258. Nana Will Take Responsibility

Before Qian Renjue could investigate the source of the strange scent, there was a sound at the door, and it was quickly pushed open in his line of sight.

"Senior Brother! What's wrong with you? You've been ignoring Nana for so long."

Hu Liena’s voice was filled with worry as she hurriedly squeezed through the door and rushed towards the bed.

But just as she was about to speak further, her words got stuck in her throat, and a blush instantly appeared on her pretty face.

Her eyes were glued to the sight before her—her senior brother sitting cross-legged on the bed, facing her directly.

“Nana, why aren’t you saying anything?” Qian Renjue asked in confusion, staring at the petite fox in front of him.

Dressed in loose, soft pajamas that casually draped over her body, the curves of her figure were gently outlined.

Without him realizing, the little fox seemed to have matured significantly.

"Ah—!" Hu Liena responded with a sharp cry, a mix of shock, embarrassment, and perhaps a hint of joy.

The scream pierced the night, even making Ah Yin, who had been knocked out earlier, flutter her eyelashes.

Hu Liena quickly raised her hands to cover her face, but the gaps between her fingers left much to be desired.

If she had been holding a beggar's bowl, she might still starve no matter how hard she worked.

"Nana, why are you screaming?" Qian Renjue hurriedly covered his ears, lowering his head.

But when he saw what was below him, his face stiffened, and for some reason, a dangerous thought arose: should he silence her to protect his reputation?

He was her senior brother, after all!

Gritting his teeth, Qian Renjue slowly grabbed the blanket next to him, pulling it towards himself.


With a faint sense of relief, he cautiously lifted his head, meeting Hu Liena's gaze.

His violet eyes were filled with frustration as her gaze was far too bold and invasive.

Her eyes scanned him from top to bottom: his handsome face, broad shoulders, solid chest, toned abs, and strong legs.

The more she looked, the redder her face became, and her eyes seemed to be filling with pink.

"Hu Liena!" Qian Renjue, now covered by the blanket, couldn't hold back his anger anymore. "Why didn't you knock before entering my room?!"

"Senior Brother, Nana knocked for a long time..." Hu Liena, still hiding her flushed face behind her hands, only revealed her eyes through her fingers, her voice soft and filled with a hint of grievance.

"I..." Qian Renjue froze, unable to find an excuse. His pale face flushed red with embarrassment.

Hu Liena, standing by the bed with her legs pressed together, walked closer with small, shy steps.

Watching her senior brother’s irritated and embarrassed expression, she bit her lip for a moment, then declared with conviction, "Senior Brother, don’t worry. Nana will take responsibility for you!"

“Ah—!”

Before she could finish her sentence, Qian Renjue lightly knocked her on the head, causing her to cry out in pain.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Qian Renjue frowned, his face growing even more awkward.

"Senior Brother, please don’t be angry. Nana was just joking..." Hu Liena rubbed her head, her voice now softer, afraid of provoking him further.

But her wandering eyes betrayed her, as she couldn’t stop recalling what she had just seen, making her heart race and her cheeks flush.

"Master..."

Just as Qian Renjue was about to say something, a trembling voice came from the floor beside the bed.

"Pfft!" Hu Liena couldn’t help but glance over, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Though she wanted to laugh, she stifled it with her hands, her face turning red from holding it in.

Qian Renjue’s eyes twitched as well when he saw what was happening, making him want to laugh, but the situation didn’t allow for it.

Under the gaze of the senior and junior disciples, a delicate hand shakily raised from the floor, and a voice with a hint of joy followed, "Master, you must take responsibility for me as well..."

"..."

A dark line appeared on Qian Renjue's forehead, while Hu Liena stared at the puddle of spilled tea on the floor, her expression a mixture of odd amusement as she stole a glance at her senior brother.

"Stop staring!"

"Ah, Senior Brother, Nana isn't looking anymore, I swear!" Hearing Qian Renjue’s low growl, Hu Liena hurriedly covered her head in fear, pleading for mercy.


Yet, out of the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but notice that the tall, well-built figure had already risen from the bed and stood beside it.

Annoyed and embarrassed, Qian Renjue’s voice rang in her ears. "Go! Help Ah Yin up and clean up the bed!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!" Hu Liena immediately bowed in compliance. She watched him retreat into the bathroom, leaving the blanket behind.

"Pfft! Hahaha..." As soon as Qian Renjue stepped into the bathroom, Hu Liena could no longer contain her joy. She threw herself onto the bed, blushing as she wriggled like a little caterpillar.

Even though her senior brother didn’t want her to take responsibility, her gains from tonight were already immense.

“Mmm… Ugh…” Ah Yin, still lying on the floor, finally managed to stand up on her own.

Her soft blue hair, normally smooth and silky, was now sticking out like a broom.

Clutching her wet dress with trembling hands, her face remained dazed as though her soul had yet to fully return.

"Haha!" Seeing the silly, disheveled figure of Ah Yin, Hu Liena couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. Tears nearly welled up in her eyes as she laughed.

Qian Renjue, dousing himself with cold water, listened to the laughter from outside. He splashed more cold water onto his face, trying to wash away the awkwardness in his heart.


---

The moon hung high over the mountains, standing tall beside the Worship Hall.

Under the Angel God Statue, Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue sat across from each other, having talked for a long time.

They spoke of the Spirit Hall, the world at large, and even touched on the divine realm. The atmosphere had become somewhat heavy by now.

With a kind smile, Qian Daoliu gently comforted his granddaughter. "Xiao Xue, you needn't be so conflicted. This is the mission passed down by the Qian family for generations. It was Jue's choice, and it is also my choice. Not reaching the divine realm means we will all die eventually."

Qian Renxue lowered her head, her eyes slightly red, her voice hoarse. "Grandpa, I understand all of that. But I just wish that day could come a little later."

Qian Daoliu nodded, "I understand, Xiao Xue. I too wish I could wait longer, to see Xiao Jue get married, to witness the Spirit Hall rise to rule the world... But time won’t wait for us."

Qian Renxue clenched her fists.

Having returned from rebirth, she understood more than ever the preciousness of time, but the thought of repeating the sacrificial act that Qian Daoliu had performed to help her ascend to godhood was heartbreaking.

Some experiences only need to be lived once to leave an indelible mark on the soul.

“I still need time to think, Grandpa”

Qian Daoliu nodded, understanding her feelings. “Take your time, Xiao Xue. You must have a calm mind before facing the test of our ancestors.”

“Mm.”

Qian Renxue knew this well. She had knelt for a long time before their ancestors once, and only then had she been granted her god trials.