Chapter 385: A Farewell, an Indefinite Return
"It can understand you?"
’Are all birds this smart?’
"They know how to pass on messages, but they’re too dim-witted to understand what the messages mean." Lories aren’t particularly intelligent; they can’t comprehend human speech. Some other animals, however, do have some capacity for thought.
"Then how do they relay messages?" Xiang Minghou was stunned. He always felt like an ignorant fool in front of his daughter.
Ye Qianning pointed to her ears. "I can also understand what they say."
"You..." After his initial shock, Xiang Minghou was filled with dread. "You must never let anyone else know about this."
If word got out that a person could understand the speech of animals, his daughter might be mistaken for a demon.
Moreover, she possessed a great treasure. He had thought about it for a long time ever since he found out. The items from the mythical Penglai emerged from her Divine Sense, so he felt that the legendary Penglai and his daughter were deeply connected.
"Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone but you, Father." If Ye Qianning hadn’t found her father’s trip suspicious, she wouldn’t have revealed her ability to understand the lory and have it follow him.
And the little lory in front of them was the same one that had been constantly cussing before. Its social skills and adaptability were exceptionally strong.
If her father ran into any danger, its social skills would allow it to seek help from other animals to relay messages and so on.
"What have I, Xiang Minghou, done to deserve such trust from you?" Only then did Xiang Minghou realize just how much his daughter trusted him. She had hidden nothing from him.
Ye Qianning smiled. "Because you’re my dad."
Because he had accepted her without the slightest doubt, even when he knew nothing about her circumstances.
Even when she got into conflicts with others, he would stand by her side without hesitation. In this era of imperial power, his fearless and undaunted demeanor was deeply etched into her heart.
Xiang Minghou’s heart trembled. A thousand words could not express the feelings in his heart.
"General." The urging voice from outside the door sounded again.
Xiang Minghou pressed his lips together, his large hand caressing her cheek. "This time, Dad is really leaving."
"Mm, I’ll wait obediently at home for you to come back, Dad."
Though reluctant to part, Xiang Minghou could delay no longer. He picked up his Nine Slashes and strode out of the room.
For some reason, the moment Xiang Minghou turned away, Ye Qianning’s heart suddenly clenched with a fierce panic. She rushed to the doorway, but his figure was already gone.
Her fingers rested lightly on her chest. It felt as if it had suddenly become empty, and a bad feeling surfaced in her mind.
It was a very bad feeling, as if something terrible was about to happen.
Xiang Minghou’s figure moved through the pitch-black Capital City, one hand pressed to his chest, where he kept the things his precious daughter had prepared for him.
Traveling would be difficult due to the southern floods, but once he got past the disaster area and captured the bandits, he could return to the city. He calculated it would take two months at the least, and no more than three at the most.
He remembered his daughter’s birthday was in the seventh month. He should be able to make it back to celebrate with her.
In the dark of the night, Xiang Minghou headed toward the city gates, his heart full of warmth.
But he never would have imagined that after this departure, the next time he would see his daughter would be ten years later——
——
Her heart heavy, Ye Qianning lay awake all night. Before dawn, she went to Dean Chen’s courtyard.
Dean Chen had just gotten up and was washing his face. Hearing the knock, he put down his towel and opened the door, a little surprised. "Pangtuan, why are you up so early?"
"Master, how much do you know about the Emperor?" Ye Qianning asked as she walked in, her expression unusually solemn.
Dean Chen froze for a moment, then quickly asked, "What is it? Did something happen?"
"I feel like Dad’s trip to the south is about more than just dealing with some bandits." Bandits were usually just minor figures from the jianghu, lazy good-for-nothings who lived by robbing travelers.
Would a dignified General really need to personally lead troops against a ragtag bunch of small fry?
