The three of them followed the sound and found a cave.
There were many spiky plants in front of the cave. Yaohua took a peek inside.
The dark and damp ground was covered with wet moss, and there was a faint musty smell.
"No normal girl would live in such a place," Mo Qing also peeked inside. He hadn't had a good rest for a long time. Originally, he wanted to take a good break, but was interrupted by this sound, so he naturally wasn't in a good mood.
"Let's go in and take a look," Yaohua raised her hand, and a gentle phoenix fire emerged. It lingered around her fingertips for a while before floating into the cave.
"Who's there!"
Not long after, there came a rustling sound from the cave. The person inside seemed to be tentatively walking out. The voice was intermittent, indicating that the person was vigilant.
Yaohua simply withdrew the phoenix fire. "We're villagers from the outskirts. Who are you, miss? Why are you here?"
In an instant, the three of them transformed into the appearance of the old man's family.
The person inside probably heard a young girl's voice outside and relaxed her vigilance. Only then did she boldly take a few steps out.
Yaohua saw what she looked like.
She was an ordinary - looking maiden in common clothes.
Yaohua was now in the appearance of the old man's granddaughter, so she didn't address the girl as "sister". "Why are you here, miss?"
As soon as she asked, the maiden's eyes quickly turned red. "You're also from Henan Prefecture. Don't you know that we have to catch people every month to be sacrifices?"
Yaohua's expression darkened immediately. "Three people in my family have already become sacrifices. I was even chosen myself. How could I not know?"
"You were also chosen?" The maiden opened her eyes in shock. "Are you also an escapee?"
"What else can we do but escape?" Yaohua leaned close to her ear. "Miss, you don't know. The other night, a phoenix appeared in the city and said that the god we believe in is a false god!"
"What?"
The maiden suddenly opened her eyes wide, looking at Yaohua with trembling lips. Then she laughed and cried. "I knew it! If the god loves us, why would it make us sacrifice our lives in such a cruel way!"
Seeing her lose control of her emotions, Yaohua quickly patted her on the back. "Miss, don't be so excited! Although this matter hasn't spread, we all know about it privately."
"Then I can go home soon?" The maiden was overjoyed. "Great!"
She lifted her skirt and was about to go home.
"Miss!" Yaohua stopped her. "Everyone knows, but the false god is still in the city! As long as we need to eat, the sacrifices still have to be offered!"
Now that the priest was dead, she was a bit curious about what the false god would do for the sacrifices.
The maiden hesitated. Her expression quickly turned gloomy. "I'm the only one with my grandfather in my family. If I become a sacrifice, what will happen to my grandfather?"
Most of those unfortunate enough to become sacrifices probably had similar situations. However, the dead could never come back. They could only try their best to clear their names.
Thinking like this, Yaohua comforted her. "You'd better hide. Just don't cry next time."
It was okay that they were attracted this time. If it were the divine envoys, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The maiden nodded repeatedly, with a look of grief on her face. "I haven't been back for a long time. My grandfather doesn't know how to cook. I don't know if the neighbors have taken care of him for me."
There was nothing to be done at this point. Yaohua wanted to tell her to be careful and to avoid people even if she sneaked back, but before she could say anything, Mo Qing's voice rang out.
"Miss, where's your home? We'll go and take a look for you. It won't take long anyway."
Since he had said so, Yaohua couldn't say anything. She could only force a bitter smile.
"That's really great!" The maiden was extremely grateful, as if she had grabbed a lifesaver. She pointed to a small path. "My surname is Chen. My home isn't far. Just follow this path for a few miles. When you see a dilapidated house with two tombs in front, that's my home!"
Since they had promised, they couldn't go back on their word.
Yaohua held Mo Qing's arm and was just about to turn around gritted - teeth when the maiden called them again.
"By the way, these are the cakes I made before. Please give them to my grandfather for me."
The soft cakes emitted the aroma of home - cooked food. The delicious smell wafted into Yaohua's nose. She swallowed her saliva and nodded. "Don't worry. We'll deliver them."
She suddenly remembered that since the last meal at the inn, she hadn't eaten properly. Now smelling the cakes, she was really hungry.
"Let's eat something first," Mo Qing was also hungry. "It won't take long anyway."
He looked at Chongming eagerly, afraid that the latter would say no.
This place was surrounded by mountains, with a small stream flowing through the middle. If it were before the great apocalypse, it would be a good place for an outing. As soon as Chongming nodded, Mo Qing immediately waved his sleeve and conjured up a table of delicious dishes.
Although it wasn't as good as the food in Cangling Hall, it was still quite sumptuous.
"Sixth brother, when did you bring these nice things! You never told me!" Yaohua widened her eyes.
Mo Qing scratched his head. "Last time you went on your training mission in a hurry. We were all prepared, but we missed you at Cangling Hall. This time I came with you, so the other brothers naturally made good preparations."
At first, he thought there would be plenty of food in Henan Prefecture, so he didn't think he'd need these.
Yaohua pulled Chongming to sit down. "Master, these are all the delicious food of our Phoenix Clan. Try some!"
Phoenixes only perch on parasol trees and only drink sweet spring water. Chongming had never doubted the taste of this race.
He accepted Yaohua's invitation, but only moved his chopsticks a little.
Yaohua wanted to persuade him, but suddenly remembered that he had once said that gods didn't need to eat.
She suddenly felt a bit down.
Master was a high - ranking god, completely different from her.
After the meal, Mo Qing was in a much better mood. Seeing Yaohua with her head down and the phoenix flower on her head looking wilted, he was a bit curious. "Sister, why are you not happy?"
"Sixth brother, I'm just sad for Master," Yaohua bit her lip. "Although Master is a god, he's first and foremost himself. Why does he have to restrict himself from doing certain things?"
Mo Qing hadn't thought that much. He scratched his head. "I don't know."
Chongming walked in front. Hearing Yaohua's words, he smiled and sighed.
He was already used to suppressing his appetite. This little girl was really sensitive.
Before they knew it, the three of them had reached the dilapidated house the girl had mentioned.
Looking at the two simple tombs, Yaohua and Mo Qing stepped forward.
Before they could even knock on the door, a blinding light suddenly flashed under their feet.