340. Angel Descends

Qian Renxue and her younger brother nestled close, gazing at the fish playfully swimming in pairs within the lotus pond.

Eventually, Bibi Dong and Hu Liena emerged from the kitchen, and together, they enjoyed a harmonious dinner. Afterward, Qian Renjue joined the three women, ascending the mountain steps amidst the evening breeze.


---

As night fell, the once vibrant courtyard grew silent, save for the faint chirping of insects.

In the bedroom, Qian Renjue had already drifted into a deep sleep, enveloped by the warm embrace of two women.

Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, however, whispered softly in the darkness.

"Ling Yuan, you say?" Qian Renxue seemed a bit surprised by the answer.

Bibi Dong gently brushed her hand across Qian Renjue's face and chuckled, "Yes. But in these matters, we don't decide; it all depends on whether Jue likes it."

"I understand that," Qian Renxue replied, biting her lip and leaning into her mother's comforting embrace.

"But aren't you afraid Jue might be overwhelmed with so much on his plate?"

Bibi Dong smiled, lightly tapping Qian Renxue's forehead. "Of course, I'm concerned. But I believe Jue wouldn't neglect us."


---

Three days later, Qian Renxue, having rested and prepared, set off with Qian Renjue, Hu Liena, and Ling Yuan to finalize certain matters across the land.

In the grand and luxurious city of Heaven Dou, paved with green stones and exuding grandeur, poverty persisted, hidden in the city's darker corners. The group of four walked toward one of these less privileged areas.

As they approached, they caught a faint but unpleasant stench, which caused Qian Renjue to frown.

Used to a life of comfort, he found the smell disconcerting.

"Jue, perhaps you should wait here while I go on my own?" Qian Renxue offered, with her brows furrowed.

Qian Renjue shook his head. "That won’t do. I promised to accompany you, so I’ll treat this as simple endurance training."

Encouraged, the group pressed onward, their boots sinking into muddy ground as they moved toward the damp, shadowy area.

The alley was narrow and flanked by makeshift shelters, barely providing protection from the elements. The smell was nauseating, with rotting corpses lying in plain sight and the air filled with cries, moans, and a horrid stench. Amidst the filth, the impoverished inhabitants seemed used to it, with vacant expressions in their eyes.

At the sight of Qian Renjue and the others, some of the residents' eyes gleamed with hunger, almost predatory.

Qian Renjue's brow furrowed, and the purple-black mark on his forehead glowed, releasing an invisible force that froze the advancing people in place. Those who had been watching with hungry eyes turned away in fear.

Hu Liena clutched Qian Renjue's sleeve, astonished. "Brother, isn’t this one of the continent’s most prosperous cities? How could it have such wretched areas?"

"Almost every major city has places like these," Qian Renjue replied with a somber look before turning to his sister. "Sister, where is the person you're looking for?"

"There." Qian Renxue raised her hand, and divine flames shaped into a holy sword, pointing to a small, foul-smelling shack from which faint sobbing emerged.

Moving closer, Hu Liena let out a startled scream upon seeing the scene inside. Qian Renjue’s expression darkened as he saw it: a small, skeletal girl knelt by a corpse covered in decay and maggots, its features no longer recognizable.

The little girl hadn’t noticed their approach. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her sobs barely audible.

Seeing her, Qian Renxue’s sword began to emit a warm glow as her six angelic wings unfurled, casting a divine, golden light over the scene.

Her face held a gentle yet mournful expression.

The golden light finally caught the girl's attention.

She looked up, her lifeless black eyes quivering, and fresh tears emerged as she gazed at the radiant figure before her—a figure she saw as an angel.

"Tell me who took the money meant to save your life, the medicine meant for your brother," Qian Renxue spoke softly but with a chilling edge.

The girl tried to speak, her mouth moving in silence, tears streaming down her face.

“Ah Yin!” Qian Renjue called toward his heart, summoning a spirit.

"Yes, master!" A strand of blue-gold energy, shaped like a spirit vine, flew from Qian Renjue's robe and landed on the girl's shoulder. The spirit's warm energy flowed into the girl, healing her wounds completely.

"Take me to them," Qian Renxue said gently.

The girl nodded eagerly, bowing again and again before the angelic figure.

Following her, Qian Renxue ignited with divine fire anyone she pointed out as responsible for the girl's plight, reducing them to ashes.

As she passed, people began to bow, seeing her as a godly figure descended among them.

Qian Renjue noticed a faint glow of faith energy flowing into Qian Renxue, solidifying her status in their eyes.

"Thank you, oh holy one!" The girl knelt before her, her forehead pressed against the ground, even drawing blood.

Qian Renxue knelt beside her, her voice gentle. "Would you like to come with me?"

The girl, overwhelmed with emotion, nodded fervently, repeatedly bowing her head.

"Good. Don’t resist," Qian Renxue instructed as she extended her hand.

The lifeless body within the shack was suddenly set aflame, and a radiant light from her ring of life glowed, guiding the girl forward.