Taking advantage of the dense network of waterways.
A group of people arrived in Wu County under the cover of night.
Under the guidance of the wailing Yan family.
The group quickly arrived at the Zhao family's residence. Ao Qing landed the cloud, and the group observed from the sky.
Surprisingly, the Zhao family was peaceful, with no signs of mourning.
Hua Yun, standing on Ao Qing's right, held his arm and said with a smile:
"It seems this family wants to completely suppress the news."
As she spoke, she quietly opened her small hand and clasped Ao Qing's five fingers.
Her petite body leaned against Ao Qing, her refreshing fragrance carried by the wind, filling Ao Qing's nostrils.
Ao Qing glanced at her, took her small hand in his and gently stroked it, saying casually:
"It's quite in line with Zhao Hong's character, both cowardly and image-conscious."
"I think he must be coming up with an excuse to deceive everyone."
Her hand captured, Hua Yun's bright eyes immediately curved with laughter. She leaned closer to Ao Qing and said:
"Then what should we do now? Just wait here?"
Xiao Qing, supporting Yan's soul, looked down at the Zhao family below, gnashing her teeth in anger.
"Waiting isn't doing anything, why don't I go down and teach that coward a lesson!"
She was truly angry, her small face full of displeasure.
Ao Qing didn't say anything, but Xia Gu, standing on his left, said helplessly:
"Miss Xiao Qing, if you still wish to become an immortal, you must change your temperament."
"Zhao Hong's weakness and incompetence is not a reason for you to teach him a lesson."
Xiao Qing's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she glared at Xia Gu with a sharp gaze.
"Do you mean I should watch helplessly as this scoundrel continues to enjoy himself?"
Xia Gu's voice faltered, unsure of what to say.
Xiao Qing, furious, paced back and forth on the cloud, wanting to go down but afraid of angering Ao Qing.
Ao Qing turned around and saw Xiao Qing pacing around the cloud, her anger visible, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Xiao Qing turned to him, pouting, her face full of unhappiness.
Ao Qing conjured two steaming buns.
Xiao Qing was taken aback and frowned.
"What are you doing? I'm not hungry."
Ao Qing stuffed the buns into Xiao Qing's hands and pointed to the west.
"There's a dilapidated temple over there, with a beggar inside. Throw the buns in front of him."
Xiao Qing wanted to say something, but when she met Ao Qing's gaze, her spirit weakened. She pouted and flew towards the temple.
Moments later, the young girl in blue returned.
"I gave him the buns."
Ao Qing then took out a package of herbs and handed it to Xiao Qing, pointing to the north.
"There's a family of a grandfather and grandson who rely on each other there. Throw the herbs into their yard."
Xiao Qing was baffled, but she obediently carried out his instructions.
This time, she took longer, returning after about two hours.
Ao Qing didn't ask where she spent her time, but instead pulled out a strand of hair and handed it to Xiao Qing, pointing to the east.
"There's an embroidery building over there, with a girl who has been afflicted by Yin energy. Take this strand of hair, filled with Yang energy, and blow on her."
Xiao Qing took the hair and looked at Ao Qing with confusion.
"Why do these things?"
Ao Qing didn't explain, only saying:
"Do what I tell you to do. When you come back this time, I'll give you a chance to teach that scoundrel down there a lesson."
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up, and she happily flew towards the east with the hair in her hand.
In a short moment, Xiao Qing transformed into a streak of green light and landed in front of everyone, puffing out her chest and crossing her arms triumphantly.
"I'm done!"
Ao Qing nodded with a smile.
"Go teach Zhao Hong a lesson, but just a lesson, don't kill him."
Xiao Qing happily agreed and landed the cloud, striding towards the Zhao family's courtyard with a ferocious expression.
On the cloud.
Hua Yun looked at Xiao Qing and then at Ao Qing, confused.
"Brother Ao Qing, what are you doing?"
Ao Qing simply sat on the edge of the cloud, supporting himself with both hands and leaning back slightly, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
"I'm taking advantage of the mechanism of the Heavenly Dao."
Hua Yun sat beside Ao Qing, still confused.
"What do you mean by taking advantage of the mechanism?"
Ao Qing took her small hand and placed it in his palm, explaining with a smile.
"Doing good deeds earns you merit, while doing bad deeds deducts merit."
"For example, a great philanthropist does something bad, and during their judgment, someone might say, 'In consideration of your merits, we will reduce your punishment.'"
"That's the offsetting of good and evil."
"I'm making Xiao Qing do a few good deeds first. If anyone mentions it later, those good deeds will become her merits, offsetting her minor mistakes."
Xia Gu also sat beside Ao Qing, listening intently and asking in return:
"Will this really work?"
"I remember there's a saying that seems to disagree with your point of view."
Ao Qing sat on the edge of the cloud, overlooking the sleeping city below.
"You're referring to Song Tao's essay when he was testing the City God, specifically, 'Those who do good with intention, even though it's good, will not be rewarded, while those who do evil unintentionally, even though it's evil, will not be punished.'"
"Meaning, intentional good deeds will not be rewarded, while unintentional mistakes will not be punished."
"But Heaven doesn't think that way. It's fair and objective, without human considerations."
"Good deeds are good deeds. A good person builds a bridge over a river, and that bridge won't lose its function of helping people cross, even if the good person's motives are not pure."
"Moreover."
A smug smile appeared on Ao Qing's face.
"Xiao Qing is only doing things according to my instructions."
"She doesn't know my thoughts. Even by Song Tao's standard, it's unintentional good deeds."
"So even if Song Tao himself comes here, he can only say that Ao Qing has impure motives, but he can't say anything about Cen Bi Qing's actions."
For a moment, it was as if Xia Gu's mind exploded.
She had never imagined that Ao Qing's view on good and evil deeds would be like this.
She blinked, staring at Ao Qing's handsome face for a long time, her thoughts churning, filled with endless admiration.
"Lord, you are truly extraordinary."
Ao Qing raised his left hand, which was empty, and patted Xia Gu's head.
"Shh, the Five Way Gods have arrived."