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Qian Renxue could naturally see the change in Qian Daoliu's expression and asked with a trembling voice, "Grandfather, does this mean everything Liu Erlong said is true? That my brother and I... were born because Father treated that woman like that?"
After a long silence, Qian Daoliu finally admitted it. Turning his head away, unable to face the siblings, he said, "What happened back then was complicated. Bibi Dong's first love was that useless man Yu Xiaogang—or rather, he's still the one she loves even now. She was even willing to leave Spirit Hall and elope with him. In order to keep her here, Qian Xunji resorted to despicable means, as you've already learned from the truth you discovered."
"As for everything that followed, you should ask your brother. Some of his actions are beyond my understanding. After Bibi Dong left Spirit Hall, I believe her life wasn't too bad."
Qian Daoliu truly believed that. When Bibi Dong left Spirit Hall, she took a few hundred gold soul coins for travel expenses and some fine clothing. Selling those clothes to wealthy buyers could easily fetch tens of thousands of gold soul coins—more than enough for a comfortable life. Moreover, Qian Daoliu secretly dispatched two collateral members of the Angel Clan to protect her, ensuring she wouldn't face any danger.
However, the reality was far different. Bibi Dong had been robbed, beaten down by society, reduced to a beggar, humiliated, and lived in utter misery. These were things Qian Daoliu never knew because the two guards essentially did nothing. The only report they sent back—a casual letter—ended up in Qian Renhan's hands.
Qian Renhan didn't care whether Bibi Dong lived or died. He never spared a thought for her. At most, when he heard about a rare soul bone being dropped after someone died, he guessed it was Bibi Dong's doing. It wasn't until the two guards reported that Bibi Dong had reached Shrek Academy that he began considering his plan to corrupt Qian Renxue.
Hearing that Bibi Dong had supposedly lived well after leaving Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue felt a slight sense of relief.
After speaking, Qian Daoliu left, feeling too ashamed to remain, but he still sternly warned Qian Renxue not to absorb the Light Holy Dragon's source.
"Brother…" Qian Renxue looked to Qian Renhan for answers.
Qian Renhan approached her, gently ruffling her hair like he did when they were children. "Xiaoxue, in this world, aside from family, there's no such thing as kindness without reason. The more you gain, the more you must pay. Bibi Dong received vast resources from Spirit Hall, yet wanted to leave and elope with a useless man. She sought benefits without fulfilling her responsibilities. There's no such thing as a free lunch."
"But brother, she's our mother. Didn't you say only family can offer unconditional kindness?" Qian Renxue asked again.
"That's exactly what I'm about to explain. I am a Fallen Angel. My view of the world is different from everyone else's."
Turning away, Qian Renhan said calmly, "I don't believe in love without cause, only in obligations tied to identity. If I ever feel affection, it's only because someone has shown me genuine emotion, and I respond in kind—nothing more."
Qian Renhan had previously said he had feelings for Qian Daoliu, the Six Elders, and Qian Xunji, but only to a limited extent. That affection came from how they, before he was six, viewed him as a source of pride—the future of Spirit Hall—and dedicated themselves to teaching him. After he awakened his Fallen Angel martial soul at six, he was largely isolated.
Those feelings only extended so far—he'd share a piece of immortal herb with them or save them in life-threatening situations. Beyond that, he cared little.
As for Qian Renxue, his affection was stronger because she had clung to him since childhood, ignoring the rejection of Spirit Hall. In return, he responded more deeply.
That's why he became angry when Qian Renxue neglected her cultivation to spy in Heaven Dou. He beat her and sent her back, paving the way to improve her strength and mind. He didn't interfere when she played as a child, as long as it didn't affect her future—he indulged her.
If it had been Qian Xunji undercover in Heaven Dou instead, Qian Renhan wouldn't care how many years were wasted or how much cultivation time was lost—as long as he didn't die.
Spirit Hall, the place that raised Qian Renhan, held his deepest emotions. That's why he bore the burden of becoming the Pope—to repay the debt.
As for Bibi Dong, he'd always been repulsed by her. She even tried to disgust him with that nonsense about Spirit Hall's "Ten Core Competencies" and the likes of Hu Liena. Any affection was impossible, let alone a response. Without obligation, Bibi Dong didn't even exist in his mind, let alone concern him with her fate.
Qian Renxue left the Pope's Hall, head lowered, heading for the Hall of Worship to seek answers about what Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong had done. From Qian Daoliu's words, she sensed a lingering guilt toward Bibi Dong—perhaps Qian Xunji was truly at fault. From Qian Renhan, she saw that different people held different views. He merely acted accordingly, without defining right or wrong.
So, Qian Renxue went to find the oldest, most experienced, and most knowledgeable member of Spirit Hall—Golden Crocodile Douluo—for answers.
She asked, "Grandfather Jin'e, what's your view on what happened between my father and that woman?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed and said, "Miss, forgive me for speaking bluntly."
"Grandfather Jin'e, please speak freely," Qian Renxue replied.
"In my view," Golden Crocodile continued, "Qian Xunji did nothing wrong. Spirit Hall awakened her martial soul, guided her on the path of cultivation, adopted her, provided her with food, clothing, and eventually made her Pope. We helped her train, gave her the title of Saintess, and yet she wanted to run off with a worthless man. Worse, she sought to join the forces opposed to Spirit Hall and, in the future, strengthen the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to challenge us. She is nothing but an ungrateful wretch—less than human."
"True, Qian Xunji's methods were indeed despicable, but I believe that woman brought it upon herself. To deal with a traitorous ingrate—a beast unworthy of being called a person—no punishment would be too severe. Even being cut into a thousand pieces would be justified. If Qian Xunji did anything wrong…"
At this point, Golden Crocodile trailed off, unable to finish his sentence in front of Qian Renxue. He knew she still held some affection for Bibi Dong. He couldn't very well say, "After giving birth to you, he should've slapped her to death," not in her presence.
"I understand, Grandfather Jin'e." Qian Renxue turned and walked away, her expression bleak, heading toward the Douluo Hall. She needed to continue her seventh Angel Trial. Since everyone in Spirit Hall seemed to despise Bibi Dong, and her grandfather claimed Bibi Dong lived well outside the Hall, then she would simply let Bibi Dong live out her life elsewhere. Her focus now was on completing the trial and freeing her father, Qian Xunji.
Arriving at Douluo Hall, Qian Renxue paused in surprise. "The Shura Sword? Why did my brother plant his martial soul here?"
"Xiaoxue, come inside," Qian Daoliu's stern voice rang out.
Qian Renxue entered and asked, "Grandfather, what's the matter?"
Qian Daoliu said gravely, "Xiaoxue, you must complete the seventh Angel Trial as soon as possible—within a month at the latest. The sooner, the better."
(End of Chapter)