20 In the South Garden Pagoda

Somewhere inside the forest in Central Marsh, Chang Xiuying's unconscious body is being carried by the little boy, Yao Yun. He insisted on carrying Chang Xiuying as his way of showing care for the 3-year-old girl. The three people; Yao Chen, Irene, and Jiang Hao, didn't have any choice but to surrender to the child's plea.

"Yao Yun, after escorting the little brat to Felstead's pagoda, immediately come back. We still have something serious to discuss." Yao Chen glared at Yao Yun, he fixed Chang Xiuying in place as he nodded solemnly to his mother.

They agreed to just stay at Irene's place. When Chang Xiuying reached 5 years old, they would send her to the best school in the village. Namely, the Morning Light Pavilion, where they set the lessons in a large pavilion. It currently has 73 students, ranging from 5 to 70 years old villagers. They divided the classes according to their chosen lessons, but children under 10 years old were kept in one area.

They would also be responsible for the child's Cleansing method to reach the Iron-level. The child's guardian or parents are only responsible for getting the materials needed for the method. Quality is best considered.

Irene, Jiang Hao, and Yao Yun while carrying Chang Xiuying, reached the South Garden Pagoda. It was placed where it was devoid of people, the pagoda stood erect at the center with the green lake surrounding it and a bridge that connects the land between the pagoda.

The South Garden Pagoda already exist before this village was built 200 years ago. In short, it is an ancient pagoda. Some places are already covered in moss and the lake that is crystal clear by then is now green. Besides the living quarters that is always on use, everything is old. No one really knows when exactly is the pagoda built. It may be 300 or even 500 years ago, who knows? It may have been older than the other three pagodas.

The living quarters just consist of a bed, a table, a chair, and a cabinet. There's a window beside the bed and rooms for the bathroom and the kitchen. Incidentally, Jiang Hao installed some secret mechanisms for Irene's safety. But now, he has to be vigilant 24/7 because of Chang Xiuying and Jiang Li's case. Especially Jiang Li being part of the organization of pursuers that no one knows when it started. Besides that, Chang Xiuying's frequent disappearance is really alarming.

One, she disappeared when she goes into the forest to retrieve a flower near the Martial Field then safely came back after a day with two of them.

Two, after coming back, she just remained for a day then quickly disappears for a month.

Three, she disappeared, more like, she left, when she was in Yao Chen's home for a few hours then she came back here to the South Garden Pagoda while unconscious.

The villagers frequently visit Chang Xiuying and gave gifts for her to see when she's awake from her slumber. The sleeping face of Chang Xiuying is really a sight to see, her soft and rounded rosy cheeks and her peaceful breathing.

Just like that, a week has passed and Chang Xiuying still hasn't woken up. The villagers became so worried about their little goddess' condition.

A boy that quietly stood at the other end of the bridge, and as tall as a 5-year-old is looking at the South Garden Pagoda. His hair was partly black and partly white that the end is reaching his shoulders, his amber eyes were flashing with guilt.

A beautiful and tall woman approached him behind. "Yun'er, are you hesitating? You should go inside."

Yao Yun didn't remove his gaze towards the pagoda. "Dear mother, I am hesitating..." He then looked at Yao Chen, "I seem to never find a suitable betrothal gift for Xiao Ying."

Yao Chen's eyes widen as she glared at her son. "You! Damn brat! Just because you discovered another function of the power that can result in a suspended time of the body and a branding on your own, you became so cocky! What will that cunning brat feel?!"

"Dear mother, I will not be cocky in front of Xiao Ying, she might not like it."

"Enough of this chatter, won't the both of you just go? You're blocking the entire pathway."

Yao Chen and Yao Yun looked behind, they saw a frowning wild Jiang Hao holding a basket. Yao Chen scoffed and said, "Why don't you just jump?"

Jiang Hao walked past them. "My wife will scold me if I disturb even one grass."

"Pfft! Just jump already!" Yao Chen bursts out laughing but was stopped by Jiang Hao's cold stare. He clicked his tongue then continued walking.

...

At Irene's bed, the 3-year-old Chang Xiuying laid unconscious while being covered with a soft blanket. Her breathing is peaceful that there seems to be nothing wrong. Her eyelashes quivered as she slowly opened her eyes, it has a trace of silver and red along with the black color.

