After everyone was reborn, I was strictly disciplined.

"Grandmother?"

A slightly hesitant exclamation rang out from behind him.

Jiang Huaijin stood to the side, dressed in a blue robe, and had originally been silently watching the grandfather and grandson talk. But now he couldn't help but speak up.

His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with surprise and astonishment.

My grandma is usually so dignified and composed, how could she teach Xingran to hit someone today?

Aren't you afraid that Xie Xingran will develop an arrogant and violent personality?

Was it the same in a past life?

But He Anyao simply waved her hand without turning her head, her calm eyes indicating that he should calm down and not say anything more.

Seeing this, Jiang Huaijin had no choice but to swallow the rest of his words, lower his eyes and remain silent, though his gaze was slightly fixed, clearly still harboring concerns.

He Anyao's words were not spoken on a whim, but after repeated and careful consideration.

The Fire Marrow Elixir Holy Land has existed for hundreds of years, and its disciples, elders, and servants number in the thousands, a diverse and unpredictable mix.

There are loyal and devoted people, and naturally there are also opportunists who scheme and spread rumors.

This rumor, which may seem like just a joke to children, may actually be orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.

Even if she is furious at this moment, investigates thoroughly, and severely punishes the troublemakers, there is no guarantee that no one will hold a grudge and continue to cause trouble in other ways in the future.

Rumors are like a festering sore; it's better to guide than to block them, and they're impossible to completely prevent.

If, in order to protect Ranran, we were to increase his guards tenfold or a hundredfold, keeping him close day and night, it would certainly protect him for a while, but it would also turn him into a caged bird, depriving him of the freedom of a child, and making him develop a dependent personality.

Once he is free from the protection of his guards, he will only become more vulnerable and easier to bully.

Instead of guarding against thieves for a thousand days, it's better to let Ranran grow her own claws.

He Anyao knew all too well that in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, in this sacred land where people's hearts were so complex, mere tolerance and protection would never bring peace.

Only by making Ranran tougher and teaching her to fight back proactively, letting those with ill intentions know that Xie Xingran is not a pushover to be easily manipulated, can we fundamentally eliminate the intrusion of these rumors.

The two slaps were meant to establish authority, to let those in the shadows know that the dignity of the Holy Land's young master is inviolable, and that anyone who dares to speak ill of his parents or sow discord will pay the price.

She looked at Xie Xingran, who was staring at her with a bewildered expression, and her tone softened slightly, yet remained unwaveringly firm:

"Ranran, remember this? If anyone dares to say anything bad to you again, just hit them back. If anything happens, Grandma will take responsibility!"

"R-really, is that okay?"

Xie Xingran gripped He Anyao's clothes tightly, her fingertips tightening slightly, her face scrunched up, and her eyes showing just the right amount of hesitation.

He lowered his eyelashes, the long lashes casting a small shadow under his eyelids, as if he was embarrassed about "hitting someone," but deep in his eyes, there was a deep sense of smugness.

"sure!"

He Anyao patted her chest, her tone resolute and firm, "Ranran, don't be afraid. Just do it! No matter who it is, if they dare to talk nonsense to you, hit them! Even if the sky falls, Grandma will hold it up for you!"

Looking at her grandson's timid appearance, she assumed he was just a coward and felt even more sorry for him, wishing she could give him all the strength she could to protect him.

Xie Xingran suddenly raised her head, wiped the tear stains on her cheek with the back of her hand, and asked in a tearful, aggrieved voice:

"But... but if we do this, what if Daddy and Mommy find out when they get back? Won't they think Ranran is naughty, a bad child who likes to hit others?"

His tone carried a hint of fear, as if this was his greatest fear.

He Anyao's heart softened, and she quickly hugged him tighter, gently stroking his back to comfort him: "Silly child, how could that be?"

Her voice was gentle, but her tone was unusually firm, "Your parents will only think that Ranran is the best and bravest!"

"When faced with malicious people, we should fight back decisively and not let ourselves be wronged. This is how our Holy Land's young master should be!"

"But...but..."

Xie Xingran sniffed, as if suddenly remembering something. His voice became even more choked up. He raised his head and glanced timidly at Jiang Huaijin not far away, his eyes filled with fear.

"But Ranran did the same thing just now, and Brother Jiang was very angry and even hit Ranran's hand..."

He brought up the old story again, his voice soft and gentle, filled with deep grievance. After speaking, he subconsciously pulled his hand back, as if the pain from being hit still lingered in his palm.

He Anyao followed his gaze to Jiang Huaijin, her eyes sweeping over him lightly, without anger, but with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.

Jiang Huaijin's back stiffened, and his hands, hanging at his sides, unconsciously clenched.

Turning her gaze away, He Anyao looked down at Xie Xingran in her arms, softening her tone as she patiently explained:

"Ranran, that's because you really did something wrong."

"Lu Chengyuan disobeyed you and offended the young master's dignity. You could have handed him over to the Discipline Hall to be dealt with, and let the elders punish him according to the rules of the Holy Land, instead of having all the disciples beat him. Wouldn't that be going too far?"

"Oh……"

Xie Xingran nodded as if she understood, then gently rubbed her head against He Anyao's neck, looking obedient and well-behaved.

But after a short while, he raised his head again, his big, dark eyes filled with confusion, as if he had suddenly figured out some key issue, and asked:

"But Grandma, he won't listen to me anymore. How can I hand him over to the disciplinary hall? He'll definitely rebel!"

He paused, then frowned slightly, gesturing to show his height with a troubled expression, his tone full of helplessness:

"Besides, he's so tall, and Ranran is so small and weak. Even if I wanted to go up and slap him twice, I couldn't reach his face! That's why I asked other disciples to help me, otherwise I wouldn't be able to hit him at all..."

Upon hearing this, He Anyao immediately fell into deep thought.

She looked down at the tiny bundle in her arms. Xie Xingran was indeed of noble status, the future heir of the Holy Land, but he was only three years old after all. His cultivation was still shallow, and he had not even fully stabilized his Qi cultivation. His strength was also pitifully small.

Compared to those tall and accomplished disciples, he did indeed appear exceptionally weak. Even if he wanted to retaliate, he would likely find it difficult to gain the upper hand and might even be bullied instead.

And what the child said makes sense.

If the other party insists on disobeying orders and refuses to obediently go to the discipline hall, given his age and strength, he indeed cannot deal with the other party.

In this way, having one's disciples help with the fighting doesn't seem like a bad idea.

He Anyao stroked her chin, her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of weighing in her eyes.

She originally wanted Xie Xingran to learn to fight back forcefully and establish his authority as the young master, but she overlooked his current situation. A child's body is indeed his biggest weakness; rather than letting him suffer in vain, it's better to be flexible.

As long as the goal of establishing authority can be achieved and those people dare not provoke Xie Xingran again, having someone else fight for him seems to be a viable method.