Chapter 20 Rewards Baili Sheng gazed at the couple.
In the human realm, in Linqi City.
In the bustling market, a man and a woman walked along the stone-paved street.
The man was tall and slender, dressed in white, like a schoolteacher. However, he seemed to be shrouded in an indistinct mist, and at first glance, he seemed unremarkable and easily forgotten.
The young girl wore a dawn-red, waist-length ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with eight auspicious patterns, her black hair was styled into a small, delicate bun, and long, matching ribbons fluttered merrily behind her, making her look charming.
"Sir, this is fried sugar cake!" Having finally returned to the human realm, Hua Xun felt nostalgic upon seeing the bustling atmosphere of the mortal world again. She wished she could see something from the human realm and tell the deity about it.
The deity walked calmly behind her, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and nodded slightly: "Mm."
"And tofu pudding too." Hua Xun smiled as she looked at the vendor hawking his wares. Inside the steaming bamboo tube, the snow-white tofu pudding trembled.
"Hmm." The deity smiled.
"This is candied hawthorn. It's hot today, but if you eat one after winter comes, the sugar coating will be crispy and it will be especially sweet."
The deity responded with a smile.
Hua Xun knew that the God had lived for millions of years and was worshipped by all people. He was certainly familiar with everything from delicacies to street food.
Looking at the God's perpetually smiling expression, she suddenly wondered if the God ever had an impatient or angry side.
Thinking of this, Hua Xun became even more enthusiastic in introducing each item to the deity: "This is sesame seed cake, it's fragrant and crispy, and very delicious."
"This is a crispy mountain, with icy sweet shaved ice underneath and a milky aroma."
"And there are also red bean paste dumplings. Take a bite, and the aroma of red bean paste and rice fills the air, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth..."
"This is..."
As the market was about to end, Hua Xun saw that the God remained gentle and tolerant, smiling and patiently agreeing with every word of her introduction, without showing any impatience.
Hua Xun couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.
Perhaps having made up her mind, she always wanted the person she loved to show her more affection, rather than treating her like an unapproachable idol.
"Hmm?" Perhaps seeing that she hadn't said anything more, the deity looked at her.
Hua Xun blinked, then perked up again: "Sir, is there anything you'd like to eat?"
The deity smiled and said, "If A-Xun wants to eat it, she can go and buy it herself."
Hua Xun blushed when she heard this title.
This was something they discussed before coming to the human world.
To be precise, it was Hua Xun who made the suggestion with great enthusiasm, and the Divine Lord smiled and tacitly agreed without any objection.
In the human realm, the deity could no longer be called "Deity," so the deity was disguised as a schoolteacher, and she was the schoolteacher's page, "A-Xun."
Hua Xun admitted that she had selfish motives, but when the deity actually called her "A-Xun", the guilt caused by those selfish motives immediately vanished.
Having talked all the way, Hua Xun was really craving something, so she decided to buy a portion of crispy mountain and eat it as she walked forward with the Divine Lord.
After reaching the end of the market, Hua Xun finished eating the crispy mountain and looked towards the Shenjun Temple not far away.
Linqi City is bustling, and even the Shenjun Temple is exceptionally grand, with red bricks and green tiles, and a solemn and dignified appearance. Even from a distance, one can still smell the sandalwood incense.
People came and went in an endless stream, and the incense was burning brightly.
Is this the place where the woman named Qinglian prayed?
Hua Xun asked curiously, "Is this the place, sir?"
The deity nodded.
The two followed the people into the temple of the deity.
Hua Xun looked at the God beside her, and a strange feeling suddenly rose in her heart.
“You’re right here beside me, do I still need to go in and pray?” Her voice was very soft, and she barely moved her lips.
But she knew that the God would hear what she said.
Sure enough, the deity turned to look at her, his voice gentle: "Either is fine."
Hua Xun's heart skipped a beat, and she said with a smile, "Then I'll go in..."
Before he could finish speaking, a child's loud wailing broke the silence of the temple and drew everyone's attention.
Hua Xun also looked in the direction of the sound.
A mother was seen scolding her child, who was holding an unlit incense stick. The child seemed to be suffering from a toothache but had secretly hidden some candy and was eating it with relish.
"You were crying and screaming in pain just now, and now you dare to secretly eat candy. Take the candy out!" The mother was clearly aware that others were watching, and she became slightly impatient, her cheeks flushed and beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.
