Chapter 497: Life Is Getting Better and Better

Axi sniffled, a little moved. "Qinghuan, I…"

"Silly girl, I can't get up, so you go ahead and take some. Don't be polite—we can't finish it all. Later, take some back for Jiguang too."

And honestly, this time during her postpartum confinement, many of her former clansmen had come to bring her things. Her little Tulou was packed with food—bird eggs, pork, mutton—more than she could eat. She felt like she'd turn into a pig by the end of this confinement, so she wanted to share some with them.

Jiguang didn't want any. "Come on, keep it for yourself. My man brings back plenty of game every day. I want to keep my figure."

Trying to keep her figure in ancient times would definitely get laughed at. Ancient women all wanted to gain weight—it proved they had a good life with enough to eat. Only Jiguang and Nan Qinghuan wanted to be thinner. After all, times were different; women who'd time-traveled absolutely couldn't tolerate getting fat.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and only after Axi left did Jiguang get down to business.

"Nan Qinghuan, on the day you gave birth, your mother-in-law did something very strange."

This left Nan Qinghuan confused. What was Jiguang trying to say? "What do you mean? What did she do?"

After Jiguang told her everything, Nan Qinghuan was stunned. "What? The Baiqi Tribe?"

At noon, the sun blazed fiercely.

The March weather was warm and sunny, a bright sky overhead.

It should have been good weather. The people of Small Town had all gone out to tend their fields. The wheat seedlings were growing well, full of vitality. But over at the Sacrificial Altar, they were interrogating a foreign criminal.

The witch Ana.

Ana was tied to the pillar, her face swollen from beatings, but she admitted to nothing.

"Old witch, you'd better explain clearly who sent you, or don't blame me for being rude."

Dashan had tried every method, but Ying had ordered him not to kill her yet. With no other choice, he'd kept her alive, but the old witch's lips were sealed—she wouldn't say a word.

The old witch just sneered, looking at them with contempt. "This old witch has nothing to say. Nan Qinghuan's child is a reincarnated Disaster Star. The Heavenly God is already angry. You all saw the lightning—why won't you admit it?"

"Even now you're still spouting nonsense?"

Duo Luo walked slowly over with Li Xiang. Duo Luo was born into the Ritual—she knew better than anyone about Disaster Stars and such. That old witch must have been sent by someone, or why would she insist that Ying and Nan Qinghuan's child was a Disaster Star? Wasn't that pure nonsense? "Duo Luo, now that you're married, you're no longer fit to be a Shaman. What do you know? That pair of children are Disaster Stars."

"Bullshit."

In an instant, Li Xiang slapped the old witch so hard her head turned. Li Xiang was furious. As a modern man, he naturally didn't believe in any of that ghost-and-god nonsense, and he detested such superstitions, especially since this person was his junior sister.

Nan Qinghuan.

He knew these people were ignorant. If many came to believe this, Nan Qinghuan's child would be burned to death—how cruel was that? If he had a knife right now, he'd kill this woman.

Having lived here so long, he'd gradually forgotten modern civilization. He had become a true Ancient Person.

Wearing their clothes, adapting to their habits.

"And who are you?"

Ana never expected things to be exposed. That Jiguang was truly detestable—if they hadn't barged in to stop her, her plan would have succeeded, and Nan Qinghuan and those children would already be dead.

Thinking of this, her hatred for these people grew even stronger.

"I'm the one who'll take your life. Tell me, who made you do this?"

The witch was still smug. "No one. It was the will of heaven."

"A fine 'will of heaven,' indeed."

Li Xiang suddenly smiled, then pulled out an Iron Knife, ready to strike. Suddenly, Ying's voice came from behind.

"Li Xiang, stop."

At these words, Li Xiang immediately halted his movement. He turned to look at Ying, who was walking slowly over with Ashu.

Seeing Ying arrive, Li Xiang grew even angrier. "You came just in time. I was about to kill this witch who's spreading lies."

"No need. Let me handle it."

Ying handle it? Duo Luo knew how ruthless he could be and quickly pulled her man aside. "Li Xiang, let Ying handle this. Don't worry, he won't let this woman live."

Ying's gaze was filled with ruthlessness—a look he rarely showed. Ever since he'd learned to read and understand principles, he'd long since lost his former impulsiveness and handled things more steadily than before.

So he would interrogate the witch slowly.

Killing her would be too easy. He needed to know who was behind her. Sure enough, the witch found Ying's arrival ridiculous. She thought of many things, of that pitiful woman, but she was useless—she hadn't been able to avenge her.

That was what frustrated the witch most.

Hearing Duo Luo's words, Li Xiang nodded, then put his knife away and looked at Ying. "I'm leaving this woman to you. But you have to promise me that Nan Qinghuan's children won't be considered Disaster Stars by you."

At this, Ying's expression darkened. Li Xiang was treating him like an outsider.

"Brother, don't forget—Nan Qinghuan's children are mine too."

Li Xiang knew they were his, of course, but he also understood how superstitious the Ancient People were. For instance, when he'd heard that Jiguang and the others wanted to go in to deliver the baby, Ying had stopped them and insisted on having this witch do it instead. They were still savages at heart, lacking knowledge, laughably ignorant.

"I know they're your children. Fine, I'll trust you this once. I'm leaving this woman to you. But if you let her go, or if I hear any talk of Disaster Stars, I'll protect those two children with my life. Do you understand?"

Li Xiang's words made Ying's face twist with anger. He clenched his fists. What did he mean—did he think Ying wouldn't protect his own children? Seeing Li Xiang angry, Duo Luo quickly tugged at him. "Alright, let's go."

After Li Xiang left, Ying took a deep breath, his gaze icy as he looked at the witch. "They've all given you a chance. I'll give you one last chance too. Tell me who sent you to kill Qinghuan and the children. If you tell me, I might consider…"

"Consider? Consider what? Letting me go? Hah, you didn't see that man just now. Ying, you're such a fool. Even now, you still don't get it?"

The old witch's words made Ying frown slightly. He stepped closer, his expression complicated. "What do you mean?"

"Even an outsider like me can see it, but you're still too stupid to tell. That man just now and Nan Qinghuan—there's definitely something between them. Maybe those two children are…"

"Shut up!"

With a bang, Ying's fist struck the witch, making her scream. In an instant, several of her teeth flew out, and bright red blood gushed from her mouth.

She stared at Ying in disbelief. "You… you hit me…"

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