Chapter 108: Only in Hardship Do We Truly Value Family Affection

Seeing Zhu Han take action, Gu Feng encouraged her, “Han Han, if you can single-handedly take down this group of bad guys, your master will reward you with a weapon and a beautiful set of gear.”

“Wow! Really? Master’s gifts are always top quality. I love it already!” Zhu Han exclaimed excitedly.

Then she turned to Wen Xingguo and teased, “Bad guy uncle, you’re not allowed to help. Don’t break the rules, okay?”

Wen Xingguo rolled his eyes but reluctantly nodded.

The opposing group overheard the exchange between Gu Feng and Zhu Han and nearly burst out laughing.

“Big brother, did you hear that? They want this little girl, maybe four or five years old, to take us down.”

One of them said, “Big brother, don’t rush to attack. I’m just going to stand here and see how this little girl plans to knock me down.”

Then he looked at Zhu Han and said, “Come on, little girl, knock me down. If you do, I’ll buy you some candy.”

Hearing candy, Zhu Han’s eyes lit up with innocent excitement. “Really? If I knock you down, you’ll buy me candy?”

“Really. Go ahead, knock me down,” he said.

Zhu Han looked serious. “You promised. No cheating.”

“I promise. Come on!”

“Then here I go.”

The man grew impatient. “Hurry up!”

“Okay!”

“Take this!”

“Water Jet.”

Instantly casting the Water Jet spell, before anyone could question it, a one-meter-high jet of water shot up from beneath the man’s feet, lifting him into the air.

When the water disappeared, there was a loud thud as he crashed hard onto the ground.

Everyone’s eyes and mouths widened in disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost.

Zhu Han looked at the man and said, “You’re knocked down. Now buy me candy. You said so—no backing out.”

The man was stunned.

Gu Feng reminded her, “If you can’t knock them all down, you won’t get the reward.”

“Ah! My reward! You all get down for me!”

“Water Ball.”

“Water Arrow.”

“Water Jet.”

And so on—a series of basic spells. Only the Water Arrow caused slight injury to the opponents.

Most of them collapsed to the ground.

Zhu Han was thrilled and kept attacking.

“Hey! Are you stupid? Once you’re down, don’t get up, okay? If you get up, I have to knock you down again. It’s so exhausting.”

*Pfft!*

The group was so frustrated they spat blood.

The onlookers had long since grown numb.

Uncle Jianbing stood far off, stunned. Remembering he still owed this little girl a big pancake, he hurried to make one for her family.

After repeatedly casting spells until her mana was completely depleted, Zhu Han stomped her foot angrily while watching those who had fallen only to get up and run away. She turned to Gu Feng, acting pitifully: “Master, I’ve knocked them down, but they keep getting up. I’m so tired, so very tired, Master.”

She tugged at Gu Feng’s arm, pouting.

Gu Feng wore a stern face. “No reward without completing the task.” Yet inwardly, he was amused by her antics.

“Master, Master,” Zhu Han began to cry—her secret weapon.

“Ugh! That trick again… I’ll let it slide this time and give you the reward. But next time, no task completed means no reward.”

“Yay! Got it! Master, you’re the best!” She stretched out her small hand and blinked at Gu Feng.

Gu Feng took out a beginner’s outfit and handed it to Zhu Han.

“Wow! Such beautiful clothes, with flowers, fish, and water droplets. Thank you, Master!”

Then she hugged the outfit and ran to Miao Yun, “Mom, do you think it looks nice?”

Miao Yun gently stroked her head. “You have to put it on to know if it looks good.”

“Okay! Mom, help me put it on.”

“You’re such a big girl now; put it on at home.”

“Okay! I’ll listen to Mom.”

Gu Feng waved the magic wand. “Don’t want this anymore?”

“Wow! There’s a reward too! Master, what’s this? This crystal ball is so pretty.”

Gu Feng smiled and explained, “This is your weapon, your exclusive weapon. It’s called the Water Magic Wand. With it, casting spells will be easier and more powerful.”

“Really? Master, I want to try it.”

