#5 - Destiny's Self-Correction
The next day, early in the morning.
About a dozen miles from the capital, the village of Houqiu was nestled against the mountains and beside the water.
A small river, neither wide nor narrow, flowed in front of the village.
The river mud was fine, sticky, and slightly white, known by experts as "Jade Mud."
It was precisely because of this jade mud that Houqiu Village once housed two official kilns, dedicated to firing various types of porcelain for the palace, with the hall mark "Houqiu".
It was once the late emperor's favorite.
However, good times don't last.
More than a decade ago, the supervisor in charge of these two official kilns somehow angered a certain important figure.
Not only was he executed, but the official kilns of Houqiu Village were also shut down by a notice from the Provincial Administration Commission, forbidding the construction of any porcelain kilns within the village's boundaries for fifty years.
From then on, the entire Houqiu Village rapidly declined.
The registered population decreased year by year.
The few remaining elderly, weak, sick, and disabled couldn't even cultivate the land, and could only barely make a living by reselling jade mud.
Life was already difficult enough, but recently, they had also been haunted by a demon.
A wild boar demon with a large head and big ears, not particularly powerful, but still beyond the capabilities of ordinary people, had eaten more than a dozen villagers in the past half month.
The local government couldn't handle such matters, and could only report the situation upwards, entrusting it to the Willow Leaf Division of the Hanging Mirror Division, which specialized in handling strange and supernatural events.
But who would have thought that just as the two "Bronze Leaf" adults from the Willow Leaf Division hurriedly arrived today, the pig demon had already taken its last breath.
… …
"Young Master Xiao! You are truly the savior of our village!"
The river water was shallow but rapid, and the current crashed against the corpse of the pig demon, which was about the size of a small elephant, splashing crystal clear droplets.
Two men with willow-leaf sabers at their waists were standing in the river, examining the condition of the demon corpse, while a group of villagers in ragged clothes surrounded the riverbank.
The white-haired elder at the head was saying something to a young man with a face full of gratitude.
Being able to do a good deed while simply passing by, this person could only be Xiao Feng.
"Old man, I only did what was convenient, there's no need to take it to heart."
Xiao Feng's expression was gentle, and he cupped his fist in a polite greeting: "Now that the officials have arrived, I'll take my leave…"
"Wait a moment!"
The white-haired old man grabbed Xiao Feng's sleeve and turned to hurriedly instruct a delicate-looking young girl beside him: "Granddaughter, quickly go and bring our family's ancestral jade pendant!"
"Understood, Grandpa."
The little girl responded and turned to run away with small steps, her face seemingly flushed.
Xiao Feng was slightly puzzled: "Old man, what is this…"
The old man replied with a serious expression: "Young Master, since you have slain the pig demon, you are the benefactor of our Houqiu Village!"
"Our village is poor and cannot offer gold or silver treasures, but we have a jade pendant passed down from our ancestors, said to have great magical properties."
"We are willing to give this jade pendant to you, young master, to repay your life-saving grace!"
"This…"
Xiao Feng pondered slightly and did not refuse: "Alright! Since that's the case, then I shall accept it with gratitude."
Xiao Feng was already used to this.
And just as he was dealing with the villagers while waiting for the treasure to arrive, the conversation between the two men with willow-leaf sabers not far away made him unconsciously frown slightly.
"Clairaudience" is a divine ability that can only be mastered at the fifth rank, which can greatly increase the range of hearing.
Xiao Feng is only at the seventh rank, but he has cultivated a profound technique, so he can clearly hear the content of their conversation.
"…Although this pig demon is less than ten years old in cultivation, that person named Xiao was able to kill it with one blow… Do you think we should take him back for questioning?"
"What's the point of asking? In this world, it's better to avoid trouble, just write it into the report as it is."
"That's right… Brother Li, since we have half a day to spare, why don't we go to Pingchang Alley for a drink when we return to the city? I heard that a beautiful young girl who is good at singing and dancing has just arrived at the Flower Moon Tower."
"I think that's a good idea, anyway, the adults in the division have all gone to the Wei residence to offer their congratulations… Speaking of which, the Lu family is also unlucky, with only one daughter, who was actually taken a fancy by that devil incarnate.
I heard from a brother in the Sticky Rod Office that Lu Jingyao has tried to kill herself several times…"
"Be careful! Do you not want your life!"
"Hey, it's just you and me here…"
"… …"
Soon the two stopped talking, and the expression on Xiao Feng's face became extremely gloomy.
He returned to the capital this time for a great opportunity, but who would have thought that he would hear such bad news before entering the city.
His confidante was actually forcibly taken away by his enemy!
You must know that Wei Xianzhi, who controls the Hanging Mirror Division, was the culprit who ordered the killing of his entire family!
A total of seventeen people were killed overnight, and only he escaped because he was traveling outside.
Although his luck has been very good since then, there is absolutely no reason not to avenge such a deep blood feud!
Moreover, Lu Jingyao is also involved now.
A monstrous rage surged into his heart, Xiao Feng took a deep breath, and quickly forced himself to calm down, not letting anger cloud his mind.
He knew very well that with his current strength, rushing directly to the Wei residence would be like an egg hitting a stone, simply throwing his life away in vain.
Fortunately, the people of the Wei family don't recognize his appearance, as long as he hides in the dark and waits for an opportunity, he may not be unable to find a chance…
A plan slowly took shape in his mind, and at the same time, the little girl who had just gone to get the jade pendant returned.
"Grandpa, the jade pendant!"
"Well, Young Master Xiao, this is our village…"
The white-haired old man took the jade pendant and handed it to Xiao Feng, and was about to say something happily, but the latter's cold expression made him shut his mouth instantly.
Xiao Feng knew that it was difficult for him to have a good face at this time, so he simply stopped talking nonsense, casually put the jade pendant into his arms, and then turned around and strode away.
This kind of farewell without saying goodbye would undoubtedly make people very unhappy under normal circumstances, but the villagers present were not dissatisfied except for a little surprise.
Especially the delicate-looking little girl, who even blushed and muttered in a low voice:
"This is the real man."
"I wonder when I will see Brother Xiao again…"
A resolute and unrestrained back, grateful villagers, a maiden with budding love…
If Wei Changtian were here at this time to see this scene, he would definitely curse loudly—Damn it, the protagonist's halo!
In addition, there may be a trace of doubt.
Because this plot in Houqiu Village seems to be slightly different from the novel.
It is as if the ethereal Heavenly Dao is actively correcting the wheel of fate that has been changed by him.
