Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 456 - 446: Three Heart Locks

"We’re heading home!"

Nannan wasn’t eager to continue playing in this Ancient City just because it was fun here. She was very clear... she couldn’t delay her father’s important tasks.

Her father’s important tasks were patrolling the river and guarding it.

Although she didn’t know why her father had to keep watching that river, it didn’t matter — her father must have his reasons for doing so.

"Let’s play for two more days." Su Mu was taken aback for a moment and then smiled, ruffling Nannan’s head.

He was usually very busy and rarely had the chance to take Nannan out to play. Over the years, being stuck at the river, he had missed so much of Nannan’s childhood.

"No, no, I’m already happy with the playing." Nannan shook Su Mu’s large hand and said coquettishly.

"Just one more day, we’ll play for one more day and then head home. Daddy wants to have some fun too."

Su Mu said with a smile.

"Alright then! Come on, Daddy, I just discovered many interesting places, come with me."

"Uncle Du, Aunt Yu, you join us too!"

Nannan waved at the three of them.

"Um, Brother Su, I won’t disturb you. I have some work to handle, so I’ll head back first. Just call me if you need anything."

Du Ziren clasped his fists in greeting.

This was a moment for Elder Su and his daughter, and he felt it would be inappropriate to intrude.

"Alright, then Brother Du, you go ahead with your work." Su Mu said with a smile.

However, Shen Yu had no intention of leaving.

"Shen Yu, let’s go!"

"It’s their family time for a stroll, why are you hanging around?" Seeing that Shen Yu wasn’t willing to leave, Du Ziren quickly whispered to her.

"You go if you want to." With that, Shen Yu followed behind Su Mu and Nannan.

Seeing this, Du Ziren was so irritated he ground his teeth, but he couldn’t just swallow his words and follow along.

Forget it, he liked that crazy woman, but hoped she wouldn’t cause any trouble.

The last time Elder Su came, it was because he got drunk, and Shen Cha took Elder Su away without notice.

Later, Shen Cha was punished by the Lady, and he still had no idea what reckless thing Shen Cha had done...

He hoped Shen Yu wouldn’t make the same mistake, as the Reincarnation Realm had no one else ready to take over the position of "Netherworld King".

If anything happened to Shen Yu, the position of the Netherworld King would be vacant, the Reincarnation Realm would be in turmoil, and he wouldn’t find peace.

Nonetheless, since Shen Yu had already given "that item" to Nannan, she probably bore no ill-will towards her. He only worried that Shen Yu might act recklessly towards Elder Su for her sister’s sake.

....

"Big sister, what is this?" Nannan stopped at a stall, pointing at three items that looked like sachets on the stall and asked.

"These are called... Three Heart-Linked Locks."

The vendor was a woman in her forties, dressed very simply, her smile exuding a warm and kind feeling.

"These Three Heart-Linked Locks, there are three in total. No matter what distance, they allow you to sense each other’s presence." The woman bent slightly and explained to Nannan with a smile.

Hearing this, Nannan’s eyes lit up instantly.

Seeing this, Su Mu said to the vendor, "I’ll take them."

Then, Su Mu handed the vendor a token, a special currency used in this Ancient City, which Du Ziren had lent him.

"Alright!"

"I’ll pack them for you."

With that, the woman placed the three Heart-Linked Locks in three exquisite boxes and handed them to Nannan.

"Daddy, one for you, one for me." Nannan said, handing one to Su Mu.

Because her father often went out on patrols, leaving Nannan alone at home, with this Heart Lock, she could know about her father’s state, whereabouts, and if he encountered any danger...

Actually, Su Mu liked this treasure too. Sharing the same thought as Nannan, when he went out patrolling, he could always keep an eye on her state.

"Here, Aunt Yu, the third one is for you." Nannan handed the last Heart Lock to Shen Yu.

Seeing this, Shen Yu was taken aback, quickly waving her hand in refusal, "Nannan, you should keep this for your Mrs. Liu, no need to give it to me..."

As she spoke, the vendor woman looked at the masked woman before her. Although she couldn’t see her face, her figure, and poise were unmistakable.

This man seemed quite extraordinary, having two companions alongside and a darling daughter, truly a winner in life!

Then, the vendor woman teased, "Your family is just right with three people, perfect."

"You misunderstood, I’m not family with them..." Shen Yu explained.

"Big sister, she’s my aunt." Nannan also explained.

Upon hearing this, the vendor woman realized her mistake, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I misunderstood."

Because the woman’s demeanor was so similar to the little girl’s, she instinctively thought Nannan was Shen Yu’s daughter and that they were a family of three.

Standing together, they indeed looked like a family of three from any angle.

"Mrs. Liu doesn’t need this, Aunt, you should take it." Nannan insisted.

"So I can find you when I come to play with you next time."

Nannan firmly placed the third Heart Lock into Shen Yu’s hands, leaving Shen Yu in a fluster, uncertain whether to accept it or not.

Seeing Nannan giving it away, Su Mu didn’t have much to say either.

However, judging by Shen Yu’s attitude towards Nannan and the treasure she gave, Shen Yu likely didn’t have any malicious intent towards her. So... Shen Yu knowing Nannan’s location might actually be a good thing.

Because if Nannan ever truly encountered danger and he was trapped, Shen Yu might be another hope.

...

They soon arrived at the next shop.

Nannan sat in a rocking wooden boat.

Su Mu and Shen Yu stood below, watching Nannan, waiting.....

Shen Yu hesitated internally for a long time before finally asking, "Elder Su, do you remember Shen Cha?"

"Shen Cha?" On hearing the name, an image of an exceptionally beautiful woman flashed in Su Mu’s mind.

"I remember... are you related to her?" Su Mu then realized, noticing the similarity in their surnames.

"She’s my younger sister."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu turned and gave Shen Yu a thorough look, finally noticing the resemblance between Shen Cha and Shen Yu.

"Ah, I see, no wonder I found you familiar when we first met. I didn’t know you were Shen Cha’s sister." Su Mu said with a smile.

Hearing Su Mu’s cheerful tone and casual chat, Shen Yu was momentarily stunned.

Why, when talking about Shen Cha, was there nothing unusual in his tone?

Could it be, she really guessed wrong?

Was Shen Cha being punished by the Lady into Reincarnation truly unrelated to Su Mu, and solely her own wrong?

For a moment, she felt a bit confused.