As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was stunned.
Not to mention others, even Xiaobai herself was greatly shocked. She froze for several seconds before realizing what this newfound father had said. Instantly, her mind went blank with disbelief that happiness could come so swiftly.
She bent over to reach for a handkerchief, but Shang Ruling, who had been watching her closely, immediately produced a small porcelain-white jade vial. He poured out a snow-white pill that emitted a refreshing fragrance and, with swift precision, pinched the back of her neck to slip the pill into her mouth.
The pill was extraordinary—it dissolved instantly upon entering her mouth. A bitter yet slightly sweet sensation transformed into a cool, refreshing stream that flowed down into her stomach, dispelling the heat throughout her body and leaving her feeling clear and comfortable all over. Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. Though her body, influenced by her emotions, still attempted to flare up with heat, the cool stream suppressed it in an instant, leaving no room for turmoil.
Observing her expression carefully, Old Master Shang asked with concern, “Xiaobai, are you feeling better now?”
“Father, what is this? I feel so refreshed!” Xiaobai called out “Father” without the slightest hesitation. Her face lit up with a smile, radiating the innocence and liveliness of a child. The lingering traces of ferocity and resentment between her brows vanished completely, and her eyes seemed to shimmer like a river of stars. Her emerald-green eyes, deep as a forest sea, made those who had intended to urge the master to reconsider suddenly feel reluctant to speak.
In a daze, the crowd even began to think it might not be a bad idea for her to become the young master. This was especially true for Miao Sanxiao, whose gaze had already grown somewhat infatuated. Even He Qiman, who had been so thoroughly rebuked by Xiaobai not long ago that she retreated into herself, could muster no negative feelings.
Song Wanting, however, felt a chill in his heart, resenting these useless allies. In his early years, he had been a scholar preparing for the imperial examinations but was later swindled out of all his silver by a woman in a brothel, ending up destitute and wandering the streets. Fortunately, his elder brother, recognizing his talent, took him in and brought him to the Shark-Merfolk Gang, where he became the second-in-command. Thus, he knew all too well the truth that beauty could be as venomous as a snake or scorpion. Unswayed by Xiaobai’s smile, he cleared his throat and said, “I have no objection to the master’s decision, however—”
He shifted his tone, wearing a faint smile. “Elder Brother was unable to attend due to urgent matters and is already filled with regret. If he were to learn he missed the young master’s ceremony, he would likely be devastated. Moreover, Miss Xiaobai is still too young, and this matter is rather hasty. Would it not be better to wait a couple of years?”
As he finished speaking, he stepped forward with a cupped-hand salute, subtly nudging his chair with his foot to jolt his colleagues, who were all mesmerized by how adorable Miss Xiaobai was. Seated on either side of him were the chief steward of the Pearl Trading House and the master of the Heavenly Art Workshop. The chief steward, not exactly a martial artist, was cunning and wary of offending the future head of the household. He merely smiled without speaking, observing the situation. Left with no choice, the master of the Heavenly Art Workshop had to speak up:
“Mr. Song makes a valid point. I urge the master to reconsider. No matter what, Miss Xiaobai is ultimately a woman. Even if she were to take a husband in the future, she would inevitably be controlled by her spouse. I have heard that upon your return, you plan to settle down properly in the Central Plains. Why not take a few beautiful concubines into the household and strive to add a few healthy sons as soon as possible?”
The workshop master was, after all, a rough man. His words lacked the subtlety of Song Wanting’s and were rather blunt, even bordering on disrespectful. Upon hearing this, Miao Sanxiao, sitting opposite him, immediately flew into a rage. She slammed the table and shouted, “You monkey-brained fool! What kind of nonsense are you spouting? What’s wrong with being a woman? Can women not lead and make decisions?”
Miao Sanxiao was also a fiery woman. The Nanmang region was known for its fierce folk customs and unrestrained women. Back then, she and Hero Guo had met by chance and eventually became a couple. In daily life, the usually awe-inspiring Hero Guo would obediently lower his head upon seeing his wife at home. Though he was the chief escort, it was Miao Sanxiao who usually handled liaisons with various factions and stabilized the Golden Lion Escort Agency’s position.
