Chapter 16. Dad, this ugly, old guy...

Upon hearing what Karin Origami said, everyone looked at her curiously.

It's mainly out of curiosity.

Although everyone knew that it was definitely a bit problematic for a child to call a non-magician a monkey, you couldn't expect such a young child to actually realize there was anything wrong with her. So, the group was now very curious about what kind of profound questions about the child's world that Yukiko Karin could ask.

Mr. Narita was clearly a little surprised, but he quickly gave a very gentle smile, bent down, and replied, "Sure, what would you like to talk about, Akari-chan?"

Karin tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "I think Dad is really strange."

Everyone: ?

They all looked at Xia Youjie.

Xia Youjie was also confused. What was strange about him?

Only Narita-sensei remained very calm and patiently continued to ask, "Really? What's strange about it, Akari-chan? Can you tell me?"

Ayaka nods and says, "My father used to tell me that non-magicians are all monkeys, trash that only produces cursed spirits, and that they should all be killed."

Narita-sensei: ?

He glanced at Xia Youjie with some surprise.

Xia Youjie: "..."

He could only return an awkward but polite smile.

Without pausing, Karin continued, "But now my father says that sorcerers exist to protect non-sorcerers, and he forbids Karin from calling them monkeys. He also wants Karin to work hard to become stronger so that she can protect them."

“Training is so tiring, I don’t like it. The Cursed Spirit Ball tastes really, really bad, I don’t like it either. My old father wouldn’t have wanted me to become a strong person, he would have let me do what I wanted, but now my father says we are strong people and we have to protect the weak.”

"Why is my dad different now than he used to be? Karin doesn't want to be strong, and she doesn't want to protect non-magicians. Uncle Narita, can you help Karin turn her dad back to how he used to be?"

She looked at Mr. Narita and spoke with innocent and pure words, her eyes full of expectation.

Of course, she didn't expect Mr. Narita to turn Xia Youjie into "Master Jie," but rather hoped that after she raised these questions, he could bring Jie back to his original mind.

When the trio heard that Shiki Ayakari wanted to turn Natsuyuki into that cult leader, they all twitched.

This cannot be allowed to change!

Teacher Narita is different. He only has one thought: Has our sorcery community become so short-handed in the past two years that we have started to recruit sorcerers?

The father the child was talking about—he used to look like a complete curse caster…

So, can any of you tell me which great master persuaded this curse master to reform? Mr. Narita really wants to become his apprentice now.

Fortunately, Mr. Narita was a professional after all, and he didn't ask any more questions in the end. He just patted Karin Oriyuki's head and asked her with a smile, "Will Karin dislike her current father?"

For some reason, Xia Youjie became nervous immediately after hearing this question.

He subconsciously looked at Oriyuki Karin, waiting for her answer.

Karin Shiki shook her head: "I don't dislike him. Karin likes her current dad very much. She feels that her current dad is much happier than her previous dad. Karin wants to make her dad even happier."

Xia Youjie: My eyes are about to pee.

He suddenly felt that being a father was worthwhile.

Although Yuki Ayakari only meant that she hoped Natsuyuu Jetsu and Gojou Satoru could always maintain the attitude of "we are the strongest", it really hurt Jetsu's feelings.

Ms. Narita smiled slightly at her and said, "Since Karin also likes her current father, why make him turn back?"

Karin Oriyuki blinked, continuing to feign ignorance: "Well, that seems to be true. But... Karin doesn't want to protect any non-magicians, nor does she want her father to protect non-magicians."

As Yuki Ayaka said this, she felt truly sad.

She knew this was another instance of the cheat system instilling Xia Youya Huali's emotions in her. She lowered her head, touched her chest, and ignored it, letting the emotions spread.

She let her emotions lead her to say what followed: "The Cursed Spirit Ball tastes awful. Every time I eat it, I feel terrible. I'm sure Dad feels terrible too. I don't want Dad to feel so bad."

Xia Youjie was stunned for a moment, feeling a slight stirring in his heart.

This is the first time someone has suggested that they don't want him to eat the Cursed Spirit Orb.

At this moment, Xia Youjie had a very strong realization—that his daughter was the only person in the world who knew the taste of the Cursed Spirit Orb just like him and could empathize with him.

She said she didn't want to eat the Cursed Spirit Orb, and she didn't want him to eat it either.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he closed his mouth and said nothing.

If before this, Xia Youjie took care of Zhixue and Huali simply because he felt it was his responsibility, then at this moment, he truly regarded her as his daughter.

