Chapter 39: Welcome Back Bai Lian! (1)
The night in the Snow Sea is clear, without any implications.
The Lord of the Hades Hall wanted to create a somber atmosphere of parting.
But in the end, the process he had planned turned into a farewell party.
It is completely understandable that Tong Yao has no familial feelings for the Lord of the Hades Hall.
Furthermore, the Lord of the Hades Hall desired to use his daughter for his own purposes.
Bai Lian scoffed inwardly.
As she gazed upon the Lord of the Hades Hall's vexed expression, she couldn't help but feel a sense of delight.
Had the Lord of the Hades Hall not been Tong Yao's father, she would have thrashed him mercilessly at the entrance of the Wuheng Snow Valley, leaving him incapacitated for decades.
"Lord, there's no need for you to see us off."
With a smile on her face, Bai Lian stood on the back of the turtle and spoke.
I didn't mean to see you off!
The Lord of Hades Hall rolled his eyes upward.
However, as soon as he caught the sight of the turtle staring at him, a smile immediately lit up his face.
He could guarantee that he had never been as modest, polite, and gentle as he was being now, since birth.
"My dear daughter, you can always come back home whenever you want."
"Just let me know what you require, and I will do my best to fulfill your needs."
He rambled on for a long time.
Tong Yao remained silent while listening.
She was uncertain how to respond to the Lord of the Hades Hall.
After all, this is her own father, and her emotions are quite complex.
Just as they were about to part ways, she lifted her right hand and waved softly.
"Well then, goodbye."
Afterward, she grabbed onto Bai Lian's sleeve and concealed half of her body behind her.
So the turtle flapped its four "little legs", resembling closely to the way a bird flaps its wings.
A hurricane formed.
"Shall we go?"
The loud and clear voice echoed through the night sky for an extended period.
Tong Yao took off and flew away.
That night, she descended from the sky like a purple snowflake.
The Lord of the Hades Hall stretched out his hand.
Despite the gentle grip, nothing could be held.
He stood on the ice field, gazing at the turtle's back.
He watched Tong Yao soar higher and higher until she reached a height he could never have dreamt of reaching.
That's great!
He had a smile on his face.
As he regained consciousness, snow began to fall from the sky.
Ura--
The wind was howling.
A dark shadow appeared behind the Lord of the Hades Hall.
It's You Gui.
The Lord of the Hades Hall crushed a snowflake and spoke with a sigh, "I guess I can't be a good father after all."
"My Lord,"
The Lord of the Hades Hall shook his head and said, "But that's alright. It's not appropriate for her to stay in the Hades Hall. Let's wait for everything to settle down."
Dealing with that traitor won't be easy.
"Firstly, go back and assess the battle losses."
The Lord of the Hades Hall turned and walked away.
You Gui glanced at his back and then shifted his gaze to the moon suspended in the middle of the sky.
Clouds drifted over and obscured the bright crescent moon with a veil.
It's a little dark.
…
The sky above.
Tong Yao was still tugging on Bai Lian's sleeves.
She lowered her head and her demeanor was not as lively as before.
"Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, did I come across as being too cold just now?" she suddenly asked.
Bai Lian shook her head and reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, it's okay. The Lord of the Hades Hall understands. If he didn't understand, he wouldn't have sent you so many things."
As Tong Yao thought about these valuable materials, she began to feel much better.
Mmm.
She made the decision to reserve some for herself, while the remaining would be given to Shifu to distribute among the younger Martial Brothers and sisters of Qingyu Peak.
As the "leader" of Qingyu Peak, it's only fitting for her to do so.
She desires to learn from Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian-
Things will only be truly good when everyone is doing well.
"Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian."
"I see."
Tong Yao, who was still hiding behind Bai Lian, gently leaned her forehead against the back of Bai Lian's arm.
"I thought I was going to die when I was arrested."
Bai Lian comfortingly said, "How could that be?"
"Even if I had survived, I was afraid I would never be able to see you and Master again, so I wanted to escape. Unexpectedly, I did manage to escape from the prison, but I was caught just a few steps away," Tong Yao explained to Bai Lian.
Tong Yao paused and held onto Bai Lian more tightly.
"I'm feeling scared."
I can empathize.
Bai Lian gave a nod.
When she was captured by the Lord of the Hades Hall, she worried she'd never see the lovely Martial Sisters on the Qiongming Peak again.
"Truth be told, I used to hate Shifu," Tong Yao confessed. "He had a tendency to control my every move, scold me every other day or two and confine me once a month. I often wondered if he'd feel uncomfortable if he didn't."
Once a month? Do you think I have my period?
Bai Lian rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Of course, she knows that Tong Yao doesn't actually hate Master Qin.
They are like a real family.
Tong Yao continued, "When I got caught, I seriously thought about it. In fact, it wasn't Shifu's fault. I shouldn't have stolen his wine, purposefully cut off his stool, replaced his favorite sweet bean curd with salty bean curd, or dirtied the relics left by his wife…"
"…"
You are really guilty!
Bai Lian parted her lips.
She suddenly realized that Master Qin had a very patient disposition.
If it were her, she would have hung Tong Yao up and given her a severe beating.
In short, as she is conscious of her mistakes, it's best for her to make amends.
With these words, Tong Yao began to tremble, "The more I thought about it, the more scared I became. It was as if the sky was falling at the thought of never seeing Shifu again. In reality, I don't actually hate him. I just wish this was all a bad dream. It's like when I wake up, Shifu is there scolding me for being lazy again with a feather duster, but…"
Bai Lian gently held Tong Yao by the waist and comforted her by patting her head, saying, "It's over now."
Tong Yao buried her head deep into Bai Lian's chest and rubbed against her, feeling the comforting warmth.
Bai Lian, my elder Martial Sister, is very gentle.
"Thank you elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, and you too Master Turtle, you are incredibly strong!"
The turtle smiled back.
Tong Yao shared, "I couldn't help but think of Elder Xu from Yunluo Peak. When Elder Martial Sister Qing Luan departed, Elder Xu was so concerned that she lost ten pounds! It made me realize, if Shifu couldn't see me anymore, would he be just as saddened? Though Elder Martial Sister Qing Luan is the pride of Elder Xu, I often cause trouble for Shifu."
Bai Lian interjected and locked eyes with Tong Yao, "Indeed, you are as much of a source of pride for Master Qin as anyone else."
Tong Yao was left speechless.
She couldn't help but think that Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian was the epitome of a perfect "mom" figure.
"Elder Sister Bai Lian."
Tong Yao rested her head against Bai Lian's chest once more.