So now, Hero Guo focused solely on drinking tea, with no intention of intervening whatsoever. The master of the Heavenly Art Workshop, originally named Hou Jingjing, had some facial imperfections and hated being called “monkey spirit” more than anything. Moreover, Miao Sanxiao had shown him not the slightest bit of face this time. Furious and flushed, he imitated her by slamming the table: “Guo Ding’an, won’t you control your wife?”
Guo Ding’an gave an awkward smile. Under Miao Sanxiao’s glare, his survival instinct took over, and he said amiably, “Let’s just listen to what the master has to say. The master surely has his own reasons for acting this way.”
Song Wanting sighed inwardly. Shang Ruling signaled for everyone to quiet down but genuinely sighed aloud in front of everyone: “Originally, I didn’t want to speak of this matter, but the Shang family’s success today owes much to your efforts. As the head of the family, I naturally owe you all an explanation. During this journey to the Western Regions, I unfortunately encountered Lou Baidie. In the struggle, I sustained injuries to my body. From now on, I only wish to focus on teaching Xiaobai.”
This time, everyone was truly shocked. Xiaobai admired Old Master Shang from the bottom of her heart—a grown man actually able to speak of such a matter openly. She deeply sympathized with Old Master Shang’s plight and happily rolled around in her heart.
As a former menial disciple of the Demonic Cult, Xiaobai was quite familiar with Cult Master Lou Baidie. She knew well that given his temperament, committing such a heinous act was entirely plausible.
“That Demonic Cult scoundrel goes too far!”
With a “bang,” the seemingly gentle and refined He Qiman actually shattered the table beside her with a single slap. Everyone, already filled with grief and indignation, was stunned by her intense reaction and could only stare at her blankly.
He Qiman knew she had lost her composure, but she couldn’t conceal the sorrow and resentment in her heart. In the end, she could only force a slight smile, cover her face with her sleeve, and remain silent.
For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a long while, Song Wanting finally spoke in a trembling voice: “Master, you need not lose heart entirely. There are so many miraculous medicines in this world. Let us go to Medicine King Valley now to see Divine Physician Shen. She would not refuse you this face…”
Shang Ruling waved his hand. His expression remained calm, showing no trace of sorrow or anger: “There’s no need for you all to grieve for me. Since my youth, guided by my master, I’ve had no interest in matters between men and women. Even Xiaobai was the result of an accident, but to me, it makes no difference. Even though Xiaobai is a girl, I will still protect her as she grows up until she can stand on her own.”
“There’s no need to persuade me otherwise. The reason I arrived a few days late this time was that I went ahead to seek Divine Physician Shen for a pulse reading. Besides that, I entrusted her with snow lotus essence to prepare medicine. I know Xiaobai is usually mischievous and may have wronged you all in some ways. Here, I apologize on her behalf. This journey to the Western Regions was also to seek good medicine for my child, so she need no longer be affected by her constitution and can live happily in the future…”
As he spoke, Old Master Shang’s eyes actually grew moist. He said sorrowfully, “It’s all my fault for failing Xiaobai. If only I had discovered her and her mother earlier back then, Lou Baidie wouldn’t have captured them to test his medicines, leaving only Xiaobai behind. Please rest assured, everyone, I will do my best to guide her, and I also respect her choices.”
“If in the future she is unwilling to inherit this family business, or if some accident occurs along the way leaving the Shang family without an heir, I will have no more attachment to this mortal world, and we shall simply part ways.”
The shocks everyone had received today were truly numerous. At first glance, Shang Ruling’s words seemed like an emotional appeal made in sorrow, but in reality, they concealed a threat: if Xiaobai was unwilling to inherit the family business or if some accident befell her midway, this fellow would directly disband all his enterprises. Everyone present had received Old Master Shang’s kindness, and they were also acutely aware that their current status relied entirely on the Shang family’s support. Because of this, many established forces in the jianghu looked down upon these upstarts.
