Chapter 841: The Destiny of Disaster

Chen Changsheng looked at Yunxiang.

Yunxiang quickly reined in her smile, a sudden wave of embarrassment washing over her.

She lowered her head, yet no matter how she stood or where she looked, it felt wrong.

So she stood up and simply pushed Chen Changsheng out the door.

"Miss Yun, what are you doing?"

"Out, Mister. Get out, um..."

Yunxiang pushed and shoved until she herded the Mister out of the room.

Standing by the door, Chen Changsheng felt somewhat bewildered.

Inside the room, Yunxiang let out a breath. Thinking back on what had just happened, she gave a silly, joyful little laugh.

She paused, suddenly remembering something, and hurriedly called outside, "Oh, right! Mister, Miss Song can't hear anything anymore..."

Hearing this from the doorway, Chen Changsheng realized what she meant and replied, "I will go take a look in a moment."

"Mm, alright."

"I am going to rest now," Yunxiang added.

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng did not linger in front of the room. He went downstairs to look for Song Bao.

At that moment, Song Bao was crouching on the stone steps in the inn's backyard.

She stared at the damp courtyard around her. Rainwater dripped from the eaves right before her eyes, yet she could not hear a single sound.

She seemed unusually calm.

Perhaps, in her view, going deaf was nowhere near as terrifying as the Heavenly Tribulation she had just witnessed.

Just as she was lost in thought, Chen Changsheng suddenly walked over.

"Where are your parents?"

Song Bao looked up at Chen Changsheng. She saw him speak, but unable to hear the words, she simply said, "I can't hear anything..."

Chen Changsheng realized his oversight and lightly tapped Song Bao between the eyebrows.

"And now?"

Song Bao blinked, now able to hear his voice.

"Mister Chen..."

It was as if she had only just snapped out of a daze. She hurriedly stood up, only to immediately drop to her knees.

Not knowing what to say, Song Bao simply knelt before Chen Changsheng with her head bowed. She felt deeply apologetic for everything her curiosity had caused.

Chen Changsheng said, "Get up."

Song Bao shook her head, stubbornly refusing to rise.

Chen Changsheng raised his hand, summoning a gust of wind. Startled, Song Bao found herself lifted to her feet.

Chen Changsheng asked again, "Where are your parents?"

"They went out to ask around for a doctor," Song Bao replied.

Looking at her, Chen Changsheng said, "This Chen can see that you know you were wrong, but naturally, many things come with a price."

Song Bao paused, not quite understanding Mister Chen's meaning.

Chen Changsheng raised his hand, and two seeds appeared in his palm. He then said, "These are two flower seeds. As punishment, you will not regain your hearing until you manage to grow these two flowers."

Song Bao looked bewildered. "Then right now..."

Chen Changsheng explained, "This Chen is merely communicating with you through divine sense. You aren't hearing this with your ears, but within your mind."

Understanding dawned on Song Bao, and she quickly knelt once more. "I know I was wrong today. I will never forget your kindness in overlooking my faults and still giving me a chance, Mister. I will definitely repay you in the future."

Chen Changsheng looked at her and shook his head. "Wait until you actually grow these two flowers before saying that. After they bloom, squeeze the juice from their petals into your ears, and your hearing will naturally recover."

"But I must warn you—these two flowers are not easy to grow."

Cupping the two seeds with utmost care, Song Bao nodded, treating them as precious treasures.

Chen Changsheng exhaled and said, "There is one more thing. What This Chen is about to say might not be pleasant to hear, but whether you believe it or not, you must engrave it in your heart."

Her expression solemn, Song Bao looked up at Mister Chen.

Chen Changsheng said, "The bizarre and fantastical things of this world are actually not meant for ordinary people like you to touch. Many people possess a destined affinity in their lives; guided by karma, they step onto this path and become cultivators. But this is an extremely rare occurrence. Then there are some who catch a glimpse of the extraordinary by chance and develop a yearning for it. They travel everywhere Seeking Immortals and Inquiring the Dao, but in the end, they merely squander their years in vain. They return empty-handed and burdened with regret, only bringing suffering upon themselves."

Song Bao pursed her lips. "I take it I am the latter?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "You have no immortal affinity in your destiny."

Song Bao froze for a long time before finally coming to her senses.

Bowing deeply, she said, "I will definitely remember your words, Mister."

Chen Changsheng patted her head and said, "Sometimes, an ordinary person is far happier than someone Seeking Immortals and Inquiring the Dao."

Song Bao nodded, though right now she could not truly grasp the meaning of that statement. Being so young, it was only natural.

"Take good care of those two flowers. If they are ruined, there won't be any more."

"I understand."

"Mm."

Chen Changsheng let out a breath, then stood up and said, "The matter is settled. It is time for This Chen to leave."

Startled, Song Bao asked, "You're leaving, Mister?"

"Is... is everyone leaving? Is Lihua leaving too? What about Hong Jin?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Reluctant to see us go?"

Song Bao pursed her lips. Naturally, she was reluctant. She really liked the mischievous Hong Jin and the innocent Lihua. After spending these past few days together, she felt somewhat unwilling to part.

Ever since she was little, she had not had many playmates...

Chen Changsheng said, "There is no banquet in this world that never ends."

But then his tone shifted as he added, "However, life is full of encounters. If it is destined, we will naturally meet again."

Song Bao looked up, a faint glimmer of light returning to her eyes.

Over the past two days, the horse had eaten a good amount of fodder and even plumped up a little. When it was brought out, it looked much more spirited. The journey into Yan had made the poor beast suffer quite a bit, but it had made up for it now.

Now that they were hitting the road again, the energized horse seemed eager to get moving.

