Li Jain was still staring at where Juanxin left in deep thought, suddenly, someone came from behind him and a big hand wrapped around his waist. Li Jain didn't look back; he recognized that it was Liu Xiong who was standing behind him.
Liu Xiong leaned over his shoulder and whispered into Li Jain's ear: "Why the sudden change in plan?"
Li Jain tried to turn around to face him. However, Liu Xiong didn't let him do so. He was still hugging his waist from behind. "I think the kids are too comfortable at home. I'm afraid they won't be able to handle the harsh conditions outside. Besides, they will soon start school."
Liu Xiong: ...
Liu Xiong was silent for a moment, just when Li Jain thought he wasn't going to say anything, he heard a soft whisper against his ears: "You really loved those children."
"They are my children. Why won't I love them?" Li Jian pushes Liu Xiong away gently and looks at him with confusion.
Liu Xiong smiled and shook his head thinking: 'How can you still be so simple?'
"The fruit you spoke of, I don't think I've come across it." Li Xiong changed the subject: "So, how can the blood Lotus Fruit be acquired? Where did it grow? Is there something else we need to know about it?"
"Oh." Jain immediately recalled the conversation he had with Juanxin. It turns out he hasn't informed Liu Xiong yet. "Blood Lotus fruit is a very strange plant that's good at disguise. When it hides in the center of a fruit, it will make the host fruit very bitter or have other strange tastes. It usually occupies bigger fruits that have more space." Li Jan tried to describe the blood Lotus fruit as best as he could.
The Blood Lotus Fruit is not rare in quality but because of its advanced disguise ability, it could be right in front of you but you won't be able to tell.
"The fruit grows in places with tropical climates. Also, when you hear people complaining about certain fruits losing their taste or a fruit that they can't get rid of, then there's a high chance that it has blood Lotus within it." Li Jain thought about it for a couple of seconds but no other information came to mind: "I've only encountered the blood Lotus fruit twice."
"I know most herbs love to disguise and hide their appearance when they gain intelligence but I didn't know fruits can do the same as well." Liu Xiong said with amazement.
"Fruit trees are also plants. It's not strange for them to have intelligence." Li Jain frowned, obviously dissatisfied with Liu Xiong looking down on fruits.
'You're no longer a spiritual fruit, why are you still angry?' Liu Xiong murmurs under his breath.
Li Jain's eyes contracted and he stared at Liu Xiong in disbelief: "What did you just say?"
"Nothing" Liu Xiong denied innocently. He wasn't in a hurry to make Li Jain remember him. "When would we set out?"
"Tomorrow morning." Li Jain saw that Liu Xiong didn't want to continue the subject so he let it be and decided to ask him another time. "Speaking of which, I'll have to trouble you with Juanxin for the time being. He has a pure and rare healing ability unfortunately, he's afraid of blood..."
"hehe...." Liu Xiong couldn't help laughing at the irony; which healer is afraid of wounds?
Li Jain glared at him in disapproval: "Juanxin is still young and hasn't had many encounters yet, that's why I'll appreciate for you to find an opportunity to make him experience those things."
Liu Xiong suppressed his laughter and nodded his head seriously: "I'll do my best."
"Thanks a lot" Li Jain smiled genuinely at him.
"Would there be a reward for me when I get back?" Liu Xiong asked mischievously. Unfortunately, Li Jain was like a plain sheet of paper and didn't get the meaning behind his words.
Li Jain thought that Liu Xiong was doing him a huge favor so it was only natural for him to reward him: "What reward do you want?"
Liu Xiong raised his brows and smirked, he approached Li Jain's face and put his hands under his chin to pull him closer. "Something..."
"Father?" Suddenly a cold voice sounded behind them. Liu Xiong let go of Li Jain's face instantly and took a step back.
They both turned towards the sound and saw Yujian standing at the door, looking at them with calm eyes .
He slowly moved his gaze towards Liu Xiong as if he was trying to see something through him.
"Cough cough," Li Jain cleared his throat to ease the awkward silence: "Do you need Father for something, Xiao Jian?"
Yujian looked back at Li Jain and nodded. "The old man from Joyous restaurant and the old man from the broken talisman shop said they have something to discuss with you."
Before Li Jain could respond, Liu Xiong took the opportunity and quickly slipped away: "I'll leave first,"
Yujian looked at Liu Xiong's departing figure in deep thought . He then turned his attention back to his father who was ignorant of his own situation and sigh: 'There's still a long way to go...'
"Huh? Did you say something, Xiao Jian?" Li Jain blinked and looked at Yujian who was sighing, and was puzzled.
Yujian shook off the gloomy thoughts, shook his head and smiled : "Nothing, the old guys have been waiting for a while now. We should go." After saying this he left without waiting for Li Jain to catch up.
...
Back in the training room, the five brothers were sitting in a circle without the oldest and youngest. They looked at each other looking dejected.
"So the reason Juanxin didn't do his assigned task is because he's afraid of blood? I had no idea." Li Zhang sighed deeply.
"I noticed his fear of wounds a while ago, but when he was treating me just now, he looked very uncomfortable." Li Cheng explain
"I should have paid more attention to him. It's all my fault, I should've been responsible for him but I wasn't there when he was struggling, it's all my fault." Jingsheng said feeling very guilty.
"You're not the only one responsible for him, we're all responsible for each other. This time, we were all neglectful. You don't have to blame yourself, Sheng." Yuhan pat Jingsheng on the back and comfort him.
Jingxuan was quiet, however; he looked at his brother, guiltily. His heart ached as well. Juanxin loved their father so much and would do anything to get praised, this time, they really let him down.
bang!
The door was suddenly pushed open. Everyone turned their heads towards the door and saw Juanxin running in: "You guys won't believe what happened...." He paused and looked curiously at the strange position they were sitting in.
"Did something happen?" Jingxuan asked concernedly
"Oh," Juanxin suddenly remembered the exciting news he brought and smiled: "I'm leaving with Uncle Liu Xiong tomorrow morning."
"Leaving? where are you going?" They all asked in unison, causing Juanxin to take aback.
Was Dad sending Juanxin away because he couldn't finish his training plan? They thought and shook off the silly thoughts; that'll be silly
"Dad said I need to take in some fresh air and arranged for me to go with Uncle Liu Xiong on his next mission." Juanxin said excitedly not allowing his brother's worried looks ruined his happy mood.
"Don't worry, Fluffy and I will bring something exciting for you when we get back." Juanxin reassured them.
"We're not worried, we're happy for you."
"So lucky, I wished I could go too."
"Congratulations Xin, you're the first person to go on a mission."
They all cheer for him. Their worries and self blames were completely erased, gone with the wind.
Juanxin was very happy: "Dad should have something planned for you as well." He picked up his fox and ran out.
The others sigh with relief, look at each other and laugh.