seven Great Families is so great that even the Spirit Hall has to give them face!
Moreover, the Spirit Hall was also heavily involved in this matter!
If Xuan Ming is unwilling to negotiate, it would be tantamount to slapping these three families in the face in front of everyone!
"I have done what I was supposed to do," Xuan Ming said.
"They broke the agreement."
Tang Yuehua grabbed Xuan Ming's hand, "Why are you dwelling on this? Even if it's their fault, they can't be wrong!"
The conflict between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect back then was entirely instigated by the Spirit Hall!
Even if the Pope of the Spirit Hall is killed by Tang Hao, it is his own fault!
Tang Hao was right! The Clear Sky Sect was right too!
The Spirit Hall is at fault, and Qian Xunji is at fault!
But what is the reality?
The Clear Sky Sect suffered a severe blow and was forced to close its doors and live in seclusion!
So what if I'm wrong? So what if I'm right?
This isn't about right or wrong!
Chapter 196 For Safety's Sake
"I know," Xuan Ming said.
"You know nothing!" Tang Yuehua suddenly stood up, her emotions running high, her eyes slightly red.
Why are you all so stubborn!
" Tang Hao is like that! And so are you!"
"I've taught you so much over the years, haven't you listened to a single word?!"
Xuan Ming slowly stood up, gently took Tang Yuehua's hand, and pulled her back to her seat, saying, "Don't get agitated."
"How could I not be excited!" Tang Yuehua, her eyes red.
Don't you know what you'll face if you continue like this?
"I know."
"You know nothing!" Tang Yuehua turned her head away angrily, her chest heaving violently with rage.
"..." Xuan Ming.
"Don't you care about your image?"
"What time is it for me to worry about my image!" Tang Yuehua gripped Xuan Ming's arm tightly, her nails turning white. "There's no need to escalate this. Wouldn't it be better if we both compromised?"
"I know," Xuan Ming said.
"Then why do you insist on doing this?" Tang Yuehua asked, puzzled.
"Making a scene like this won't solve anything."
"Do you think this matter will be resolved if I just swallow my anger?" Xuan Ming retorted.
"Their so-called solution is nothing more than continuing in a different way, just fooling each other. In reality, nothing has been solved, as you know."
"Even if this matter can't be resolved, you should still think about yourself," Tang Yuehua said.
"I'll be fine," Xuan Ming said.
"Don't worry, someone will definitely die next, but it won't be me."
Tang Yuehua was slightly taken aback. "You joined the Spirit Hall?"
"What does this have to do with the Spirit Hall?" Xuan Ming asked, puzzled.
"Then what can you do?" Tang Yuehua asked.
If anyone can solve this problem, it's only the Pope currently in the Martial Soul Holy Temple.
"It has nothing to do with the Spirit Hall," Xuan Ming said.
"This is my own business, my choice, and I will handle it myself. You don't need to worry about me."
"I came here to talk to you about this."
"Don't worry about it. Don't pay attention to what Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi said. This has nothing to do with you."
"If they dare to threaten you, just tell me, and I'll handle everything."
"I'm not acting impulsively. I'm fully aware of the consequences of my choice. I'm sticking to this not out of spite, but because I'm capable of handling this."
"My way."
"..."
Tang Yuehua looked at Xuan Ming with complicated emotions, reaching out to stroke his face, "Don't be stubborn."
"I know," Xuan Ming said.
Tang Yuehua sighed softly and hugged Xuan Ming. "Can you tell me why you insist on doing this?"
"Given your current situation, in a few decades, once you reach the Titled Douluo, even the emperors of the two great empires, or even the Pope of the Spirit Hall, won't be able to do anything to you. At that time, wouldn't it be much simpler for you to do whatever you want?"
Leaving aside the Great Soul Arena, as the youngest holder of the Diamond Soul Fighting Badge in history, Xuan Ming's status there is unparalleled.
On the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's side, Ning Fengzhi was focused on bringing Xuan Ming and his own daughter together. At the same time, he was using the relationship between Xuan Ming and Xue Qinghe as a basis to secretly expand Xuan Ming's status and influence in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Once Xuan Ming reaches the Titled Douluo, Ning Fengzhi pass the title to Ning Rongrong. If these two are combined, it's uncertain who will be in charge of the Heaven Dou Empire in the future.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family family believed that Xuan Ming was Xue Qinghe's man, and that Xue Qinghe could control the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect through Xuan Ming, which is why they did not stop Ning Fengzhi.
Everyone had their own agenda, and Xuan Ming grew up in the cracks of such a multi-party game.
But now that things have escalated to this point, it's clear that Xue Qinghe has no control over Xuan Ming at all!
It's even possible that these two might break up!
If Xuan Ming and Xue Qinghe break up, the cooperation between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will be in serious trouble, not to mention the Seven Great Families!
What was originally a happy situation is about to turn into one where everyone is unhappy!
"I have other things to do," Xuan Ming said.
"This is the most appropriate way to handle it."
Tang Yuehua looked up, "Are you... trying to sever ties with them?"
"More or less," Xuan Ming said.
"Besides, I've had enough of this. I had to endure it before, but now, there's no need anymore."