High Martial World: I Gain Passive Skills Daily-Chapter 146 - 108: Life Is Often Carefree Like This—What Can Hinder an Open Laugh? (Double-Length) (Part 2)
Moreover, it’s the current look, just in a chibi version.
His mother’s craftsmanship is truly impressive.
This chibi Chen Kuang doll is no longer dressed in white but is arrayed in the style of a wealthy young master, adorned with tinkling ornaments, his long hair tied up with a jade crown, the only unchanged details being the blindfold over his eyes and the qin in his hand.
This is probably how Gan Tang envisioned Chen Kuang, staying at the Chen Mansion, becoming a pampered young master.
Chen Kuang smiled and said, "It looks great, thank you, Mother."
Instead of putting the doll into his storage bag, he tucked it inside his robe.
Gan Tang looked at him eagerly, observing his expression, but saw no trace of reluctance on his face, knowing there was no way to keep him.
Gan Tang reluctantly withdrew her hand, pursed her lips, and said, "That’s good... Mother knows this journey will be difficult, you must put your safety first."
Chen Kuang nodded.
Then, Chen Ning also approached and said, "Thank you, big brother, for saving me last time."
Chen Kuang had a good impression of this sister as well. Besides Gan Tang, she was the first to trust him right from their first meeting.
Chen Ning said, "I don’t have anything to give, so I copied a poem for you, big brother."
She handed over a scroll.
Evidently, it was carefully mounted.
Chen Kuang opened it and saw beautifully written words, reading aloud softly:
"Life is free to be like this always, what could hinder a hearty laugh..."
Chen Kuang was taken aback. He had thought Chen Ning would copy a poem like "No one in the world does not know of you," wishing him a bright future and martial success.
But it turned out to be such a short poem.
Chen Ning said, "I haven’t spent much time with you, big brother, but I could see that although you often smile, most of the time it isn’t a truly happy smile, or rather, not a smile at all."
Chen Kuang put the scroll away and smiled, "Are you saying my smile is fake?"
Chen Ning blinked, "Not fake, just that it seems very hard for you to deeply feel joy, so I hope you can truly be happy in the future."
The first time she saw Chen Kuang, she sensed a hint of loneliness beyond the mundane world in his music.
Through later interactions, this feeling grew stronger.
Especially this time, Chen Kuang clearly overcame a formidable foe against great odds, something absolutely worth celebrating and feeling proud of for an ordinary person.
Yet, after returning, he behaved just as if he’d been on a casual stroll... No trace of emotional change could be seen.
Chen Ning keenly noticed this and chose to offer her blessing and reminder through the poem.
Indeed, a thoughtful sister.
However...
Chen Kuang himself had noticed too. After all, he had spent a previous life sustained by vengeance, and to have a normal psychological state was utterly impossible.
But he would like to say, not long ago, he just discovered something that made him genuinely happy.
And it was through this epiphany that he managed to counterkill the Yihuo Sect Leader Bai Fen.
That was between life and death.
But such an answer would be a bit frightening.
Better not to scare the child.
The little sister was only sixteen, and moreover, a true mortal.
Chen Kuang nodded seriously, "Since it’s my little sister’s wish, I’ll definitely smile more in the future, and strive to find more things that bring me joy."
"Mhm mhm!" Chen Ning laughed happily, her bookish aura finally mingling with a touch of a typical girl’s liveliness.
After saying farewell to the family, Chen Kuang gave Pei Xiu some brief instructions, then took Pei Xiu and Chen An aside for a private conversation.
In the side hall.
Suddenly recalling something, Chen Kuang looked at Chen An and said, "By the way, about that Xiaohong..."
Chen An suddenly got flustered, stammering, "What Xiaohong?! No, I only have a bit of acquaintance with Xiaohong!"
Chen Kuang looked speechlessly at this foolish brother who confessed unintentionally:
"Have you forgotten who asked you to investigate Xiaohong in the first place?"
