Chapitre 40: The Childish Woman (8)
Ellie and I entered the forest, unnoticed by the sect members. The two of us ran through the forest. I scoured the surroundings with my spiritual sense to look for Fiona. Where could she be?
Never has my weak cultivation made me this anxious, even in fights. If my cultivation base were at least a little higher, I wouldn't have to look for her like this. My spiritual sense could reach farther out. When she's not within my sight... it's a nightmare.
I cursed myself for not paying more attention towards her and jumped off a rock, deeper into the forest. Ellie followed closely behind. I knew she'd intentionally slowed down to my pace.
"Where is she..." I muttered, increasing my speed. I knew I should have picked up a movement technique at the Pavilion.
"There. Northwest. She's engaging in a battle." Ellie pointed, and I took off.
I felt a surge of ice qi throughout the air, followed by the yelp of a wolf. That calmed me down. That's right, Fiona is on the verge of a breakthrough to the second stage of Golden Core realm. These wolves can't hurt her.
I still couldn't help but worry, though. Muttering "thanks" to Ellie, I disappeared in Fiona's direction.
Fiona was about to finish the wolf when she turned around, her face full of surprise, and called out, "Daddy?"
I heaved a sigh of relief and pulled her into my arms. Familiar warmth and comfort soothed my anxiety, and I found myself in a state of serenity. That's right, she belongs in my arms, and nowhere else. We hugged like that for a while, ignoring the cries of a boy and footsteps approaching from behind us.
It was Ellie. She nodded and gave us space, not wanting to be the third-wheel. Too bad she already was as Fiona and I were in our little world already.
She squirmed in my arms. Knowing that she was uncomfortable, I unwillingly set her down on the ground. With a chuckle, she said, "Daddy, you should've seen your face! It was sooo funny!"
I was speechless. That's a rude thing to say to someone worried about you. Forget it, I'll punish her and her teasing later.
"Are you okay? Suffering any injuries? Did that old man touch you? Why were you crying earlier?" I asked, words gushing from my mouth.
Fiona pushed me away. "Slow down, daddy. Kill the wolf for your cultivation first."
Without even looking at it, I threw my dagger on the ground. Blue particles flew into my body as I patted Fiona's to search for any signs of injuries.
I can breathe easier now. "No injuries, phew. Tell daddy why you're crying earlier. Did that old man touch you? Do I need to torture him?"
Under my insistent gaze, Fiona hurriedly said, "It's all right, daddy. He only tried to touch me, but I ran away."
"He tried to touch you?" I repeated as my eyes narrowed. I picked her up with two hands and threw her over my shoulder.
"Let's go. I will kill them all."
"Daddy!" she cried out. "Put me down! You're being unreasonable!"
"Only for you."
Ellie exhaled loudly for us to hear. "Okay, okay, knock it all you two. Too much flirting so early in the morning," she interrupted, her voice full of exasperation.
Fiona turned to look at her in shock, then shoved her blushing face into my chest, unwilling to speak to her. I could hear her muttering, "ah, so embarrassing..." and something along the lines of "his fault."
"It's not daddy's fault you're so cute," I said, putting her down on the ground. She was reluctant to leave my arms this time, and ran to my side, behind me.
"You're still flirting," Ellie grumbled. I rolled my eyes. Who asked you to be the third wheel?
Fiona tugged my shirt and glared at me, but spoke in a low voice. "Why is she here, daddy? Why did you want to kill before? Did something happen between the two of you...?"
My face grew hot with shame. What if she found out about what happened earlier? I waved my hands. "No, no, nothing happened at all. Sister Ellie... uh, she's helping you get some breakfast! And there was somebody bugging daddy earlier..."
Fiona squinted her eyes in suspicion at me, then turned her attention to the smiling Ellie.
That damn brat. I wanted to rip that mischievous smile off her face. I'll throw you into that sect for all I care about!
I was about to explain myself when Ellie interrupted, again. I made a mental note - two checks in the box.
"Fiona," she said, waving me off. "Can I talk to you alone?"
We both scowled, but Fiona eventually agreed. It worried me that Ellie might tell her about what happened earlier. Her hesitancy meant that she still trusts me more than Ellie, but what will she think after she knows? I should've told her earlier that it was all just an understanding. Now it seems like I've been hiding things from her.
"Daddy, I want to hear what she has to say," Fiona said, her face blank. That's her stubborn face. She's really determined to get to the bottom of this, huh... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Since she's decided, I guess I have to do as she says. Pulling her over, I gave a kiss on her forehead and whispered into her ear, "Remember the plan, but remember nothing she says. Believe in daddy, okay?"
I didn't even hear Fiona's acknowledgement before I walked off.
______
"What are they even talking about that takes them so long," I grumbled, but on the inside, I was awfully nervous. Maybe they aren't chatting anymore and Fiona's already left in disappointment.
I was crestfallen thinking about all the reasons, and none of them were good. This rabbit's leg that I grilled didn't seem so appetizing anymore.
I munched this rabbit's leg sadly while mourning the loss of Fiona. I also checked out the progress of the Frost Devil Arts. I killed quite a few wolves out there, and my cultivation jumped up signifiantly. I still haven't felt the side effects though, that's good news. It looks like I must kill people first.
Mhmm, if I have to kill people, it'll definitely be members of that sect, and that old man first.
I threw the rabbit's foot behind me when Fiona and Ellie descended from the sky. My eyes widened in surprise and relief. I wanted to run up to Fiona and hug her and apologize, but... maybe that'll make her feel worse. I passed a rabbit's leg to her instead.
Fiona took it silently and sat down to eat. I couldn't read her emotions, so all I could do was pray she'd get over it. I really did not want to hand a piece of a rabbit to Ellie. The atmosphere was awkward, unsettling, and completely uncomfortable for me! Fiona is mad!
The crackle of the flames seemed to intensify her anger, which I did not like. Thus, I asked Ellie carefully what they'd talked about and why it took so long.
Ellie laughed, unaffected by Fiona and my feelings. "I don't think you want to know," she said mysteriously.
I bit my lips. It's better to know the truth and to keep convincing myself with lies. "I do," I declared.
Fiona looked up at me, and her gaze was still unreadable. It broke my heart. I wanted to run over and coax her, but not with Ellie watching. She's uncomfortable with the displays of affection in front of people.
Damn, Ellie's caused a lot of problems for a peaceful sleep for a night... I cursed her again. Maybe it was better to trek on to another city. We could at least book an inn. Those bandits can't be as dangerous as her.
"Da—" Fiona said something before a voice called out from the sky.
"Halt! What do you think you're doing amidst the sect scouting grounds?" His face grew angrier as he noticed Fiona. "Little girl, you've already passed the first part of the tests, but you can't cheat here, asking for help from your parents."
Fiona stood up, her eyes deathly pale. "Daddy. Kill him."
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
ryfulrifle
ryfulrifle Touched a sore spot, eh?
As always, thanks for the support. This arc is taking longer than expected, but I don't want to rush things. I'm especially sorry for my older readers who had to bear through that monthlong hiatus, this story might feel like it's not progressing at all!