Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 220 - 57: This is a Daddy Diary Style

Chapter 220: Chapter 57: This is a Daddy Diary Style

Mo looked at him with a deep meaning, “What I want are brothers who can live long, not expendable dead soldiers.”

Zhao Xiaoyi acted as if he hadn’t heard, lowered his head to ponder for a moment, then suddenly spoke, “The people from Anqian Gang have arrived too, right?”

Anqian Gang, the second-in-command of the Black Flag Gang. After Madam Guo was captured by the Red Flag Gang, he drew over about half of the Black Flag Gang’s forces, suppressed dissenters, yet adamantly refrained from mentioning rescuing Madam Guo, revealing his true intentions all too clearly.

Traitors are always more hateful than adversaries.

“They will be here.”

“When I run into him, I will deal with him.”

...

“Alright.”

Zhao Xiaoyi let his hands fall, picked up a black pole spear from behind the door, and walked between Xue Ba and the spear-wielding man. He started off slowly, but with each step, his speed increased until he was right in front of the two with just two or three bounding strides.

Xue Ba and the spear-wielding man had been fighting for over thirty rounds, their spear vibrant and dual hammers swinging, the rousing din of their exchanges frightening to hear. But out of nowhere came a black pole spear, its tip glistening, strikingly clanging between the spear and the hammers.

Zhao Xiaoyi swung the spear, leveraging the sharpness of its tip and his own cunning spear skills, he managed to suppress the two men singlehandedly!

Both men exclaimed in surprise, their gazes converging onto Zhao Xiaoyi.

Now!

Zhao Xiaoyi held the spear in one hand, his arm drawing a half-circle from high to low; the black pole twisted like a python, the spear’s surface rippling outward like the blossoms of a trumpet flower.

Flying Carp Spin.

A piercing resilience shot straight into the palms of the two men. With a clang, both Xue Ba’s hammers and the boatman’s spear were knocked from their hands!

Xue Ba let go of his hammers, and his movements instantly became much quicker; he leaped back a good distance with a whoosh, shouting, “Damn it, Zhao Xiaoyi! What do you mean by this?”

The spearman wasn’t as lucky; he was hit in the forehead by the butt of Zhao Xiaoyi’s spear, fell back with his face up, his forehead swelling into a purple bulge, his blood flowing profusely.

Zhao Xiaoyi shook the tip of his spear, pointing it at the boatman’s throat, and said coldly, “Hu Laosan, are you tired of living?”

The man’s face was smeared with blood. When he heard Zhao Xiaoyi’s voice, he burst out cursing, “Zhao! Madam Guo is being held by Tianbao just the same, and you’re helping Tianbao against us from the Blue Flag Gang?”

Zhao Xiaoyi pressed the spear against the man’s armpit, “I have no time for your nonsense, scram!”

With that, he flicked the spear, and the man, weighing over a hundred pounds, was flung two yards high by Zhao Xiaoyi, before plunging into the sea with a splash.

It took a while before the man’s head reemerged from the water, spitting out a mouthful, and he yelled toward the Spirit of the Duck, “Zhao Xiaoyi, you double-crossing bastard! Traitor! I curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!”

“Fire!”

A hail of arrows shot down chaotically, and the man, terrified, quickly dove under the water and vanished from sight.

Gu turned his head, staring at Zhao Xiaoyi with a look that could kill.

“Did you let him go on purpose?”

Zhao Xiaoyi’s face was expressionless, “The Tianbo Division’s convention hasn’t started yet; killing someone now would only worsen the situation immediately.”

Xue Ba scratched his head, “Uncle Gu, I think my hammers fell into the sea.”

Gu ignored him and pointed at Zhao Xiaoyi, “Whether to kill or not is our decision, it’s not up to you!”

Zhao Xiaoyi stood his ground, “I was just driving him away to stop his nonsense.”

“I say, both of you, can’t you acknowledge me for a second?”

The more the two argued, the angrier they became, with Xue Ba unable to get a word in.

“Gu, let it go, he’s just a foolhardy man.”

When Gu heard Mo speak, he hmphed at Zhao Xiaoyi and said no more.

Li Yan asked Zhao Xiaoyi with a chuckle, “What do you call that move?”

Zhao Xiaoyi returned his spear and replied, “The Flying Carp Three Moves, passed down from my ancestors, are especially good at disarming an opponent’s weapon.”

“Is there a trick to it? Why don’t we exchange some experience?”

Zhao Xiaoyi hesitated for a moment, glanced around, and nodded in agreement, “Alright.”

Following the conclusion of this incident, Li Yan, who had defeated Zhao Xiaoyi face to face, would unsurprisingly gain substantial access to Zhao Xiaoyi’s skill visualizations; however, if he could receive personal teaching now, he naturally would save a lot of time and points.

