Bai Li sat up straight upon hearing those words, his eyes filled with disbelief and anger.
“What? How could Baining be so reckless and headstrong? Is she not afraid of venturing into danger alone?”
“I don’t understand Sister Baining’s thoughts either. Once she makes up her mind, no one can talk her out of it.”
Ziya pouted aggrievedly, looking completely bewildered.
Bai Li was consumed with anxiety and stood up immediately, speaking to Ziya in a resolute tone.
“Ziya! Pack your bags right now. We’re heading to the front lines to help Baining immediately; we can’t delay for a single moment!”
Ziya was startled by her father’s sudden urgency.
Her body stiffened, and she looked up with a face full of astonishment.
“N—now…?”
“Yes, right now!”
Bai Li’s attitude was firm, his eyes burning with worry.
“How can I stand by and watch Baining face the Human Realm single-handedly?”
Ziya looked at her agitated father and offered a soft reminder, hoping to calm him down.
Those words jolted the anxious Bai Li, but his heart was so full of concern for Baining’s safety that he no longer cared about his former identity.
His tone was both urgent and sincere, filled with the protective heart of a parent.
“Baining is the daughter I raised with my own hands! Now that the fires of war are raging and lives are at stake, how can I let her face the danger alone? Even if I cannot join the fight, I must go and persuade her to stop acting so impulsively!”
“But Father, both sides are currently locked in a fierce battle. If we rush in blindly, not only will it be difficult to intervene, but we’ll also get swept up in the danger ourselves!”
Ziya hurriedly tried to stop him, wanting the flustered Bai Li to weigh the situation calmly.
Bai Li was moved by her words, and his tense body relaxed slightly as his reason gradually returned.
He slumped back into his chair, his brows furrowed tightly as he whispered to himself, “You’re right… I was too impatient and lost my composure. That child, Baining, why is she always so reckless regarding the consequences…?”
Bai Li looked down at his dinner plate with no appetite, his heart filled with a complex mixture of emotions.
‘Does she not even think about my feelings? What a troublesome, rebellious child…’
At this moment, Bai Li was torn by an intense internal conflict.
He feared Baining would go too far in her slaughter of the humans, committing an irreversible mistake, yet he was also constantly worried about his daughter’s safety, fearing she might meet with an accident on the battlefield.
Both sides were dear to him, and being caught in such a dilemma caused him great pain.
In a daze, memories of his past in the Human Realm surfaced in his mind — the laughter of classmates, the teachings of mentors, the warmth of neighbors, and the trust of the late King…
Every single memory was vivid.
Even though he had long since cut ties, the bonds engraved in his heart were difficult to sever.
But now, the daughter he cherished like a treasure was pointing her blade at these people from his past, standing on the opposite side.
This soul-tearing choice wrenched his heart, making him restless.
“No! I cannot sit idly by, and I certainly cannot just wait for death!”
A flash of resolve crossed Bai Li’s eyes.
No matter the outcome, he did not want to see either side get hurt.
Being forced to choose between his own kind and his daughter was too cruel and unfair; he had to find a way to satisfy both.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and looked at Ziya with a determined gaze.
His tone brooked no argument.
“Ziya, my mind is made up. There is no need for further persuasion. Pack your bags immediately; we are leaving for the battlefield right now!”
Ziya saw that her father’s mind was set and knew further talk was useless.
She could only nod gently, her voice carrying a hint of worry.
“…Fine, I will do as Father says.”
‘I really don’t know if making this decision to follow Father’s wishes is right or wrong…’
Ziya watched the hurried, anxious Bai Li.
Her small face was etched with hesitation, and her heart was full of confusion.
All of this was observed by Rongrong, who had remained silent on the side.
She lowered her eyelids, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she thought to herself, ‘Master Fouquelu, I’d like to see what your next choice will be in such a dilemma.’
—
The scene shifted to the vast Dragon Territory.
Beneath the firmament, Longjiu spread her wings and circled, searching everywhere for traces of the Hero.
She flew across the entire Dragon Territory, from the Dragon Palace Castle to the Dense Forest Valley and then to the Grassland Lakeside.
Having found nothing, she was forced to return, exhausted and empty-handed.
The Dragon Race soldiers waiting at the entrance of the Dragon Palace saw Longjiu’s return.
One immediately stepped forward, panting as he knelt on one knee to report, “Reporting to the Dragon King! Your subordinates have searched all areas surrounding the Dragon Palace and failed to find the Hero. However, at the site of the disappearance, we found traces of someone lurking and spying in secret!”
