Chapter 233: A Mountain Suspended, A River Submerged (47)
As Ye Li’s arm wrapped around him, Yan Shixun immediately noticed his movement, and his tall, slender body stiffened at once.
But soon, almost unnoticed by anyone, Yan Shixun relaxed the tense muscles and didn’t show too much of a reaction to Ye Li’s closeness.
Compared to accepting it calmly, a strong rejection would look far more suspicious.
Although Yan Shixun had started to trust Ye Li gradually, after so many years of being used to being alone, he wasn’t yet accustomed to letting others fully see his emotions.
So, he instinctively continued to hide his true feelings in front of Ye Li.
However, Ye Li keenly noticed Yan Shixun biting his lips and even saw a slight unease in his gaze toward the two sisters.
Ye Li smiled knowingly, almost guessing what Yan Shixun was thinking, but said nothing.
Instead, without making a fuss, he took a step closer to Yan Shixun, positioning himself even nearer.
Even Ye Li’s arm around Yan Shixun’s waist tightened a little in silence.
Yan Shixun didn’t say anything, but at this very close distance, Ye Li could clearly see that the tips of Yan Shixun’s ears, barely visible beneath his scattered hair, had turned slightly red.
The contrast made Ye Li laugh softly, feeling a sudden flutter in his chest, and his gaze toward Yan Shixun softened, as if spring water was gently washing away the flower nectar.
Hearing the laughter near his ear, Yan Shixun immediately straightened up, instinctively straightening his already erect posture, as if trying to conceal something, but it only made his actions more obvious.
Jing Xiaobao, who had been tossed aside, widened his eyes, staring intensely at Ye Li, trying to intimidate him.
However, Ye Li didn’t spare him a single glance, even as Jing Xiaobao’s eyes dried from staring so hard.
It wasn’t until Yan Shixun brushed Ye Li’s arm away and started walking toward the cottage that Ye Li finally had the time to flick his eyelashes and glance back at Jing Xiaobao with a half-smile.
It was almost as if he was showing off, just like how Jing Xiaobao had done before.
Jing Xiaobao instantly puffed up his cheeks, his little hands clenched tightly, and he ground his teeth in frustration.
But Jing Xiaobao was well aware of the difference in strength between himself and Ye Li.
Before this, although he had made all the evil spirits fear him and no ghost exorcist other than Yan Shixun had been able to do anything about it, he was still within the range of evil spirits.
There was still one more step to becoming a ghost deity, and that step was the gap between heaven and earth.
It wasn’t until Yan Shixun used his divine name and power, borrowed from the King of Hell in the underworld, to throw Jing Xiaobao into hell, letting him fight countless evil spirits, that he finally had the chance to complete that last step and become a ghost deity.
Jing Xiaobao had no interest in becoming the King of Hell.
— If it weren’t for Ye Li’s cooking being so terrible and constantly forcing him to try, he would never have left Yan Shixun’s little courtyard.
But just like all the children sent to kindergarten, Jing Xiaobao had left the little courtyard crying. Yet, after playing around in hell for a while, he was so happy that he couldn’t contain his joy.
Yan Shixun was very strict with Jing Xiaobao. Given what Jing Xiaobao had done in the concession area, Yan Shixun didn’t trust him to be left alone outside. He also worried that Jing Xiaobao, unable to escape his evil ghost nature, wouldn’t show kindness to living humans.
So, while Jing Xiaobao liked to stick around Yan Shixun, he was getting really bored of a life without any “fun.”
When he got to hell, he was delighted to find—this wasn’t hell at all; it was clearly an amusement park!
Although the countless evil ghosts in the eighteen levels of hell had it rough, as for the result, both Yan Shixun and Jing Xiaobao were satisfied.
One because he had found the right successor for the King of Hell, and the other because he had found a “playmate.”
Yan Shixun was good at reading people. If it were Taoists from the Haiyun Temple or other sects, they would never feel comfortable letting such an evil spirit out, and certainly wouldn’t hand over the position of King of Hell to a spirit who once hated humans.
