Chapter 64: Yunshui River Prequel: Yun Qiao's Hatred
Little Lotus said that the plague in Yunshui Village came from incense. This might sound unbelievable, but I trust Little Lotus's judgment.
Perhaps it was because of this outcome that, when I think back to last night, I can always sense Yun Qiao's wariness of us and his inexplicable preoccupation with the incense in the censer. If it weren't for the little lotus, I would have simply assumed Yun Qiao was simply in awe of Lady Yunshui.
"You said the incense smelled different last night and today. So is there something wrong with last night's incense or today's?"
Little Lotus pulled a stick of incense from her lapel and whispered, "While Yun Qiao was away, I searched his room and found this incense, hidden very discreetly." He paused, lowering his brows. "You know, this is a plague-inducing incense. It's made from the resentment of those suffering from illnesses in the mortal world. Lighting this incense creates a scent that will surely bring plague and disaster."
I subconsciously moved forward, wanting to see clearly what the difference was between this incense that could bring plague and disaster and ordinary incense.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my collar and pulled me back, my back colliding with a firm chest. Warmth seeped through my clothes and spread to my chest. Then, a cold voice came from above my head: "Don't get too close."
I was slightly stunned. Can the plague also be transmitted to non-humans?
Little Lotus coughed lightly and continued, "I told you before that the daytime incense, though faint, seems to penetrate the soul, unlike ordinary mortal incense. That incense is different; it seems to be able to cure the plague caused by the plague-inviting incense." His brow furrowed, his voice growing deeper as he pondered something. "At first, I didn't understand why such precious incense was lit when it wasn't the River God's birthday or a sacrifice. Now I understand. Lighting the plague-inviting incense at night and this plague-repelling incense during the day might seem to cancel each other out, but in reality, if just one person contracts the plague, Yun Qiao's plan will succeed."
"What's Yun Qiao's plan?"
Little Lotus shook her head, "I don't know."
I:……
Little Lotus said, "Perhaps only Yun Qiao can give us the answer to this question."
"That's not right. Since there is incense that can drive away the plague, can't the plague be solved?"
Little Lotus said calmly, "This is the last stick of plague-repelling incense on the altar today, and it's almost burned out. Besides, the fragrance of the burning plague-repelling incense lasts only a short time, so it can't affect a large area."
It's easy to attract a plague, but hard to exorcise it. The more something can solve a problem, the more precious it is. I wonder where Yun Qiao got this treasure?
I looked at the plague-repelling incense in the incense burner on the altar, which had gone out and only the cold cigarette butt was left, and a nameless sadness suddenly surged in my heart.
So history can't be changed after all, right?
What should I do?
As if she saw my worry, Little Lotus said, "Only Lady Yunshui can solve this problem."
"The villagers built a temple for her and offer incense daily. Logically, it shouldn't be a problem for her to remove the scales and save people. It would greatly benefit her spiritual practice. With such merit, her future as an immortal is just around the corner. It's a pity that human greed and her kindness... brought her harm."
That’s true, but…
“Kindness is not a bad thing.”
It's a truth we all know, but at some point we always think it's wrong.
"Do you think Yun Qiao will come back?"
I looked at Xiao Lianhua. I wondered if Yun Qiao knew we already knew about him. But that's how TV dramas always play out: when the righteous side discovers the villain hiding among them, the villain already knows his identity has been discovered and flees.
Little Lotus didn't say anything. After a while, he asked me, "Do you want him to come or not?"
I was slightly startled, then nodded honestly, "Come back. At least I want to ask him why he did this."
He has too many secrets hidden in him.
…
Yun Qiao returned very late, his expression showing no other emotion than anxiety. Seeing us waiting for him in the main hall, he was slightly startled and said with a bow, "Are the Immortal Lady and the Immortal Lord waiting for me?"
I propped up one cheek and tilted my head. "Yes, I was waiting for you."
Yun Qiao's face was full of confusion, and he asked, "But what's the matter?"
Little Lotus held up her chin, "Yun Qiao, when I told you I was a fairy from the future, did you believe me?"
I looked at Xiao Lianhua, then at Yun Qiao. I saw a wry smile on his bewildered expression.
"Immortal Lord, I believe it."
Little Lotus asked again: "Is it now?"
Yun Qiao's expression suddenly changed, and he looked a little wary, but other than that, there was nothing else.
"My Lord, why do you want to expose me?" he said with a wry smile.
Little Lotus shook her head, "Yun Qiao, everything I told you is true."
"If you continue to be stubborn, Lady Yunshui will die." Little Lotus's tone was not mournful, as if she was simply stating a fact. But this fact made Yun Qiao extremely sad.
"My Lord, why are you telling me..."
"Is it not okay to just let me be stubborn like this?"
Listening to Yun Qiao's words, I always felt that what he said was different from what Xiao Lianhua said. I looked at Xiao Lianhua, and he had the same expression as me.
At this moment, Yun Qiao suddenly laughed, and the smile was a little crazy:
"My Lord, you have already seen it, right? I do suffer from hysteria."
Yun Qiao's laughter gradually faded, transforming into a long, tired sigh. The madness in his eyes faded, and a thin layer of watery light appeared in them, making him look fragile and confused.