After the Red Flag Gang’s large fleet entered the Tianbo Division, it attracted much attention. With a whole day left before the meeting Cai Qian had arranged, and some people yet to arrive, there were those who came to the ship to visit, wishing to cozy up to the Red Flag Gang. Li Yan did not make an appearance; instead, he had Gu accompany Xiu’er to greet the guests.

By doing so, he also avoided accusations that Tianbao did not give Zheng Xiu’er any freedom or rights, only exploiting the Zheng family’s influence—even though this was the truth, appearances still had to be maintained.

After sparring with Zhao Xiaoyi for two hours, Li Yan was drenched in sweat and took a bath.

Zhao Xiaoyi didn’t hold back; he shared in great detail the techniques and experiences of the ancestral Flying Carp Three Moves: Flying Carp Spin, Flying Carp Coiling, and Flying Carp Leap, along with their principles and key points. Although Li Yan wouldn’t be able to master them any time soon, he had built a solid foundational impression.

“I don’t quite understand your enthusiasm about Zhao Xiaoyi; do you plan to take him out of this world and develop him into a subordinate?”

“A subordinate?”

“Isn’t that what your Lady Dan is? Signed a subordinate contract through the Yan Fu justice, sharing in both glory and loss, and you can bring him back to Yan Fu and other fruit worlds.”

“Ah, that’s not what I was thinking.”

Li Yan maintained a neutral face but kept a mental note.

Lady Dan’s situation was highly unusual. In principle, she wasn’t subordinate to Li Yan at all, and there was no need for anything like Yan Fu justice. Her way of entering other fruit worlds was more akin to stowing away…

After pausing, Li Yan continued, “We can’t stay here often, and while the Red Flag Gang isn’t lacking anything, after Mrs. Yan’s death, they distinctly lack a person with sufficient personal strength. If we push Zheng Xiu’er into power, someone is bound to covet her position. I need to find someone to protect Xiu’er, and I’m quite satisfied with Zhao Xiaoyi’s character and skills.”

Cha Xiaodao was even more puzzled when he heard this, “If you’re so concerned, why not directly teach her the Defying Skill so she can protect herself? Wouldn’t that be better?”

“The Defying Skill has too many side effects. Madam Shi did all she could, only to die at thirty-seven. I don’t want Xiu’er to go down the same path.”

“Come on! There’s no such thing as a free lunch. We’re risking our lives for rewards anyway. Besides…” Cha Xiaodao tapped the table with the back of his knife, “She’s an eight-year-old girl, barely wise to the world. Without any magical means at her disposal, even if you put her in charge, how is she going to keep her position as the Great Alliance Leader?”

“Because of Chaoyi, the foundation of the Red Flag Gang, the reputation of the Zheng Family, and the people I’m leaving for her. What’s not possible?” Li Yan retorted with a frown.

“Li Yan~” Cha Xiaodao folded her arms, and with her next words, she startled him into a cold sweat: “Have you truly started to see yourself as her father?”

Li Yan was taken aback for a moment, at a loss for words.

The gaze from Madam Shi just before her death flashed through Li Yan’s mind, her hoarse voice as if it were right by his ear.

“You must take good care of Xiu’er…”

Cha Xiaodao looked at Li Yan, “But you’re not Tianbao.”

“…”

“Right,” Li Yan’s eyes grew deep, as if he agreed with Cha Xiaodao’s words: “I’m not.”

His lips moved slightly, “And you’re right; an ordinary person can’t hold onto such a large estate.”

…

“I can agree to give you your book back…”

Zheng Xiu’er, who had just finished welcoming the White Bottom Gang’s representative, was called by Li Yan into the room.

Still upset over Li Yan stealing her book, she sat on the stool with a straight face, twirling her toes in circles without saying a word. On her head, the two balls of hair swayed back and forth.

Upon hearing Li Yan say he would return the parchment and book to her, Zheng Xiu’er’s ears twitched, but due to pride, she couldn’t immediately show her delight and continued to sit with her head low, appearing aggrieved.

“But you have to promise me that you won’t study it right now.”

Zheng Xiu’er looked up, “Then when should I wait until? You’re just bluffing me.”

Li Yan replied, “How about two months? Once I’ve dealt with all these troublesome matters.”

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“Okay! Let’s pinky promise, Tianbao~”

Zheng Xiu’er chirped with joy as she dashed out the door, lively and bounding, having received the promise from Li Yan. As soon as she opened the door, she bumped her nose against the soft waist of the person outside, the rich fragrance assailing her nostrils.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Lady Dan bent down to touch the head of Zheng Xiu’er, who barely reached her waist.

Xiu’er, just eight years old and slightly more than one meter twenty in height, was nearly enveloped by Lady Dan’s leaning figure.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Zheng Xiu’er said, instinctively dodging away with a wary look in her eyes.

“Ah, that’s right.” Lady Dan took out a small packet from her bosom, opened it, and extended it to Xiu’er: “Want some cake? Chestnut crisp.”

Lady Dan’s gaze was so clear and beautiful that Xiu’er couldn’t express the feelings in her heart.