Chen An was stunned, and turned to Pei Xiu, who returned his gaze with a half-smile realizing it was Pei Xiu who initially gave the order related to Xiaohong.
And Pei Xiu’s direct superior... was indeed Chen Kuang himself.
In other words, it was actually Chen Kuang who had him investigate Xiaohong.
He awkwardly laughed, cleared his throat, and said, "So... the previous results showed Xiaohong had no real issues, only her status was undocumented, but with a residency proof, it should be fine."
Now that the choice of Jishao County’s governor was up to Chen Kuang, getting an undocumented person a clear record wasn’t very difficult, was it?
Chen Kuang said, "Her past indeed has no issues, but the issue lies in her own being."
"This point must be clarified for you, lest you find anything suspicious in their words in the future, misconstruing their nature."
Chen Kuang explained to Chen An from the beginning to end about the identities of Old Ape Head and Xiaohong.
Chen An was left dumbfounded, "An illusion?! She... she’s just an illusion..."
Chen Kuang shook his head, "Not a mere illusion, she has become a real existence by using the Langhuan Fragment from illusion to real."
In fact, both Tie Baiyuan and Xiaohong achieved real existence due to the "In Between" capability.
But this wasn’t something Chen Kuang intended to disclose.
Because not long ago, his involvement caused the whole timeline to shift.
If revealed, it might destabilize the mental states of Tie Baiyuan and Xiaohong or cause issues for those previously affected, which would be unwelcome.
The consequences of the former illusion were still vividly remembered, including numerous tragic incidents.
Chen Kuang surely wished to avoid repeating such tragedies.
"Old Ape Head and Xiaohong have lived here in Dongting Lake for over a decade, now entirely real, you don’t need to worry excessively."
Chen Kuang explained, "I merely aim to prevent you from being misled by discernible inconsistencies in their words."
Chen An nodded vaguely, apparently comprehending.
Chen Kuang hoped he understood.
As for the rest, it was beyond his control...
Nevertheless.
Chen Kuang stroked his chin, suddenly thinking of a serious question.
A Xiaohong who transitioned from illusion to reality... can she bear children?
It wasn’t about being inappropriate, rather, he also had a passive skill "Wind and Tree Dependency."
For the Chen Family to branch out would obviously be advantageous.
But if Chen An and Xiaohong formed a union, a reproductive isolation would be problematic?
Wouldn’t that be a huge loss for him?!
Yet, he couldn’t straightforwardly inquire about such matters...
Chen Kuang shook his head, sighed.
Forget it, let nature take its course.
If she can’t conceive, so be it, there’s still Chen Ning.
Chen Kuang’s head-shaking made Chen An a bit nervous, thinking he must talk to Xiaohong to get things straight afterward.
After delegating all necessary matters, Chen Kuang bid farewell to the family.
As he walked out, he suddenly had an impulse to turn around.
Unexpectedly, he saw his biological father, Chen Rong, kneeling down inside the door towards him!
This gesture astonished Gan Tang, Chen Ning, and Chen An, prompting them to help him up.
Chen Kuang was taken aback, then smiled slightly, raised his hand, releasing a wisp of Spiritual Qi that lifted Chen Rong.
Chen Rong stood in shock, clearly without support on either side, yet an undeniable force lifted him. He realized it was Chen Kuang, unwilling to raise his head, trembling as he said, "I failed you..."
Chen Kuang turned, waved his hand, and said, "You didn’t fail me."
"Back then, you already did well, even if it were me then, I couldn’t have found a better way."
"No need for guilt, you’ve given the best answer a mortal could find."
Chen Kuang’s voice grew distant.
Chen Rong lifted his head to find nobody in front of him.
...
Chen Kuang arrived at Wild Crossing once more, accompanied by a mother and daughter and Shen Meinan.
This time, on the water, was Senior Brother Wen Si with his little boat.
Chen Kuang approached, bowing, "Please, Senior Brother, take me across."
