Volume Five: Amethyst Turns to Mist Chapter Ten: Dust Settles

Yaoguang seemed to have had a long, long dream. When she awoke, night had already fallen. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted by a circle of anxious faces.

“A-Yao… Master… Phoenix… Divine Sovereign…”

“I’m all right, just a bit tired. Truly, it’s nothing,” Yaoguang reassured them, meeting their worried gazes.

“Divine Sovereign, what is going on with your heart meridian?” Grand Witch Lixing asked with a frown.

“Oh, it can’t be cured. It’s an old injury from years ago—nothing to worry about, really.” Yaoguang smiled and then, hearing the songs from outside, asked, “What’s happening out there? It sounds lively.”

“It’s all thanks to you. The Black Mountain Miao Village and our Qingcheng Miao Village are now fast friends,” Grand Witch Licheng said gratefully.

“What happened? Tell me!” Yaoguang exclaimed with delight.

“Allow me to explain,” said Lishang, as he and Lihun supported an elderly man into the room, followed by Lilie.

“Grand Witch Litian, you’ve recovered!” Yaoguang looked at the old man. When he’d been rescued, he was on the brink of death, yet now he looked vibrantly healthy.

“It’s all thanks to your Golden Silkworm Gu King,” Grand Witch Litian said, attempting to kneel in gratitude, but Yaoguang quickly pulled him up. “Xue’er, tell me what happened.”

“I was afflicted by Black Sky’s own refined Three Corpse Gu. When you brought me out, the poison was just taking hold. Thanks to your Golden Silkworm Gu King, the venom was purged and my meridians were cleared. Divine Sovereign, you saved my life, eliminated Black Sky and his forces, protected our village, and even brought Lihun home. I am forever indebted. I’ve made up my mind: from now on, the Black Mountain Miao Village will be renamed Clear Wind Miao Village and will merge with the Qingcheng White Miao. We will perform only good deeds, never evil, as atonement for the poor children who perished in our village.” Grand Witch Litian sighed deeply as he finished.

“That’s wonderful news—the happiest ending we could hope for,” Yaoguang said joyfully. “And speaking of the Golden Silkworm Gu King, it’s quite connected to your village. Originally, Black Sky created it. Years ago, when I ventured into the Miao lands, I was wounded by Black Sky, who placed the Gu King within me, intending to use me as its vessel. I risked my life and escaped, saved by Grand Witch Lixing. By a twist of fate and many hardships, I subdued the Gu King, and now it has even become immortal.”

“Haha! Truly, wickedness brings its own downfall. Black Sky schemed endlessly, only to benefit others in the end. Excellent! In your hands, the Gu King can heal and save lives, eradicate evil—if it had remained with Black Sky, who knows how many would have perished. Heaven truly has eyes,” Grand Witch Litian said with a laugh.

“Grand Witch Litian, village chief, there’s something I must clarify…” Yaoguang suddenly said, her tone turning serious.

“Divine Sovereign, I know what you’re about to say,” Grand Witch Litian interrupted, then continued, “Lihun and Lilie, the two children, took hostages—though coerced, they broke the law. If you do wrong, you must accept the consequences. Please take them with you. No matter how long it takes, I believe they will return. They will always be children of our Clear Wind Miao Village—we will wait for them.” As he finished, Lishang, Lihun, and Lilie, standing behind him, all nodded solemnly.

“Thank you,” Yaoguang said, holding Grand Witch Litian’s hand, her heart full of gratitude.

“Thank you, Divine Sovereign, for saving my son,” Lihun said, kneeling in thanks.

“Do not kneel. It is my duty,” Yaoguang said, supporting Lihun as he tried to kneel.

As soon as Lihun was helped up, Lilie dropped to his knees with a thud and bowed deeply. “Divine Sovereign, all of Black Sky’s men have been captured—just retribution for their deeds. I was Black Sky’s personal follower and should not have escaped punishment. You spared my life out of kindness; you are like a second parent to me. I will go with you and accept any judgment, without complaint.”

Yaoguang looked at him, placed her hand atop his head, and infused a thread of spiritual sense. Images flashed before her eyes. She let out a breath of relief, saying, “I’ve read your spiritual memory. Thankfully, you had nothing to do with the girls in the blood pool—otherwise, not even the highest immortal could save you. I see you truly regret your deeds, and that comforts me. Now get up—don’t kneel so easily. If you tire from kneeling and I tire from helping you up, what’s the point?”

At these words, laughter erupted all around.

“Divine Sovereign, the bonfire outside is blazing. Let’s go join the celebration,” Grand Witch Litian suggested, rising to his feet. Yaoguang stepped down, following the others out of the bamboo building. Out on the clearing, the bonfire burned bright, and seeing the people dancing around it, Yaoguang finally smiled with genuine happiness.

