52: Chapter 52 The Missing Mother and the Mysterious Girl

[The Lin family was a prominent household in Luofeng City, with their ancestral grounds located in a bustling central area.]

[It was dusk at the moment. As the giant eagle descended, the bustling street market fell deathly silent in an instant, and countless mortals knelt and kowtowed on the spot in terror.]

[The members of the Lin family had long been alerted and hurriedly poured out from the residence.]

[The middle-aged man leading them was about to bow as well upon seeing this, but he was gently held up by a soft force.]

["Father, we haven't seen each other for a few years. Have you forgotten your son?"]

[A light laugh came from atop the giant eagle as Lin Bufan revealed himself at just the right moment.]

[What followed was everyone gasping in astonishment, exclaiming how terrifyingly formidable he had become, while the clansmen who had bullied him apologized one after another.]

[After this familiar sequence of events, the emotional satisfaction was maxed out.]

[You understood that returning home in glory after achieving success is what one ought to do; if one doesn't show off in public after gaining high cultivation, it indeed lacks a lot of fun.]

[Looking at Lin Bufan's expression—his mouth curved slightly yet remaining calm and unfazed—you were willing to call him the King of Pretentiousness!]

[After a round of pleasantries, the group sat down in the main hall.]

[You noticed many glances secretly sizing you up, but chose to ignore them. After all, with looks like yours, you would become the center of attention wherever you went—you were long used to it.]

["Cough!"]

[The middle-aged man in the main seat coughed lightly, interrupting the increasingly infatuated gazes of the clan's youths, before looking at Lin Bufan with a touch of uneasiness.]

["Fan'er, this immortal master is...?"]

[Lin Bufan smiled slightly and gently took your hand amid numerous heartbroken gazes, though a faint hint of pleading—unnoticed by others—appeared in his eyes.]

["..."]

[This kid...]

[You didn't choose to undercut him at this moment. As a qualified bed partner, you naturally had to make each other feel physically and mentally satisfied.]

[Also for the sake of the yanluo umbrella and the seven-heart glazed lamp, you went with the momentum and leaned gently on his shoulder, a timely blush surfacing on your pretty face as you spoke softly:]

["Uncle, it's nice to meet you for the first time. I am Bufan's Dao companion."]

["Hahaha! Good, good, wonderful!"]

[Father Lin was startled at first, then laughed heartily, unable to conceal the satisfaction and relief in his words.]

["Young lady, if Fan'er ever dares to bully you, you must tell me. No matter what his cultivation level is, I will teach him a lesson on his mother's behalf."]

[The moment these words came out, you clearly sensed Lin Bufan's body stiffen for a second.]

[With a smile in your eyes, you asked seemingly casually:]

["May I ask where Auntie is? Qingyu would also like to pay her respects."]

[An exalted immortal master taking the initiative to visit a mortal woman—no matter how you looked at it, it showed your gentleness and magnanimity.]

[The hall, which had been buzzing with enthusiasm, suddenly fell quiet. After a long moment, Father Lin sighed softly. Looking at Lin Bufan's expectant gaze, he waved his hand to dismiss the others.]

[You made a gesture to rise and leave, but Lin Bufan grabbed your wrist and shook his head at you:]

["Senior Sister, stay and listen with me."]

[Seeing that Father Lin didn't say anything, you stayed as well.]

["Fan'er, in truth, your mother isn't dead."]

[Father Lin's very first sentence perked up your spirits.]

[You were all too familiar with this trope—a mediocre dad, a mysterious mom. It seemed Lin Bufan still had deep potential worth tapping into!]

["Father! Then where on earth did Mother go?"]

[Lin Bufan stood up abruptly, asking with an anxious expression.]

["Back then, shortly after your mother gave birth to you, she left. I don't know where she went either."]

[Father Lin sighed, his stature seeming much more hunched. He then tremblingly took out a dragon-shaped jade pendant from his breast pocket and handed it over.]

["This was left behind by your mother before she departed. She said... if one day you could embark on the immortal path and attain success in cultivation, you could take it with you to the Central Plains."]

[A faint light flashed deep in your eyes. That jade pendant was by no means an ordinary item. As expected, there was an even greater backer behind this kid.]

[Lin Bufan tightly held the jade pendant, that familiar unyielding confidence reappearing on his face.]

["Father! I will definitely bring Mother back."]

[Now that's the right vibe.]

[Watching the touching scene of fatherly love and filial piety before you, you quietly retreated from the main hall.]

[Strolling leisurely down the long corridor inside the Lin Manor, a figure suddenly blocked your path ahead.]

[You stopped in your tracks and sized up the newcomer at your leisure.]

[The young girl wore a plain green dress. Petite with delicate features, her gentle demeanor carried the lively cleverness and slyness of a humble family's daughter.]

["Are you Brother Bufan's Dao companion?"]

[At this moment, she had her hands on her hips, her eyes scanning back and forth across your body. A moment later, she shifted her gaze away from your chest and lowered her head in self-consciousness.]

[Mm, just your type. So cute you want to...]

["Heh~"]

[You let out a soft chuckle, took two steps forward, and leaned one hand against the pillar behind her, as if trapping the girl entirely in your embrace. A pleasant fragrance wafted into your nose, and you clearly saw the tips of her ears gradually turning red.]

["W-What... what are you doing?!"]

[The girl crossed her arms over her chest, her big eyes opened wide.]

[Just then, you caught sight of Lin family members peeking from afar. Resisting the urge to tease the girl further, you stepped back and spoke calmly:]

["I am indeed Brother Bufan's Dao companion~"]

[You drew out the words "Brother Bufan" long and soft, provoking another furious glare from the girl.]

[Is she just an ordinary admirer?]

[Seeing her merely glaring without saying a word, you felt a bit disappointed and intended to walk around her to leave.]

["Then you have to treat him well."]

[Just as you took a step, the girl's voice sounded again.]

["Oh..."]

[You glanced at her nonchalantly and responded very perfunctorily.]

["You!"]

[Seeing your careless attitude, the girl was furious, but as if realizing something, her eyes dimmed once more.]

[Biting her lip, she took out a token glowing with a golden light from her pocket and placed it in your hand.]

[You subconsciously took it.]

["What is this?"]

[Seeing your puzzled look, the girl shook her head without intending to offer much explanation, forcing out a smile.]

["This... Sister, I can tell that Brother Bufan really likes you. If you two ever reach Chanming Prefecture one day, I will give you a grand gift."]

[Before her words finished, her eyes were already turning slightly red. She immediately turned to leave, not forgetting to leave behind one last line:]

["My name is Lin Qianqian."]

["Wait!"]

[Clutching the token with mixed emotions in your heart, you gave a shy smile as the red-eyed girl looked back:]

["For this... you'll have to pay extra!"]

...