Chapter 743: Call Me "Dad"

Shi Xiaohei didn't know where she had wandered. She only felt a sudden burst of light appear before her eyes, followed by a surge of elastic energy pushing her back, preventing her from moving forward.

"Is this private property?"

She stopped, somewhat surprised. This sensation clearly indicated she had entered an area protected by a forbidden formation.

She hesitated for a moment, about to retreat. Suddenly, two beams of spiritual light appeared out of thin air. Then, two cultivators in military uniforms stepped out from within the formation, floating expressionlessly towards her.

Shi Xiaohei felt an unprecedented aura of chilling discipline wash over her. She frowned slightly, realizing she might have trespassed into a military base. Resisting the urge to deploy the Taiyi Five Smoke Robe, she surrendered immediately.

In the Immortal Sect, all cultivators knew that while they could question enforcement cultivators, or even openly curse officials, encountering military cultivators meant it was best to simply obey their commands.

Shi Xiaohei was apprehended by two Foundation Establishment military cultivators who placed a spiritual power-sealing restriction on her. She knew clearly that given her background, as long as she didn't cause trouble and explained the misunderstanding, she should be able to leave.

"I am a clerk from the Yumu City Forestry Bureau..."

So she immediately reported her identity, letting the military know she was also part of the system. Even if they intended to process her, they would have to notify the Immortal Sect authorities in Yumu City. This way, news of her whereabouts might be relayed.

She wasn't relying on Yumu City's official channels, but rather Wangxian Peak. However, to maintain a low profile, she hadn't included this information in her personal file, and Yumu City had no direct means of contacting Wangxian Peak.

Shi Xiaohei thought that the Yumu City Immortal Sect authorities would surely inform her mother, Shi Wanyu, who had Yu Huiping's contact information.

But after two days, she found that after interrogating her for basic information, the military personnel took no further action. If not for the daily visits from female military officers delivering food and clothing in the small dark room, she would have thought she'd been forgotten.

At this point, Shi Xiaohei, having never experienced such a situation, felt profound panic deep within her heart. She was afraid she might be imprisoned there for life. How could there be military territory within Yumu City?

Shi Xiaohei also requested the military cultivators interrogating her to allow her to inform her family of her safety, but they refused, citing military secrecy. She also asked how long she would be held; the reply was that they had to await orders from above.

Shi Xiaohei then asked, "Where is 'above'?" But she received no answer.

On the fifth day, Shi Xiaohei began to worry if Shi Wanyu would be frantic, given how long she had been gone. She also started complaining about the inefficiency of Yumu City's official processes. She was a new civil servant who was supposed to report for duty but hadn't shown up on time; shouldn't they have tried to investigate? With such low efficiency, she decided that once she was out, she would definitely ask Uncle Chen to give them a good scolding and reorganize things.

As Shi Xiaohei was thinking this, in the top-floor office of the detention room where she was held, Chen Mobai sat on a sofa. Across from him, a middle-aged man in military uniform poured freshly brewed tea into his cup.

"Councilor Chen, according to regulations, if there is no conclusive evidence proving the suspect's guilt after seven days of detention, we must release them." The middle-aged man, Miao Wanliang, reminded Chen Mobai with a wry smile.

This was a prison set up by the Zhengfa Hall, where Qing Nü's former master, Gu Changfeng, had been imprisoned. Although this prison was within the territory of Yumu City, the Yumu City authorities actually had no jurisdiction over it; it was directly managed by military cultivators dispatched by the Zhengfa Hall.

However, Miao Wanliang had to show respect to Chen Mobai, a Golden Core True Human with a profound background. After all, according to Miao Wanliang's reliable information, this individual, possessing the potential for Spirit Transformation, had been personally recruited by the Zhengfa Hall Master. If he were willing to come out of seclusion and join the Zhengfa Hall, he would likely start at least as a Major General! Therefore, when Chen Mobai asked him for a favor, as long as it didn't violate regulations, he was certainly willing. Having this favor could be very useful in future wars of expansion.

When Chen Mobai saw Shi Xiaohei arrive there, he initially intended to intervene and stop her. However, he suddenly thought that Shi Xiaohei was in an emotionally unstable state, and perhaps using this place to detain her for a few days might help her calm down. Once she had calmed down, he could then step in to bail her out, earning some goodwill.

"Hmm, the time is about right. Then, I'll trouble Captain Miao to cooperate with my little performance." Chen Mobai calculated that five days should be enough for his daughter to calm down. He nodded and drank the cup of tea on the table in one gulp.

