Chapter 349: Extra (3)
This was destined to be no ordinary spring.
After the New Year had passed, people gradually shook off the laziness of the holidays and began paying attention to the weather and important events around them.
Some individuals with sharper senses slowly began to notice that the weather this year seemed especially pleasant.
It wasn’t that the sun shone brightly every day, but rather, the weather patterns followed textbook-like precision. Forgotten seasonal sayings and farming proverbs all started to align one by one.
It rained when it was supposed to rain, and the sun came out exactly when it was expected. Many people said that this year would surely be a bountiful harvest.
“Is it just me, or does the air feel especially fresh this year?”
Someone took a deep breath, their expression full of bliss, as if all the fatigue from the day had been swept away.
Their companion burst into laughter and teased, “Maybe the pollution control really worked this year. You finally don’t have to breathe in exhaust fumes anymore.”
As Yan Shixun passed by with Jing Xiaobao in tow, the child turned sideways and stared longingly at the person who had just spoken. But Yan Shixun’s slender hand pressed firmly on his head, turning him back around.
“Don’t go scaring people,” he said calmly.
Jing Xiaobao immediately looked a bit fearful. He gazed up at Yan Shixun pitifully. “Yan Yan, I wasn’t…”
But when Yan Shixun gave him a calm glance, Jing Xiaobao shrank back and didn’t dare to continue.
Only after the two had walked a fair distance did Jing Xiaobao mutter in grievance, “I just saw how confused he looked and wanted to help him—tell him the truth.”
Yan Shixun was not fooled by Jing Xiaobao’s innocent appearance. With a false smile, he asked, “Were you planning to tell him that the air is fresh because we just wiped out a huge wave of evil spirits? Or were you going to say that the Great Dao itself has changed?”
He gave a cold snort. “Don’t you know that, for them, ghosts don’t even exist?”
Jing Xiaobao still looked somewhat defiant. “But ghosts do exist. I wasn’t lying.”
A nearby passerby overheard their conversation and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Kids watch cartoons or hear stories from someone, and they end up like this. Just give it some time—once he realizes those things don’t exist, he’ll grow out of it. As his older brother, you don’t need to worry.”
Yan Shixun glanced over and realized the man thought he and Jing Xiaobao were brothers. He nodded without explaining further.
Instead, Jing Xiaobao, while waiting at the crosswalk, tugged on the kind stranger’s sleeve and stubbornly argued, “Ghosts are real. Do you want to see one…”
Before he could finish, Yan Shixun picked him up by the straps of his overalls and held him in the air.
The passerby, unfamiliar with this kind of dynamic, was stunned and about to speak up when Yan Shixun gave him a polite smile and said, “Sorry, the kid is just talking nonsense.”
If Jing Xiaobao actually tried to show someone a ghost… Yan Shixun believed that, on a whim, he might even let an evil spirit from the underworld roam freely, just to let it “enjoy the spring weather.”
Fortunately, the light had turned green, and Yan Shixun carried Jing Xiaobao across the bustling, crowded commercial street.
Dangling from his hand, Jing Xiaobao drooped his head and sniffled now and then, like a chubby, crying rabbit—adorable and pitiful—drawing attention from those around them. People smiled at their unusual interaction and were also drawn in by the two’s striking presence.
Yan Shixun noticed that the people who had just been talking about the weather had now entered the mall, laughing and chatting. They likely had no idea how close they had come to a supernatural encounter.
Though Jing Xiaobao behaved obediently in front of him, he was inexplicably stubborn in certain ways, which often gave Yan Shixun headaches and made him realize how difficult raising a child could be.
—Especially when that child happened to be the King of Hell, the one who presided over life and death and suppressed countless evil spirits.
If he let his guard down and allowed Jing Xiaobao to develop in the wrong direction, or start forming strange ideas about humans, the consequences of this “problem child” would be magnified a thousandfold.
What was scarier than a child… was a child with power.
Because of this, Yan Shixun had consulted the Taoists at Haiyun Temple, along with officials from special departments and the Binhai city authorities—people he dealt with regularly—to learn how they raised children.
When Taoist Song Yi was asked this question: “…….”
After a long pause, he pointed to Lu Xingxing, who was wildly running around the mountains outside, and asked, “Junior Brother Yan, do you think I know how to raise a child?”
Yan Shixun: …Got it. Using Xingxing as an example was convincing enough.
Some of the other Taoists were kind enough to share their experience in teaching disciples, but they also asked a follow-up question out of curiosity: “Fellow Taoist Yan, are you planning to take on a disciple?”
