Chapter 834: Recognition of Father

Pfft, haha!

Guifeng Yin, who hadn't escaped far, couldn't hold back anymore. He completely lost his composure, clutching his stomach and bursting into laughter.

Xiang Zhenyuan also paused for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter. "'My favorite, the thorny flower?' Hahaha! This junior from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has quite the good fortune with women!"

Wei Wuji's face twitched violently. He couldn't help but let out a snicker, gloating, "It seems this young man is the East Sea Third Princess's favorite."

The Second Prince struggled to suppress his laughter. "So you are the 'thorny flower' Third Sister talks about. You are indeed quite handsome. No wonder Third Sister can't stop thinking about you."

Even Empress Yizhu gently covered her mouth, constantly stifling giggles.

Jiang Fan's face darkened completely. He raised a finger to his forehead and lightly warned, "Don't come any closer! I'll prick you to death!"

Having once experienced the sting of a soul spike, the Third Princess quickly halted her steps. Her face, however, was full of excitement. "'The thorny flower smells even sweeter! You can't escape this time! Mother, catch him! I'll marry him right now!'"

Empress Yizhu had gradually managed to suppress her laughter. But when she turned and saw Jiang Fan, who was usually so dignified, now hiding behind her, too afraid to come out—his face as black as a cooking pot—she couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

Gu Xin'er, always eager to stir up trouble, clutched her stomach and laughed, "Haha, you little rogue, so you have a nemesis after all! I'm dying of laughter!"

Jiang Fan, with a dark face, shot her a side glance: "A handful!"

Gu Xin'er instantly stopped laughing, stomping her foot in anger. How dare that little rogue say such a thing in front of so many people? Outrageous!

Only then did Jiang Fan look at the East Sea Third Princess. After a brief thought, he said, "Third Princess, come with me. I have something to tell you."

The East Sea Third Princess's eyes lit up. "Is it a confession?" She excitedly stomped her feet, following Jiang Fan with great anticipation to a side hall. Soon after, the hall doors closed.

Empress Yizhu's smile faded, and a hint of worry appeared between her brows. Would Jiang Fan be alright? Her daughter's temperament was unpredictable. However, recalling Jiang Fan's strength, she felt reassured. She just wondered what Jiang Fan wanted with her.

Inside the hall. Jiang Fan walked further in, then slowly turned around. Looking at the East Sea Third Princess, who approached like a mountain, he said, "Hold out your hand."

The East Sea Third Princess, drooling as she looked at Jiang Fan, immediately extended a fleshy palm larger than Jiang Fan's head.

Jiang Fan took out a jade bottle and a silver needle. He pricked her palm. Blood immediately welled up. Jiang Fan caught it with the jade bottle.

"Ow! Thorny flower, why did you actually prick me?" The East Sea Third Princess put her finger in her mouth and sucked on it, complaining.

Jiang Fan put away the jade bottle and calmly stated, "I know of several fourth-grade spiritual elixirs that can treat physical deformities. Once I find them, I'll use your finger blood for an experiment. If it works, I'll send someone to deliver them to you."

The East Sea Third Princess's expression froze. It was as if she couldn't believe what she had heard. "You... you want to treat my body?" Ever since her body mutated, aside from her mother and siblings, it was the first time anyone had offered to heal her body. "Aren't you afraid of me?" The East Sea Third Princess lowered her head, her voice sounding somewhat desolate.

Jiang Fan sighed softly. "You are also a pitiful person. You were supposed to have a beautiful life and future, but it was ruined by the malice of some people. I will do my best to help you restore your body. But I can only say I'll try; I can't guarantee anything." He wasn't even entirely sure what the Sea Spring Monstrous Force was. How could he dare guarantee a cure? He could only say that he would try to help when refining elixirs in the future. If he could find a restoring elixir, that would be best; if not, there was nothing more he could do.

Drip—

Two streams of clear tears rolled down from the East Sea Third Princess's eyes. She wiped her eyes. Her voice thick with emotion, she said, "Thank you. It's the first time anyone has been kind to me. Thank you..."

