Chapter 742: Confirming She Is the Daughter

After exiting the ticket gate at Yumu City's station, Chen Mobai and Shi Xiaohei bid each other farewell and parted ways.

“Uncle Chen, if you're ever coming this way, let me know in advance.” Shi Xiaohei waved energetically at him, then got into the car Chen Mobai had called for her.

According to their previous conversation, Chen Mobai was supposed to head to Qingsang Academy. However, after seeing Shi Xiaohei off, he instantly vanished from his spot.

The previous night, upon receiving Shi Wanyu's address, he had immediately rushed over. But it was simply too late then. Feeling the steady, deep breaths within the house, he remained silent for a long time before finally leaving.

Chen Mobai's feelings towards Shi Wanyu were very complicated. After so many years, the incident from back then remained the most difficult thing for him to speak about since he began his cultivation. Throughout his life, he had rarely been schemed against or suffered losses. This incident, however, was the one that left the deepest impression. He had initially thought that with the passage of time, once Shi Wanyu passed away a century later, he would be able to face it calmly. But who would have known...

In his mind's eye, fragments of his youth began to surface: his acquaintance with Shi Wanyu, their interactions, and how they eventually became strangers. With his current cultivation level, he could recall every single detail of all his past experiences simply by thinking about them. After a series of teleportations, he arrived at the entrance of a flower shop. The flower shop was named 'Fuxia'.

Chen Mobai paused, falling silent for a moment as he looked at the place. After Shi Wanyu graduated from Liuguang Academy, she was exempted from military service due to her pregnancy, even though she hadn't reached Foundation Establishment. However, because she had an unmarried birth, her parents disapproved of her when she returned to her hometown. But since it was their own flesh and blood, when Xiaohei was born and found to have the Nine Yin Meridian, her mother immediately sought help from the Yu family. Later, Yu Huiping personally came to take Xiaohei away and instructed the Yu family to take good care of Shi Wanyu, the mother. They were told that once the Nine Yin Meridian, this incurable illness, was cured, the mother and daughter would be reunited. After that, Shi Wanyu would go to Wufeng Immortal Mountain about once a year to visit and take care of Xiaohei for a month. As a result, the mother and daughter had a very close relationship.

Chen Mobai had also inquired with Gu Mingxuan about Shi Wanyu's life in Yumu City. Although she had an unmarried daughter and a tarnished reputation, her beautiful appearance and background with the Yu family still led many people to propose marriage. Some of these suitors were even willing to accept Shi Xiaohei, seeing her as a burden. However, Shi Wanyu rejected them all. She used her savings and her parents' assistance to open a flower shop and enjoy life. Although she couldn't achieve great wealth, she could sustain her livelihood. She personally chose the location for the flower shop: the first floor for welcoming guests, the second as her own residence, and a third-floor attic reserved for Xiaohei.

Through the glass door, Chen Mobai watched the busy figure inside, collecting his somewhat scattered emotions. He checked the time. Xiaohei's ride from the station would likely take about an hour. However, since he had arranged the driver, they would take a slightly longer route, adding another half an hour. That was enough time for him to meet his old friend. With that thought, Chen Mobai gently pushed open the glass door.

Ding-a-ling! The wind chimes at the entrance, acting as a spiritual restriction, rang simultaneously, alerting the shop owner that a customer had entered.

“Welcome...” Hearing the chimes, Shi Wanyu continued trimming a vibrant ice-blue rose, her fair neck lifted as she offered a professional smile to the incoming customer. But when she saw Chen Mobai walk in, she froze on the spot. The rose and scissors in her hand slipped from her grasp. Chen Mobai's figure flickered with silver light, and he instantly appeared before Shi Wanyu, catching both the falling scissors and the rose.

“Long time no see.” They gazed at each other in silence for a long time before Chen Mobai finally broke it. As he spoke, he handed the rose and scissors to the beautiful young woman before him.

Having not seen her for over forty years, Chen Mobai had expected Shi Wanyu to have become an old woman. After all, she was the same age as him, seventy-one years old. Even a Qi Cultivation realm cultivator, no matter how well preserved, would begin to show signs of age. However, the Shi Wanyu before him, though she had lost the innocent charm and youthful vitality of their first meeting due to the passage of time, had gained a mature allure refined by the years. A white shirt combined with a grey apron draped over her flower-trimming attire outlined curves that were fuller and more voluptuous than before. Below her slender waist, black work trousers could not conceal the excellent contours of her legs, which appeared even longer and straighter as she stood.

