Chapter 3: First Meeting with Loli Huo
The first time he met Huo Yutong was three years ago.
It was not long after he had just gained the ability to move around freely.
That day, he was wandering around the Duke's Mansion, observing his surroundings.
Suddenly, the sound of crying mixed with the playful shouts of several children came from a corner.
Not wanting to get involved, Qian Zhaoguang initially intended to pretend he hadn't seen anything and just pass by.
However, upon taking a closer look, he saw several older children bullying a little girl who looked about three years old.
The little girl was huddled in a corner, covering her head with her arms, while the other children were laughing and throwing dirt clods and small stones at her, yelling obscenities.
He recognized the bullies; they were the children of servants.
Furthermore, they were known troublemakers, already disliked by many.
Seeing this combination, Qian Zhaoguang's anger flared up instantly.
Damn it, what kind of bravery is it for several boys to bully one little girl?
Although his physical condition at the time was not much different from an ordinary three-year-old, the skills, reflexes, and perception honed over many years were still intact.
After easily taking down the little brats, Qian Zhaoguang grabbed the girl's hand and ran, not stopping until they reached the safety of his own small courtyard.
"Th-thank you, big brother."
The little girl squatted on the ground, speaking timidly in a small voice.
Qian Zhaoguang waved his hand dismissively, handed her a wet towel to wipe her face, and casually asked, "What's your name? I don't think I've seen you in the Duke's Mansion before."
"I... my name is Huo Yutong."
Qian Zhaoguang was instantly stunned, shock written all over his face.
"What did you say your name was? Huo Yutong? Then is your mother named Huo Yun'er?"
Huo Yutong seemed frightened by Qian Zhaoguang's intense questioning and stumbled back, falling to the ground.
She squeezed her eyes shut, curled up tightly, wrapped her arms around her head, and her whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Sob... sob... Brother, please don't hit me, don't hit me..."
"No, no, I won't hit you, I won't, I promise."
Qian Zhaoguang pushed aside his shock and quickly comforted her.
Huo Yutong tremblingly opened her eyes just a crack, tears welling up.
"R-really?"
"Of course, it's real. Otherwise, why would I have saved you earlier? Right?"
"Waaaaah, thank you, brother..."
Saying that seemed to make it worse; Huo Yutong suddenly threw herself into his arms and began crying her eyes out.
Caught completely off guard, Qian Zhaoguang froze on the spot, utterly clueless about what to do.
Although he was indeed an adult in his previous life, he had absolutely zero experience comforting little girls.
"Xiao Guang, what's this?"
The old butler had just returned from outside and saw his grandson being hugged by a crying little girl, immediately feeling suspicious.
Qian Zhaoguang quickly explained, "Grandpa, it's like this. Just now..."
After he explained the situation to the old butler, Huo Yutong gradually stopped crying, her sobs turning into intermittent sniffles.
Seeing another old man who looked rather imposing appear, she immediately ducked behind Qian Zhaoguang, tightly gripping his clothes, her body starting to tremble again.
"Ah... Huo Yun'er's daughter. No wonder."
The old butler didn't say much more, simply took the things he was carrying and went inside.
As the former head butler of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, although long retired, little that happened within the estate escaped his notice.
He was naturally aware of the matter between Huo Yun'er and Dai Hao.
"You did the right thing today," the old butler said, glancing at him from the open doorway, his brow furrowed slightly. "Next time you see those little bastards who obviously had mothers but were never taught any manners, beat the living daylights out of them. Your grandpa isn't dead yet; nobody dares to touch you."
"You're not blaming me?"
"Blame you for what? You did the right thing! A man ought to have some backbone. That brat Dai Hao disappears for years at a time, and when he does come back, it's only to deal with military affairs. He sure has it easy being an absentee master! This perfectly fine White Tiger Duke's Mansion is becoming more and more of a toxic mess!"
Hearing this, Qian Zhaoguang chuckled inwardly.
