Chapter 142: Then Would You Consider Changing Your Father?

Su Ji'an frowned slightly; this matter seemed rather unusual.

Of course, it was impossible for Li Ling'er to return to the Li family's ancestral home for no reason at all. Moreover, she had gone back and forth yet again afterward.

However, Su Ji'an had no intention of making another trip there himself. He planned to send He Hansu to take a look; given her cultivation and insight, she might discover something. When the time came, the dog system would naturally relay He Hansu's movements back to him.

At that very moment, a knock sounded at his courtyard gate.

Su Ji'an raised an eyebrow. Could it be Li Ling'er? In Lingxiu Village, apart from Li Ling'er, there was no one else who would constantly run over to his place for no reason.

Yet, the possibility of someone else could not be entirely ruled out.

Su Ji'an prepared himself defensively before opening the courtyard gate.

The person outside was indeed Li Ling'er.

This girl had arrived at just the right time; he could subtly probe her to find out why on earth she had returned to the Li family's ancestral home.

Li Ling'er wore an anxious expression once again.

"Big bad guy, something's happened."

Su Ji'an gestured for her to calm down. "Take your time and tell me what's the matter."

Every time they met, Li Ling'er's frantic state seemed to have become the norm. But these trivial details were completely unimportant.

Li Ling'er blurted out anxiously, "My family's ancestral home was burglarized, and I suspect it might have something to do with my dad."

"Tell me the details." Su Ji'an motioned for her to continue. He still held a certain degree of interest in Li Lingguang's affairs.

"My dad left a letter for me in the ancestral home. The letter said he might not be coming back for a while and told me to inform everyone to look for another village chief. As for me... he told me to leave Lingxiu Village and go wherever I pleased." As she spoke, tears shimmered in Li Ling'er's eyes.

Su Ji'an froze for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "Your dad isn't just temporarily away—he abandoned you and isn't coming back?"

Put that way, it finally explained why the Sword Immortal had come away empty-handed from the Li family's ancestral home. Clearly, that old man Li Lingguang had taken the secrets hidden within the ancestral home with him when he left Lingxiu Village. Beyond that, Li Lingguang must have encountered some grave crisis and, fearing that it would implicate Li Ling'er, had left a parting letter behind before departing.

Li Ling'er said dejectedly, "I only just found out. A few days ago, my dad told me he had to go out for a few days, but he hasn't returned yet. This very afternoon, I suddenly discovered a wooden tablet carved with the two words 'Ancestral Home' in my room, and then everything else followed."

Su Ji'an offered comfort in his own unique way. "Have you considered the option of getting a new dad?"

It seemed that the old man Li Lingguang had indeed returned, but due to some unspeakable hardship, he had not dared to show his face and meet with Li Ling'er. Perhaps he feared that once they met, it would be all the harder to leave.

Li Ling'er did not quite understand. "Big bad guy, what do you mean?"

Su Ji'an smiled. "During the days your dad is absent, I wouldn't mind stepping in as a replacement to relieve your yearning for him."

Li Ling'er blinked, looking at him in disbelief. "Don't talk nonsense! If you do that again, I won't talk to you!"

Immediately afterward, Li Ling'er cast a pleading gaze at him. "Big bad guy, can you come with me back to the ancestral home? I suspect the evildoer hasn't gone far yet, and their sneaking into the ancestral home must be connected to my dad's departure."

Su Ji'an hesitated for a moment, then said with a troubled expression, "Well, since I'm soft-hearted and can't bear to see you looking so pitiful, I'll accompany you on this trip."

This suited him well, as it gave him a legitimate reason to visit the Li family's ancestral home.

Just then, He Hansu arrived upon hearing the news and first sized up Li Ling'er.

A mortal?

Yet her appearance was exceptionally cute and delicate; although not quite matching her own, it was nearly on par.

An idea suddenly sparked in He Hansu's mind. Could that dog of a Su Ji'an harbor some strange intentions?

No, she absolutely could not stand by and let him succeed.

Thinking of this, He Hansu hurriedly pulled Li Ling'er aside and warned her, "Let me tell you... that dog is no good person... You must stay far away from him..."

After just a few words, Li Ling'er actually felt it made a lot of sense.

Su Ji'an was utterly speechless at the moment. Speaking ill of him right to his face was terribly impolite. The road to reforming her was long and arduous.

After a brief interaction, these two actually seemed to share a mutual sympathy.

Su Ji'an said with annoyance, "Li Ling'er, do you still want to search for your dad's whereabouts or not?"

Li Ling'er quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes."

Su Ji'an instructed, "Then stay away from her so you don't get corrupted. You were quite cute to begin with; don't learn from her and turn into a dog."

He Hansu: "......"

Since Li Ling'er needed a favor, she naturally could not say no.

A moment later, they arrived at the Li family's ancestral home.

Before setting out, He Hansu had insisted on tagging along, and Su Ji'an had not refused. Partly because she was knowledgeable and might prove useful.

The Li family's ancestral home was exactly as the Sword Immortal's transmitted message had described: just three dilapidated rooms and a small courtyard. Searching such a small space was not difficult.

Another moment passed.

Su Ji'an still found nothing. While he couldn't speak with absolute certainty, there was at least no spiritual treasure of any kind present within the Li family's ancestral home.

This was yet another wonderful utility of the system: wherever he passed, as long as a system prompt sounded, it proved the presence of a spiritual treasure.

Li Ling'er asked with wide, hopeful eyes, "Big bad guy, did you find anything?"

Su Ji'an shook his head. "Nothing found. But you don't need to worry too much; your dad shouldn't be in any serious trouble. Just do as he told you—he wouldn't harm you. As long as you preserve your life, there will naturally be a day when you meet again."

Seeing the young girl's low spirits, he offered a few consoling words. However, he had no intention of keeping her by his side. Li Ling'er looked like a walking bundle of trouble, and he had no wish to become implicated. Having a friendship was one thing, but it hadn't reached the point where he would take a knife for her.

Still, he could point her toward a clear path.

Li Ling'er suddenly declared with a resolute expression, "I want to cultivate!"

Su Ji'an nodded; that was one way out. If she worked hard to enhance her strength going forward, she would eventually have a chance to slay her enemies. Wasn't that exactly what he was doing now?

Li Ling'er continued, "The immortal sects will be recruiting disciples and should be arriving in Lingxiu Village soon. When the time comes, I'll go cultivate in an immortal sect. No matter what trouble my dad is in, I will surely face it alongside him."

Su Ji'an also nodded in approval. "I have high hopes for you. Once you achieve success in your cultivation in the future, you can protect me."

With that, they left the Li family's ancestral home together.

They parted ways shortly after walking out. Li Ling'er's mood remained heavy, leaving her in no humor to joke with Su Ji'an.

After Su Ji'an and He Hansu had walked a short distance away, He Hansu suddenly crept up close to him and whispered stealthily, "I see the spiritual energy in the mountains over there is quite good—it's a fine place for cultivation. I'm not going back just yet."

However, her response was Su Ji'an's control.

He Hansu was hoisted up by the collar once more.

"What are you doing? You're trying to bully me again!"