This was tea he had brought himself, a second-tier fine quality, only available in the Immortal Sect's realm. He had previously asked Wenren Xuewei for all the tea seeds she had collected and had Zhuo Ming plant them in the tea gardens of Xiaonan Mountain for cultivation. He intended to use the abundant resources of the Tianhe Realm to nurture them before integrating them with his Enlightenment Tea. Among them was this second-tier spirit tea. While he himself didn't value these lower-grade teas, they were top-notch gifts in the Immortal Sect realm. Here, even Foundation Establishment cultivators felt extravagant drinking first-tier high-grade spirit tea.

Chen Mobai, asking Miao Wanliang for help, simply gave him a jin, which made Miao Wanliang hesitant to accept because it was so much. However, Chen Mobai said that if it was too much, he could share it with the other soldiers stationed there. With that, Miao Wanliang naturally accepted it. It was precisely because of this that his motivation to handle matters increased.

Shi Xiaohei was fretting in the small dark room, her heart growing increasingly anxious and uneasy, having never encountered such a situation before.

And at that moment, the door opened! Dim light from outside shone in. Shi Xiaohei thought it was just someone bringing food, so she merely looked up slightly. But soon, she realized something was wrong.

A gentle spiritual energy settled upon her, and the restriction sealing her cultivation was actually lifted.

"Miss Shi, someone has come to bail you out. You may leave now." As the tall female cultivator in dark green military uniform, with a cool demeanor, spoke these words, Shi Xiaohei's previously blank expression instantly came alive.

"Is it the Yumu City authorities? Or someone from Wangwu Grotto-heaven?" Shi Xiaohei felt the restraints disappear. She rose from the chair, stretched her limbs, and asked somewhat eagerly.

"It's someone from the Wuqi Dao Academy. That esteemed person personally came to explain to our captain and guaranteed that you wouldn't leak any secrets from here. So the captain told me to release you."

Hearing this, Shi Xiaohei looked completely bewildered. "From the Wuqi Dao Academy?" She hadn't imagined that it would be someone from her alma mater who finally came to bail her out. "Who could it be?" But immediately, Shi Xiaohei thought of the person with the highest status and greatest influence in the Wuqi Dao Academy, in this region.

Soon, she was led to the reception room. Chen Mobai's familiar, imposing figure made her want to cry.

"Uncle Chen!" If Miao Wanliang hadn't been with Chen Mobai, Shi Xiaohei would have truly wanted to throw herself into his arms and have a good cry.

"Councilor Chen, she's in your hands now. It's only because you personally came to guarantee her release; otherwise, I would definitely have had to wait for someone from the Zhengfa Hall to investigate thoroughly before releasing her." Miao Wanliang's words prompted Chen Mobai to express his thanks. After they shook hands, Miao Wanliang personally drove the father and daughter out.

"Thank you, Captain Miao." At the camp entrance, after Chen Mobai spoke, he led Shi Xiaohei out of the great formation's coverage. Once outside, the office buildings, the cultivators on guard, the military equipment on the vast open ground, and everything else vanished, clearly hidden by the grand formation.

"Uncle Chen, I've caused you trouble this time." After leaving, Shi Xiaohei immediately apologized repeatedly to Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai frowned and said, feigning seriousness, "How did you end up here? This is a secret base directly managed by the Zhengfa Hall; even I have no jurisdiction over it."

"I... I had a fight with my mother and ran off unhappily, not expecting to end up here." Shi Xiaohei found it difficult to say it was because her mental state had collapsed due to suddenly having a father.

"You can't do this again next time. If I hadn't thought of visiting your home after finishing my business at the Qingxiang Academy and learned from your mother that you had been missing for five days, you probably would have suffered for a few more days." Chen Mobai's slightly reproachful words made Shi Xiaohei even more embarrassed. She lowered her head and nodded gently.

"Let me take you home first. Your mother is very worried about you." This was true. After Shi Xiaohei ran out of the flower shop, Shi Wanyu had been terribly worried, even more so for five consecutive days. If Chen Mobai hadn't assured her that he was keeping an eye on things and everything was fine, Shi Wanyu would probably have reported her missing a long time ago.

Shi Xiaohei spoke hesitantly, making a small request, "Uncle Chen, about this matter... could you please not tell my mother?"

"Why?"

"If she knew I trespassed into a military base and was detained for so long, she would be terribly worried. I'll tell her I was out for five days clearing my head and adjusting my mindset. Please!" Shi Xiaohei clasped her hands together towards Chen Mobai, her delicate little face pleading pitifully.