Mr. Narita was also slightly taken aback, but he had already roughly connected the dots in his mind.

He still wore a gentle smile as he reassured Karin, "It's okay, Karin-chan, go play by yourself for a while, and let your teacher and your father talk, okay?"

As the saying goes, children's problems are usually the parents' problems. And Narita felt this parent's problem was truly serious; they might very well go back to being a curse master...

Therefore, he wanted to talk to Xia Youjie.

Zhi Xueya Huali's original intention was to have him talk to Xia Youjie, and now that the plan was complete, she naturally agreed very readily.

She agreed so readily that Mr. Narita was taken aback.

I have a feeling this kid was just waiting for him to say that...

Is it just an illusion?

Teacher Narita glanced at Karin Ooriyuki. On one hand, she thought that someone her age probably wouldn't do that, but on the other hand, she thought that the child spoke quite logically, so maybe it really was true?

Unable to determine the cause immediately, Mr. Narita smiled and shook his head, not delving too deeply into it. He simply looked at Xia Youjie and asked with a smile, "Xia You-kun, would you like to have a chat with me?"

Since things had come to this point, Xia Youjie couldn't refuse anymore, so Teacher Chengtian asked everyone else to leave, saying he wanted to talk to Xia Youjie alone.

Then it turned into Narita-sensei and Natsuyuki talking inside, while the three of them—Oriyuki, Karin, and the others—eavesdropped outside.

Don't ask why I was eavesdropping; I was just curious.

Gojo Satoru was incredibly curious about what they would talk about, and had even tried to stay. Ieiri Shoko was also quite curious, but compared to Gojo Satoru, she was at least a little more morally upright.

After looking at Oriyuki Karin, Ieiri Shoko also felt that she shouldn't lead the child astray, so she took Oriyuki Karin to buy snacks.

Gojo Satoru hesitated between snacks and gossip, but ultimately chose to stay and listen to the gossip himself, asking Ieiri Shoko to buy him an extra snack.

Zhixue Yahuali: "..."

As expected of you.

Unfortunately, not long after Oriyuki Ayaka and the others left, Gojo Satoru caught up with them.

He was discovered by Xia Youjie and driven away.

Shiki Ayaka: Pfft.

Afterwards, no one knew what Xia Youjie and that Narita-sensei talked about. All that was known was that Xia Youjie came back with a book in his hand.

She glanced at it and saw a few impressive-sounding words on the cover: "Contradiction and Conflict".

Origami Karin: Hmm... This seems pretty impressive. Brother Jie, you should learn from her.

──

That day, Gojo Satoru and Natsuyuki were having a practical training class outside, while Oriyuki Karin and Ieiri Shoko were having a math class in the classroom.

Yes, today's little teacher is Ieiri Shoko.

Since Karin Oori stopped participating in training, Shoko Ieiri has been helping to look after the children during practical training sessions. And now, Karin Oori has actually gotten used to it.

Just as the class was in progress, there was a knock on the door.

Both Karin and Shoko Ieiri turned to look towards the doorway, where two people, one big and one small, were dressed in kimonos.

The older one was probably close to fifty, with wrinkles and an air of arrogance on his face. The younger one looked about the same height as Karin Oori, but he didn't seem as lively as a child his age. Karin Oori felt like she was more of a child than him.

She tilted her head. Who are these two?

Before they could ask any questions, the adult spoke up: "Xia Youjie's daughter, Xia Youya Huali, is that right? Our young master would like to get to know you."

"Your young master?" Ieiri Shoko voiced the question that Oriyuki Karin had in her mind, and the two of them looked at the little one.

They said their young master wanted to get to know Yuki Ayaka, but they couldn't see any reason why he wanted to meet a new friend.

The way he looked at Irishige and Oriyuki Karin was the same: I see someone here.

Karin and Shoko immediately understood: it was probably not that the other party wanted to get to know them, but rather that these people wanted him to get to know them.

The adult raised his chin slightly and replied, "Kamo family, this is our young master, Kamo Noriyuki."

Zhixue Yahuali:?

Kamo Kenki? Oriyuki Karin immediately became interested and took a few more glances at the miniature version of Kamo Kenki.

You know what, you really don't look like it.

Xiao Xianji's face even had a bit of baby fat, which was kind of cute. But what caught the most attention from Zhi Xueya Karin was—so, buddy, your squinty eyes weren't natural after all.

