Chapter 121: Undercurrents (Part 2)

Chapter 121: Undercurrents Surging (II)

"Girl, eat. How many times have I told you? Those books of yours are no good; read them less."

Wu Ya Duoduo had long grown accustomed to the nagging by her ear; she calmly rolled up the *Alluring Beauty* in her hand and tucked it behind her waist.

"Who knows which gene sequence got damaged when we fled for our lives back then? How else could she like reading such things?"

Wu Ya Hua muttered under his breath as he set the final dish on the table.

"Old man, what happy occasion is it today? Why so many dishes?"

Wu Ya Duoduo glanced at the spread—an dazzling array, all her favorites—and her pair of clear, cold eyes instantly curved into crescent moons.

"Naturally, there is good news."

Wu Ya Hua chuckled, wiping his hands on his apron before producing from his bosom an electronic dossier, pitch-black throughout, seemingly cast of iron, and handing it to the girl.

Wu Ya Duoduo watched the seal script flashing on the dossier screen and cried out in surprise, "The Mo Jing?! Where did this come from?"

"Didn't that fat Embroidered Uniform Guard send over a set of Agriculturalist Sequence materials?"

"That sequence is for old pedants; I didn't want my girl turning world-weary at such a young age, so I took the liberty of asking my Mohist brothers to swap it for you."

Wu Ya Duoduo frowned. "Old man, did you always know I could walk this sequence?"

Wu Ya Hua lightly tapped the girl's forehead. "Little girl, don't frown; it's inauspicious."

A face full of wrinkles showed a look of guilt. "Grandpa did always know you were compatible with this sequence. I hid it from you because I feared you would walk the path of vengeance."

Wu Ya Hua laughed heartily. "But I've figured it out now. Your life should be decided by you."

"I don't want it," Wu Ya Duoduo stuffed the dossier back into the old man's arms. "I promised you I wouldn't think of revenge anymore. From now on, I'll just stay by your side."

"Silly girl, in this world, those who don't enter a Sequence are ultimately just playthings in others' hands. Only by grasping power can you live the life you want."

Wu Ya Hua shoved the *Mo Jing* back into the girl's hands. "Grandpa will leave one day. Only if you enter a Sequence can I close my eyes in peace."

The electronic dossier was thrown to the ground with a sharp *clack*.

"You girl, how can you still be so willful?"

The old man bent to pick up the dossier, dusted off the dust clinging to it, and said slowly: "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the common lot of man. You surely don't want Grandpa to imitate those bald donkeys and engage in that self-deceiving cycle of reincarnation, do you?"

"Why not?"

"If I really did that, would I still be me?"

Wu Ya Duoduo pressed her lips together, staring silently at the old man.

Wu Ya Hua pressed her down by the shoulders. "Grandpa has lived enough in this life, and grown tired. You mustn't trouble me anymore."

The girl's eyes welled with tears. "Do you mean to leave me all alone?"

"How could that be? I was just speaking hypothetically."

Wu Ya Hua patted his chest. "Girl, don't look at my white hair. Living another ten or twenty years is no problem. I still have to watch you get married."

"I'm not marrying anyone!"

"Fine, fine, no marriage then. Grandpa can afford to keep you anyway."

Wu Ya Hua picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, placed it in Wu Ya Duoduo's bowl, and smiled. "This is your favorite twice-cooked pork. Taste it. See if Grandpa's skill has slipped."

The girl stuffed the meat slice into her mouth, suddenly looked up, revealing a radiant smile. "Delicious!"

"If it's good, eat more. Look at you, so skinny you're practically unrecognizable."

The old man watched the girl bury her head and shovel rice, his eyes brimming with deep reluctance.

"Girl, remember this. We common folk regard food as heaven. No matter what earth-shattering events you encounter in the future, you must remember to eat on time."

The girl hummed in assent, but her hand movements abruptly stalled, a look of bewildered trance crossing her face.

"Girl, Grandpa is a useless man. These years you've wandered with me, never knowing a day of peace. Grandpa has failed you."

Wu Ya Duoduo's eyes glazed over; boundless drowsiness surged over her like a tide. Her lips trembled faintly, yet she lacked the strength to utter another word.

"The days ahead you must walk alone. Whatever grudges or hatreds, don't bother with them anymore. They are but trifles of the past; let the past be past."

"As long as you live well, Grandpa can sleep soundly down below."

The girl's eyes opened and closed repeatedly, yet she could never bring her scattered pupils back into focus; only two lines of tears slid down the corners of her eyes.

Thud.

Wu Ya Duoduo's head drooped, and she fell heavily asleep on the table.

"Don't blame Grandpa. If I don't take the name 'Chu Wu Gate' to the grave with me, you will spend your whole life living in fear."

Wu Ya Hua rose slowly, gently lifting the girl.

"When the Gate Master entrusted you to me back then, you were just this tiny. In the blink of an eye you've grown so big; Grandpa can hardly lift you anymore."

From the shadows, a figure slowly emerged—it was none other than that Kunlun Slave.

Wu Ya Hua moved with utmost care, handing the girl over into the other's hands.

"The person is entrusted to you. Please take good care of her."

"Rest assured, the Heaven's Will Society will guarantee her safety."

The Kunlun Slave nodded heavily. "Is there anything else you wish me to convey to her?"

"Tell her not to blame Li Jun. My death has nothing to do with him. He is a good man."

Wu Ya Hua carefully tucked the girl's disheveled temples behind her ear. "Nothing else."

"Take care, Sir."

The Kunlun Slave bowed deeply to the old man, turned, and left with Wu Ya Duoduo in his arms.

Only when the Kunlun Slave's figure vanished into that long corridor did the old man slowly withdraw his gaze.

Wu Ya Hua lowered his head to look at the table full of dishes, picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks, chewed slowly, lifted his wine cup for a sip, and shook his head in praise: "Old man's cooking is still the most authentic!"

Sparse raindrops fell amidst the birds' wings, striking the green tiles of the Chengdu County Yamen, emitting crisp sounds.

In the hall, the sole old man still moving his chopsticks let out a satisfied burp, sank back into his chair, and patted his belly contentedly.

Pei Xingjian raised his eyes to scan the circle, his tone flat: "Since everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, let us discuss business."

"Since Lord Pei has spoken, let the two of you, Lords Feng and Yao, speak."

Zhang Xian lifted his chin toward the two Registrars, asking knowingly: "For this court recommendation, who is the candidate you favor in your hearts?"

Feng Huang glanced at Gu Xi without changing expression, cupped his fists first, and said: "Reporting to the two lords, this humble official recommends the scholar Gu Xi."

No sooner had his voice fallen than Yao Chongli on the other side declared loudly: "This humble official disagrees with Lord Feng. I recommend the scholar Wu Gong!"

Feng Huang snorted, showing no courtesy: "Lord Yao has surely misjudged this time. Be it character or potential, Gu Xi surpasses Wu Gong by more than a single notch."

"Hahahahaha."

Wu Gong suddenly laughed loudly, narrowing his eyes: "Registrar Feng truly is the paragon of taking money to do another's bidding. This student admires you!"

Bang!

Feng Huang slammed a palm on the table; the cold leftovers jumped in unison.

“You brazen madman! Do you know the crime of slandering an imperial official?!”