Chapter 127: Qian Daoliu's letter
'Perhaps desperation and gratitude birthed affection. A stretch, but still… an explanation.'
She drummed her slender fingers against the edge of the table, golden eyes flickering with cold calculation.
'But then, in Douluo Dalu 2, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion—Wang Qiu'er—another, peak-level soul beast on which the fate of entire Soul Beast clan depended took human form, and falls in love with Huo Yuhao. She even sacrifices her life for him. In that case, one might argue Tang San, already a god by then, was manipulating the strings of fate behind the scenes, using her as a stepping stone for Yuhao's growth.'
Her eyes darkened, the candlelight casting sharp shadows across her face.
And again, in Douluo Dalu 3—Gu Yuena, the true Lord of the Soul Beasts, the one who should have been the greatest enemy of humankind—falls in love with Tang Wulin. The cycle repeats again and again. Different faces . different eras. The same absurd 'destiny' where the of the soul beasts bow before humanity's so-called chosen.'
As she recalled her own ending in the original storyline , Qian Renxue's smile froze, then cracked. Then the smile returned , but now it had a playful smirk.
She lifted her head slowly still smiling, eyes at the sky through the open window
'You truly think mortals are nothing more than your playthings?'
She recalled that in the original story, Posiedon had opened a back door in Angel's ninth God test and all of Qian Renxue's heart was laid bare like live stream to everyone. Then Tang San's spirit was allowed to enter the test which was supposed to be private and the Ninth test could only be passed if Qian Renxue reconciled her heart with Tang San's Spirit.
'Posiedon might be an expert to brainwash someone to love. I'm sure the Angel God is already dead, otherwise she would not have allowed any other God to interefere in her inheritor's test.'
Her smile widened, twisting into a more chilling smile that made even Ghost Douluo, watching silently, feel a faint chill creep up his spine.
'As per the information, the travel path of the Twin Stars of the Clear Sky Clan and Ah Yin will take them straight through this very city. Perfect. I need only wait… and then I can test something myself.'
Having made the decision, Qian Renxue stood gracefully from her chair. Her golden hair shimmered faintly as she moved, every step deliberate, elegant, and laced with an air of superiority. Ghost Douluo rose immediately, silent as a shadow, and followed close behind.
No one in the tavern noticed their departure. The cheering crowd remained engrossed in the bard's songs, toasting to the royal family's announcements. The laughter and clinking of mugs drowned out the faint rustle of Renxue's robes as she slipped away.
Only the tea cup remained on the table. Its surface still warm, the faint steam curling upward into the noisy air, an out-of-place silence among the revelry.
A while later, the proprietress bustled out from behind the counter. She frowned when she spotted the empty cup.
"Eh? Isn't that the brand-new tea cup I bought especially for entertaining high-level nobles? I hadn't even used it yet…"
She glanced at the nearby guests and asked curiously, "Who was sitting here earlier?"
But the drinkers looked at her with blank expressions before saying "It was a man wearing an oversized black cloak."
None could recall the blonde girl with flawless poise who had been sitting right under their noses.
Muttering in confusion, the proprietress collected the cup and carried it away. No matter how much she strained her memory, she could not recall the person she had served. It was as though the guest had never existed at all.
---
The next day,
By the window of the hotel, Qian Renxue gazed at the clear sky, her delicate face calm but her purple eyes reflecting endless thoughts. The morning sun spilled through the glass, gilding her silhouette with a faint halo, making her look more like a celestial spirit than a mortal child.
Yet within that serene gaze hid the sharp mind of someone who had already begun weaving threads of fate across the continent.
A few weeks had passed since her eighth birthday. With each day, she could feel the digestion of the Hypnotist power drawing closer to completion—95% had already merged with her essence. From Yu Xiaogang's marriage arrangement to sowing confusion within the Three Great Clans, to quietly planting spies in key positions, she had hypnotised many people quietly.
She clenched her fist lightly.
'Soon… a few more weeks, and the Hypnotist's power will be completely mine.'
Her gaze deepened, reflecting a cold determination.
'After Tang Hao and Ah Yin's matter is settled, I will return to Spirit Hall. By then, everything I've laid out here will already be in motion. Then Twilight Hermit can start to lurk by unseen strings that no one can cut."
Just as her thoughts were unfolding, a knock came from the door, steady and respectful.
"Young Master, may I come in?" Ghost Douluo's hoarse voice carried from outside.
"Enter," Qian Renxue answered lightly, her expression back into a calm mask.
The door opened silently, and Ghost Douluo's shadowy figure glided into the room.
"Young Master," he bowed respectfully, holding out a sealed envelope. "The Great Worshipper has sent a letter."
Qian Renxue raised her brows slightly, her fingers brushing the golden seal before she even opened it.
"Oh? Grandfather wants me to return."