The child cried loudly, his voice slurred: "My mother is mean, she won't let me eat candy, but the God will let me eat candy. The God appeared in my dream last night and told me, 'Manman can eat candy...'"
Upon hearing this, Hua Xun silently looked at the Divine Lord.
The deity's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of helplessness appeared in his eyes as she looked at him: "Never."
Hua Xun chuckled and looked at the mother and child again.
"How dare you talk nonsense in front of the God!" The mother grabbed the child's wrist and took out a copper coin. "Then let's go in and ask the God if he'll give you candy."
Seeing that the two had entered the temple, Hua Xun hurriedly went forward to watch the excitement.
The mother held a copper coin and said, "If the deity allows Xiaoman to eat candy, the veil will appear; if not, the words will appear."
Just as the coin was about to be tossed, Hua Xun hurriedly returned to the God's side: "Sir, I see that the child has several rotten teeth."
The deity glanced at her, as if he could see through her thoughts.
Hua Xun narrowed her eyes and smiled ingratiatingly.
The next moment, the mother's calm voice came from inside the temple: "All three times it was literal, what else do you have to say, you little brat?"
The child's sobbing gradually stopped.
Before long, Hua Xun saw her mother leading a listless child out of the house.
Hua Xun looked at the deity with bright eyes: "Sir, then I'll go in and pay my respects too."
The deity waited under the tree in the courtyard.
Hua Xun stood at the end of the mortal line, looking at the statue that had none of the demeanor of a god, and bowed three times earnestly, silently saying in his heart, "God, this statue inside doesn't resemble you at all, and isn't as handsome as you."
Beneath the tree, the deity listened to this abrupt, pure voice amidst the thousands of prayers in his sea of consciousness. He lowered his eyes slightly and smiled helplessly.
A moment later, the owner of the voice came out of the hall and ran up to him: "Sir, did you hear that?"
The divine ruler's voice resounded within her mind: "I can hear all who pray to me."
Hua Xun laughed, but looking at the face of the Divine Lord that had been shrouded in illusion, she suddenly remembered something: "Does your... master at White Mist Cliff also know about what happened here?"
This time, the one who came to the human realm was once again an avatar of the God-King.
When Hua Xun learned that the one who had descended to the mortal realm with her was an avatar, she was quite disappointed for a while.
The Divine Lord said, “He is me, and I am him. What I have experienced is what he has experienced, and what he has thought is what I have thought.”
Hua Xun's eyes brightened slightly: "Then, sir, do you know how the peach trees at White Mist Cliff are doing?"
This time, the deity did not speak in her sea of consciousness, but only said gently, "It has not yet blossomed."
Hua Xun finally felt the true essence of the God-King's avatar, and his mind gradually opened up: "Then, sir, have you sensed Fang Qinglian's location?"
The Divine Lord said, "Travel eighty li south to Qingmu Town."
*
Eighty li may sound far, but to the Divine Lord, it is but a fleeting moment.
When they transformed into golden light and left with the deity, no one around noticed that two people were missing.
When Hua Xun opened her eyes again, she saw a familiar archway with the three large characters "Qingmu Town" written on it.
Compared to Linqi City, Qingmu Town appears somewhat desolate.
The streets along the way were deserted, with only houses on both sides of the road, all with their doors tightly shut, making it as desolate as a "ghost town".
Hua Xun frowned.
This place is far more prosperous than Wufang Town, where she once lived.
Why is this place so deserted when there are still many vendors and pedestrians in the streets of Wufang Town?
Thinking this, Hua Xun cautiously said, "Sir, this place is a bit strange."
The deity said gently, "Hmm."
Hua Xun looked around and then saw an old man dressed in simple green clothes leading an oxcart hurriedly from outside the town at a street corner not far away.
Seeing this, Hua Xun quickly stepped forward: "Uncle."
The old man, who was focused on his journey, was startled. He turned around and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Hua Xun clearly: "What is it, young lady?"
Hua Xun asked, "May I ask, sir, are you from Qingmu Town?"
"Exactly."
"Old man, do you know why every house in Qingmu Town is closed and there's no one buying or selling anything on the streets?"
The old man looked Hua Xun up and down a few times, then glanced at the white-robed man not far away: "And you two are..."
Hua Xun hurriedly said, "We are from out of town. This is a schoolteacher named Sang Jiu, and I am his page, named Hua Xun."
