Sauron’s cousin Fu Yaner, and his illegitimate daughter Qinqin, were in this Autumn Wind Gathering Cultivation Academy.
The entire Autumn Wind Gathering Cultivation Academy occupied roughly a dozen or so mu of land, with a courtyard and a tall tower.
Within the whole of Autumn Wind Gathering, it counted as the most magnificent and sturdy building.
However, cultivation academies like this were countless throughout the world. Apart from the Eastern Departure Kingdom, that old stick-in-the-mud, every town and gathering in the kingdoms under heaven had a cultivation academy. One could see how deeply the Divine Dragon Temple had penetrated the world.
Moreover, the internal affairs of the cultivation academy, even if murder and arson occurred, local officials and generals had no authority to handle them.
And this cultivation academy, apart from being a place representing the Divine Dragon faith, was also a school, an orphanage, and a hospital.
Could Zhili leading Sauron to this Autumn Wind Gathering Cultivation Academy be a trap?
Possibly, but the likelihood was not great.
Because letting Sauron take his daughter away was Count Fu E’s wish.
And once Zhili set a trap here, that would undoubtedly offend Count Fu E, the second greatest vassal under heaven.
Of course, there was actually another doubt.
Since Count Fu E had secretly expressed loyalty to Zhili, that meant he also favoured Zhili. Once this throne-seizing great war was lost, Sauron would die without a burial place. So why would Count Fu E still send his granddaughter and great-granddaughter to Sauron’s side?
But no matter what, the probability of this being a trap was still relatively low.
Despite this, Sauron and Zhiyan still very carefully circled the cultivation academy once, releasing their mental power to sense everything inside.
They did not discover any powerful energy fluctuations.
Then, the two walked into this Autumn Wind Gathering Cultivation Academy.
…
The chief female cultivator here was a middle-aged woman, a medical path cultivator.
Sauron stepped forward to salute and asked, “Madam Cultivator, may I ask if Lady Fu Yuan is present?”
Fu Yuan was the alias of his cousin Fu Yaner.
That female cultivator immediately grew alert and said, “Who are you, sir? There is no one here called Fu Yuan.”
Sauron was startled. Why did the other party have such a reaction?
Then, that female cultivator’s gaze rested upon Sauron’s face for quite a while, as if she found it familiar. Then she suddenly said, “You, you are little Qinqin’s father.”
Little Qinqin was the pet name of Sauron’s daughter. Because she truly resembled Sauron very much, it was no wonder this female cultivator recognised him at a glance.
“It is me.” Sauron said.
“You heartless, ungrateful wretch, get out.” the female cultivator said directly, her love and hate very clearly defined.
Sauron said, “I only learned today that I have this daughter, so I have come from ten thousand li away to welcome her. I ask Madam Cultivator to forgive me.”
The female cultivator said, “Then what about Fu Yuan? Why did you abandon her, causing her to wander alone to this place, raising the child by herself, depressed and melancholic, causing her illness to linger?”
Sauron said, “She had another fiance. After our affair was exposed, I was imprisoned, she was driven out of her home, and it was falsely claimed to the outside that she had died suddenly. I too only learned today that she is still alive, and has a daughter.”
The female cultivator’s expression softened somewhat.
Sauron continued bowing and said, “I beg Madam Cultivator to grant this. I shall take the mother and daughter home to reunite.”
The female cultivator said, “Father and daughter reuniting is of course a good thing. But you have come several days late.”
Upon these words, Sauron’s face immediately changed drastically. He said in alarm, “What happened?”
The female cultivator said, “Mother and daughter Fu Yuan, several days ago, were already taken away by someone.”
Sauron was alarmed and said, “By whom? Taken away by whom?”
Please, please do not let it be that beast Ashi Luo!
