The old man rejects the outside world. She has always known this, but due to personal reasons, she is unwilling to reach out. It must be quite a loss for the old man.
Chen Jingyi knows that Nanman's departure is inevitable. The old man has only one daughter, Nanman, and now he has the company of his daughter. How will he live alone in the mansion when he loses this companionship in the future?
"I'm just an old bag of bones, about to retire and let the younger generation take over. Why go out? South Island is great — it's tranquil, there's no scheming and conflict, everyone gets along harmoniously. Unlike other places where there's killing and power struggles, unable to guarantee a stable life for the family. I don't wish to live those kinds of days."
What the old man means by going out is to engage in those bloody struggles. In reality, with Tang Rao's company, the outside world is not as terrifying as he imagines. His worries are unfounded; he's just placing unnecessary pressure on himself.
"But what if, one day, your daughter wants to get married, and you end up living alone in the mansion? Would you consider going to stay at your son-in-law's house?"
This is a very realistic issue. Even if Chen Jingyi doesn't bring it up, one day, he will still have to face it.
"Of course, I would visit my son-in-law's home. So when choosing a husband for my daughter, he must be from South Island. She won't consider anywhere outside South Island."
The old man is very confident in his choice for Nanman. Chen Jingyi even suspects that the old man isn't truly afraid to leave South Island; he doesn't want his daughter to think that regardless of where she marries, the old man will agree. He has already planted the awareness in her that South Island is his limit. If Nanman ever dreamt of marrying elsewhere, he'd rather never see her all his life — that's exactly the message he's conveying.
"Old man, what if your daughter truly falls in love with a man from another island? I mean hypothetically. What would you do?"
Chen Jingyi felt deep concern for Tang Rao. Was she reminding the old man in advance or trying to probe Tang Rao's thoughts?
"I... I don't know what to do."
The old man suddenly stammered, always believing that his obedient daughter wouldn't suddenly pair up with another man. Even if she did, it wouldn't be someone from outside South Island. He even has it in mind that if his daughter finds someone who can protect her for her entire life, he would let this man reside at the Island Master Mansion and become the next Island Master, while he would enjoy his later years at home.
"Old man, they have arrived."
Chen Jingyi realized she had said quite a lot, but fortunately, Tang Rao brought people over.
When Chen Jingyi was speaking, Nanman didn't intervene. Today, those subjects that were never dared to be mentioned were brought up by Chen Jingyi, and Nanman felt as if a weight was lifted off her heart, incredibly relieved.
"You've come! I've arranged a place for you to stay. Ensure you eat well, drink well, and live comfortably here."
Tang Rao brought along three women and one man. The man was somewhat old, while including Chen Jingyi, the four women were all young and beautiful. There seemed to be no connection between them and the old man, but one could not be too sure.
"Old man, you are too kind. We apologize for coming so rudely, yet you still treat us so well. I don't know how to possibly thank you."
Tang Rao held the old man's hands with both of his, seemingly greeting him, while actually instructing Little Fire Ginseng to prepare to enter the old man's body.
"It's nothing, as long as you're not here to take my daughter away, I'll treat you even better!"
Perhaps influenced by Chen Jingyi's earlier words, the old man seemed overly tense and alert.
After hearing this, Tang Rao glanced at Chen Jingyi. The old man's words were probing, and Tang Rao instantly knew that Chen Jingyi had said a fair amount about this topic after he left.
"Old man, you are humorous. No wonder you don't look old at all and resemble a young man. This humor is something we should learn from."
Tang Rao's flowery praise didn't quite win over the old man. In any case, he remained cautious, no matter who was speaking.
"Tang Rao, say less. Can't you see the old man's complexion isn't good?"
Wu Suowei transmitted his voice to Tang Rao, fearing that Tang Rao might say something to further unsettle the old man. If that happened, not only would they have no place to stay, but the idea of taking Nanman away would also have to be abandoned.
"Hey, master, you also saw that the old man's complexion is bad?"
Does this mean Tang Rao's feelings were correct? Since the time he entered, he noticed the old man's unusual complexion, and this even allowed Little Fire Ginseng the chance to delve into the old man's body to investigate.
"Do you think my eyes are blind?"
Wu Suowei asked Tang Rao, who shook his head.
"Then it's clear. Since I'm not blind, of course, I can tell that he's ill."
Look at Wu Suowei feeling conceited, almost flying up into the sky.
During the time Wu Suowei and Tang Rao exchanged transmissions teasing each other, Little Fire Ginseng also flew out from the old man's body.
When in a crowd, it tries to disguise itself as inconspicuous, and when unnoticed by others, it immediately retreats to Tang Rao's portable palace.
"He's ill."
Little Fire Ginseng's response was so straightforward, Tang Rao felt somewhat unused to it.
"What is it?"
Just saying he's ill, could you not say it all at once so I don't have to ask again? Don't you agree?
"His Dantian was harmed by someone once and can't be repaired, so he can't use Immortal Energy, perform Martial Arts, or rely on Immortal Energy for anything."
Little Fire Ginseng's words were undoubtedly a bolt from the blue. For the Island Master, the most pitiable thing is having supreme status but possessing power that doesn't match his identity.
No wonder he's stubborn about not leaving the Island Master Mansion. It's not that he's concerned about this or that; he's clearly worried his true strength will be exposed, endangering the tranquility of the entire Island Master Mansion.
"I understand now."
Tang Rao didn't disclose the truth to Wu Suowei, but judging by his expression, it was apparent the situation wasn't optimistic.
"Should we tell him the truth, or can the illness on him be completely cured in your view?"
In Wu Suowei's eyes, Tang Rao is omnipotent, but after Little Fire Ginseng's description, Tang Rao suddenly felt uncertain.
"I'm not sure either. I need to take a closer look first."
Tang Rao needs to interact with the old man to see if he deserves to be saved.
"Young man, how long do you need to stay?"
The old man's words brought Tang Rao back from his distant thoughts, reminding him that he still had the elder standing in front of him.
"Maximally three days."
Tang Rao can only stay here for three days, not a day longer.
His mother is still imprisoned under Ci Mu Mountain, and an extra day means an extra day of danger for her.
"That's very good. Then settle down here and treat this place as your home. Don't hesitate at all."