I'm Dreaming of a Journey to the West

"Don't cry, kid. Isn't your father okay?"

Li Shimin looked at his daughter Li Zhaohuang in his arms with heartache. He reached out and gently stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. However, Li Zhaohuang's tears continued to flow, and she hugged Li Shimin's neck tightly, as if she was afraid of losing him again.

Li Shimin sighed helplessly. He knew that this assassination had frightened and hurt his daughter greatly. But he also understood that Li Zhaohuang was not a fragile girl. She had a strong heart and an unyielding will.

Li Zhaohuang gradually stopped crying. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves, raised her head, and looked at Li Shimin firmly. Her eyes revealed a kind of determination, as if telling Li Shimin that she was ready to face any difficulties.

"Father, I want to become your disciple and learn the skills to protect you!" Li Zhaohuang said in a firm tone.

Li Shimin was slightly stunned, then smiled with satisfaction. He could feel his daughter's growth and understanding, and was also proud of her courage and determination.

"Well, my dear daughter has finally grown up!" Li Shimin said with emotion.

However, Li Shimin suddenly realized a problem - when his daughter said that she wanted to learn from a master, did she mean to go up the mountain to learn Taoism? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown.

He knew full well that the path of cultivation was extremely difficult, requiring immense effort and time, whether it was Buddhism or Taoism. Furthermore, cultivation was not something that could be achieved overnight, and some people might never grasp its true meaning in their entire lives.

Li Shimin frowned slightly, a look of worry on his face. He knew his daughter was stubborn and would be hard to change once she made up her mind. However, he didn't want to dismiss her idea easily, as it might affect her future.

Li Shimin decided to be frank with his daughter and understand her true intentions. He asked softly, "Daughter, when you say you want to learn from a master, do you mean to go up the mountain and study Taoism?"

Li Zhaohuang raised his head, looked at his father with a determined gaze, and answered without hesitation, "I'm not going up the mountain to learn Taoism! I'm following the hero Li Chen to exorcise demons and monsters, provide relief to the people, and learn some skills along the way!"

Li Shimin was taken aback when he heard this. He had never expected his daughter to have such a bold idea, wanting to follow Li Chen on this adventure. Li Zhaohuang's tone was firm, as if he had already made up his mind.

Li Shimin sighed inwardly. He knew his daughter's character; once she made a decision, she wouldn't change it easily. Yet, how could he let her take such a risk? He was especially worried when he recalled the Chang'an Rebellion.

That thrilling battle remains vivid in my mind. Chang'an was plunged into chaos, demons were rampant, and the people suffered. But Li Chen and his men bravely fought and ultimately saved the city. While they were victorious, the ferocity of the battle remains unforgettable.

Li Shimin looked at his daughter with heartache, thinking: "My daughter is as delicate as a flower, how can she withstand such hardship? I can't let her be involved in such danger!" At this moment, his only thought was to find a suitable man for his daughter to marry as soon as possible so that she could live a stable and happy life.

After some thought, Li Shimin finally made a decision. He looked at Li Zhaohuang with a determined look in his eyes and said, "Okay, no problem. Tomorrow I will personally go to Li Chenyingxiong and ask him if he is willing to accept you as his disciple."

Hearing this, Li Zhaohuang's face immediately broke into a brilliant smile, her heart filled with joy. She looked at Li Shimin gratefully, her eyes revealing deep respect. She knew that this was the greatest support and encouragement her father had given her.

After receiving her father's affirmative reply, Li Zhaohuang could no longer contain her excitement and fled the palace like a happy bird. She couldn't wait to tell Li Chen the good news and looked forward to becoming his apprentice.

Meanwhile, on the other side, night fell and the whole world was immersed in tranquility. However, for Li Chen, it was a restless night.

"Who is it? It's so late, can't I sleep?" Li Chen muttered as he pushed the Hibiscus Fairy and the Fire-Eating Scorpion away from him. He reluctantly got up from the bed. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and walked to the door while complaining.

When he opened the door, the sight before him jolted him awake. Standing outside was a mysterious figure, shrouded in a black cloak. Li Chen stared at the figure warily, a sense of unease welling up in his heart.

He subconsciously tightened his grip on the weapon, ready to fight at any moment. After all, the sudden appearance of such a mysterious figure in the middle of the night was truly unsettling.

"Hero Li Chen! It's me!"

The man in the cloak took it off, and Li Chen looked closely and saw that it was Li Shimin! Li Chen quickly put away his weapon and welcomed Li Shimin in.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here in the middle of the night?"

Li Chen asked doubtfully, he didn't understand why Li Shimin came here so late at night.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Hero Li Chen, my daughter wants to become your disciple tomorrow. Please refuse her and say that she doesn't have the talent. I don't want my daughter to take such a risk!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chen felt a surge of displeasure. He frowned, looked at Li Shimin, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, if the princess truly wants to learn martial arts, why would you refuse? While the path of martial arts is difficult, it can also make one stronger. Moreover, if the princess truly has a talent for it, wouldn't that be burying her talent?"

After hearing this, Li Shimin shook his head helplessly and said, "Hero Li Chen, you don't know that I don't mean to bury her talent and gifts, but this world is full of countless variables and crises. I really can't bear to let my daughter face these dangers. If something happens, I... I..."

Li Chen was silent for a moment. He understood Li Shimin's concerns as a father, but he also felt that these concerns were a bit extreme. He thought for a moment and said to Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, I know you are worried about the princess's safety, but we can take some measures to ensure her safety. For example, I can arrange for some powerful people to protect her, or teach her some self-defense skills. This will both meet her needs and ensure her safety."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "Hero Li Chen, you are right. But I still hope you can reject her and make her give up the idea of ​​learning martial arts. After all, it is not mainstream for women to learn martial arts. I hope she can live a stable life like other women."

Li Chen couldn't help but think of the many parents in real life who, for various reasons, arbitrarily decide their children's futures, depriving them of the right to pursue their dreams. He couldn't help but sigh, "Why not give children a chance to try and explore? Perhaps they will achieve unexpected success along the way."