Chapter 9: He’s a Piece of My Own Flesh!

"Waa~ waa~"

The newly-reborn Lin Luo desperately wanted to say something. After all, this was the "Reincarnated Divine King" and the "Unintentionally Expectant Girl" meeting for the first time, in the truest sense.

Qian Renxue had long wanted to see what her precious troublemaker really looked like, and Lin Luo himself wanted to lay eyes on the girl who constantly cursed her child and yet was determined to protect it with her life. Was she really as beautiful as they said?

Now, he could finally give an answer: she was, indeed, truly beautiful.

Even the finest words felt painfully inadequate before such a face. Lin Luo finally understood why, in the original work, Qian Renxue's first appearance stunned everyone. How could it not?

He clenched her slender, fair finger tightly, trying to communicate through his gaze alone. Maybe Qian Renxue would sense his intent to greet her; after all, they had developed a bit of understanding in their time together.

And, as if on cue, Qian Renxue smiled. She understood.

This smile was pure, unadulterated, and filled with love.

With a gentle rebuke, she whispered, "It's all because of you. I'll likely have to cut ties with Grandpa now."

"Why are you looking at me like that, huh? You know I'm talking about you, you little rascal."

"Getting into trouble right after being born, huh? Is that what you're doing?" 

"And what's with that staring? You don't recognize me, do you? Keep staring—do it one more time, and I'll smack you."

As she scolded him, her voice soft and sweet, her mouth couldn't stop curving into a smile. 

With utmost care, she playfully poked his nose but quickly withdrew her hand as if afraid he might break.

"Are you kidding me... lady?"

The commotion outside was about to turn into a full-blown fight, yet here she was, playing with him.

Lin Luo grumbled his opinion, but his words came out as a mere, "Waa~" 

Watching her adorable little one coo, Qian Renxue's delicate eyes turned into smiling crescents.

"Hehe... Little rascal, your cuteness isn't going to work on me~"

But she couldn't deny it; she finally understood what Granny Jones meant by "a heavenly sound."

However, her expression soon turned more serious. Clearly, this moment wasn't going to allow her much more time for a "heartwarming reunion" with her little one.

Gently tucking Lin Luo's arms into his blanket, she sat up, cradling him protectively as she glanced toward the door with the vigilance of a mother protecting her young.

"Hang in there, Fifth Grandpa, please…"

Outside, She Long, Porcupinefish, and Ling Yuan stood back-to-back, warily eyeing the approaching elders. Meanwhile, Guoling Douluo held his ground alone against six of the seven worshippers.

With a furrowed brow, Guoling pleaded, "Big Brother, doesn't he deserve even a single chance to live?"

Qian Daoliu's face was ice. "No."

"Old Five, I'm disappointed in you," he said.

Guoling Douluo sneered, "And I'm disappointed in you, too, Big Brother."

"Fifth Brother!" 

Azure Phoenix Douluo scolded him, "What are you saying? At your age, stop acting like a child—withdraw your martial spirit now!"

Guoling Douluo retorted, "Oh, so being older gives you the right to do despicable things?"

"You—!" 

The six elders gritted their teeth in frustration.

Qian Daoliu's expression was grim. After all, they were a group of powerful old men—the mightiest in the land—and yet they had to kill a newborn? It truly was a disgrace.

With a gesture from Bibi Dong, the three elders were swiftly subdued without needing to employ their spirit techniques.

She Long, Porcupinefish, and Ling Yuan were tied up tightly, not even daring to use their spirit power, fearing they'd level the whole area and harm those they'd sworn to protect inside.

"Dammit, I think I'm starting to regret being part of your stupid 'Operation Baby Rescue'! Can I back out now?" 

Ling Yuan, tied up like a pig, grumbled from the ground.

She Long looked over, "Ling Yuan, you're really going to turn on us now?"

"Turn on you? Look at how rough they're being; there's obviously personal grudge here!" 

She glared at Yueguan and Guimei, who met each other's eyes, grinning maliciously in return.

Guoling Douluo turned to see his "teammates" tied up, internally cursing, "Ugh, what lousy teammates!"

With no other options, he steeled himself to face the threat alone. Just then, Qian Daoliu stepped forward.

The force of his overwhelming spirit energy sent vibrations through the buildings around them, causing tiles and debris to fall.

Guoling Douluo clenched his teeth, realizing he stood no chance against his older brother. 

"Impossible!!" 

He roared, unleashing an arrow. Qian Daoliu countered effortlessly, shattering it with a flick of his hand. Then, with another movement, his immense power struck Guoling, sending him sprawling with a cry of pain.

Blood dripped from Guoling's mouth as he lay on the ground, the gap between him and Qian Daoliu—a peerless Douluo—immense.

As he approached the door, however, Qian Daoliu suddenly stopped. Another figure blocked his way.

To his surprise, it was the second worshipper.

"Old Two, you—"

Before he could finish, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh all stepped forward, standing in a line, forming a resolute wall between him and the door.

Expressions of complexity and sorrow marked their faces.

Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke, "Brother, your decision is right, but forgive us. We can't bear to see Snow suffer. She's more than just your granddaughter…"

Inside, Qian Renxue clutched the swaddled baby as her silent tears fell.

So… they had always loved her too.

Qian Daoliu, unable to contain his fury, shouted, "Do you think it doesn't hurt me?"

"She's my granddaughter—my very heart and soul!"

Suddenly, a fierce kick burst the door open. Qian Renxue stood there, defiant and unyielding.

"He's my heart and soul, too!"

She clutched her baby closer, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice choked but full of unbreakable resolve.

"He's… a piece of my own flesh."

"I."

"Qian Renxue."

"Won't allow anyone to harm my child."

Her silver teeth clenched tightly.

"No one dares. Not one of you."

Her fierce gaze swept over Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, and the approaching elders like a lioness cornered, ready to defend her cub to the death.

Qian Daoliu stood frozen, stunned. For the first time, he felt as though he didn't recognize his own granddaughter.

"He won't give in, then grab it! What are you waiting for? Today, this boy dies!" 

Bibi Dong spat, her gaze fixed on the elders.

At that very moment, Lin Luo's mind filled with a mechanical voice.