Chapter 86: Chapter 85: Sharp Eyes

"It’s been thirteen years..."

Old Ape Head advised, "Whether it’s real or an illusion, it doesn’t really matter."

Xiaohong turned and looked at him, "Have you let it go then?"

Old Ape Head reached out and patted her head, saying, "Ever since I adopted you and treated you as my daughter, I’ve let it go."

Xiaohong blinked and gave a sweet smile, "Really?"

She tilted her head, but her words were strangely chilling, "Do you truly believe I’m your daughter, or is it Tie Yao who died thirteen years ago in the Yang Kingdom?"

Old Ape Head wasn’t surprised by this, as if he was used to it, and laughed:

"Of course, it’s my Xiaohong."

"We’ve been father and daughter for three hundred years; what’s more real than that? Tie Yao was the daughter of the swordsmith Tie Baiyuan, what does that have to do with an old fisherman like me?"

Xiaohong giggled, her cheeks flushed with a deeper red.

"With Grandpa saying that, I feel relieved."

She tugged on Old Ape Head’s arm, acting coyly:

"But Xiaohong doesn’t want to get married yet, nor does she want to leave Grandpa. When Grandpa gets old, I’ll take care of you and fulfill my duty as a daughter."

Old Ape Head laughed, "Alright, alright, with such a thought, Grandpa is pleased."

"Since thirteen years ago when you came into this world, Grandpa knew that henceforth, it would be just the two of us, father and daughter, relying on each other."

He lovingly patted Xiaohong’s back.

What a heartwarming scene of fatherly love and filial piety.

But from a distance, Chen Kuang, watching the father and daughter, couldn’t help but feel uneasy, "Brother Qi, are you sure Tie Baiyuan isn’t crazy?"

Logically, coming out of the Void Illusion Realm, being crazy means you’re dead.

But since Tie Baiyuan isn’t dead, he shouldn’t be crazy.

But this scene looks like a madman speaking.

Tie Baiyuan’s entire family, over a hundred and seventy people, were all killed unjustly, especially his innocent daughter, yet now he openly claims that this Xiaohong is his daughter.

And completely disowns Tie Yao!

Such words seem impossible for a sane person to utter...

Qi Sibai shook his head, "If he were crazy, he wouldn’t be able to understand who he is, whether he belongs to the illusion or reality."

"But look at Tie Baiyuan, isn’t it quite clear to him?"

"He’s completely abandoned the identity of Tie Baiyuan, refuted everything from his past, and sees himself as a simple fisherman."

"As long as one recognizes a single identity clearly, naturally one won’t go mad."

Chen Kuang raised an eyebrow, unable to argue.

He actually wanted to say that most likely Tie Baiyuan was still avoiding the facts from back then, because that old man’s words, "Of course it’s my Xiaohong," were actually a lie...

But even if he said it, he probably wouldn’t want to truly wake up again.

If he wishes to pretend, then let him.

But the strange thing is, where did this daughter called "Xiaohong" come from?

From his words that Xiaohong was born thirteen years ago, it seems that his survival after leaving the Void Illusion Realm is somehow connected to Xiaohong.

Chen Kuang asked, "Brother Qi, what’s your take on Xiaohong’s identity?"

Qi Sibai frowned for a while, then shook his head, "I can’t tell. It feels like there’s some kind of barrier around her, blocking the fate related to her."

Chen Kuang rubbed his chin and fell into thought.

Seems like we’ll have to investigate manually.

To know the answer to this question, there’s actually a perfect candidate—

Chen Kuang looked in the direction where his half-brother had left.

The strength of Qi Sibai’s ability to sense fate depends on how close he is to that fate, and how many branches related to fate he’s come into contact with.

In other words, Qi Sibai is more like a detective; the more clues he has, the closer he can get to the truth.

If there are no clues, he’d just be running around like a headless chicken, like in the past three years.

But fortunately, this time he’s infinitely close to the truth.

When he arrived at Dongting Lake, he sensed that Tie Baiyuan hadn’t died.

After Chen Kuang came looking for him because of the Demon Sword, he was able to see Tie Baiyuan’s specific location, which is why they found him so quickly.

Who would’ve thought he was now just a fisherman at the South Pier.

Moreover, under the jurisdiction of the Chen Family, and familiar with Chen An.

This Xiaohong, whose origins are unknown, turned out to be his object of affection...

But now, this kid is filled with suspicion towards Chen Kuang, and if Chen Kuang were to ask him about Xiaohong now, he’d probably choose death over compliance.

Qi Sibai suddenly said, "Brother Chen, are you worried it might be difficult to investigate?"

"I see a potential connection, which could be helpful to you."

Connection? Chen Kuang was about to say, that’s my younger brother, when he saw Qi Sibai draw a character in the air.

"Zheng?"

Chen Kuang was taken aback, recalling the small wooden token he had never used.

Qingcuo once said, if you encounter someone claiming to be an "Earth Official," they’re one of us, and you can seek help from them.

Yet when he inquired during the journey, Qingcuo said it was a message entrusted by Huo Hengxuan, as she had been undercover beside Li Hongling for ten years and didn’t know much about Liang Kingdom’s forces.

Chen Kuang had intended to search, but the Little Princess’s incident left him no time.

If the "Earth Official" wanted to rendezvous, they’d surely find him proactively...

But how did the character "Zheng" appear in his connection with Chen An?

With a curious expression, Chen Kuang explained this to Qi Sibai, who replied:

"Why don’t we follow and take a look?"

Qi Sibai and Chen Kuang followed Chen An to the mansion with the laid-out prohibition.

Chen Kuang mused, "This must be where the ’Earth Official’ is based, right? This house is actually quite good."

It seems this organization isn’t short on money...

Qi Sibai looked at him with surprise, "Brother Chen has keen eyesight. This prohibition is much more advanced than at Xianyu Nunnery, even someone of the Middle Three Grades couldn’t easily see through it."

To most eyes, this place appeared to be just an ordinary grove.

Chen Kuang nodded, "I do have good eyesight and noticed many mechanisms and traps. Shall I guide Brother Qi through them later?"

Qi Sibai: "..."

His intention was to feel out if Chen Kuang had any special methods, just a casual test, but didn’t expect Chen Kuang to take it so literally.

And just who isn’t blind?!

Finding Chen Kuang increasingly elusive.

However, he couldn’t have guessed that Chen Kuang indeed just had exceptional vision...

...

Chen An returned here to seek help from the "Earth Official" to investigate the intentions of the Cao Bang.

Fan Chuan’s ill-mannered actions conveyed truly alarming information.

If he acts like this towards other depot branch powers, then his intentions are blatantly clear!

Fan Hailong might actually be planning to establish himself as a local emperor...

"The Cao Bang probably wants to leverage the Civilization Official’s power and rise to prominence."

Pei Xiu patted his shoulder seriously and said, "Don’t worry, since you’re an ’Earth Official,’ we’ll keep you and your family safe."

Chen An left, deeply grateful for the promise.

Right after he departed, Pei Xiu let out a sigh, muttering, "Ah, this Cao Bang, of all actions, they just had to target the Chen Family... and Chen Kuang is no pushover."

"Who’s no pushover?"

Chen Kuang suddenly spoke with a faint voice.

Pei Xiu stiffened all over and turned back to face... oh, the person behind him was blindfolded, so there wasn’t any eye contact.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com