Several days later, the affairs of Red Maple City and Red Maple Mountain were drawing to a close.
Under the effects of Su Jiu's Spirit-Cleansing Pool Water, the Red Maple Forest on Red Maple Mountain had begun returning to its former, normal state.
Yet more than half the city's residents still had not recovered.
After what had happened that day, they no longer trusted the Red Maple Immortal Lord they had once revered. Some even thought he was a shameless fraud.
And who would readily trust kindness offered by a fraud?
When Xia Yun went mad that day, quite a few people had tasted the pain the marks could inflict on them.
The Red Maple Temple they had helped fund and build had also become Avici Hell in their eyes.
Left with no alternative, Red Maple could only visit their homes in secret at night, removing their Red Maple marks once they had entered meditative absorption or fallen asleep.
Qi Song had not been idle these past few days either. At Red Maple's request, he had been helping Cheng Yu recover.
Cheng Yu still felt awkward around Red Maple, though his attitude was no longer as hostile as before. He merely seemed to avoid him, refusing to speak with him.
Su Jiu could understand those feelings somewhat. After all, the misunderstanding had lasted so many years. How could something that had long since become a habit change at a moment's notice?
Still, things between them were improving. As for reconciliation, it was only a matter of time.
Under Qi Song's care, Cheng Yu gradually regained his former radiance.
But the hundred years of lifespan he had lost could never be recovered.
Cheng Yu did not mind. He said, "Getting my life back was already an unexpected blessing. It's only a