But Yan Shixun understood very well that without cruelty, one could not subdue evil ghosts.
Especially for a position like the King of Hell.
Now, with the Great Dao weakening and the underworld growing weaker, relying only on the former King of Hell’s remaining power was no longer enough to hold things together.
After the evil ghosts imprisoned in hell had experienced an escape attempt, they were bound to become unruly and restless. They would no longer stay quietly in hell, and would find ways to escape again.
Hell seemed to be going through a great chaos.
In such a chaotic time, only sheer force could intimidate the wandering ghosts; reasoning and grand ideals were useless.
As a result, the unpredictable Jing Xiaobao turned out to be the perfect candidate for the position of King of Hell.
—Both sides were difficult to appease, so it was better to let them clash until one side overpowered the other.
Yan Shixun had no doubt about the strength of the Evil Spirit Bone Transformation.
He had known for a long time that Jing Xiaobao would eventually become the new King of Hell.
And that was exactly what happened.
In a short period, the hell that had been in turmoil and unrest had settled down.
The evil ghosts, who had once caused immense trouble for human ghost hunters when they were escaping or unrestrained in hell, now behaved as docile as rabbits before Jing Xiaobao.
They were afraid that the new King of Hell, who didn’t follow the usual rules, might come up with some new form of play and torment them again.
—Beheading and turning heads into playthings or pulling out intestines to form flower strings had already become boring to Jing Xiaobao.
Now, he enjoyed watching the evil ghosts perform acts where they ate themselves, like an endless Möbius strip, making him giggle and wave his hand with delight.
The evil ghosts, touching their own heads inside their stomachs, still had to put on a happy face, despite the deep weariness they felt inside.
Yan Shixun’s plan was a success.
After Jing Xiaobao ascended to the throne as King of Hell, recognized as a ghost deity by heaven and earth, he finally realized the vast difference between himself and Ye Li.
Even among gods, there were distinctions.
When the Great Dao was crumbling, the only ghost deity who could stand up against it and survive unscathed was no ordinary god.
This was the very ghost deity that the Great Dao, in its search for a way to save itself, most relied on, and it had even tried repeatedly to get Ye Li to uphold the Great Dao, only to be coldly rejected.
If it weren’t for the need to suppress Jing Xiaobao and prevent Yan Shixun, still wounded, from being harmed again, Ye Li would never have agreed to support the Great Dao.
This was also one of the reasons Ye Li still disliked Jing Xiaobao.
Not only did Jing Xiaobao distract Yan Shixun, but he had also nearly gravely injured him in the past.
The ghost deity was deeply protective of his beloved exorcist and didn’t want anything to harm his treasure, but due to Yan Shixun’s persistence and belief, he reluctantly gave in.
In such circumstances, how could Ye Li possibly have a favorable impression of Jing Xiaobao?
After becoming a ghost deity, Jing Xiaobao was even more keenly aware of the immense pressure Ye Li placed on him, something he could never match.
Because of this, Jing Xiaobao occasionally found himself cursing Ye Li in frustration, only to feel guilty and fearful afterward.
If it weren’t for Yan Shixun, he would have been annihilated by Ye Li’s hands, and all talk of being King of Hell would have been meaningless.
So, while Jing Xiaobao wanted to rush over and fight Ye Li for Yan Shixun, the glance that Ye Li shot at him left him momentarily frightened. He could only glare at him with his big, watery eyes and grind his teeth, muttering angrily.
“Fendu big bad guy, spit!”
Ye Li had initially been puzzled by what Jing Xiaobao was saying. However, after listening carefully, he realized it was just a series of meaningless insults that didn’t pack any punch.
He shook his head with a quiet laugh but didn’t look back at Jing Xiaobao. Instead, he lengthened his stride and followed Yan Shixun.
—Who had time to waste with Jing Xiaobao? Yan Shixun was what mattered most.
When everyone saw Yan Shixun returning, they instinctively let out a sigh of relief. The worry that had been hanging over them, even after the crisis had passed and seeing the Taoist priests from Haiyun Temple, seemed to vanish the moment they saw Yan Shixun.
