Chapter Two: The Iron Heart Has Changed (Revised)

"Since others treated me this way, I'll let you experience what it feels like to faint from hunger. It's definitely an unforgettable taste." Qi Di looked at Yu Shanshan with dissatisfaction and spoke indifferently.

"Oh, come on! Are you really so devoid of chivalry and tenderness? Look at how pathetic we are. If we faint from hunger, how are we supposed to accompany you for a whole month?"

Just as Yu Shanshan was left speechless by Qi Di's words, the girl beside her stood up, put her hands behind her back, and walked in a circle around Qi Di. With a scrunched-up face and a pitiful expression, she spoke.

After finishing, she winked playfully at Yu Shanshan, as if saying, "Watch and learn!"

Yu Shanshan gave a dry chuckle, crossing her arms with the demeanor of someone watching a good show.

"I might pity you, but who pitied the past me?" Qi Di gazed into the distance, his tone deep and heavy, as if his past self had suffered immense trauma.

Qi Di glanced back at the girl in front of him, feeling a sudden flutter in his heart. His rigid face twitched, forming a smile.

"Why should you treat others the way people treated you in the past?" The girl's brows furrowed with a hint of confusion.

"Look at me... I'm so adorable! So cool! So pretty... and yet so cute, how could you bear to let me faint from hunger on the street?"

Qi Di stared blankly at the girl before him.

She rested her chin in both hands, tilting her head with every word "adorable," doing it four times in a row. Her shy and bashful demeanor greatly astonished him.

Instantly, he felt ripples gently spread across his heart, as if a ray of warm sunlight was illuminating his soul.

In that fraction of a second, Qi Di's gaze toward the girl completely transformed. It was no longer as cold as water, but as gentle as flowing water.

"You look so handsome, it must have been some sleazy old man who misled you! He was definitely green with envy!"

Just as Qi Di was about to reveal how they could get some food, the girl dealt him a heavy blow before he could even speak.

"He's my father!"

He rolled his eyes directly at the girl, looking genuinely annoyed.

"Uh..."

Just as the girl thought she had completely captivated the martial madman with her cuteness, she never expected to trigger a taboo!

Usually, if someone insults you personally, you might not take it too seriously. But the moment you touch upon someone's parents, even if what you are saying is completely correct and objectively analyzed, it will drive an otherwise extremely honest and calm person to throw caution to the wind and fly into a rage.

Taking advantage of the sudden silence, Qi Di carefully observed the girl standing before him.

She was not very tall, only a head shorter than him. Her mysterious, raven-dark hair draped over her shoulders like a rushing waterfall, yet it was cut short midway.

Her hair seemed almost like a kaleidoscope, deeply drawing him in and stirring his soul.

*I really want to stroke her head,* Qi Di thought to himself.

Her skin was smooth and fair, her features pretty and refined. At first glance, he marveled that the world could produce such a beautiful woman.

As Qi Di continued his close observation of the girl, his expression gradually softened.

She looked melancholy, pouting as if she had been deeply affected by his words, or perhaps upset that he hadn't told her how to get food yet.

"Alright, don't be mad anymore.

There, there! Shall I take you to get something to eat?"

Qi Di lowered his head, gently stroking the girl's hair as he spoke with a tenderness resembling a spring breeze.

Feeling a sudden touch upon her head, the girl shivered all over, her face instantly turning crimson. This was the first time—the very first time—she had ever been touched by a member of the opposite sex. And it was a head pat, directly brushing against a sensitive spot.

Despite putting on a cute act for Qi Di, she had only done so because her stomach was too empty and she had no other choice; otherwise, she would never have willingly initiated physical contact with a guy.

"Mmhmm!"

The girl murmured softly and shyly. It was the first time she had ever been treated this way by a male, and her heart was filled with extraordinary excitement.

Seeing this, Yu Shanshan watched in utter disbelief. Her companion had actually managed to melt this maniac who had almost crippled his own body for the sake of martial arts—a madman who wouldn't even hesitate to disfigure himself for martial arts? A lunatic obsessed solely with martial arts?

Yu Shanshan's gaze toward her companion shifted instantly. Her mouth dropped open wide enough to fit an egg, as if she were looking at a complete stranger. Suddenly, footsteps approaching from ahead drew her attention away.

After all, she rarely stayed in such sparsely populated places, and deep down, she was eagerly hoping someone would come by to deliver food so she could fill her stomach.

Yet, upon looking up, she saw two figures approaching. One was very familiar, while the other seemed somewhat strange.

Taking a closer look, she realized the second figure was actually a girl—the very person who had previously made her utterly furious!

"Qian Ling!"

The Qian Ling walking before her had such a restrained gait?

Unlike before, when every step she took was arrogant and defiant, like a little demoness.

Right now, she was shrinking back timidly beside her companion, looking utterly terrified, much like a child who had done something wrong.

The person beside her was dressed in black, clearly someone from the elder generation, yet the edges of his robes were adorned with exquisite patterns, and a medallion hung across his chest!

A Peak Master?

No wonder Qian Ling was acting so timid around him. Recognizing the familiar face, she realized it was none other than Qian Meng, the master of the Nourishing Heart Palace! Elder Qian!

Why had she come here today? Was she here because her daughter had cursed her and needed to apologize?

This thought lingered for only a fraction of a second before Yu Shanshan shook her head. Qian Ling was known among the academy disciples as the little demoness.

Without someone backing her up, Qian Ling's own strength was simply not enough to enter the inner courtyard.

"Coming here to stand up for her daughter makes much more sense! Would any father ever let his precious girl bow her head and suffer grievances?" Yu Shanshan muttered to herself inwardly.

She never expected that even after being locked away in the Ancient God Path, people would still come looking to settle scores with her.