The female cultivator said, “Several days ago, a young master sent an unconscious madam to my cultivation academy, along with a weak little girl. Of course, whether it was this madam or this little girl’s illness, I could not cure. I could only settle the two of them. At that time, it was Fu Yuan who took care of this madam. And your daughter, little Qinqin, was a child that everyone liked very much. In less than two days, she was playing very well with the little girl that madam brought. The two of them were inseparable.”
Madam? Sauron was puzzled. Just who was this madam the female cultivator spoke of?
The female cultivator continued, “Later, within two days, evil people successively came to spy upon our cultivation academy, even forcibly breaking in. That madam’s martial arts were simply high to an incomparable degree. With merely a sleeve, she made over a dozen evil people who broke in vanish into smoke and ash. Later, Fu Yuan pleaded, asking this madam to take her daughter away, saying that they were in danger in this cultivation academy, that someone had already discovered their tracks. When that madam was unconscious, it was Fu Yuan who took care of her. And the two little girls played so well together. So that madam agreed, and when she left, she took Fu Yuan and your daughter little Qinqin with her.”
Having said this, the female cultivator sighed and said, “Although I did not feel good about Fu Yuan, and did not like her very much. But little Qinqin, how lovely, how heart-aching a child she was. She was our little star. We were extremely reluctant to let her leave. But as Fu Yuan said, there truly were evil people with ill intent towards the mother and daughter, and we were powerless to protect them. That madam possessed absolutely peerless martial arts and a kind heart, so we agreed to let her take little Qinqin away. Had we known that you, the biological father, would come, we would certainly have kept little Qinqin.”
Sauron let out a long breath of relief. As long as it was not Zhili’s people, nor Ashi Luo’s people.
Sauron said, “What did this madam you spoke of look like?”
The female cultivator looked towards Princess Zhiyan beside Sauron and said, “We are people beyond the secular world, so we have also grown indifferent to appearance. But I can see that the woman by your side is probably the most beautiful woman under heaven. And that madam’s beauty was on par with the woman by your side. Although she always wore a veil, the pair of eyes she revealed were already beautiful to the extreme. Wherever she passed became cold. On her body was a very mysterious, cool and refreshing fragrance. The air closest to her body would even condense into blue snowflakes.”
The female cultivator’s eyes grew somewhat distant and she said, “In short, I have never in this lifetime seen such a beautiful woman, such a woman of peerless grace. Not even at the Divine Dragon Temple. Perhaps, only the woman by your side can be mentioned in the same breath as her.”
Sauron knew who this woman was.
Ashi Liren!
Although she had not spoken a single word, she had already left an incomparable, profound impression upon this female cultivator.
A woman like her, even wearing a veil, anyone who glanced at her once would never forget her for life.
However, why would Ashi Liren appear here?
This Autumn Wind Gathering belonged to Drifting City, a neutral power, belonging neither to the Kingdom of Fury Waves nor to the Flame Empire.
Moreover, this place was remote and desolate. What was Ashi Liren doing here? (She had come to pay respects to her husband Yan Ping. Fallen Leaf Village belonged to Autumn Wind Gathering.)
“May I ask, how many days has it been since that madam took my daughter away? Which direction did she go?” Sauron asked.
The female cultivator said, “She left four days ago, heading south.”
Heading south, then there was no doubt she was returning to Rouran City. In four days’ time, Sauron and Zhiyan riding a griffin beast could probably still catch up.
“Many thanks to Madam Cultivator for informing me.” Then Sauron took out a stack of gold banknotes and said, “This gold, buy the children in the cultivation academy a few more pieces of clothing. For those who come here to see the doctor, prescribe a few more good doses of medicine.”
That female cultivator calmly accepted Sauron’s gold banknotes. The people of the Divine Dragon Cultivation Academy were very indifferent towards money.
“Does sir wish to chase after them?” the female cultivator asked.
“Yes.” Sauron said.
The female cultivator said, “You probably cannot catch up, because they left riding two griffin beasts. Because the little girl by that madam’s side had an illness attack, and needed to return home quickly for treatment.”
