To adapt to various roads, the carriage chosen by Qian Xunji, though luxurious, was not large.
The interior walls of the carriage were inlaid with golden patterns that shimmered brightly.
Cushions and backrests were placed on three sides, all meticulously crafted from top-quality silk, soft and smooth to the touch. In the center of the carriage, there was a small table for brewing tea and burning incense.
Though the space was not large, it could comfortably accommodate more than ten people.
The carriage was pulled by horses with the bloodline of spirit beasts, three of them lined up in a row.
The carriage was driven by two titled douluos, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, sitting on the carriage, frequently looked back at the carriage behind him.
He always felt as if he had stumbled upon some extraordinary secret.
Could it be that the mother the two children were searching for was the Saintess herself? (It's still a secret even within Spirit Hall)
The more he pondered over the sudden deterioration of the master-disciple relationship, the more Chrysanthemum Douluo felt an increasing sense of dread as he approached the truth.
Ghost Douluo, guiding the horses, was just as shocked as Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Both men understood, whether it was true or not, they had to act as if nothing existed.
The basic of underlings were still clear to them! Don't carelessly open your mouth!
Inside the carriage, Qian Xunji leaned back in the main seat, while Qian Renjue and Qian Renxue lay on either side, resting their heads on his lap.
In this rather confined space, there was no room for them to move freely or play.
As time passed, even Qian Renjue, who had been full of excitement, couldn't help but feel sleepy.
At this moment, both siblings had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Qian Xunji gently stroked the children's hair, his face full of affection. He appeared as a noble gentleman, both approachable and dignified.
As he looked out the window, the scenery passing by, they drew closer and closer to the exit of the Hell Road.
It had been two years since he had last seen Bibi Dong, and Qian Xunji had thought about her.
He wasn't made of stone; after raising her personally for more than a decade, how could he have no feelings at all?
Yet Qian Xunji still chose to destroy her with his own hands!
Ever since he committed that act, Qian Xunji had regretted it, but now, all that regret had long since vanished.
Whether right or wrong, after the birth of Qian Renxue and Qian Renjue, none of it mattered to him anymore.
He was very fond of this pair of siblings. If Bibi Dong wanted to curse him, kill him, or flay him alive, she was welcomed to do so.
Qian Xunji was ready to bear it all, as long as she didn't harm their children.
…
After two and a half days of trekking, the carriage finally stopped in a lush forest.
That night, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo started a campfire outside.
They watched in amazement as His Holiness the Pope cooked meat over the fire and boiled porridge.
It was quite shocking to see the Pope cooking; it was truly a humbling sight.
"Jue, it's very dark outside. Don't go out," came Qian Renxue's voice from inside the carriage by the campfire.
Next, Qian Renjue responded, "Sister, it's okay. Jue is not afraid of the dark."
As his voice fell, the carriage curtain was lifted, and two small figures descended from the carriage.
"Dad!" Qian Renjue ran over quickly, throwing himself into Qian Xunji's arms. Qian Renxue hurriedly followed.
"Xiao Jue, how are you? Still sleepy?" Qian Xunji set aside the meat in his hand and settled Qian Renjue comfortably in his arms before pulling Qian Renxue onto the cushion beside him.
"Not sleepy anymore, I've slept enough," Qian Renjue said, rubbing his eyes, looking around, and greeting Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, "Good evening, Sister Chrysanthemum, Grandpa Ghost!"
"Good evening, Young Master Jue," Chrysanthemum Douluo responded quickly.
Ghost Douluo, even more startled by the 'Grandpa Ghost' title, felt a tinge of fear.
"Hehe," Qian Renjue found his new form of address amusing. Then, looking curiously at Qian Xunji, he asked, "Dad, have we arrived?"
"Yes, we have arrived. Tomorrow, you will be able to see your mother. Are you happy?" Qian Xunji replied with a gentle smile, not revealing any unusual emotion.
"Happy!" Qian Renjue answered excitedly, snuggling closer to Qian Xunji's embrace.
Qian Renxue watched silently, concern filling her eyes.
Seeing his son's eager expression, Qian Xunji felt worried but did not say anything further, smiling instead. "Alright then, after sleeping for most of the day, you must be hungry. Dad has already prepared some food."
"Yes, yes, I'm hungry!" Qian Renjue nodded vigorously, glancing at Qian Renxue with a mischievous grin. "I just heard Sister's stomach growling."