The girl pursed her lips and said, “Thank you, but no need.”

After speaking, she ran away.

Lady Dan’s eyebrows curved slightly as she watched Xiu’er leave, blinked, and quietly packed away the pastries.

She turned her head back to look inside the room.

Li Yan sat at the table with a silver needle in hand that held a single drop of blood.

With his skills, it was effortless for him to take a drop of Xiu’er’s blood unnoticed.

Li Yan dropped the blood into a bowl. He took a knife, sliced his own finger, and let a drop of blood fall in as well.

Madam Shi said that Zheng Xiu’er was the daughter of Tianbao…

Li Yan had too many questions about the Tianbao that Yan Fu had arranged for him.

Let’s see what this Tianbao is really about.

Lady Dan knocked: “Are you busy?”

“Ah, no, not at all,” Li Yan replied, lifting his head and smiling. “You’ve been cooped up in the cabin lately, how are you adjusting to this ‘fruit’ life.”

“Quite the opposite, actually. It’s quite nice here, especially for someone like me, a mountain demon, recovery is swift.”

“What did you want to see me about?”

“Black Rider Ghost, ever since he came back from Guangyi Island, he’s been a little off,” she said.

“Hmm, he seems a bit smarter than before.”

“That old man on his shoulder seems to be teaching him some odd things, likely some sort of wicked arts.”

“Oh, well, that’s for the best then.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yan was even happy. The over three thousand Yan Fu points were not spent in vain.

“By the way, Li Yan, I’d like to go out for a bit.”

Li Yan blinked. “Where to?”

“West, to the Ryukyu Islands. A little personal matter.”

Li Yan nodded without prying further and only asked, “Is there danger? Do you need me to send some people to go with you?”

“I’m fine by myself. I’ll be back in two or three days at most. Before you all finish up here, I’ll be back for sure. You need to be careful yourself. This Tianbo Division is no place for the good-hearted.”

“Haha, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve gotten through many dangers on my own, and I’ve fought my way in and out of the battlefield at Renchen amidst tens of thousands. Pirates…”

Li Yan’s voice trailed off,

Inside the blue-and-white porcelain bowl, two drops of blood, one large and one small, slowly mingled together…

For a moment, Li Yan forgot what he was about to say, murmuring, “How is this possible?”

Lady Dan’s eyes shifted to the bowl on the table.

“Actually, I’ve noticed already…” She carefully phrased, “Your and Xiu’er soul’s seals, there’s at least forty percent similarity. I can’t say for sure you’re father and daughter, but there must be a blood connection…”

Li Yan ran his fingers through his hair, his mind ordinarily firm, yet at that moment, he felt bewildered.

Although this didn’t affect Li Yan’s original plans, how could I suddenly have a daughter when I’m not even married yet?! What is this, a ‘daddy simulator’?

“I…” Li Yan was a mess in his mind.

He sat down on a stool, poured himself a cup of hot water, disregarded the scalding temperature, and gulped it down stuttering:

“I’ve been innocent with Mrs. Shi…”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve never been to the South Seas before…”

“Hmm.”

“I grew up in that world, you… you know.”

“Hmm.”

“…”

Li Yan grinned, shrugged his shoulders, and forced a smile, “Nevermind, Xiu’er is quite cute anyway,”

“Yes, but now, with the side effects of Defying Skill, you can’t just sit by and ignore it, right?”

Lady Dan glanced at Li Yan.

Li Yan licked his lips. “I never intended to just sit by and ignore it.”

…

Now, some things make sense.

Tianbao is Li Yan, and Li Yan is Tianbao.

Mo once said, perhaps in another world, the scientific mastermind who passed away was an athletic champion.

Then, in another world, I’m a pirate…

But if my guess is correct, and I’ve come to this world, where did Tianbao go?

“Earth Endurance?”

“…”

Oh, right. I’ve reached my limit on queries for this incident. Nevermind, I’ll have the chance later.

“Tianbao, everyone’s about arrived. Tomorrow afternoon, the pirate gathering will begin. Wonder what kind of surprise Cai Qian has prepared for us.”

A bunch of leaders were gathered around the table.

Li Yan steadied his mind, cleared his throat and began, “Phoenix Tail, Short Ox, Red Head, White Bottom, even though they’re just chess pieces at the forefront, if everyone else wants to contest for the position of Great Alliance Leader, they become quite valuable commodities.”

Gu raised his head. “We should be able to win over Xu Longsi of the Yellow Flag Gang, after all, he’s Xiu’er’s maternal uncle.”

“What about the Three Flags?”

Li Yan smiled as he asked.

“Hmph, they should be coming to us, not the other way around.”

“Tianbao! Tianbao!”

Someone outside called out.

“Qianjun Biao from the Blue Flag Gang requests an audience. He specifically asked to see the Tianbao Dragon Head.”

“See, what did I tell you?”

Li Yan laughed loudly.