“That makes sense. With your status and strength now, it’s time to take in a few disciples. I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of elegance and style your disciples will have.”
Yan Shixun remained silent for quite a while. Only amidst the laughter around him did he finally speak in a low voice, “I’m not taking on a disciple.”
“I’m raising the King of Hell.”
The Taoist: “???”
The Taoist: “…………”
All the Taoists fell silent.
Then they realized—raising and teaching an ordinary child well was already difficult. But when the subject was the King of Hell, the difficulty and level of caution required…
Even a slight mistake, the tiniest misstep, could cause the collapse of the entire cycle of reincarnation and the underworld.
This responsibility was far too immense.
They tactfully expressed to Yan Shixun that they did not possess the ability to teach the King of Hell, and were afraid they truly couldn’t help him or offer any advice.
Yet, when Yan Shixun mentioned this matter to the officials in Binhai City, the meeting that had been focused on spring planting immediately shifted gears. Many of the leaders, upon hearing the topic, opened up enthusiastically, eagerly sharing amusing stories about their own children. The previously serious meeting suddenly became lively and cheerful.
“Spring planting, you see—it’s just like raising people,”
A short, chubby, kind-faced official chuckled and said, “If you don’t take good care of the seeds and seedlings in the spring, there’ll be no harvest come autumn. If we don’t teach our children well when they’re young, they won’t grow up properly. Children are the seedlings of our country, after all. In a way, this is the theme of today’s meeting too.”
“Mr. Yan, do you still remember Wild Wolf Peak?”
A department head sighed and said, “After that spring rain a few days ago, I went to have a look. The vegetation there is now lush and thriving. The ecosystem is slowly returning to normal—it’s a world of difference from how it used to be.”
“I believe it won’t be long before Wild Wolf Peak becomes a beautiful, vibrant place once again. This is all thanks to Mr. Yan’s financial support and personal effort—not to mention your influence.”
Speaking of this, the department head smiled and said, “To be honest, I’ve worked in environmental protection for years, and I’ve rarely seen a phenomenon like what happened at Wild Wolf Peak. Waves of volunteers kept coming, one after another, and most of them called themselves ‘Yan Mai,’ saying it was their team-building activity.”
Another official immediately chimed in, “Oh, I know all about that! My daughter too—she used to stay out all night every day, running around to chase celebrities. Sometimes we didn’t see her for months, and though she wasn’t even an adult, she spent money like water. Her mother was so stressed she was going gray.”
“But ever since Mr. Yan joined the variety show, my daughter has been talking about him non-stop, claiming she’s a ‘Yan Mai’ too, and that she had to answer his call and help out in the countryside. Now she sleeps and wakes on a proper schedule, is healthy, and full of energy—she’s a completely different person.”
As a father, he felt both relieved and moved. “Her mother finally stopped worrying. Every weekend, our whole family goes to Wild Wolf Peak to plant trees now.”
“Ours too.”
“My son’s whole class is going too.”
“It’s not just Wild Wolf Peak. Ever since Mr. Yan made it famous, the number of volunteers there has been maxed out all the time—there’s hardly anything left to do. So Binhai City released a list of surrounding areas that also need ecological restoration. That way, people can contribute elsewhere too.”
“Before, not even a blade of grass grew at Wild Wolf Peak. But this year, flowers are blooming there.”
Someone else laughed and added, “I heard from the shaman at Wild Wolf Peak that a new mountain god has already been born.”
After the disaster of the Ghost Dao spread and began to affect the general population, most departments of the Binhai City government became aware of the situation.
They had already prepared for the worst, even gritting their teeth and getting ready to sacrifice their lives—planning to form a wall of human bodies if needed to protect the people.
But at the critical moment, Yan Shixun struck down the Ghost Dao, allowing the Great Dao to renew and take hold, causing all impending disasters to vanish like smoke.
That was when everyone came to know of Yan Shixun’s existence.
Whether it was among exorcists, government departments across the country, or those who were well-informed—everyone understood clearly that if not for Yan Shixun, this year might not have made it through. He was the one who saved everything.
Because of this, people admired and revered him, filled with gratitude and lingering fear from the close call.
Yan Shixun then officially began cooperating with special departments and the Binhai City government, participating in discussions on any matters involving spirits or deities.
The officials were so enthusiastic that, if he hadn’t firmly refused, he suspected they’d have even handed over the city’s annual typhoon barrier maintenance to him.
