“The Divine Lady is merciful...”
No one knew who shouted first.
A large crowd immediately knelt in the temple. The refugees held their white jade bowls, their hands trembling uncontrollably. Their foreheads struck the cold stone floor heavily, one after another.
“Great mercy...”
“Thank you, Divine Lady, for saving our lives...”
“Long live the Divine Lady...”
For a time, all sorts of chaotic prayers, sobs, and the sound of kowtowing echoed through the temple.
The Divine Lady stood before the crowd, her features like jade and her expression calm yet compassionate, as if she were long accustomed to this mountain-like wave of gratitude.
She lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze sweeping over the gaunt faces, and said softly, “Virtuous.”
Before her voice had even faded, she turned, her sleeves fluttering like clouds.
A white light rose again, even more brilliant than when she had arrived. It was so piercing that everyone could barely keep their eyes open and bowed their heads.
When the light dissipated, the space in front of the statue was empty.
Only the white jade bowls filled with white porridge remained in their hands, still emitting the fragrance of grain.
It proved that everything that had just happened was not a dream.
After a long silence, someone finally raised their bowl and began to drink in large gulps.
The movement was contagious, and the sound of swallowing instantly filled the temple.
Some drank too quickly, their eyes turning red as they choked, but they couldn't bear to stop, coughing while still shoveling food into their mouths.
Some licked the bottom of their bowls over and over, wishing they could eat the rice-scented bowl itself.
Others held their bowls and wept silently, hot tears falling into the porridge before being swallowed together.
In a matter of moments, the porridge in everyone's bowls had vanished.
Just as they were holding their empty bowls with lingering desire, the white jade bowls suddenly turned into points of shimmering light, dissipating through their fingers as if they had never existed.
The refugees couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
Right then.
A silver light fluttered down from the temple's ceiling.
A snow-white little fox landed lightly on the shoulder of the statue. Its nine tails were like clouds, its eyes like amber, and its entire body was enveloped in a faint lunar glow.
It looked down at the crowd below the statue with a proud and spiritual expression.
Under everyone's suspicious and uncertain gazes.
The little fox tilted its head up and actually spoke in a human tongue. “Now that you have received the Divine Lady’s blessing, why have you not departed yet?”
Its voice was as clear as a spring, neither distinctly male nor female.
The people looked at each other, but their feet remained still.
They were all refugees who had fled their villages. Originally, they had intended to go to Xindu City to find a way to survive.
However, the Governor of Xindu had posted notices at the city gates a few days ago, forbidding refugees from entering.
They were already homeless and had nowhere else to go.
Shen Yu took a step forward.
Meeting the little fox's vertical pupils, he felt a bit uncertain, but the upbringing of a noble family etched into his bones wouldn't allow him to show fear. He bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant. “May I ask who you are?”
The spirit fox tilted its head, its nine tails swaying gently behind it, seemingly surprised by his composure.
After a moment, it spoke slowly, its voice laced with a hint of lofty arrogance.
“I am a spirit beast under the Divine Lady’s command.”
The host had instructed it that it had to maintain a high posture in front of these people and appear formidable.
This was the first task its host had given it.
It absolutely could not fail!
Shen Yu said warmly, “I am ashamed to say that we commoners are of shallow knowledge. We have never seen a spirit beast that could speak and understand immortal matters like you, Lord Spirit Fox. I imagine you must be highly relied upon by the Divine Lady.”
This flattery made the spirit fox feel extremely comfortable, and the arrogant posture it had been maintaining softened slightly.
“You have some discernment. I have cultivated at the Divine Lady’s side for three hundred years; naturally, I am relied upon.”
Shen Yu took the opportunity to bow again, his face full of a desire to learn. “Lord Spirit Fox possesses great powers. I am bold enough to ask for your guidance. The Divine Lady does not consume incense offerings; how should we worship her?”
The spirit fox flicked its tail. “The Divine Lady often says: do not fail to do good even if it is small; do not do evil even if it is minor. If you sincerely wish to worship the Divine Lady, then perform more good deeds in the future.”
It turned and left, vanishing from their sight.
...
Yun Shu was sitting by the stream in the upper reaches of the valley, fishing.
She had changed into the Chef Set.
A green satin jacket cinched her slender waist, and lotus-colored sleeve-ties were bound around her arms. Her apron was embroidered with a partial lotus flower.
The fish basket beside her contained a plump grass carp, jumping around—clearly just caught.
“Host...”
A listless voice came from behind her.
Yun Shu didn't even turn her head.
A moment later, a white blur crawled out from the grass and flopped onto the rock next to her, its nine tails spreading out like a giant furry pancake.
“That Shen Yu is too difficult to deal with.”
The little fox lay on its back with its four paws in the air, looking as if its energy had been completely drained.
Yun Shu rubbed the little fox's head.
“System, it’s precisely because Shen Yu is difficult that I sent you to deal with him.”
She said earnestly, “What does this mean? It means that in my heart, you are the one most capable of handling tough situations.”
With that sincere tone and appreciative look, she looked exactly like a manager manipulating a subordinate into doing more work.
And yet, the system fell for it completely.
“Host, next time you need something done, just tell me directly. I’ll definitely do a beautiful job for you!”
The little fox puffed out its chest, its tails curling up slightly higher.
“By the way, Host.”
“I earned 1300 Shock Value by pretending to be a spirit beast. We have a total of 4500 Shock Value now!”
Yun Shu smiled and said, “Keep half of that 1300 Shock Value for yourself to save up for skins.”
If you want the horse to run, you have to give it grass to eat.
This place was Xindu City, located in Zhenbei Prefecture of the thirteen provinces of the Yong Dynasty. It was densely populated, so naturally, there were many refugees.
After the porridge incident, with Shen Yu’s intelligence, he would certainly have the refugees spread the word.
By then, refugees near Xindu City would be attracted to the Divine Lady Temple to get a meal.
Where there are many people, trouble easily follows.
When that time came, someone would need to play the ‘bad cop.’
The system was perfect for it.
Completely unaware of Yun Shu’s schemes, the system’s eyes filled with a layer of mist. “Host, you’re really too good. How can there be such a good host like you!”
“Alright, give me that seasoning powder from last time.” Yun Shu grabbed the fish from the basket.
“We’re having grilled fish today.”
The system sniffed. “Host, aren’t you the Divine Lady who loves all living beings? How can you eat fish?”
“Are you stupid? I told you I’m just pretending to be the Divine Lady, not that I actually am one. It’s just an act; did you actually believe it?”
“My mistake, I got too into the role, hehehe.”
While watching Yun Shu grill the fish, the system asked, “By the way, when are we going to go and capture the male lead?”
Yun Shu’s movements paused. “What’s the rush? I have my own rhythm; don’t mess up my plans.”
Right now was the critical moment for establishing her Divine Lady persona. If any mistake occurred, all her previous efforts would be for naught.
Rate on N.U.
