Relax, I'm not some troublemaker from a role-playing game.

A moment later.

In a small restaurant in a back alley, Bai Xi slurped up the scallion oil noodles in front of him, listening intently to the noise inside the restaurant.

Bai Miaomiao, who was opposite him, seemed somewhat speechless.

"Brother, how long has it been since we last saw each other?"

After a moment, seemingly out of helplessness, Bai Miaomiao asked.

"The last time we chatted was probably yesterday."

"I'm talking about real life, bro."

"It's been a few years, hasn't it? When I left, you were just a child, only up to my chest."

Looking at Bai Miaomiao, who was now only half a head shorter than him, Bai Xi couldn't help but sigh.

"So, all these years, all you've done is treat your dear sister to Shaxian snacks?"

Bai Miaomiao pointed at the storefront and said, somewhat speechless.

"Oh dear, I'm broke. I was even thinking about splitting the bill."

Bai Xi chewed on the chewy noodles and mumbled something indistinctly.

For a moment, Bai Miaomiao looked up at the sky helplessly, almost unwilling to admit that the shameful guy in front of her was her brother.

What on earth could turn this thing into this state?

"Sometimes it's really hard to imagine."

Suddenly, Bai Miaomiao murmured. Bai Xi paused slightly in his noodle-slurping, put down his chopsticks, and looked at Bai Miaomiao.

"What's wrong?"

"It just suddenly occurred to me that you and that former apostate evil spirit are actually the same person, and it just sends a jolt through me."

Hearing this title, which had been used on him countless years ago, for the first time in a long time, Bai Xi fell silent for a moment.

"Let's not talk about that. Let's eat first. I can treat you if necessary."

"These are all old almanacs from so many years ago, why bring them up again?"

Then, Bai Xi said helplessly, took a napkin, and opened her mouth to ask for another bowl of scallion oil noodles.

But Bai Miaomiao just continued speaking to herself:

"Five years ago, on September 11th. The evil spirit that apostatized the religion fled."

"In this defection incident, more than 200 members of the hymn society were injured, 67 of whom were severely disabled and judged to be permanently incapacitated."

"A total of seventy-two people died. All died from knife wounds, drowning, falls, burns, and unknown injuries. Among them were six priests and three red-robed high priests."

"The hymn society suffered more than half its casualties in this incident, and is still licking its wounds. The perpetrator is still at large."

"The story behind the so-called Blood Fog Incident, which lasted for five days, is as follows."

Bai Miaomiao narrated in a calm tone, while Bai Xi pushed his empty noodle bowl forward and listened silently.

"Why bring this up all of a sudden? It's been so many years!"

Bai Xi sighed and asked. Bai Miaomiao was silent for a moment before saying:

"Brother, aren't you curious how I knew your address?"

"After running away from home five years ago, no one should have known where you were."

"I didn't originally want to bring this up. It was just a brother and sister meeting, and I didn't want it to escalate into something tense."

Bai Xi smiled, but seemed somewhat helpless: "I just wanted to have a meal with you."

"It's been five years since I last saw you. I want to have a peaceful meal with my sister, just like any other normal family."

"So why do you have to remind me of these things?"

"I wanted to remind you, brother. If we don't leave, Dad might be next. Then we might not be able to leave."

"He still remembers me? I've been on the run for so many years. Is it still the piece of flesh he tore off from the cult five years ago that he feels the pain for?"

A mocking smile appeared on Bai Xi's face. Bai Miaomiao remained expressionless and continued:

"The order has spent five years recuperating and rebuilding. Although it can't return to its former size, it's about 80 or 90 percent back."

"Besides, you know that Dad doesn't care about those people. He never has. In his eyes, they're just disposable objects."

Silence fell for a moment.

Bai Xi remained silent for a long time before sighing and saying softly:

"That's why I hate that place, especially him."

"We're just a few expensive consumables, so losing consumables should be considered a normal economic loss. How can you treat it like this?"

"But the economic loss is too great, brother. Or should I address you as, Your Highness?"

Bai Miaomiao pronounced the title with utmost seriousness, while Bai Xi raised both hands above his head in a helpless surrender:

"Please, forgive me, I was wrong, don't mention that again, okay?"

"And isn't the term 'Holy Son' synonymous with high-level cannon fodder?"

"That's what he thought too. Until he realized that since you left, no one in the entire S City has been as favored by Seraphine as you have."

As if still not satisfied, Bai Miaomiao paused, then continued:

"One-tenth of yours."

Now I understand.

Bai Xi sighed silently as he fiddled with the few scallions in the empty bowl.

This is the past that has been troubling him all along.

Many years ago, the Holy Son of the Hymn Society, beloved by Serpes, and later the apostate evil spirit who slaughtered most of the church.

It's funny, really. They're supposed to be the church of an Outer God, representing hope, but they act like terrorists.

Moreover, their relentless pursuit and never-ending efforts are completely contrary to the principles of their own external gods.

Why are you still chasing after me like a leech at a time like this?

It makes people feel disgusted from the bottom of their hearts.

"Let's eat. If he wants to come, then let him come."

Bai Xi lowered her eyes and said calmly, "I fully believe he has the ability to bring me back. But whether it will be the next Blood Mist or not is none of my business."

"Coincidentally, we also have a grudge to settle."

Bai Miaomiao looked at Bai Xi, at his familiar, calm eyes, as calm as a lake.

"Are you sure everything's okay?"

"It's okay. Trust your brother; he's reliable right now."

"My father has changed a lot in the past five years. I suspect he may have become involved with other Outer Gods."

"It's okay."

Bai Xi said calmly, "Let's talk about it when he gets here. Just tell him I'm waiting for him. He's been gone for so many years without saying goodbye; it's time to explain things properly."

"Sixth Uncle should have already seen you."

"Sixth Uncle? I don't know him well. Is he from Sunset City? Then we might have met before."

Bai Xi shrugged, grabbed a napkin, and said, "Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Miaomiao, there's only one thing I need to tell you. Get independent as soon as possible; staying here isn't worth it."

"He once told me something: 'When you grow up, you can't be willful anymore; you always have to make a choice.' I've already made my choice, and you'll have to make yours sooner or later."

After he finished speaking, he got up and left, waving goodbye to Bai Miaomiao.

"I'm going home to play games. We have an event today. See you next time."

"Um."

Bai Miaomiao nodded, then stared at the table for a long time before sighing.

They didn't pay the bill in the end. Sure enough, my brother is a jerk.

However, it's time to go.

She stood up, paid the bill, and thought about it casually.

Since her brother left, Bai Miaomiao, who was being groomed as the next Holy Maiden, stared at Qingtian without lowering her head for a long time.

She was just thinking about the future.

Just like my brother said. One day, the fledgling with fully grown wings will have to leave.

However, there will always be some old birds who insist on blocking the young birds from flying, and Bai Miaomiao has been blocked for long enough.

In the end, she just sighed softly.

"Dad, isn't it about time?"

She muttered to herself, "I can't take it anymore either."

Recalling Bai Xi's words before leaving, Bai Miaomiao couldn't help but chuckle.

Her brother still treats her like a child, so he said something wrong.

She had already made the choice that Bai Miaomiao made.