“Long time no see. Are you... are you here to buy flowers, Councilman?” Shi Wanyu took the rose and scissors, seeming to have finally calmed her shocked emotions. Her voice trembled slightly as she replied, then she lowered her head and asked.

“When we graduated, you invited me to a meal, and something happened during it that I don't remember. I came to ask you about it.” Chen Mobai looked at the elegant, charming, and sensual young woman before him and directly brought up the incident from back then.

“Uh... I...” Shi Wanyu, hearing that Chen Mobai had indeed brought up the topic, grew even more flustered. After all, it had been her fault back then. She instinctively wanted to explain but ultimately lowered her head and apologized.

“I'm sorry.”

If an apology were enough, he wouldn't have a daughter. Seeing Shi Wanyu's reaction, Chen Mobai already had his answer, but he still needed to hear the words from her own mouth.

“When I was establishing my Golden Core Domain, I met a girl named Xiaohei on Wufeng Immortal Mountain.” He spoke again, reaching into Shi Wanyu's heart. Sure enough, upon hearing Xiaohei's name, she, who had been looking down, suddenly lifted her head, her eyes wide, staring directly at him. Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were filled with panic.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” Chen Mobai didn't continue speaking because the moment he mentioned Xiaohei, Shi Wanyu already knew why he had come today.

“I'm sorry!” But Shi Wanyu still apologized, her eyes slightly red, seemingly ashamed and remorseful for her actions back then. However, this was not what Chen Mobai wanted to hear.

“Is she our daughter?” Seeing Shi Wanyu continue to sob, Chen Mobai finally couldn't hold back and asked.

“Yes!” Shi Wanyu nodded gently, giving him the answer he desired.

After a long breath, Chen Mobai felt a profound sense of relief, and an inexplicable joy welled up from deep within him. He had originally planned to consider marriage and having children only when his cultivation encountered a bottleneck and he could not advance further. As his cultivation deepened, to the point where he was confident in reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he even thought he might never have offspring in this life. But unexpectedly, he had already had a daughter many years ago.

No wonder Xiaohei had the Nine Yin Meridian! He cultivated the Jade Lock Golden Gate Art, which stabilized his innate primordial yang. Theoretically, during coitus, while jade fluid could be exchanged, that bit of primordial yang would never be released. Therefore, when Xiaohei was born, she had no true yang whatsoever. If not for the superb medical arts of the Immortal Sect, this would have been a terminal illness. But now, she had passed through the tribulation of life and death, transforming into a Pure Yin Body, one of the Immortal Sect's most formidable spiritual physiques.

However, Chen Mobai soon noticed something amiss. Relying on his Jade Lock Golden Gate Art, he had always been carefree during his dates with Meng Huang'er. How come she didn't get pregnant? Or perhaps Shi Wanyu possessed a special physique that allowed her to conceive Xiaohei, the Nine Yin Meridian, by combining his genes without the release of his primordial yang. Chen Mobai wanted to ask Shi Wanyu, but he felt a little awkward doing so.

But soon, he recalled a crucial person involved in that incident from back then: Chen Chun from the Divine Mechanism Palace. After his encounter with Shi Wanyu, it was she who came to wrap things up. She had also told Chen Mobai that Shi Wanyu wanted a child, which was why she set up that scheme. At that time, Chen Mobai believed his primordial yang was locked, and even if he lost his virginity, he wouldn't leave behind offspring, so he didn't pay much attention. Furthermore, Chen Chun's background was no less prominent than his own, so he ultimately let her go and didn't pursue Shi Wanyu further. But now it seemed that Chen Chun had not told him the entire truth. She must have known the complete reason behind Xiaohei's birth.

“Do you know Chen Chun?” Thinking of this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but ask Shi Wanyu.

“So you knew all along.” Shi Wanyu had stopped sobbing by then. Standing with her head bowed before Chen Mobai, her cheeks flushed even deeper upon hearing his words. It was she who had wished to Chen Chun for a child with Chen Mobai.

“After our daughter was born, did you ever meet Chen Chun again?” Seeing that she remembered, Chen Mobai asked again.

“Yes.” Shi Wanyu nodded immediately. That incident was the most vivid memory of her life, so she remembered everyone and everything related to it clearly.

“Where?” Chen Mobai pressed for details.

“On Wufeng Immortal Mountain. She seemed to know I was there. One year, after I had taken care of my daughter, I met her on the way down the mountain.” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately recalled Chen Chun's background. As one of Qianxing's disciples, her presence on Wufeng Immortal Mountain was quite reasonable.

