The Grandfather’s Tall Tales and a Curious Child

Huzhou boasts numerous lakes, each graced with her own distinct name.Villages nestled beside these lakes, too, often adopt the lake’s name as their own.Fan Lake Village, as its name implies, is situated beside a lake resembling an open folding fan.This village, though not large, comprised several hundred households.Upon the trio’s arrival, bearing the Exorcism Bureau’s mission scroll, villagers respectfully led them to the village chief’s home.The village chief was a weathered old man, well past eighty, his face a canvas of wrinkles, his mouth framed by a thick beard.Upon seeing Tou and the other two, he sprang from his wheelchair with an excited leap, then slid on his knees towards them, rumbling like a tractor.

“Esteemed Warriors, I’ve waited and yearned, through countless days and nights, for your arrival!

Thank the heavens, you are finally here; our Fan Lake Village is saved!”

“Oh, come now, Elder, there’s no need for such formality.

Let us discuss this calmly inside the house.”

Having frequently embarked on missions, Ji Jie had encountered all manner of situations.

She was long accustomed to such displays, so she stepped forward, took his arm, helped him to his feet, and spoke.

Once upright, the village chief rubbed his presbyopic eyes.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he shuffled towards the house, beginning, “Ah, it’s a long story, you see.

More than a hundred years ago, this very place was demon territory.

When I was a young man, I encountered the Heart-Eating Demoness, and that’s where the tale begins…”

“Elder, what jest are you making?

Wasn’t the Heart-Eating Demoness slain by the Human Emperor over a hundred and twenty years ago?

Do you truly look that old?”

The elder’s cultivation was merely at the Qi Refining Realm, a stage hardly qualifying one as a true warrior, at best half a warrior.While the Qi Refining Realm could strengthen the body and allow for the release of minor spiritual spells, it did not extend one’s lifespan.

An ordinary person typically lived no more than a hundred years.

For the old village chief to claim he had met the Heart-Eating Demoness over a hundred and twenty years ago, was that not simply a joke?

“Hmph! Little girl, what do you know?

In my youth, I was a warrior of the late Heaven-Human Realm.”

“Then why have you become like this?”

Though Ji Jie harbored doubts, she humored him, eager to glean information pertinent to their mission.

As Ji Jie dawdled ahead, Tou, trailing behind, grew increasingly impatient.

He wished to complete the mission swiftly and return, having no desire to linger and listen to the old man’s stories.

With a cold expression, he impatiently called out to Ji Jie.

“You useless dog!

Didn’t the mission scroll state that a Golden Body Realm water monkey is causing havoc in the village, injuring many innocent villagers, and that we are to eliminate this menace?

Why don’t we just ask for its location and let Master swat it dead with a single palm?

What are you wasting time for, dawdling like this!”

“Little Tou, she isn’t wasting time!

No matter the task, accurate intelligence is paramount.

While we can easily dispatch a Golden Body Realm demon beast, if it hides or flees, we’ll be powerless to stop it!

Furthermore, we are unfamiliar with this place; rushing in to capture the demon beast could lead to significant trouble for us!”

“Indeed, Master, please don’t find it bothersome.

I’m simply ensuring everything is foolproof!”

Ji Jie was still pondering how to explain herself to Tou without incurring his wrath, when Yue Ye Si preempted her, articulating everything she had intended to say.

“Oh, I see!”

Tou was currently not inside the protective heart-shaped barrier his Fourth Master had conjured; it was simply too cumbersome and hindered their speed.

Along the way, Tou reluctantly abandoned that method, instead opting to have his Master carry him on their back all the way here.

“Then hurry it up!

Stop asking useless questions!”

Tou still didn’t quite grasp his Master’s words, yet he had no desire for the mission to fail.

After a hurried prompt, he buried his head back into his Fourth Master’s back.

“Alright, Master! We’ll gather the information quickly!”

Ji Jie responded cheerfully, then linked her arm with the old village chief’s.

As they walked into the house, she directly pressed the matter.

“Now, Elder, perhaps we should first discuss the matter of that Golden Body Realm water monkey!”

“The water monkey, you say? Cough, cough!”

The old village chief coughed twice, then narrowed his eyes, gazing ahead.

His eyes seemed to hold a myriad of thoughts as he continued.

“Ah, it’s a long story, you see.

More than a hundred years ago, this very place was demon territory.

When I was a young man, I encountered the Heart-Eating Demoness, and that’s where the tale begins…”

“Eh? Elder, haven’t you already told us this?