Longjiu, who had been physically and mentally exhausted, was instantly invigorated upon hearing this.
A sharp light flashed in her eyes, and her fatigue vanished.
She immediately flapped her wings, her tone urgent.
“Where are the traces? Lead the way immediately; I will investigate personally!”
“As you command!”
The soldier did not dare delay and hurriedly led the way, bringing Longjiu to the destination.
A moment later, the group arrived at the place where Pei Qinhu had previously hidden.
Longjiu folded her wings and landed, her dragon eyes scanning the surroundings as she carefully distinguished the scents remaining in the air.
Shortly after, her expression darkened, her voice carrying both disdain and anger.
“This scent… it’s the smell of the Beast Race. There’s no mistake; the Beast Race must be behind this!”
Longjiu turned abruptly and gave a sharp command.
“Immediately gather all data and movements of high-level assassins from the Beast Race. Focus the investigation on Pei Qinhu; do not let a single clue slip by!”
“As you command!”
The soldier responded and hurried away.
Longjiu stood in place, her dragon tail flicking slightly.
She huffed coldly in her heart.
‘This is outrageous! Is even the Beast Race trying to muddy these waters?! It seems I must immediately write a letter to question the Lion King of the Beast Race to see if he knows about this. Is he tacitly allowing it, or are his subordinates acting on their own? If the Beast Race is truly involved and becomes an enemy of the Dragon Race, my kin are no pushovers. Even if it means having one more enemy, I will not tolerate this!’
Having made up her mind, Longjiu stayed no longer.
She unfolded her Dragon Wings and leaped into the air, transforming into a black shadow that shot toward the clouds, flying back to the Dragon Palace at high speed.
—
Back in the Dream Demon Kingdom, everything was finally ready.
Bai Li had already packed a simple bag and was pacing back and forth in the living room, frequently glancing toward the stairs.
Looking anxious, he muttered to himself, “Why isn’t she ready yet… I’ve been waiting so long the flowers are almost wilting. Ziya is far too slow.”
In the bedroom upstairs, Ziya was frantically stuffing clothes into a suitcase, her expression panicked.
As she packed, she called out, “I’m rushing… I’m almost done! Wait just a little longer, Father. This is the first time I’ve ever seen you so…”
Rongrong stood by and assisted quietly, her movements practiced as she folded the garments neatly.
Downstairs, Bai Li sighed helplessly.
“Okay! All finished!”
Ziya placed the last dress into the suitcase, clapped her hands, and bounded down the stairs, dragging the suitcase behind her with a cheerful expression.
Bai Li immediately stepped forward, urging her impatiently, “Finally. Let’s head out quickly, don’t waste any more time!”
Just as he finished speaking, his sleeve was gently tugged by a small hand.
Bai Li stopped and looked down to see the Little Meow Maid.
“What is it, Xiaomiao?”
Although anxious to leave, Bai Li still spoke in a gentle tone and asked patiently.
Xiaomiao looked up, her cat-like eyes watery and full of reluctance.
Her voice was soft and sweet.
“Master Bai… during this time I’ve spent with you, I’ve been very happy, meow…”
Bai Li felt a warmth in his heart, assuming Xiaomiao was saying goodbye, and a trace of sadness welled up within him.
Before he could speak, Ziya’s eyes widened.
She interrupted with a look of confusion, instantly shattering the sentimental atmosphere.
“What are you talking about, Xiaomiao? It’s not like we’re separating. Of course you’re coming with us!”
Xiaomiao was stunned, her cat eyes growing even wider as she stammered, “Meow, meow, meow? I… I can go too? I thought Master didn’t want me anymore, meow…”
“Of course!”
Ziya said seriously, hands on her hips.
“You are now the maid specifically assigned to take care of Father. From now on, wherever Father goes, you go!”
“Oh, oh~ I’m sorry, I misunderstood, meow—”
Xiaomiao realized her mistake and quickly let go to apologize.
The reluctance on her face vanished, replaced by joy, and her tail even curled up.
Bai Li couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene, the anxiety in his heart dissipating quite a bit.
He spoke in a light tone, “It’s fine, just a small misunderstanding. Since everyone is ready, let’s head out.”
As the words fell, the two petite girls, followed by the soft and cute Cat Race maid, set out together on the road to the battlefield.
Even if the path ahead was full of danger and the future unknown, they would move forward steadily, accompanying one another.