Moreover, their own organizations depended on the Shang family for survival. Without the Shang family, they wouldn’t even be able to cover their daily expenses. With Shang Ruling’s words having reached this point, the chief steward of Pearl Trading House was the first to step forward: “I, Qian Duobao, hereby declare today that from now on, Miss Xiaobai is my young mistress. I am willing to go through fire and water for my young mistress, to devote myself entirely to her service. Aside from my master, I will follow the young mistress’s lead!”
The others hadn’t expected Qian Duobao to be so lacking in integrity—what a scoundrel. No longer hesitating, they stepped forward one after another to declare their loyalty. Even He Qiman, who seemed on the verge of fainting from grief, offered a gentle bow.
Behind the eight of them, the stewards who had not dared to speak all this time hurried forward, afraid that if they were a step too late, they would be remembered by the young mistress.
Xiaobai saw clearly that the person they truly submitted to was not her, but Shang Ruling. So she did not step forward to accept their bows, instead pretending to be confused as she tugged at Shang Ruling’s sleeve. Seeing this, her cheap father personally taught her how to return the courtesy, gave a few instructions, and then dismissed everyone.
Later, they would remain at the Shang residence to report some matters to the master and also strengthen their bonds with one another, resolving minor disputes that had accumulated over time. But those matters had little to do with Xiaobai. She obediently followed Old Master Shang out of the hall. Once they had walked some distance, she quietly asked, “Father, are you really not well?”
Shang Ruling smiled but did not answer her question, simply continuing to lead her forward.
Xiaobai understood something. She lowered her head and watched for a while as Old Master Shang deliberately matched his steps to her smaller strides. “Father, even if you really bring back younger brothers or sisters for me, Xiaobai won’t be unhappy. Even if… even if there are a few more concubines, it’s fine…”
She secretly pinched her own thigh, forcing out a few tears as she pitifully stared at Old Master Shang. “Xiaobai is very obedient. I see that Sister He seems to like Father very much. I wouldn’t mind her becoming my concubine-mother.”
“You, what have you been reading all day?” He chuckled, then crouched down to rub her reddened thigh. “Don’t overthink it. Your father never goes back on his word. As for Miss He… she deserves a better place to belong.”
As he said this, his expression was calm and composed, his eyes showing no ripple of emotion.
Xiaobai found it somewhat difficult to see through this cheap father—no, her real father now. Shang Ruling was too profound and inscrutable. She decided that the matter of learning martial arts would require careful planning.
At least until she figured out what Old Master Shang was really thinking. The two remained silent all the way back to Xiaobai’s Begonia Courtyard.
From a distance, she saw Shang Yu eagerly waiting at the entrance. Xiaobai immediately had a bad feeling—news from the main hall couldn’t have spread this quickly. As they approached, Shang Yu hurried forward a few steps and pulled several books from his sleeve—
“Master, the young lady has never neglected her studies even while at home. Look, these are the fruits of her diligent learning…”
Seeing the large characters “The Male Precepts” on the gray-blue cover, Xiaobai’s vision went dark. She felt that today’s happiness had come too quickly, but the shock had arrived even faster.
Author’s Note: 【Mini Theater】
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Zhu Bajie: Big brother, since the master has been captured, let’s just split the luggage and go our separate ways.
Sun Wukong: Looks like you need a lesson, you fool.
Shang Ruling: If anything happens to Xiaobai, let’s just go our separate ways.
Qian Duobao: I am willing to lay down my life and go through fire and water for the young master!
Miao Sanxiao: I am willing to send my son into the young master’s inner chambers!
Guo Ding’an:
Song Wanting: Oh, so you’re playing this game? The men of the Shark-Merfolk Gang never admit defeat! I am willing to send my third brother into the young master’s—
Xiaobai: Please come to your senses, Mr. Song!
Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!