Yan Shixun: No working overtime! That’s Taoist Ma’s job. I absolutely won’t do it!
But when the attendees heard Yan Shixun say that he wasn’t raising an ordinary child or a disciple, but rather the King of Hell—everyone fell into silence.
The department head who had just been bragging about his daughter spewed out his tea with a loud “Pfft!” and started coughing violently, staring at Yan Shixun in shock.
Then he slowly processed the truth.
Yes, the current King of Hell—Jing Xiaobao.
The deceased older brother of the old master of the Jing family in the capital, the one born with the Evil Spirit Bone Transformation, who hadn’t survived.
…Who would dare raise someone with the Evil Spirit Bone Transformation?
And not only that—he had already died, become a vengeful ghost, and now held the title of King of Hell!
Everyone looked at Yan Shixun with eyes full of awe. Some even secretly gave him a thumbs-up.
Yan Shixun: “…………”
At that moment, standing on the street with Jing Xiaobao in tow, Yan Shixun couldn’t help but recall how the boy had infuriated Ye Li just a few days ago, and the two had gotten into an all-out brawl at home.
He let out a sigh, for once feeling a headache coming on.
—At this point, probably only Jing Xiaobao and Ye Li could cause such a headache for the Great Dao.
It had all started on an early spring night.
Ye Li and Yan Shixun had already gone to bed early. But as the light flickered, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Then came Jing Xiaobao’s pitiful voice from outside: “Yan Yan, I’m scared of ghosts, I can’t sleep.”
Yan Shixun: “…Next time, please come up with a better excuse.”
The dignified King of Hell, a being who could terrify the fiercest ghosts into obliteration, was now claiming to be afraid of ghosts? Did that sound even remotely plausible?
Ye Li gave a cold snort and waved his hand. The quilt flew over and covered the two of them completely—he had no intention of entertaining the little troublemaker outside.
When no one responded, Jing Xiaobao slunk away, his slippers making dull scraping sounds on the ground as he walked.
It wasn’t until everything went completely quiet outside that Yan Shixun finally let out a sigh of relief.
But before Ye Li could start smiling again, they suddenly heard someone knock on the window behind them.
Knock knock knock.
Ye Li realized something was wrong. He slowly turned around—and there was Jing Xiaobao’s chubby face squashed against the glass like a pancake, trying hard to squeeze through the window.
Ye Li, who had been repeatedly disturbed during their alone time, finally couldn’t take it anymore. He threw on some clothes, stormed out, grabbed Jing Xiaobao, and launched into a long standoff. The two of them argued endlessly in the courtyard, while Yan Shixun, overwhelmed by sleepiness and annoyed, felt as if there were a hundred ducks quacking endlessly by his ears.
So, he decisively locked the door, pulled the curtains, and happily slept soundly until broad daylight.
And Ye Li, who had just finished arguing only to find himself locked outside in disgust, shouted: “q皿q, Jing Xiaobao!”
From that day on, Ye Li began paying extra attention to Jing Xiaobao and tried everything to send him back to the underworld.
But every time Jing Xiaobao was sent back, he would always manage to sneak out again.
—There really wasn’t anyone in the underworld who could suppress or persuade him.
And every time he ran back, he would rush straight to hug Yan Shixun’s leg, calling out affectionately “Yan Yan,” completely occupying Yan Shixun’s time, energy, and attention.
Ye Li even began to suspect: Was Jing Xiaobao really trying to steal Yan Shixun from him?
Of course, when Ye Li seriously brought up this possibility with Yan Shixun, he only got a silent slap to the head from the speechless Yan Shixun.
However, Yan Shixun did begin to suspect that Jing Xiaobao might be going through puberty.
—The puberty of a hundred-year-old “elderly” ghost.
To get to the bottom of it, and failing to get any answers from Haiyun Temple or the Binhai City officials, Yan Shixun personally consulted several education experts. He even made a trip back to Binhai University to humbly seek advice from a top professor in child psychology.
But the moment the consultation began, he hit a wall.
The professor asked how old the child at home was, and what school he attended.
Yan Shixun replied, “Almost a hundred years old, in the underworld, hasn’t been to school.”
The professor: “???”
The conversation died on the spot.
After a few setbacks, Yan Shixun realized that he might not be able to seek help from anyone.
After all, raising the King of Hell… perhaps only the Great Dao could manage that.
Still, the professor did give him some helpful advice.
