Chapter 32

Chapter 32: How Long is a Hundred Years?

“Run away together?”

Upon hearing Qingwan say these words, Ming paused for a moment.

Even though it was flattering to have a cute girl suggest running away with him…

The problem was, she’s only six years old!

“That’s right,” Qingwan nodded earnestly.

Ming chuckled and ruffled her hair. “But Qingwan, do you know what ‘running away’ means?”

“I do!” Qingwan nodded again. “It means two people who like each other go far, far away where no one can find them. Brother Ming, I’ve saved up a lot of money; enough for us to go super far where nobody will find us.”

Qingwan looked at Ming with hopeful eyes. “I like Brother Ming. Doesn’t Brother Ming like me?”

“Why…” Tears were already welling up in the young girl’s eyes, ready to spill over any second. “Doesn’t Brother Ming like me?”

Ming smiled and repeated, “Pinkie promise, we won’t change for a hundred years.”

“Tomorrow?” Ming was also surprised by the news, “Didn’t you say you’d leave when you’re nine?”

Ming chuckled again. “But Qingwan, if we run away, wouldn’t you be leaving your mother?”

Qingwan tilted her head, looking at Ming with confusion. “Brother Ming… Qingwan doesn’t understand…”

And Qingwan, you’re still very, very young. As you grow up, your views on many things will change.

“Then Brother Ming…”

Ming paused.

However, Qingwan’s little pout quickly disappeared, replaced by the sadness of parting. “Then Brother Ming, when will we meet again?”

“Because Master State Preceptor said there will soon be a great opportunity that will be very beneficial to my cultivation, so she has to take me back early. And Master State Preceptor also mentioned she has some matters to handle back at the sect.”

“Thank you, Qingwan, I’m glad you could say that.” Ming smiled, “But Qingwan, Brother Ming is more worried about you getting hurt.”

“Brother Ming hopes Qingwan grows up healthy and safe.”

Qingwan hung her head, lips puckered.

Ming walked to the Heavenly Black Goose’s nest, plucked a feather from the sleeping goose, and broke it into two halves, giving one to Qingwan and keeping the other himself.

Ming looked into Qingwan’s peach-like eyes. “Sister State Preceptor said you’re an incredibly powerful innate saint body, and many people will try to get you. If Qingwan encounters bad people, Brother Ming will definitely stand in front of you.”

Hearing this, it seemed like there was indeed some logic to it…

“Qingwan, I’m sorry, but I probably can’t run away with you.” Ming looked seriously at the little girl in front of him.

Ming smiled. “Really?”

“Qingwan won’t forget Brother Ming!”

Brother Ming believes you’ll enter the Azurecloud List like Snowflake, then both of you will enter the World Ranking List, and even the Red Beauty List.

“Really?” Qingwan’s eyes sparkled.

“No way, no way.” The girl’s head shook like a tambourine. “Qingwan will never forget Brother Ming.”

You’ll become a fairy in many people’s hearts.

“In others’ eyes, you’ll become someone unattainable.”

“I don’t believe it.” Ming laughed, “Unless Qingwan shows me proof.”

“You follow the State Preceptor to the Heavenly Profound Gate. When we meet again next time, bring this half-feather. Whoever loses it means they’ve forgotten the other. Alright?”

But Brother Ming worries that even if I use all my strength, I might not be able to beat those bad people.

Qingwan lowered her little head, tightly pressing her lips.

“Qingwan, you have great talent.”

“…”

Qingwan raised her head. “Mother won’t run away with us, but Brother Ming will. Qingwan is going with Master State Preceptor, Mother and Brother Ming won’t be by Qingwan’s side. But if Qingwan runs away with Brother Ming, at least Brother Ming will still be here.”

“But Brother Ming.” Qingwan looked up, her eyes misty as she gazed at Ming. “Qingwan doesn’t want to change, doesn’t want to grow up, and doesn’t want to be a fairy in everyone’s heart. Qingwan just wants to be Qingwan in Brother Ming’s heart.”

Ming reached out and gently wiped away the tears from Qingwan’s eyes.

“Because I can’t delay Qingwan. Since Sister State Preceptor has already said that, it means this opportunity is very important for Qingwan’s future cultivation.”

Ming pretended to think for a moment. “How about this?”

“Little fool.” Ming hooked his finger and scratched Qingwan’s cute little nose. “No matter how Qingwan changes in the end, Qingwan will always be Qingwan in Brother Ming’s heart. It’s just that Qingwan might look down on Brother Ming then, having long forgotten me.”

“Brother Ming~” As if remembering something, Qingwan softly called out.

In response to Ming’s question, Qingwan lowered her head, her lips puckered. “Because Master State Preceptor said she’ll take Qingwan back to the Heavenly Profound Gate tomorrow… Qingwan doesn’t want to part with Brother Ming so soon.”

“On the contrary.” Ming shook his head. “It’s precisely because I like Qingwan too much that I can’t run away with her.”

Qingwan’s head bobbed like a chick pecking rice. “Really!”

Qingwan was troubled. “But Brother Ming, how do we prove it?”

The innocent words made Ming’s heart soften instantly.

“Let’s pinkie swear.” Ming extended his hand, their little fingers interlocking.

Qingwan shook Ming’s finger. “Pinkie swear, we won’t change for a hundred years.”

“How long is a hundred years?”

“Hmm?”

Qingwan held Ming’s small hand. “But for Qingwan, Brother Ming is more important than that opportunity.”

Ming pinched Qingwan’s chubby little cheeks. “Of course I like Qingwan, but why did Qingwan suddenly think of running away with me?”

Ming thought for a moment. “I once read in a miscellaneous book that there’s a flower in the Heavenly Profound Gate called Blood Rafflesia. When the Blood Rafflesia blooms for the fifth time, we will surely meet again.”

My innate saint body thing is already known to many people. Master State Preceptor said if she’s not around, no one can protect me.

But Qingwan doesn’t want to leave Mother, nor does she want to leave Brother Ming.”

“Then let’s pinkie swear.” Qingwan extended her white, tender pinky.

In the future, Qingwan will definitely become a very powerful cultivator, and Qingwan will grow prettier and prettier.

Qingwan, who was questioned, seemed a bit upset, carefully tucking the half-feather close to her chest.

“A hundred years, that’s a very, very long time.”

“Hmm.”

“Can a hundred years make our hair turn white?”