"Well... alright then!" This suited Chen Mobai's intentions perfectly, but on the surface, he agreed reluctantly.

Shi Xiaohei then turned her tears into a smile, uttering words that made Chen Mobai's mouth twitch, "Uncle Chen, you're so good to me. I wish my dad was like you!"

*I am your dad!*

At the entrance of Fuxia Flower Shop, after dropping off Shi Xiaohei, Chen Mobai decided not to go inside, preferring to let the mother and daughter clarify things first.

But Shi Xiaohei courteously invited Chen Mobai in, "Uncle Chen, come in! I still need to thank you properly. I've practiced good cooking skills in the sea domain, and today I'll make a delicious meal to treat you." Shi Xiaohei politely invited Chen Mobai. She owed her release from the military to Chen Mobai's personal guarantee. In her view, she had only met Chen Mobai a few times, and his willingness to go to the military to bail her out was an immense favor. She absolutely had to thank him properly.

Chen Mobai couldn't refuse her, so he entered the flower shop.

Shi Wanyu saw the father and daughter enter and stood rooted to the spot, her face filled with disbelief.

As soon as Shi Xiaohei entered, she used the excuse they had agreed upon, "Mom, I just went out to clear my head for a few days. Why did you bother Councilor Chen to come look for me?" Shi Wanyu looked bewildered upon hearing this. Chen Mobai immediately sent a voice message to her, telling her not to delve deeper and just go along with their daughter. Hearing this, Shi Wanyu, though not knowing the full truth, was happy to see her daughter return with her father, so she continued along with Shi Xiaohei's words.

"Mom, you chat with Uncle for a bit. I'm going out to buy some groceries." Seeing that her five-day detention had been successfully glossed over, Shi Xiaohei breathed a sigh of relief. To avoid revealing anything, she immediately prepared to leave, asking Shi Wanyu to help entertain Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai, however, felt it would be better for Shi Wanyu to clarify things with her daughter as soon as possible. "I still need to go to the administrative hall to handle some matters. Just call me when it's time for dinner." So, after saying this, he shimmered with silver light and vanished from the spot.

"This is... Void Walking!" Seeing this, Shi Xiaohei's face was filled with shock. In the Immortal Sect, this was a spatial skill that only Nascent Soul True Monarchs could master. She hadn't expected Uncle Chen, only at the Core Formation stage, to have already mastered it. Truly worthy of someone with Spirit Transformation potential who had opened a realm at the Foundation Establishment stage.

When Chen Mobai left, he gave Shi Wanyu a look. Seeing Shi Xiaohei preparing to go out for groceries, Shi Wanyu immediately began, "My daughter, let me tell you about when I was pregnant with you. Actually, your father was also a victim."

As expected, Shi Xiaohei was intrigued by these words! She thought for a moment: buying groceries a little later wouldn't affect her cooking skills, which she had honed in the sea domain. So she turned around, her eyes bright and intense, frowning as she looked directly at Shi Wanyu. She couldn't understand why her father could also be a victim. But soon, as Shi Wanyu explained clearly about the incident of giving him drugs and orchestrating the collection of his essence, Shi Xiaohei's eyes widened, looking at her mother with an expression of utter disbelief.

"This..."

After Shi Wanyu finished speaking, her cheeks were flushed. She had always felt guilty recalling the incident from back then, so she had kept it buried in her heart for all these years. Now that Chen Mobai had come forward, willing to let bygones be bygones and even acknowledge Shi Xiaohei as his daughter, she felt it was time for her to step forward and admit her mistake.

"Mom, you're not trying to fool me, are you? Covering for that scumbag again." Shi Xiaohei refused to believe it. "Child, when have I ever lied to you? If you don't believe me, I can even swear..."

At this point, no matter how unwilling Shi Xiaohei was, she could only accept the fact that her father was the victim.

"Then... how did he suddenly find out?" Shi Xiaohei recalled Shi Wanyu saying that her father had sought them out, and she asked hesitantly.

"He saw you and felt a strong connection. Since he's an influential figure in the Immortal Sect, it was easy for him to find me through you, so I told him everything. He's willing to accept you as his daughter."

"Seen me? Who was it?" Shi Xiaohei asked, surprised and suspicious. But soon, she thought of Chen Mobai, who had just left, and her eyes widened in shock! "Could it be..."

That evening!

After Chen Mobai finished dealing with the matter of Shi Xiaohei's overdue report to the Forestry Bureau in Yumu City, he received a message from Shi Xiaohei saying dinner was ready. Soon, he performed the Underworld Great Formation and arrived at the flower shop's entrance. Amidst the crisp sound of wind chimes, he stepped inside the shop.