“A lot of conflicts between parents and children stem from poor communication. Misunderstandings, grievances… once there’s a grievance in the heart, the attitude will definitely turn sour. Even if everything seems fine on the surface, it’s like an apple rotting from the core.”
The professor suggested: “Why not spend more time with the child, talk to him more, ask about his day, share your own likes and dislikes. That way, both of you will come to understand each other better.”
Seeing Yan Shixun’s thoughtful expression, the professor winked mischievously and said, “Even if your child is a hundred years old, I bet this still applies—talking about the underworld with him doesn’t sound half bad.”
The professor didn’t believe in ghosts and was a staunch believer in science.
But he was always willing to offer help to any student within his power, whether they were from Binhai University or not, whether they had already graduated or were still young.
Yan Shixun thanked the professor and accepted his advice. Taking advantage of the lovely spring weather, he decided to go on a spring outing and camping trip with Jing Xiaobao and Ye Li—“a family” trip.
When Zhang Wubing heard about the plan, he instantly got excited and clamored to join. He even complained that Yan Shixun hadn’t told him sooner.
“Wuwuwu, Brother Yan, have you gotten a new Bing and forgotten the old one? You used to call me ‘Xiao Bing Bing,’ but now all you care about is Xiao Bao…”
Zhang Wubing deliberately wailed dramatically over the phone, grossing Yan Shixun out to the point of frustration. He agreed immediately, telling him to do whatever he wanted.
—Come or don’t, just stop torturing his ears.
Disgusting!
Once Zhang Wubing achieved his goal, his tears dried up instantly. He cheered several times, then promptly requested leave from Director Li Xuetang and bolted home. He rushed straight to his garage to mess with his dad’s gear.
Now in his middle age, Father Zhang had developed new hobbies, like enjoying peaceful fishing and camping trips with his old friends.
Zhang Wubing’s target was precisely those treasured pieces of equipment his father held dear.
He picked out a huge eight-seater off-road vehicle from the garage, and with the help of the family assistant, laboriously loaded all the gear onto the car.
Before driving off, he waved enthusiastically at the family assistant and shouted that there was no need to deliver anything—he could manage on his own.
He was going on an outing!
Watching Zhang Wubing get excited like an elementary school student on a spring trip, the assistant had only one thought: Once Father Zhang returned and found out his beloved fishing rods and tents had been emptied out by his son, how would he react?
For the sake of Zhang Wubing’s safety, the assistant quietly hid all “weapons” in the house and then called Mother Zhang to inform her of the situation.
But the problem was—Mother Zhang and Father Zhang were having a candlelit lunch outside, and Mother Zhan, being older, had her phone volume turned all the way up.
Father Zhang, overhearing it by accident: “…………”
Mother Zhang, reacting a second too late: Oh no! I accidentally sold our kid out.
Father Zhang immediately lost his appetite, shot up, and wanted to rush home.
But Mother Zhang was quicker, pressing him back down into his seat and scolding, “The child is out playing with friends. What are you trying to mess up now?”
Father Zhang couldn’t believe it. “But, but those are all things I went to great lengths to buy. I don’t even let myself use them casually. I wipe them down every night before bed to keep them in perfect condition. That tent—it’s huge! And the barbecue stone plate, my high-tech kettle, my fishing rods…”
The more he listed, the more agitated he got.
Clearly a high-status, successful business mogul, but in front of his wife, he suddenly turned into a wronged child. In front of the other diners in the fancy restaurant, he looked pitiful, like an elementary schooler whose favorite toys had been stolen, instantly becoming a commercial “goose.”
Others at the restaurant: Oh wow! Who knew the famous Chairman Zhang had such a side to him?
Mother Zhang felt a bit guilty too. She knew exactly how much her husband treasured that gear. He was like a squirrel stockpiling for winter—bringing a little home today, another bit tomorrow—just gleefully counting his equipment.
But the one who took it all was Zhang Wubing…
Mother Zhang cleared her throat and decisively shoved a check into his hand, coaxing him, “We’ll buy more, we’ll buy it all again.”
Father Zhang: “Why can’t that brat Zhang Wubing buy his own stuff?! Why does he have to covet his old man’s gear! qaq”
Mother Zhang: …Maybe if you stopped crying, you’d have more authority.
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, there happened to be another music company boss who was a friend of Lu Xingxing. He knew about Lu Xingxing’s relationship with Zhang Wubing.
So he asked right away, “Are you going camping with that Zhang family boy?”
Lu Xingxing, who had crammed over a hundred pages of material in a single day and was about to explode: “???”
The moment he heard that, his anger flared.