We’re discussing the water monkey now!”

Ji Jie’s emerald pupils constricted.

‘Could it be that this old man’s memory was failing him?’

“Oh! You see, with these old bones of mine, I’m always forgetting things.

Then this time, let’s talk about the water monkey! Ho ho!”

The old village chief paused, slapped his own head, and quickly offered a compensatory chuckle.

“Yes, Elder, we’ll focus solely on the water monkey.”

Ji Jie smiled, demonstrating her considerable patience.

“The water monkey, you say? Ah, it’s a long story, you see.

More than a hundred years ago, this very place was demon territory.

When I was a young man, I encountered the Heart-Eating Demoness, and that’s where the tale begins…”

The old village chief began repeating the same story once more.

Ji Jie felt a wave of exasperation, yet this time, she refrained from interrupting, choosing instead to listen patiently.

“My father always said I possessed the potential of a Great Emperor, and I did not disappoint their hopes.

In my early twenties, I had already reached the late Heaven-Human Realm of cultivation.

At that time, I was also a Grand Elder of the Black Tortoise Sect, the youngest among all the elders.”

Recalling his past glories, a faint smile curved the old village chief’s lips.

With no one to interrupt him, he continued in his hoarse voice.

“However, another five years passed, and my cultivation remained stagnant.

Thus, I decided to venture into the demon territory for some experience.

It was that very expedition that changed my entire life.

I met her there, by the shores of Lake Aiqin: the Heart-Eating Demoness, with her elegant figure, exquisite beauty, and noble demeanor.

I was captivated by her at first sight.”

“And then what happened?

I recall that at the time, humans and demons were always at loggerheads!”

Ji Jie, her gossiping eyes wide, cocked her ears, urging him to continue.

“Indeed! At that time, our human race was absolutely irreconcilable with the demon race.

My encounter with the Heart-Eating Demoness, naturally, led to a battle.

Back then, the Heart-Eating Demoness was only at the early Heaven-Human Realm, two minor stages below me.

I could have easily suppressed her with one hand, yet we fought for three days and three nights.

Do you know why?”

“I don’t know!”

Ji Jie shook her head, playing along.

Meanwhile, Yue Ye Si furrowed her beautiful brows.

She *was* the Heart-Eating Demoness, yet she had no recollection of ever fighting someone for three days and three nights.

She had, in fact, deliberately stayed behind, wanting to ascertain whether the old man’s claim of having met her a century ago was truth or fabrication.

However, she found herself somewhat disappointed; this fellow might indeed be a person from a hundred years ago, but he was certainly not someone she remembered.

“Ho ho! Of course, I deliberately went easy on the Heart-Eating Demoness.

I felt an instant connection with her, and she was so delicate and endearing; I couldn’t bear to harm her in the slightest!”

The old village chief spoke with fervent emotion, as if relaying an absolute truth.

“So then, did you deeply move the Heart-Eating Demoness, and as you both yearned to live and die together, your opposing identities led to interference from both your families?

Consequently, you crippled your own cultivation, and, accompanied by the Heart-Eating Demoness who had similarly abandoned her status and power for love, you came to this secluded mountain village, living happily ever after until today!”

Ji Jie rolled her eyes, thinking, ‘This old man truly spins tall tales!’

The Heart-Eating Demoness, back then, was one of the Seven Guardian Kings under the Demon Venerable.

Even in the Golden Body Realm, she could cross realms to slay Heaven-Human Realm powerhouses.

Upon reaching the early Heaven-Human Realm, she seized the position of Guardian King from numerous demonesses and villains at the Great Perfection of Heaven-Human Realm.

How could she possibly have been afraid of this old village chief, a mere late Heaven-Human Realm practitioner?

“Aow~! How did you know all that?!”

Hearing Ji Jie’s speculative words, the old village chief suddenly leaped up in astonishment, staring at her in disbelief.

“Huh?”

A hint of disdain flickered at the corner of Ji Jie’s mouth.

‘This old geezer is truly putting on an act!’

“However, there is one thing you’ve gotten wrong.”

The old village chief’s expression suddenly turned forlorn.

Slumping onto a chair like an abandoned kitten, he took a long, shaky breath, then spoke with a touch of anger.

“I gave her everything, my love, my protection, my honor, my very life.

Yet in the end, after she obtained my loving heart, she abandoned me!

Leaving me alone by the shores of Lake Aiqin, to face the cold winds by myself!

Wuwuwu~ Wuwuwu~!”

“Eh, eh, eh?”

