âDad, I want this, and that. Oh, this as wellâŚâ
In the noisy street, the trio strolled through the shops, like one big happy family. Gu Santong, like any child, would jump around at anything that caught his attention, which was everything.
Zhuo Fan spoiled him like a true rich guy, forking out spirit stones without a twitch, and throwing them to the shopkeeper with an attitude, âIâll take it all, ha-ha-haâŚâ
âThank you, sir. Thank youâŚâ The shopkeepers were overjoyed seeing their profit soar.
Gu Santong was having the time of his life with this new batch of toys. The twoâs happiness was infectious, as it finally got through the girl, making her smile.
âCandy figurines! Come and enjoy candy figurines!â
The shouts had Gu Santong turn around with sparkling eyes as he saw an old man and his stall, âDad, what is that?â
âAll looks and no substance. You can just ignore it.â Zhuo Fan spoke.
But the sweets were all that were reflecting in Gu Santongâs childish eyes.
The girl lit up and smiled, âYoung Sanzi, Iâll buy you some, alright?â
Gu Santong grumbled, then looked at Zhuo Fan for permission.
âHa-ha-ha, the girlâs a freeloader so getting something out of her is natural.â
Zhuo Fan scratched his nose and teased, âYoung Sanzi, go all out and get what you want. Fleece her down to the last stone!â
Gu Santong bobbed his head in glee, then looked around for his targets, wanting not just the candy but heaps of other stuff. He showed a brilliant smile, extending his cute hand at the girl.
The girlâs face twitched and glared at Zhuo Fan, âI just knew youâre a bad influence on the child.â
âYouâre not buying? You liar!â
Zhuo Fan twisted his head away, grinning inside. Gu Santong pouted and complained.
The kid sure knew how to use his adorable puppy eyes to melt her resistance.
And so she nodded with a smile, âDonât worry, young Sanzi, Iâll buy it all, ha-ha-haâŚâ
She went to the candy seller but not before glaring at Zhuo Fan and making faces. It was hard to tell if she was being cute like Gu Santong or plain angry.
Zhuo Fan held Gu Santongâs hand as they looked around, enjoying themselvesâŚ
âHow much for a candyâŚâ
Whoosh~
But then a shadow fell on her, holding her mouth and taking her away.
He took but a second to vanish from the crowd. Not even the people near noticed a thing.
The seller looked ahead curiously, âDidnât someone call me just now? Am I hearing things? StrangeâŚâ
The seller got over it fast, returning to shouting his wares.
Wu~
In a dark and desolate corner, the girl struggled in fear under the attackerâs hand.
But the hand clamped down like an iron vice, not letting a sound escape.
She panicked, wanting to unleash her power to break free.
There was no point playing now, not when the attacker had to be from the Flying Cloud manor.
âYanâer, itâs me!â
The attacker spoke hastily before she did anything rash.
Halting, the girl stopped her resistance at the voice. She instead turned a shocked look at the handsome guy that just let her go.
âYouâre alive, cousin!â
âŚ
The father and son were enjoying themselves, but when they looked back, they found the girl gone.
âWhereâs the girl gone to?â
Gu Santong asked Zhuo Fan, âDid we scare her off from asking for so many things from her?â
Pff!
Zhuo Fan staggered and shook his head, âAll those things you asked for are barely a few spirit stones, not to mention sheâs someone important in the eastern lands with her high cultivation. Scaring her off? And where would she be staying if she did?â
âOh right, the past ten days were spent homeless and in suffering. She doesnât have the nerve to wander around town alone.â Gu Santong pondered, then cried, âDid the guards take her?â
Zhuo Fan shook his head, âFlying Cloud manor is the leader here. Why would they resort to subterfuge when they could just waltz in and grab her? And she came from our place too. If they got her, weâd be in for it as well.â
âThatâsâŚâ
âI bet this is the hand of her friends.â
Zhuo Fan smiled at Gu Santongâs lost look, âWith her walking in broad daylight all casual, her friends must be stunned and wanted to take her for answers.â
Gu Santong showed a vague smile, âDad, this time, we hooked a big fish.â
âYeah, but that will put an end to our vacation.â
Zhuo Fan smiled, âYoung Sanzi, this may be our last day having fun, so letâs make the most of it. Iâll take you anywhere you want to go.â
âI heard thereâs a street packed with food stalls a hundred miles east of the town. Letâs go eat our fill!â
âBrat, you only think with your stomachâŚâ
âFood first and then the rest, he-he-heâŚâ
Zhuo Fan and his son walked to their target, having everything under control, enjoying their last day of leisure.
Only in the dead of night, with the moon high above them, did they return home. But what welcomed them was a hand grabbing each of their mouths.
The door was quickly closed and the Soul Harmony experts took them into the house.
Gu Santong tensed in shock, about to fight back, but Zhuo Fan looked at him to calm down. The two only put a token of resistance as they got taken.
Though they had to do their acting to perfection, trying their best to scream, looking red from their efforts.
Finally, the two were taken to the parlor, where two overbearing experts sat.
A middle-aged man took the main seat, with grizzled temples, and sporting a genial face. He was a Genesis Stage expert.
Zhuo Fan knew then and there he hooked a big one.
The two men saw the owners of the house were here and struggling, he shouted, âMake one peep and youâre dead!â
Zhuo Fan shuddered in fake fear, nodding his head.
âWeâre the guests here. Thatâs now way to treat a host. And thereâs a child present as well.â
The middle-aged man frowned and waved his hand, âRelease them. Is this how the name we nurtured for ten thousand years is going to be ruined?â
âYes, Clan Head!â
The two bowed and withdrew, leaving Zhuo Fan and his son.
The middle-aged man smiled, but Zhuo Fan cried out in panic first, âSirs, you got the wrong guy. I just came from the distant western lands. I donât even know the former owner of this place. Donât take your revenge on me, Iâm innocent!â
âHa-ha-ha, little brother, you misunderstand. We didnât come for revengeâŚâ The middle-aged man smiled.
Zhuo Fan shouted again, âDid you come to rob then? Oh god, I heard Flying Cloud Cityâs security was solid. How did it come to this?â
The middle-aged manâs face twitched.
[Robbery? Revenge would be better!]
âLittle brother, listen to me, weâŚâ
âBig brother, sir, you can see that Iâm a meager Radiant Stage cultivator, not worth anything in Flying Cloud City. I only have my son with me and nothing of value to you. I know I bought a former Flying Cloud manor guardâs house but Iâm not rich. Iâm actually dirt poorâŚâ
Zhuo Fan kept cutting the manâs explanation, crying and whiningâŚ
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.