Chapter 33 The promise has a fish tail, what good could it be...?

Jiang Liuyun sighed and slowly uttered three words: "Jia Qianyang".

Upon hearing those three words, Qingdai immediately pictured the old man she had only met a few times. His face was sallow, his eyes lifeless, and he looked like he had one foot in the grave. No one would have guessed that he had used so many dark methods behind the scenes.

Qingdai believed that Jiang Liuyun was telling the truth, but how did the High Priest know all of this?

Sensing Qingdai's questioning gaze, Jiang Liuyun knew what she wanted to ask and replied helplessly, "It was because I discovered his scheme that I disappeared during this time." He then gave a self-deprecating laugh, "If it weren't for my fear of Tianqiong, I would probably be a corpse by now."

Qingdai frowned, suddenly remembering that Jiang Yuhuo had once come to the temple to find her because he had sensed Jia Qianyang's presence inside. At the time, she had been skeptical.

It turned out that Jiang Yuhuo had already discovered the clues, but unfortunately no one took her words seriously at the time.

"But how did he manage to hide a living person?" Qingdai asked in confusion.

She remembered Jiang Yuhuo saying that he had searched the inn before and found no place to hide people. The only thing he found was the strange aura in Jia Qianyang's room.

Jiang Liuyun said, "It's the same as when you went to find Liu Chong'er."

"You mean, the illusion in the mine?"

Jiang Liuyun nodded.

"This was also set up by him!" Qingdai looked up and took a deep breath. At this moment, she felt suffocated, as if an invisible net had been hanging over them and Liyue Village all along.

Qingdai remembered the question Jiang Liuyun hadn't answered earlier. Now the answer was obvious, but she still wanted to confirm, so she stated, "Therefore, when we entered the illusion of the mine, you could see us, but we couldn't find you."

"Unless the monster supporting the illusion is killed, like when Jiang Yuhu killed the hairy spider, Liu Chong'er was able to walk out of the illusion."

"So, is the illusion you're in supported by a mountain god?"

Jiang Liuyun nodded, "That's right. He not only found the Forbidden Forest where the Mountain God resided, but also used an illusion to connect the mine to the Forbidden Forest. The illusion leading into the mine is the path to the Forbidden Forest. That's how I fell into his trap the night the mine collapsed. And then, I saw you all..."

The temple fell silent for a moment.

The enemy has seized all the advantages: favorable timing, advantageous location, and popular support.

Qingdai looked up at the Feather God statue above her. The statue's face was blurry, but its eyes were filled with pity.

She thought with some resentment, if the Feather God has a spirit, why does he insist on giving the enemy the upper hand, and why does he not protect the people who believe in Him?

Qingdai spoke again, her voice already weak, "What exactly do they want? Isn't having the ore enough?"

If they were only after the ore, the village would have already agreed to let them mine it; there would have been no need for such a complicated process.

Jiang Liuyun also looked at the statue and sighed deeply, "I originally hoped that all they wanted was ore, but unfortunately the sky has been lost. No matter what they ask for, Liyue Village has no power to contend with them."

Jiang Liuyun changed the subject, "However, your father and I have spoken with the Qin family, and they have promised not to harm the people of Liyue Village."

That being said, no one can guarantee whether the Qin family will actually keep their promise.

Upon hearing this, Qingdai immediately became alert. "What are the conditions?"

"The mines belong entirely to the Qin family, and Liyue Village is incorporated into the Dayong Dynasty."

"Anything else?"

"...Xiao Jiang, go with them."

Qingdai suddenly found it all quite ridiculous, "Does Jiang Yuhuo know about these things?"

Jiang Liuyun slowly shook his head.

Do you think Jiang Yuhuo will obediently go with them?

Jiang Liuyun smiled and shook his head. "No."

Qingdai asked, puzzled, "Then what will you offer them in exchange?"

Jiang Liuyun remained silent for a while, and only after a long time did his voice come through—

"With my life."