“Brother Yan, woo!”
Zhang Wubing immediately burst into tears, running towards Yan Shixun with open arms, wanting to embrace him.
Yan Shixun looked at Zhang Wubing’s face, covered in snot and tears, and immediately felt disgusted. He raised his hand in a “stop” gesture, halting Zhang Wubing in his tracks.
“Don’t come near, you’re filthy.”
Yan Shixun spoke in disgust. “Haven’t you graduated kindergarten yet? You don’t even know how to wipe your face? Do you need me to prepare a napkin for you, Zhang Dabing?”
Zhang Wubing cried pitifully. “Brother Yan, you don’t know… I really thought I was going to die here, woo woo woo. How could something so terrifying happen? There was someone hiding under my bed, and I didn’t even notice. I feel like I won’t even be able to sleep in a bed when I get back, woo woo woo.”
The rescue team leader also walked over. Though worry still lingered on his face, he let out a breath of relief.
He nodded at Yan Shixun, expressing his gratitude. “Mr. Yan, thank you and your assistant for rescuing the official in charge. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known where to find him.”
Yan Shixun wasn’t interested in the leader’s thanks. He waved his hand to stop him from continuing and frowned as he asked, “What exactly happened with the official in charge? He should have been in Longevity Village, but when I found him, he was in a coffin, almost taken as a sacrificial offering.”
Upon hearing Yan Shixun’s concise account of the dangerous situation the official in charge had encountered on Nanming Mountain, the rescue team leader also felt a chill run through him, and a lingering sense of fear began to take root in his heart.
It had been so close, so close to the point where the official in charge might not have made it back…
“I don’t really know why the official in charge ended up in the coffin. Everyone was unaware, and suddenly, he just walked toward the river all on his own.”
The rescue team leader pondered deeply, “The official in charge had been acting completely normal until then, which is why no one noticed something was wrong or had time to stop him.”
After all, the official in charge was an adult who had been handling special cases for decades and had earned the trust of everyone as a capable leader. No one would treat him like a child and watch his every move.
Even when they saw him walking off in a certain direction, they probably just assumed he had found something and was going to check it out, so no one thought to stop him.
This is what led to the tragic moment when the official in charge had jumped into the river, and by the time everyone realized something was wrong, it was already too late.
The rescue team leader felt a sense of guilt, but after some thought, he had actually found a clue that could explain the odd situation.
“However, the official in charge did seem more urgent than usual. It was like he couldn’t wait to go to Longevity Village.”
The rescue team leader continued, “At that time, we found it a bit strange, but we didn’t think much of it. We just thought the official in charge was worried about the crew and was eager to save them.”
“Anything beyond that…”
The leader racked his brain, and then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he exclaimed, “Ah!”
Yan Shixun looked toward him, sensing that the leader might have figured something out. His expression became more serious.
“The official in charge had been complaining about stomach pain before, and we were worried if he could handle it. We even suggested he wait outside the mountain, but the official in charge refused and insisted on pushing through despite being sick.”
The rescue team leader continued, “But the hostess saw how much pain he was in and offered him hot water, saying it would ease his stomach pain.”
“It’s strange, but after drinking the water, the official in charge’s pain really went away. He didn’t even need to take painkillers.”
“We didn’t think much of it at the time, but now that I think about it… it seems a bit strange.”
Yan Shixun furrowed his brows. “The hostess? Is she the one who sells fabrics outside the mountain?”
Since there had been no communication with the official in charge and his group, Yan Shixun had no idea what had been happening outside the mountain. It wasn’t until the rescue team leader’s account that he learned that there had been many casualties outside the guesthouse, and the owner had gone mad, almost killing his wife.
Yan Shixun also recalled that when the crew left the guesthouse area, they had briefly crossed paths with the owner, who was carrying river water from Longevity Village, intending to sell it online as a local specialty.
It seemed that the river water the owner had brought back was unknowingly used by the hostess to prepare hot water, and when she saw the official in charge in pain, she kindly offered him the hot water to help ease his discomfort.
