Chapter 425: The Identity of Xiao Bing

PS: My girlfriend was unwell a while ago, quite seriously, and I have been taking care of her. She started to improve slightly these past two days, but now I have started to show some symptoms myself. The antigen tests I bought haven't arrived yet, so I can't confirm exactly what the situation is.

For the next few days, updates might be a bit hit-or-miss. My apologies.

If I post a chapter and the word count is insufficient, I will make up for it later; please bear with me.

Everyone, please take care of your safety and health, especially those with underlying conditions. (This part is free of charge!)

"Zero, clean this up. Don't pollute this beautiful scenery."

Lin Chao spoke.

The only flaw Zero had, as far as Lin Chao was concerned, was that he wasn't detailed enough in his work.

If it were him, he would have ground the enemies' bones to dust and scattered the ashes; even if the enemies' ancestors eighteen generations back came here, they wouldn't know their descendants died in this place.

Zero did not have these concepts.

"As you command."

However, Zero was very intelligent; unlike ordinary puppets, he could learn.

Very quickly, he cleaned the place up.

The two were just about to leave when, at that moment, a crisp voice rang out, seemingly carrying a hint of fervor and anticipation.

"Daddy."

Lin Chao swept his gaze over and saw a little girl of five or six years old under a large tree.

The little girl was wearing a tattered Princess dress, barefoot, with mud and scratches from thorns on her hands and feet.

She blinked her eyes, which were watery and seemingly brimming with mist; she looked very lively, yet also exceptionally pitiful.

In truth, Lin Chao had noticed this little girl long ago.

This little girl gave him a feeling very similar to Die Niao.

Back when he first woke up, the first person he saw was Die Niao.

This little girl stirred a memory within him.

However, he remained rational and said softly, "Little sister, you have recognized the wrong person. I am not your daddy."

Since arriving in this world, Lin Chao had been busy improving his strength and had remained in a state of self-restraint.

Having a daughter was simply impossible.

In his eyes, the little girl before him was just an Ordinary human girl.

If there was anything not Ordinary about her, it was that her appearance in a forest like this was somewhat peculiar.

"Daddy, you are my daddy!" The little girl was very stubborn, looking at Lin Chao with a determined face and expectant eyes.

"Little sister, where is your family?" Lin Chao asked.

"Family..." A look of sorrow appeared in the little girl's eyes, "They are all dead..."

A flash of pity crossed Lin Chao's heart.

He guessed that the other party had just experienced a major blow and all her relatives had died.

Her mind was somewhat unstable, which was why she had mistaken him for someone else.

Lin Chao looked at the little girl, thoughts flashing through his mind, and he asked, "Why do you think I am your daddy?"

The little girl sniffed hard: "You have Daddy's scent on you; it's very similar to Daddy."

Lin Chao was slightly stunned, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He then said, "Little sister, I will take you away and help you find your family, alright?"

Lin Chao decided to take the little girl with him.

After all, he had experience with Xiao Jing, so he didn't mind.

"I love Daddy the most!" Hearing this, the little girl flew into Lin Chao's arms, her eyes filled with surprise.

"Daddy is my family." The little girl took a deep sniff, looking very satisfied.

"What is your name?"

"Daddy, my name is Xiao Bing. Don't you remember?"

"Xiao Bing?" Lin Chao pondered; this name was truly a bit Ordinary.

Just then, Lin Chao wanted to ask something else, but the little girl in his arms had fallen into a deep sleep, emitting the sound of even breathing.

Looking at her face, she was sleeping very soundly and peacefully.

It seemed she had not slept this peacefully in a long time.

Second Puppet Academy.

Wang Lu was cursing and swearing, looking quite displeased. She said to the fellow disciples beside her, "The people from the First Puppet Academy are so arrogant. They all have their noses stuck in the air, with the words 'I am awesome' carved on their faces!"

"Ahem." The senior brother smiled, "They are the First Puppet Academy, and we are the Second. Isn't it normal for them to have the right to be arrogant?"

"Whose side are you on?" Wang Lu said angrily, "What I'm angry about is that Liu Gaoyang from their academy actually proposed marriage to my father, wanting my father to betroth me to him!

Isn't he just coveting my father's Puppet Secret Technique?"

Wang Lu was filled with indignation.

The Puppet Secret Technique was a secret technique improved by Wang Lu's father based on a Divine Art he obtained in an Ancient God Temple. To a Puppet Maker, it was incomparably precious, and countless Puppet Makers were extremely jealous of it.

Of course, they were jealous mostly because of that Divine Art.

After all, not every Puppet Maker was a possessor of a God Bone.

When the others heard this, the playfulness and smiles on their faces vanished instantly.

"That guy Liu Gaoyang actually proposed to the Dean?" The senior brother was the most furious; his body trembled at the mention of it.

"Liu Gaoyang is a toad lusting after swan meat!"

The inner academy students present began to denounce Liu Gaoyang one after another.

This has to do with the person Liu Gaoyang.

