บท 36: Parents
Despite the darkness of the night, the trio immediately advanced towards the Obsidian Forest. Their fatigue from their journey from the capital city was the least of their concerns at the moment.
Before the Floral Lake came into sight, a gentle voice hurriedly greeted, "Mother! Father!"
Bai Haolei and Kang Yi's eyes widened. Even though Bai Ru already explained everything to them, they could not truly bring themselves to believe it. It had all seemed too good to be true. The two parents rushed even faster towards the lake.
The gentle voice was all too familiar to them. Their minds went blank upon hearing the familiar voice that they had long lost hope of ever hearing again. Subconsciously, they felt that once the lake came into sight, they would see the delicate figure of their daughter waiting by the lake with a gentle smile.
They finally came to a stop in front of the lake before they truly came into terms with the fact their daughter could not greet them with a human body. Nervously, they peered at the lake, studying every lotus carefully.
Nothing seemed out of place. If not for what Bai Ru had told them, they would not give the lake any second glances.
"Li- Lian'er?" The greeting that Bai Haolei had meant to say had morphed into a question. His voice slightly trembled as fear surged through him, 'It really is her, right? I didn't mishear, did I?'
A familiar voice sounded once more, "It really is me. Do you two believe me?"
Kang Yi let out a breath she did not realize she was holding. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Lian'er… I didn't think… To think you would really return to us. You've suffered! We said we would protect you! Bu- But, what good were we? You--"
Kang Yi's leg gave out on her as the sorrow she had been holding in for the past three years came bursting out.
"There's no need to mention the past. What matters is the present and the future." Bai Lian's voice regained its confidence after hearing confirmation that her mother believed her.
"That's right. We have heard of your plans from Ru'er. We'll wait for you and provide any assistance you need. In the future, we'll live together as a family again," Bai Haolei's voice was hardened with resolve as he continued, "As for whoever had harmed you…"
Bai Haolei did not continue his sentence, for he did not wish to say such cruel words in front of his daughter, 'It truly is a blessing that she's back. However, the fact that she had been murdered has not changed.'
Kang Yi had finally calmed herself. In a soft voice, she advised, "Lian'er, we'll be patient, so there's no need to rush yourself. Remember, your safety is the most important."
A sense of warmth caressed Bai Lian's heart, "Thank you for everything."
"There's no need for thanks between family," Kang Yi knitted her brows, "You must have had a hard time by yourself."
Bai Lian thought for a couple of seconds before voicing softly, "I wasn't alone. Did brother mention my little disciples to you two?"
Bai Haolei made a face of realization, "Those two… I must thank them properly after you reveal the truth to them."
"Mm. In the future, you should treat them like your own great-grandchildren."
Kang Yi giggled, "Will they really still be calling you granny after you leave the forest? I do not believe there's any chance you'll evolve into a granny. Your evolution is based on your own will, right?"
"Mm. However, I don't think they'll stop calling me granny just because I don't look like one. Although they're young, you can't underestimate their ability to bully people. Their other master is also a bully and they've learned longer under him than me."
Bai Ru grinned, "I think it's fine for them to call you granny. Just think of it as payback for telling so many lies to them."
Bai Haolei sighed, "Ru'er, what are you saying? Since when has Lian'er ever thought about repenting for any of the lies she has told?"
"Why must I repent? My lies were generally harmless. In fact, they benefited. No ordinary liar will be able to trick them in the future," Bai Lian's voice was calm and upheld a sense of righteousness.
A smile blossomed on Kang Yi's face, 'Despite all that has happened to her, she hasn't changed too much.'
Kang Yi frowned at a sudden thought that occurred to her, "Will you be absorbing more corpses?"
"Why the sudden question?"
"No matter what changes you experience, I will always consider you my daughter. However, I would be sad if your personality changed drastically," Kang Yi's voice was soft as she lowered her gaze.
"I do not plan on completely stopping. Absorbing from corpses is a good method to quickly increase my strength. I will be carefully monitoring the qi balance within me, so you don't need to worry."
The trio frowned. Bai Lian's emotionless words did not erase their worries. They could not tell how Bai Lian was truly feeling based on the tone of her voice. Even though they became better at identifying when she was lying through years of living with her, it was still very difficult to figure out her true thoughts. Without a body to give them more hints of her thoughts, the trio were helpless.
Bai Lian thought to herself, 'My evolution will proceed based on my will. What I want most right now is to live happily with those I love. I want them to look at me as though I really am a human.'
Although she knew those words would bring assurance to her family, Bai Lian did not voice them.
Although he was worried, Bai Haolei forced his fretful thoughts away, "We believe in you, Lian'er. Is there anything we can do to help with your evolution?"
"Absorbing certain herbs would certainly be helpful."
Bai Ru smiled, "I have arranged things with the Sacred Flame Sect so that I would be patrolling the forest. I'll be around, so just tell me whatever you need."
Bai Haolei knitted his brows at his son jealousy, "Your mother and I will have to return to the capital city after this. Otherwise, the Bai Clan may get suspicious."
"Although we can't be here with you, we will definitely be hoping for your safety from the capital city," Kang Yi forced a smiled. However, it was clear she did not want to leave.
A comforting warmth enveloped Bai Lian from within, "There's no need to worry so much. Brother will be here for me. Take care of yourselves."
Bai Haolei and Kang Yi were filled with reluctance. However, they forced themselves to voice their farewells before departing with Bai Ru.
Outside the forest, Bai Haolei turned to Bai Ru, "We'll be counting on you, Ru'er."
Bai Ru eyes were resolute, "Don't worry, father. I'll take care of Lian'er while you two are in the capital city."
Bai Ru searched for the residence prepared for him by the Sacred Flame Sect. The two parents found an inn to rest for the rest of the night. They were gone before the sun fully rose.
The changes brought by Bai Ru's stay at Obsidian City gradually became the norm. Days passed peacefully and within Bai Lian's expectations. Her roots grew faster and the range her signals could reach grew wider. The fruits of her labor became quite clear after a year.
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Carroter
Carroter I won't be uploading chapters for a week. I'm sorry I didn't mean to time this break with the time skip.
Reason: a 10 page research paper I need to write.
This particular paper is really hard for me to write because the topic doesn’t interest me at all.
It's hard for me to write this paper and deal with my other schoolwork while also writing chapters. After this week long break, I will release chapters every other day until my finals are over (March 15). Sorry for the lower release rates.
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