[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take":3,"chapter-if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-chapter-32":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","If You Will Not Reject Me, I Wish to Bow and Take You as My Adoptive Father",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2276759,4454,"Chapter 32: Yu, the Noble One (Please Collect and Follow)","if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-chapter-32",32,"\u003Cp>“Yu’er, Yu’er, wake up quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yu did not get a peaceful night’s sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just planned to resume her dream when Xiang Huchen’s anxious, frantic cries rang out from outside the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night maid Xia Zhi scrambled to her feet. “Miss, Master is calling for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard. Light the lantern first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yu sat up on the bed, rubbing her dry, gritty eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Huchen entered the courtyard, he saw her wrapped in her robe, holding a lantern, standing at the door to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu’er, you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen had a thousand words to say, but in the end, he seized Xiao Yu’s wrist and turned to stride out, muttering as he walked: “You killed a Ghost Envoy—this has enraged the Underworld Patrol and gravely offended Saint Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I’m taking you to meet ‘Master Song’ and Saint Zhang—they are both ghost deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be afraid, don’t panic. When you meet them, bow straight down and apologize—first, nine hard kowtows, then adapt as needed, watch my face for cues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yu was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killed a Ghost Envoy? The Underworld Patrol... enraged?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who is this “Saint Zhang”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I know this is a world of gods and demons, but there was no warning, no foreshadowing—why this sudden drama?... Could I still be dreaming?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a thought struck her. “Child, I seem to have had a nightmare. Two strange figures called my name from afar, beckoning me over. When I didn’t move, they threw chains to bind me...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, those were them! They are two Ghost Envoys under Master Song of the Patrol, sent to fetch your soul to meet Saint Zhang—how could you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen wanted to ask what exactly had happened—how she had slain the Underworld envoys in her dream—but when he looked up, he already saw the great gate of Dongyuan, and Guan Zhong standing anxiously by it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Zhong had barely spoken when Huchen raised a hand to cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say nothing. Don’t wander off. Keep burning spirit gold ingots—offer more to the ghost deities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Zhong nodded understandingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, to beg ghosts for favors, they had already scattered silver; now that a crime had been committed, offerings must be doubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she entered the courtyard, Xiao Yu saw three large tables, beside which burned a massive brazier, its flames flickering; the tables were littered with cups and dishes, and shadowy figures lurked around, whispering faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt the temperature in Dongyuan was at least ten degrees colder than outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chilly, eerie—not like the grand gatehouse of a mansion in the heart of a bustling street, but like a desolate graveyard in the wilds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she thought of a graveyard, she saw several pale green ghostly flames drifting lazily out of the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, she wanted to transform into the Blood Fiend Tiger and roar at those specters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the “Great Five Elements” of Immortal Martial cultivation—Spirit, Mind, Body, Qi—her Spirit and Mind had surpassed Minor Completion and neared Intermediate Completion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When confronted with spiritual or soul-related stimuli, her spirit would instinctively manifest as the ferocious tiger, completing the transformation in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saint Zhang, Master Song, your humble servant has brought Xiao Yu.” Huchen pressed hard on her shoulder, quelling her rising urge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced sideways at her—his eyes clearly said: We’re here. Move quickly. Kneel and kowtow, just as I told you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yu had bowed to her foster father thirty-nine times in her life—how could she care about the dignity of kneeling and kowtowing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long since abandoned shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her knees weakened, and as she was about to prostrate herself fully, a gentle voice and a chilling force came simultaneously, halting her motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Miss Yu is a noble soul—how could this old man accept such a profound bow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saint Zhang, you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Song had been furious, his ghostly face twisted, fangs bared, skin black and smoky, his entire body wreathed in flame—nearly in his “most ferocious state,” reserved only for confronting violent ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, ghosts were terrifying; ghost envoys who managed them had to be even more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only in aura, but in appearance as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one lacked a fearsome face by nature, one had to absorb malevolent energies to transform oneself into an ugly, monstrous ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghosts could frighten mortals; ghost envoys had to frighten ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If neither could instill dread in violent ghosts, how could they patrol and apprehend them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now a ghost deity with official status in the Underworld was dead—Master Song had no idea how he would explain it to his superiors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t pretending to be terrifying to scare Xiao Yu—he was genuinely enraged, ready to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was Saint Zhang’s reaction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had left his palanquin, revealed his true form before mortals, now smiling warmly, his expression gentle, his demeanor enthusiastic, arriving ahead of Master Song, rushing to Xiao Yu’s side—not allowing her to kneel or beg forgiveness, but instead lifting her up and bowing deeply himself—no kneeling, but stepping back two paces, bowing with back arched, offering a formal greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when facing Young Master Hu, Saint Zhang had stood with arms crossed, spine straight, face blank, head tilted upward, eyes looking elsewhere—clearly dismissive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu’er, this is Saint Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen had never seen Saint Zhang’s true face before, yet he had no doubt of his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too was deeply puzzled—why would the Celestial Painter Saint show such profound respect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though astonished, he did not forget to remind his daughter of proper etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Yu greets Saint Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yu saw the two floating ghostly flames resolve into two bright, intelligent eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his form gradually materialized before her—a kind, refined, tall, slender man in white robes—a “celestial elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew he was no immortal, yet his appearance, attire, and aura perfectly matched her image of a mountain sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they had just met and she knew nothing of him, Xiao Yu immediately guessed he was not from the West.