"So you're a schoolteacher," the old man said, showing a hint of respect. "You two may not know this, but a monster appeared in the mountains behind Qingmu Town some time ago. It's said that the monster is ten zhang long, has eyes like bronze bells, and can swallow a whole house with its mouth."
"More than a dozen people in the town have already been eaten. Those with some wealth have all gone to seek refuge with relatives. The officials were helpless and eventually simply stopped caring and left the people to fend for themselves. Now only about a hundred people remain, destitute and alone, staying here."
As he spoke, the old man was overcome with emotion and tears streamed down his face.
Hua Xun felt a pang of sadness at the sight. She turned to look at Shen Jun, but seeing his calm expression, she turned away again.
After a moment of silence, Hua Xun asked again, "Where did this old man come from?"
“I bought some demon-suppressing talismans,” the old man sighed heavily. “As the head of Qingmu Town, I should distribute them to everyone.”
Hua Xun looked at the talisman in the old man's hand, which was so tightly clenched that it was somewhat crumpled. There was a faint spiritual energy flowing on the talisman, which was fine for praying for blessings, but it was not useful for suppressing demons at all.
Seeing how much the old man cherished it, she didn't point it out, but instead asked, "Uncle, do you know if there is a woman named Fang Qinglian in town?"
The old man nodded: "Of course, the young mistress of the Chen family."
As he spoke, the old man pointed to the tallest and most luxurious mansion in town.
“This young mistress is also a pitiful person, alas…” At this point, the old man shook his head, “I can only be thankful that the demon beast did not harm that family.”
Hua Xun pondered for a moment, then took out a piece of silver from his sleeve: "Thank you, sir. But I wonder if there is an inn in this town? My husband and I have been traveling for a long time and are really too tired to walk any further."
The old man waved his hands repeatedly: "I only answered some questions, how could I take so much silver?"
"There used to be two inns in this town, but they had no customers and naturally closed down."
Hua Xun still wanted to give the other party money, but the old man, seeing that he couldn't refuse, remembered something and said, "I have a nephew from my maternal family who left a month ago. If you two don't mind, you can stay at my nephew's house for a few days."
Hua Xun nodded in agreement and handed over the silver.
"By the way, my nephew used to be a gardener, so I'm afraid the courtyard is a bit messy. Please don't mind."
gardener?
Hua Xun thought of the small patch of flowers on White Mist Cliff, and after thinking for a moment, he took out another piece of silver.
After watching the old man leave, Hua Xun returned to the Divine Lord's side: "Divine Lord, there are demonic beasts here."
The divine lord calmly replied, "I already knew that."
Hua Xun paused for a moment: "The monster ate many people."
The deity looked at her, as if knowing what she was about to say: "I shall not interfere with the fate of the human race without authorization."
Hua Xun calmed down and walked with the Divine Lord toward the courtyard the old man had mentioned.
As expected of a gardener's courtyard, as soon as Hua Xun pushed open the wooden door, she saw several late-blooming camellias blooming in the corner of the wall, and rows of red camellias along the base of the wall.
In this vibrant autumn season, they bloom with life, a stark contrast to the desolate town.
"My Lord, there are flowers here too!" Hua Xun exclaimed in delight.
The deity gazed at the colorful scene filling the courtyard, finally settling his gaze on the child who was smiling at him: "Hmm."
The courtyard wasn't large, but the house was quite spacious, with just two rooms, one for each of the two people.
Hua Xun cast a cleaning spell, and the dusty room was instantly transformed.
Hua Xun nodded in satisfaction and was about to turn around to find the God.
But he paused when he saw the white figure standing on the steps of the doorway.
For a long time, the deity has sat high on the temple platform, as sacred and inviolable as a god.
Even now, perhaps because the clone had concealed its divine light, or perhaps because there was no such celestial mist in the human realm, only ordinary flowers and grass, she actually had the illusion that "he is human".
Like a refined and dignified young gentleman.
Shenjun Jiuqing was not unaware of the gaze behind him that was much more focused than before, but he still regarded it as the effect of the Lingxi Gu.
A bright red late-blooming camellia appeared before me, its blossoms dazzling and its beauty radiant.
Behind the camellias is a smiling face.
"I picked it up from the corner, it was probably broken by the wind," Hua Xun handed the flower to the deity, "This is for the deity."
The deity smiled and, as always, asked, "Do you have a wish?"
Hua Xun nodded: "This time it's done."
The deity looked at her.
