Chapter 229: Xiao Wu, Full of Guilt for Being Caught Spying

Welcome to our new Patrons: thedistraction and omar amurrio!

------------------------------------------------------

"Huh?!"

Dai Chengfeng looked at the innocent and naive Qiu'er in front of him and let out a cold laugh.

He raised his voice several notches, as if intentionally speaking for someone far away to hear:

"Because my name is Dai Chengfeng, I'm automatically the big bad guy?"

"Little girl, do you really think I'm bad?"

Qiu'er saw that Dai Chengfeng seemed "angry" and lowered her head guiltily:

"It seems… probably… you're not a bad guy, after all, you gave me those delicious herbs…"

"I'm sor—ah!"

But before Qiu'er could finish her sentence…

She suddenly clutched her head again, tears welling up in her eyes as she let out a pained cry.

Dai Chengfeng blew on his fingers and said menacingly, "I'll deal with you later, you greedy little beast who doesn't know 'gratitude.'"

"For now, I have more important things to do!"

With that…

Dai Chengfeng turned his gaze toward a nearby tree, narrowing his eyes slightly, and called out loudly:

"Miss Xiao Wu, is this how you talk about me to Qiu'er?"

"Don't you think you should come over here and explain yourself?"

"Have I done anything to you?"

At this moment, perched on the treetop of that very tree was a slender girl attempting to shrink her body as much as possible. She seemed terrified of being discovered by Dai Chengfeng.

Her figure was graceful, her waist so slim it looked like it could barely be held in one hand.

Her long pink hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, gently swaying in the breeze.

Perhaps because she was caught spying and was extremely nervous, her delicate cheeks flushed slightly.

It was none other than Xiao Wu, the female protagonist from the original Douluo Dalu!

Xiao Wu had been worried about the safety of her newly befriended Three-Eyed Golden Lion, Qiu'er. After all, in Xiao Wu's eyes, Qiu'er was just a spirit beast of a few thousand years and completely unaware of the treachery of humans.

At the same time, Xiao Wu was also curious about Qiu'er's human friend, so she had secretly followed Qiu'er this whole time.

However, Qiu'er hadn't noticed a thing.

But Dai Chengfeng was different.

Dai Chengfeng wasn't as naive as Qiu'er—he was human, and he had always maintained a high level of vigilance while in the Great Star Dou Forest.

Thus, he had already sensed some unusual presence in the nearby trees earlier.

The only issue was…

Aside from seeing Xiao Wu in anime and manga, Dai Chengfeng had never encountered her in real life and didn't recognize her aura.

So, he initially assumed it was just a spirit beast lying in wait, disguised and ready to ambush him.

But later…

After hearing Qiu'er explain that she truly knew Xiao Wu…

Dai Chengfeng roughly figured out whose presence it probably was.

However, there were two considerations:

First, Xiao Wu was far enough away that unless Dai Chengfeng shouted, she wouldn't have been able to hear their conversation from her position.

Second, although Dai Chengfeng intended for Qiu'er to become his spirit ring someday, that day wasn't today.

For now, he simply wanted to help Qiu'er grow stronger so that when she eventually sacrificed herself for him, she could provide even more power.

Given that, he didn't mind if Xiao Wu witnessed their interaction.

But!

What Dai Chengfeng hadn't expected was that, although he had let Xiao Wu go because of a deal, he hadn't done anything harmful to her before the deal.

And yet…

Not only did Xiao Wu fail to show gratitude, but she even labeled him as a "big bad guy"?

Though Dai Chengfeng didn't care what Xiao Wu thought of him—her opinion wasn't important—what she shouldn't have done was mislead Qiu'er!

After all, Dai Chengfeng still planned to convince Qiu'er to sacrifice herself for him. If Qiu'er refused because of Xiao Wu's influence, then wouldn't he be left holding the bag?

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's call, felt guilty and awkward as she climbed down from the treetop and slowly approached Dai Chengfeng and Qiu'er.

As she drew closer…

Xiao Wu finally got her first look at Dai Chengfeng—the man whom Da Ming, Er Ming, and Qiu'er had often mentioned.

He wore a sleek black outfit embroidered with golden threads, and his long golden hair shimmered like sunlight.

His heterochromatic gold-blue eyes were deep and enchanting, adding an air of luxury and coldness to his already noble demeanor.

This was the Dai Chengfeng Da Ming and Er Ming talked about?

Wow, he's so handsome!

Even more handsome than Third Brother!

"Speak!"

But soon, under Dai Chengfeng's icy gaze and questioning, Xiao Wu finally snapped out of her daze.

She forced herself to appear calm and greeted him with a wave.

"Dai Chengfeng, this is our first meeting. Nice to meet you."

Her voice was soft, but it carried traces of nervousness and unease.

Dai Chengfeng, however, remained expressionless. "Miss Xiao Wu, if I were truly the big bad guy, do you think you'd still be safely back in the Great Star Dou Forest?"

"And not… someone's spirit ring? Hmm?!"

Under Dai Chengfeng's piercing gaze, Xiao Wu grew even more uneasy. Deep down, she knew he was right.

True, Dai Chengfeng had let her go because of his deal with Da Ming and Er Ming.

But what about before the deal?

Dai Chengfeng had known her true identity even before negotiating with Da Ming and Er Ming, yet he hadn't harmed her.

"Dai Chengfeng, I'm sorry! I was wrong!"

Xiao Wu bowed deeply to him, apologizing sincerely.

"Uh…"

Dai Chengfeng had been somewhat angry, but seeing Xiao Wu's earnest attitude, he found it hard to stay upset.

After all, strictly speaking, he did have a deal with Da Ming and Er Ming.

"No need…"

But Xiao Wu stubbornly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Dai Chengfeng. I'm truly grateful to you!"

"After all, my mother… because of her identity, she was…"

At this point, Xiao Wu's expression darkened, but she quickly shook her head again:

"But you're different!"

"You knew my true identity beforehand, yet you didn't choose to have me killed for a spirit ring…"

"I know you're a good person!"

Dai Chengfeng sighed inwardly as he looked at Xiao Wu. Only someone like her, separated from Tang San early on, could still retain such sincerity as a spirit beast.

Moreover…

Her concern over being killed because of her identity…

For a moment, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but recall the two theories about Xiao Wu's mother's death in the original story.

One theory was that Bibi Dong had killed her; the other was that she had been eaten by a spirit beast while searching for Xiao Wu's father. Xiao Wu, having lost her mother, chose to transform into a human and later met Tang San…

But now it seemed that her mother had indeed been killed by his "beloved teacher," Bibi Dong.

While Dai Chengfeng was lost in thought, Xiao Wu spoke again:

"Dai Chengfeng, I was just worried that little Qiu'er might be deceived by humans! I didn't know that the human Qiu'er knew was you!"

"Can you forgive me?"

Dai Chengfeng looked at Xiao Wu, who appeared genuinely remorseful, and sighed helplessly.

Oh well, in the end, Xiao Wu was only thinking of Qiu'er.

And her apology was so sincere.

Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it…"

Seeing this, Xiao Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She straightened up and forced a smile. "Thank you, Dai Chengfeng. You really are a good person!"

No, don't give me another "Good Person Card"…

Just as Dai Chengfeng was about to say something more…

Suddenly, Qiu'er, who had been standing nervously nearby, began to stir. Her long pink-blue wavy hair moved without wind, and a flicker of panic flashed in her pink-gold eyes.

Then, a gentle yet dazzling golden light began to emanate from her entire body.

"Human… Dai Chengfeng, what's happening to me?"

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)