After treating the last injured person, Chen Xiaoyan had no reason to stay any longer. She prepared to take her leave of the group.
“Fairy, can you leave your name? For us to admire.”
“Yeah, I’m just a crude fellow. I don’t understand big principles. I only want to know our benefactor’s name.”
“Please, both fairies, leave your immortal names.”
“Please, fairies, leave your immortal names!!!”
A series of shouts rang out one after another. About twenty people knelt on the ground, crying out. Looking closely, they were basically the injured she had treated and their family members.
Lin Song joined in too, pulling his wife and child to kneel with everyone else.
A man’s knees were made of gold, but he felt no shame—instead, he felt it was only right.
The people’s excessive enthusiasm left Chen Xiaoyan at a loss. Goosebumps rose all over her skin.
No matter how thick her skin was, she couldn’t handle this scene.
“Ahem, everyone, please rise.” Chen Xiaoyan wanted to step forward and help the kneeling people up, but seeing so many, she gave up.
Then, a small portion of people stood up. But most remained kneeling, putting on a display that they wouldn’t get up until Chen Xiaoyan gave her name.
“Please, both fairies, leave your immortal names.”
“Fairy, we know our admiration might not matter to you, that you might scorn it. But we are sincere. What you’ve done for the poor commoners should not go unnoticed.” They might have had selfish motives, but their intentions were good.
They hoped that if this spread, it would cause more sect disciples to punish evil and promote good. Then the Great Song would become even better.
The rampage of demonic creatures had nearly crushed the last straw in ordinary people’s hearts. Now these corrupt officials and arrogant young masters who didn’t value human life—that last straw was also about to disappear.
Fortunately, righteousness existed in the world. Above them, there were still sects holding things in check. Especially the Tianxiang disciples, who cared for the weak.
Although the effect was small, at least there was some hope, wasn’t there?
Even if there was only a sliver, just a faint glimmer in the darkness, it could illuminate the path ahead and keep them from losing their way.
Seeing that most were still kneeling, the commoners who had already stood up felt very awkward. They hesitated, wondering whether to kneel again.
But Chen Xiaoyan didn’t give them that chance.
“If you all truly see me as your benefactor, then please get up.”
“Fairy…” Everyone was speechless. They turned their gazes to Chen Xiaoyan in unison. Having come this far, they could only sigh helplessly and stand up one by one.
Seeing them rise, Chen Xiaoyan broke into a radiant smile.
“That’s right. Actually, I just lent a hand. I didn’t put in much effort. Your behavior makes me a bit embarrassed.”
“Fairy, we…”
Before he could finish, Chen Xiaoyan pressed her hand down to stop him.
“Alright, alright. Don’t say anything. I understand what you all mean. I’m not actually a good person who likes to help others. It’s all because of my sect’s principles. I’ll say it again: it’s my duty. Do not speak of gratitude.”
“If you insist on an immortal name, then I’ll just say: I am a Tianxiang disciple. You only need to know that I am a Tianxiang disciple. Nothing else matters.”
These words immediately woke everyone up.
That’s right. Why did they need to know the fairy’s name? The robes they wore were the best name.
Tianxiang disciple.
“Fairy, we understand what you mean.”
“I was foolish. Tianxiang Fairy is Tianxiang Fairy. Her name doesn’t matter, hehe.” The big man grinned foolishly, rubbing the back of his head.
“Yes, yes.”
Seeing their faces suddenly light up with smiles, Chen Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh.
These people were really cute. They believed whatever she said.
What, all Tianxiang disciples?
Nonsense. I’m just afraid that if I give my name out, a bunch of trouble will come looking for me. Then it’ll be hard to deal with.
I’m not afraid of anything. I’m just afraid of trouble.
“The sect still has tasks. We can’t delay any longer.”
“Fairy, you must come visit Shangjing City often. The food here is simply the best.”
“Right, right. If I don’t see the fairy for a day, it feels like three autumns have passed. It makes my heart uneasy.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the surroundings immediately fell silent. Dozens of angry eyes simultaneously turned to the scholar who had said it.
“Hah, one day without seeing feels like three autumns? You sour scholar, you have some nerve, defiling the fairy right in front of us.”
“Kid, watch your step from now on.”
“I, Gu, have noted this person. If you come to my restaurant to eat, the price will be raised for sure.”
“Uh…” The scholar forgot to even wave his paper fan. He was completely dumbfounded.
What’s going on? How did I suddenly incur everyone’s wrath?
No, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t mean to defile the fairy.
“Quiet!”
With Chen Xiaoyan’s shout, the noisy clamor instantly vanished. The surroundings fell into silence again.
“One more thing. Those mother and daughter who died—please look after their household. Especially be wary of greedy people.”
Most understood what she meant.
“Fairy, rest assured. Even if you didn’t say it, we would do so.”
“Sigh, that poor mother and daughter suffered an undeserved calamity.”
“It’s all Mo Nichang’s fault. That woman has a heart like a snake and scorpion. She will surely receive heaven’s punishment.”
“Haha, she’s already receiving heaven’s punishment. Otherwise, why would she just happen to run into the fairy?”
“When is the Dali Temple trial? We must go see the evil woman’s fate.”
Chen Xiaoyan heard their discussion but didn’t say much.
Actually, this wasn’t entirely Mo Nichang’s fault. The real blame lay with this feudal society where human life was worth less than a dog’s.
Even without Mo Nichang, other Mo Nichangs would emerge. As long as this feudal system remained, this situation wouldn’t change.
“It’s getting late. Everyone go home.” Chen Xiaoyan waved her hand, then turned to Chong Chong and said, “Teleport us back.” She pulled up the map.
“Xiaoyan-jie!”
Suddenly, Lin Chong ran over urgently, shouting at her.
“Hm?” Chen Xiaoyan closed the map and turned around.
“You still have something?”
“Xiaoyan-jie, I will definitely join the Zhuyao Army.”
Chen Xiaoyan smiled. Her beautiful eyes, curved like crescent moons, looked at him warmly.
“Okay, big sister knows. But big sister has to go now.”
Lin Chong put on a worried expression, reluctant to part. He gazed at Chen Xiaoyan and asked, “Xiaoyan-jie, will we meet again?”
“Of course we will.”
This answer made Lin Chong immediately break into a smile. He scratched his head and grinned foolishly. “Hehe, then it’s settled. See you later, Xiaoyan-jie.”
“Farewell, Xiaoyan-jie.”
The boy ran, waving both hands, then turned and dashed toward his parents.
“This kid.” Chen Xiaoyan shook her head with a smile, then turned around. The first thing she saw was Chong Chong’s unfriendly expression. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
“What’s wrong with you now? Why that deadpan face?”
“Xiaoyan-jie, I think there’s something off about that kid.” Chong Chong’s expression was serious as she watched Lin Chong’s receding figure. She spoke with conviction.
Chen Xiaoyan almost spat out blood at these words. She pressed her forehead and rubbed it. “Can’t you change this suspicious personality of yours?”
“This is a woman’s intuition. Trust me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Then why don’t I feel it?” Chen Xiaoyan spread her hands and asked.
Chong Chong propped her chin and pondered for a moment. “It should be… because Xiaoyan-jie is too dumb?”