Chapter 463: Chapter 427: Acting Skills
The moment for a dramatic performance arrived, Sang Que’s expression was blank, with a hint of hatred and disgust in his eyes.
"Why didn’t my mother want to tell you, don’t you know yourself?"
This was a conflict between father and daughter, but in Qiu Wanjun’s ears, it was also Sang Que admitting the existence of the Immortal Country, causing Qiu Wanjun’s heart to suddenly race.
Hua Qianmian sighed, and the Soul Hook naturally loosened from Sang Que, making Qiu Wanjun immediately tense again. He instinctively leaned toward Hua Qianmian, fully vigilant.
Sang Que also looked puzzled, glancing at himself and then at Hua Qianmian.
Hua Qianmian lightly coughed, carrying an air of exhaustion and helplessness, slowly moving to sit beside Sang Que.
"Eat, no matter what, fill up your stomach first. We can discuss other matters later. Since you arrived in Shengjing City, you haven’t seen Buning, have you? When he was young, he always wanted a sister. He once resented me for losing his sister. Tomorrow, I’ll call him over; you siblings should meet."
Hua Qianmian picked up chopsticks, serving Sang Que some dishes.
Sang Que looked at the serving of food, eyes suddenly reddening, but he finally picked up the bowl and chopsticks, slowly eating.
Indeed, he hadn’t eaten all day and was hungry.
Qiu Wanjun watched the father-daughter bickering scene beside him, suddenly feeling somewhat awkward, unsure whether to stay or leave.
Fortunately, Hua Qianmian spoke in time, "Sit down, don’t just stand there."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Wanjun sat across, still secretly observing Hua Qianmian and Sang Que, remaining vigilant, but now more curious about the Immortal Country.
From the beginning, Hua Qianmian and Sang Que had planned to dispel Qiu Wanjun’s doubts with earth-shattering secrets, making him endure without exposing them, waiting for the right time.
Thus, when Hua Qianmian spoke again, it was about the Immortal Country.
Since Sang Que informed the institute about matters in this world, the encounter between people from the two worlds was inevitable, and the secrets of the Immortal Country would no longer remain secrets.
"Your mother was extraordinary; the firearms she left for Buning when she left couldn’t be made by Da Xuan, not even the previous dynasty had that capability. Like your mother, you also come from the Immortal Country, right?"
Sang Que continued eating without making a sound, but he did not deny it.
Qiu Wanjun looked at Sang Que, then at Hua Qianmian.
Hua Qianmian said no more, watching Sang Que eat like a loving father. He sipped tea on the side, actually hungry himself, watching Sang Que enjoy the food, silently gritting his teeth, maintaining his composure.
Sang Que finished three plates of dishes and two bowls of rice, leaned back, "I’m full; now do whatever you want, fight or kill."
Hua Qianmian pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, offering it to Sang Que to wipe his mouth.
Sang Que didn’t take it, so Hua Qianmian placed the handkerchief on the tea table, "Even a tiger wouldn’t eat its offspring; I’ve never thought of killing you. If you genuinely don’t want to tell me where the path to the Immortal Country is, then leave Shengjing City."
Sang Que and Qiu Wanjun simultaneously showed surprised expressions, looking at Hua Qianmian. Sang Que was certainly pretending; it was all part of the script.
"I’m not leaving; my mother left a letter instructing me to look after the people of Nine Songs. Release them, then I’ll leave."
According to the script, Hua Qianmian was supposed to instruct Qiu Wanjun to fetch the people at this point, but his words didn’t come out, sensing something amiss.
Though she hadn’t interacted with Zuo Jinye, based on her years of experience impersonating others, she knew Zuo Jinye was a complex person who wouldn’t easily be swayed by familial sentiments to act against his principles.
He didn’t mind others criticizing his origins, even somewhat reveling in the misunderstanding others had of him, persistently adhering to his grand vision, which was, in fact, a form of self-motivation.
Suddenly, Hua Qianmian had an epiphany, "I will release the people of Nine Songs, but not now. Aside from being your biological father, I am also the Prime Minister of Da Xuan. Once the world’s situation stabilizes, we’ll address this matter."
"You!"
Anger appeared on Sang Que’s face, improvising his lines; Hua Qianmian was being untrustworthy!
At this moment, Hua Qianmian and Zuo Jinye’s identities fused more tightly, and Qiu Wanjun, looking at Hua Qianmian, found the peculiar feeling diminishing.
Hua Qianmian reclined in his chair, "If you won’t leave now, then stay."
Sang Que argued with reason, "You’ve already destroyed the foundation of Nine Songs, and you’re halfway into the Ghost God Realm. They lack the ability to contend against you. Including Yunzhou, now also cut off by the Qinzhou Death Domain, posing no threat to Da Xuan, why still hold them?"
"I’ve seen my mother’s fate clearly. I’ve never intended to compete with you; I only wish to take them back safely, then live in obscurity, never appearing again, never interfering in your matters."
Hua Qianmian chuckled mockingly, "Since you have no intention of competing with me, why did you drive the Earth Ghost to hurt me outside Jianshui City?"
Sang Que hesitated for a moment, pondering if he had revealed too much to Hua Qianmian?
But at this instant, anger surged within her, feeling as though facing the real Zuo Jinye.
"That was because you struck first!"
"I only had Black Impermanence bind you, I didn’t hurt you."
Sang Que stood up, "How do I know you won’t kill me!"
Seeing them about to argue, Qiu Wanjun hurriedly stood up to mediate.
"There’s no overnight feud between father and daughter; these are misunderstandings. Speak openly, and it’ll be fine."
Sang Que sat down again, "Ultimately, I’m just here for the people; what will it take for you to release them?"
"Tell me where the Immortal Country is, and I’ll release them immediately."
Hearing Hua Qianmian’s words, Qiu Wanjun nodded quietly. Only a Prime Minister could be so selfless, never hesitating even if it involved his own daughter. If the Immortal Country truly existed, then Da Xuan’s countless people would truly find salvation.
Sang Que was unwilling to speak, but what could she say?
Remaining quiet, Hua Qianmian slowly stood up, straightening his sleeves, "Tonight, rest here. Think carefully about what I’ve said."
With that, Hua Qianmian walked outside, and Qiu Wanjun quickly followed.
Upon reaching the courtyard, Hua Qianmian instructed Qiu Wanjun, "Tonight, labor yourself to keep an eye on her. Since she’s here to save people, she likely won’t leave on her own."
Qiu Wanjun hesitated, recalling Sang Que’s methods outside Jianshui City, feeling a bit unsettled despite being a Sixth-level Yin Walking General.
"Prime Minister, I’m afraid I..."
"Don’t you hold the heart of Yin Child?" Hua Qianmian remarked casually, patting Qiu Wanjun’s shoulder before leaving.
Qiu Wanjun’s eyes lit up; the heart of the Yin Child itself had no special use, but it was the best medium to restrain the Yin Child.
The Yin Child, once the Five Spirits Saintess, carried the power of the Ghost God. Only when incomplete could the Yin Child not grow wildly, developing into a formidable force.
The items assembled onto the Yin Child were each special. When all fused into one ghost, unpredictable changes would occur, necessitating caution, hence keeping the Yin Child’s heart was strategic.
Hua Qianmian, in the guise of Zuo Jinye, had already walked far, while Qiu Wanjun stood at the courtyard door, glancing afar, then looking back at the lights in the house.
"Let’s wait and see how she decides tomorrow!"
To the millions of Da Xuan’s people, a daughter was not important to Prime Minister Zuo.