‘How did this old geezer get so deeply into character?’

Ji Jie, though speechless, couldn’t simply watch an elderly man cry indefinitely.

So, she offered comfort.

“Elder, it’s not worth crying like this over a demoness who used and then abandoned you!

We must look forward; life continues, and what you love is your life!”

“Wuwu~, but I still can’t forget her!

I admit, I still love her to this day.

I will always adore the Heart-Eating Demoness, and if she would only return, I would still give her everything.

To wait for her, I haven’t married or had children to this very day!”

“Grandpa! Grandpa! Qiao Qiao brought Mom and your favorite Dio little bread to see you!”

No sooner had the old village chief’s words fallen than the door was forcefully pushed open.

A remarkably cute little loli, clutching a small basket, bounded into the room.

The little loli was exceptionally lively, hopping and skipping in, treating Tou and the others not at all like strangers.

She immediately leaped into the old village chief’s arms.

Her cheerful, bell-like voice rang out.

“Grandpa! Grandpa! Let me tell you, Uncle Diao has a big goldfish at his house, but it looks just like a loach, so ugly.

But that loach can spray white stuff, it’s really interesting!

Next time, come with me to town, and I’ll take you to Uncle Diao’s bakery to see the big goldfish!”

“Grandpa?”

Ji Jie’s mind was once again filled with questions.

Hadn’t he just claimed he hadn’t married or had children his entire life, waiting for the Heart-Eating Demoness?

From where had this granddaughter suddenly appeared?

“Oh! My little darling! Grandpa will definitely go with you next time.”

The old village chief’s memory was a mystery; he spoke as if his previous words had never been uttered.

Settling the little loli on his lap, he introduced her to the trio.

“Look, this is my little granddaughter, isn’t she adorable!

Come, little Qiao Qiao, quickly say hello to the sisters.”

“Hello, three big sisters!”

The little girl was quite well-behaved.

She hopped off the old village chief’s lap and greeted Ji Jie and the other two.

“Oh, my! What a cute little girl.

What’s your name?”

Ji Jie stroked her head.

Suddenly, she realized this was none other than the little girl she had seen yesterday outside Dio’s bakery!

It turned out the little girl had genuinely gone to see the bakery owner’s goldfish, and hadn’t been… spirited away.

“Hehe! Big sister, my name is Qiao Qiao.”

Little Qiao Qiao giggled, revealing a small gap in her teeth.

Her eyes fixed on Ji Jie’s chest, she rubbed her small hands together and murmured, “Wow! Big sister, yours are so big!

Even bigger than my mommy’s.

How did they get so big? Qiao Qiao wants to grow that big too!”

“Huh—?”

Ji Jie hesitated.

‘How could she possibly say, in front of so many people, that they had grown so large because she used to have a little ‘Xiao Yuan’ beside her who massaged them every night, making them bigger!’

“Cough, cough! Just eat more, and it’ll happen!”

Ji Jie replied vaguely.

“Eat?”

Little Qiao Qiao tilted her head.

“But I eat a lot at every meal!

Could it be that the food is different?”

“Hmm? The food, you say?

Eating more dairy products should help them grow faster!”

Ji Jie mused, feigning deep thought.

This, in fact, was what Xiao Yuan had told her, and she had personally tried it herself—absolutely no deception involved!

“Wow! That’s great, thank you, big sister!

Hehehe! Big sister, can I touch them again?”

As Little Qiao Qiao spoke, her hands opened and closed, reaching towards Ji Jie, nearly grasping them!

“No, you can’t!”

Ji Jie quickly hugged her chest and stepped back two paces.

‘How old was this little girl? Why was she such a little pervert!’

“Hmph! I’ll grow that big sooner or later!”

Unsuccessful, Little Qiao Qiao pouted, her cheeks puffed out like two steamed buns, and she averted her gaze.

Her eyes then darted past Tou, who was on Yue Ye Si’s back.

The cowlick on her head suddenly stood straight up, and she bounced over to Yue Ye Si’s side.

Squinting, she peeked at Tou’s chest, and upon finding it quite flat, she finally smiled with satisfaction.

“Twin-tails big sister, are you sick, letting the white-haired big sister carry you?

My mommy can cure people, you know.

She and Daddy were just stopped by Uncle Wang next door on the road.

When Mommy comes, do you want her to treat your illness?

I’m telling you, my mommy is super amazing; she can definitely cure your sickness!”

Tou wanted to hit someone!

He *really* wanted to hit someone!