“What did you talk about?” Shi Wanyu recalled the situation at the time. Chen Chun had been waiting for her, and they had a casual conversation, mainly discussing Xiaohei's condition. That year happened to be the tribulation for the Nine Yin Meridian. After passing it, Xiaohei transformed into a Pure Yin Body. After learning of this, Chen Chun congratulated her and then left.

Listening to Shi Wanyu, Chen Mobai recalled something Chen Chun had said after that incident: “Perhaps both of you came before me originally for the sole purpose of bringing this child into this world.” Chen Mobai's second meeting with Shi Wanyu had been in an alley in Chicheng Cave-Heaven. From Chen Chun, Chen Mobai learned about the three tribulations he would face during his Golden Core formation. Following Chen Chun's guidance, he successfully formed his Golden Core with ease, establishing his reputation as someone with the potential for Soul Transformation. At that time, Chen Mobai thought it was his own destiny unfolding. But who knew, she wasn't waiting for him! Her true target was his daughter? This person from the Divine Mechanism Palace was truly something, capable of calculating events decades into the future. As Chen Mobai thought about this, he felt both admiration and increasing apprehension.

Since Xiaohei was his daughter, he would not allow her destiny to be manipulated or controlled by others. He wondered if Patriarch Baiguang of Wangxian Peak knew about this. However, Chen Mobai considered that Chen Chun waited until Shi Wanyu was descending the mountain to meet her, possibly out of apprehension towards Patriarch Baiguang. Chen Mobai instinctively felt that Chen Chun from the Divine Mechanism Palace, and even Patriarch Qianxing from the Heaven-Mending lineage, might have designs on his daughter. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths, causing him to worry. Fortunately, the Immortal Sect had two Soul Transformation Patriarchs; otherwise, the Qianxing lineage would have dominated. While Chen Mobai was glad that Patriarch Baiguang was on their family's side, he also pondered what he would do if, in the future, he truly had to clash with the Divine Mechanism Palace, or even Qianxing behind Chen Chun, because of his daughter. He couldn't just take Xiaohei directly to the Tianhe Realm, could he? He still had so many friends and family in the Immortal Sect!

“Um... our daughter is coming back today.” Just as his thoughts were swirling, Shi Wanyu reminded him somewhat shyly. Chen Mobai looked at the beautiful young woman with flushed cheeks before him and understood her unspoken meaning.

“Do you want me to acknowledge her as my daughter?” Chen Mobai's words made Shi Wanyu's face flush even more with panic. After all, she had secretly given birth to this child against Chen Mobai's wishes, so for all these years, she hadn't dared to bring Xiaohei to him for recognition.

“I... I do!” But thinking that her daughter had been without a father for so many years, and now Chen Mobai knew and had sought them out, Shi Wanyu gritted her teeth and spoke her heartfelt wish, if only for her daughter's sake. Having a meal together as a family was a dream she had held for decades!

“Yesterday, Xiaohei was in Danxia City. She visited my home, and both her grandfather and grandmother have already met her and are very fond of her.” Chen Mobai said something that made Shi Wanyu widen her eyes in disbelief.

“Th-th-this...”

“It's also my fault for not discovering it sooner. Otherwise, I could have given her a complete and happy childhood.” Although Chen Mobai still held a slight grudge about Shi Wanyu's actions against his wishes back then, he let it go when he considered the gossip she had endured and her lonely single life for so many years after giving birth to Xiaohei. After all, their daughter was already so grown up!

“Thank you!” Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Shi Wanyu couldn't help but cry tears of joy. Her greatest wish, unexpectedly, had already been fulfilled yesterday, even without her.

“This morning, she and I traveled on the same train... She should arrive here in about forty minutes.” Chen Mobai recounted his interactions with Xiaohei. Hearing this, Shi Wanyu beamed, radiating happiness and excitement from within.

“Our daughter is very filial. Once, she asked True Person Yu Huiping why people age. After realizing that I, too, would one day become an old woman, she tried every possible way to buy me beauty-preserving elixirs and spiritual waters, hoping I would never grow old.” Chen Mobai's expression turned to one of realization upon hearing Shi Wanyu's words. No wonder, at her age and without reaching Foundation Establishment, she could still maintain her beautiful appearance and fair, delicate complexion. So it was her daughter helping her all this time.