Just before she could think, Xue's voice erupted.

[Host! As expected, you're awake! But seriously, you have to avoid that Yao Yun from now on. His procedure is so mediocre that he almost killed you! Thankfully, the Almighty System agreed for my request to help you externally while you're unconscious.]

"Xue..." Chang Xiuying weakly muttered, her vision is still blurred as she can't see the figure staring down at her.

"Xue? Who's that?"

'Huh? Why is that kid...'

[Just as I said! You have to avoid him by any means. He did something wrong to you and he might do it twice or even thrice! You're a precious asset of ours, thus, you have to take care of yourself. Right, your strength is temporarily decreased but it will soon erupt again after 5 hours. Once it's up, they'll eventually know that you're a gold-level practitioner. Before then, you have to sneak out and we'll think about ways for it.]

"Don't worry, Xue, I'll think about it." Chang Xiuying telepathically said to Xue. Her vision became clear and saw a girlish face that is more grown than the last time she had seen him. She was not surprised but she needed to be surprised.

Thus, she exclaimed, "Who the heck?" while she abruptly sat. However, she felt an intense stabbing pain from her head. She clutched her head as Yao Yun supported her body from collapsing. Chang Xiuying tried to regulate her breathing and Yao Yun wouldn't dare disturb her.

[Host, you clearly knew how it felt when you suddenly sat up after a week of slumber.]

"What? It's only a week? Anyway, that would not be believable if I didn't do that. Since people are bound to be surprised after waking up to such a strange change of appearance. I thought I slept for 2-3 years, but it's only a week."

[It's only natural, pureblood beastkins are bound to grow faster as they gain combat or mental experience and power. It depends on their training on how fast will they grow up.]

"I see." She thought that seeing a boy that is slightly taller than her now was just a head shorter than her last week is incredibly peculiar. She even thought that she had grown old for 2-3 years in just a week.

She glanced towards Yao Yun's grown appearance then raised her eyebrow, "Yao Yun?"

"Yeah. How's your body?" Yao Yun concernedly asked as he gently massages Chang Xiuying's head.

She sighed inside her heart. 'Why is it like this?'

"I'm fine." Chang Xiuying looked around and sees no one beside Yao Yun. She thought, 'Ain't this dangerous?', just as she wanted to ask where are the rest, a group of people entered quietly. Irene gasped and flew to Chang Xiuying as she squeezed her tightly in her bosom. "You're awake! You're finally awake!"

Jiang Hao rested his palm on Irene's shoulder. "Wife, it's my turn." Irene glared at him but she can't hide her slight blushing. She replied with an 'Oh' and released the child in her arms. Jiang Hao squeezed Chang Xiuying more tightly and whispered softly, "Welcome back, Ying'Er. You really made this one so worried."

"The villagers left you some great gifts. You should eat first before you check it out."

"Un! But, Uncle Jiang, how long have I been asleep? Is it two years?" Chang Xiuying gave a confused look at Jiang Hao.

"Huh? What makes you think that?" Now, Jiang Hao is also confused.

"Well, Yao Yun is older now." Chang Xiuying pointed at the quiet Yao Yun behind Jiang Hao.

"Ah, no, that's not it. You just slept for one week."

Chang Xiuying exaggerates her suspicious look at Yao Yun. "Then, she's not Yao Yun! Who's that girl?!"

"Ying'er, ah, that's not it. He's really Yao Yun. It's just the pureblood beastskin's ability..." Jiang Hao didn't even finish when he was pushed back by Chang Xiuying. "I don't believe you, Uncle Jiang! She's not Yao Yun!"

Chang Xiuying's weak body ran out and she closed the door.

"Ying'er!" Jiang Hao wanted to chase after the child but he was stopped by Yao Chen. "She's just a kid, let her calm down first before you approach her again. It's the nature of a kid since she just saw something unbelievable that did not normally occur inside the village."

Yao Chen stopped for a moment, her eyes twitched when she remembered the attitude of Chang Xiuying as they fought secludedly and her attitude when there's a vast amount of people.

She almost wants to facepalm herself and regret her actions. 'I forgot. She's a two-faced brat!'