As evening fell, the trio of Qian Renxue, Lin Feng, and Ling Yuan finished their day of leisure and gathered at the forest cottage, planning to invite Qian Daoliu to join them for dinner.
On the way past the Pope's Palace, a voice, soft to the point of being almost submissive, transmitted directly into their ears:
"Would you be willing to come to the Pope's Palace? This is my request… Please."
Lin Feng glanced up at the darkening sky.Still working this late?And that tone… Was he hearing things? That gentle, almost elder-sister-like voice—was it really Bibi Dong?Has she had a change of heart? The Youxiang Qiluo's calming effect couldn't possibly be this strong—it only suppresses some of the Rakshasa's evil will, after all.
The trio paused in their steps. Qian Renxue frowned, casting a suspicious glance toward the Pope's Palace.
"Xiaofeng, what do you think she wants?"
Lin Feng shook his head. This time, he genuinely had no idea.
Qian Renxue bit her lip and hesitated. After a moment of contemplation, she tightened her grip on Lin Feng and Ling Yuan's hands, and led them toward the Douluo Hall instead.
But Bibi Dong's voice came again, this time laced with urgency:
"Xue'er, Lin Feng, please, listen to me. I mean no harm. I just need to speak with you about something important."
There was an uncharacteristic unease and desperation in her tone.
"I know the past was filled with conflict, but this time, I truly have no ill intentions… I'm begging you."
Qian Renxue halted in place. Her heart was filled with confusion and agitation from Bibi Dong's sudden humility.Why was she begging? Why this sudden submission? She had never spoken to her this gently, not even in childhood!
Lin Feng and Ling Yuan looked toward her, awaiting her decision.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. Despite her disbelief, a trace of hope still lingered in her heart. She tightened her grip on their hands.Her feelings toward Bibi Dong were far too complex to completely cut off.
"Let's go. Let's hear what she has to say. If she's still the same arrogant woman, we'll leave immediately."
Lin Feng and Ling Yuan nodded, and the three turned back toward the Pope's Palace.
At the entrance, they were met with a surprise.
"Grandpa Chrysanthemum? You're here too?"
Ju Douluo replied with a helpless expression:
"Her Holiness asked me to stand guard. Said she needed someone to 'witness' whatever she's planning. Honestly, I don't know what she's up to either."
This relaxed Qian Renxue's vigilance a bit.
When they entered the hall, Bibi Dong was standing in the center—not on the elevated papal platform as usual.
Upon seeing them enter, a flicker of joy and emotional conflict appeared in her eyes.
"Thank you for coming," she said, taking a deep breath. "This time, I'm the one asking for something. You may request an equivalent favor in return."
Qian Renxue frowned. Strangely, the lower Bibi Dong bowed her head, the more discomfort she felt in her own heart.Shouldn't she feel happy seeing this change?
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Bibi Dong hesitated, then spoke:
"Acacia Heartbreak Red. Have you already picked it?"
Qian Renxue's pupils contracted.
"If you know that much, then you should also understand that once it recognizes a master, it cannot be taken by anyone else."
Bibi Dong slowly shook her head.
"I'm not here to take it. I just… want to use it to verify something about my own feelings."
Qian Renxue paused, then sneered:
"You have someone you loved? I've never seen that side of you. The way you treated my father—how could that possibly be love?"
Not knowing Bibi Dong's past, she assumed Bibi Dong wanted to verify her feelings for Qian Xunji.
But Bibi Dong didn't correct the misunderstanding.
"Please… Tell me your price."
Qian Renxue bit her lip, then responded coldly:
"In that case, the extra immortal herb you owed Lin Feng from your previous bet—we're taking it back."
"No problem."
Bibi Dong agreed instantly.
Qian Renxue let out a slow breath. With a flick of her fingers, a brilliant red flower emerged from her soul tool.
The Acacia Heartbreak Red floated silently in her hand, glowing faintly.
Excitement flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. She instinctively took a step forward, but restrained herself quickly, watching Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue looked at her complicatedly:
"Go on, Little Red."
At her command, the flower floated into the air between them. Already bonded to Qian Renxue, it began to sense what it had been asked to evaluate.
Bibi Dong closed her eyes. A fleeting image of Qian Xunji passed through her mind.Little Red shivered violently—as if it had just seen something terrifying.
Thankfully, the memory only lasted a moment.
Her mind shifted to vague, hazy recollections of her time with Yu Xiaogang.Little Red trembled again—this time with obvious revulsion—shaking its petals like it wanted to throw something off itself.
It darted away from Bibi Dong and flew straight back into Qian Renxue's hand.
Bibi Dong froze.
The flower's feedback echoed in her mind—it had rejected her feelings as false?
How could that be? She had lived those memories. That relationship… That emotion… Was it all a lie?Was it disgusted with her?
"Heh… hahahaha—!"
Bibi Dong burst out laughing—wild and manic, yet strangely relieved.
The trio frowned. Was she going insane again?
Bibi Dong quickly took out the Youxiang Qiluo immortal herb and used it to restore her clarity. She smiled calmly:
"Thank you."
And with that, she left the hall.Her eyes were downcast, hiding the darkness within them.
"Now it's clear. Yu Xiaogang… You really are a piece of shit."
Qian Renxue stared at her departing figure, momentarily dazed.
"What's going on with her?"
Ling Yuan asked, puzzled.
Qian Renxue shook her head and withdrew the flower.
"Let's go. Who knows why she went out of her way to embarrass herself like that."
Frustrated, she grabbed Lin Feng and Ling Yuan's hands and led them toward the Douluo Hall.
——Outside, Ju Douluo shrugged helplessly:
"I really don't understand the Pope anymore. She made me stand here for half an hour doing nothing."
"Anyway, just so we're clear—I'm not tailing you of my own will. Don't take it out on me."
"I'll be following as a shadow guard. I won't interfere unless you're in danger."
Qian Renxue chuckled:
"That's fine."
Ju Douluo waved as he left:
"This is just my life, huh? Always doing odd jobs. I'm used to it."
After dinner with Qian Daoliu, the next morning, Lin Feng, Qian Renxue, and Ling Yuan—along with Ju Douluo, hidden in the shadows—set off on their journey.
T/N: For up to thirteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle