We went inside the house and sat comfortably in the main living room. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with curiosity and tension as we awaited Uncle Xin to explain the situation. Grandpa and I exchanged glances but remained silent, letting him gather his thoughts. For a full minute, the only sounds were the faint stream of air and the occasional soft cooing of the baby in Uncle Xin's arms.
Finally, Uncle Xin broke the silence. "This is my daughter, Dugu Yan," he said softly, his voice tinged with both pride and sorrow.
My eyes widened in surprise as I looked at the small bundle in his arms, although I imagined it, hearing it from his mouth made it actually real. The baby stirred, her tiny fingers clutching at the fabric of her blanket, her expression peaceful despite the tension around her. Uncle Xin's face softened as he gazed down at her, and for the first time since his return, he smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile filled with love.
But the smile didn't last long. It faded as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a look of weariness and pain. He let out a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair, his arms tightening protectively around the child.
His voice was steady but carried an undertone of grief. "Over the past three years, a lot has happened. You both know I left to train and eventually get my seventh spirit ring. It wasn't an easy journey, but I managed to find what I was looking for." He paused, as if recalling the memories. "I broke through to Spirit Saint. I'm now rank 74."
Grandpa's expression lit up with pride for a moment. "Xin, that's an incredible achievement," he said. "Reaching Spirit Saint at your age is no small feat."
Uncle Xin nodded, acknowledging the praise. "Thank you, Father. But the journey wasn't just about cultivation. I met someone while traveling. She was also seeking her seventh spirit ring when we crossed paths. Her name was Mei Ling. She was a powerful soul master, wise and compassionate. We decided to travel together, helping each other find suitable spirit beasts. Over time, our partnership grew into something more. We became… lovers."
He smiled faintly, his gaze distant, as if seeing Mei Ling's face in his mind. "She was everything I didn't know I needed. Strong, kind, and so full of life. You would have loved her."
Uncle Xin's voice cracked slightly as he continued. "We eventually found what we were searching for. We encountered a 50,000-year-old Jade Phosphor Serpent deep within the Sunset Forest. It was a fierce battle, but together, we managed to defeat it. That serpent became my seventh spirit ring. It also dropped a skull soul bone."
Grandpa let out a low whistle of amazement. "A skull bone? Those are quite rare," he said looking at me with a grin.
Uncle Xin nodded. "Yes. Absorbing that spirit ring, and soul bone, combined with the effects of the immortal herb Bei gave me, caused my martial soul to evolve into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. It was a significant leap in power."
His voice grew heavier. "Not long after that, Mei Ling discovered she was pregnant. We were overjoyed. She was so excited about the future, about raising our child together. We planned everything, where we would live, how we would raise her. But…"
The room fell silent again. Uncle Xin's grip on the baby tightened, his jaw clenching as he fought to continue. "She didn't make it," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
The weight of his words hit me like a blow. My chest tightened, and I felt a surge of emotions, grief for the woman I'd never met, sympathy for my uncle, and a flash of anger at the world's cruelty. Unintentionally, I let out a faint wave of killing intent. My mind jumped to the worst conclusion, imagining some enemy had taken Mei Ling from him.
Grandpa's hand rested firmly on my shoulder, grounding me. His expression was calm but firm, silently reminding me to hold back.
Uncle Xin noticed my reaction and quickly clarified. "Mei Ling… she died giving birth to Dugu Yan."
"It wasn't anyone's fault," he said, his tone gentle but resolute. "Mei Ling's body was just too weak after carrying a child and enduring the challenges of her cultivation. The birth took everything she had. She gave her life to bring Dugu Yan into this world."
I felt a pang of guilt for my earlier assumptions. Looking at Uncle Xin and the baby in his arms, I realized that their pain was something I could never fully understand. Their loss was profound, and it wasn't my place to project my own emotions onto their tragedy.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I didn't mean to…"
Uncle Xin shook his head. "It's alright. I understand."
I remembered that the same had happened to Dugu Xin's mother, so Dugu Bo would be able to understand what he was going through. Wanting to give father and son some space to grieve and talk, I stood up. "I'll let you two have some time," I said. "I'll be in my room if you need me."
I would be of no use here. Especially considering that I had spent many nights planning my own mother's death.
Grandpa gave me a small nod of appreciation, and Uncle Xin managed a faint smile as I left the room. Back in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed, my mind racing with thoughts. The arrival of Dugu Yan brought a wave of implications. She was just a newborn now, but if my calculations were correct she was about two or three years older than Tang San.
The plot of this world was finally going to begin.
A dark smile spread across my face as I thought about what was to come. My real plan would soon take shape. Everything starts with Ah Yin's death, the catalyst that would set the events of this world into motion. I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, the pieces of my plans aligning in my mind.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Uncle Xin and Grandpa talked late into the night. Grandpa listened patiently as Uncle Xin recounted his journey, his struggles, and his hopes for Dugu Yan. The baby slept soundly in her father's arms, oblivious to the weight of the stories being shared.
When I emerged from my room later that evening, the mood had lightened slightly. Uncle Xin looked more at peace, and Grandpa had a small smile on his face as he cradled Dugu Yan in his arms.
"She's beautiful," Grandpa said, his voice filled with warmth. "You've done well, Xin. Mei Ling would be proud."
Uncle Xin nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Father."
I joined them, sitting beside Grandpa and peeking at the sleeping baby. Her tiny features were delicate, her skin smooth and unblemished. She looked so fragile yet so full of potential.
"Welcome to the family, Dugu Yan," I said softly with a genuine smile on my face.