The Childish Woman (9)

What did he say... that got on Fiona's nerves? I shook my head and glared at him, my killing intent pouring out. This is Fiona's first time asking me for something, and it's to kill somebody. My first kill in this world is at Fiona's request... how special. I grinned.

This is the one time I don't regret my past. Without it, living and surviving in this world would be impossible.

"With pleasure," I replied.

Grabbing Heartbreak out of the wolf, I jumped up to slash at his neck in one swift motion. The sect member froze under the pressure of my dense killing intent - something that I'm not proud of. Too many have died under my hands for it to manifest like this. I've seen this all too often.

The shock.

The fear.

Followed by the familiar feeling of flesh and the oozing blood against the skin.

I landed on the ground with a light tap, twirling Heartbreak. Burkan did a superb job, Heartbreak is just as I requested. I looked towards the sect member who fell with a thump. His eyes were still in disbelief as I walked towards him, my steps steady.

I nodded, pleased with myself. My skills haven't deteriorated from before. With my cultivating, my speed and stamina have increased, allowing me to move like an acrobat and close the distance faster.

The sect member either trembled in fear or from the cold that the Frost Devil Arts emitted. He croaked, coughing up blood, "Y-you... w-will be d-disqualified... ki-lling a-a c-ore disciple..."

I scoffed. What a weakling, in both strength and character. No wonder Fiona didn't want to do it herself.

"My daughter is a purple-ranked talent," I remarked, unwilling to elaborate further.

I looked at Fiona, expecting praise. I did a pretty good job there, right? And my landing was cool, too! It must've impressed her.

Fiona sat on the log, her eyes cloudy, and I could sense a curl forming in the corner of her mouth. She said nothing, her expression still blank. I smirked in triumph. You silly girl, there's no need to act all aloof. I'll draw the line between Ellie if I have to, so you don't have to be mad.

I threw the dagger at the core disciple like I did to the wolf and ran over to Fiona, grabbing her into a tight embrace. Fiona didn't stop me. Ah, this feeling of pure, utter bliss... I missed it so badly.

"Daddy," she said after a while. She didn't squirm or try to break free from the hug. Just a cold and clear 'daddy.'

I quivered. Isn't she... only pretending to be aloof?

Her voice sounded too distant. Where... why did her mellow and pleasant voice leave?

I hugged her even tighter, refusing to let her go. I needed to indulge myself in what might have been the last moments of her scent... her warmth; her whole being. My voice trembled as I gave a hoarse whisper into her ears. "No, don't leave me Fiona... don't leave me. Daddy's sorry. I... I should've made things clear with you and with Ellie. So please dont go... I can't live without you..."

...

Silence. Total silence.

Gone. The crackles of the fire. The breeze or the wind. It's gone, all gone... and so was a part of me.

Pain and agony filled up that emptiness as I felt my presence disappearing. My vision turned black steadily as I felt my legs buckle and numb from the pain. I'm losing myself... I'm losing Fiona...

...

It's only been, what, four days since we came to this continent together?

...

Then, these were the best four days of my life.

I'm sorry, Fiona. I let you down. Forgive me.

...

...

.. da.. e...

... ey..

Someone is... calling for me? She sounds so familiar... it tugs my heartstrings. I-I, I don't remember someone who is this important to me. Didn't I hate people? The people that gave birth to me, but took no responsibility? The people who looked down on me? The people who forced me?

"Mister!" A voice called out. My head throbbed. Again, another familiar voice. Two. Don't I hate the people who tried to kill me, the people who refused to let me change... the people... who took her away...

Who?! Who is she?

"DADDY!" she exclaimed with panic-stricken eyes. I stood up in shock, knocking my head into Ellie's nose.

Yes. 'She' is my daughter, Fiona, my precious.

"Ow!" Ellie cried in pain. I glared at her. Who is she trying to fool, with that ridiculous cultivation base of hers? My head throbbed in pain but I ignored her and looked Fiona.

Her eyes were red from crying, her hair a mess and her fingers were trembling. I hugged her by the bosom, our faces just inches apart.

