Chapter 171 Xiao Douya Disliked His Father
The old man had enough food and clothes for his entire life, so he was willing to help others as he could. Before leaving, the old man put the fruit seedlings on the carriage. Zhan Ming held the dog to the carriage. The old man loved the dog so deeply that he even gave two steamed buns to it. Xu Linghe was in a good mood. With the old man’s assistance, Xu Linghe was confident in ploughing fields well. Zhan Ming drove the carriage. The aftermath of the war was seen everywhere. More and more people chose to flee away from the war zones.
“The war will only affect the poor.” The old man let out a long sigh.
After a rough ride, they arrived at the Qi city in the dark. The guarding soldiers had been waiting there already, and opened the city gate hurriedly at the sight of the master. Xu Linghe jumped out of the carriage, greeted by the soldiers’ warmth. These soldiers thought that the old city governor did pick up the right person who was so component that he could capture ten cities successively. It was just like a daydream for them. Xu Linghe helped Wuyou down the carriage. The soldiers got reddened at the sight of the city governor’s wife. Wuyou looked serene and graceful. However, when the old man knew who Xu Linghe was, his face looked gloomy, because the old man’s house was ruined in the war. If it hadn’t been the avaricious gangs, he would not have been left alone in the world.
“Stop.” Zhan Ming reined the horse. And then, the old man jumped out of the carriage and went straight to the city gate.
“Grand old man.”
Xu Linghe blocked his way. It was the master that Xu Linghe had made great efforts to find out, so Xu Linghe would do whatever he could to retain the master there.
“Get out of my way.” The old man did not like the officials, let alone the soldiers. The Long County had been ruined by the Jin army’s iron hoof, and his son had lost his life.
“Grand old man, why?” Xu Linghe was totally confused, wondering why the kind and benevolent man was so tetchy now.
“Jin city is the enemy of the Long County. If it hadn’t been you, my son would be still alive now.”
“The affairs in the Long County had nothing to do with my husband. It was I who killed the people and captured the city. How can you blame my husband?” Wuyou would not bear seeing it. Being the governor of the Jin city, her husband had been wronged countlessly. No one would care about him. Wuyou’s words infuriated the old man. He thought the woman was rather rampant, and his beards warped with rage. Xu Linghe knew that the woman cared about him. But presently, the Jin city needed a capable man. Besides, the old man was kind-hearted who was willing to leave his home to come here when knowing a large number of beggars. So what the little woman was doing was to pour oil on the flame. However, Wuyou did not consider it, and all she wanted was that her husband suffered less. Seeing it, Zhan Ming asked the soldiers to close the city gate. Then, the old man knocked at the gate and thought if he had known Xu Linghe’s identity, he would not have come to the Jin City. The dog sprang at Zhan Ming and bit his trouser as it saw his master being bullied. The old man thundered at the dog, and it was scared to the ground.
“Grand old man, the refugees are innocent. As long as I am the governor of this city, I will be responsible for their lives.”
“There is no use discussing it.” The old man had decided to leave. It seemed that only Wuyou could let the old man stay. She was willing to do whatever she could to help her man.
“Grand old man, please stay here.” The woman knelt on the ground. Xu Linghe helped the woman up. What did the woman think of me? She should be the one I cherish most. Zhan Ming did not expect the Madam would do that, either. The Madam, like a goddess, would kneel on the ground and beg an old man. How couldn’t it be shocking? The old man’s heart was softened, and he did not hate the woman. Then, he took his dog and got on the carriage. Zhan Ming raised the horsewhip, and the carriage ran to the posthouse, which was prepared for the Mentor specifically.
“Jiang Wuyou, listen. No one is more important than you. No one in the world can deserve it...”
“I know... I know...” Wuyou’s eyes were full of tears. She knew that her husband was always thinking for her.
“Linghe, hug me.”
“I just want you to live as you like. If the sky falls, you still have me to support you.” Xu Linghe hugged the woman tightly. He knew that the woman suffered a lot to love him.
“I am missing Douya.” Xu Linghe held the woman’s hands and flew to the clouds. It had been the time of rat when they arrived at Ao Ze. The two descended from the clouds. The little disciples who were guarding at night came up to greet them.
“Sect Master, it’s you!” The little disciples were wild with joy.
