Bai Zhi’er lay in the soft and warm brocade quilt.
The earth dragon burned vigorously, and no matter how the cold wind howled outside, it couldn’t reach the jade-like little girl.
Bai Xilie sat by the bedside.
He was preparing to tell a story to lull his daughter to sleep.
He had specifically devised this story in his mind for a long time today.
He made sure it was suitable for the child and wouldn’t scare his precious daughter.
Bai Zhi’er’s big eyes blinked as she listened to her father’s low, vibrant, and magnetic voice as he began to narrate.
"A long time ago, there were two little rabbits living in the same tree hole. One day, it rained heavily, washing away their home, and they..."
At this point, Bai Xilie saw Bai Zhi’er’s round, shiny grape-like eyes staring unblinkingly at him.
On her rosy little face, it seemed as if the word "bored" was written.
Bai Xilie paused and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Don’t you like the story Daddy’s telling?"
"Daddy, the Heavenly Book says, rabbits don’t live in tree holes. That’s just nonsense for little kids; they prefer to live in burrows."
Bai Xilie cleared his throat softly, "Is that so?"
Bai Zhi’er nodded, her voice soft and childlike, "And this is the kind of story for a one-year-old. I want to hear something else."
"Something else, like?"
"Like the dangers you faced when you traveled far and wide, or how you managed to defeat the bad guys in just a few moves."
The little one continued, her grape-like eyes curving like crescent moons, "Mommy says Daddy’s martial arts are amazing. Whoever you glare at passes out, whoever you hit falls down!"
Saying this, Bai Zhi’er tried her best to widen her spiritual eyes, trying hard to imitate the imagined angry look of Bai Xilie.
Bai Xilie couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
He stroked his daughter’s soft black hair.
"Daddy started out as a simple farmer in the mountains. Your late grandpa was once somewhat famous in the Jianghu, but after getting married and having kids, he retired to farm life."
"Back then, he insisted on passing down all his skills, saying the world was too chaotic and learning martial arts was only for self-defense. So, Daddy spent his childhood being forced to practice martial arts."
"When I first decided to rise up, I had nothing, only your mother by my side. But the former dynasty’s Emperor was foolish, and the traitors were in power, the people were too busy barely surviving to even think about joining an uprising with me."
"Later, your mother said there was a hill nearby with a gang of over a hundred bandits. Although the bandits in the Jianghu can be despicable, they follow the strong."
"So, following your mother’s advice, I took a long stick and attacked the mountain village by night, defeating everyone who came at me, until all hundred or so people were bowing on the ground calling me their boss."
Bai Zhi’er indeed listened more intently.
She eagerly asked in her soft voice, "But were they truly convinced?"
"Of course not." Bai Xilie’s large hand gently stroked his daughter’s little head, his eyes full of paternal love.
"Some people stayed just to lie low; it was an unknown danger to keep them around. So finding those with ulterior motives was the most important task at the time."
"So, Daddy devised a strategy for managing subordinates, secretly promoting and assisting the loyal people, while openly punishing and not letting the despicable ones off easily."
"Soon, those disobedient people no longer wanted to follow my orders. They incited rebellion within the village but were rejected by the loyal people, even reported to me."
Thus, Bai Xilie executed those with ulterior motives without hesitation, finally gaining complete control over a group that was loyal and obedient.
Of course, he didn’t talk about how he dealt with them, to avoid scaring his darling daughter.
Yet, that was also the first time he felt the allure of maneuvering power.
Even if it was just a simple attempt.
As Bai Xilie lowered his gaze again, he found Bai Zhi’er already asleep with her small hands resting on the quilt.
The long shadow of her eyelashes fell on her porcelain-like skin, making the little one’s features appear particularly delicate.