Chongming laid his young disciple gently on the grass and his eyes fell on the long sword in Zhaozhao's hand. An expression of pain flashed across his face involuntarily.
The first time Chongming brought Zhaozhao back, she was just a tiny seedling unable to transform. Her whole body was covered with scars charred by thunderbolts.
He took care of her personally, using the precious soil and spiritual spring water to nurture her back to life. For the past 200 years, Zhaozhao had been living a carefree life on Wutong Mountain. When had she ever suffered such injuries and grievances?
Chongming witnessed it all with his own eyes, and a surge of rage welled up in his heart, which he couldn't suppress no matter what.
The Chongming Bird was never a kind - tempered monster.
If it weren't for that matter... how could he bear to send the child he had raised with his own hands down the mountain and let her go through all this?
What's done cannot be undone. No matter how much Chongming ached for Zhaozhao, he couldn't take her away now.
Chongming took the long sword from Zhaozhao's hand. This sword was made by him on Kunlun Mountain after Zhaozhao managed to maintain her human form for three hours for the first time. She had lost a fight with her third senior brother and he couldn't stand seeing the mischievous third disciple bullying Zhaozhao, so he refined this spiritual sword for her.
There were many reclusive monsters on Wutong Mountain. Chongming had taken in many disciples, but he was not fond of crowds. So most of his later disciples were taught by his eldest disciple. Only Zhaozhao was taught everything from magic spells and talismans to alchemy and swordsmanship by him personally.
Chongming's favoritism towards Zhaozhao was well - known among all the monsters on Wutong Mountain. Everyone doted on her. It was no exaggeration to say that she was the little sweetheart of Wutong Mountain.
Zhaozhao was extremely talented since childhood, and there were hardly any situations that required her to draw her sword. That was why Chongming was able to sense that Zhaozhao might be in trouble in the Wuhuang Valley through the sword and rushed here so quickly.
Judging from the current situation, Su Yuan might have seen what had happened between them before. This was not good.
If Su Yuan remembered something now, it would not be a good thing for Zhaozhao.
Thinking of this, Chongming took out a jade flute from his hand and played a tune.
In a moment, auspicious clouds suddenly appeared in the sky above the Wuhuang Valley, and the clear cry of a phoenix could be heard.
"Did you call me now because you want me to fulfill my promise back then?"
The visitor was dressed in a red dress with big curly hair. Her red lips were like fire, and she exuded charm and grace. This image was far from the legendary image of the Queen Mother of the West.
Chongming was speechless for a moment and bowed slightly.
The Queen Mother of the West flipped her hair and admired her newly - done manicure. She said nonchalantly, "Chongming, so many years have passed. Even gods should keep up with the times. Don't be so old - fashioned."
She was referring to her outfit.
Chongming ignored her and got straight to the point. "Queen Mother of the West, I've invited you here because I need your help."
The Queen Mother of the West looked as if she had seen a ghost. "You haven't contacted your old friends for so many years. It's really rare that you need help... Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
"Erase the memories of the two of them in the illusion just now."
"Erasing memories is such a simple thing. You're not..." The Queen Mother of the West followed Chongming's gaze and suddenly stopped speaking. She changed her tone. "Wait! I know your disciple, but Yinglong... Are you sure you want to do this?"
Chongming's expression remained unchanged. He just looked at Zhaozhao and said calmly, "They just entered the Minghu Illusion created by the spiritual power. If it weren't for you back then, this flower field wouldn't..."
"Alright, alright, I get it!" The Queen Mother of the West felt a headache when he mentioned this. "I'll help you. But it's easy to deal with your little disciple. As for Yinglong... I can't guarantee that he will definitely forget."
Chongming's eyes were determined. "Just do it. He will."
The Queen Mother of the West shrugged helplessly and went over to cast the spell.
This illusion was caused by her chance encounter many years ago. Apart from her, it was really difficult for others to completely eliminate it.
It was her sin back then. She hoped that Yinglong would really forget what he had seen just now after waking up and never suspect her.
"Alright, now both of them have forgotten everything." The Queen Mother of the West clapped her hands and stood up. She took the jade flute from Chongming's hand and snapped it into two pieces with two fingers.
"Thank you." Chongming nodded.
"I've repaid the favor I owed you a thousand years ago. Don't contact me in the future. I always feel that you've gone a bit crazy these years. Don't drag me down."
Chongming looked at the disappearing jade flute on the ground and smiled self - deprecatingly. "Don't worry. I won't in the future."
The Queen Mother of the West sneered. She put away her joking expression and said with a hint of advice, "Chongming, there's something strange about your little disciple."
Chongming's face suddenly changed. The sword qi on the long sword in his hand was swirling, faintly carrying a different kind of killing intent.
The Queen Mother of the West saw Chongming's actions clearly and sighed. "Don't be so nervous. I've stopped caring about these things long ago. But as old friends for so many years, I just want to advise you not to be too obsessed. Let go of some things when it's time to."
"Alright, I'm leaving. Your little disciple is nice. Get rid of this harmful flower field for me." After saying this, the Queen Mother of the West disappeared into the air.
Chongming withdrew his gaze. He put the long sword back into Zhaozhao's hand, pressed two acupoints on Zhaozhao's body, and watched as Zhaozhao slowly opened her eyes.
"Master?!" Zhaozhao was obviously very surprised to see Chongming. "Master, why are you here?"
Chongming's face was calm. He lied seriously, "You used the Duhun Sword. I guessed that you might be in trouble, so I rushed over to check."
Zhaozhao had a bit of a headache. She only remembered that she had chased after the Taotie. But what happened after that? Why couldn't she remember?
Chongming said in time, "You accidentally entered an illusion. Su Yuan followed you in to save you and got injured."
As soon as Zhaozhao heard that Su Yuan was injured, she didn't care about anything else. She quickly looked around, ran to Su Yuan, and shook him.
"Master, is Su Yuan okay?"
Chongming turned his face away. He didn't really want to watch and said coldly, "He won't die."
Hearing this, Zhaozhao became even more panicked. She thought that Su Yuan's injury must be really serious if it was related to death.
"Sigh..." Chongming sighed and said resignedly, "He's already okay. He's just sleeping now."
"Really?" Zhaozhao's eyes were teary.
Chongming said, "Really."
It was almost time for Chongming to leave. Before leaving, he suddenly noticed the drowsy Taotie lying on the ground. An idea came to his mind.
"Zhaozhao, come here." He waved to Zhaozhao.
Zhaozhao was holding Su Yuan and didn't really want to go. But her master's tone was so serious that she finally shuffled over slowly.
"What is it, Master?"
Chongming pointed at the Taotie on the ground and asked Zhaozhao, "Where did this come from?"
Zhaozhao told him the truth.
Chongming smiled and began to coax the child. "Stealing is wrong. Do you want it to never steal again?"
Zhaozhao thought seriously for a while and said seriously, "Yes."
"Then come here. I'll teach you a way."