These two are impostors!
Good heavens, why impersonate the Goddess and the Divine Martial General? Their audacity is beyond belief!
The people who were initially frightened became active again, surrounding the pair.
"Six, Shunzi, tie these two up and take them to the authorities! They're too bold, far too bold!"
Even Steward Chen, who had seen much, couldn't fathom such brazenness. Impersonating a high official or powerful minister would have been one thing, but the Goddess... Oh, they were inviting divine retribution!
The masked woman tore off her veil, revealing a face of exquisite beauty.
She knelt before Xiao Shan, weeping softly, "Merciful warrior, spare me! I was coerced. He is a bandit, and I could not escape. Please, spare me!"
Indeed, the woman's tears made her resemble a begonia flower in the rain, evoking immense pity. The men present showed signs of compassion, turning their anger towards the burly man.
The burly man, his waist injured by Xiao Shan's throw, was powerless to resist and was bound by several patrons.
"Why are you begging him? It'll be more effective to beg the magistrate later," Ling Yao said coldly to the woman.
Xiao Shan had encountered many women like her; they were clearly untrustworthy, accustomed to putting on a show.
"Steward Chen, it's best to escort them to the authorities. Such crimes that could lead to the extermination of one's clan should not be trifled with. The magistrate will judge them."
"Yes, yes, yes! The warrior speaks the truth!"
Steward Chen nodded repeatedly. The surrounding crowd no longer dared to speak up for the woman. Several people then dragged the pair out of the restaurant.
"Ah, where is Young Master Du? We need Young Master Du to be a witness. Young Master Du, Young Master Du?" Steward Chen shouted.
However, Young Master Du had already vanished.
The group of over ten people walked towards the county yamen, drawing the attention of people on the street, who inquired about the reason.
"These two dared to impersonate the Goddess and the Divine Martial General to swindle people. Fortunately, our East Wind Restaurant's Big-Bellied Little Immortal Child saw through their deception, preventing them from committing further evil!"
Excellent, Brother Liu had truly learned from Steward Chen. Their restaurant's reputation was now poised to surpass the number one establishment in Lucheng.
Qing He and a few others happened to pass by and looked at the disheveled man and woman in astonishment.
"Are these two the ones in Lucheng? Did we come to the wrong place?"
"What kind of courage did they swallow!" Yu Liu cursed.
"Wait!" Yu Liu's eyes narrowed. "I think I saw a familiar figure. You guys go ahead, I'll go take a look!"
Lucheng had no stronghold of the Immortal King Sect. Why had she just seen the Sect Master of the Secret Sect Hall, Feng Yi?
Had the Master assigned him a mission?
Meanwhile, back in the restaurant, Ling Yao suddenly felt something amiss. She looked down; her belly was as round as a ball. She had eaten like this a few days ago and felt no discomfort.
Why was it itchy now?
It was becoming more and more itchy, making her feel unbearable.
"Full? Shall we go back? Or wander around a bit?" Xiao Shan asked.
"Back."
"Alright, then I won't carry you. Walking back will help digestion."
"Carry me!"
"So lazy, what will become of you?"
Xiao Shan sighed helplessly, but still crouched down and picked her up. Estimating her weight, he exclaimed, "My heavens, at least ten pounds more!"
Ling Yao tried to control her hands from scratching, but soon, she felt an itchiness spreading inside her body, as if insects were burrowing within.
An itch, a bone-gnawing itch.
She tightened her grip on Xiao Shan's neck.
"Trying to murder your husband?"
Ling Yao grew frightened. Could insects be hatching inside her? Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She buried her face in Xiao Shan's shoulder, her teeth biting into his clothes.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Shan sensed something was wrong. She had been unusually docile and excited during the meal. Was she thinking of sad things again?
"A Shan, bath, itchy," she stampered, her lips trembling, struggling to utter the words. She used all her strength to suppress the deadly itch, feeling as if ants were gnawing at the very seams of her bones.
What should she do? What was happening to her?
They had reached the inn where they were staying. Xiao Shan put her down and examined her.
"What are you doing?"
Xiao Shan's loud shout startled her as he grabbed her hand. He saw a trace of blood on her fingernails. It turned out she hadn't managed to control herself and had scratched her neck, leaving a blood mark.
"Itchy, itchy, so itchy!"
Ling Yao hopped around, waving her arms, wanting to touch her body but afraid to. Tears streamed down her face in distress. "Water, I need to get in the water, bathe, bathe, cold water! Ice water! Freeze it, then they won't be able to hatch!"
Xiao Shan was greatly alarmed. "But what did you eat just now? Did something cause a skin rash!"
Without delay, he blew his whistle, and Feng Yi quickly appeared.
"Find a doctor!"
"Yes! Master!"
Xiao Shan scooped up Ling Yao and rushed into the inn. As he went upstairs, he shouted to the waiter, "Prepare some warm water!"
However, once in the room, Ling Yao fell silent. She stood there blankly. Her soft hair clung to her temples from her earlier commotion, her lips were pale, and her long, thick eyelashes were still adorned with glistening tears. Her large eyes were filled with bewilderment, as fragile as a porcelain vase about to shatter.
"Xue Niang!"
Xiao Shan, his heart pounding with fear, touched her thin, delicate body from top to bottom. Whether it was an illusion or not, he felt that her previously round belly had shrunk in an instant.
"Guest, your water is here! I've left it by the door."
The waiter knew Xiao Shan's habits and did not enter the room, leaving the water and departing.
"How do you feel?" Xiao Shan looked at Ling Yao, who was like a puppet.
"Pain."
Ling Yao looked at Xiao Shan, tears falling again. Her expression was one of profound sorrow, as if bidding him farewell.
The thunder and lightning from the day of her Nirvana resounded in her ears again.
She seemed to have made a mistake.
She hadn't succeeded in Nirvana at all.
That was merely the beginning.
The itching was gone, but she felt her muscles cracking, her internal organs tearing, and her bones creaking.
This was even more terrifying.
"Xue Niang, you, you..."
Xiao Shan was stunned. He thought he saw a red flush appearing on her body. As he reached out to touch her again, he was sent flying by a force.
At the same time, Ling Yao screamed.
"Pain! So much pain! I don't want this, I don't want this! It's been two lifetimes! I don't want this ending again! Father King, Mother Queen, Brother, help, help—"
Her small body seemed to be scorched by intense flames, enduring immense agony, twisting and bending into unimaginable arcs.
The feeling of helplessness from her previous life returned!
Xiao Shan's eyes turned red. He lunged forward again and again, but the power emanating from her always knocked him back.
He couldn't get close!
He couldn't save her!
He was a useless mortal!
"How can I save you, Xue Niang, how can I save you!"
His fists nearly cracked the stone floor, but he couldn't think of a solution!
"Pain, so much pain, A Shan, A Shan, I can't hold on, you go quickly, go quickly—"
A deafening roar echoed, shaking the entire inn. A mushroom-shaped flame erupted before his eyes, and wooden beams of the house began to collapse.
"Exploded, exploded?"