Jiang Fan sighed, feeling even greater sympathy in his heart. Originally, she would have been a peerless beauty, just like Empress Yizhu. Yet she had become a mountain of flesh, despised and loathed by everyone. One could imagine what she had endured over the years without needing to be told.

"It will get better," Jiang Fan said.

But the East Sea Third Princess shook her head. "Thank you, Jiang Fan. But... it's not necessary." From the folds of fat around her waist, she pulled out a small pouch. She poured out a handful of various spiritual elixirs. Some were recently refined, others were several years old.

"Have these had no effect?" Jiang Fan asked. One or two of them should have been effective for physical deformities. Even if they couldn't cure her, they should at least improve her current physique. Why didn't she take them?

The East Sea Third Princess lowered her head and sighed softly: "You saw that Wei Wuji just now, didn't you? You can tell what his intentions towards my mother are, can't you?"

Jiang Fan remained silent. He simply nodded silently. Even a blind man could see Wei Wuji's intentions. However, Empress Yizhu had no such inclinations.

The East Sea Third Princess continued, "There are many, many people like him. They all covet my mother's beauty and the territory of the East Sea. And this monstrous appearance of mine can scare many people away. So, why should I get better? Let me just stay like this and silently help my mother."

Jiang Fan was stunned. A ripple stirred in his heart. Looking at the mountain of flesh before him, he suddenly found her not repulsive at all. Instead, she moved him deeply. Because within that mountain of flesh resided a shining heart.

He walked forward, gently stroked her head, and said, "Your mother is very fortunate."

The East Sea Third Princess's eyes welled up. She lowered her head, softly sobbing, allowing Jiang Fan to stroke her.

Outside the hall. Empress Yizhu's clear eyes shimmered, and with reddened rims, she quietly withdrew. The Second Prince stood with his hands behind his back. He gazed at the harmonious scene of Jiang Fan gently stroking his Third Sister's head. He remained silent for a long time.

That evening, Empress Yizhu hosted a banquet. The dishes were lavish, mostly specialties of the East Sea demon race. Worried that Jiang Fan might not be accustomed to the food, she even sent people to the shore to invite several human chefs to prepare some authentic human dishes. Only Empress Yizhu, Jiang Fan, the Second Prince, and the Third Princess attended. Gu Xin'er, still recovering from her injuries, declined the invitation. So it was just the four of them.

"Where is Mengchou? Why isn't she here?" Empress Yizhu frowned.

The Second Prince replied, "Mother, Eldest Sister said she's studying some very important information and couldn't spare the time. She asked us to keep Young Master Jiang company and have a few more drinks."

Empress Yizhu slammed the table. "Nonsense! She doesn't even come to such an important occasion! I'll go invite her myself!"

Jiang Fan, from the side, quickly interjected, "No, no. Studying is a good thing. There's plenty of time; it won't be too late to meet again later."

Empress Yizhu sighed helplessly, glancing at Jiang Fan, who was seated in the guest seat. She gestured, "Come, sit next to me."

Jiang Fan was startled. Sitting next to Empress Yizhu... did that mean a position equal to the clan leader? Or perhaps the sea demon race didn't concern themselves with such formalities? Jiang Fan, puzzled, sat down.

Empress Yizhu looked at the Second Prince and Third Princess, who were seated on either side below, and said, "Young Master Jiang helped us decipher the Cold Cicada Annihilation Elixir, resolving a great problem for our East Sea demon race. He also saved the Second Prince. We cannot repay this kindness. Therefore, Mother is now officially announcing something!"

The Second Prince and Third Princess looked bewildered. What could be so significant?

Empress Yizhu gave a preliminary warning, reminding them, "No matter what I announce next, neither of you should be surprised. And I hope from now on you will respect Young Master Jiang and never treat him with the slightest disrespect."

The Second Prince slowly rose. He said with a complicated expression, "Mother, there's no need to say more. Your son understands what you mean." With that said, he walked to the center of the living hall. Facing Jiang Fan, he solemnly knelt down. His voice loud and clear, he exclaimed, "Father! Please accept your son's bow!"