1057 Impermanence

"You're the father, and you don't even know How do you expect me to know The old woman said it was around July, but who knows the exact date Even normal children aren't that punctual."I remember Jian...Sometimes, women and children can be more dangerous than an adult man.

Because when people see these normally "vulnerable" groups, normal people instinctively show mercy.

I watched as the child, with a blade in their mouth and agile movements, climbed the tower, while I could only shout warnings.

These kids' ferocity was astonishing, they looked like vengeful demons, ragged and reckless.

Just as I shouted, a chain with a faint silver glow descended from the sky. The cold light vanished quickly, and I thought I must have been mistaken.

When the various warriors were about to charge forward, they saw a flash of brilliance at that instant and abruptly stopped their advance.

It didn't dare to go past.

I saw a glow suspended above the tower.

That is not the light of the human world.

Yet it illuminated this valley ravine.

The celestial clouds and the somber haze could not obscure the radiance of the divine.

That was Master's Dharma body, he simply hung coldly in the air. His eyes were cold and swept over my face, then past my shoulders, looking at Mu Wanchen who stood behind me across a mountain ravine.

The silver chain in his hand had bound the child corpse-puppet, who was clutching a dagger and snarling.

"...as I said before, these spirits were nourished by impurity and resentment from the womb. They are inherently flawed, and it is our duty to eradicate evil..."

Master's voice was cold and emotionless.

It seems to be just going through the motions.

He raised his hand and drew his sword, his movements identical to those of Mu Wanchen in front of him. The blades of their swords swept across the air simultaneously—

Both the snake spirit and the child fell silent in an instant.

Mu Wanchen's sword was stained with blood. This seemed to be the first time I had seen him wield a blood-stained sword in my memory.

Blades like meteors, blood like rain.

That sword, which looked like just an ornament, effortlessly sliced off the serpent spirit's head.

Although the snake spirit can transform with its magical powers, it is ultimately a physical venomous creature. If the spirit is harmed, the owner will also be injured. If it's their natal spirit, the owner could even become disabled.

The serpent's head fell, its bloody gore raining down like a torrential downpour in the labyrinth of Yamaguchi. A clear "sizzle" sound echoed through it all.

Mu Wanchen's figure gradually faded into the mist, becoming increasingly indistinct.

"Master—" I looked up at this lofty deity.

Is his compassion all cold and distant Why watch from afar with cold eyes

Isn't Mu Wanchen his disciple Wasn't he trying to secure the foundation of Mu Wanchen's Dao

Why am I now looking coldly at this once idyllic paradise, its walls crumbling, ghostly figures flitting about, celestial omens shifting, and poisonous miasma swirling

Isn't he letting his young wife live in Nanshan After all, it was once her home. Xiaoyu was heartbroken because the palace collapsed, why didn't he even frown

"Be careful what you say." my husband suddenly whispered to me.

I puffed out my cheeks and muttered, “I just want Master to help me. After all, with an old monster like him around, something like the Chaotic Demon Dao sounds pretty impressive…”

"Hmph... You think I wouldn't notice such a little trick" The high and mighty Emperor scoffed.

His smile and tone were both cold.

"This is his fate, all I can do is offer a suggestion. He is extraordinary, so you needn't judge him by ordinary standards."

...But I'd be worried, I'm helpless, if you don't help me, I'll go ask the junior mistress after I leave!

I inwardly grumbled, Master seemed to know my thoughts. He lowered his eyes and looked at me, "Did you do what Master Mu Wanchen asked you to do There are still people left in this mountain who need leadership, why are you still lingering here"

"Oh…" I nodded, hugging Fu Zhu's neck, and Fu Zhu immediately ran away detouring.

Having just rounded the bend in the mountain pass, I immediately asked, “Why did you tell me to be careful just now Was that Mu Wanchen's master, or a deity from the underworld…”

"I see," Fu Zhu said faintly.

"They are called deities because they rarely possess the emotions of mortals. What they see of the present and future differs greatly from what you feel. Words are futile."

Okay, perhaps Master has his own arrangements... Since he's here, there probably won't be any major problems.

Mu Wanchen gave me a task that was far from easy. This mountain, with its jagged rocks, deep ravines, and numerous natural caves, was further complicated by centuries of man-made structures.

The whole mountain is like a natural maze.

But bones are visible everywhere in this maze.

There are also some old, forgotten household items that have been left for years.

But now all of this has become an object of contention. Anything that appears to be even slightly useful will cause a fight.

Members of the Witch Clan would naturally not fight like ordinary people, their disputes were always bloody affairs.

I'm afraid that if I try to mediate, I'll be hurt by their spirit companions. All I can do is jump far away onto an abandoned watchtower and shout down to the people below: "Ten households form a group, elect your own leader, and count yourselves!"

Not many people paid me any attention, this bunch of people were still at the entrance of a dungeon, facing each other.

"... If you want to eat and sleep, don't waste time here. Quickly count the number of people for me so I can arrange for disaster relief." I shouted hoarsely.

Hearing the words "food and shelter," someone immediately turned to me: “Your Highness, do you have a way to solve the current predicament!”

Is that so Calling me your princess just because I have food and clothes to wear

All these people before me are young and middle-aged, mostly men. There are also a few women with formidable expressions. I took a look around—there were almost no children.

The transition is abrupt, no wonder these people face the threat of survival like an imminent enemy, even scrambling over broken tiles and decaying walls.

I took a deep breath and said, “Don’t panic. Form groups of ten, elect a group leader, then form teams of ten, choose a team captain, and report your numbers to me. Tell me how many men, women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals there are. Please specify anyone who is injured or breastfeeding so I can arrange assistance as quickly as possible.”

They were slightly taken aback, but having already transported disaster relief supplies last time, they also believed that I had the capacity to temporarily alleviate their survival issues.

People immediately started turning around to look for their families and forming teams spontaneously.

The elder and the old woman were helped to walk to under the bunker where I stood, and asked in a hoarse voice: "What is your plan, Your Highness Could you tell us about it"

I gave them a withering look. “I haven’t made up my mind yet. It depends on how many people we have in the end… Oh, and by the way, you get someone to go to the Upper River tribe immediately.”

The old woman frowned and said, "Si Zu What are you going there for"

"I just saw a richly dressed woman floating downriver from upstream. She must be from the Si clan. Their area must have been severely damaged. I should hurry and notify them to take shelter in the mountains together."

The old woman shook her head. "We're barely managing ourselves at the moment, why should we worry about what happens to the Si clan They've never been easy to control, let them fend for themselves now!"

"Is it you who calls the shots, or is it me" I frowned and stared at the old woman. "Are *you* here to save the day, or am *I*"

"Uh! This is for the Shaman King—"

I waved my hand and said, "Your shaman has said that everything behind us is up to me to decide. Anyone who disagrees can save themselves and don't expect any supplies from me... You two elders are older and taller, just sit down and wait for rescue. Don't come and make trouble..."in a smile. He always looked down at me from above.No, no, just thinking about it, his features and laughter immediately appeared in my mind."You, you... are you coming to pick me up!" I blurted out,...