"That's how it is."
Ju Huaguan stood below the papal platform, bowing to Bibi Dong as she reported what had happened when she invited Yuan Ling'er.
However,
His Holiness the Pope's attention had already shifted from Yuan Ling'er to Yuan Xunlu.
"Heh, he really is living in seclusion there."
Bibi Dong's gaze was complex.
Her relationship with Yuan Xunlu was complicated;
a simple good-versus-evil relationship couldn't explain it,
and their interests were also entangled.
For example, Yuan Xunlu had once stolen her soul bone;
the tobacco company was now completely her property;
and the position of Pope
should have belonged to Yuan Xunlu.
In short,
"I should go see him."
Barak City was the capital of the Barak Kingdom, and its urban layout was almost identical to that of Tian Dou City, so Barak City was also known as 'Little Tian Dou City'.
In this prosperous city,
Yuan Xunlu used to enjoy flirting with wealthy ladies at high-society banquets,
teaching and imparting knowledge at the Soul Master Academy, and
flying alone to the top floor of Barak Tower for drinks.
Now, however,
Yuan Xunlu prefers to stroll leisurely through the large market—
it's
more down-to-earth.
"Aunt Li, these loofahs look good today, give me two. Oh, right, I'm planning to make loofah and egg soup today."
Yuan Xunlu, carrying a small cloth bag, walked slowly like an old man browsing a market, chuckling to everyone he saw.
After a few more steps, deep in the market, this 'carnivore' immediately spotted today's main dish.
"Oh ho ho ho~ Uncle Zhang, this beef looks good."
Yuan Xunlu licked his lips and poked at the beef.
Uncle Zhang was an honest man. Even though Yuan Xunlu had known him for almost six years, he still couldn't say much, only scratching his head sheepishly.
His wife, however, was quick-witted and immediately smiled at Yuan Xunlu:
"Hey, Brother Yuan, buy a few pounds for your daughter to improve her life."
Yuan Xunlu smiled sheepishly.
He never used a soul tool when buying things here, nor did he put on airs. From six years ago until now, everyone thought he was an ordinary person, not a soul master.
And for ordinary people, eating beef was a luxury.
"Okay."
Yuan Xunlu picked and chose, selecting the best large piece. When Uncle Zhang packed it up for him, Uncle Zhang specially gave him a few smaller pieces.
"Give your child something good to eat." Uncle Zhang smiled warmly.
"Thanks then." Yuan Xunlu didn't stand on ceremony, chuckling.
After stuffing the packed beef into a cloth bag, Yuan Xunlu walked outside to the watermelon stall, intending to buy some watermelon to satisfy his craving.
Patting left,
patting right,
Yuan Xunlu tilted his ear,
listening to the sound as he chose a watermelon.
This was his habit, something he'd done back in the Spirit Hall. Later, someone spread the word (Chrysanthemum Pass: Yes, it was me!), and
everyone saw that even a big shot in the Spirit Hall was choosing watermelons this way .
Suddenly, the entire continent was obsessed with this strange, never-before-seen method of choosing watermelons
—a cultural invasion of the Douluo Continent.
A hand rested on the watermelon.
"Is this the kind of life you're living now?"
The woman in black robes imitated Yuan Xunlu, squatting down and patting the watermelon with her ear tilted.
Her stunningly beautiful face was directly facing Yuan Xunlu,
who was momentarily stunned.
This woman—
noble,
beautiful,
powerful—
was named Bibi Dong,
the current Pope.
And His Holiness the Pope was
patting a watermelon?
"What are you doing here?"
Bibi Dong didn't answer him, but continued listening to the watermelon. "I've always wondered why you like choosing watermelons this way, but I've never asked. Is it because this way you can choose a better watermelon?"
"No, it's because this makes me look more professional at picking watermelons."
"…" Bibi Dong.
Yuan Xunlu picked out a watermelon that seemed to have a thinner rind, paid for it, and turned to Bibi Dong, saying, "Is it because of Ling'er? Come with me."
The two of them walked back to Yuan Xunlu's house.
Bibi Dong watched as Yuan Xunlu opened the door and invited her in, just like an ordinary person inviting a friend over. She went inside.
The house wasn't big; it was on the top floor, the third floor. As
soon as she entered, Bibi Dong smelled a floral fragrance. Turning her head, she saw several potted plants on the security window of the living room balcony.
"My daughter planted them. She's loved growing these since she was little." Yuan Xunlu chuckled, brought Bibi Dong a pair of slippers, and said, "Come in and sit down. I'll get you a glass of water." Bibi Dong put on
the slippers but didn't sit on the sofa. Instead, she went to the balcony to look at the flowers.
"You're really cultivating your character now." Bibi Dong heard footsteps behind her and turned around. Yuan Xunlu was carrying two glasses of water.
Yuan Xunlu handed Bibi Dong a cup of water: "I used to be very self-disciplined."
"Haha, more like arrogant and domineering,"
Bibi Dong actually laughed, sipping her tea slowly.
"Are you really used to this kind of life? Want to go back to the Spirit Hall? I can give you a position as an Elder of Judgment directly."
"Wouldn't it be better if you gave up the Pope's position?" Yuan Xunlu couldn't help but retort sharply. Damn
it, the Pope has always been surnamed Qian.
After Qian Xunji's death, as long as Yuan Xunlu reverts to his original surname, he will receive the support of all the worshippers and most of the elders to succeed him as Pope.
Why would he need Bibi Dong to give him the position of Elder of Judgment?
"Heh," Bibi Dong said with a forced smile.
Yuan Xunlu looked out the window at the bustling crowds and said to Bibi Dong, "I think things are fine as they are. We're not stupid. Aren't you afraid the Spirit Hall will split if I go back?"
"It's already showing signs of splitting. Your old man, that bastard, has been opposing me all along. Right now, the only Title Douluos I can command are Chrysanthemum and Ghost."
Yuan Xunlu was speechless: "Is it really okay for you to curse my father like that in front of me?"
Bibi Dong sneered: "How filial are you? When Qian Xunji died unexpectedly, it should have been your turn to succeed him, but you ran away. Heh."
Don't we know how Qian Xunji died?
Yuan Xunlu gave Bibi Dong a deadpan look and continued, "I've never felt that my succession as Pope is a given.
I owe the Qian family a favor,
and I can't change the fact that I'm a member of the Angel Family,
but I don't necessarily have to inherit the Pope's position.
It's the same situation as Yuan Ling'er."
Bibi Dong chuckled, her true intentions revealed.
"I understand what you mean."
"That's good."
"I didn't come here today to decide which faction Yuan Ling'er should join.
I just wanted to
see you.
Seeing your happy family
makes me
very happy."
"Ling'er is my daughter, but we have no blood relation," Yuan Xunlu explained.
"Sigh, if only we could go back to the beginning."
Bibi Dong shed a tear.
"If I had accepted your confession back then, perhaps...
Ling'er could call me Mother?"
Yuan Xunlu wiped away Bibi Dong's tears, just like many years ago,
he comforted her: "No, you should think of it this way: if I had been better at pursuing girls than that good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang
, then you would be Ling'er's mother
. I was the one who was wrong.
How about that?
Does it make you feel better?"
Bibi Dong remained silent.
You
should have been my wife!
Yuan Xunlu screamed wildly in his heart!!! (End of Chapter)