Griffin beasts?
Sauron was astonished. Where did Ashi Liren get griffin beasts?
Amongst the vassals under heaven, not a single one possessed griffin beasts. In the four great kingdoms and one empire under heaven, griffin knights were all symbols of the royal house.
If not for Zhiyan’s favour, Sauron would not have been able to ride a griffin beast either.
The female cultivator said, “The griffin beasts were brought by a young master in white, a handsome young master even more beautiful than you.”
In this world, there might still be those more handsome than Sauron, but those more beautiful than him were basically only one person, that was Jiang Xue of the Eastern Departure Kingdom.
Even Ashi Luo, in terms of appearance, was merely on par with Sauron. It was only that he possessed a demonic kind of beauty, so his visual impact was very great.
Only Jiang Xue would possess griffin beasts.
Zhiyan said, “If they were riding griffin beasts, then two days ago they were already home. We cannot catch up.”
Sauron sighed inwardly and said, “Is this the will of heaven?”
He was originally going to Rouran City. Now he had even more reason to go, because his daughter was also in Rouran City.
Then Sauron once again cupped his hands and bowed to the female cultivator, saying, “Many thanks to the Cultivator for taking care of my daughter these years. Suo is endlessly grateful.”
The female cultivator smiled and said, “This is also my fate with little Qinqin.”
She only spoke of little Qinqin again and again, not mentioning Fu Yaner. It seemed she truly did not feel good about her.
Then, the female cultivator hesitated to speak, and said, “After Master Suo takes back little Qinqin and her mother, what do you plan to do?”
Sauron was startled and said, “Of course I shall love and care for her. I shall teach her whatever she likes. After caring for her until she grows up, I shall select a good husband who loves her, for a life of happiness.”
The female cultivator said, “Then what about her mother, Fu Yuan?”
Sauron lightly shook his head and said, “She shall recuperate quietly at home.”
The female cultivator said, “We are people beyond the secular world, and should not speak ill of others. But this Fu Yuan, we truly do not like. Is this woman by your side your wife?”
Sauron nodded and said, “She is my fiancee.”
The female cultivator said, “Then after taking back the mother and daughter, it would be best for your wife to personally take care of little Qinqin. Do not completely hand her over to Fu Yuan. I worry it will affect little Qinqin’s temperament.”
Zhiyan stepped forward and said, “Please rest assured, I shall.”
Sauron was truly very curious. Just what had Fu Yaner done to make this female cultivator dislike her so much, to the point of not even being willing for daughter little Qinqin to stay with her mother?
Then, the female cultivator said, “Also, when you see little Qinqin, do not be disappointed. Try your best to love her and understand her. I guarantee, in just a few days, you will love her very, very much. She is the most beautiful, most intelligent, and also most pitiful girl in this world.”
Sauron’s face trembled and he said, “My, my daughter, what is wrong with her?”
The female cultivator said, “She, she cannot speak.”
Sauron said in astonishment, “How can that be?”
The female cultivator said, “Rest assured, she is not mute. Her mind is also very intelligent. She understands everything we say, but she simply cannot speak.”
Sauron’s eyes immediately grew hot. Little Qinqin was five or six years old and still could not speak, yet she was very intelligent. Clearly it was a psychological problem, or perhaps she had suffered intense stimulation.
Hearing the female cultivator speak of her displeasure with Fu Yaner, it was clear that her mother had not done well. Instantly, Sauron grew even more anxious.
“Cultivator, then we shall take our leave.” Sauron said.
The female cultivator said, “May father and daughter reunite soon.”
Sauron and Zhiyan left the cultivation academy. In a remote place, they mounted their griffin beast and returned to Tianshui City.
“When do you plan to go to Rouran City?” Zhiyan asked.
“Within two or three days.” Sauron said, “After returning to Tianshui City, have a sorcerer craft a perfect, flawless disguise for me. Then, find a body double for me in Tianshui City.”
