Mutated Tao

Just as Xuan Pin nodded, she looked up. She floated and passed through the ground before reaching the surface.

Li Sui greeted Bai Lingmiao and asked, “Mother, why are you here?”

“I’ve ordered the entire White Lotus Sect to find Strayed Ones. They are scattered everywhere, and we will soon have the information we need.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Now, everyone in the Liang Kingdom was searching for Strayed Ones. Xuan Pin doubted that the Strayed Ones could hide for long.

“We are family. No need to thank each other. Has your father eaten? I’ve brought some food for him,” Bai Lingmiao said, holding out a food box.

“He’s busy cultivating. Let’s eat without him.”

Li Sui took the food box and held Bai Lingmiao’s back. She guided Bai Lingmiao to the rooftop of the Surveillance Bureau. When Li Sui opened the box, she noticed it was filled with Li Huowang’s favorite dishes.

One of Li Sui’s arms sprouted out from her robes. She took a pair of chopsticks and picked up a winter melon before eating it.

Bai Lingmiao smiled as she tucked some of her hair behind her ears. “I’ve heard about the situation in Tianchen Kingdom. Your father must be worried, right? I understand him, and I know he will try to handle it all by himself.

“I came to tell him that the Heavenly Mater is sending a signal to stop him from being so rash. If the Tianchen Kingdom were coming already, the Heavenly Mater would not sit idly.”

“Oh? Has the Heavenly Mater given out her sacred decree?” Li Sui replied.

Bai Lingmiao shook her head.

“No, but it’s better than before. I’m certain that the Heavenly Mater will soon help us.”

“That’s good news. I’ll let Father know.”

Li Sui ate her meal, enjoying the stir-fried meat with chestnuts. “This is delicious.”

“Is that so? Suisui, if you like it so much, I will bring you a portion next time.”

Bai Lingmiao tried to pat Li Sui’s head, but she soon gave up after seeing how tall Li Sui was.

“Mother, do you want to stay with Father forever?”

Bai Lingmiao’s smile slowly disappeared. “Why are you asking that?”

“I just want to make it clear. You can’t keep dragging this.”

“We can talk more next time. The Tianchen Kingdom is knocking on our doorstep. We don’t have time for this now.”

Bai Lingmiao stood up to leave.

“You always run away when we bring this up.”

Shangguan Yuting’s illusion floated from beneath the tiles, stopping Bai Lingmiao from leaving.

Shangguan Yuting displayed a paper filled with words before Bai Lingmiao.

“What… What is this?” Bai Lingmiao took several steps back when she saw the familiar names.

“These are the names of the Bai family and their sins. We’ve recorded their every transgression and the names of the people they’ve killed. A disciple of Moongate recorded this, so their information is accurate.” ℞

Xuan Pin put down her bowl and approached Bai Lingmiao. Shangguan Yuting smiled, and her illusion floated into the large red robes.

“Mother, you’re kind. You even became the head of the White Lotus Sect to protect it from being oppressed. Don’t you think that those who have committed such heinous sins should be executed?

“According to your teachings, do you think your family could enter the Heavenly Mater’s Void Home?”

Bai Lingmiao took another step back out of shock. Her voice trembled. “Suisui, what are you trying to do?”

“Nothing. I’ve tried advising both sides, but both of you refused to give up on one another. As your child, I just want to help you get over your trauma and see if we can repair your relationship.”

Bai Lingmiao found herself pursing her lips as she read about the lives that her family had taken, the words written in red ink. She struggled to reconcile her warm memories with her family and the contradicting cold words on the paper.

“Mother, as the Saintess of the White Lotus Sect, I know that you would not give your family special treatment, especially after they’ve committed such atrocities.”

Bai Lingmiao’s eye cover was wet with tears. She shook her head rapidly.

Li Sui approached and hugged her. Her red robes wrapped around Bai Lingmiao like a warm blanket. “Mother, let it all go. Father did the right thing, and so did you.

“It’s not either of you that’s wrong—it’s this world.

“If you want to do something for your family, let’s work together to change the world and prevent such a tragedy from happening again.”

Feeling the warmth enveloping her, Bai Lingmiao broke down. Her tears overflowed tears as Li Sui held her tightly.

Li Sui extended her six arms and hugged Bai Lingmiao, holding her close. She gently stroked her back, offering what comfort she could.

Though Bai Lingmiao had grown stronger, Li Sui saw through her facade. She was barely eighteen—far too young to bear such crushing weight.

Since her father wasn’t exactly reliable, Li Sui had to do it herself.

After a while, Bai Lingmiao pulled away from Li Sui’s embrace. “Suisui, thank you. However, we should focus on the Tianchen Kingdom first, rather than my relationship with your father.”

“Why not? We’re not like Father, stuck thinking of one thing at a time. We can do both things at once.”

Bai Lingmiao shook her head and pulled off her white silk eye cover, wiping away her tears. “Suisui, you don’t get it. The issue between me and your father—it’s not important. It’s just a relationship. Whether we stay together or split up, it means nothing. What truly counts are the lives of everyone in this world.

“Suisui, I’m not the only one thinking of this. Your father is thinking about this too. It’s just that he hides everything in his heart and does everything on his own. He tells no one about it, but I understand him well.”

Xuan Pin froze. Her voices slowly superimposed on each other until returning to Li Sui’s own voice. “But this is important to me. I just want the both of you to live better.”

Bai Lingmiao covered her eyes again and smiled before extending her arm into the darkness of Xuan Pin’s red robes. “Suisui, don’t worry. We will be fine. We are both working hard for our goals. This is good enough.

“Go home now. I know you’re working hard too. I’ll try to establish contact with the Heavenly Mater as soon as possible. That way, she can help when the Tianchen Kingdom attacks.”

Bai Lingmiao turned and slowly descended from the roof.

Just as she was about to reach the lower floors, the Second Deity sprouted out from her back.

The Second Deity fixed her beast-like eyes on Xuan Pin. “Suisui, be careful when you and Li Huowang face Zuoqiu Yong. The Bai family’s live sacrifice ritual means the previous Heavenly Mater held onto more than just the Heavenly Dao of Growth. I’m certain Zuoqiu Yong didn’t take just one Heavenly Dao. She must’ve kept some hidden cards up her sleeves.”