Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique

Mu Chen’s expression froze for a moment. Xiao Ying’er saw his hesitation, and a flicker of unconcealable disappointment instantly appeared in her eyes. Mu Chen quickly reacted, exclaiming, "Of course you can!"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Yay! You’re the best, Mister!"

Cheering and ignoring Yalan’s attempts to stop her, Xiao Ying’er threw herself into Mu Chen’s arms once again. As far as Yalan could remember, this was Xiao Ying’er’s happiest day—the day she had smiled the most. Only today did she truly seem like a three-year-old girl. She was clingy, playful, and adorable, showing a childlike innocence that was rarely seen. And the one who brought out these emotions, which should have been a part of her every day, wasn’t Yalan, her Lady, or anyone else in the family. It was this handsome, elegant, and gentle stranger standing before them.

She didn’t know who he was; she didn’t even know his name, and he didn’t know hers. It was so bizarre. The two of them had taken Xiao Ying’er all over Central City, eating sweets Yalan had almost forgotten existed and exploring its every nook and cranny.

It wasn’t until dusk, when the bright sunlight faded to crimson and the streets began to empty, that their fantastical tour of Central City finally came to an end.

Yalan looked down at Xiao Ying’er, who was still smiling in her sleep, then over at the stranger, his forehead beaded with sweat. Her expression grew complicated once again.

She shook her head and fell into step beside Mu Chen. "You didn’t seem to know anything about Central City earlier," Yalan said, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "You must be from out of town, right?"

Mu Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded with a smile. "Yes, I just arrived today. It must be fate that we met."

Yalan nodded. ’Medicine City is a major Level 1 city with a constant flow of people,’ she thought. ’Countless Martial Artists come here every day seeking pills and Medicinal Herbs. He must be here for a reason. He’s been so kind today; I can’t just let it go without repaying him. I should ask if he’s in trouble. If it’s about alchemical pills or Medicinal Herbs, I might be able to help.’

"So, are you here for alchemical pills?" Yalan asked. She avoided asking his purpose directly, as that would seem too aggressive and might put him off.

"Alchemical pills?" Mu Chen shook his head. But then he remembered he still didn’t know where the Ding Palace was. This young woman was clearly from a prominent Medicine City family and knew the city well; she could probably tell him. So, he answered, "I’m not here for pills. I need to make a trip to the Ding Palace, but..."

Mu Chen gave an embarrassed laugh. "But I don’t know its exact location."

"The Ding Palace?" Yalan’s brow furrowed. ’Is he here for the Lady, too?’ she wondered. ’But Xiao Ying’er seems to like him so much. If he really is here for the Lady, maybe I can help him out a little. At least he’s sincere and natural, not to mention quite handsome. He’s still not good enough for the Lady, of course, but he’s... passable. I’d better ask to be sure, though.’

"Are you here to become the Palace Master’s son-in-law?"

Mu Chen was intrigued. "I’ve heard that a lot since I arrived in Medicine City, but no, that’s not why I’m here. I’m going to the Ding Palace because I was entrusted with delivering something to the Ding Palace Master. But what is this whole business about a son-in-law, anyway?"

’That was close,’ Yalan thought, relieved she hadn’t been more direct. Since he had asked, however, she didn’t intend to hide the truth. Her gaze shifted to the sleeping Ying’Er in her arms, her expression softening. "It’s all because of her."

Mu Chen was taken aback. He glanced at Xiao Ying’er. "Because of her?"

Yalan sighed. "Ying’Er is actually the Little Princess of the Ding Palace—the granddaughter of the Ding Palace Master you’re looking for. And I am my Lady’s personal Maid. You see, my Lady is Ying’Er’s mother... the only daughter of the Ding Palace Master."

"..."

Although Mu Chen had suspected Yalan and Xiao Ying’er came from a prominent background, he never could have imagined their identities were this staggering. The granddaughter of the Ding Palace Master... that meant she was the true Little Princess of the Ding Palace! And the child of his only daughter, no less.

But a moment later, a thought made Mu Chen freeze. "Wait, that doesn’t make sense. If your Lady is the Ding Palace Master’s only daughter, then who is this position of ’son-in-law’ being created for?"

Yalan sighed again. "It’s for my Lady. And as you’ve seen, this child is desperate for a father’s love."

Mu Chen’s heart clenched. "Are you saying that Ying’Er... she..."

"She’s never had a father. That’s why he could never play that challenge game with her." Yalan spoke before Mu Chen could finish his sentence. "Moreover... this child... I’m afraid she doesn’t have much longer to live."

Tears welled up in Yalan’s eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. "I’m sorry," she said apologetically. "I’ve lost my composure. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this."

But Mu Chen was so stunned by her words that he was rendered speechless. Several seconds passed before he spoke again, his voice dazed. "What did you just say? What do you mean she doesn’t have much longer to live? Isn’t she the Little Princess of the Ding Palace? With so many Cauldron Masters, can’t they save a single child?!"