*

Life seemed to have returned to normal, and Xiao Jiang's life settled down. Aside from seeing Jiang Liuyun, no one else came to the door. Jiang Liuyun had been busy preparing for the sacrificial ceremony at the temple and was often away from home.

However, Xiao Jiang suffered from aftereffects of the battle in the misty forest and slept day and night, which greatly limited the number of times she could go out. Fortunately, Xiao Hai had recovered his spiritual power and could take care of himself, so she no longer needed to worry about him.

Only once, she was sitting at the door, idly teasing Fang Po's little black dog, when she looked up and accidentally saw Qingdai standing not far away watching her with an indescribably strange look in her eyes. Just as she was about to greet her, Qingdai walked away without saying a word.

This matter lingered in her mind and she couldn't let it go.

Qingdai's eyes seemed to be reminding her that it wasn't over yet.

The questions that have not been answered will not disappear, and the things that have not been explained will not pass.

Xiao Jiang began to fight against the aftereffects of his drowsy state.

At first, she thought that all she had to do was get out of bed and go out as soon as she felt sleepy. But she found herself lying on the floor and taking a nap.

So she started pouring cold water on herself, but this method only worked for a short time. Soon her body got used to it and even felt comfortable with the cold water.

Finally, she placed a knife by her pillow, thinking she would stab herself once she started to feel sleepy, but in the end she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Watching her constantly toss and turn, the merman finally couldn't help but ask, "Don't you want to sleep? Your body was too exhausted before; sleeping more will do you good."

Xiao Jiang shook her head repeatedly. She felt she couldn't just sleep like this. She still had so many questions unanswered, and her father still treated her like a child, never telling her anything. Since that was the case, she would find the answers herself.

In the past, she could get a lot of information from the birds, but now she can't even hear a bird chirping in the village.

Seeing that Xiao Jiang insisted, the mermaid came to help her. Her cool fingers touched her brow, and soon her mind felt clear again after a long time.

Xiao Hai gently stroked her face, and his tender voice echoed in Xiao Jiang's mind, "I can't go out with you tonight, I'll wait for you to come back here."

Xiao Jiang touched the merman's hand, then raised her own hand in front of him, and a crisp clapping sound rang out, "Okay, it's a deal."

These days, the process of differentiation in the merman has been ongoing. She may not be able to see it, but he can clearly perceive the progress of his body's differentiation.

The moment of final differentiation will come tonight.

After tonight, he will transform into a man.

The merman watched her departing figure, struggling to suppress his instinct to keep her by his side.

He realized for the first time how difficult the differentiation period was. Heat, pain, cravings... often came together to assault his body. After taking her medicine, his body was already much better than before, but as the final moment approached, those terrible feelings began to reappear, even being magnified many times over.

He needed her presence to soothe him, but then he thought it was better that she wasn't here. He was afraid that the transformation process would be too unsightly and frighten her.

Once the transformation is complete, she will only see his most perfect side.

She will love him as much as she does now; no, she will love him even more.

*

Before it was completely dark, the majestic altar had been erected in the central square of Liyue Village, surrounded by dozens of newly built bonfires burning in the smoky pink sunset.

A large number of people gathered in the square, including people from Liyue Village and Qin family, but villagers still made up the majority. The firelight and the glow of the sunset shone on their faces, making each person's features clear.

Seeing the lively scene, Xiao Jiang belatedly realized that today was the annual Feather God Festival. If she hadn't insisted on going out, she probably would have missed this year's ceremony.

Father was also puzzled. How could he not invite her to such a rare occasion? He knew she was the type to love joining in the fun.

The ceremony had not yet begun. According to past custom, the ceremony would take place after nightfall, when it was completely dark. The high priest, who was presiding over the ceremony, would lead the ten shamans in chanting prayers, and use Nuo dance to invoke the descent of the gods. Finally, torches lit with ten spirit trees would be placed inside the altar.

