Chapter 696: Left Behind in the Rain
Chuckling, Adam helped the eager girl down from his shoulders.
The moment her feet met the muddy ground, she raised her fists and bolted to the house. Old wooden stairs groaned under her rapid feet, drowned by her delighted voice. "Papa, Mama, I’m back!"
He watched her drum on the door, a soft smile tugging at his lips... until it froze when he heard her next words.
"I brought someone who can cure your illness. He’s kind and strong, and... and... My husband!"
A frown creasing his brows, he glanced at the surroundings. Her scream had drawn the attention of a few villagers and neighbors. They scrutinised her in confusion, then covered their mouths, exploding into whispers when they saw his dark and purple robes embroidered in golden patterns.
A middle-aged woman berating her daughter in particular made him clench his jaw.
"She harpooned a cultivator so young. A handsome one at that! She’s also quite beautiful, but she must have something more—something that hooked him. Listen, girl, you’re almost her age, so befriend this goddess to learn her techniques." She sighed. "Or you’ll marry a boor like your father."
His face grew somber as he walked to the girl... his steps faster than usual. However, his mouth closed when he saw her radiant face. Somehow, he didn’t have the heart to refute on her long-awaited reunion day.
He closed his eyes with a defeated sigh, hoping her parents would save him the embarrassment by opening the door. And they surely did a second later.
An old couple squinted through the creaking doorway, suspicion tightening their withered faces.
The husband, a bald man thin enough to be sent flying by a gust of wind, leaned on a rough cane. He spoke in a solemn tone, riddled with buried grief and barely suppressed anger.