Skinwalker Belle – Chapter 249 – Still Acting

The carriage drove steadily into the City Lord’s Mansion.

Before the driver could bring the carriage to a complete stop, a figure impatiently scrambled out of the compartment.

“Dad!”

Lin Fan, holding up the hem of her gothic lolita dress, jumped directly from the still-moving carriage and threw herself at the figure who had long been waiting at the mansion’s entrance.

Long Teng opened his arms and steadily caught his “precious daughter,” a rare smile appearing on his face for the first time in days, though it was tinged with a hint of helplessness.

“You silly girl, can’t you be a little more composed?”

Lin Fan lingered in Long Teng’s embrace, burying her head in his solid chest, her voice muffled as she whined coquettishly, “Dad! I missed you to death!”

Lu Yuan, who got out of the carriage after her, saw this scene, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg.

He rubbed his eyes, unable to believe that the little girl snuggling in a man’s arms and acting spoiled was the same female devil who had pinned him to the ground and stuffed his mouth with her stockings.

Such acting skills… it would be a waste if she didn’t win a little golden statue for it.

Long Teng patted Lin Fan’s back dotingly, but his gaze passed over her and landed on the bruised and embarrassed Lu Yuan behind her. His eyes instantly turned sharp.

“Why did you bring him back?”

Lin Fan lifted her head from Long Teng’s chest, followed his gaze, and then pouted nonchalantly.

“Oh, I ran into him on the road and brought him along.”

She pulled on Long Teng’s arm, dragging him insistently into the mansion while complaining nonstop, “Dad, let’s go inside and talk, it’s so sunny out here. That blockhead Long Yan only knows how to cultivate, cultivate, cultivate. I’ve been bored to death these past few days. Home is still the best!”

Hearing this, Long Teng’s expression softened.

So, his daughter found that Long Yan fellow boring and ran back to see him.

He was very satisfied with this reason.

As he was being pulled along by his daughter, he glanced back and gave Lu Yuan a warning look. The meaning was clear: You’d better behave yourself, kid.

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Lu Yuan shrank back, sensibly keeping a safe distance behind the two.

Upon entering the main hall, all the servants were dismissed.

Long Teng sat in the main seat, watching his daughter pour him tea. The heart that had been suspended with worry finally settled back into his chest.

“You came back alone? What about that Long Yan fellow?” Long Teng took a sip of tea, asking in a seemingly casual tone.

“Him?” Lin Fan handed the teacup over, her small face filled with disdain. “He found a place in Azurewood City for closed-door cultivation. Said he wants to break through to mid-stage level seven and won’t be out for at least ten days to half a month. I was too bored by myself, so I came back to see you, Dad.”

The explanation was logical and reasonable.

That Long Yan fellow was exceptionally talented, and he did cultivate like a madman.

Long Teng nodded and didn’t press further.

He looked at his smiling daughter, but the memory of that earth-shattering battle made his face darken again.

“Wu’er, you’ve come back at the right time. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it? You look so serious,” Lin Fan blinked, feigning curiosity.

Long Teng sighed. “It’s about the Third Elder.”

“The Third Elder?” Lin Fan’s heart skipped a beat, but her face showed just the right amount of concern. “What happened to him? Don’t tell me… he went after that monster?”

“Yes.” Long Teng’s expression became very complicated. “The day you left, the Third Elder went to the Swamp of Death alone. He fought that level-eight Fallen Demon Dragon.”

“And the result? What was the result?” Lin Fan pressed, her heart in her throat.

“Both sides suffered heavy losses.” A trace of lingering fear was in Long Teng’s voice. “That battle changed half the terrain of the Swamp of Death. Although the Third Elder heavily wounded that beast, he also sustained considerable injuries. He has already returned to the Dragon Clan’s ancestral lands to recuperate.”

It worked!

A huge weight lifted from Lin Fan’s heart.

It was good that the old coot was injured. This way, he wouldn’t have the energy to carefully study that tattered piece of clothing and Long Jingyun’s corpse.

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“That beast was also injured and is now holed up in the depths of the swamp, not daring to come out. However…” Long Teng’s tone shifted. “The Third Elder said that this time, besides recuperating, he will also go to the council of elders to find help. Once this Rift opening ends, he will return with reinforcements to finish that beast off for good.”

Lin Fan nodded obediently. “So our plan to divert the disaster was a success!”

“By the way, Dad.” Lin Fan’s eyes darted around as if she had suddenly remembered something. She began to shake Long Teng’s arm. “Speaking of the Rift, I came back this time to ask you for a favor.”

“What is it?” Seeing his daughter act spoiled, Long Teng’s heart nearly melted.

“I want to go see the other side of the Rift!” Lin Fan’s eyes sparkled, full of curiosity for the unknown. “I’ve never seen what another world looks like in my entire life! Please just let me go take a look, okay, Dad…”

“Nonsense!”

