Just as Zhao Zhizhi was deep in thought, a strong gust of wind blew across them. The clear blue sky turned gloomy at once.
Ominous dark clouds gathered overhead, foreboding a thunderstorm.
Zhao Zhizhi exclaimed excitedly, "This is a punishment from the gods. They want to destroy the evil spirit. Look, I'm telling the truth. The gods are my witnesses. Zhao Chuchu is the evil spirit. Otherwise, how did the weather change so suddenly?"
The villagers thought that they had seen hope in her words. They had initially looked so weak and frail. Now they were shouting and demanding Zhao Chuchu's death with much gusto.
Zhao Zhizhi looked at Zhao Chuchu as if she was looking at a dead person. She thought, "You are dead, for sure! "
As the sky grew darker, the officials drew their knives and inched closer toward Zhao Chuchu.
"Zhao Chu Chu is a jinx. We should kill her so that peace will prevail again."
"Only when Zhao Chuchu is dead will the plague disappear!"
"The evil spirit must be burned alive. We will have hope when she is dead!"
The villagers worked themselves up in a frenzy.
Those standing close to Zho Chuchu were all ready to pounce on her.
Zhao Chuchu struggled to dodge them.
Zhao Zhizhi smiled jubilantly when she saw how pathetic Zhao Chuchu looked.
"My lord, quick, get someone to tie Zhao Chuchu up. The older folks have a saying that an evil spirit should be burned alive. Otherwise, she will cause harm to more people when she escapes."
But Zhao Zhizhi did not see the malicious glint in Zhao Chuchu's eyes.
All of a sudden, a crisp and clear voice was heard. "She is not an evil spirit."
The young man used his frail body to shield Zhao Chuchu from the villagers' blows.
Zhao Chuchu turned to look at his magnificent side profile.
"Chuchu was able to speak long ago. She's not the first person to be infected with the plague."
"She had been feeling weak and dizzy since she fell sick. She never regained consciousness since then. How is it possible that she can harm others?"
"Also, shouldn't I know best if she's dead or alive?"
It took a lot of effort for the young man to speak the three sentences coherently. Soon, he felt breathless.
Zhao Chuchu raised her eyebrows slightly. He looked feeble but he was not sick at all.
She was puzzled why the man was pretending to be sick, and why he was speaking out for her. He did not even know what had really happened.
Zhao Zhizhi was deeply pained to see him defending Zhao Chuchu. "Xie Heng, why are you still protecting her? Don't you remember how she's treated you ever since you were married a year ago?"
Zhao Chuchu smiled when she heard that. She looked up at the gloomy sky as a smile flashed across her face.
She was a little confused earlier as she did not know the facts. As someone who possessed supernatural powers, she would not let anyone who wanted to kill her get away scot-free.
"The sky is crashing down with thunder. Zhao Chuchu must die. Otherwise, no one else will be able to live." Zhao Zhizhi continued, "If she's not an evil spirit, why did the sky change so suddenly? This is clearly a sign from the heavens."
"Where did you see rain? How do you know that there will be a thunderstorm? Don't sprout nonsense and mislead the people." Zhao Chuchu sneered.
She gestured her hand slightly. At that instant, the dark clouds dispersed and the sun shone brightly overhead again.
Zhao Zhizhi's smug look was wiped from her face. Her face turned ashen.
"How could this happen?" she thought.
Zhao Chuchu pointed at Zhao Zhizhi and said sternly, "Zhao Zhizhi, where are the signs from the heavens? I said I can cure everyone. Yet you accused me of being an evil spirit."
"In my opinion, you are the evil spirit who is bent on destroying the entire village."
The villagers who were at first, full of hope, sank back into despair. They redirected their frustrations at Zhao Zhizhi. "Where is the rain? Why isn't it raining? Evil spirit! You are the evil spirit!"
Zhao Zhizhi shook her head furiously. "No! I'm not an evil spirit. The heavens must have kept the sky from raining because Zhao Chuchu is here. Quick, someone! Kill Zhao Chuchu."
Visible but colorless water droplets started to fall onto Zhao Zhizhi's lips, flowing into her mouth.
Zhao Zhizhi froze for a moment as she felt the water droplets entering her mouth.
Zhao Chuchu then squeezed her right hand hard.
The water droplets exploded inside Zhao Zhizhi's body.