…
Inside Rouran City!
A little girl, both beautiful and thin and weak, was holding a brush and drawing on paper.
Her large eyes, her pointed little face, her powdered and jade-carved appearance, and her pale complexion.
She was Sauron’s daughter, Fu Qinqin.
The little girl Ah Nuan, whom Ashi Liren had rescued, was lying beside her watching her draw.
“Qinqin, did your mother hit you again last night?” Ah Nuan said angrily, her gaze falling upon little Qinqin’s arm, where there was a patch of bruising.
Little Qinqin did not speak. She pulled her sleeve down and continued drawing.
“Your mother is a bad woman.” Ah Nuan said, “I shall go and tell my mother right now.”
Little Qinqin stopped drawing and raised her head. Her large eyes just stared at Ah Nuan like this. Without saying a single word, she could convey what she wanted to say through her gaze alone.
“Alright, I shall not go and tell.” Ah Nuan said, “But, I am going to find your mother. She cannot hit you anymore.”
Little Qinqin shook her head and lowered her head to continue drawing.
“What are you drawing?” Ah Nuan said.
Little Qinqin did not speak and continued drawing.
Very quickly, a griffin beast came vividly to life, leaping onto the paper.
“Wow, Qinqin, you are so amazing.” Ah Nuan looked at Fu Qinqin with boundless admiration.
Then, Ah Nuan said mysteriously, “Qinqin, I have seen your father, truly…”
Fu Qinqin was startled and raised her head to look at Ah Nuan.
“Your father looks very much like you, but he is definitely a bad person.” Ah Nuan said, “I could tell at a glance he is a bad person, otherwise he would not have abandoned you and your mother.”
Qinqin’s eyes reddened. She lowered her head and continued drawing, but she was no longer drawing well.
After quite a while, she finally could not hold back her tears. They rolled down drop by drop, falling onto the drawing paper.
Just at this moment, outside suddenly rang out a burst of hurried footsteps. Then a young boy in fine clothes charged in fiercely.
“So you are the two little girls my mother brought back. You look not bad. From now on you shall be my maidservants.” This tiger-headed, tiger-brained pretty little boy held a horse whip in his hand, his face full of arrogance, his chin raised as he looked at the two little girls, and said, “Now stretch out your hands. Ten lashes each, consider it my greeting gift to you.”
And just at this moment, the air outside grew cold. A faint fragrance drifted in. Ashi Liren had come.
The arrogant expression on this little face changed. He took out two jade toys from his bosom and said with a smiling face, “Two younger sisters, these are gifts from elder brother, consider it a greeting gift.”
This was truly a little chameleon.
This little troublemaker ran amok in Rouran City, already beating away several dozen tutors.
Now, no one dared to teach him anymore.
Little Ah Nuan stared at the gift in this boy’s hand, let out a cold snort, and turned her head away, ignoring him.
Then, she suddenly collapsed to the ground, her face pale, her entire body shuddering, foaming at the mouth.
Ashi Liren rushed in swiftly and picked up little Ah Nuan in her arms.
This was the evil wrought by Ashi Luo. Little Ah Nuan had attacks twice a day. Every time was fraught with peril.
…
In Tianshui City.
Sauron had already made all arrangements. Tomorrow he would go to Rouran City.
And he would disguise himself as an unremarkable middle-aged scholar, somewhat similar in temperament to Ashi Liren’s husband Yan Ping.
He lay quietly on the bed, his mind fantasising about his daughter who could not speak. In his heart surged boundless tender love.
Although he was not the true Sauron, this girl was his daughter.
He was an orphan, so his heart was even more filled with love and longing for children.
And just at this moment, suddenly a figure entered, and then a slick, fiery delicate body slipped into the quilt.
“Husband, take me!”
It was Yan Naier. She directly lay on top of Sauron, panting delicately as she kissed Sauron’s mouth, and said, “I must, I want to bear your child, right now!”