Long Teng’s face fell instantly, and he refused without a second thought.

“What kind of place is the other side of the Rift? Is it somewhere you can go to play? Absolutely not!”

“Why not?” Lin Fan pouted, unconvinced. “Haven’t you already conquered the resistance forces on the other side of our Border Dragon City’s Rift?”

“Still no! What if there are some who slipped through the net? It’s too dangerous!” Long Teng’s attitude was firm.

“Oh, I promise!” Lin Fan held up three fingers, swearing solemnly. “I’ll just look around near the Rift, I absolutely won’t run off! Just one look, to see the sights of another world, okay?”

She used every trick in the book, hugging Long Teng’s arm, rubbing against it and shaking it, her voice so soft and sweet it could drip water.

“Dad… my dearest daddy… please just agree… or I’ll ignore you from now on…”

Long Teng was getting a headache from her pestering. Just as he was about to say something more, his gaze inadvertently fell on Lu Yuan standing to the side, and an idea struck him.

“It’s not impossible for you to go,” Long Teng suddenly relented.

Lin Fan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“But,” Long Teng pointed at Lu Yuan, his gaze turning hostile, “you have to tell me first, who exactly is this kid? Don’t tell me he’s a friend; I’m not that senile yet. How could a level-six spy from another world be so close to you?”

He had wanted to interrogate this kid for a while.

It had been delayed by the fuss Long Jingtian had caused earlier.

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Now was the perfect time to settle old and new scores at once.

Lu Yuan’s scalp tingled under his gaze, and he subconsciously wanted to activate his ability to escape.

“Dad!” Lin Fan abruptly stood in front of Lu Yuan, spreading her arms to shield him like a mother hen protecting her chick.

“What are you doing! I already told you he’s my friend! He’s not a bad person!”

“A friend?” Long Teng laughed in anger. “Wu’er, since when did you become so naive? He who is not of my clan is sure to have a different heart! This kid snuck into our Dragon Spirit Continent with ulterior motives! Today, I must capture him and interrogate him thoroughly!”

“I won’t allow it!” Lin Fan’s princess temper flared up, and she stomped her foot. “He just wants to go home! He helped me, you can’t touch him! If you dare to touch him, I’ll… I’ll leave with him and never come back!”

“You!” Long Teng was so angry he almost couldn’t catch his breath.

How could the cabbage he had worked so hard to raise keep siding with outsiders?

First, it was that Long Yan who appeared out of nowhere, but at least that guy had a pure Bloodline.

Now, here was a spy from another world!

Looking at his daughter’s stubborn expression that screamed, “You just try and touch him,” Long Teng was ultimately defeated.

Fine, fine.

His wife had passed away early, and this was his only precious daughter. He had never been willing to say a harsh word to her since she was a child.

Besides, his daughter already had a lover, and a future grandson was no longer a distant dream…

Then, it was about time for that matter he had been planning for over a decade…

At this thought, most of Long Teng’s anger dissipated.

“Fine, fine, I won’t touch him, alright?” Long Teng rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling utterly exhausted. “I must have owed you in my past life.”

“Hee hee, I knew Dad dotes on me the most!” Lin Fan’s mood immediately cleared up, and she snuggled up to Long Teng’s arm again.

“So… about going to the other side of the Rift…” she probed cautiously.

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Long Teng glared at her and said irritably, “You can go. But, someone must go with you.”

He couldn’t rest easy letting his daughter be alone with a boy from another world with an unknown background.

“You can only move within a five-kilometer radius of the Rift, no further.”

“And,” Long Teng added with emphasis, “I will send Long Yan to go with you. He’s at late-stage level six. With him protecting you, I can be at ease.”

The level restriction of this Rift prevented him, a peak level seven, from crossing over.

But sending a late-stage level six confidant from a branch family to protect his daughter was more than enough.

After all, he had already conquered a large area on the other side of the Rift and had sent some level-six individuals over during previous openings.

His daughter herself was level six; the chance of her encountering danger was slim.

“Okay, okay! Thank you, Dad!” Lin Fan agreed readily, her eyes narrowing into slits as she smiled.

Once we’re on the other side of the Rift, the heavens are high and the emperor is far away.

Whether the person you send is protecting me or taking my orders, that won’t be up to you.

Seeing his daughter’s happy expression, Long Teng sighed and waved his hand.

“Go on, go on, the sight of you is vexing. The Rift opens the day after tomorrow. Go and prepare.”

“As you command! I love you the most, Daddy!”

Lin Fan planted a loud kiss on Long Teng’s cheek, then pulled the still-dazed Lu Yuan and scurried out of the hall.

Watching their departing figures, Long Teng shook his head helplessly.

He picked up the already cold tea and drank it in one gulp, a fierce, cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“The council of elders…”