“Go to patrol now. You cannot neglect your duty...” The little disciples left happily, because the sight of the Sect Master gave them a feeling of security.
“Good, good. You gain face for me.”
“You laugh at me...” Wuyou’s face blushed.
“When everything is settled, I will accompany you to enjoy life in the mountains every day.”
“Don’t forget your promise.”
“I will not forget, my little woman.”
The man leaned down and gave her a kiss. Wuyou freed herself from the man’s hug. The little disciples went aglow and hurried to cover their eyes at the sight that their Sect Master was kissing.
“You... are the Sect Master...” Xu Linghe’s mouth went up, and he thought the woman in flurry was rather adorable.
“Didn’t I give the position to you?”
“You are bullying me,” Wuyou said childishly. It was a good way to harness her husband. She pouted her mouth with a look of grievance.
“You’ve been 300 years old, but like still a child...”
“Xu Linghe... I am not done with you...”
He did not know that women all cared about age. Wuyou flew to the backyard and Xu Linghe laughed brightly. The little woman was easy to amuse. He found he loved his little woman more in this way. Love could make a person more willful. And he also hoped his woman could reveal her nature.
“Granny.” Wuyou patted the door. Changxi opened the door immediately. Xiao Douya rolled out of the quilt.
“Has Linghe come back?” Changxi worried about her grandson.
“Granny, I am here.” Xu Linghe squeezed into the door. Changxi could feel at ease when seeing her grandson. Although he went through many hardships, he looked more energetic. Xiao Douya picked himself up from the quilt and threw himself to his father’s arms.
“Do you miss me?” Xu Linghe brushed his son’s cropped hair. His son seemed to be heavier after a month.
“I miss Dad most.”
Xiao Douya hugged his father’s neck tightly, his eyes sparkling.
“Douya, just let your father take a break.” Wuyou took Douya. He became heavier, and Wuyou thought she might not be able to hold him after some days. Xiao Douya followed his father to the front yard.
“I want to go by myself.” Xiao Douya pushed the door open and jumped into the bed. During the days when his mother was not at home, Xiao Douya lived with his great grandmother. He lay on his pillow, turning and tossing. The kid was so naughty that he insisted on sleeping with his father. Xu Linghe hugged his son and kept kissing him. How soft his son was, just like a lump of glutinous rice. Xiao Douya did not retreat, instead, he tickled his father as a fight back.
“Dad, have an early night.” Xiao Douya turned over and stood up. Then, he held his pillow and drilled into his mother’s arms. Xu Linghe wasn’t thin to settle and wondered if his son did not love him. And he was hit a touch of sourness.
“Douya dislikes your dad.” Xu Linghe could not help saying it. The child was such an inborn smart boy.
“Tomorrow morning, Dad will leave Xiao Douya alone.”
“So you don’t want to be intimate with me?” Xu Linghe felt empty in his heart and asked himself whether it was worthwhile to be the governor at the cost of neglecting his son.
“Douya blamed Dad, right? But without your dad, those little senior brothers in Kulun would lose their homes and become homeless orphans... Understand?”
“But Xiao Douya is like an orphan now. When mom is occupied, I am left alone in Kunlun.”
Wuyou also realized that she did not give enough care to his child so that Xiao Douya lacked a sense of security. The little child twitched in Wuyou’s arms, his scalding tears burning her chest. Wuyou began reproaching herself: how long did she not accompany Xiao Douya. Since being the Sect Master, she was always occupied with the affairs in the Sect, and just took her son as a grown-up. However, he was just a four-year-old child who also needed the parents to stay with him. However, parents were accustomed to fudging.
“Mom loves you most...” Wuyou caressed her son tightly.
“Tomorrow, I will take the shape-shifting exam. Mom must come to watch it.”
“I will come to accompany Douya as well.” Xu Linghe made a promise inwardly. No matter what would happen tomorrow, he would accompany Xiao Douya.
When they woke up in the morning, Xiao Douya still seized the corner of the clothes tightly. Xu Linghe touched the little face gently. Then, Xiao Douya turned over and got out of the bed.