Shi Wanyu was waiting for him inside. Chen Mobai exchanged glances with her, but Shi Wanyu didn't know her daughter's current attitude, only that she was cooking. The kitchen was on the second floor. Chen Mobai followed Shi Wanyu upstairs. Shi Xiaohei, who had just taken off her apron, saw him. Her expression was a little strange, but she politely invited him to take a seat.

Chen Mobai picked up a piece of fish meat at random. He didn't taste much flavor, but he complimented it anyway, "The taste is very good."

Shi Wanyu was about to speak, but Shi Xiaohei opened a bottle of wine and filled Chen Mobai's glass. Shi Xiaohei asked, "Can you forgive Mom?"

Chen Mobai was slightly taken aback by her words. He then asked, "Wanyu explained everything to you clearly?"

Shi Xiaohei nodded, then abruptly chugged a glass of wine herself. Mustering her courage, she looked directly at Chen Mobai and expressed her thoughts. "My birth was a mistake Mom made. As the most brilliant and dazzling genius of the Immortal Sect, the one most likely to achieve Spirit Transformation in a thousand years, you shouldn't have an illegitimate daughter like me. If you can forgive Mom, I can disappear without a trace. I absolutely will not let my existence be any stain on your brilliant and radiant life!"

Chen Mobai listened and became somewhat silent. Shi Wanyu, standing by, couldn't help but wipe away tears upon hearing her daughter's words, but she dared not cry aloud, so as not to disrupt the father-daughter conversation.

Chen Mobai also drank the wine his daughter poured for him in one gulp and then spoke. "My daughter is my most treasured possession; she will never be a blemish! The opinions of the world are but fleeting illusions to me. Even if millions praise or curse me, my Dao heart will not waver in the slightest. I walk my own path. Right now, I only want to hear you call me 'Dad'!"

After Chen Mobai finished speaking, both Shi Wanyu and her daughter's eyes shone brightly. They were enthralled by his dominant yet reassuring aura, their faces filled with emotion.

"Dad," Shi Xiaohei immediately called out, then hesitated, "what about Mom's mistake...?"

"After that incident happened, although I was very indignant, so many years have passed, and I have already let it go. Moreover, she raised you so well, and in all the years I was absent, she gave you the only affection you had. She is a good mother!"

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Shi Wanyu completely broke down in tears. In the prime of her youth, a moment of intense emotion led her to commit a grave mistake that had haunted her for decades. Today, she finally received Chen Mobai's personal forgiveness. Moreover, the scene of father and daughter reuniting had been a dream of hers for decades. All her beautiful dreams had turned into reality today. This made Shi Wanyu feel like she was the happiest person in the world. The cold shoulders and hardships she had endured for the past few decades were all for this very moment.

"Dad!" At this moment, Shi Xiaohei directly threw herself into Chen Mobai's arms, shouting loudly! And not just once; the pitch of the word "Dad" grew higher and higher, almost hoarse, as if she intended to call out all the "Dads" she hadn't uttered for decades, all tonight. If this building hadn't come with its own soundproofing formation, probably all the neighbors would have heard Shi Xiaohei loudly calling "Dad."

Chen Mobai's body stiffened slightly; he was a bit unaccustomed to such intimacy with women. However, remembering that the person in his arms was his own daughter, he could only use the gentlest strength to softly pat the back of her head. Shi Wanyu, watching this scene from the side, was overjoyed.

"Alright, alright, there'll be plenty of time to call him Dad later. The food is getting cold, and there's still so much left to eat. Your father has been working hard these past few days looking for you, so let him have a good meal." Shi Wanyu, noticing Chen Mobai's somewhat stiff movements and sensing that her daughter had released most of her emotions, spoke up to separate the father and daughter.

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiaohei also felt a little embarrassed as she released her embrace from Chen Mobai, her cheeks flushed, and returned to her seat.

"Dad, eat this lettuce. It's my specialty dish..." "And this, Purple Flower Beef Soup..." "This one's delicious too..." At the dinner table, dishes piled up in Chen Mobai's bowl, quickly forming a high mound. He smiled slightly, picked up his chopsticks, and ate everything.

Honestly, the taste was ordinary. But with every bite, he offered praise, as if it were the most delicious food in the world. After hearing this, Shi Xiaohei's eyes narrowed, and her joy was evident. Today was her happiest day.