“This is a Water Spirit Pearl. Wear it, and it will nourish your skin and enhance your beauty.” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai felt that she had worked hard taking care of their daughter for so many years, so he took out an azure pearl.

“This is too precious...” The incident where Daoist Peach Blossom tried to forcibly buy a Water Spirit Pearl had caused quite a stir, so as soon as Chen Mobai took it out, Shi Wanyu hastily refused.

“Take it. I have plenty more. When I have time in the future, I'll see if I can ask Daoist Peach Blossom to help refine them into age-preserving pearls for eternal youth.” Shi Wanyu refused twice, but Chen Mobai firmly placed it in her hand, and she reluctantly accepted it, a little embarrassed. However, Chen Mobai saw the joy in her eyes.

“I actually took a beauty-preserving elixir that can slow down the body's aging process by tenfold. My daughter gave it to me. If you manage to refine the age-preserving pearls in the future, you don't have to give one to me; give it to our daughter instead.” It seems mothers all have this mindset, wanting to give their daughters the very best.

“I told you I have plenty. You'll each get one then.” Chen Mobai's words filled Shi Wanyu with happiness. She hummed in delight, her eyes crinkling with joy.

Chen Mobai checked the time. Xiaohei would arrive in half an hour. Since he had decided to acknowledge his daughter, he wouldn't leave. “Show me around this place.” He gestured towards the flower shop, which wasn't particularly large but was very cozy. Shi Wanyu nodded, took off her apron, and with an unprecedentedly happy smile, began introducing each flower around them.

After touring the flower shop, Shi Wanyu saw there was still some time, so she led Chen Mobai to the second floor, intending for him to have some tea and rest. Chen Mobai, however, asked her to simply prepare a cup of clear water, then went up to the third floor to look at Xiaohei's room. Although the attic room wasn't large, it was decorated very warmly. Pink and white wallpaper was adorned with scattered petals, and the ceiling featured a blooming sunflower pattern, personally painted by Shi Wanyu. Chen Mobai walked to the attic window and saw Xiaohei emerging from the car, carrying a large suitcase.

“Our daughter is back. Should we go down together directly?” At this moment, Chen Mobai, feeling somewhat nervous, asked Shi Wanyu beside him.

“How about I go down first and prepare the ground for you?” Shi Wanyu was also at a loss. After all, telling her adult daughter, 'Your father is here today,' made her somewhat unable to predict what would happen next. Would Xiaohei accept it with open joy? Or would she stubbornly scold Chen Mobai as a 'scumbag' for not visiting them for all these years? Or would she be flustered, unsure how to accept the fact that she had a father?

“Alright then, I'll wait for you upstairs. I'll come down depending on the situation.” Chen Mobai also felt that directly telling Xiaohei, 'I am your father,' would be too shocking. It was better to let Shi Wanyu, as her mother, test the waters first.

“Mom, I'm back! Where are you?” At that moment, the energetic voice of the young girl echoed from the flower shop on the first floor.

“I'm on the third floor, tidying up your room for you!” Shi Wanyu immediately shouted back, then tidied her clothes. After confirming everything was in order, she hurried down the stairs. As soon as the mother and daughter met, Chen Mobai instantly teleported outside, positioning himself where he could clearly see inside the flower shop, observing them. At the same time, he activated 'Sound of the Empty Valley', allowing him to hear Shi Wanyu and her daughter's conversation as if he were right beside them.

“Your father is also coming today.”

“Mom, what did you say?” Shi Xiaohei, who was about to carry her suitcase upstairs, suddenly froze upon hearing Shi Wanyu's words. She turned around stiffly, barely believing her ears.

Shi Wanyu: “I said, your father is also coming today. Do you want to meet him?”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai felt that Shi Wanyu truly lacked subtlety; she had said it directly without any prelude. At this moment, he could only listen intently, holding his breath, eager to hear Xiaohei's reaction to this!

“I have a father!?” Her words pierced Chen Mobai's heart. *I'm right here!*

“Where is he? I'm going to kill that heartless man! How dare he show his face here after abandoning us for all these years? Is he only coming now because he knows I've become successful? Mom, don't be afraid. A rotten man like him isn't worth it. Just pretend you're a widow, and I'll pretend I'm from a single-parent family. Since he dared to abandon you and me, who was in your belly, he's clearly a ruthless and ungrateful scumbag. Just act as if he's dead. If he dares to show up today, I'll risk losing my civil servant position to make him...” Shi Xiaohei's reaction was more intense than both Chen Mobai and Shi Wanyu had anticipated. She was incoherent on the stairs and even conjured the Taiyi Five-Smoke Veil, clearly enraged.