The immortal man came over and put his arm around Yaoguang’s shoulder. She glanced at his profile—perhaps this was what peace and contentment looked like.

The night’s singing and dancing lasted long into the night. Early the next morning, Yaoguang and the others rose, and after breakfast, she began to give orders. “Xuanchen, divide Black Sky and the other suspects into two groups. Let the Special Forces and Heavenly Sword escort them. Once the handover with Director Chen is complete, take them to Leaf City. The seven girls will be escorted home by Tianyou and Akun.”

“Understood, I’ll make the arrangements right away,” Xuanchen replied, setting out at once.

“Yitian, has the vehicle I requested arrived?” Yaoguang asked.

“Miss, it’s at the foot of the mountain. The vehicle is too large to come up,” Yitian replied, glancing at the enormous serpent nearby, playing merrily with the Golden Silkworm Gu King.

“Very well, prepare to descend,” Yaoguang said. “Grand Witch Litian, we take our leave. Grand Witch Lixing, Grand Witch Licheng, until we meet again.”

“Grandmother, I’m leaving now,” Jiang Yun said, emerging from Granny Liying’s embrace.

“Benefactor, until we meet again,” Jinlin said, bowing her massive head to Lixing and Licheng.

“Father, Grand Witch, we’re leaving. We will return,” came the farewell.

“Safe journey,” everyone called out, truly wishing them well, though reluctant to let them go.

Once all was arranged, Yaoguang and her companions, led by the Clear Wind Miao villagers, began their descent. The convoy was waiting at the base of the mountain. Jinlin and the Golden Silkworm Gu King boarded the container truck—just large enough for them both. After completing the handover with Director Chen, Yaoguang’s convoy immediately set out on the highway back home.

“Divine Sovereign, why aren’t we being escorted? Aren’t we suspects in this case as well?” Lihun asked, puzzled, as he sat in Yaoguang’s car.

“In view of your contributions, I’ve requested that you be reclassified from suspects to state witnesses. This way, you won’t be escorted as prisoners, and your sentences will be lighter. The tragedy was born of human greed—Black Sky never woke from his dream, but you have. Since you have awakened, why shouldn’t I give you a new chance? I trust you’ll cherish it,” Yaoguang said with a smile.

“Thank you, Divine Sovereign. You have a lovely smile—I just realized,” Lihun replied.

“Hey, you dare tease my master? You’ve got quite the nerve,” Jiang Yun laughed.

Laughter filled the car.

When Yaoguang’s convoy reached the Public Security Bureau in Leaf City, armed police were already waiting. They took custody of Black Sky and the other twenty-one suspects, who would be held in the detention center until their court hearings—though this no longer concerned Yaoguang. Lihun and Lilie, now state witnesses, were placed in the care of Heavenly Sword at their temporary reception office. The seven rescued girls were sent to the Leaf City People’s Hospital for further examination. Two of them, suffering psychological trauma from their long captivity, needed to be hospitalized. The police would notify their families to come care for them. This, too, was no longer Yaoguang’s concern.

With everything settled, the director beamed as he clasped Yaoguang’s hand. “You truly are our champion—there’s no case you can’t handle.”

“You flatter me. Everything’s resolved, so I’ll take my leave. If anything comes up, have Xuanchen contact me,” Yaoguang said, waving casually.

“There’s a celebration banquet tonight. You’re not coming again? You never give us any face,” the director complained.

“I won’t go. I don’t have time. You all enjoy,” Yaoguang replied, already boarding her RV as she spoke.

“Hey, you—” The director started to protest, but before he could finish, two RVs and a container truck were already speeding off. “Why is it always like this?” he muttered, dejected. The provincial office was sending people to tonight’s banquet—how would he explain her absence?

“Director, don’t be upset. Who doesn’t know Phoenix’s temperament? Besides, no one can control her,” Xuanchen offered comfort.

“Are you trying to cheer me up or upset me?” the director grumbled. “Still, what’s the rush? And what’s in that container truck? Was that vehicle part of your operation? Xiao Xie, you go invite her tonight—you’re close.”

“I’m not really sure about that either. Yaoguang never explains her actions. I probably can’t persuade her. Unless there’s a new case, she’s unlikely to come to the bureau,” Xuanchen replied, scratching his head, looking evasive. He certainly couldn’t tell the director there was a talking snake in that container—otherwise, the man would be scared witless! Nor could he say that Yaoguang was returning to Spirit Mountain, or mention anything about a tribulation-crossing serpent. Who would believe such things? Better to keep such reality-shattering secrets to himself.

“She’s always so mysterious.”

Meanwhile, Yaoguang’s convoy was heading straight toward Phoenix Spirit Mountain, unable to activate the teleportation array because of Jinlin. There was simply no way—the child was far too large.