Qian Renxue looked at her grandfather's pained expression, her heart aching with sorrow.
Yet she gritted her teeth, took a slight step back, and fell to her knees with a heavy thud.
Her knees struck the cold floor, sending a dull pain through her, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil in her heart.
"Grandfather, Xue'er has been unfilial."
She lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice choked with emotion yet resolute.
"Xue'er cannot always stay by your side, nor can she always hide under your protection. I beg you... please allow Xue'er to go!"
Qian Daoliu watched his granddaughter suddenly kneel, his pupils contracting sharply as he hurriedly reached out to help her up:
"Xiao Xue, what are you doing? Get up quickly!"
But Qian Renxue stubbornly remained kneeling, her hands pressed tightly against her sides, her knuckles turning white from the force:
"If Grandfather does not agree, Xue'er will not rise."
"You foolish child..."
Qian Daoliu felt both anxious and angry, his heart aching unbearably at the sight of her stubborn kneeling form.
He knew Qian Renxue's temperament—once she made a decision, not even ten bulls could pull her back.
But the thought of her going to that den of wolves, the Heaven Dou Empire, made him restless as sitting on needles.
Under the lamplight, Qian Renxue's back remained straight and proud, even while kneeling, radiating an unyielding pride.
She knew this decision would hurt her grandfather, but that faint hope regarding her "mother" was like an invisible thread, pulling her forward.
"Grandfather!" She took a deep breath, her voice steadier.
"I know you worry about me, but I am the Angel God's successor! I cannot remain a child who always needs your protection!"
"This trip to Heaven Dou is for the Spirit Hall, but also for myself. I want to try... to see if I can... resolve the knot in her heart."
Qian Daoliu saw the determination in her eyes and finally loosened his grip, his aged face full of helplessness and tenderness.
He remained silent for a long time, so long that Qian Renxue's knees began to grow numb, before he finally released a heavy sigh:
"Fine... fine... Your stubbornness comes from your father, and from me!"
"Since you've already decided, there's no point in me saying anything more."
Qian Renxue looked up sharply, a flash of joy in her eyes that was quickly replaced by guilt:
"Grandfather..."
"Get up."
Qian Daoliu helped her to her feet, his fingers brushing against her slightly cool arm, and couldn't help adding:
"When you get there, be careful in everything! If there's any danger, return immediately!"
"No grand mission of the Spirit Hall is more important than your safety, understand?"
Qian Renxue nodded vigorously, tears finally falling uncontrollably:
"Yes! Xue'er understands!"
Looking at his granddaughter's tear-reddened eyes, Qian Daoliu gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
He knew that from this moment on, his Xiao Xue would have to face the storms alone.
"Xue'er, I will have She Long and Ci Xue protect you. If there's any danger, contact them immediately!"
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu slowly pressed his hand to his waist, where the Soul Guidance Device suddenly emitted a soft, warm glow.
Immediately, a Soul Bone flowing with crystalline white light emerged from the radiance, landing steadily in his palm.
"This is the Inherited Soul Bone passed down through our Qian family for generations!"
His fingertips gently traced the patterns on the Soul Bone's surface, his voice steady and solemn.
"This Soul Bone's Soul Bone Ability can help you freely alter your Martial Soul form and physical appearance!"
"Xiao Xue, promise Grandfather that no matter what happens, you must prioritize your own safety first."
Qian Daoliu's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, his worldly-wise eyes now brimming with concern.
"Even if... even if the mission truly fails, it doesn't matter. Grandfather only wants you to return safe and sound."
He paused, his rough palm gently covering Qian Renxue's head in an unprecedented tender gesture.
Time had carved deep grooves into his hands, yet they now radiated boundless warmth.
"Promise Grandfather!" His voice lowered further, carrying an indescribable plea!
"Don't let Grandfather... bury his young descendant again."
The final words fell like heavy stones upon Qian Renxue's heart.
She could feel the warmth of her grandfather's palm and see the turbid tear quietly sliding down from the corner of his eye.
The ever-dignified Grand Elder who stood before the world was now merely an old man fearing the loss of his granddaughter.
Qian Renxue bit her lower lip hard, forcing back the tears welling in her eyes, and nodded firmly:
"Grandfather, I promise you. I will definitely return."
"Mm, little Xue'er, it's late now. Go to sleep."
Qian Daoliu's voice was much softer than in daylight, carrying a subtle hoarseness.
"Mm!"
As Qian Renxue lay back in bed, he reached out to tuck her quilt, his fingers brushing the coverlet with movements so light they seemed afraid to disturb anything.
He carefully smoothed every corner of the quilt, even meticulously covering the small exposed section of her ankle.
As if she were still that little girl who would act coquettishly in his lap.
Qian Renxue burrowed deeper into the blankets, her gaze falling upon the additional silver strands at his temples, and said nothing more.
Only after watching her close her eyes did Qian Daoliu slowly rise, his footsteps exceptionally quiet as if afraid to shatter the hall's tranquility.
Reaching the hall entrance, he glanced back at the figure on the bed.
In the dim light, one could see the curve of his lips - bearing some relief, yet concealing a subtle heaviness.
Pushing the door open, moonlight spilled over him, stretching his silhouette long and thin.
Whether from the night chill or relentless time, his figure appeared somewhat more stooped than in daylight.
The next morning—
Qian Daoliu stood bowed before the central Angel God statue, clad in heavy ceremonial robes.
His golden hair shimmered in the morning light, the staff in his hand lightly tapping the ground with dull echoes.
Bi Bidong entered the hall in high heels, her black long skirt sweeping across the cold floor tiles with faint friction.
Standing near the entrance, her eyes fixed on Qian Daoliu's back, the corner of her lips curling into a barely perceptible cold smile.
That smile concealed complex emotions - disdain, mockery, and a deeply buried resentment.
"Hmph."
She scoffed softly, the sound low yet sufficient to break the hall's silence.
"Do you truly believe devout worship before a cold stone will grant your desired outcome?"
Qian Daoliu slowly turned, his aged face expressionless save for the turmoil revealed in his eyes.
"Why have you come."
Bi Bidong approached slowly, her sweeping gaze over the sacred Angel God statue deepening the derision in her eyes:
"If this statue truly possessed divinity, how then did your son meet such an end all those years ago?"
She deliberately emphasized the words "your son," like a needle precisely piercing Qian Daoliu's sore spot.
Qian Daoliu's hand gripping the scepter tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white:
"How dare you."