Chapter 93

Xiaoqing had been practicing diligently on Earth for three years, mastering the true essence of water control. Eager to save people, she went to bid farewell to her master, Lishan Laomu.

Lishan Laomu carefully examined her disciple's cultivation and then nodded. "You are ready. Fǎhǎi is no longer your match. Remember, do not follow the old path of Xiaobai, and under no circumstances let your emotions entangle you."

"I will follow your instructions, Master," Xiaoqing replied.

"You may go."

Thus, Xiaoqing left Earth, passing through a series of secret passages, and re-entered the Confucian world.

In the cave beneath the Broken Bridge at West Lake, Xiaoqing's true form, seated on a bed, trembled and then opened her eyes. She looked around, seeing everything as it was before, feeling a bit dazed and almost unable to believe that three years had passed.

She transformed back into her green snake form and swam out of the cave. As soon as she entered West Lake, she felt almost as one with the surrounding water, the flow of which responded to her will, far surpassing her previous self.

Over the three years, her body had automatically cultivated, and her internal magic power had increased slightly, though not significantly. However, her skill in Daoist techniques had greatly improved, allowing her to exert much more power.

'That bald monk, I'm here to take my revenge,' Xiaoqing thought with hatred, but then another thought crossed her mind: 'I wonder how Xu Xuan has been these past few years?'

Thinking of the young and handsome pharmacy owner, Xiaoqing felt a warmth in her heart. The times they had spent together came flooding back, as clear as yesterday, making her feel as if her heart was being clawed by a cat.

Before seeking revenge, she decided to check on Xu Xuan. After rescuing her sister, she didn't want to be caught off guard if her sister asked about him.

Finding a reasonable excuse, Xiaoqing immediately changed direction and headed for Bao'an Hall.

Reaching the shore of West Lake, Xiaoqing found a secluded spot to transform into a beautiful woman in green, then eagerly followed the familiar path to the pharmacy.

At this moment, her mind was filled with the image of the ordinary player Xu Xuan, having long forgotten her master's instructions.

Soon, she arrived at Bao'an Hall. Seeing the familiar storefront, a warm current flowed through her heart. This was the place where she, her sister, and Xu Xuan had lived a warm and sweet, albeit brief, peaceful life.

Approaching the pharmacy door, Xiaoqing's first sight was Xu Xuan behind the counter.

It was noon, and there were no customers in the pharmacy. As before, he was calculating the accounts with an abacus. He had a mustache on his upper lip, and the innocence on his face had completely faded, making him more mature and even more attractive.

"Brother-in-law," Xiaoqing called softly.

Xu Xuan looked up, and upon seeing Xiaoqing, his expression froze, then he showed a look of shock and fear. "Xiao... Qing, is that you?"

Xiaoqing was puzzled by Xu Xuan's attitude and walked into the pharmacy. "We haven't seen each other for three years. Don't you recognize me?"

Xu Xuan was indeed different from the past. He knew that his Bai Niangzi was extraordinary, but he didn't know she was a snake demon. Now, he understood everything, even visiting Leifeng Pagoda and seeing the true form of the white snake, thus knowing Xiaoqing's identity. Combined with his father's strict education and his mother's tearful appeals, he had deeply recognized his past sins.

He was even a bit afraid, grateful that he had awakened early, or he would have surely met a tragic end at the hands of the snake demon.

Seeing Xiaoqing come to him, he assumed the demon was still a threat and wanted to entangle him. How could he not be afraid?

"Don't... Just go, pretend you don't know me," Xu Xuan said weakly, his face pale and trembling, ready to run.

"Brother-in-law?" Xiaoqing was stunned, not understanding what was happening.

At this moment, a voice came from the back of the pharmacy. "Husband, who's here?"

Then a young woman appeared, looking puzzled. When she saw the beautiful Xiaoqing, her face showed a look of caution. "Husband, who is this young lady?"

Xiaoqing was stunned, then a surge of anger rose in her heart. Pointing at the young woman, she shouted at Xu Xuan, "You unfaithful man, you actually remarried! How can you face my sister!"

Xu Xuan was also angry and argued without hesitation, "You sisters are no good! You are demons, trying to harm me!"

Xiaoqing was so angry that she laughed. Her heart was filled with rage, and all reason was thrown to the wind. She coldly said, "Fine, fine! I am a demon, and I am here to harm you. And you, woman, daring to compete with me... my sister for a man, you are asking for death!"

She extended her palm and pushed the young woman with an invisible force, striking her chest.

The young woman, just an ordinary player and a mortal, was thrown back by Xiaoqing's palm, flying and spitting blood until she hit the wooden wall and died.

Xu Xuan was heartbroken, filled with anger and regret. His parents were right; the demon was indeed cruel, killing at the slightest provocation. He ran to the young woman and wept.

At first, he had married her under his parents' orders, and the first year was just a plain life. Gradually, they became familiar and formed a close relationship. When their first son was born, their life became sweet.

Now, with his wife killed by the demon, Xu Xuan was devastated, feeling an intense hatred for the demon. Any lingering thoughts of the past were shattered by Xiaoqing's palm.

Seeing his state, Xiaoqing's anger intensified. She shouted, "You despicable man, today I will kill you with one palm!"

Her temper was such that if she liked someone, she would be very good to them. If they betrayed her, she would repay them tenfold!

Just as she was about to strike, Xiaoqing changed her mind. She coldly said, "I won't kill you. After I kill Fǎhǎi and rescue my sister, I will let her kill you, the unfaithful man!"

She turned and left Bao'an Hall, then flew into the sky, heading straight for the Qiantang River.

She was most skilled in water control, and Jinshan Temple was by the Qiantang River (note: this is for the story's sake and does not match reality). Today, she would flood Jinshan.

Not long after Xiaoqing left, Xu Xuan's mother, Xiaoqian, arrived at Bao'an Hall with a food box to bring lunch.

As soon as she entered the pharmacy, she smelled blood and saw the broken medicine cabinets, shocking her. She walked closer and saw her son, dazed, holding his wife's body.

The wife was covered in blood, her face pale and lifeless.

With a 'clatter,' Xiaoqian's hand trembled, and the food box fell to the ground. She muttered, "What happened? What happened?"

Xu Xuan, hearing the noise, looked up dazedly. Seeing his mother, his sorrow burst forth, and he burst into tears. "Mother, I regret not listening to you. I provoked a demon. Now the demon has come and killed Lan'er, wailing."

"Demon? What demon?" Xiaoqian asked.

"It's that Xiaoqing, the green snake you've seen. She said she would take me to see the white snake," Xu Xuan sobbed.

He had been pampered by his parents and had a weak character, now crying uncontrollably.

Xiaoqian's heart sank. Suppressing her grief, she said, "Quickly, carry Lan'er and follow me home to find your father." Lan'er was her daughter-in-law's nickname.

"Lan'er is dead, what's the point of finding father?" Xu Xuan asked, his eyes blurred with tears.

"Don't ask, just hurry. Otherwise, it will be too late!" Xiaoqian rarely spoke in such a stern tone. In her understanding, Lan'er had just died, and her father's Daoist powers might save her.

Xu Xuan, seeing his mother so serious for the first time, nodded, carried his wife, and followed his mother home in a hurry.