“It is the clock of dragon.” Xiao Douya put on his coat and hat. The warm washing water had been served well. Xiao Douya shuffled his face, because he knew that he would be scolded if he was late for the competition at the clock of dragon. Afraid that his son was late for the competition, Xu Linghe held Xiao Douya and ran to Ao Ze. Xiao Douya was in good spirits, as it was good to have his father to be with him.
Wuyou sat on the high tower. The square was crowded with little disciples. Chengyi was the main examiner who was responsible for arranging the whole examination. Xiao Douya was tested in his shape-shifting technique, while Xiaochu was his opponent. Chengyi was worried about Xiao Douya, as Chengyi had a dread of Xiaochu’s ability. However, Wuyou would like to see how powerful Xiaochu’s celestial spirit was. Xu Linghe watched the match in the distance. He was willing to do anything as long as his son felt happy.
A whistle announced the match began finally. Xiao Douya flew to the high platform. With a good command of driving technique, Xiao Douya straightened himself up. He thought he could not be a disgrace to his father. Xiaochu walked slowly to the platform. Wuyou recognized the man immediately, because she was impressed a lot by the little boy in the initial test. He was such a kind and righteous boy. But it was such a common boy with unbelievable celestial spirit. The spirit was the spinel that the celestial being used to gain reincarnation. The roaming celestial spirit would root and sprout when it met with the right person. Then, the spirit would be endowed with a common person’s physical body, and the next step, it would pass tribulation again to become the celestial being. In other words, Xiaochu was the physical body of the celestial being in human society. So Wuyou was eager to see the spirit’s power.
“The Spirit Battle starts.”
Xiao Douya leaped to the mid-air and turned over his hands. Then, a little spirit beast flew out of his body. Xiao Douya’s earnest attitude was rather moving. Meanwhile, Xiaochu also called his spiritual creature. The little spirit beast had never seen such a great thing before, so it got the stage fright and drilled into Xiao Douya’s arms immediately. The whole square burst into laughter. All the adults just came to watch it for fun. As for which party would win, all the people would think it must be Xiaochu. With a whistle, Xiao Douya leaned down and whispered to the little spirit beast. Encouraged by the master, the little spirit beast straightened up. Xiaochu leaped up to the mid-air as well. The competition’s result should be second to the child’s confidence. The spiritual creature knew its intention and dashed out when hearing the whistle. Xiao Douya drove the spirit beast and ran wildly all the way, while Xiaochu drove his spiritual creature to chase them closely. At the same time, Chengyi was rather busy as he followed the little spirit beast to cheer for the little boy. However, Xiao Douya did not notice his Uncle Chengyi, but just chased after his father. On the turning corner, the little spirit beast almost ran into a big tree, and Xiao Douya hurried to pull the rein. The little spirit beast raised its front hooves, and Xiao Douya tilted backward, about to fall down. Xiaochu was rather worried about him, so he had to slow his spiritual creature down. Xiao Douya held the spirit beast’s neck tightly. After the little spirit beast steered by the forest, Xiao Douya could make the balance. But for his bravery, Xiao Douya would have fallen off. Little spirit beast ascended into the clouds and somersaulted back and forth. The huge spiritual creature was not so flexible as the little spirit beast. The spiritual creature was out of breath with a somersault. Xiaochu had not expected that Xiao Douya was so clever. In terms of speed, the little spirit beat was not the spiritual creature’s match; while for flexibility, the little spirit beast was much better. It turned out Xiao Douya had thought and planned clearly before the competition and had seized the opportunity to win in his hands. The little spirit beast coordinated with his master to fly through Ao Ze and drill into the Sky Soaring Tower. Because of narrow space, the spiritual creature failed to turn around after several attempts while the little spirit beast could carry its master and fly freely. However, Xu Linghe had methods to pass it through if he wanted, and all he needed to do was to transform it into a smaller one. Xiaochu lost the competition. On the premise of fairness, Xiao Douya used his head to discover the opponent’s weak point. It was what a wise man did.
It was quite amazing that Xiao Douya was so thoughtful at his young age. Xu Linghe was proud of his son. After some contests, the little spirit beast played the flexibility and ingenuity to full. Xiao Douya defeated Xiaochu with his cleverness. On the square, all the lookers-on were impressed by Xiao Douya’s intelligence. Wuyou flew towards him. Xiao Douya straightened himself up at the sight of her mother.
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