Unknowingly, the official in charge drank the water from the river, unaware of the owner’s plan to sell it outside the mountain.
While this had alleviated the official in charge’s stomach pain and brought him back to life, it also meant that he owed a karmic debt to Ritual Master, who used his powers to control him, guiding him back along the river to eventually end up in the coffin.
In the end, a good intention had turned into a misfortune.
Yan Shixun sighed and glanced at the two sisters, then shared the story of the sisters with the rescue team leader, explaining their relationship with the hostess.
“Ah? They made those fabrics?”
The rescue team leader was initially shocked, then his expression softened into one of joy and gratitude. “What good-hearted children! The official in charge noticed them outside the mountain too. It was those fabrics, like talismans, that saved the hostess.”
“When we entered the mountain, we brought some of those fabrics with us just in case. And it really saved several of our team members’ lives. None of them were harmed by the corrupted corpses.”
The rescue team leader grew serious and solemnly promised Yan Shixun, “Don’t worry, Mr. Yan. We will contact the organizations outside the mountain to ensure the two sisters can live peacefully outside the mountain.”
Yan Shixun nodded and turned to look at the two sisters, who were still unaware of the situation. He felt a deep sense of reflection.
The older sister had once given up hope when her efforts to resist felt futile. The fabrics she sent out hadn’t saved anyone, and she had become disheartened. But now, seeing this, he realized that all good intentions would bear fruit. The kindness they had shown would return to them in the form of good karma.
The fabrics sent out by the two sisters had not only saved the kind hostess but also helped save the rescue team members.
This not only allowed the hostess to receive a reward for her kindness but also proved that the sisters’ resistance had not been in vain.
Yan Shixun silently watched the two sisters for a long time, then turned around with a smile and walked into the cottage.
The official in charge had already been checked by medical personnel, and after receiving emergency medical treatment, he was now lying peacefully on the stretcher, breathing steadily. His body temperature had returned to normal, and his frown had relaxed.
If it weren’t for his still slightly pale face, no one would have guessed that he had just gone through such a dangerous ordeal. It would have seemed like he had simply had a good night’s sleep.
The medical personnel, however, were a bit confused.
Because the official in charge had been complaining about stomach pain, the medical personnel had already examined him on the way and found that he would need to go to the hospital for proper treatment.
But now, after only a few hours, his stomach appeared to be perfectly fine. In fact, he was healthy and full of vitality, as if he had never experienced any damage to his health.
The medical personnel scratched their heads and muttered quietly, “Strange…”
As for the young master, Song Ci, although he had seemed unaffected earlier, after hearing that the danger had finally passed, he learned that flowers had grown on him while he was unconscious. This made his eyes red with pain.
Yet, despite the concerned looks from those around him, the young master stubbornly refused to break his composed image and cry. He sniffed, his tears welling up but he held his lips tightly, refusing to let them fall.
Song Ci even tried to act calm as Yan Shixun passed by him, nodding and greeting him. “Brother Yan, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not fragile like porcelain, not that delicate.”
The young master lifted his chin proudly. Even though he was weak, lying in the cotton blanket with no strength to raise his hand, he still tried to act intimidating, showing off his teeth and claws in a futile display.
“I’m nothing like that useless Nan Tian. He hasn’t even woken up yet. Brother Yan, you should go check on him.”
The young master snorted. “Weak and delicate. How does he even manage to be a celebrity? Doesn’t he ever exercise?”
Yan Shixun couldn’t help but chuckle at Song Ci’s words.
Although Nan Tian hadn’t woken up yet, his breathing was steady, and there were no signs of any life-threatening issues. Even though Song Ci had regained consciousness, it was obvious from a glance that his sickly body was far from well, resembling a delicate, soft doll.
When Song Ci said these words, his voice was slightly nasal, and his eyes and the tip of his nose were red.
But Yan Shixun, knowing Song Ci’s character, simply nodded, not calling him out on his feigned calmness.
On the other hand, Zhao Zhen, who had been standing nearby, looked at him with a helpless, bittersweet smile. “Alright, young master, enough talking. Lie down for a while. We gave you some glucose to regain your strength, but we didn’t intend for you to use it up like this.”