“Go ahead!” Gu Feng was eager to see how the Water Magic Wand would work for a mage.

“Water Ball.”

“Wow!”

Gu Feng was surprised. Previously, the water ball was the size of a small bowl, but with the wand’s amplification, it grew as large as a grinding stone. Such a large water ball, if it hit an ordinary person, would be quite painful.

Out on the street, the numb onlookers looked as if they had seen a ghost again.

Long Xue’er gave Gu Feng a sharp look. “Always showing off. There are so many people on the street. Is this fun for you?” After scolding Gu Feng, she walked toward Zhu Han. “Han Han, weren’t you supposed to go to grandma’s house? Let’s go there first, okay?”

“Master, Han Han is going to grandma’s house.”

“Mom, Dad, Master, Great Master, and bad guy uncle, we’re leaving for grandma’s house now.”

Passersby watched the bouncing, lively Zhu Han, curious which family in the dungeon was her grandmother’s.

Uncle Jianbing, seeing Zhu Han run off, held up a big pancake and shouted, “Little girl, here’s your big pancake!”

Hearing this, Zhu Han turned around and stared at the enormous pancake with exaggerated amazement. “Wow! Such a big pancake! The six of us can’t even finish it.”

Uncle Jianbing was happy too; this pancake was made especially for an extraordinary little girl. “Here you go! Also, here’s your gold coins. This pancake is my gift to you.”

“Really? Uncle Jianbing, you’re so kind.”

Grabbing the pancake, she ran back.

After a few steps, Zhu Han stopped and called back, “Uncle Jianbing, if anyone bullies you at grandma’s house, tell me. I’ll help you fight the bad guys.”

Uncle Jianbing, a straightforward man, smiled gently.

Zhu Han happily divided the big pancake into six portions—one for each person. Such a treat was too good not to share.

“Mom! Where is grandma’s house?”

Miao Yun took Zhu Han’s hand. “Come with me; we’ll be there soon.”

Under countless watchful eyes, Zhu Han and her group left the city gate.

The commotion at the city gate spread quickly. Zhu Han had become famous in the dungeon.

Various powers were paying close attention to her, curious to discover exactly which family was her grandmother’s.

At the same time, the Miao family was enduring hard times. Day after day, they had declined sharply and were on the brink of ruin.

“Miao Rengui, be sensible. Pay your rent quickly.”

Miao Rengui, tearful but forcing a smile, said, “Brother Wan, please have mercy. Give me a few more days. I’ll definitely repay everything with interest.”

Brother Wan was just a manager bestowed a surname by the Wan family.

He stroked his chin, feigning deep thought.

At that moment, Miao Rengui’s daughter, Miao Xiaolian, burst excitedly into the living room. “Daddy!”

She had heard about the miraculous little girl in the streets and wanted to share the news with her father.

But Miao Rengui shouted, “What are you doing here? Go back to your room!”

Miao Xiaolian felt deeply wronged.

Brother Wan’s eyes brightened as a plan formed. He said kindly, “Why be so harsh to your daughter? Little girl, don’t be afraid. Brother Wan is here; your father won’t bully you.”

Miao Xiaolian looked at Brother Wan with disgust. He was older than her father but calling himself her brother. She turned and fled as if escaping.

Brother Wan watched her leave, swallowing hard.

Miao Rengui cried out in alarm.

Sure enough, Brother Wan switched to a friendly smile and said, “Master Miao, I’ve made my decision. I’ll give you a one-month extension.” Then, in a long, deliberate tone, he added, “Master Miao, I know you have no money. I have a solution: marry your daughter to me. I’ll settle all your debts and give you ten thousand gold coins.”

Miao Xiaolian, who had been eavesdropping at the door, trembled in terror.

Miao Rengui wanted to refuse immediately.

Brother Wan wouldn’t let him. “You have one month to think it over. Don’t rush to say no.”

With that, Brother Wan left.

As he stepped out of the Miao family home, he happened to see Gu Feng and his group approaching. Sneering, he muttered “bumpkin” and climbed into his carriage.