Before he could finish speaking, Qian Renxue tightly wrapped her arms around his waist.
The young girl's shoulders trembled slightly, yet she kept her voice steady:
"Grandfather, take care."
Qian Daoliu closed his eyes, feeling the slender back in his embrace. A single tear finally escaped, falling onto Qian Renxue's hair and leaving a small dark stain.
"Go ahead," he patted her back, his voice as light as a sigh. "Grandfather will wait for you to come home."
The carriage wheels rumbled over the bluestone pavement of Martial Soul Holy City, producing a dull sound.
Qian Renxue lifted the carriage curtain, watching the familiar city gate gradually shrink in her view. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she said to She Long and Ci Xue who were driving:
"Stop the carriage."
"Young Mistress?"
She Long pulled on the reins, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Without further explanation, Qian Renxue jumped down from the carriage.
The ground beneath her feet carried the unique scent of the Holy City. She took a deep breath and walked directly to an old locust tree by the roadside, slowly kneeling down.
Her skirt spread across the cool ground as she lifted her face to the shifting clouds in the sky. Her voice was as light as the wind, yet carried unmistakable determination:
"Mother, though I don't know if you can hear me, I still want to tell you."
The breeze brushed through her hair, scattering her words into the air.
She paused, her fingertips clutching her skirt tightly until her knuckles turned white:
"No matter how you treat me, you will always be the mother I love. If you ask, I will do anything for you."
"Even... even if it means standing against the entire world."
She Long and Ci Xue stood quietly nearby, not disturbing her.
After a long while, Qian Renxue slowly rose, brushed the dust from her knees, and turned to the two men:
"Let's go."
As their figures completely disappeared around the street corner, a purple-gray figure silently landed where Qian Renxue had just stood.
"Xiao Xue!"
Bi Bidong softly repeated this name, her voice trembling slightly at the end.
The wind whipped her purple-gray robes, flapping loudly, yet couldn't hide the choking in her voice.
She pressed a hand against her chest, where her heart was beating rapidly and heavily, as if accusing her of saying one thing while meaning another.
"It's Mother who failed you!"
"Forgive me..."
Bi Bidong closed her eyes, a tear finally breaking free and falling onto the bluestone pavement.
"Your Eminence the Pope! Perhaps you should catch up and bid farewell to Young Mistress Xiao Xue!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan appeared beside Bi Bidong, his voice carrying a note of caution.
"Bid farewell?"
Bi Bidong slowly turned around. The moisture at the corners of her eyes had already been wiped away, leaving only her usual aloofness, though a hint of hoarseness remained in her voice:
"Bid what farewell? Wish her smooth sailing on this journey, or advise her not to be stubborn?"
Yue Guan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was silenced by the complex emotions that flashed in her eyes.
Having served this Pope for many years, he naturally knew her feelings toward Qian Renxue were never as cold as they appeared on the surface.
It was just that this love was wrapped in layers of hatred and pride, buried so deep that even she could barely see it clearly.
"Your Eminence!" Yue Guan finally couldn't help but whisper.
"Earlier... Young Mistress Xiao Xue's words, you heard them. She holds you in her heart!"
Bi Bidong's fingertips trembled violently. Her hand gripping the Pope's Scepter tightened, the carvings on the staff digging painfully into her palm.
She turned her face away, looking toward the towering spires of Martial Soul Holy City, her voice as light as the wind:
"So what if I heard?"
The wind swept fallen leaves past her feet as Bi Bidong turned to walk back, her purple-gray figure casting a shadow on the stone path.
After a few steps, she paused again, her voice so low only Yue Guan beside her could hear:
"Have Ghost Douluo follow them secretly."
Yue Guan was startled, then quickly bowed:
"Yes, Your Eminence."
Watching Bi Bidong's receding figure, Yue Guan let out a soft sigh.
He knew that this seemingly iron-hearted Pope could never truly escape her maternal heart.
Meanwhile, about five minutes after Qian Renxue's group had departed, a figure appeared ahead of them.
"Young Master! It's Su Yu, His Holiness the Pope's disciple, ahead. Should we stop?"
Qian Renxue had been gazing absently at the scenery flying past the window when She Long's voice brought her back. She looked up to see the blue-robed figure of Su Yu standing at the crossroads ahead.
He was holding a cloth bundle and quickly stepped forward as the carriage approached, wearing a somewhat awkward smile.
"Stop the carriage!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Qian Renxue alighted from the carriage and looked at Su Yu with slight confusion:
"What are you doing here?"
"Hey, we're friends after all. How could I not come to see you off?"
"I've brought you a surprise. Say something nice and I'll give it to you!"
Qian Renxue was taken aback, her cheeks warming slightly as she turned her face away somewhat uncomfortably:
"Who... who's a tsundere puppy..."
She paused, glancing at the bulging bag in Su Yu's hand, her voice softening.
"...Thank you for seeing me off. Is that good enough?"
"That's more like it!"
Su Yu whistled toward a tree behind him, and a gray figure came running out.
"Xiao Hui!"
Qian Renxue crouched down with delight as Xiao Hui happily leaped into her arms, licking her cheek.
Woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof! Woof!
Qian Renxue staggered slightly from Xiao Hui's enthusiastic greeting but smiled with curved eyes, rubbing its furry head:
"Xiao Hui, what are you doing here too? Did you sneak out following Su Yu?"
Xiao Hui nuzzled against her chest, its tail wagging like a little motor.
It made pleading whimpers in its throat, as if answering her question.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, warming both girl and dog.
The smile on Qian Renxue's face grew brighter than before, and even her gaze toward Su Yu softened considerably:
"At least you have some conscience, knowing I'd miss him most."
"Of course! After all, Xiao Hui is someone's first friend - I can only rank second!"
Qian Renxue stood up holding Xiao Hui, tapped its nose with her fingertip, then glanced sideways at Su Yu with a smile playing on her lips:
"Don't talk nonsense! Xiao Hui and you can't be compared!"
Despite her words, the laughter in her eyes was unmistakable, and her voice carried a lighter tone.
Xiao Hui seemed dissatisfied with being used for comparison, squirming in her arms.
It rubbed its wet nose against her chin, emitting pitiful whimpers.
Qian Renxue rubbed Xiao Hui's head and handed it back to Su Yu before turning toward the carriage:
"I'm leaving now."
"Travel safely!"
Su Yu held Xiao Hui, watching her back as she stepped onto the carriage.
"Mm! Take good care of Xiao Hui, or I won't go easy on you when I return!"
"Proud little puppy, don't worry! I'll definitely take good care of your Xiao Hui, isn't that right, Xiao Hui!"
Qian Renxue had already stepped onto the carriage footboard. Hearing this, she turned back to glare at Su Yu, though a faint blush colored her cheeks:
"Who's a proud little puppy!"
Despite her words, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upward slightly.
"Remember what you said. If Xiao Hui loses even half a kilogram, you'll see how I deal with you."