"Mister Chen, why don't you have a meal before you go?" Song Bao pursed her lips. Her parents still had not returned.

Chen Changsheng simply smiled and waved his hand. "No need."

Yu Hongjin poked her head out of the horse carriage and called out, "Elder Sister Song, we'll meet again if it's destined!"

"Meow, meow~"

Lihua gave a little cry, as if saying goodbye as well.

Unfortunately, Song Bao could not hear what either of them were saying.

Yu Hongjin paused in thought, as if suddenly remembering something.

"Wait a moment."

Saying this, Yu Hongjin hopped down from the horse carriage.

She pulled a small bottle of wine from her Fragrant Pouch and handed it to Song Bao.

Song Bao paused, then watched as Yu Hongjin said, "Peach Blossom Wine. It's nice and sweet."

Coming back to her senses, Song Bao accepted Yu Hongjin's wine.

She watched the shape of Yu Hongjin's lips and seemed to guess the words. "Nice and sweet?"

"Goodbye, Elder Sister Song."

There at the entrance of the inn.

Holding that wine pot in her hand, Song Bao watched the horse carriage disappear into the distance.

She looked down at the wine pot, a smile surfacing on her face.

This experience would surely remain an exceptionally magical and unforgettable part of her life.

The little girl who loved to drink, the cat that could talk, the Mister who knew magic, and that considerate Auntie Yun...

Just what kind of people were they? Even now, Song Bao couldn't figure it out.

After they left.

The surrounding voices vanished with them.

Song Bao went to the backyard and carefully planted the two seeds in the soil.

Although she didn't quite understand why Mister Chen had asked her to grow flowers, she figured there had to be a reason.

.

.

The horse carriage arrived at the banks of the Sheng River.

Due to the ordeal of traversing the waters and Tribulation Transcending, the currents of the Sheng River were still somewhat turbulent. Fortunately, the Old Dragon King and Mo Yuan had arrived in time, averting what could have been a catastrophic flood.

Mo Yuan had already been waiting there for a long time.

He looked at the carriage and immediately cupped his hands in greeting toward the Mister driving the horse.

"Whoa..."

Chen Changsheng brought the horse to a halt.

Yu Hongjin also poked her head out. The moment she saw Mo Yuan, she frantically waved her hand. "Mo Yuan! Mo Yuan! Mo Yuan!"

She ran over excitedly and asked, "Why are you here? Didn't you go back to the Desolate Sea?"

Mo Yuan smiled. "I still have some matters to handle in the Mortal World. I am in no rush to go back."

Stepping down from the carriage, Chen Changsheng walked up to Mo Yuan and asked, "How are your injuries?"

"With the Dragon Lord's help, they are no longer a major issue," Mo Yuan replied.

Chen Changsheng drew out a trace of Magical Power and sent it into Mo Yuan's body.

After investigating for a moment, he said, "They have only been temporarily suppressed."

Mo Yuan opened his mouth, then said, "You don't need to worry, Mister. I doubt it will cause too much trouble."

Chen Changsheng pondered for a moment before saying, "This matter started because of This Chen, yet you took the fall in This Chen's place. This retribution sent down by heaven and earth..."

Just as he was speaking, They saw Yu Hongjin suddenly press her hand against Mo Yuan's stomach.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, that surge of Heavenly Dao misfortune within Mo Yuan's body was drawn out.

Both Chen Changsheng and Mo Yuan froze, instantly tensing up.

Yu Hongjin stared at the strand of aura she had just pulled out. She blinked and asked, "What is this?"

Mo Yuan, startled, shouted, "Stop, quickly!"

Startled by Mo Yuan's sudden shout, Yu Hongjin hurriedly let go.

However, the aura obstinately clung to her. With a single tug, the entirety of it was dragged out.

"Hey, hey, hey! I... this..."

The cluster of aura seemed glued to Yu Hongjin.

She was at a loss for what to do, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

Chen Changsheng quickly channeled his arts, attempting to temporarily trap this cluster of karma sent down by the Heavenly Dao. Mo Yuan also unleashed his Dragon's Might and Divine Abilities.

The two of them acted simultaneously, but were suddenly repelled by a surge of the Power of the Heavenly Dao.

They stumbled backward repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Yu Hongjin stood there with a blank expression as the mass of aura suddenly burrowed straight into her stomach.

Her face instantly paled, and she clutched her belly.

Startled, Mo Yuan rushed forward to check on her.

"My stomach... it hurts..."

Yu Hongjin looked to be in pain, already half-crouching on the ground.

Just as Chen Changsheng was about to assist her with Magical Power, they suddenly heard a sound.

"Burp..."

Both Chen Changsheng and Mo Yuan were stunned.

Yu Hongjin, on the other hand, looked as if a great weight had been lifted. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "Phew, that feels better..."

Anxious, Mo Yuan asked, "What about that mass of energy? Where did it go?! Does your stomach not hurt anymore?"

Yu Hongjin smacked her lips and said, "Uh, it's in my stomach."

Chen Changsheng stepped forward to take a look, only to discover that three streams of aura were now swirling inside Yu Hongjin's Dantian, flowing like yin and yang.

These three streams of aura were all qi destiny.

One was a destiny of fortune, and the other two were destinies of disaster.

Yu Hongjin blinked at them and said, "Wasn't that thing just now the exact same as the one from when Elder Sister Tao'er got married?"

"Hm?"

Mo Yuan immediately straightened his posture and looked at Mister Chen.

Chen Changsheng slightly furrowed his brows. He shook his head, momentarily unable to figure out just what was going on with Yu Hongjin.

"If that is the case..."

"Those two destinies of disaster... one came from when Tao'er got married, and the other is the one that was inside Mo Yuan..."