This old man has spirit! He must have been quite the firebrand in his youth.
"Then, Huo Yutong... she?"
"Heat some water so she can wash up. I'll go find some clothes that might fit her. Get an extra set of bowl and chopsticks too. Let's have lunch early today. After we eat, you can take some food to her mother as well. Sigh, such a pitiful fate, not having enough food or proper clothes..."
"Okay!"
During lunch, Qian Zhaoguang's thoughts had already drifted far away.
Just an hour ago, his perception of this world had been dealt a heavy blow.
This isn't right... This IS the Douluo Continent during the Unrivaled Tang Sect era! And this IS the White Tiger Duke's Mansion! Her mother IS Huo Yun'er! So where is Huo Yuhao? Where is the future God of Emotions, Tang San's lapdog son-in-law? Can anyone explain to me why Huo Yuhao has turned into a little loli?!
No one could explain it to him, and no one could tell him the truth.
After making absolutely sure through various means, Qian Zhaoguang was completely certain.
This Huo Yutong was definitely the original story's Huo Yuhao, just somehow gender-bent into a little girl.
No wonder he had searched everywhere in the White Tiger Duke's Mansion for Huo Yuhao and found no trace – the gender had been swapped entirely.
However, this meant his plans would need considerable changes.
As early as two years ago, once Qian Zhaoguang had confirmed the timeline he had transmigrated into, he had already set a small goal for himself.
To try and seize the two biggest cheats of the current era – Electrolux and the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm – six years later.
Why just "try"?
Because he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could awaken a Spirit-type Martial Soul against astronomical odds.
Without a Spirit-type Martial Soul, going to the Star Dou Great Forest would likely be pointless; the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm would probably ignore him completely.
As for Electrolux, there was perhaps a sliver of a chance, but it would ultimately depend on luck.
If all else failed, his backup plan was to bring Huo Yuhao along and attempt to intercept the spiritual fragment of the Undead Scourge, the Necromancer Saint God, during Huo Yuhao's fusion with the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
But unexpectedly, Huo Yuhao had become Huo Yutong, changing from male to female, turning into a pitiful, delicate little loli.
Suddenly, he felt a slight twinge of reluctance...
Well, just a tiny bit.
Even if Huo Yuhao was gender-bent, it couldn't deter Qian Zhaoguang's firm resolution to snatch those two major cheats.
Having gone through the trouble of transmigrating, failing to become a god would be letting himself down.
However, at this point in time, the original Shura God and Sea God (Tang San) had 'retired' (nominally), the Gods of Kindness and Evil had been inherited by Lie Yan and Ji Dong respectively, and Rong Nianbing was solely focused on finding a way to escape.
The only one capable of challenging Tang San, the God of Destruction, was solely concerned with expanding the God Realm and ignored all other matters.
As a result, the God Realm had effectively become Tang San's personal dictatorship.
He had no desire to cultivate painstakingly for decades only to ascend and become Tang San's dog.
Who knew, perhaps one day Tang San would decide he "had a death wish" and just kill him off.
Therefore, obtaining Electrolux was of paramount importance to him.
Especially Electrolux's experience in creating planes – that was the absolute top priority.
So, Qian Zhaoguang's determination to seize the cheats was absolutely unshakable; no one could dissuade him.
Originally, to avoid the factor of Huo Yuhao, the 'Son of Destiny', his plan was to completely alter Huo Yuhao's original life path.
However...
Since Huo Yutong was now a little loli, perhaps his plan could be modified.
After all, her talent with soul tools was genuinely formidable.
Instead of making her an enemy, why not make her a friend?
Wouldn't an extra ally be beneficial?
When soul tool research reached its peak, even a God-King couldn't easily handle it!
Step one in overthrowing the God-King: Start by winning over Huo Yutong!
I refuse to believe that Tang San, that daughter-doting maniac, would be insane enough to gender-bend Tang Wutong into a boy just to seduce her!
(End of Chapter)