At that time, the flames of the Ten Spirit Woods pierced through the towering, hollow altar, reaching the night sky so that those standing on the ground could see the flames burning so brightly they seemed to connect heaven and earth. Bronze drums resounded in unison, and ten shamans, clad in feathered robes, danced to please the gods. In such a scene, anyone would believe that the prayers of the world could be delivered to the realm of the gods.

Legend has it that in ancient times, gods and humans lived together, and the sky and the earth were connected by four pillars. However, later the pillars collapsed and the earth sank, and the connection between heaven and earth was severed, and there were no more miracles.

Xiao Jiang gazed at the tall altar in the center of the square from afar, trying to discern some trace of the ancient celestial pillars.

Before long, they encountered Qin Yuqi.

He and a large group of people sat in a corner not far from the square. When they saw Xiao Jiang, Qin Yuqi, who was sitting in the middle, immediately got up with the help of others.

He was using a crutch, one leg was bandaged so it couldn't touch the ground, and the other arm was also bandaged. Fortunately, the injured leg and arm were not on the same side, so he could still stand up with difficulty, but he looked quite comical, especially compared to his usual arrogant image.

Xiao Jiang looked at him, but didn't move.

"Are you alright? Did that merman do anything to you?" Qin Yuqi walked up to Xiao Jiang and quickly looked her over.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Jiang felt a little apologetic. If she hadn't dragged him into this, Qin Yuqi, who was used to being pampered and waited on every day, wouldn't have had to suffer like this. But his words only reminded her of the torn and mangled wounds on Xiao Hai's body.

"How dare you ask? I haven't even asked you yet: you have no grudge against him, so why did you hurt him?"

Qin Yuqi thought for a while before realizing who this "he" was.

The person he had been longing for finally arrived, but instead of speaking, she posed a question to him, and judging from her tone, she seemed to be quite protective of the monster.

Qin Yuqi's joyful heart was instantly overwhelmed with bitterness.

"How could I have hurt him? He clearly started it. Jiang Yuhuo, how can you twist the truth like this? You can't be fooled by his appearance. With a fish tail, what kind of good person could he be?"

Xiao Jiang suddenly looked up, her gaze sharp as she looked at him.

Qin Yuqi felt his ears burning from her gaze, and his tone softened slightly, "He's in danger. Do you know how worried I am about you?"

He recalled the mermaid's face and figured she was easily deceived because she was young and naive.

"It's good that you're alright, but don't believe what he says. He's lying to you. I almost died at his hands. You'll see."

Qin Yuqi pulled open the high collar around his neck, revealing several deep purple marks from the straps. There was a smooth arc where his fingers met, unlike the marks left between normal fingers.

I've seen this kind of curved shape before; it's the webbed hand of a mermaid.

Xiao Jiang had some doubts, but she still chose to believe Xiao Hai. She shook her head and said, "Impossible. You must have offended him somehow. He has a bad temper, but he's not a mermaid who kills indiscriminately."

Qin Yuqi was taken aback, and the sour feeling in his heart intensified. He couldn't help but sneer, "Are you very familiar with a merman?"

In the center of the square, Jiang Liuyun and the ten shamans stood around the altar, the surrounding bonfires were lit, and the shamans dressed in sacrificial robes struck the first bronze drum.

Thud! A deafening sound.

Xiao Jiang was drawn over by the sound.

The festival is about to begin.

She didn't want to get involved with Qin Yuqi anymore, so she turned around and headed to the center of the square.

Upon seeing this, Qin Yuqi immediately grabbed her arm, "No, you have to stay with me today."

Xiao Jiang frowned at him, then pushed his hand away. "But I don't want to."

But the hand grabbed again, and Qin Yuqi's voice was firm, "No, you can't leave."

His entourage followed, and the group quickly blocked Xiao Jiang's path.

Xiao Jiang became alert. "What do you want to do?"

Qin Yuqi didn't explain, but just held her hand tightly, saying, "Don't go anywhere during today's ceremony, just stay with me."

Xiao Jiang found it strange, "Why?"

Qin Yuqi glanced around; his men were all around him. He said in a low voice, "Your father promised me."