Chapter 781: Side Story 4: 18

However, Shan Shan's emotions came quickly and left just as quickly.

After she finished showing off while holding Xiao Jiu, she leaned against Xiao Jiu's ear and softly sighed: "It's a pity Dad didn't see it."

"Dad is a big liar! He went back on his word!"

"He clearly promised me he wouldn't miss any important milestone in my life, yet he lied to me..."

Xiao Jiu's nose tingled, and she held Shan Shan even tighter in her arms, firmly saying: "Dad is watching from above! Dad will be proud of you."

Shan Shan hummed in acknowledgment.

After letting go of Xiao Jiu, she still felt a bit unhappy: "Why can't Dad be like Uncle Xiaoye, carrying out his duties and living in the mortal world?"

"Because everyone's cultivation differs," Xiao Jiu patiently explained, "One day in heaven equals a year on earth; your dad might not have even finished his assessment yet, so let's wait a bit longer."

Shan Shan pondered, then said: "Then I'll cultivate diligently, and when he returns, I will surely make him look at me with new eyes!"

Xiao Jiu laughed and couldn't help but ruffle Shan Shan's soft hair again.

This little guy has cultivation, but his temperament is still immature; he still needs tempering.

Xiao Jiu stayed with the Feng Clan for half a day, chatting with Shan Shan, and also spoke with Tang Xun and A Cheng for a while.

A Cheng several times glanced at Xiao Jiu's forehead, wanting to speak but holding back.

Xiao Jiu noticed and asked: "A Cheng, did you see something from my physiognomy? Whether good or bad, tell me, sister."

A Cheng pondered for a moment, then examined Xiao Jiu more carefully before saying: "I indeed faintly saw a great fortune on your sister's physiognomy, but this great fortune is very unstable; though it seems dim, whether it can ultimately be grasped likely depends on sister putting in more effort herself."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiu's heart gave a sudden jolt.

She opened her mouth, wanting to tell A Cheng everything that had happened recently, after all A Cheng seemed to have already figured out some clues.

But when the words reached her lips, she held back again.

If she laid everything bare, wouldn't she be dragging A Cheng into this karma?

From Xingchen's attitude, it seems he does not support Xiao Jiu doing this.

A Cheng looked at Xiao Jiu's wavering gaze and said: "Sister, do you know your own situation? Perhaps someone has already enlightened you?"

Xiao Jiu nodded: "I previously called Xingchen, and he only had Bu Kong relay eight words to me: 'Remain unmoving, hold fast to one's original heart.'"

Tang Xun doubted: "How do I hear these eight words as sounding like Buddhist doctrine?"

A Cheng, however, said: "Auntie, I have something I want to discuss privately with sister."

Tang Xun poked A Cheng's forehead with her finger: "Little white-eyed wolf, Auntie treats you so well, yet you siblings have matters and still speak behind my back?"

"Auntie, you've misunderstood," A Cheng said sternly, "Having you step aside is for your own good."

Tang Xun is not unreasonable; she merely urged Xiao Jiu to tell her of any difficulties, saying Auntie isn't afraid of being dragged into trouble.

Afterwards, Tang Xun left.

Then A Cheng said: "Although Xingchen is in the Buddhist gate, he has never stood by when sister faces major matters; he has always been within the karma of this mother-son bond. Thus, this time he had Bu Kong relay his words while he himself stepped aside, possibly avoiding not the karma, but rather that only sister completing this matter independently could she grasp this great fortune..."

As A Cheng spoke, he actually began preparing to cast a divination.

Xiao Jiu immediately reached out and pressed A Cheng's hand, stopping him: "A Cheng, you've done too many divinations today; that's not good for you. I know my own situation, so you don't need to worry."

A Cheng had no choice but to relent.

After chatting a while longer, Xiao Jiu then left.

After she left, A Cheng still persisted in casting the divination.

When Tang Xun entered, she saw A Cheng pondering over the divination on the table.

Tang Xun still couldn't help but ask: "A Cheng, what exactly is wrong with Xiao Jiu? Is this divination for her? What does the omen show?"

"I don't know what sister is currently facing," A Cheng said, "but from the divination, the moment that is hardest for her yet also holds the greatest opportunity is approaching; if she crosses it, she will soar to the heavens; if she cannot..."

A Cheng shook his head and did not continue.

Tang Xun persisted, and A Cheng replied helplessly: "Given my understanding of sister's personality, she won't do foolish things, nor will she willfully abandon her duties; no matter how great the difficulty, our big family will help her; perhaps the hardest part is that she cannot overcome the hurdle in her own heart."

The hurdle in Xiao Jiu's heart?

Tang Xun thought for a moment and then understood.

After all said and done, it ultimately comes down to Liu Junyan.

At dinner time, the Seven Halls Yama fetched Tang Xun to his sleeping chamber to eat together.

Tang Xun held her chopsticks listlessly, and the Seven Halls Yama asked her: "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable? Should we find a quack doctor to look at you?"

Tang Xun shook her head and said: "You said, is there still a day for Xiao Jiu and Liu Qiye to renew their affection?"

The Seven Halls Yama's brow twitched, and he casually replied, wanting to brush the topic aside lightly: "Everything depends on heavenly fate; this isn't something we can control."

Tang Xun slapped her chopsticks onto the table with a snap, indignant: "The upper and lower realms aren't without contact; as a Seven Halls Yama, couldn't you use some connections to inquire about Liu Qiye's news from the upper realm? You simply don't care enough—I see that you, this auntie's husband, don't even deserve the title! You're unfit!"

Having said that, she turned and was about to leave.

The Seven Halls Yama felt his head swell.

This fellow is just a bully at home.

Outwardly he's good to everyone, amiable and approachable.

But once back here he starts glaring and pointing his nose; after all this time, others' children have had litters, yet he still hasn't even earned a title.

At first it was because the Nether Realm and the Feng Clan had disagreements, territorial disputes, and their statuses didn't allow it.

After the Nine Nether Battle, this issue was effectively resolved; Tang Xun also, considering Shan Shan was still young, felt she must put the Feng Clan first and personal affection second.

Now it's fine—she directly confronted him, saying he doesn't deserve to be this auntie's husband!

Conscience of heaven and earth, he has helped inquire a lot, but there's simply nothing.

That brat Liu Junyan, who knows which remote corner of the upper realm he's been stuck in for trials.

The Seven Halls Yama could only accompany with a smile, trying to appease: "We're investigating, always investigating; hasn't Uncle Xiaoye also been unable to find news? He's been to the upper realm more times than I have."

Tang Xun thought it over, seemed reasonable, and softened: "Then you should put in more effort, mobilize your connections more; I'm afraid Xiao Jiu's side might run into trouble."

The Seven Halls Yama readily agreed.

Perhaps on the day Shan Shan underwent training, Xiao Jiu was overly anxious and frightened, and as soon as she returned to Yin Dang Hang she fell ill.

Troops came like a collapsing mountain; in a daze she just kept dreaming.

In this dream, there was no longer that person who always scolded and beat her; in the dream she saw the person she constantly thought about day and night...