When she was young, she had hoped for a father who was a pillar of strength, but every time she asked her mother, her mother would avoid the topic. Over time, having watched many TV dramas, she came to view her father as a scumbag who had abandoned his wife and daughter. After she grew up, she considered her father dead.

However, at the Daoist Academy, whenever she heard her roommates talking to their fathers on the phone, complaining, nagging, or confiding, a profound sense of loneliness and envy would well up inside her. If only she had a dad too, how wonderful that would be. At that time, she no longer demanded a father who was a pillar of strength; just a normal, ordinary, kind, and gentle dad would suffice. During her ten years of study in the sea domain, surrounded by sea spirits and strange creatures, her loneliness made her yearn for this even more. It was also at that time that she realized she wasn't as strong as she thought! She longed to be surrounded by familial love.

Therefore, after finishing her studies, obtaining the Heavenly Realm Pure Water, and returning to the Immortal Sect, she resolutely gave up the civil servant position at Wangwu Grotto-heaven arranged by Yu Huiping, deciding instead to return to her hometown of Yumu City to accompany her mother for the rest of her life. When she made this decision, she never imagined that she would also find her father. And this father was, in her heart, the most perfect male cultivator.

"Mom really should have clarified things earlier; I definitely wouldn't have thrown a tantrum." Suddenly, Shi Xiaohei looked at Shi Wanyu with a hint of resentment.

"What's wrong?" Shi Wanyu was somewhat puzzled.

"Mom, if you had told me Dad's identity earlier, maybe decades ago, when we were in Wufeng Immortal Mountain, I would have already been in his arms calling him Dad." Upon hearing Shi Xiaohei's words, Chen Mobai couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Oh, you two, father and daughter, had already met so early on?" Shi Wanyu didn't know about this. Shi Xiaohei immediately told her about the few, countable times she had met Chen Mobai before.

At this moment, Chen Mobai suddenly recalled the scene of his previous meeting with Shi Xiaohei at Wufeng Immortal Mountain, finding it a bit strange. Zhongli Tianyu, who was with him, seemed to have been deliberately led away. It was likely that someone knew he was there and intentionally arranged for the father and daughter to meet. Most likely it was Yu Huiping from Wangxian Peak, especially since she appeared immediately when Xiaohei's Nine Yin Meridian condition flared up later.

But since it was all arranged, why didn't they reveal their identities?! Chen Mobai felt a surge of resentment towards Yu Huiping in his heart, as her actions had delayed his enjoyment of family happiness by several decades.

"Mom, you sit and keep Dad company for a while. I'll clean up." In the harmonious atmosphere of the small family of three, dinner unknowingly came to an end. Shi Wanyu instinctively rose to clean up, but Shi Xiaohei immediately called out to stop her. Actually, cultivators had spells, so tidying up was very quick. However, since her daughter wanted to show filial piety, Shi Wanyu let her.

After eating, Chen Mobai considered that his daughter had been forced to calm down for five days in the detention room, and with the emotional rollercoaster of the day, she must be mentally exhausted. Wanting her to rest well, he announced his departure, "It's getting late, I'll be going now."

However, Shi Xiaohei's eyes suddenly reddened, and she asked, weeping softly, "Dad, are you leaving? Isn't this your home? Or does it mean you still haven't truly forgiven Mom?!"

Chen Mobai tried to explain, "Since I said it, then it certainly counts..." but seeing his daughter on the verge of tears, he could only sigh. "Then I'll stay tonight. There should be a spare room, right?" His last question was directed at Shi Wanyu, who, upon hearing it, awkwardly shook her head.

"Then I'll manage on the sofa downstairs for the night..."

"How can that be?!" But before he could finish, both mother and daughter interrupted him in unison.

Shi Wanyu offered an idea, "How about you sleep in our daughter's room tonight? She can stay with me." But Shi Xiaohei immediately shook her head in refusal. "I don't sleep well in unfamiliar beds, and I need to meditate for a long time tonight. I can only enter tranquil meditation in my own room."

After she finished speaking, Chen Mobai and Shi Wanyu finally understood her meaning. They exchanged glances. The beautiful young woman's fair cheeks suddenly flushed crimson. Chen Mobai even noticed large patches of red on her snow-white neck and delicate collarbones, visible above her collar, clearly indicating extreme shyness.

Seeing that the atmosphere between her parents seemed to have reached a peak, Shi Xiaohei immediately waved to them and quickly ran to her attic room, saying, "I'm going to rest now. Good night, Dad and Mom!"

When only the two of them remained, Chen Mobai also became somewhat restless. But the beautiful young woman before him was even more nervous and hesitant.

(End of Chapter)

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