Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 136: Slums.

Ace approached Blind Dog, his gaze settling on the frail girl barely clinging to consciousness.

Her breathing was shallow, and her eyes, though slightly open, held no strength.

He crouched beside them, arms resting on his knees. "She's your sister?"

Blind Dog nodded firmly. "Yes."

Then, as if expecting doubt, he quickly added,

"I know what you're thinking. We don't look alike. But… she's the only person who treated me like family when I was abandoned."

Ace raised a brow. "I didn't ask."

Blind Dog paused, then huffed. "Well… it's still better if you knew."

Without another word, he lifted the spirit apple to his mouth and took a firm bite.

He chewed carefully, his jaw tense as he worked the fruit into a pulp.

Then, leaning down, he gently pressed his lips to his sister's and let the softened apple slide down her throat.

Ace watched in silence.

When Ace saw the mouth-to-mouth feeding, it reminded him of Lily and Xie Ninger.

Damn it… Even I haven't kissed anyone yet he muttered internally.

Ace clicked his tongue, looking away as an odd, restless irritation coiled in his chest.

Damn brat. Not even old enough to tie his shoes, and he's out here stealing kisses.

'Tch, whatever. Not like it matters.' But he still caught himself glancing back at the girl.

After finishing feeding his sister, Blind Dog turned to Ace with a smirk.

"What's the matter? Feeling jealous? If you've got another spirit apple, I'll let you kiss her too."

Ace clicked his tongue. "Tch, well, I do have one more spirit apple…"

Before he could finish, Blind Dog threw his arms around his sister, shielding her as if Ace was a real threat.

"Pervert!" he shouted.

Ace blinked. Then, unable to hold it in, he burst into laughter.

Before he could laugh to the fullest, the voice sounded.

"Master… Master…"

When Ace didn't respond, Liu Mei suddenly leaned forward and—chomp—bit down on his fingers.

"Mwaster," she mumbled through her teeth.

"AHHHH—what the—?!" Ace yelped, quickly pulling his fingers back.

Unfortunately, in his panic, he yanked them straight through Liu Mei's clenched teeth, making them sting even more.

Rubbing his sore hand, he suddenly recalled Shan Yifeng's words.

"Master… I think Sister Mei might be part demonic beast.

She really bit me. In my sleep. Who does that?"

Ace shot her an exasperated look. "Tch, what the hell was that for?!"

Liu Mei crossed her arms and huffed. "Hmmph, Master, you were staring at that girl way too much."

Her puffed cheeks and pout made her look absolutely ridiculous, but her eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy.

Ace raised his fingers to his lips as he blew on his fingers, trying to ease the lingering sting.

Liu Mei tilted her head, watching him curiously. "Master, what are you doing?" she asked innocently.

Ace gave her a blank stare before turning his back to her, bringing his fingers to his lips as he blew on them again, trying to soothe the pain.

There was a brief silence.

"Master?" Liu Mei's voice wavered slightly. "Master… do you hate Liu Mei?"

Ace paused and before he could turn around, he heard a soft sniffle.

"Do you hate me, Master?"

Her voice cracked, and then—hic—tears welled up in her eyes as she burst into quiet sobs.

Just then, Lily strolled over, hands on her hips, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

"What a man," she sighed dramatically.

"Making one kid cry and scaring the other. Truly, I can't fathom how our great master manages to achieve such an impressive feat."

Ace shot her a look, but Lily had already crouched beside Liu Mei, her tone turning gentle.

"Don't worry, Liu Mei, I completely understand how you feel."

She patted Liu Mei's head reassuringly. "Now, to help you grow even stronger so you won't cry like this, we'll increase the intensity of our training."

For a brief moment, Liu Mei's sniffles slowed. She blinked up at Lily, her tear-filled eyes filled with confusion.

Then realization struck.

Her face crumpled, and she wailed even louder.

Lily, completely unfazed, simply shrugged. "Well, it looks like the Master's influence is in fact very real."

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples as Liu Mei's cries grew even louder.

He then exhaled, finally kneeling down beside Liu Mei, who was still sniffing and hiccuping.

"Alright, alright, quit crying already," he said, poking her forehead lightly. "I don't hate you."

Liu Mei sniffled, peeking at him through her messy bangs. "...Really?"

Ace sighed. "Yeah, really. I just don't enjoy having my fingers nearly chewed off, you little gremlin."

Liu Mei wiped her tears, puffing her cheeks. "You were staring at that girl too much!"

Ace raised an eyebrow. "So what if I was?"

Liu Mei gasped, her betrayal written all over her face.

Ace then turned to Lily, his expression thoughtful.

"Lily, care to explore this village and figure out what's going on?"

Lily arched an eyebrow, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Hmm? Something on your mind, Master?"

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"This village…" He gestured vaguely, then glanced at the kids around. "Something about all this doesn't sit right with me. Honestly… there's way too many inns and too many abandoned kids."

Lily tapped her chin, nodding. "That is indeed odd."

Then, with a smirk, she added, "Well, if you're too lazy to investigate, we could send Shan Yifeng."

Ace gave her a deadpan look. "Lily… he's ten."

"Correction," Lily held up a finger. "Eleven."

Ace blinked as he stared at her. …How is that any different!

Ace still looked unconvinced, so she shrugged. "Besides, he's got that soul beast of his. That fancy white one. Pretty sure it's a high-ranking beast. It'll be fine."

Then, stretching her arms, she said, "Anyway, while Shan handles that, I'll set up some tents and make sure all these kids get a proper meal and proper treatment."

She grinned mischievously. "Who knows, maybe we'll end up raising a bunch of them together. You'll be their Daddy, and I'll be the Mom—"

Before she could finish, Liu Mei lunged at her, latching onto her like an angry little monkey.

Ace was about to stop them when—

"BOSS! THERE! THAT'S HIM! THAT'S THE MAN RIGHT THERE!"