"Jue, you're making things up!"
*Growl*
Qian Renxue's stomach rumbled before she could finish her sentence, and her face flushed bright red.
"Sister, Jue wasn't lying," Qian Renjue giggled, reaching out to rub her stomach.
"Jue, stop it! It tickles!" Qian Renxue's face turned even redder as she grabbed his hand, which was moving mischievously over her belly.
"Xiao Xue, since you're hungry, have some porridge first," Qian Xunji, knowing his daughter's temperament, held back his laughter and handed over two bowls of porridge.
"Thank you, Dad." Qian Renxue accepted the hot porridge.
Qian Renjue stopped teasing her, taking his own bowl carefully, blowing on it, and taking a small sip.
*Sluurp* "Delicious," he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with satisfaction.
Seeing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't help but swallow his saliva.
He was very curious about what His Holiness the Pope's cooking tasted like.
"Jue, it's better to use a spoon," Qian Renxue frowned slightly, handing a spoon to Qian Renjie.
"Okay." Qian Renjue nodded and then noticed Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze.
Smiling, he ran over to her, offering his bowl. "Sister Chrysanthemum, would you like to try some? It's really tasty."
"Young Master Jue, I'm not hungry," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, quickly waving her hands.
Ignoring her, Qian Renjue grabbed a spoon and tried to feed her. "Sister Chrysanthemum, just try it. It's really good."
"Young Master Jue, there's no need—" Before Chrysanthemum Douluo could finish her sentence, she felt Qian Xunji's sharp gaze and shivered.
Forcing a smile, she quickly changed her tone. "Haha, Young Master Jue, there's no need to do that. I have my own bowl."
With that, she hurriedly pulled out a large floral-patterned bowl.
"Okay, I'll pour half of mine for Sister Chrysanthemum," Qian Renjue said, splitting his porridge.
"Thank you, Young Master Jue," Chrysanthemum Douluo responded, lowering her head and eating quietly, not daring to look around.
Next, Qian Renjue ran over to Ghost Douluo, offering him a spoonful. "Grandpa Ghost, you should try it too."
"Sure, sure!" After Chrysanthemum Douluo's experience, Ghost Douluo didn't dare refuse.
He obediently opened his mouth, only to stiffen as soon as the porridge touched his tongue. Qian Xunji's gaze had turned even sharper! This is too much!
Qian Renjue, puzzled, asked, "Grandpa Ghost, is it not tasty?"
"It's delicious, delicious!" Ghost Douluo quickly replied.
"Good." Qian Renjue, satisfied, extended the spoon towards Ghost Douluo again.
Ghost Douluo, feeling helpless, opened his mouth, but shot a pleading look at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
He had no bowl!
Being served by Young Master Jue was terrifying.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, aware of the tense atmosphere, kept her head down, quietly savoring the Pope's culinary skills.
Ghost Douluo looked back, only to find Qian Xunji's gaze growing colder and colder.
Qian Xunji himself hadn't been fed like this many times! He is jealous!
"Chrysanthemum!"
Ghost Douluo couldn't take it anymore!
His lips quivered as he sent a sound wave straight to Chrysanthemum Douluo, pleading for help.
Chrysanthemum Douluo reluctantly looked up, helpless, as he only had one large floral-patterned bowl.
"Pfft! Hahaha!" Qian Renxue couldn't hold back her laughter and called out to Qian Renjue, "Jue, let Elder Ghost eat by himself. Come here, I'll serve you more."
"Okay, sister, Jue is coming," Qian Renjue nodded, handing the bowl to Ghost Douluo. "Here, Grandpa Ghost, eat more."
As Qian Renjue left,
Ghost Douluo felt as if he had just narrowly escaped death and cast a grateful glance toward Qian Renxue.
Just as he was beginning to relax, Qian Renjue returned and refilled the porridge in his bowl.
He also carefully wiped away any porridge that had been smeared on the side of Ghost Douluo's mouth, cleaning it meticulously.
Ghost Douluo was somewhat stunned. He had never encountered a child like this before, nor had anyone ever shown him such affection.
At that moment, the system's voice echoed.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully spreading great love for the first time! (Target: Ghost Douluo)]
[You have been rewarded with: 800 points!]
"Thank you, Young Master Jue!"
Ghost Douluo's voice, hoarse and soft, followed immediately, sounding particularly gentle and tender.