So that’s how it is, Zhang Wubing! And to think I believed we were in this together, equally suffering. But you secretly ran off to have fun with Brother Yan?
Unforgivable!
Lu Xingxing rolled up his sleeves on the spot, asked around to find Zhang Wubing’s destination, and stormed off to intercept him.
So, when Taoist Song Yi finally remembered his recently diligent disciple and, for once, felt a bit of sympathy, bringing tea to check on Lu Xingxing, all he saw was scripture books scattered all over the floor.
And an empty room.
Taoist Song Yi: “…………”
“Lu! Xing! Xing!!!”
Lu Xingxing still had no idea. He had just successfully cornered Zhang Wubing, who was in the supermarket buying snacks, and furiously accused him of being ungrateful—going off to have fun and leaving him behind.
Zhang Wubing, completely dumbfounded from being scolded, said, “??? Wait, we’re just having a family dinner—why are you barging in?”
Lu Xingxing flew into a rage when he heard that: “Brother Yan is my master uncle, and so is my master aunt! How am I not part of this family?”
After receiving a call from Zhang Wubing and learning that an extra person had joined, Yan Shixun said, “…Are you guys playing Snake or something?”
There were clearly only three people to start with—how did the news go around and suddenly turn into five?
“If the number keeps growing, I’ll drag you all to reclaim land from the sea.”
Yan Shixun said sincerely, “In ancient times, Jingwei filled the sea with pebbles. And now, we have Xingxing filling the sea with stars—it’s quite the legendary tale in itself. Who knows, maybe in a few hundred years, Xingxing, you’ll be included as an addition in The Classic of Mountains and Seas.”
Lu Xingxing let out an awkward cough and immediately fell silent.
It was like watching a husky getting grabbed by the scruff of its neck.
Yan Shixun didn’t quite trust these two little idiots. He was genuinely worried that if they were left together for too long, some bizarre chemical reaction might occur. So, he asked Ye Li to go fetch the two of them first, while he and Jing Xiaobao would meet up with them afterward.
First there was Zhang Wubing, and now Lu Xingxing.
Yan Shixun really didn’t want to end up answering his phone one day, only to discover that the entire Haiyun Temple had tagged along.
—He also didn’t want to hear about a husky destroying a supermarket and have to come down to “claim” it.
By the time Yan Shixun arrived with Jing Xiaobao in tow, he stumbled upon a rather odd scene.
Tall and long-legged Ye Li was seated in a chair, legs crossed and arms folded across his chest. His expression was cold, radiating a “stay away from me” kind of aura. And right next to him were two pitiful figures, heads hung low, trembling like leaves in the wind.
The stark contrast made Ye Li look exactly like the strict head of a household.
The strange but oddly harmonious image drew curious glances from passersby.
Yan Shixun even overheard someone guessing whether Ye Li might be an international male model or something.
However, people were beginning to recognize Zhang Wubing and Lu Xingxing.
After all, they were both regulars on a national sensation of a variety show. Pretty much everyone who watched livestreams had seen the show, and of course, they remembered Zhang Wubing and Lu Xingxing, who often appeared on screen.
To avoid any unnecessary trouble or chaos, Yan Shixun walked over, looking every bit like a parent called in to deal with misbehaving kids, ready to collect his trio of delinquents.
Yan Shixun asked, “…So, what trouble have you caused this time?”
The moment Ye Li saw his beloved, his cold demeanor vanished, replaced with a warm smile as he walked over.
“Shixun, I’ve already picked a place. The cherry blossoms in Riverside Park in Binhai City are in full bloom, along with magnolias and plum blossoms. Not many people are around, so it’s perfect for camping.”
As he spoke, Ye Li glanced up at the sky, then casually added, “Today’s just right—neither too hot nor too cold. No rain, no wind. Everything’s perfect.”
What he said became reality.
The clouds that had been quietly gathering above slowly dissipated, and the gusty wind calmed into a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet scent of flowers.
Pedestrians paused, pulling out their phones to capture the beautiful moment.
Only Yan Shixun truly understood what had just happened. He looked at Ye Li with an exasperated expression. “Is that really how you’re supposed to use ghost deity powers?”
Ye Li nodded with full confidence. “Of course.”
All he did was shift the rain from Riverside Park to the opposite side of the river. They could even enjoy the view of the rain from under the magnolia trees.
How romantic.
“Shixun, don’t you like rain but not getting caught in it? Isn’t this just perfect?”