In terms of talent for Puppet Maker, Liu Gaoyang is second to none, and he even activated a Puppet Heart; the dean of the First Puppet Academy even asserted that the first person to create a Legendary Puppet would certainly be Liu Gaoyang.

Liu Gaoyang, who has such high talent, is actually a sodomite, which is well-known in the circle.

Being a sodomite is one thing, but proposing marriage to the dean—what does he take Wang Lu for?

The people present were incomparably angry, standing up for Wang Lu.

Wang Lu pursed her lips, looking like she was in a very bad mood.

However, just at this moment, a slightly frivolous voice came: "Sister Wang Lu, you are here too."

A man with a handsome face and clean skin walked over; his face was very white, as if it had been decorated with makeup.

Seeing the person who arrived, Wang Lu made a look of disgust: "Liu Gaoyang, why did you come?"

Seeing this, Liu Gaoyang was not angry; instead, he was very amiable, giving people the feeling of a spring breeze.

"I will be interacting in your inner academy for a period of time, so naturally, I must get close to you all.

And Wang Lu, it won't be long before I marry you..."

Liu Gaoyang laughed heartily, but in Wang Lu's eyes, it was exceptionally nauseating.

"Talk your dog shit, my father would never agree to marry me to you!" Wang Lu said loudly.

Beside her, some Academy students also supported Wang Lu: "Liu Gaoyang, you are thinking too beautifully!

Although your talent is high, our dean may not necessarily look favorably upon you!"

"Correct."

Liu Gaoyang continued to smile: "Perhaps you all don't know yet, I have already been selected to join the Legendary Project, and have become one of the three Main Administrators of the Legendary Project!"

"What?"

"Legendary Project?"

"Main Administrator?"

"How is that possible!"

"Our dean is only a Deputy Administrator!"

The Legendary Project is a project initiated by the Ancient Tang Empire to manufacture Legendary Puppets.

This project has accumulated all the most Elite Puppet Makers; others who join it can only become peripheral figures, doing odd jobs.

The inner academy students of the Second Puppet Academy all take pride in entering the Legendary Project.

Some time ago, the senior fellow apprentice obtained the qualification to enter the Legendary Project and was very happy, even hosting a banquet for everyone present.

Now, the Liu Gaoyang before them has not only entered the Legendary Project but has also become one of the three Main Administrators!

That is the three Main Administrators; the three Main Administrators are the highest persons in charge of the Legendary Project, appointed by a County Prince of the Ancient Tang Empire.

That County Prince is a Heavenly Court Disciple, which shows its gold content.

The dean of the Second Puppet Academy, who is also their master, is only a Deputy Administrator.

How could Liu Gaoyang...?

"The Prince personally received me and let me serve as a Main Administrator." Liu Gaoyang was still smiling, but the smile was even more unfathomable.

To be received by a Prince of the Ancient Tang Empire and appointed as a Main Administrator of the Legendary Project—what kind of honor and trust is this.

Moreover, Liu Gaoyang is young and already bears such a heavy responsibility; his future is promising, and it can even be said that a Legendary Puppet may be born in his hands.

"Junior Sister Wang Lu, do you think the dean can look favorably upon me?" Liu Gaoyang smiled lightly, looking at Wang Lu, his eyes extremely playful.

"Hmph, my father is not such a superficial person!" Wang Lu was very angry and wanted to refute but could not find a suitable reason.

She knew her father doted on her, but she also knew that her father's greatest dream in this life was to personally create a Legendary Puppet and leave a mark in the history books.

"By the way, I heard that your academy's inner academy recently admitted a genius.

Although he hasn't awakened a Puppet Heart, he stayed in the Puppet Illusion Realm for nearly five hours; his talent is not bad.

Junior Sister Wang Lu, I didn't bring any gifts this time; how about I help your academy and recommend that person to join the Legendary Project?"

As one of the three Main Administrators, Liu Gaoyang indeed has the qualifications to recommend others.

It must be said that this is a tempting proposal; for a young person like Lin Gui, joining the Legendary Project has many benefits for his future path.

The inner academy students beside them all stopped talking, their faces showing complex expressions.

Even Wang Lu did not know how to respond.

The corners of Liu Gaoyang's mouth hooked into a smile, as if everything was within his grasp.

Just then, a calm voice came.

"Many thanks for your kindness, brother, but I personally have no interest in joining the Legendary Project."

The person who arrived was Lin Chao; after he finished speaking, he walked straight to Wang Lu: "Senior Sister, the task the Academy gave me has been successfully completed."

Hearing Lin Chao's words, Wang Lu was somewhat moved: "The Legendary Project is..."

She wanted to say something, but before she could finish, she was interrupted by Lin Chao.

"Although the Legendary Project is good, for me, a Legendary Puppet may not necessarily come from the Legendary Project.

Our academy might produce a Legendary Puppet before the Legendary Project." Lin Chao patted Wang Lu on the shoulder.

Hearing this, a trace of mockery flashed in Liu Gaoyang's eyes: "It seems the genius that the Second Academy has been talking about is not as good as his reputation; he doesn't even have this kind of insight and is here spouting nonsense. As for this quota... I have no choice but to take it back; I am not willing to give it to just any stray cat or dog."

