I'm Fine Living Alone

At a beast infested mountain, there was a place not even the most ferocious of beasts would blindly enter.

Thousand Deaths Valley, as the name suggests, death would only be their end if they try to force their way.

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"Tong Tong, it's not good for you to be out here alone. Even though the government has managed to control the mutated beasts and cleared the borders, this place is still too dangerous for just one person," Bai Xiong said in a heavy tone.

A deep wrinkle creased his forehead as his worried gaze lingered on his stubborn granddaughter.

Unlike his visible anxiety, the young woman, dressed simply in the humble garb of a farmer, had a calm and collected gaze as she met his.

"Grandpa, I've already set up formations all around this area. So, there's nothing for you to worry about," she gestured toward the horizon, her eyes narrowing as she observed the land.

Just then, a massive mutated flying beetle with wings beating heavily crossed the boundary of her farmland. But before it could even get close, the air shimmered, and in a burst of light, the creature turned to dust upon touching her protective array.

"See? It's safe here. I've got it under control," Bai Xiaotong showed him a reassuring smile.

Old Bai stared at the remnants of the beetle, momentarily lost in thought.

'Right, how could I even forget…' He sighed inwardly, chiding himself for forgetting such a simple but crucial fact.

This granddaughter of his was the very person who had erected the barrier that protected an entire city. Of course, her own home would be no less fortified.

But still, as her only remaining family, how could he not worry? She was living alone in one of the most dangerous parts of the kingdom, where the beasts roamed freely, and every shadow could hide a threat.

"I know you're capable, Tong Tong," Bai Xiong said softly, his tone filled with a quiet kind of helplessness. "But still, it's hard for me to rest easy knowing you're out here by yourself, especially with all those ferocious creatures so close."

Bai Xiaotong sensed the weight of his concern, and with a soft sigh, she closed the distance between them. She rested her head against his shoulder, offering him comfort.

"Grandpa, remember, I'm an S-rank Awakener, a defense specialist. Nothing has happened to me in the past three years I've been here, so there's no need to send someone out to check on me every day."

"Ha? What are you saying, child? Grandpa doesn't know—"

Bai Xiaotong looked up at him and saw the faint blush of guilt coloring his cheeks.

"Grandpa, I already know. I'm not saying this because I'm upset, I'm only worried about the men you're sending here. I might own this land now after recovering it from the mutated beasts and monsters but I'm not the only one occupying it. The little babies I tamed are starting to get agitated by their presence. They are only giving me a headache every single morning for screaming while being chased down by the dogs and chicken." Her voice lowered slightly, but it was clear she was trying to ease his worries.

"Say that again? Chick... Chickens? Those fools dare run away from just chickens?!" Bai Xiong was so perplexed that he roared furiously without thinking.

It's just that, how can't he not be surprised? Those men are part of the elites that he personally handpicked to secretly protect Bai Xiaotong and report back to him if any accident occurred.

But now, not only did they disturb his precious daughter, but they also showed such shameful behavior unbecoming of fine military men!

'Ah! Grandpa, those are mutated beasts I raised and fed with my homegrown spiritual crops. Of course, they will grow very much healthy and massive.' She thought of the soldier brothers that her grandfather sent and felt sorry for being about to receive some harsh disciplinary actions. But although she knew it was some kind of misunderstanding, the girl didn't bother explaining as it won't stop her grandpa from punishing those guys for screwing up their mission.

Bai Xiong cleared his throat and replied with a grim expression that she had seen countless times in the army.

Oh boy.

"Don't worry Tong Tong, Grandpa will surely get back at those little bastards for ruining your days."

'Tsk, running away from mere chickens? Ha! I will make them train until they lose their damn feet and never ever think of running away again even if their moms disown them!'

Just looking at the old man's fiery expression Bai Xiaotong didn't need to use her toes to guess what he was thinking. At this moment, she could only smile helplessly and pray for those brothers' grave future.

"There, there... Grandpa, don't be mad now, okay?" she gently coaxed and brushed Old Bai's huffing chest. "I know you're worried because of the irregular dungeon gates showing up lately, but I can handle it. I promise. There's no need for Grandpa to overexert himself."

"Also, give the big brothers in the army some slack, okay?" Bai Xiaotong didn't forget to mention it and smiled sheepishly.

Bai Xiong sighed again, but his frown softened as he looked down at his granddaughter.

But as childish as he is to this precious granddaughter, Bai Xiong clasped his chest and acted a little hurt, "My little Tong Tong, she's now thinking about other guys other than her grandpa. Grandpa is so sad." Boohoo!

EHHH?!

"You only know how to care about those nasty little bastards. You're even trying to win them favors in front of me. Tong Tong, I'm telling you, you're only nineteen, you can't…" He wanted to say more, but the words caught in his throat when Bai Xiaotong hugged him and looked at him while pouting her soft blushing cheeks like he had wronged her gravely.

"G—Grandpa!" The girl wanted to cry at her grandpa's childishness.

"S-Stop whatever it is you're thinking. You're being childish right now, Grandpa!" Bai Xiaotong quickly covered his mouth and glanced at the hidden paparazzi everywhere with a warning gaze that made everyone tremble and gulp in fear, knowingly.

"Miss Bai, we don't dare. We don't dare!" They all thought in unison.

After being stared by death itself, even if they borrow a gallbladder from a python, who would dare publish a story about her non-existent love life? And even if there is, that man would definitely be far more dangerous than Bai Xiaotong, if he had the ability to subdue such a living calamity.

[A/N: Well, you never know.]

"..."