Ye Li had a “praise me” look on his face, beaming with pride, completely unaware of the complaint Yan Shixun had originally meant to express.
Yan Shixun could only sigh in tired resignation. He looked around and couldn’t shake the feeling that he had somehow become a kindergarten teacher—and these kids? Definitely not over three years old.
As the group gathered their groceries and prepared to head to the car, they spotted someone from a distance, loitering suspiciously beside their vehicle and clearly tampering with the door.
“…Is he trying to pick the lock?”
Yan Shixun muttered after a pause, torn between confusion and amusement. “Is he trying to steal the King of Hell’s car?”
This car belonged to two Kings of Hell, the Lord of Fengdu, and a cultivator of the Great Dao. Even the least intimidating of the bunch was a husky.
And someone was seriously trying to break into their car?
Just how reckless could someone be?
Jing Xiaobao, who had been sobbing quietly in Yan Shixun’s arms, looked up with red, tear-streaked eyes at the mention of the thief. His gaze turned vengeful as he pulled out his mental notebook of grudges, already prepared to let this man experience what it meant to be hunted by ten thousand ghosts.
Just then, the thief managed to disable the car alarm. With a relieved smile, he opened the car door.
The next second, his smile froze.
A blood-curdling scream echoed through the street.
“Ahhhhhhh!!! A wolf! There’s a wolf inside!!!”
“…A wolf?”
Yan Shixun blinked, puzzled, then suddenly understood. “Wait—who brought the family’s wolves out today?”
“Just one. Only Woof Woof came along.”
Jing Xiaobao answered honestly, “The other one stayed home to guard the house.”
His logic was simple and straightforward, and he had no doubts about it at all.
No one in the house knew how to cook. Although Yan Yan did, he couldn’t bear to let him do it. He didn’t want Yan Yan to lift a finger, but he also didn’t want to eat burnt food.
Since that was the case, then why not bring the wolf?
They didn’t know how, but the wolf did!
Perfect plan √
Jing Xiaobao cheerfully kicked his little feet, feeling incredibly clever.
The car thief, who had just opened the car door only to suddenly lock eyes with a wolf, was so terrified his guts nearly split. He stumbled and crawled away in panic, eyes wide with fear as he desperately tried to escape the ferocious beast.
This wasn’t some zoo wolf that had lost its instincts and will.
This was a wolf that had once guarded the heroic spirits in Jiangbei, fought bitter battles against evil spirits and rotting corpses—a brave and fierce warrior.
Just one glance from it was enough to stop hundreds of murderous villagers from advancing.
Even Yan Shixun had never seen a more imposing and intimidating beast than this lead wolf.
Let alone a car thief.
The man fell several times, scrambling on all fours. When he passed by Yan Shixun and the others, everyone silently watched him, offering him a solemn gaze.
The thief didn’t notice at all, still pointing frantically behind him, shouting, “A wolf! There’s really a wolf!”
Jing Xiaobao tilted his head, his rosy lips curling slowly into a smile. In a childlike, innocent voice, he asked, “Like this?”
The thief instinctively looked over, only to see Jing Xiaobao suddenly reveal a terrifying ghost face, eyes cold and sinister like a man-eating ghoul.
The thief screamed, “Aaaaaahhh!!!”
He completely broke down and bolted.
Yan Shixun silently lifted Jing Xiaobao up to eye level. Jing Xiaobao just blinked his big, glistening eyes and looked innocent.
“Ya? What’s wrong, Yan Yan?”
Inside the SUV, the lead wolf lazily swayed its fluffy tail, its head resting on its front paws. It showed no concern at all about having just scared someone senseless.
The lead wolf: He started it.
Seeing that Yan Shixun wasn’t about to scold Jing Xiaobao, the wolf turned over lazily and went back to sleep in the car.
Ever since Ye Li had been annoyed at Jing Xiaobao for interrupting their alone time, the lead wolf had taken on another role besides being a pet—it became an emotionless babysitter. Jing Xiaobao, bursting with energy, had been pestering it day and night, giving it no chance to rest.
Now was actually the most peaceful time the wolf had had in a while.
Soon, the car door opened again, and the bickering voices of Lu Xingxing and Zhang Wubing filled the air, followed by Yan Shixun’s exasperated shouting and Ye Li’s amused coaxing.
When the wolf felt a pair of little paws tugging on its tail, it let out a silent sigh. Still, it wagged its tail and pulled Jing Xiaobao in close.
Oh well, it was still cold in spring—better not let the kid freeze.
