Chu Qianli clutched her heart tightly, finally understanding that all the thoughts in her mind were a forbidden spell cast by the Imperial Advisor!
This Imperial Advisor's power was so terrifying that it was impossible to guard against!
"Imperial Advisor... Sir, I truly... have no ill intentions... I just want to know where my father is."
Suddenly, the wind stopped.
Chu Qianli's breathing instantly eased.
Her body felt weak, and she collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath as she watched the white-robed man slowly walk towards her.
The Imperial Advisor of Nanming Kingdom, on their first meeting, had already shown her that she was utterly incapable of resisting him.
Yet, she felt no fear. Instead, she smiled at him: "Imperial Advisor, I'm a good person, really."
The Imperial Advisor remained expressionless, though a barely perceptible hint of surprise flickered beneath his eyes.
This little girl was somewhat... special.
"Not afraid of death?" His voice finally returned to normal, still possessing a touch of etherealness, but now it sounded less distant and was, in fact, incredibly pleasant to hear.
Chu Qianli was still catching her breath. She coughed lightly, then said hoarsely, "I am."
The Imperial Advisor said nothing and turned to leave.
Chu Qianli, with great effort, managed to get up and, with unsteady steps, tried to keep pace with him.
However, despite appearing to walk slowly, the Imperial Advisor covered a great distance with each stride.
Chu Qianli found it extremely difficult to keep up.
Finally, after the Imperial Advisor stopped, she managed to catch up to him.
"Imperial Advisor, I wish to know where my father is. Could you please tell me?"
If he could truly help her find her father, even if a price was required, she would consider it.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in the world.
Of course, if the price was too steep to bear, then she would find another way.
Everything had its own scale of value.
Chu Qianli stopped and let out a long sigh, finally regulating her breathing completely.
"Imperial Advisor..."
"Young lady, are you looking for your original father, or your current one?" the Imperial Advisor suddenly asked.
Original, and current!
Chu Qianli was completely stunned.
She had encountered a master! A true reclusive master!
"Cur...rent." She felt no affection for her father from the twenty-first century.
Perhaps it was because she had been an orphan since she could remember, with no expectations of parents.
But after arriving in this era, she suddenly had a mother.
Even if it was the original owner's mother, the moment she heard the name Long Xiyue, she had inexplicably accepted Long Xiyue as her mother.
This feeling was very strange, she didn't know why, but she just accepted it.
The Imperial Advisor turned and looked at her face.
Chu Qianli quickly said, "Imperial Advisor, whatever reward you require, please just say it."
Although she knew this was somewhat impolite, that was how things were in the world.
If it was suitable, they would negotiate a transaction; if not, there was no need to continue the conversation.
The Imperial Advisor was not angry, nor did he show any other expression.
He continued to look at her, this time as if gazing directly into the deepest part of her eyes.
Chu Qianli did not evade his gaze, meeting it squarely. While he was observing her, Chu Qianli was also appraising his eyes.
They were truly clean.
So clean, as if he desired nothing.
Such a person, she feared, would have no wants.
After an unknown amount of time, the Imperial Advisor withdrew his gaze and turned again, looking at the colossal statue that seemed to pierce the clouds before them.
He said faintly, "Your makeup is too dirty. Wash it clean before you speak to me again."