Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Once Stepping Out of the Mountain Gate
Tao Ti sat under the big tree, looking up at Tao Bin who was sitting on the tree trunk, and asked Hua Jinyan beside her, “What’s wrong with him?”
“He might be having an internal struggle.”
“Internal struggle? Struggling with what?”
“I heard that his dream was to become a people’s hero, but now, seeing his master’s situation, he’s gotten scared and wants to back out.”
“Why does he want to back out?”
“He’s afraid that his family around him will get hurt.”
Tao Ti blinked blankly, her eyes revealing deep confusion, “Why doesn’t he just protect them well and then go and do the dangerous stuff?”
In fact, she couldn’t understand why, if he was going to do dangerous things, he wouldn’t arrange everything in advance to minimize the possible dangers.
“I don’t know.” Hua Jinyan lowered his eyelids.
Tao Ti said in a low voice, “Did you just see me turn resentment into Candy?”
Tao Ti patted her belly, her dimples showing as she slightly lifted her chin, a bit self-satisfied, like a kitty that had stolen fish, brimming with pride, “I wasn’t lying, was I? Even Evil Spirits are scared of me!”
She made a Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Prey gesture, opening her mouth wide and stretching her hands into claws, ah woo in one bite, looking adorably fierce.
“Does it taste good?” Hua Jinyan’s eyes were deep, and when he looked at you intently, it felt as though his entire world consisted only of you.
Under such an expectant gaze, Tao Ti hesitantly said, “It tastes good, but… only I can eat it.”
“I am Ah Woo Ah!” Tao Ti made another Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Prey motion, blinking, “I am the Fierce Beast Taotie, you know! I can digest anything!”
Hua Jinyan thought she was too immersed in her nickname Little Taotie and laughed, “I’m also very impressive, I can eat it.”
“Really?” Tao Ti was skeptical, eyeing him doubtfully.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Then, this time it’s my turn to prove it to you!”
Hua Jinyan reached out to take Tao Ti’s hand, but she dodged away, eyeing him warily, “I won’t let you take it!”
Hua Jinyan confused, “Why not?”
“Just because!” Tao Ti turned her head away, remembering her older and second brothers’ advice against letting boys hold her hand.
Hua Jinyan hung his head, unable to hide the disappointment in his eyes.
When the two children reached the temple gate, Hua Jinyan lowered his voice, “As soon as I step out, there will be lots of delicious things.”
“A lot?” Tao Ti’s eyes sparkled.
In fact, she had rarely seen Evil Spirits anymore; she could only see vengeful spirits, as the Evil Spirits seemed to hide as soon as they saw her.
“Really a lot?” She rubbed her hands together, eager to try.
Hua Jinyan nodded, “You’ll need to catch them quickly when the time comes, otherwise…”
“Don’t worry, I’m really fast!” Tao Ti demonstrated on thin air, grabbing at it to prove her Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Prey prowess.
Looking at her adorably fierce little figure, Hua Jinyan smiled, his gaze occasionally drifting to her hands.
It seemed that the more someone is told not to do something, the more they yearn to do it, like — holding hands.
Hua Jinyan looked towards the temple gate as if there was an invisible barrier; stepping out would completely change the outside world.
Unaware of his inner turmoil, Tao Ti had already taken the lead and stepped out of the temple gate.
The Evil Spirits lurking around, seeing Little Taotie appear, all shrank back into the trees and bushes, not daring to show themselves.
As Hua Jinyan followed Tao Ti and stepped out, all the Evil Spirits became eager to try something, but with Little Taotie there to intimidate, the more timid ones still didn’t dare to come out.
Still, there were a few bold ones, who thought they were the King of Ghosts.