By the time they arrived at Riverside Park, it was just after lunch. People were already setting up tents on the wide grassy lawn. Small groups strolled past leisurely, laughter echoing in the air, while an owl-shaped kite flapped clumsily in the low sky.
Yan Shixun, carrying all the gear in one hand, stepped out of the car and immediately drew attention.
The others who followed also had an unusual presence—handsome faces and elegant demeanors, clearly not ordinary folks. At their feet trotted a beautiful and regal husky.
This kind of group was eye-catching enough to make the previously lazy, sunbathing people glance their way.
One camping enthusiast recognized the model of the tent in Yan Shixun’s hand and was instantly stunned. “Is that… is that something you can lift with one hand? That model is expensive and heavy—aside from being practical, it has nothing but flaws. It weighs hundreds of pounds. He’s carrying it alone? Huh?”
Yan Shixun ignored all the curious stares and turned to signal Zhang Wubing and Lu Xingxing to start pitching the tent.
“Huh?”
Lu Xingxing was dumbfounded. “I don’t know how.”
Zhang Wubing, who had been sighing in frustration a moment ago, immediately perked up.
Lu Xingxing didn’t know how? Perfect! What a great opportunity to beat him and restore his dignity!
“Heh, you don’t even know how to do this?”
Zhang Wubing rolled his eyes dramatically, trying to look intimidating. “Idiot!”
Lu Xingxing was speechless. “Do you have a cramp in your eye?”
If you can’t act cool, then don’t force it! It doesn’t suit you!
Zhang Wubing: “…Damn it!”
Feeling deeply wounded, Zhang Wubing immediately went to tattle.
“Brother Yan! Brother Yan! Do I really not look cool at all? QAQ”
Yan Shixun: “You want me to lie or tell the truth?”
Zhang Wubing: “…Got it.”
Crushed, Zhang Wubing lost all his previous swagger and slouched back to set up the tent.
But as Yan Shixun watched Zhang Wubing’s figure, he couldn’t help but think of another soul.
If we were talking about being cool… there probably wasn’t a soul more “cool” than that one.
Laughing toward the sky to meet death, cursing heaven and earth, standing up for all living beings.
That existence, like a crane soaring through clouds, had never failed the title of King of Hell.
Unfortunately, Zhang Wubing would never know just how “cool” he truly was.
In order to protect Zhang Wubing—to separate him from the remnant soul of the King of Hell, so he wouldn’t be implicated and perish under the Great Dao—he was never allowed to know about the other version of himself. As long as he remained unaware, karma wouldn’t touch him.
Keeping it secret was also a form of protection.
Yan Shixun quietly watched the noisy scene in the distance. After a long while, a smile flickered in his eyes.
Still, Zhang Wubing laughing foolishly like this… was far better than a cold, lifeless corpse. This… was enough.
Long arms reached from behind and pulled him into a full embrace.
When Yan Shixun looked up, he met the full, smiling gaze of Ye Li.
A spring breeze blew through. Pale pink and pure white magnolia blossoms drifted gently from the swaying branches, landing on Yan Shixun’s shoulder and in his hair.
Ye Li raised a hand. His slender fingers picked the petals away, held them in his palm, then slowly opened his hand and showed them to Yan Shixun.
“This year, even the grass and trees are more spirited than ever.”
Ye Li’s deep, magnetic voice carried a trace of amusement as he handed a handful of flower petals to his lover. “Look, even the flowers know to fall for you.”
Yan Shixun chuckled and didn’t take it seriously: “That’s just because of the wind.”
“Mhm, even the wind favors you. It’s afraid of blowing too hard and scattering your thoughts.”
Ye Li teased with a smiling gaze, “That look on your face just now—were you thinking about those who’ve left again?”
Yan Shixun was briefly taken aback, then smiled and gently shook his head.
As long as a person had existed, they would always leave a mark in someone else’s heart. Just as a bird leaves behind a feather before taking flight, how could the ones left behind possibly forget so easily?
“These people enjoying spring… they have no idea what happened before, how many sacrificed themselves to protect them, never again to witness another spring.”
“Those brilliant souls died during the long winter just before spring arrived.”
“But,”
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Yan Shixun’s lips. “Isn’t this exactly what we hoped for? They don’t need to know about all the hardships and perils of the past. As long as they live safely and happily from now on, it’s enough to comfort those departed souls.”
The spring that the dead never got to see… let the living feel it on their behalf.
There was no need for forced remembrance, no need to seek them out. Simply living happily was already the future those who passed had longed for.