“Wait for your brother’s plane to arrive.”
He then adjusted the blanket for Song Ci and, with a worried glance, looked toward the other injured individuals.
The staff members who had gone mad earlier had already been treated by the medical team.
Their dry, cracked skin was now generously covered with a thick layer of petroleum jelly to moisturize it, helping maintain its condition. The areas with bleeding and severe cracks had also been wrapped up.
They were now sleeping soundly, their faces exhausted and pale, without a hint of the crazed frenzy they had shown earlier when attacking Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen sighed internally, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Those hikers, was this the kind of happiness they sought? How many people blindly believed in a paradise, only to lose their lives because of it?
The hikers would never get the chance to reunite with their families or friends.
The only consolation was that they were still able to be rescued in time.
After Yan Shixun had eradicated the source of the disaster from Nanming Mountain, there would no longer be any paradise, nor would there be any more new victims.
Perhaps, this would save hundreds or even thousands of lives.
It wasn’t too late.
Zhao Zhen sighed deeply, his heart heavy, and even his usually firm brows were drawn in sadness.
Song Ci, who had been a little displeased with Zhao Zhen’s way of speaking, was about to snap back at him.
But when he looked up and saw Zhao Zhen’s expression, he suddenly froze.
Song Ci had never seen Zhao Zhen so upset. It seemed that in the time when he had lost consciousness, Zhao Zhen had endured far too much.
The young master let out a small sigh in his heart, then snorted softly and turned his head, out of sight, out of mind.
But he didn’t say anything.
The live broadcast screen of the program team had been set up in the cottage’s living room. After everything became chaotic, no one had bothered to care about the equipment. Everyone was focused on the people instead. The main screen was left alone, unintentionally dragged back and forth by people walking around, with no proper angles or techniques for shooting.
However, it was a relief to see that everyone was fine on the live stream, which calmed the viewers.
[With Brother Yan here, we’re safe! That’s great!]
[Is this the young master of the Song Group? Oh my gosh, I saw the paparazzi say the Song family’s young master has a terrible temper, and he’s one of those spoiled rich kids. But now, he seems pretty good!]
[Are you really believing what the marketing accounts say? That time, it was the Song family’s rival who tried to attack them. They said the ‘useless young master’ would fight with the capable eldest son for power, and a lot of people were preparing to watch the drama unfold.]
[I remember that. Later, artists under the Song Group defended the young master, saying he’s actually a really good person—stubborn on the outside but soft-hearted, easily embarrassed. Every time they ran into him at the company, they would tease him.]
[Wasn’t the retired god of song from Song’s too? In an interview, he even specifically thanked the young master, saying he had helped him a lot. Otherwise, he would have been so depressed he would’ve jumped into the sea, but it was the young master who pulled him out of it. Oh, by the way, the term “young master” was leaked by the god of song during an interview, and he said it casually, with a lot of affection.]
[The Song family brothers are pretty close, so the marketing accounts should at least make their stories sound realistic. Anyone inside the industry knows the older brother dotes on the younger one. That time, the public opinion was retracted because the older brother was really angry about it.]
[Just heard Zhao Zhen and the medical staff talking about Song Ci’s situation. I had no idea such a dangerous thing happened off the live stream. Oh my god.]
[…I was lying in bed under the covers watching this, feeling secure with my back pressed against the bed board, convinced there was no danger. But after hearing Zhao Zhen’s words, I started feeling a chill on my back. There’s really a twenty-centimeter gap under my bed!]
[Ahhh! Stop talking! My whole body is covered in goosebumps, and I’m already getting scared. What if, when I’m sleeping, there’s a body hidden under my bed waiting to crawl out when I fall asleep… Wuwuwu!]
[I quietly pull my feet back inside the blanket. Yikes.
Didn’t Song Ci say his brother would send a plane? When’s that going to happen? Can’t they hurry up? I’m so worried about them.]
[But I haven’t seen Nan Tian? Where did he go?]