Hua Xun said, "The Divine Lord said that you cannot interfere with the fate of the human race without authorization, is that right?"
The deity nodded.
“But I can interfere!” Hua Xun said eagerly. “It just so happens that the Divine Lord wants me to undergo some training. How about we use a demonic beast as a test today?”
The deity seemed to be pondering something, and did not speak.
"Divine Lord?" Hua Xun looked at him nervously. "I just heard from that old man that the demon beast hasn't taken human form yet, so its cultivation level isn't very high. And if I really capture the demon beast, Fang Qinglian will hear about it and might even come to visit me. Then I can take the opportunity to find Divine Lord Luo He's Heavenly Soul, right?"
The deity looked at the child with expectant eyes, and after a few breaths replied, "I grant your request."
Hua Xun's brows relaxed, but in an instant she felt that the God Lord had agreed too easily, as if... as if he was waiting for her to speak.
Hua Xun looked at the God Lord hesitantly.
"Hmm?" the deity asked softly.
Hua Xun shook her head and asked cautiously, "If I really capture the demon beast, can the God grant me another wish?"
Let's assume she had ulterior motives, always wanting to gain some treatment different from others, even if it's just a little bit.
The deity smiled and gently pointed out, "No one has negotiated conditions with the deity."
Hua Xun felt a pang of sadness and lowered her eyes, saying, "I understand."
*
Hua Xun took this "trial" very seriously.
After a night of rest and recuperation, he went to see the old man from the previous day again early the next morning.
During the conversation, Hua Xun learned that the old man's surname was Wu, and he had grown up in Qingmu Town. He had a deep affection for every tree and blade of grass in the town and was reluctant to leave.
Hua Xun knew that the human race still harbored resentment towards the demon race, so he simply said that although he was now a pageboy, he had practiced magic for a few years in his early years.
Wu Bo naturally assumed she was a cultivator, and treated her like a savior. He ordered people to serve her good wine and food, and even sent someone to invite the deity.
Hua Xun quickly stopped him, saying it wouldn't be too late to learn about the monster first.
Uncle Wu quickly agreed and summoned the man who had narrowly escaped death from the jaws of a monster.
Although they survived, one of them lost half an arm and the other half a leg, leaving them extremely weak.
Hua Xun couldn't bear it, so she used some of the jade pendant nourished by the five-colored soil to give to the two of them.
—Ever since returning from Fuyu Mountain, Hua Xun has made it a habit to carry these herbs with her.
The two men assumed it was a spiritual herb refined by a cultivator. After taking it, their complexions indeed improved significantly, and they immediately trusted Hua Xun even more, telling her everything they knew.
Hua Xun asked a few more questions and learned that the monster was not ten zhang long, but about three zhang long. It resembled a tiger with stripes on its body, could speak human language, and always looked down on the human race. It lived in the mountains and called itself the "Mountain God".
The monsters descending the mountain are completely unpredictable, appearing suddenly at any time, devouring several people, and then disappearing for a long time.
The last time the monster came down the mountain was just three days ago, and it's unlikely we'll be able to find it anytime soon.
Hua Xun couldn't help but frown when he heard the words "mountain god".
The immortals of Baiyujing only refer to themselves as "immortals," while a demon beast calls itself a "god."
The God she knew loved all living beings and would never harm any creature.
Hearing that it couldn't be found in the short term, he felt even more that this was unacceptable and that he should think of a way to lure it out.
"Is there any black mist around that monster?" Hua Xun asked.
If a demon beast has profound cultivation, it will be surrounded by demonic energy.
"I didn't see it," one person replied.
Hua Xun breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that it had not only failed to take human form, but also failed to become a demon.
"Does the Flower Cultivator have a solution?" Seeing her remain silent, Uncle Wu asked cautiously.
Hua Xun came to her senses and couldn't help but feel fortunate that she was a demon, so she understood the thoughts of her fellow demons.
The demon race has always believed in the law of the jungle, bullying the weak and especially looking down on the human race.
The more violent and powerful a demon race is, the more contempt it shows towards weaker demons and mortals, and the more wanton they are in killing them.
What these tyrannical demon races find most unbearable is being driven by mortals they despise.
Hua Xun pondered for a while, then whispered his plan to Wu Bo and the others.
Someone asked in surprise, "This...is this feasible? If not, wouldn't we all become that monster's meal?"
Others nodded in agreement.