After hearing this, Chen Mobai's face showed hesitation. What should he do if his daughter wouldn't acknowledge him as her father? He couldn't ask for help online for this matter. He could only transmit a message to Shi Wanyu, gritting his teeth, preparing to reveal himself. *It's a cut either way, whether you stick your head out or pull it back!* Anyway, Shi Xiaohei was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even with the Taiyi Five-Smoke Veil, he could still handle her.

But who knew, Shi Wanyu immediately shook her head, also transmitting a message to Chen Mobai, saying that her daughter usually had a good temperament, but when her temper flared, no one could control her. Back then, when she insisted on going to the Dance Artifact Daoist Academy, even Yu Huiping couldn't do anything! It was the same now, abandoning a promising future at Wangwu Cave-Heaven just to come to this small place, Yumu City, to be with her. Now, seeing her daughter gesticulating wildly and looking emotional, Shi Wanyu knew that if Chen Mobai were to appear, it would only lead the situation in a more uncontrollable direction. She feared that in her extreme rage, Shi Xiaohei might immediately unleash the Taiyi Five-Smoke Veil upon seeing Chen Mobai.

*It's fine, my daughter can't beat me, and the Taiyi Five-Smoke Veil also listens to me.* Chen Mobai, however, was not worried at all, expressing his thoughts. He believed that even if Shi Xiaohei threw a tantrum, he, as her father, could instantly subdue her with his profound cultivation, thereby establishing his position as the patriarch of the family.

But Shi Wanyu strongly objected. A father and daughter fighting like this at their first meeting would immediately become a laughingstock among their neighbors if word got out. Furthermore, as a councilor of Kaiyuan Hall, Chen Mobai was already a prominent Golden Core True Person in the Immortal Sect. If it became known that he had such an old illegitimate daughter whom he had abandoned for so many years, his public image would likely collapse. If his public persona had such a huge blemish, it would be difficult for him to sit in any of the top positions in the Immortal Sect's three major halls. Chen Mobai felt wronged. This wasn't a case of him abandoning them after a fickle start; he was the victim!

Just then, Shi Wanyu's pleading voice transmission sounded again, mentioning another matter. Because she had an unmarried daughter, her parents were somewhat ashamed. They were also elderly and currently living in a welfare home, preparing to spend their remaining lifespan. If this incident reached their ears, it might literally enrage them to death.

*Let our daughter calm down. I'll tell her the whole story, and then I'll notify you to come over.* Shi Wanyu's words left Chen Mobai feeling somewhat helpless.

But at that very moment, Xiaohei suddenly shook off Shi Wanyu's hand, leaving her suitcase behind, and ran directly out of the flower shop. Chen Mobai clearly saw a hint of tears at the corners of her eyes as she ran out. Shi Wanyu immediately chased after her, worried, but with her Qi Cultivation realm cultivation, she couldn't keep up with her Foundation Establishment daughter. Soon, the girl's figure vanished from sight.

*I'm following her, so don't worry.* Chen Mobai's voice transmission sounded in Shi Wanyu's ear, making her, who had been somewhat anxious, sigh with relief. At this moment, she also felt some self-reproach, wondering why she hadn't explained things earlier.

Although Shi Xiaohei's emotions were chaotic, she still remembered basic laws and did not fly within the city. Using the Swift Movement technique she cultivated, she quickly outran Shi Wanyu and aimlessly headed out of the city towards less populated areas. Before long, she arrived at a grassy expanse with towering trees. Yumu City was filled with such greenery; the fresh vegetation made it very suitable for retirement. Chen Mobai had once thought of bringing his parents here when they grew old. However, Chen Xinglan and Tang Puncui didn't want to leave, so that plan never materialized. The young girl didn't know where she had ended up; she merely channeled her spiritual energy, venting her emotions. Chen Mobai continued to follow behind, planning to reveal himself and acknowledge her once her emotions stabilized. Although the birth of this daughter was not his original intention, the ecstatic feeling of confirmation let him know that this was the continuation of his bloodline. He loved this daughter!

“Huh, it looks like ahead is...” Just then, Chen Mobai suddenly felt that the surrounding scenery looked somewhat familiar. Seeing that Shi Xiaohei was about to step into a forbidden area, his expression subtly changed. He no longer waited and immediately revealed himself!