Nan Tian, who the audiences were worried about, should now be the most relaxed person in the entire cottage.
Everyone was busy, but Nan Tian hadn’t regained consciousness and was still lying in bed.
Yan Shixun, leaning against the doorframe, frowned when he saw Nan Tian’s condition.
Normally, Nan Tian would have returned with him and Ye Li from the upstream Nanming Mountain, but now, everyone was present except for Nan Tian.
Moreover, Nan Tian’s way of getting to the upstream had been different from the others. Could it be that his soul had gotten lost in the mountains?
While Yan Shixun was puzzled, he suddenly heard an exclamation from the nearby cottage.
“Heavens! What… what’s all this?!”
It was the voice of Taoist Wang from Haiyun Temple.
Yan Shixun’s gaze hardened, and without even taking the time to head for the front door, he immediately dashed out from the room’s balcony. With a hand on the railing, he leapt down, landing steadily on the blood-soaked ground, then strode quickly toward the nearby small wooden cottage.
Earlier, when Yan Shixun passed by the small wooden cottage next door and entered to check due to the old woman, the garden’s chrysanthemums had bloomed vibrantly, as if the entire sunlight from the sky had fallen upon it.
But now, all the chrysanthemums, along with their roots and petals, had disappeared without a trace. The bare ground was covered in layers of black ash.
When the wind blew, it stirred up the dust on the ground.
Against the backdrop of the barren garden’s dried-up well, the scene looked particularly bleak and desolate.
Taoist Wang stood by the window, looking up at the sky with eyes full of uncontrollable astonishment.
The sound of Yan Shixun approaching startled Taoist Wang.
He turned quickly, on guard, but upon seeing that it was Yan Shixun, his face lit up with a smile, and he cheerfully called, “Junior Brother Yan!”
“Come, come, let me see, you’re not hurt, right?”
Taoist Wang showed an affectionate familiarity, rushing a few steps to catch Yan Shixun’s sleeve, inspecting him up and down.
When he saw that Yan Shixun appeared in good spirits, not looking like he was severely injured or hiding any other secret wounds, he finally felt relieved.
“I heard it from Xingxing, Junior Brother Yan really acted decisively. You made the right choice at such a difficult moment.”
Taoist Wang spoke proudly, saying, “Your quick action solved the situation so timely. Otherwise, who knows how much damage it could have caused. Now, everyone is mostly unscathed, with only a few needing treatment. Only two Taoists from Haiyun Temple were injured. That’s all thanks to your timely rescue.”
“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it back alive. I even left a letter to my disciple, leaving all my spiritual tools and possessions behind, but here I am, still alive.”
Taoist Wang first sighed in disbelief, then seemed to realize something, stroking his chin and lost in thought.
“Ah… right, the spiritual tools. Once we go back, I’ll need to retrieve them.”
Yan Shixun: “…”
I bet your disciple feels like they’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster.
The last time Yan Shixun saw Taoist Wang’s disciple at Haiyun Temple, he could tell the disciple was a person of strong loyalty.
That disciple had even respectfully bowed to Yan Shixun, calling him ‘master uncle,’ with an attitude entirely different from the casual tone of Lu Xingxing, full of reverence.
At that time, Yan Shixun had felt awkward as an elder meeting a junior, so he had hurriedly written a stack of talismans and handed them over to the disciple, who was actually older than him by quite a bit.
From Taoist Wang’s behavior, Yan Shixun suspected that his disciple must have cried uncontrollably when reading the letter.
However, the way Taoist Wang was in such a hurry to get his spiritual tools back was a bit too amusing to Yan Shixun.
When Yan Shixun followed Taoist Wang’s gaze and looked up, the smile on his face gradually disappeared.
Before leaving the downstream Longevity Village, Yan Shixun had wanted to visit the old woman, but she had been gone, and the house had been empty.
Now, the old woman’s body hung lifeless from a beam behind the window, swaying gently.
But what had caused Taoist Wang to exclaim in shock wasn’t the old woman’s death.
It was the state of her body.
Pieces of flesh were falling off her corpse, revealing pale, exposed bones underneath.
The blood dripped from her body, making a “drip drip” sound as it collected into a pool of blood below.
When Yan Shixun looked up, he found the old woman’s face to be somewhat familiar.
If this face had fewer wrinkles, was less withered and frail, and the kind smile had turned into a stern, angry glare… Couldn’t this be the Grandma Nan who had helped him in his dream?
The realization left Yan Shixun momentarily stunned, but he quickly came to his senses, only to notice that a slow smile had begun to form on Grandma Nan’s face.
Even though her current state was clearly that of a dead body, Grandma Nan slowly smiled, her bulging eyes hanging downward, staring at Yan Shixun.
Her stiff skin barely pulled apart as her mouth opened and closed, trying to speak with vocal cords that had long lost their purpose due to the mental strain, forcing out hoarse, gravelly words.
“Thank…”
“Thank…”
Even though Grandma Nan’s body was no longer able to express her full meaning, she still struggled to speak.
But when Yan Shixun met Grandma Nan’s gaze, he understood what she wanted to say.
—Grandma Nan was thanking Yan Shixun for saving Nan Tian, but more than that, she was grateful that he had stopped Ritual Master’s plan, shattering his dream of becoming a god through sacrificial rituals.
The horrific disaster that had once taken place on Nanming Mountain had now come to an end within its boundaries, no longer spreading beyond.
Grandma Nan had always felt guilty for not stopping Ritual Master the first time she met him decades ago. Worse yet, she had forgotten that memory and later, as the village shaman, had personally presided over many of the sacrificial rituals in Nan Village, unknowingly aiding his cause.
This lingering regret and obsession had kept Grandma Nan bound to Nanming Mountain even after death, determined to do whatever she could to save those who came after.
Ritual Master resented Grandma Nan for sealing away his power through death, and so he had made sure she didn’t find peace. After killing her, he treated her just like the corpses in the hanging coffins—trapping her soul within her pain-ridden body, forcing her to endure endless suffering.
But what Ritual Master hadn’t expected was that it was precisely this suffering that constantly reminded Grandma Nan of what was real. It had kept her from losing herself in his power all these years.
It also gave her the strength to help Yan Shixun and Nan Tian.
And now, Grandma Nan had fulfilled her final purpose. Her guilt had finally been laid to rest with Ritual Master’s death and the utter destruction of his plans.
She no longer had any reason to remain in the world of the living.
Since she was already dead, the underworld was where she truly belonged.
Grandma Nan slowly closed her eyes, a peaceful smile still lingering on her lips.
From her corpse, pieces of flesh and muscle began to fall away, and in no time, she had turned into nothing but a skeleton.
A breeze drifted in through the window, and Grandma Nan turned into a handful of dust, scattering and vanishing into the wind.
Yan Shixun watched it all in silence, his expression solemn. When Grandma Nan’s remains finally turned to powder and disappeared completely, he gave a slight bow to pay his respects, sending her off on her final journey.
Taoist Wang, who had understood the full truth from the exchange between Grandma Nan and Yan Shixun, also fell silent.
With great reverence, he bowed deeply to Grandma Nan in farewell.
Grandma Nan had devoted her life to the path of cultivation and never once strayed from it. She was a practitioner worthy of respect from all the Taoists at Haiyun Temple.
Jing Xiaobao lifted his head and looked in the direction where Grandma Nan had vanished.
Then he turned, tilted his face upward toward the figure beside him, and said in his soft childlike voice, “Grandma, let’s go. I’ll take you to reincarnate.”
Grandma Nan had been ready to completely vanish, body and soul. She had assumed Ritual Master’s hatred would have left nothing of her behind.
But to her surprise, after fully dying, she found herself in a ghostly state.
For a moment, she was stunned. Then she bent down and smiled kindly at Jing Xiaobao, touching his soft little cheek with her wrinkled hand. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Whose child are you, little one? Did you get lost? Grandma will take you to find your family.”
Jing Xiaobao blinked his big pretty eyes and raised his hand, pointing toward Yan Shixun, then pointed to himself. “I’m not lost, Grandma. My home’s right there.”
“I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m a grown-up now.”
He declared, puffing out his cheeks in protest and proudly sticking out his tiny chest. In his sweet, milky voice, he added, “I’m the King of Hell, you know. A really powerful one—way stronger than the last guy.”
At first, Grandma Nan was shocked. Then her heart melted from how adorable he was. The decades of hardening from her struggle with Ritual Master began to thaw, and warmth returned to her soul.
She had been about to humor the child, but when she sensed the powerful aura Jing Xiaobao gave off, she was stunned to realize—
This child… wasn’t joking!
A tiny little boy, who looked no more than three years old, was really the King of Hell?
Yan Shixun watched as Jing Xiaobao held Grandma Nan’s hand. The two figures—one old, one young—gradually disappeared into the mist of the mountains just before dawn.
He smiled softly.
At that same moment, as Grandma Nan left the world of the living, Nan Tian—lying in bed—trembled slightly and slowly opened his eyes.
Tears streamed uncontrollably from Nan Tian’s eyes.
“Grandma…” His voice trembled with sobs, his eyes were red, and his whole body shook as he tried but failed to hold back his crying.
He had a gut feeling—he might never see his beloved Grandma again.
That farewell in his dream earlier had likely been her final goodbye.
Nan Tian raised his hand to cover his eyes.
Hot tears slid down his chilled cheeks, soaking through his clothes.
Meanwhile, Taoist Wang, although he couldn’t see the spirits of Jing Xiaobao and Grandma Nan, could still sense their departure—it felt like a soul guide had just passed through.
A genuine smile appeared on his face, sincerely happy for Grandma Nan.
Then, all of a sudden, Taoist Wang seemed to realize something. He blinked and looked over at Yan Shixun, puzzled. “Junior Brother Yan, where’s your partner?”
Before Yan Shixun could answer, Taoist Wang rolled up his sleeves indignantly and said, “Don’t tell me someone’s been talking behind your back? Don’t be afraid, Junior Brother Yan! Just be with your partner boldly. Don’t worry about what others say. Leave the rest to me!”
“My little junior brother—let me see who dares to talk trash! Was it that Taoist Ma who doesn’t even care about his own junior brother? Or some other old stubborn fool?”
Taoist Wang got so riled up by his own imagination that he looked like he was about to storm off and fight those other Taoists.
Taoist Ma, who got dragged into it for no reason: “???”
He almost broke character and cursed on the spot, feeling like he was being wrongly accused to death.
Yan Shixun hadn’t expected that kind of question from Taoist Wang. Completely caught off guard, he felt like he’d been sucker-punched, his tall figure frozen stiff. He had no idea how to respond.
He turned his head slightly, looking at Taoist Wang with a complicated expression, not knowing whether he should clear up the misunderstanding that he didn’t have a “partner” or explain that no one had said anything about him and Ye Li.
But before Yan Shixun could sort through his thoughts, Ye Li had already strode over with long legs, his expression calm and composed. For once, he even smiled at someone other than Yan Shixun.
“Thanks.”
Ye Li stood beside Yan Shixun, and his arm casually reached around from behind to rest lightly on Yan Shixun’s shoulder in a familiar and intimate gesture.
It was unmistakably the attitude of someone claiming their own.
Ye Li gave Taoist Wang a slight, warm smile and a nod.
Even though it was just one word, to Taoist Wang it immediately translated to: I’m with Yan Shixun. Thanks for standing up for my man.
Taoist Wang instantly lit up, waving his hand in a friendly gesture. “We’re all family here, no need to be polite! If anyone gives you trouble, just tell me.”
Yan Shixun looked over at Ye Li in disbelief, silently asking: What are you doing?
Ye Li just smiled in return, even the look in his eyes full of warmth.
In his heart, he thought: Obviously, I’m letting everyone know we’re together.
But Ye Li didn’t actually say it out loud.
He didn’t want to spook the overly cautious, big-cat-like man beside him.
Meanwhile, Taoist Wang stood by, grinning from ear to ear: What a perfect match.
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