Chapter 772: Tremors |
Ming Yue didn't know what to say, she was overwhelmed. In the end, she handed XIng'er back to Aunt Cui.
"Thank you", she quietly said to them, "Thank you so much for this."
It was then that Aunt Cui shed a tear and embraced her. The little girl that once stayed with her at the brothel was now a grown woman.
"It should be me thanking you, now please, enjoy yourself today", she told her.
After the moment they all had together, Elder Fei had gone back into the kitchen, this time with a bit of help in the form of two assistant cooks. Together, they pumped out dish after dish as if they were on a mission to fill everyone's stomach.
The party continued onwards with everyone chatting and mingling as the food was served at each table. It was one course after another; chicken, beef, fish, rice, noodles, and so much more.
Ming Yue was one of the busier guests, tasting each dish but also conversing with the others.
She wasn't so naive as to think that they were all congratulating her. Many would certainly seek to form some sort of connection and try to get on her good side. But many of them did seem truly happy for her.
"I know a few talented kids and there are a couple of nobles from the neighboring cities that would like to consult you for your knowledge!"
It wasn't hard to see who fell into which category but Ming Yue continued to listen and smile. She couldn't just ignore them after all.
"Ahem! Are you all finished yet?! If so, I'd like to have a chat with my dear child here!"
An old woman's voice immediately cut through the noise, her sharp tone coupled with a brazen attitude was enough to make anyone step back. Ming Yue looked at her and smiled.
"Manager", she lowered her head, greeting the manager of the Brothel.
But the old woman just waved the gesture away.
"Please, you don't have to do all of that and stop with the 'Manager'. 'Miss Lin' is enough... Haah, it hasn't been very long since I last saw you but every time I do, something just seems different about yoi", she said to her, smiling and placing a hand on Ming Yue's shoulder.
The cultivator smiled, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"I still remember when you were that little girl carrying such a long sword. Who would've known that you were so strong, protecting the girls from any danger", said Miss Lin.
"What about now? How has the brothel been?" Ming Yue asked, concerned about that place.
The Brothel Manager just laughed it off.
"We're doing fine, we haven't had much trouble because of Aunt Cui and the tea shop. Who could find it in their heart to wrong someone as kind-hearted as her!"
She then leaned in, whispering into Ming Yue's ears.
"Well, Rou'er has also been making rounds around us, part of her 'training' she says. Because of her, our regulars, our new customers, and even people from other brothels, none of them dare to misbehave around us. The moment something happened, she'd come running, pulling her sword out and pointing it right at their family jewels!"
"Is that so?"
She couldn't help but laugh at Miss Lin's story, trying to imagine Rou'er doing just that.
"She's fearless, that girl, seems like she's trying to follow someone's footsteps."
Miss Lin smirked at the woman before glancing over at Rou'er.
"You know, you're always welcome here", she said.
Ming Yue smiled and nodded.
"I know."
The two shared a look before the brothel manager went on her way. And Ming Yue looked over to Rou'er, making her way back to the girl.
Hongyu was with her, seated on her lap while Rou'er was braiding the child's hair.
"Hm, is Xiao Yin and the others in the courtyard?" Ming Yue asked.
Hongyu nodded.
Rou'er looked up at her.
"Yes, Elder Fei left them all plates outside."
Ming Yue looked at her, raising an eyebrow even to which Rou'er only had an awkward expression.
"Calling him father... it's still a little strange sometimes", she said.
But the woman just chuckled.
"I was kidding, besides, how does it feel? Now you have a little sister and a cousin."
Rou'er's face turned slightly red with embarrassment.
"Hey, you're their godmother, how do you feel about that, hm?"
Pointing this out, the girl tried to turn the tables but Ming Yue only had a smile on her face.
"It feels-"
Suddenly, the ground shook.
it was only a slight trembling but seconds later, everything seemed to be moving. The building creaked as a few tables tipped over and some of the decorations fell off.
Most people panicked, looking for something to hold onto.
"The children! Make sure the children are safe!" Aunt Cui cried out, running towards the carriage.
Ming Yue was the first to move before the other cultivators mobilized.
"Xiao Yin!"
She called out to the beasts who rushed in, Liang Wei grew to his full size, using his body to support the building itself. Xiao Yin and Hei Yue immediately rushed out of the tea shop, scouting the city.
Ming Yue stayed inside the tea shop, making sure that everyone was safe. Fortunately, with all of the experts there as well, no one was hurt. But the same could not be said for the rest of the city.
The tremors grew worse and worse lasting over a minute. There were cries outside and the sound of crumbling buildings!
She looked out towards the doorway, wanting to go but staying for the sake of Aunt Cui and everyone else. Feeling a hand on her arm, she turned to see her and Elder Fei by the two babies.
"Go!" she said, "We'll be fine here!"
Ming Yue nodded before looking at the giant cat beast. Liang Wei meowed as if to understand what she wanted, moving closer to the family.
And the cultivator ran off, turning around as she passed through the door. Seeing their nods of approval, she immediately ran out, flying into the air.
The tremors had finally stopped but things were a mess.
Scanning through the city, she closed her eyes, expanding her senses throughout the entire city. She could see it all, every collapsed building, cracked roads, fallen stalls, and cries for help.
Xiao Yin and Hei Yue did what they could, digging through debris and searching for any trace of a living person. And while they did that, Ming Yue focused on the larger accidents.
Putting bother hands outwards, she had her palms facing up and slowly raised them upwards.
Wind gathered from everywhere, slowly lifting up bits and pieces of debris before growing stronger and bringing up even larger pieces. Those that could not escape, found themselves trapped underneath, were freed. Everyone looked around in awe before seeing her up in the sky.
And it was the children that called her name.
"It's Miss Ming Yue!"
"It's Teacher!"
There was murmuring everywhere whilst the children began to cheer. However, the tremors were just the beginning. Gathering the debris, Ming Yue moved it all to an empty space within the city and then she looked in the direction of Death Wind Mountain, right where the crack in the sky was.
And she heard it, everyone heard it, a deafening roar that was unlike anything they had ever heard.
It was strange and otherworldly, bearing no resemblance to any other beast's roar.
Her gaze sharpened at the sound of it and she immediately flew off. She was practically a blur, soaring through the sky and reaching Death Wind Mountain, or what remained of it.
She looked up at the crack in the sky but found no change in it.
"What? If it's not coming from there, then..."
Her eyes went down to the mountains, seeing it fragmenting into smaller peaks. At the center of it was a crack similar to the one in the sky. However, the glaring difference was the two arms reaching out and pushing the crack open, emerging from within.