Liu Gaoyang looked at Lin Chao with great contempt; the gentle aura he had before disappeared, and he became overbearing.

It was as if his previous recommendation for Lin Chao to join the Legendary Project was nothing more than charity.

Lin Chao glanced at Liu Gaoyang indifferently and yawned: "I couldn't ask for more."

Then, Lin Chao looked at Wang Lu: "Senior Sister, two of my relatives have come to the Academy; may they live with me?"

"Ah? Relatives? Lin Gui, I thought you were an orphan!

Of course you can!" Wang Lu replied, "Where are your family members? I will go take a look."

At this moment, a crisp voice came over.

"Daddy."

It could be seen that Xiao Bing was holding a candied hawthorn in one hand, running toward Lin Chao like a butterfly.

Zero, like a wall of a mountain, followed behind Xiao Bing, silent and wordless.

Hearing the little girl's form of address, the complexions of the inner courtyard students present changed slightly.

"Lin Gui, I couldn't tell you had a daughter this big!" Wang Lu opened her mouth, slightly stunned.

"I didn't expect you, kid, to have already married." The Senior Brother was taken aback for a moment.

"Your daughter is just too cute."

"Cough, cough, she is not my daughter, she is a friend's..." Lin Chao explained in a sentence.

Hearing this, the look in Wang Lu's eyes as she gazed at the little girl was full of heartache and pity.

She naturally assumed that the little girl's parents had both died, and before dying, they had entrusted the little girl to Lin Chao to look after.

The people nearby all turned their gazes toward Xiao Bing.

As for Liu Gaoyang, no one paid him any mind.

However, after Liu Gaoyang saw Xiao Bing, a trace of an unnatural expression flashed deep in his eyes, but it was quickly hidden away by him.

He quietly left this place; no one noticed him, or rather, even if they did, no one said anything.

The Senior Brother's gaze moved away from Xiao Bing and finally landed on Zero.

"Lin Gui, this family member of yours... is not ordinary."

Anyone who saw Zero would see Zero's tall and mighty stature, definitely a difficult character to deal with.

Lin Chao smiled.

Parting ways with the crowd, Lin Chao brought Zero and Xiao Bing back to his own courtyard.

As an inner courtyard student, Lin Chao had his own independent small courtyard.

He arranged for Xiao Bing to be in a room, and after waiting for Xiao Bing to fall asleep, Lin Chao came out into the courtyard.

At this time, Zero was standing in the center of the courtyard, standing straight.

Lin Chao placed his hand on Zero's brow, and instantly, quite a bit of information was transmitted into Zero's mind.

Lin Chao was giving Zero some new instructions.

"Understood!" Upon receiving the instructions, Zero's figure began to dissipate into the night.

The instruction Lin Chao gave Zero was to return to the Xi Fang Shi Jie, replace him in continuing to cooperate with the organization from last time that could locate gods, and then hunt down gods.

Zero's strength was significantly stronger than Yuwen Zhanye's; as long as the gods encountered were not too powerful, they were nothing.

Moreover, he also needed Zero to go back; he needed to understand some news from the West, especially regarding Iron Stone City.

"Too similar!"

In the dead of night, inside a room, Liu Gaoyang's eyes still held a trace of suspicious and uncertain expression.

The little girl he saw today, Liu Gaoyang had seen before, or rather, he had seen her portrait, and not just once.

Once was at the home of a County Prince.

The County Prince said the person in the portrait was the daughter of the Ancient Tang Divine Emperor who had died young, Princess Ji.

The other time was the portrait given to him by the organization; actually... Liu Gaoyang had another identity, which was that he was a member of the Bright Society.

The portrait the organization gave him, the little girl drawn on it was exactly the same as Princess Ji; that girl was the person the organization had been looking for all along.

"If I report this matter to the God Child, I will obtain quite a few benefits.

It's just... why have I been unable to contact the God Child?" Liu Gaoyang muttered to himself, pacing back and forth.

However, just at this moment, a soft sound came.

Liu Gaoyang immediately turned his head: "Who?"

His heart was startled, yet there was absolutely no one where the soft sound had come from.

He was somewhat suspicious, yet a feeling like needles pricking his back washed over him.

A piercing pain occurred from his heart; Liu Gaoyang wanted to call for help, but his mouth could not open at all.

He stared blankly at the young man before him, an expression of disbelief appearing on his face, and finally, his body fell to the ground with a thud.

He did not know why this person killed him.

The one who killed him was naturally Lin Chao.

"The daughter of the Ancient Tang Divine Emperor?"

Lin Chao revealed a suspicious expression.

The Ancient Tang Divine Emperor was a figure from several thousand years ago.

Why was his daughter still this... young?

He looked at the corpse on the ground, waved his hand, and it instantly turned to dust and vanished; no one would know that a person had died here.

Lin Chao's figure also disappeared at this moment.

PS: My health has improved quite a bit; I will see how things go tomorrow or the day after to resume normal updates.

(End of this chapter)