That bitter and resentful expression does have a certain charm.

But wait, what do you mean your young master wants to get to know me?

Suddenly, Yuki Ayakari remembered the "marriage" plan between the Kamo and Zenin families that had been mentioned by her several days ago, and three vertical lines immediately appeared above her head.

Seriously... are you guys serious?

Shoko Ieiri was also somewhat surprised, but she quickly remembered the matter. She glanced at Karin Oriyuki, then at the young master over there, and silently lit a candle for him in her heart.

Xia Youke is training on the playground next door. If he sees her when he comes back later, tsk tsk.

Ieiri Shoko's gaze had already shifted to one of fascination.

Lord Kamo also noticed their expressions, and frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.

They're from the Kamo family, what kind of looks are those two little girls giving them? Don't they know what respect is?

As expected, the lowly are just lowly; they have no manners whatsoever.

Although he didn't say these words aloud, his eyes already revealed his disdain and dissatisfaction.

Karin Oriyuki: So this is the rotten orange that Satoru Gojo was talking about...

Zhi Xueya Huali: I've learned something new.

The other person frowned even more, thinking to themselves that this child from the Cursed Spirit Master's family was far too rude.

But then he thought that she and Xia Youjie were both spirit manipulators, and if they were trained properly, they could still provide a lot of help to the Kamo family. So he held back and planned to train them properly later.

He then looked at Oriyuki Karin with a slightly critical eye and said, "Our young master would like to invite you to our Kamo family as a guest. Let's go."

Zhixue Yahuali:?

No, they're leaving already?

Don't they even bother to ask the parties involved for their opinions?

But it was clear that he really didn't intend to ask for her opinion, because he turned around and prepared to leave after saying that.

Karin Oori was surprised, and Shoko Ieiri was also surprised. They both thought the other might have something wrong with his brain.

Karin Origami even wondered if the other person would feel awkward if she just sat there without moving.

That's what she thought, and that's what she did.

So the other person walked a few steps and found that no one was following him at all.

Not only did Karin Oori not go with him, but even Noriyuki Kamo didn't follow.

Kamo Kenki realized that Oriyuki Ayaka had no intention of moving, so he waited there. As a result, only Kamo-sama went out alone... and then awkwardly walked back.

You know what, this scene is actually kind of funny; Karin Oori and Shoko Ieiri are both trying not to laugh.

But Lord Kamo was clearly enraged and questioned, "What do you mean? Our young master has already condescended to come and invite you. Are you, a self-taught sorcerer, putting on airs?"

Zhi Xueya Karin couldn't help but remind him of her age, so she asked him, "What does 'putting on airs' mean? And what does 'condescending to one's station' mean?"

Seeing that the other person was clearly taken aback by her, Karin Ooyuki was extremely pleased.

Shoko Ieiri was already laughing and shaking her shoulders beside her.

Outsiders might not realize it, but she knows Yuki Ayakari all too well. This child is clever, and knows how to get back at people; she's clearly playing dumb on purpose.

Kamo Kenki was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but glance at Oriyuki Ayakari a few times.

Perhaps this was the first time he had ever seen anyone manage to anger the adults around him.

Lord Kamo hesitated for a while, just as he was about to say something, a voice came from behind him—

"Excuse me, could you please move aside and not block my way?"

Yes, that humble yet irritating tone is definitely Xia Youjie.

His words naturally caused the two Kamos blocking the doorway to turn around and look at him. Xia Youjie thanked him and unceremoniously pushed past the Kamo-sama to come in.

The other person had clearly never been squeezed like that before; their eyes widened in surprise: "You—"

Xia Youjie ignored him.

He did it on purpose, of course. Although he didn't know who the other person was or what had happened, he could tell that this person had ill intentions.

He approached Zhi Xueya Huali and asked, "What's wrong? What do you mean by 'condescending'?"

Zhi Xueya Huali blurted out a reversal of the Heavenly Gang: "Dad! This ugly and old guy is putting on airs, asking us to condescend to be his guests."

Kamo Kenki: ?

Although he is young, is he talking about the same thing?

A huge question mark immediately appeared on Xia Youjie's head, his eyes filled with doubt.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he felt that Akari was talking nonsense.

Shoko Ieiri couldn't help but burst out laughing.

At the scene, only Lord Kamo stared wide-eyed, his hand trembling as he pointed at Karin Ooyuki.

Shiki-Aya Rosewood: Helps your blood pressure rise steadily.

A note from the author:

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