If it weren't for the obstacle of the master - disciple relationship, even if Chongming rejected her, Yaohua could have pursued him boldly.
After all, it's said that it's easier for a woman to pursue a man.
The mild look on Chongming's face gradually turned cold.
He stared at Yaohua intently, his expression unfathomable. "Say it again," he said.
Yaohua felt a twinge of fear.
She noticed that after her master seemingly developed a heart - demon, his aura had become stronger and stronger, and she was even a bit scared of him, especially when she had something to hide.
She said sheepishly, "N - nothing."
Seeing her flustered look, Chongming's heart was like a calm lake disturbed by a tossed pebble, unable to stay serene.
Why did Yaohua suddenly want to dissolve their master - disciple relationship?
Under Chongming's stare, Yaohua felt extremely uncomfortable. She summoned her courage three times but still couldn't say the real reason for wanting to break off the relationship.
She reached out and secretly grabbed the corner of Chongming's robe. Looking up at him, she said, "Master, I..."
Chongming frowned slightly. "Hm?"
She opened her mouth, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Bowing her head in embarrassment, she said, "I want to go to Henan Prefecture."
The newly - built city in Henan Prefecture was bustling and prosperous. It was the season of the Spring Equinox, and the plants in the suburbs were lush and green. Compared with the desolate scene right after the disaster, it was like a complete transformation.
In this refreshing environment, Chongming looked at the hard - working farmers and showed a gratified smile. "Most of the credit for this situation here goes to you," he said.
With a wave of his sleeve, the scene instantly changed.
Yaohua looked around in surprise. In front of her was a newly - built temple with a plaque that read "Temple of the Jade Phoenix".
Inside the temple, there was actually her memorial tablet and a clay statue.
A few old ladies passed by them, chatting and laughing while carrying baskets, but they couldn't see Yaohua and Chongming.
The old ladies entered the temple, put down their offerings, and bowed devoutly three times.
"Goddess Jade Phoenix, please bless us with a good harvest this year and let our grains sell for a good price!"
"I'm here to fulfill my vow. During the famine years, food was extremely scarce. I dug out a bag of potatoes beside the temple. I ate some and planted the rest. Now my life is prosperous, so I've come to offer incense to the goddess."
Yaohua was surprised to find that she could actually hear their wishes.
She whispered, "Master, when did I become a goddess in charge of food?"
"You haven't absorbed any incense power yet, so you're not even a minor god," Chongming said. Seeing her eyes wide open in surprise, he couldn't help but curl the corner of his lips. "It's just that you once solved the disaster here, so the common people spontaneously worship you."
Yaohua quickly took out some seeds from her space and threw a bag to each of the old ladies.
The old ladies cheered in surprise. "The Goddess Jade Phoenix has shown her presence!"
Their enthusiasm made Yaohua a bit embarrassed. "I don't know how long they've been blindly believing in me without my response."
Chongming rubbed her head. "It doesn't matter. The Phoenix Clan and I have sensed the power of faith here and have given them some minor blessings on your behalf. That's why this temple was built."
Yaohua was first overjoyed, then worriedly asked, "Does this count as me stealing your incense? Will it have any negative impact on you?"
Chongming's hand paused for a moment. He looked at her seriously. "Do we really need to be so distant from each other?"
Just his words were enough to make Yaohua defenseless.
She took a half - step back and lowered her eyes to hide the shock in them. "Master, do you say this just because we're master and disciple?"
Chongming retracted his hand disappointedly. "Naturally."
The hope that had just welled up in Yaohua's heart instantly shattered. Unwillingly, she asked, "Is it just for this reason?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had spoken out of turn. Looking up at Chongming, she saw the confusion in his eyes, and her heart felt a pang of bitterness.
Chongming frowned and thought. "There's no other reason."
He looked at Yaohua's slightly pale face. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Yaohua bit her lip and shook her head. Forcing a smile, she said, "It's nothing. Let's go for a stroll in the city."
Chongming nodded. "You always like to join in the fun. How about we disguise ourselves as mortals and go for a walk in the streets together?"
"Okay," Yaohua replied, quietly moving a bit farther away from him.
The city was bustling with many peddlers shouting along the streets.
"Miss, buy a branch of peach blossom. Unmarried men and women can buy it to attract good love fortune, and married couples can buy it for a harmonious family!"
The flower - seller was walking through the streets when he saw the two disguised as mortals and was immediately amazed.
Yaohua's gaze lingered on the peach blossoms in the bamboo basket for a moment.
Chongming said, "Buy them all."
"What do we need peach blossoms for?" Yaohua's mood improved a bit. She blocked his hand. "Besides, do you have any silver?"
Chongming was slightly stunned and said apologetically, "I didn't think it through."
Just as the flower - seller was about to persuade them further, there was a commotion on the street.
They all looked in that direction. The flower - seller said worriedly, "Why is there another person going crazy? How many is this?"
"Do people often go crazy here?" Yaohua asked curiously.
The flower - seller nodded. "The prefect built a special courtyard to house those people, but it can't hold so many crazy people. Now they're really worried about what to do!"
"Why are there so many crazy people all of a sudden?" Yaohua couldn't help but be curious.
She tugged at Chongming's sleeve. "How about we go and take a look?"
When gods come to the mortal world, when they're in a good mood, they can help mortals solve some problems.
The two came to the courtyard built by the prefect and happened to see a few crazy people staggering out.
The soldiers guarding the door didn't hesitate to kill them, and blood flowed all over the ground.
"How could you do this?" Yaohua wanted to stop them but it was already too late.
She angrily looked at the soldiers. "The prefect should have asked you to guard the door, not to kill people, right?"
The soldiers waved their hands impatiently. "There aren't enough rooms. It's just right to get rid of a few useless people."
"Hurry up and leave. If you keep talking nonsense, we'll arrest you too!"
Yaohua frowned and directly used her magic to enter the courtyard.
As soon as she entered, she saw an astonishing scene.
A few crazy people were pinning another person to the ground and biting him crazily, while the other crazy people were tied to wooden stools with ropes and whining.
She quickly knocked out a few crazy people, rescued the man, and treated his wounds.
As soon as her spiritual energy entered his body, she sensed something was wrong. "Strange. Why is there demonic energy in this man's body?"
Chongming was slightly confused. "Are you mistaken?"
But when he sent his spiritual power into the man's body, he frowned deeply.
Yaohua cast a spell to try to trap the demonic energy and take a closer look.
Although the wisp of demonic energy was so weak that it was almost imperceptible, it seemed to have some kind of intelligence. Sensing her intention, it immediately fled and got into someone else's body.
Yaohua tried several times but failed to catch it.
Seeing her annoyed look, a hint of a smile flashed in Chongming's eyes.
She got even more annoyed. "Master, these are all your believers. You don't even try to save them, and you're laughing at me?"