Chapter 524

Chapter 524: Yan Qing Dares Not Move Against Gan Tang

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

The village chief’s pant legs were soaked, and he knelt on the ground, frantically knocking his head against the dirt.

“I was wrong! I beg the deity for mercy! I was wrong… I will never dare again…”

The village chief trembled uncontrollably. Yan Qing Xian Zun’s eyes remained eerily calm, and it was precisely this tranquility that struck even greater fear into the village chief’s heart.

“Years ago, your ancestors entered this mountain, seeking my protection for your village…”

“Out of compassion for their pure hearts, I, who have resided in these mountains for a thousand years, granted my blessing to Bai Li Village for a millennium.”

“But I never expected that such kindness would invite calamity.”

“You, relying on the favor of past generations, have tyrannized the village, throwing it into turmoil.”

No wonder…

No wonder when he first met Shu Er, she was drenched in sweat, like a spirit suddenly cast into an illusory world.

Seeing that the deity intended to punish the village chief, many long-suffering villagers knelt down, one after another, recounting the Li family’s cruelty over the years in painful detail.

Yan Qing Xian Zun’s brows carried a faint trace of frost.

His intention had been to protect the mortals.

Yet he had unknowingly fostered a situation where the strong preyed on the weak, bringing a different kind of suffering to the village.

And all of it stemmed from unbridled greed.

Yan Qing Xian Zun made a calculation with his fingers, and his gaze upon the village chief grew even colder.

“You have sixteen lives on your hands. I cannot ignore the cries of these wronged souls.”

With a mere wave of his hand, two small demons appeared in the threshing ground, already subdued and bound to his will.

“You have broken your ancestors’ oath and harmed your own kin. From this day forth, you shall be subjected to nine hundred and ninety-nine cuts before you may draw your final breath.”

“I will inform the Netherworld. For your next ten lifetimes, you shall be reborn into the Beast Path until your sins are repaid.”

“As for those who perished at your hands, I will ensure that their next lives are peaceful and filled with happiness.”

“And as for the rest of you…” Yan Qing’s gaze swept over the silent crowd.

He easily picked out several accomplices with bloodstained hands and executed them on the spot. The village fell into a chilling silence.

“This sovereign is well aware that among you, there are still those who aided in these misdeeds.”

“Though your hands are not stained with blood, you are not without sin.”

Many villagers shuddered, cold sweat dripping from their brows.

“To those who aided in wickedness, you will endure three lifetimes in the Beast Path. Should you choose to do good deeds in this life, you may mitigate your sins. Your fate is yours to decide.”

He was a god. It was his duty to guide mortals toward righteousness, so he spared them this final chance.

But those who had slaughtered innocents could not be allowed to remain.

“Yes! We will do good daily! We will abide by Xian Zun’s teachings!”

Many elders knelt and bowed in gratitude, yet not a single soul dared to request divine protection again.

Yan Qing pressed his lips together and vanished from sight.

The old madam had already packed up their belongings, and Lu Chao Chao swiftly stored them in her spatial pocket. Sensing Yan Qing Xian Zun’s presence, she immediately ducked behind Xie Yu Zhou.

Yan Qing Xian Zun stood at the entrance of the small courtyard. This place bore the traces of his daughter’s childhood.

“These chickens… did A-Man raise them? They… they look well-fed…” Yan Qing’s demeanor had always been cold, rarely engaging with others even in the Celestial Realm.

And now, he suddenly had a daughter—a daughter who bore a resemblance to both her mother and himself.

His heart was filled with both excitement and deep guilt.

Toward A-Man, he could only tread carefully.

A-Man cast him a cold glance. “The village children called me a wild thing without a father or mother. They smashed my head with stones. These chickens were their compensation.”

Yan Qing’s expression stiffened…

The old madam gave her a look. The truth was, they had only compensated her with a basket of eggs.

A-Man had painstakingly incubated them day and night to hatch these chicks.

Before the gods, Yan Qing Xian Zun had always been calm and composed. Yet now, in front of his prickly daughter, he was at a loss, panic flickering in his eyes.

He had no idea how to interact with her.

Thinking of the village rumors, thinking of her past with Shu Er, his heart ached unbearably.

She had suffered too much in the years he was absent.

“I came too late.”

“A-Man, will you give me a chance to make it up to you?”

“I hold some standing in the Celestial Realm. I will not let anyone bully you again.”

“My duty in the Mortal Realm is complete. Tomorrow, I must return to the Celestial Realm. Will you come with me? I will protect you well. You will never suffer again.”

Yan Qing Xian Zun had never been a father before. He could only try his best to mend his relationship with A-Man.

The Glassy Pure Flowers had fully matured. Today, he could finish the harvest.

Tomorrow, he would bring them back for alchemy in the Celestial Realm.

A-Man’s expression remained indifferent. She did not even look at him, only supporting her grandmother as she walked out of the courtyard, glancing at the home she had lived in for over a decade.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“When I was one year old, when I was three, I longed for a father.”

“Every New Year’s wish I made was to have a father by my side, to protect me from harm…”

“But now, I am no longer a child.”

“I have my own life, my own place in this world. I am mortal. My years are fleeting, while Xian Zun is eternal. We are not of the same path.”

“Mother has forgiven you. But I have not. Leave.”

Yan Qing Xian Zun’s heart felt parched. He did not know how to be a father. Even more, he did not know how to be her father.

“A-Man, I must return to the Celestial Realm to report my mission.”

“When I return, I will seek a divine boon to extend your lifespan…”

Yan Qing took out a jade pendant from his robes. “I know you don’t want anything from me. But the Demon Realm harbors many dangers. You must protect yourself and your loved ones, must you not?”

“What I owe you, I will spend my life repaying.”

A-Man’s steps faltered.

If she did not take it, she would be a fool. He owed her far too much already.

Snatching the jade pendant, she turned and left.

Without looking back, A-Man carried her mother’s memorial tablet and supported the old madam as they walked out of the village.

Once Yan Qing Xian Zun departed, Lu Chao Chao finally poked her head out. “He went back to gather seeds?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, he returns to report his duty.”

Lu Chao Chao patted her chest, looking as if she had narrowly escaped disaster.

“Oh, by the way, that disciple of yours who was researching pigs… those fat pigs… won’t Yan Qing Xian Zun hunt them down?”

Lu Chao Chao hesitated mid-step.

“She… she descended in her true form.”

“To evade the Celestial Realm’s watch, she will likely be reborn and regain her power only once her memories return.”

Being reborn in her true form meant severed familial ties and a difficult fate.

“Oh no! That means she’s in danger! Shouldn’t we find her?” Xie Yu Zhou panicked. If she had yet to recover her memories, wouldn’t she be defenseless?

Lu Chao Chao waved her hand nonchalantly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

“I was worried…”

“But now…”

“She found herself a protector. Yan Qing Xian Zun wouldn’t dare lay a finger on that protector!”

Heh. She almost wanted to see how Yan Qing would react when he discovered the truth!

Celestial Realm.

“Report!”

“Yan Qing Xian Zun has returned!”

Inside the divine temple, a heavenly general announced loudly.

The gathered gods were momentarily stunned before breaking into smiles of relief.

“Yan Qing Xian Zun has cultivated the Glassy Pure Flowers after a thousand years! The Celestial Realm is saved!”

“Excellent! Yan Qing Xian Zun has accomplished a great deed!” Han Chuan Xian Zun’s eyes lit up.

“Hurry!”

“Welcome the Xian Zun! Welcome the sacred flowers!”

Lu Chao Chao, so what if you destroyed all the other seeds?”