Ouyang Ye, who already didn't know how to face Gu Qingfeng, had rushed out purely on instinct upon hearing Xiao Jinr's call, without thinking too much. Now, being teased like this by Gu Qingfeng, she was utterly mortified. Blushing with shyness, she hurriedly ran back inside.
Gu Qingfeng's return to Xiao Zhe Manor this time wasn't for any major business; he was just passing by to see Xiao Jinr and incidentally bid farewell.
He had no interest in the Heavenly Mandate, even though the old monk said the current era might see a chaotic Mandate—he still felt no interest.
Originally, he had planned to stay here for a while, meet all the people he should meet, and repay all the favors he owed. However, his time was running out.
The cluster of Taiji Golden Cores within his body had been stirring restlessly, a matter of utmost urgency. They could form Nascent Souls at any moment, and it would be a whole body of Taiji Nascent Souls. When that happened, it would inevitably alarm the Three Thousand Great Daos again. Gu Qingfeng didn't know what measures the Three Thousand Great Daos might take against him, so he was thinking of using this time to quickly settle matters in the Great Northwest.
Upon hearing he was leaving, Xiao Jinr, who had been overjoyed moments before, instantly became sullen. She lowered her head, sat on the chair, and fell silent.
"Be good, Jinr. Wait until Big Brother finishes this busy period, then I'll come back to see you."
Gu Qingfeng was very fond of Xiao Jinr. A few years ago, when he had just awakened and met Xiao Jinr for the first time, he had inexplicably taken an immense liking to this well-behaved, adorable little girl from the bottom of his heart.
"Jinr knows Big Brother is busy. Jinr doesn't mean to stop you... it's just..." Xiao Jinr wore an expression of great reluctance, her eyes brimming with tears as she said, "It's just that once Big Brother leaves this time, it will be very hard for Jinr to see Big Brother again in the future..."
"You're not old, but you have many thoughts. Big Brother is just going to visit a few old friends, see how they're doing, and then come back. What's so difficult about us meeting? Besides, didn't I give you a Heart Link Bracelet before? When you want to see Big Brother, just tell me through it. No matter where I am, I'll rush over to see you right away."
"No! It's not like that..." Xiao Jinr pouted sullenly, saying grievously, "Big Brother will have many things to do in the future... Jinr doesn't want to, and won't, disturb Big Brother."
"I have many things to do? How come I don't know that?"
Gu Qingfeng found this more and more odd. Noticing Xiao Jinr's evasive gaze, he asked suspiciously, "Jinr, what's wrong with you today? Did someone say something to you?"
As he spoke, he looked at Su Hua. Su Hua shook her head, indicating she hadn't said anything to make Xiao Jinr worry.
"Jinr, are you worried about me?" Gu Qingfeng probed.
Xiao Jinr glanced up, then quickly lowered her head again, clearly not daring to meet Gu Qingfeng's eyes. She just silently shed tears and whispered, "No... Jinr just can't bear to part with Big Brother..."
"Really?" Gu Qingfeng was certain Jinr knew something. Moreover, he could see intense worry in Xiao Jinr's eyes.
"Jinr, is there something you want to say to me?"
"N-no..."
"Jinr, Big Brother is asking you seriously. Really nothing to say?"
"Big Brother, I..." Xiao Jinr looked up several times, each time seeming to hesitate. Then, as if having made a great resolve, she asked softly, "Big Brother, you will definitely look for Empress Zhuoyue, right?"
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng's expression froze. He was very puzzled. How did Xiao Jinr know about him looking for Feng Zhuyue? And she even used the word "definitely." Feeling suspicious, he probed, "I do plan to look for Feng Zhuyue. Jinr, why do you ask?"
"Big Brother, you... couldn't you not look for Empress Zhuoyue..."
"Why?"
"I... Jinr doesn't know. Jinr is just worried that if Big Brother finds Empress Zhuoyue, you'll... you'll be unhappy..."
"Unhappy?" Gu Qingfeng didn't quite understand and continued asking, "Why would I be unhappy if I find Feng Zhuyue?"
"I..." Xiao Jinr stammered, not revealing the reason.
Gu Qingfeng found it strange and couldn't figure out why Xiao Jinr would suddenly bring up Feng Zhuyue out of the blue. He asked, "Jinr, do you know why I'm looking for Feng Zhuyue?"
"Empress Zhuoyue... did Big Brother a great favor... Big Brother... feels quite guilty inside..."
Good heavens! Gu Qingfeng knew Xiao Jinr's existence was extraordinary.
Yes.
He knew.
He had realized it from the first time he met Xiao Jinr. As for what kind of existence Xiao Jinr was, he wasn't too clear either. But one thing was certain: the little girl's heart was very pure, innocent and untainted. It was the purest heart he had ever seen in his life, pure to the point of being spotless. How could such an innocent little girl think about these messy things? And he remembered clearly that he had never told the little girl about Feng Zhuyue.
"Jinr, how do you know about me looking for Feng Zhuyue?"
"I..." Xiao Jinr opened her mouth, then hesitated again. She seemed truly pure and kind, not wanting to deceive Gu Qingfeng. After struggling for a long time, she said, "Big Brother, it's... it's Elder Sister Dream who told Jinr."
"Elder Sister Dream?"
"Yes! Elder Sister Dream."
Not only was Gu Qingfeng surprised and puzzled, even Su Hua deeply furrowed her brows. She had never heard Xiao Jinr mention any Elder Sister Dream either.
"Which Elder Sister Dream?"
"It's the elder sister in the dream... She often chats with Jinr in dreams and has also told Jinr many things about Big Brother."
Elder sister in the dream? Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin, pondering. Entering dreams wasn't a novel technique; he could do it, and Su Hua could too. He just couldn't figure out who would be so idle as to chat with Jinr in dreams and talk so much about him?
If it was really as Xiao Jinr said, that this person knew he was looking for Feng Zhuyue and knew Feng Zhuyue had done him a great favor, then the one sending dreams to Xiao Jinr must know his identity.
Who could it be?
Gu Qingfeng scanned Xiao Jinr up and down, confirming there were no 'unclean' things like residual consciousness, residual souls, etc., on her. Her mind, consciousness, mental state, and soul were all normal, without any abnormalities.
Suddenly, he remembered something.
A few years ago at the Taixuan Stele, Xiao Jinr had once spoken up, revealing that he had been besieged by Lan Fei'er and four other women in the Black Crow Secret Realm. That matter hadn't been disclosed by Lan Fei'er and the others, and there were no other people present at the time, yet Xiao Jinr knew all the details. When asked back then, Xiao Jinr said it was some Elder Sister Dream who told her. Could it be the same person?
When he asked, Xiao Jinr nodded and said, "Yes... the matter of Sister Fei'er and the others being affected by the Harmony Breath in the Black Crow Secret Realm was also told to Jinr by Elder Sister Dream."