Cupid's Assistant

Chapter 78

They looked back to see the old man with his hands behind his back.

"What are you talking about?" the water dragon narrowed her eyes.

"Your punishment was lifted years ago. It was you who created this barrier. It's as if your subconscious created a barrier to protect yourself. That flimsy seal was a decoy. We hope that it will provoke you to want to get out of here, " Taoist Priest Feng said, looking at the water dragon.

"Lies! Stop your lying," the beautiful lady roared in anger before pounding against the barrier with her fists.

"Yinuo, it's time to let go of your anger and your feelings towards that man. It's been so long now. He is no longer here," the old man said.

The water dragon stopped pounding the barrier and slowly let her fists droop down to her side. She then started to laugh, "Ha...ha...you think I still have feelings for that mortal!" Yinuo glared at the old man, but tears quietly filled her eyes.

"You're wrong!" she roared with tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Alright then, you are free. Let's go," Taoist Priest Feng said.

"I-I can't...," Yinuo said, looking at him with red eyes. The old man gave out a soft sigh, knowing she was still unable to let go of her feelings as it had been many years now since he had been coming here to free her.

However, a clear voice spoke, "That's fine. You can slowly let go, but now it's time to leave this place," Xiaodan said, lending her hand to Yinuo. Xiaodan gave her a reassuring smile.

Yinuo blinked in relief and slowly reached her hand out, breaking the barrier and grabbing Xiaodan's hand.

___

Once they were all outside of the mountain, Zhao Ying bowed to Yinuo.

"Water dragon, please let it rain. Many, many people are suffering with this drought," Zhao Ying begged. Soon, everyone, except Xiaodan and Taoist Priest Feng, followed Zhao Ying and bowed to the water dragon.

"You must be his descendant? You have his eyes," Yinuo said, looking at Zhao Ying.

"Yes, I am his granddaughter," Zhao Ying answered, looking up and then bowing again.

"I see...is he still alive?" she asked.

"No, he passed away a long time ago," Zhao Ying answered again.

There was a brief quietness before Yinuo spoke, "Take me to his grave and then I will let it rain again." She looked straight ahead.

"Yes. Of course," Zhao Ying said, nodding her head.

Before they headed back to the capital city, the sun was going down, so they headed back to the town closest to the mountain to spend the night at an inn and leave in the morning. Before they departed, they thanked the Taoist priest. The old man nodded his head to them but stopped to have a word with Yinuo.

"I think you are already aware of this, but since you have been locked for a long time, your power is not fully restored," Taoist Priest Feng said.

"Yes, I am aware. I am hoping by the time we get to the capital. I will be able to retain my powers," she said briefly.

"Mmm," the old man nodded his head and stroked his beard. "Well, since you are free. I am passing the role of the caretaker of the forest back to its rightful owner and head back to the heavens," the Taoist Priest said. Yiuno didn't speak and did a quick nod before leaving him, nonchalantly.

"No farewell? We have known each other for a long time now," the old man chuckled, seeing her leave. When he first met her in the heavens, she was a sweet, naive person; seeing her fall into a deep, heartbroken desperation, she has now grown into a cold, mature lady. He sighed once more before walking back to his wine with his hands behind his back.

_______

They got on their horses. It seemed that Zhang Yuz's horse was indeed too small to fit two people. So, Fu Zhong had Zhao Ying and Yinuo ride on his horse while he walked beside the horse with the reins in his hands.

During this time, Xiaodan and He Jingy were once again on his horse. Xiaodan had pleaded with He Jingy to let her steer the horse.

"Does your horse have a name?" Xiaodan asked, holding the reins.

"No," He Jingy answered.

"What, really? Why not?" Xiaodan asked, using one of her hands to pet the horse while the other still held the reins. As she petted the horse, it seemed to like Xiaodan and lifted its head to brush against her hand.

"Aww," she continued to touch the horse's mane.

"Would you like a name? How about...Tianyue?" Xiaodan talked to the horse. The horse grunted in agreement.

"You like it?" Xiaodan smiled, patting his head. "Oo, what a good boy," Xiaodan said.

"Focus," He Jingy said, using both of his hands to grab a hold of the reins as one of his hands cupped onto Xiaodan's hand.

Xiaodan looked up at him to see him divert his eyes and slightly direct the horse to move forward. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought he was getting jealous over a horse. She couldn't help but smile and shook her head in disbelief as she still let his hand rest on hers.

They arrived back in the city and booked rooms at the inn, as it was already very late and everyone was heading to bed. Zhang Yuz entered his room. He dimmed the room with only one small candle lit. He immediately sensed a presence in the room but didn't react. Soon, a figure appeared behind him as Zhang Yuz didn't seem to mind.

"You finally arrived," Zhang Yuz casually said, setting his sword on the table.

"Yes, Young Master Zhang. I'm sorry for the delay. Once I got your message, I hurried to reach you," the man in black clothing said. When Zhang Yuz went to get a new horse, he took the opportunity to send a message to his men.

Before Zhang Yuz could ask, the man in black clothing spoke again, "We have prepared everything. Everything is set to go whenever you are ready. We will attack."

"Mmm," Zhang Yuz nodded his head. He soon noticed a shadow pass his room. He cautiously walked towards the door and slightly opened a small crack in the door, spotting Xiaodan entering the room of the water dragon.