"Since you've seen through me, there's no need for me to hide anything anymore." His voice was hoarse, as if every word crushed gravel. "Yes, there's more than one me in this body. There's another... me. This sounds incredibly unbelievable, doesn't it? When I was young, I was bullied and fell into the water. Fortunately, Goddess Yunshui saved me, and I'm here today. But when I fell into the water, the fear of death gave rise to another me..."
I:……
Little Lotus: ...
No, we really don’t know.
But then again, I did wonder if Yun Qiao had a split personality. But after all, we only just got to know him last night, and it was impossible to confirm in just one night and one day. So I didn't dare to think about it. But then, unexpectedly, Yun Qiao brought it up himself. He seemed to think we already knew the truth.
I don't know what kind of illusion we gave him that caused his thinking to change.
I sighed and asked, "Yun Qiao, do you still need to lie?"
Facing Yun Qiao's incredulous expression, I said, "You are the one who was derived from it."
"You actually wanted to replace the original Yun Qiao, so you asked for medicine from the Yunshui Goddess at night. But your hysteria doesn't resemble a plague, so the Yunshui Goddess didn't grant your wish."
Yun Qiao's dual personality isn't always obvious. He's the keeper of Hexian Temple, a longtime resident. Yunshui Village is remote, with few outsiders, so no one stays there at night, as evidenced by the ashes in the side rooms. Therefore, Yun Qiao doesn't interact with others at night. During the day, when Hexian Temple is bustling with worshippers, the villagers encounter a different Yun Qiao. Even if they were to encounter both Yun Qiaos, they wouldn't immediately notice the difference.
"Yun Qiao, why did you light the plague-attracting incense? Do you hate the people of Yunshui Village?"
Before he could speak, I asked again, "Yun Qiao, why did you light the plague-repelling incense? Did you not want them to die? Or did you just want to make yourself feel better?"
I put the poison and the antidote, look how kind I am. So even if you die, it's not my fault.
Yun Qiao, is this what you think?
Facing the questioning from Xiao Lianhua and me, Yun Qiao seemed too lazy to refute anything, because no matter what, Xiao Lianhua and I could sense his lies.
Yun Qiao sighed and sat down on the ground. He looked at the moon in the night sky and said slowly:
"I was pushed into the river. They wanted me dead."
Even at this time, the derived Yun Qiao still considered himself the main personality.
"Who wants you dead?"
Yun Qiao looked at us and said, "We are outsiders from Yunshui Village."
I:? ? ?
"Those who married in, those who married into the family, didn't have the surname Yun. Yunshui Village used to be so peaceful, with villagers living and working in peace and contentment, and everyone knew each other. But since the arrival of more people with different surnames, everything changed. One year, during flood season, the Yunshui River swelled dramatically, overflowing and sweeping away the village. They actually believed the river god was angry and was sending down divine punishment, so they selected young boys and girls to offer sacrifices. But who in the village was willing to sacrifice their own children to the river god? So, an orphan like me became the sacrifice. They pushed the bamboo raft carrying me into the Yunshui River, the surging water rushing into my mouth and nose, and the sound of their prayers faded away. The water pressure squeezed my chest from all directions. The cheers from the shore came through the thick curtain of water, distorted and deformed, but still clear to my eardrums:
River God, please calm down!
River God, calm down!
He smiled slightly self-deprecatingly, "Luckily, I was saved by the Goddess of Clouds and Waters, and I was able to survive the sacrifice. They thought it was the river god appearing, and in order to let the river god bless the village, they built a temple for her. They burn incense and offer sacrifices every day..."
Oh, that’s how Hexian Temple came about.
However, isn't it a bit biased to simply attribute the cause to outsiders?
Forget it, I already have a dual personality, so I don't care if it's extreme. There's no point in discussing this.
"Then you made this plague incense yourself?"
"certainly."
"What about this plague-repelling incense?"
Yun Qiao smiled strangely. "Of course it's made from the elixir of Lady Yunshui. It's a pity Lady Yunshui doesn't give it anymore. Fairy, you're right. I do want to replace my other self, but I'm not asking the Lady for the elixir. If the elixir is effective for my condition, then I'll be the only one to disappear."
I frowned, feeling frustrated that I had guessed wrong. But Yun Qiao's words prompted me to ask another question.
"Yun Qiao, how are you going to replace him?"
Yun Qiao didn't answer my question directly, but asked, "Xian Gu, if I die, will he and I be separated?"
I was stunned. I didn't know that.
Dual personality is not the same as two souls in one body, but this is a mythological world, so it doesn't seem very difficult to transform dual personality into two souls in one body?
I looked at the little lotus, and she slowly typed a question mark.
"Do you have any friends in the underworld?"
Little Lotus:?
"You ask me?"
"Who else should I ask?"
Little Lotus suddenly became unhappy and squinted at me: "Ayu, you want to ask about the other Nezha, right?"
I:……
Oops, I forgot this little lotus is Nezha from the just concluded Conferred Gods Conferred Contest!
"hey-hey!"
Little Lotus: ...
At this moment, Yun Qiao asked, "Auntie, Lord Immortal, what are you two planning to do with me?"
I shook my head. "We're not from Yunshui Village, so how can we deal with you?"
Little Lotus: "You should go ask her."
Yun Qiao was stunned for a moment, then his gaze slowly shifted to the statue in the hall. The statue's eyes seemed to blink nimbly.
"Yun, Madam Yunshui..."
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