Everyone with the surname Gong is a eunuch.

"Who on earth is Gong Mofan? I don't recall knowing anyone with the surname Gong..." Shi Zhiyan muttered, fixing his gaze on the Spirit Devouring Beast in Xiaotong's arms. Although his look was calm, it made the beast break out in a cold sweat.

The Spirit Devouring Beast instinctively flicked its tail, then leaped out of Xiaotong's arms without hesitation, landing precisely on the ground.

"Huh? Spirit Devouring Beast? Your injuries aren't healed yet, why did you get down?" Xiaotong asked in confusion.

The Spirit Devouring Beast did not react much, merely replying, "This deity can heal such minor injuries on my own; there is no need for my master to worry." With that, it vanished from everyone's sight.

Though puzzled by the beast's erratic behavior, they were all accustomed to its eccentric temperament.

Xiaotong quickly snapped back to attention and continued, "Godfather, do you really not know that uncle with the surname Gong? Xiaotong really wants to know if he's as impressive as you!"

"Alright, alright, my son, stop dwelling on this!" Ming Xi suddenly pulled Xiaotong over, looking quite dissatisfied. "Look, you've left your godfather completely speechless! How can you compare your godfather to a eunuch?!"

"A eunuch? What is a eunuch?" Xiaotong asked, bewildered.

"My adorable little son, you are so dense. A eunuch is a half-man, half-woman freak who doesn't have 'that thing', and... do you even know what castration is?"

Xiaotong shook his head in confusion, understanding only a fraction of what his mother was saying.

"You're hopeless! Castration is a punishment that turns a man into a freak. And do you know why it's called *gong* punishment? Because it's a punishment specifically prepared for men with the surname Gong! Therefore, everyone on this continent with the surname Gong is a eunuch! Understand?"

Ming Xi explained in great detail for a moment, and Xiaotong finally caught on. "So that's how it is! Xiaotong understands now, all uncles with the surname Gong are eunuchs! But Xiaotong still doesn't get it, if they're not 'bulls' anymore, why are they still named Gong?"

"Never mind that! The point is, you actually compared your godfather to a eunuch. Aren't you going to admit you've been bad?" Ming Xi said, casting a triumphant glance at Shi Zhiyan, whose forehead was covered in black lines, as if purposely trying to infuriate him.

Who asked him to say earlier that she only survived thanks to the Spirit Devouring Beast?

"Oh, Xiaotong was bad. From now on, I won't compare Godfather to a eunuch..."

Upon hearing this, Shi Zhiyan was indeed utterly defeated. He completely surrendered to this rascal of a girl...

...Is this really how someone raises a child? Presenting a bunch of sheer nonsense with such academic gravity? You truly win this round, rascal...

"Can we change the subject, please? Do you mind not discussing eunuchs with a child? You are truly never serious for a single moment. Shouldn't you be considering the fact that since you ate the Serpent Emperor's inner core, the Serpent Emperor is bound to come looking for you to settle accounts?"

Settle accounts? Right! There was something she had almost forgotten! Back in the ice chamber, that fellow Xuan Ye had looked like he was dying to settle the score with Shi Zhiyan. Fortunately, Ming Xi still had a shred of decency left and hadn't sold out the child's father!

Yet, at this thought, Ming Xi grew even more puzzled. "By the way, child's father, I suddenly have a question for you..."

"What question? If it's about eunuchs, don't even ask..."

"It's not that! I want to know—do you have some kind of grievance with those two snakes? You have no idea, back in the snake cave, that snake named Xuan Ye looked like he wanted nothing more than to exact bloody vengeance on you!"

What? Shi Zhiyan froze instantly! Xuan Ye wanted to exact bloody vengeance on him?

"...How do you know that?"

"Of course I know! Honestly, what kind of grievance do you have with that snake? Did you steal his wife? His husband? Or is it a blood feud?"

Steal his wife? His husband? A blood feud? Shi Zhiyan broke out in a cold sweat. What on earth was going on inside this rascal's head...?