Only Uncle Wu remained silent for a long time before sighing, "If we hide at home, will the monsters be unable to break in?"
After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
Yes, if that monster really wanted to eat people, how could this low and narrow courtyard wall possibly stop it?
"Do as the Flower Cultivator says, lure it out," Uncle Wu decided.
When Hua Xun left Uncle Wu's house, she felt both nervous and excited.
She was anxious because she didn't know if she could really succeed in the trial, and excited because for the first time she was no longer the weak little demon she used to be, but instead... she was someone people relied on and trusted.
Back in the courtyard, Hua Xun pushed open the door and immediately saw the deity standing quietly by the courtyard wall, admiring the flowers.
“My Lord.” Hua Xun’s heart soared. She walked to his side and told him everything about the demon beast. She paused when she mentioned her method of luring the demon beast, and ultimately chose to keep it a secret for the time being.
"I want to tell the Divine Lord after I succeed," Hua Xun said with a smile.
The deity observed her quietly, as if she were troubled by something.
"God-lord?" Hua Xun called out to him.
The deity smiled slightly: "You may ask me about the whereabouts of the demonic beast."
"Is it okay?" Hua Xun asked in surprise, but before the God could reply, she quickly shook her head. "I'd better not."
"The God said that one should not interfere with fate without authorization. If I were to ask, the God would suffer divine punishment as a result, which would be bad."
The deity was silent for a moment, then smiled and said gently, "Alright."
“Oh, right,” Hua Xun pulled out a bag of roasted chestnuts that Uncle Wu had just given her from her purse, “This is from Uncle Wu.”
The deity smiled and said, "Gods do not need to eat; you can eat."
Hua Xun peeled one open, and the plump chestnut flesh split open between her lips and teeth, overflowing with sweetness amidst its smooth texture: "What is the God of White Mist Cliff doing?"
The deity looked at her, slightly troubled.
This child always seems to subtly separate his alter ego from his true self.
But he is here now, at White Mist Cliff, and in countless temples of deities.
The deity replied slowly and helplessly, "To evolve the laws of Heaven and fulfill the long-cherished wish of the Three Realms."
Hearing this impartial answer, Hua Xun felt a little listless, but quickly cheered up: "Then I must catch the monster quickly."
*
The once quiet town of Aoki, where everyone had their doors closed, became lively again.
Early in the morning, vendors set up their steamers in the town's market, hawking their steamed buns; the aroma of fried sugar cakes gradually filled the air, mixed with the sweet scent of candied fruit and the fresh fragrance of the mountains and forests.
The proprietress selling umbrellas called out softly, her beautiful red umbrellas adorned with vivid depictions of green mountains and clear waters.
An old man sculpting dough figurines, a man painting sugar paintings...
There were also many more pedestrians shopping in the market than before.
A pedestrian stood in front of the steamed bun shop, waiting for his buns while asking the vendor, "Why is it so lively today? Aren't you afraid that monsters will come down from the mountain to eat people?"
The vendor waved his hands repeatedly: "What do you know? The mountain god won't eat people anymore. Yesterday, I went to the forest to pick mushrooms and was almost bitten by a little demon. Luckily, the mountain god intervened and saved my life."
"If you ask me, the mountain god isn't so cruel to people. In fact, he helps people."
Another young girl asked the shopkeeper selling paper umbrellas, "When did you get these paper umbrellas from Linqi City? They're so beautiful."
The proprietress smiled and said, "I brought it in a few days ago. By the way, I also met the Mountain God. I was almost caught by a little demon that came out of the mountain, but the Mountain God came to my rescue."
"The mountain god is really this kind?"
"That's right..."
Hua Xun looked at the people in the street who were earnestly cooperating with her act and felt a little moved.
Although it may seem like a joke, there are too many instances where rumors spread like wildfire.
From the beginning to the end, many changes occurred, and who knows whether the rumors are true or false?
On the first day, the monsters obviously will not show themselves.
But the second day, the third day, the fourth day...
Aoki Town gradually regained some of its former bustling activity, and the rumors about "mountain gods helping people" were deliberately spread and carried into the mountains and forests.
In the course of its transmission, it gradually evolved into the saying, "That mountain god was nothing special; after being taught a lesson by the human race, he had no choice but to submit to them."
There are always some spirits in the mountains and forests that are weaker than humans. They have intelligence but no power. Occasionally, they come down the mountain to hover. When they see that Qingmu Town is indeed bustling with activity, they hurriedly climb up the mountain and disappear into the complex mountain terrain.
Hua Xun saw all of this and would occasionally go to the mountains and forests. If he encountered any spirits with weak magic, he would lend a helping hand, leaving behind the words "follow the mountain god" before flying away.
That day.
Wu Bo, the village head of Qingmu Town, was on his way to worship his ancestors in the mountains when he slipped on a cliff and nearly fell off.
At the critical moment, a crimson figure descended from the sky, a beautiful woman holding a shawl that flowed like a ribbon, and rescued Uncle Wu.
Wu Bo steadied himself, still shaken, and quickly bowed his head in gratitude: "Thank you so much, cultivator..."
"No need to thank me," Hua Xun said, sensing the increasingly dense demonic energy deep within the forest. "I was merely imitating the Mountain God..."
Before Hua Xun could finish speaking, she sensed a gust of wind rushing past behind her, and sharp claws slashed across her face.
Hua Xun quickly leaned back to avoid it, and only after he stood still could he see the monster in front of him clearly.
Three zhang tall, resembling a tiger, covered in black and white stripes, his eyes filled with a fierce aura, he glared at her menacingly: "So it is you, a weak mortal cultivator, who spread rumors that I was captured by a lowly mortal?"
Seeing that although the demon beast possessed savage magical power, its physical body, which had only been enlightened for three to five years, was not unexpected, Hua Xun felt slightly relieved and raised his voice, "You have taken many lives. If I didn't say this, why would you show yourself?"
The demon beast exhaled a heavy breath, seemingly pondering the meaning behind her words.
The next instant, it suddenly realized what was happening, and with a whoosh, it pounced on her: "How dare you play tricks on me!"
Hua Xun dared not underestimate his opponent. He sent Wu Bo away with one hand, silently recited the incantation, and gathered spiritual power in his palm. He watched as the spiritual power transformed into a blue magic circle in his hand and smashed it straight at the demon beast.
However, since it was her first time facing an enemy, the demon beast easily avoided her.
Hua Xun then gathered the spiritual energy in his dantian, condensing it into a tangible ball of light, and launched it at the demon beast.
The monster also opened its blood-red maw and attacked Hua Xun.
Hua Xun soared into the air on the wind, and the demon beast leaped up, rising from the ground to mid-air, causing the leaves in the mountains and forests to rustle down.
When the monster struck Hua Xun again, Hua Xun hurriedly formed a barrier to defend herself, but because she had never actually fought the enemy, she was a step too late and was heavily slammed into the broken leaves of the forest.
Hua Xun spat out a mouthful of blood, pressed her lips tightly together, and stood up again...
Not far away, a snow-white figure stood calmly in the deep forest, the deity gazing at the child fighting with the monster in mid-air.
I watched her fall several times, and get up several times.
She repeatedly forced back monsters several times her size.
Watching her cast spells with increasing skill...
Until the blood-soaked beast roared in anger and unleashed all its demonic power to attack her.
The child conjured a blue light wheel to defend himself, but just as the demonic beast attacked, he seemed to remember something, gathered all his magical power, clasped his hands together above his head, and raised the hand seal.
The raised magic seal was thin like a sharp blade. Before the monster could react, it was poured into the monster's heart. After a brief stalemate, the monster collapsed to the ground with a thud.
She stood in the middle, a strong wind blowing, the splattered blood mist staining her cheeks red.
The outcome is decided.
Hua Xun, panting, looked at the lifeless monster on the ground, wiped the blood from her cheek, and was about to speak when she caught a glimpse of a white figure not far away. A smile instantly appeared on her face.
“My Lord,” she ran quickly to him, tilting her head up like a child asking for praise, “I won.”
“I saw it,” the deity replied gently, his gaze falling on the blood droplets on her cheek.
Hua Xun suddenly realized what was happening, her expression somewhat embarrassed. She hurriedly wiped the blood off her face, not wanting the God to see her in such a disheveled state.
The deity slightly raised his fingertips, and golden light swept across them.
Hua Xun felt a lightness on her body and then realized that she was completely new, without a trace of blood.
"Thank you, Divine Lord," Hua Xun said softly.
The Divine Lord remained silent for a moment before slowly opening his lips: "Lion-tiger demon beasts are inherently ferocious. Even before they have transformed into demons, they can still fight against Golden Core cultivators."
"What?" Hua Xun asked unconsciously.
The deity said, "This demonic beast has been a demon for many years."
Hua Xun gradually realized that the Divine Lord was introducing the beast to her, and exclaimed with delight, "Then won't I be able to defeat Golden Core cultivators in the future!"
The deity said, "If you win this time, I will grant you one wish."
Hua Xun was initially puzzled, then her eyes widened in disbelief: "Does the Divine Lord mean... he's granted me a wish?"
The deity corrected: "It is a reward."
Regardless of whether it was a reward or a promise to fulfill her condition from that day, Hua Xun pondered for a moment and then said, "I hope that the Divine Lord can no longer hide his true self before me."
The deity seemed surprised by such a precious wish; she only wished to see his true appearance, the one she had seen before.
"Your face is nothing but a skin, have you thought this through?" the deity asked.
Hua Xun nodded seriously: "I've thought it through."
What she wanted to see was not just the appearance of the God, but the real God.
The deity sighed softly, and a sliver of golden starlight brushed across Hua Xun's eyes, causing her to gently close them.
When Hua Xun opened his eyes again, he saw a face before him as breathtaking as moonlight, with black hair hanging down, skin like jade, and divine light radiating from it.
Compassionate eyes, like the dawn and the sunset, reflect the vast world and the everyday life of ordinary people.
"My Lord," Hua Xun murmured.
*
When Hua Xun brought the monster's corpse back to Qingmu Town, the town finally shook off the gloom of the past few days and became bustling with activity.
"The monster has been caught!"
The deafening sound of gongs and drums echoed throughout the streets, and everyone was all smiles, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
To celebrate this event, Uncle Wu held a celebration that night.
The town, which had long been silent, was as bright as day today.
The campfire roared, the firewood crackled and popped, and occasionally a few sparks drifted into the air and gradually disappeared.
Every household brought out their treasured wines and delicacies, filling the air with the aroma of food and wine.
Someone struck a drum first, followed by the sound of gongs and the cacophony of the dragon dance.
Amidst the commotion, Hua Xun was pulled to the center of the crowd by Uncle Wu. Bathed in the firelight, and seeing the grateful gazes of the people around her, she felt a strange mix of emotion and embarrassment.
Until she spotted a slender figure outside the crowd, Hua Xun stared intently at her.
A thin woman stood there, her face pale, her eyes slightly sunken, staring intently at her with a mixture of joy and sorrow in her eyes.
Wu Bo said, "That is Fang Qinglian, the young mistress of the Chen family, whom the cultivator asked me about not long ago."
Hua Xun was not surprised by her identity.
The woman looked at her for a moment, then turned and left.
His emaciated figure was like a gentle breeze.
Hua Xun did not chase after him.
Her intuition told her that the woman would come looking for her again.
Hua Xun's gaze continued to search around, finally settling on her right front.
The deity who had promised to come this evening stood gently in the distance, smiling slightly.
To others, he was just an ordinary man, but to her, his true self was revealed, untouched by the world.
This unique treatment filled her with a secret, unspoken joy.
Yet, upon seeing the loneliness surrounding him, a pang of heartache arose within me.
He seems to always stand alone outside the crowd, just like he is now, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of life.
More people came to offer toasts, but Hua Xun declined them all and gradually withdrew from the crowd.
"Young lady, I'd like to toast you and that gentleman too!" An old woman, being helped along, held a glass of wine in her hand. "Thank you for ridding us of the demon; otherwise, we don't know how we would have survived..."
Hua Xun looked at the old woman's reddened eyes, and this time he did not refuse. He drank the cup down, watched the old woman leave, and then walked towards the white figure in the distance.
The deity watched her approach quietly. Perhaps because she had been drinking, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were unusually bright.
When she reached the deity, Hua Xun looked up and smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Does the deity not like excitement?"
The deity smiled and said, "The gods do not show favoritism."
Hua Xun blinked: "Will the God be angry?"
"I am not influenced by worldly affairs."
Hua Xun seemed to have anticipated this answer: "Then if I pull the God over, the God won't be angry, right?"
Before the deity could speak, Hua Xun grabbed his sleeve and led him into the bustling mortal world.
*
In mid-air, under the pitch-black sky.
A man dressed in a black robe floated in the night, staring expressionlessly at the couple on the ground.
The shadowy gaze, almost tangible, finally settled on the hand that was holding Chang Sang Jiuqing, and lingered there for a long time...
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