Invincible Dad-Chapter 655: Who Will Rule the Waves?_1

"..."

Taotie didn’t know how to refute. Whatever the Supreme Emperor says is right. Whatever he deems it to be, that’s what it is. As for family status... ever since he came to Earth and became completely wrapped around his daughter’s finger, what status does he even have left?

Of course, the First Divine General wouldn’t dare say that out loud. He was afraid of getting beaten.

So he nodded earnestly and agreed, "I understand, Supreme Emperor. This subordinate will certainly strive to learn from your spirit."

One dared to speak, and the other dared to listen. Neither of them pointed it out, and the atmosphere remained harmonious.

Xu Lai was very satisfied with Taotie’s growth. If this were the old Taotie, the blockhead would have definitely exposed my act.

"Why did you seek me out today?" Xu Lai asked.

"Supreme Emperor, it’s like this," Taotie began. "I plan to stay on Earth for a while to spend some time with Liu—"

Under Xu Lai’s pointed gaze, Taotie realized his mistake and quickly corrected himself, "—to spend time with Wan’er. But I won’t neglect my duties to the Heavenly Court."

"Don’t worry about it," Xu Lai said with a wave of his hand. "Leave the Heavenly Court to the other Divine Generals."

The Heavenly Court had one hundred Divine Generals. Besides the dozen or so defending the borders and the extreme martial figures like Taotie, over half of them were civil officials perfectly capable of handling its affairs. Even the civil officials were required to be at the Immortal Venerable Realm at a minimum, with only a few exceptional individuals from the Celestial Venerable Realm having been specially recruited for their extraordinary abilities.

"Supreme Emperor..." Taotie was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

"Life’s major events are important," Xu Lai said, giving him an affirming look. "Work on having a son soon so we can become in-laws!"

"ACHOO."

In East Sea City’s Galaxy Kindergarten, a certain little boy with the surname Qian sneezed for no reason.

Who’s talking about how handsome I am?

Qian Xiao was still completely unaware of the gravity of the situation. He continued to push the swing, foolishly gazing at the brightly smiling little girl on it, a happy and innocent smile spreading across his face.

Life is just too wonderful when I get to see Sister Yiyi every day! If only I could marry her... No, being her live-in son-in-law would be fine too!

Just the thought of it made Qian Xiao’s lips curl into a grin, and he started giggling like a fool.

"Qian Xiao, your smile is gross! You’re drooling..." another little boy reminded him.

"Get lost," Qian Xiao said, wiping his mouth with his arm and huffing. "That’s not drool, that’s happiness, you little brat!"

***

「In the school infirmary.」

After asking Xu Lai for a leave of absence, Taotie shyly asked him for advice on how to make money. He explained that he wanted to buy a house. The reason was simple: he wanted to build a home with Liu Wan.

Xu Lai fell into thought. He wasn’t short of money in general, but he didn’t have much on him. The salary for the director of the school infirmary was only around eight or ten thousand a month. Sea Temple Island, on the other hand, was a real money tree, its profits wired into Ruan Tang’s bank account on time each month by Old Jiang Ba and Su Daiyi. However, Sea Temple Island had been largely destroyed by Deng Xiaoyao and was still undergoing repairs and reconstruction. As a result, the only money Xu Lai could produce was less than fifty thousand—his entire private stash.

"Housing prices are too high," Taotie said, sounding aggrieved. "Supreme Emperor, could I just build my own cave dwelling in the nearby mountains?"

Xu Lai glanced at him sidelong. "And then what? Punch a hole through Earth with a single fist?"

"I have money!!!"

A childish voice echoed from the sky. It was Sikong Jiu of the Heavenly Dao. He wasn’t eavesdropping; he had simply come to discuss a matter with the Supreme Emperor and happened to overhear. The conversation terrified him so much that he had to speak up.

Divine General Taotie is a Quasi-Emperor! He’s infamous for his power! If he threw a punch, how could my fragile Heavenly Dao body possibly withstand it?

Fearing that Divine General Taotie might destroy Earth in a fit of rage, Sikong Jiu quickly made his presence known.

"Right." Xu Lai glanced at the Heavenly Dao and nodded. "Ask him. The high housing prices on Earth are his fault."

??? The Heavenly Dao was utterly frustrated. I’m just a plain, ordinary little Heavenly Dao! What do high housing prices have to do with me?

But Sikong Jiu could only brace himself and say, "I have some small savings from over the years. Is there a place that Divine General Taotie fancies?"

"Where is the most expensive?"

"..."

Hah. And they say Divine General Taotie is a brute? That’s just a little too direct! Sikong Jiu thought. Still, any problem that could be solved with money wasn’t really a problem. He promptly promised to buy a house for Taotie.

Taotie, however, had no intention of accepting a free lunch. He declared solemnly, "Within my power and without violating my principles, I will owe you one favor."

Sikong Jiu gasped. A house in exchange for a promise from a Quasi-Emperor? This was an incredible bargain!

This gave Sikong Jiu a bold idea. If all the Quasi-Emperors in the Immortal Domain lived on Earth—in houses provided by him—then forget Jing Ke, who would dare to offend this planet? It would be suicide! The more the Heavenly Dao thought about it, the more elated he became. His blood began to boil as he imagined an Earth filled with Quasi-Emperors and Immortal Venerables. He saw himself raising an arm, and at his command, countless powerhouses from the Immortal Domain would charge forth. Who decides the fate of the universe? Only I, the Heavenly Dao!

"It should be a three-bedroom, two-living-room, two-bathroom apartment with two balconies, close to the subway, in a quiet area, and with large, floor-to-ceiling windows," Taotie unabashedly listed his conditions. "A lake or sea view would be fine, but it can’t be too damp. Wan’er doesn’t like humidity."

"I’ll even have it luxuriously decorated for you!" the Heavenly Dao eagerly promised.

"No need," Taotie said, shaking his head. "Let my Wan’er decorate it herself. Your sense of style..." He shot a disdainful look at Sikong Jiu’s red bellyband before adding with utmost seriousness, "She probably wouldn’t like it."

"!!!"

Sikong Jiu was incredibly frustrated. What’s wrong with my style? Is there a problem with wearing a red bellyband during one’s zodiac year? It’s cute and auspicious!

But Sikong Jiu didn’t dare argue with Taotie, fearing the First Divine General would hold a grudge against him. Knowing the Heavenly Dao had business with the Supreme Emperor, Taotie didn’t linger. He excused himself and departed.

Xu Lai looked at the Heavenly Dao. "Speak. What is it?"

"Hehehe." The Heavenly Dao scratched his head, speaking very cautiously. "Supreme Emperor, would you like a candied hawthorn?"

As he spoke, he pulled a fragrant stick of the confection from his pocket. The hawthorn fruit, coated in glistening rock sugar, looked delicious.

Xu Lai said nothing, his gaze remaining perfectly calm.

Sikong Jiu no longer dared to beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly. "Supreme Emperor, the Ferryman... has he come to find you?"

Xu Lai smiled faintly. "Friend Sikong Jiu, you seem to know quite a lot."

The Heavenly Dao’s face flushed with embarrassment. He coughed, then explained, "Actually, I just sensed the Ferryman’s presence, and it awakened this memory within me."

Xu Lai poured himself a cup of tea, lowered his head to take a sip, and said nothing.

The Heavenly Dao continued, "Supreme Emperor, did he come looking for the key this time? You mustn’t give him any clues! That man is extremely dangerous!"

"The key is with me," Xu Lai stated calmly. "He came to make a trade."

"The key is with *you*?" The Heavenly Dao was completely stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing.