Chapter 220
Just as the whip was about to fall, Yang Tianyou dodged to the side, the tip of the whip narrowly grazing his clothes and leaving a deep mark on the ground.
Although he was a scholar, he had practiced some rudimentary self-defense skills.
Wang Hu, enraged by his missed attack, roared at his men, "All of you, get him! Break this kid's legs!"
Several thugs swarmed forward, and Yang Tianyou was immediately surrounded and attacked.
He dodged and weaved, barely managing to hold on with his agile movements, but after all, two fists can't fight four hands, and he soon took several blunt punches, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
But he did not back down at all, and stood firmly in front of the grain cart.
Yao Ji saw everything clearly from the clouds. Her heart stirred slightly, and she flicked her fingertips lightly.
Just as a thug was about to ambush Yang Tianyou from behind, he tripped over something and fell face-first into the mud with a scream.
Seeing this, Wang Hu rushed forward, his large palm about to slap Yang Tianyou across the face.
Suddenly, a strange gust of wind swept up without warning, making it impossible for him to open his eyes. He stumbled and fell into the pig trough next to him.
In the chaos, Yang Tianyou seized an opportunity and punched another thug in the stomach. Although the force was not great, it still made the man bend over in pain.
Seeing the bullies making a fool of themselves, the villagers, as if aided by a god, grew bolder and rushed forward with their farm tools.
Seeing that things were going badly, Wang Hu and his group fled in a panic.
"Thank you for your help, brave warrior!"
The old village chief was unharmed and was moved to tears of gratitude by Yang Tianyou.
Yang Tianyou wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand modestly. "It's only right to do what one can when one sees injustice."
His gaze swept over the disheveled Wang Hu as he fled, then looked at the strange gust of wind from before with a puzzled expression.
Just then, a delicate fragrance wafted over.
He looked up and saw Yao Ji walking slowly towards him from not far away.
She was graceful and beautiful, seemingly untouched by the world, her clear eyes holding a faint smile as she quietly looked at him.
At that moment, Yang Tianyou felt as if all the brilliance in the world had converged on this woman.
Since their encounter on the banks of the Wei River, Yao Ji has frequently sought excuses to descend to the mortal realm and meet with Yang Tianyou.
She concealed her identity as a deity, saying only that she was an orphan girl traveling through mountains and rivers.
Yang Tianyou believed it to be true and became even more enamored with this woman who had an extraordinary way of speaking and an ethereal temperament.
Together they walked through the verdant mountains and forests, listening to the rustling of the pines and watching the birds return to their nests.
Yang Tianyou would point to an inconspicuous herb and tell her, "Miss Yao, this is Dragon's Bitter. Although the fruit is slightly poisonous, the whole plant can be used as medicine to clear heat and detoxify."
Yao Ji would then ask with a smile, "If the stars in the sky are sick, what medicine should be used to cure them?"
Yang Tianyou was taken aback, then chuckled, "Stars are the essence of heaven and earth, existing since time immemorial, how could they get sick?"
Yao Ji glanced at him with a light laugh, but said nothing more.
In Yao Ji's eyes, Yang Tianyou was a mortal and naturally wouldn't understand the meaning behind her words.
(PS: To add, although Chu Feng took away the Extreme Yang Power, causing most of the Human Race to become female, some males still inherited it.)
To put it simply, the New Blue Star has more women than men, but the main characters remain the same.
Don't ask, the only answer is that if it weren't written this way, the plot would be illogical.
Then they sat side by side by the stream, watching the babbling water wash over the smooth pebbles.
Yang Tianyou picked up a stone and drew village children and oxen in the fields on it. With just a few strokes, the drawing was lifelike.
He told Yao Ji that his greatest wish was to pass the imperial examinations, become a good official who could stand up for the people, and eliminate tyrants like Wang Hu from the world.
Yao Ji listened quietly, picked up a wildflower in her hand, and said softly, "If you can be a good official, I will cast a spell for you, so that the land under your rule will have good weather and abundant harvests every year."
Yang Tianyou took it as a joke and looked at her tenderly, "If it were truly so, I would gladly exchange a lifetime of good deeds for a lifetime of smiles for you."
His words were sincere, and Yao Ji's heart was completely stirred.
Throughout her long years in Heavenly Court, she had heard countless flatteries and praises from immortals and gods, but never had a single word spoken as simply and unadorned as Yang Tianyou's.
She finally couldn't hold back any longer and told him her true identity, "Actually, I am the Heavenly Emperor's sister."
Yang Tianyou was startled upon hearing this.
After his initial shock, he showed no fear. He grasped Yao Ji's hand, his gaze unwavering. "Whether you are a celestial being or a mortal, you are the Yao girl I have chosen."
But... how could I, a mere mortal, be worthy of a goddess from heaven?
Yao Ji grasped his hand in return, tears welling in her eyes. "In my heart, your upright and kind heart is nobler than any divine position in heaven."
Feelings grew wildly like vines, becoming intertwined and inseparable.
However, what they didn't know was that on the Western Spirit Mountain, two pairs of eyes that understood the Heavenly secrets were coldly watching all of this.
"Senior Sister, the time has come. Yao Ji has been moved by mortal desires. This is the perfect catalyst to stir up the Heavenly secrets and trigger a great calamity." Zhunti's eyes gleamed with calculating light.
Jieyin slowly, his expression unchanged. "Go, let this pebble stir up some ripples in the stagnant waters of Heavenly Court."
Soon, news of Yao Ji's love affair with a mortal reached the Lingxiao Treasure Hall through the mouths of certain Immortal Official.
When the Haotian Shangdi heard that his younger sister had secretly descended to the mortal realm and fallen in love with a mere mortal, he was furious.
Heavenly Rules are strict; love between gods and mortals is a grave taboo. Not only would it disrupt the natural order, but it would also be a blatant provocation against the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor.
"By imperial decree! Yao Ji is to return to the Heavenly Court immediately, confine herself to the Qionghua Palace, and never again be allowed to see that mortal!"
When the imperial decree reached Yao Ji's ears, it was like a bolt from the blue.
Unwilling to be separated from her beloved, she defied the imperial decree and secretly descended to the mortal realm again, arriving at the valley where she had made her promise to Yang Tianyou.
"Tianyou, I have to go." Yao Ji cried, her voice choked with sobs.
Yang Tianyou held her tightly in his arms, his heart aching. "Is it because of me? I'm too weak, I'm not good enough for you..."
No, it's none of your business.
Yao Ji shook her head, "It's my fault for dragging you into this. My sisters won't let us get away with this."
Yang Tianyou was taken aback, then suddenly realized what Yao Ji was doing.
I am but a mortal; how could I possibly be a match for an immortal?
The two embraced and wept, reluctant to part.
Yang Tianyou wiped away her tears and solemnly swore, word by word, "Yao Ji, wait for me! I, Yang Tianyou, swear to the heavens that in this life I will seek immortality and cultivate supreme supernatural powers, until one day I can stand tall and proud in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and have you, a female character, personally betroth you to me!"
Just as Yao Ji reluctantly transformed into a ray of celestial light and returned to the Heavenly Court, Zhunti panicked.
"Senior sister, Yao Ji has gone back! Doesn't that mean our plan is...?"
Jieyin revealed a profound and unfathomable smile, and slowly said, "Junior sister, don't be impatient. You underestimate the power of the word 'love'."
The hook has been swallowed, the line is firmly tethered. Her return to Heavenly Court will only intensify the pain of longing. Don't worry, she'll be back down soon...