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He likely hailed from Zhonghua of the Southern Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His manners, his bearing—clearly distinct from Huchen and Guan Zhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single glance, he reminded her of Qing Song, the Daoist boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Song and the white-robed elder—one young, one old—had nothing in common outwardly, yet the essence radiating from them was nearly identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he bowed to her, she felt no humility from him—only grandeur and elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she did not feel inferior either; her eyes held only curiosity, and she “obediently” refrained from kneeling further, offering only a slight curtsy—learned from the two maids in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhi and Yong Xue were merely her maids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before her arrival, they had been the daughter of the Guan family’s apothecary manager—also a young lady in her own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saint Zhang, are you from Zhonghua of the Southern Continent?” she asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been the kind who, if given three parts of courtesy, would demand ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Saint Zhang was so amiable, she naturally climbed the pole higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Does Miss Yu know me?” Saint Zhang glanced at Huchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Huchen could speak, Xiao Yu said: “I’ve never met Saint Zhang before today, but I once met a Daoist from Zhonghua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your age and appearance differ entirely from his, yet you both share the same upright, noble bearing of Zhonghua’s people—deeply admirable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she implying he carried a base, sordid aura?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Zhang’s eyes sparkled as he chuckled: “Miss Yu flatters me—your bearing and demeanor move me even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Song stared back and forth, now at Xiao Yu, now at Saint Zhang, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw nothing special in Xiao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Saint Zhang’s tone and expression were unmistakably sincere—what was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble barbarian girl is unworthy of the Saint’s praise,” Xiao Yu blushed slightly and bowed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she came from a barbarian land, she never accepted the label—but as for bearing and demeanor...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never possessed such things in her past life, let alone spent ten years as a wild child in this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raised in coarse habits, nurtured in savagery—she had long since grown thick with barbaric airs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Zhang did not press further; he gently stroked his long beard and smiled: “Miss Yu, though I have spent recent years studying the path of Ghost Immortality, I remain worlds apart from you—unsuitable to linger...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing a flicker of confusion in Xiao Yu’s eyes, Saint Zhang glanced at Huchen—he understood: this “Miss Yu” truly knew nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he was not surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parents’ decree, matchmaker’s word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A father arranging a “great future” for his daughter need not consult her in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Yu, I am a painter. I now must sketch your Shadow Divine Portrait. The veranda is unsuitable—we shall go to the quiet chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he turned and walked into the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen glanced at Master Song and whispered: “After the Shadow Divine Portrait is completed, I will personally apologize to Master Song.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For tonight’s Shadow Divine Portrait, Huchen had already invested too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Saint Zhang not only forgave Xiao Yu’s offense but voluntarily offered to continue the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Master Song didn’t cause trouble, at least the “Invoking Immortal, Transmitting Truth” ritual could proceed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Song said nothing—only nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had not manifested before mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Xiao Yu’s eyes, he remained a flickering, insubstantial ghostly flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huchen did not follow—he gently patted Xiao Yu’s head and said seriously: “Go quickly! Remember—listen carefully to Saint Zhang’s instructions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ritual of Invoking Immortal, Transmitting Truth must be performed in a clean, silent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No disturbances allowed. No spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the standard method, after the Invoking Immortal Spell and Soul-Extracting Spell are completed, the Daoist leaves the quiet chamber, leaving two spirits inside: one is the painting immortal or painting saint summoned by the spell, the other is the soul of the subject being painted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the two Ghost Envoys came to summon Xiao Yu’s soul, intending to bring her before Saint Zhang so the Painting Saint could capture her true likeness and paint the Shadow God Map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Da Shen did not follow them, even though he too was a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, when Saint Zhang first met her, he called Miss Yu ‘Your Grace’...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Chen waved his hands frantically. “I dare not accept it! I am utterly unworthy! The Guan family is a distinguished clan in the Shu State—‘Your Grace’ is a title I might barely endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s only for the people of Shu State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Master Song, this humble servant dares not accept such a title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my great-grandfather knew, he would scold me for lacking proper decorum.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand what Song Da Shen meant, but he knew the ghost envoys who had just died were his personal attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Da Shen had not only lost his right arm but also had to return to the Netherworld to quell this matter—he must be furious and seething with resentment right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Hu Chen invoked his great-grandfather, the City God: I know you’re furious, but out of respect for my City God grandfather, please rein in your anger just long enough to let me obtain the Shadow God Map, then we can discuss how to apologize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Da Shen coldly said, “Do you think I called her ‘Your Grace’ to mock you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Guan City God counts as a great noble before me, Saint Zhang would never flatter your Guan family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Chen froze, hesitating: “Saint Zhang comes from a land of propriety—he was just speaking politely, wasn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also vaguely sensed something was off, suspecting Saint Zhang had noticed something—perhaps that Xiao Yu looked exactly like Lady Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t want to discuss this topic with Song Da Shen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, the fact that Xiao Yu is the ‘Little Lady Li’ must remain secret, known to no one else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Da Shen only knows he intends to send his daughter to Xianyang—he likely still mocks him in his heart for deluding himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hu Chen himself knows his daughter Yu is absolutely a treasure beyond price!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the ‘Little Lady Li Plan’ hasn’t even begun yet, and he doesn’t want to stir up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earlier, I too wondered—she’s merely an adopted daughter of the Guan family; how could she merit the title ‘Your Grace’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then it struck me: you spared no expense to summon the finest painter to capture her shadow likeness—wasn’t that solely to send her into Xianyang Palace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Zhang also knows this Shadow God Map is meant to attract the Emperor’s attention...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Da Shen stared fixedly at Hu Chen’s face. “Younger brother, you’re hiding something from your elder brother! Why, even Saint Zhang believes Miss Yu has a real chance of entering Xianyang Palace?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2135,"2026-06-20T00:29:13.334Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0775a1acb0f70b48922438bd5e8f31d508f86e2a99993aa91a47fc5ea071cd71","if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-chapter-33","if-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-chapter-31",840,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fif-you-will-not-reject-me-i-wish-to-bow-and-take-cover.jpg"]