She whimpered, and I lost all rationale. I gave her two slobby kisses on her cheeks and forced her to stare into my eyes. Her short breaths tickled my cheeks and I found my face burning up. We... are too close to each other.

I tried to pull away but I couldn't. Her eyes, her small, little nose, her red lips, her cheeks, everything was captivating me into a trance.

...

The trees rustled as the wind blew traces of her hair onto her face. I found my body stiffening as my hand reached out and tucked it behind her ear.

"Fiona. I'm back." I paused, my eyes watering. "Will you?"

She sniffled, her nose twitching. "Yes, daddy."

Daddy. That was the tip-off. She sobbed uncontrollably, hiccuping to catch her breath. I felt tears trickling down my face as I wrapped my arms behind her back, patting her gently.

"Now, now, stop crying. You're soaking my shirt. Daddy's not crying anymore, so you can't either."

"Stop crying, you're breaking daddy's heart. God, your eyes are going to be so red."

"Fiona. C'mon. My shirt is soaked, don't use it to blow your nose."

Ellie burst out laughing behind us, wiping away her tears. "My goodness, how can the two of you be so dense, melodramatic and hilarious at the same time?"

We both froze in place. Fiona looked at the helm of my shirt and her raised arm, then at me. I was just as dumbfounded as her. T-there was s-someone watching us all this time.

"Erm, I didn't see anything, don't worry." She laughed nervously. "You guys can go back acting lovey-dovey."

Fiona's face flushed red as she pushed away from my chest and kicked my stomach, breaking out of my hug. Looking away from Ellie, she wiped her cheeks where I'd kissed her before.

Aww, that's a pity. I thought that mark I'd left on her would be there for some time.

Fiona somehow felt my disappointment as she turned around and glared at me. "Daddy," she said, her soft voice menacing.

I cleared my throat. "Ahem. So, uh, what did the two of you talk about earlier, before he interrupted?" I asked, pointing to the dead core disciple.

His eyes were full of unwillingness and his left hand was in his pocket. Clearly, he was reaching for some sort of pill or any other means to save himself. It would be for the best if the sect shows up, although a fight would be troublesome. Ellie can see their true colors then.

Fiona and Ellie looked at each other in tacit understanding as I was thinking about the plan. They nodded, and Fiona walked towards me.

"D-did you find out... about earlier?" I asked carefully, anxiety still creeping up on me.

She pursed her lips. "Yes."

"Are... a-are you angry, still?"

Fiona stared at me for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "Not anymore. Are you angry, daddy? You almost failed a breakthrough, at Qi Foundation realm."

I was speechless. So that's what that pain was, and not because Fiona was leaving me. Phew. I wiped sweat off my head when I realized something.

"Wait... you knew about it? Is that why you asked me to kill him?"

Fiona snickered. "Hehe. Daddy, how does it to be the first person in this continent to almost fail a breakthrough at Qi Foundation realm?"

I raised my hand, wanting to spank her but I realized that I was at fault here. I could only grit my teeth. I'll remember the teasing I suffered today!

"Is there another reason?"

"... Daddy knows me the best."

"Of course," I answered proudly.

Fiona sighed, but then narrowed her eyes. I felt a sense of doom. "He thought sister Ellie was my mother... but, it seems that she is my sister."

I chuckled nervously. "C'mon Fiona, don't be like that. What else did Ellie say to you?"

"We exchanged pasts."

"What?" I exclaimed, quickly looking at her. She smiled. "Did she threaten you in anyway?"

"Yes, and no," Fiona said mysteriously. Her eyelashes flickered. She's being sly again, ah. I'm being played in the palms of her hand.

"What is it already?"

"Ellie," Fiona paused. "Sister Ellie was threatening you."

"Huh?" Confused, I scratched my head. "Me?"

Then it dawned on me. Color drained from my face. The one thing aside from her pure strength that I am afraid of her finding out.

"Could it be that..." I asked, even though I knew the answer already.

Fioan sighed helplessly. "Daddy is right. She found out about the plan."