Although the Sword Saint’s disappearance was a very serious problem for the Human Race, Zhu Qiu was safe and sound for now.
She decided not to worry about it. Whatever the case, she would think about it once she got home.
Under the guidance of Gauss, Zhu Qiu traveled by day and slept on the ground at night, focused only on returning home as quickly as possible.
At noon, in the Human City, at Sodlan’s house.
Sodlan was hiding in his room, holding a photograph and repeatedly stroking the face of the person in the picture. He could not help but shed tears.
“Xing, I miss you so much. Where are you? Both of our two sons aren’t home, and I — I’m so lonely.”
Sodlan talked to himself while looking at the photo, expressing his true feelings.
The woman in the photo had long white hair and a bright smile.
However, because it had been displayed for too long, the photo was now grayish-white.
Its vivid colors had faded, and the figure in the picture had lost its vitality.
Sodlan wanted to look at her a bit longer, but just then, a familiar voice came from outside the house.
“Mr. Sodlan!”
Gauss had already brought Zhu Qiu back home, and their horses were stopped on the road outside the gate.
“Mr. Sodlan, I have good news to report to you.”
Gauss knocked on the door.
For some reason, even though they were at the front door, Zhu Qiu stayed far away from the entrance, looking as if she were afraid of something.
Hearing the commotion, Sodlan quickly put the photo back into its safe and hidden drawer.
He messily wiped away his tears and took the opportunity to quickly wash his face.
“Coming.”
Sodlan pushed open the door and saw Gauss standing there.
“Gauss, you’re back. You didn’t run into any danger, did you?”
“No, Mr. Sodlan. I’ve found him and brought him back.”
“Found him? Where is he?”
“Right behind me.”
As he spoke, Gauss pointed toward Zhu Qiu, who was cowering behind the horse.
Zhu Qiu felt a bit nervous and quickly stepped forward.
“Pa — Father, I’m back!”
Seeing the familiar youth before him, Sodlan could not hold back his tears.
“Soran, you’re finally back!”
He excitedly tried to give Soran a big hug, but to his surprise, Soran actually dodged him.
Sodlan was stunned.
His child had never dodged him before.
Zhu Qiu noticed the strange look on her father’s face and hurried to make up an excuse.
“Father, I’ve been out for so many days that I smell terrible. I should take a bath first. If we hug like this, I’ll get your clothes dirty.”
“So that’s why.”
Sodlan was immersed in the joy of his child returning home and believed her.
“Let’s go inside and sit.”
The three of them entered the house. Sodlan closed the front door and turned to go to his room to retrieve something.
“Master Sword Saint, is he really your father?”
Gauss asked curiously.
“Of course he is.”
Sodlan emerged from the room, holding an item which he handed to Gauss.
“Gauss, thank you very much for your help. This is the reward I promised you. Please accept it.”
Gauss took it briskly and put it into the satchel he carried.
“Thank you, Mr. Sodlan. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. If you need me next time, you can go to the nearest park and shout my name. I’ll be able to hear you.”
With that, Gauss left and closed the door behind him.
Only Sodlan and his child, Soran, were left in the room.
Sodlan’s excited expression shifted, becoming stern.
“Soran, tell me. Where have you been all these days?”
“These past few days, I — I just went out for a stroll. It was nothing. Besides, I’m back now, haha.”
Zhu Qiu tried to hide her awkwardness with a laugh.
“By the way, where is my younger brother, Sote? Why don’t I see him? Doesn’t he love staying at home the most?”
“Don’t change the subject. Look me in the eye and answer me seriously. Where did you go! Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused while you were away?”
Sodlan’s expression was grim as he fiercely scolded his child for leaving without saying goodbye.
“Fine, I’ll tell the truth,” Zhu Qiu had no choice but to confess.
“Last time, I mentioned that the Evil Dragon might not be dead. I wasn’t at ease, so I went back to the Human-Dragon Border to confirm it one more time.”
“But you can’t just leave without saying a word! Do you have to make your father worry like this?”
Sodlan interrupted her.
“I — I’m sorry, Father.”
“There’s no need for an apology. Quick, tell me. How is that Evil Dragon now?”
“…”
Zhu Qiu fell silent.
She could not exactly say that she had been turned into the Dragon Race by that Evil Dragon and taken back to the Dragon Race Imperial Palace to be raised like a daughter, could she?
Saying that would cost her her head.
Her father might even get so angry that he would hack her to death, becoming the first Dragonslayer, just like in her dream.
*Hiss…* She absolutely could not say it.
“Soran, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Father, I went to see it. That Evil Dragon is indeed dead.”
To save her own life, Zhu Qiu could only continue to weave lies.
Sodlan’s expression remained serious. He pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin with his hand.
“Soran, you’re lying.”
“I am not!”
“You aren’t? Do you think your father is that easy to fool? Would a simple inspection take you this long?”
“I — I got lost halfway there, so it took a bit more time.”
“Son, if something happened, tell your father the truth.”
Sodlan wanted to continue, but considering his child was an adult and should already have the ability to view things correctly, he decided as a father not to get in the way of whatever plans his child had.
“Forget it.”
Sodlan stood up and opened the door.
“You probably haven’t eaten yet. I’m going out to buy some groceries. You haven’t tasted your father’s cooking in many days. After lunch, I have something important to discuss with you.”
Sodlan walked out the door, then paused.
“Remember, son, your father will always be your strongest support. Speak up if anything is wrong, and don’t hide things from me. Also, you aren’t allowed to leave without saying goodbye again.”
Seeing her father leave for the moment, the restless Zhu Qiu hurriedly ran into her own room and locked the door.
‘That scared me to death. At least it’s not a huge problem. As long as I’m careful, I can continue living among the Human Race.’
‘I am still the Human Sword Saint!’
Since her father had gone to get ingredients for cooking, it was the perfect time for a bath.
Zhu Qiu habitually opened the wardrobe. Looking at her old clothes, a sense of pride welled up in her heart.
“Long time no see.”
She casually took one out and was about to put it on when she realized it was far too large.
“Huh?”
Zhu Qiu’s heart trembled as she suddenly realized she had turned into a Dragon Loli.
Her height had shrunk significantly; she couldn’t wear these at all!
‘Oh no, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have come back empty-handed. I should have asked Zhu Xiaxia for a set of clothes.’
As she continued to rummage through the wardrobe to see if there were any clothes from her childhood that she could wear, a pink outfit suddenly appeared in the corner.
‘I don’t remember having any pink clothes?’
When Zhu Qiu pulled out that out-of-place garment, she was completely dumbfounded.
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