The grass was lush and green, and the air carried the faint scent of flowers.
Standing amidst all living things, Yan Shixun suddenly understood what Mr. Jing Bin, Ms. Lin Ting, and countless others had once believed.
It had never been only about love.
It had always been about protection and legacy—
—about safeguarding every life under the Great Dao.
Yan Shixun stood in a daze for a moment, then smiled, lowered his gaze, and turned to walk toward the tree where the tents were being set up.
Ye Li wrapped an arm around his lover’s slim waist, unwilling to let go even for a moment.
They strolled leisurely, listening to the cheerful voices around them, letting the spring breeze brush against their cheeks.
Zhang Wubing was still locked in a heated debate with Lu Xingxing, both insisting that their own method of pitching the tent was correct, neither willing to back down.
The lead wolf glanced at them, then looked back at the cub tugging at its tail and whining about being hungry. Speechless, it walked over, shoved the two quarreling youths aside with a powerful nudge on each side, then opened its jaws to bite onto the metal tent frame, and began assembling it in an orderly and efficient manner.
These little ones—none of them were reliable. They would starve in the wild if left to themselves. The wolf couldn’t help but silently blame their parents. What were they thinking, letting these kids out of the house?
Father Zhang: “Achoo!”
Taoist Song Yi: “Achoo!”
The two young men clapped and cheered from the sidelines while the lead wolf expertly pitched the tent. The sight drew quite a bit of attention from the surrounding campers. Many clicked their tongues in amazement and enviously asked Lu Xingxing and Zhang Wubing how they had trained such a “dog” to be so obedient.
“Most huskies tear houses apart. Why is yours helping out with chores?”
“Never seen such a well-behaved dog.”
“Bro, where did you get it trained? I want one too…”
Lu Xingxing replied sincerely, “Actually, this is a wolf.”
The onlookers collectively gasped, “Hss!”
Luckily, Zhang Wubing reacted quickly and immediately added, “Yeah! Our dog’s name is ‘Wolf.’”
“Great name, great name, haha—it does look as majestic as a wolf.”
Even so, now that everyone had heard the word “wolf,” and saw the creature again with that image in their heads, it really did look like a wolf… and they all started backing away nervously.
By the time Yan Shixun and Ye Li returned to their tent, the spot beneath the flowering tree had already quieted down, tranquil and relaxing.
Though the lead wolf had never encountered a tent before, it could practically be called a camping expert. Even the most seasoned human camper couldn’t match it. All it took was a bit of observation, and it figured out how to assemble the tent.
If something was confusing, all it needed to do was imagine how that part would defend against itself in the wild, and it would immediately understand.
As for Lu Xingxing and Zhang Wubing, once they confirmed they really couldn’t be of any help, they moved on to setting up the barbecue grill and preparing the food.
—Nearby, Jing Xiaobao was so hungry he had turned into a broken record, whining non-stop about being hungry.
Each time he shouted, the lead wolf would turn and growl at the two young men.
It wasn’t acting like a wolf—it was more like a herding dog.
Jing Xiaobao was delighted, but the two poor fools were suffering.
They stared blankly at the unfamiliar equipment, clueless after fiddling with it for ages. Their clumsy attempts to figure it out even made Yan Shixun laugh.
“Are you guys trying to put on a comedy show?”
Yan Shixun raised an eyebrow and teased, “What’s this act called, ‘Dumb and Dumber’?”
A story of two idiots?
As soon as Jing Xiaobao saw Yan Shixun approach, his eyes lit up.
He ran over on his stubby legs and threw himself into Yan Shixun’s arms, taking advantage of his small size and cuteness to claim the spot first. Ye Li, watching from the side, clenched his jaw in frustration, wishing he could throw Jing Xiaobao into the river to feed the fish.
—Honestly, just Jing Xiaobao alone was enough to stuff the fish full. They’d have no interest in eating Qu Yuan after that.
Note: Qu Yuan is the famous poet in history.
Two birds with one stone.
While the others were busy—two people and a wolf running around nonstop—Yan Shixun just lay leisurely on a lounge chair, letting the spring breeze brush over him and flower petals fall gently across his body.
His eyelashes fluttered lightly, and with a soft smile, he closed his eyes, letting sleep take him away.
Ye Li was the first to notice that Yan Shixun had fallen asleep. He immediately grabbed the flailing Jing Xiaobao, clapped a hand over his mouth, and didn’t let him make a sound.
Then, tiptoeing over, he carefully draped a blanket over Yan Shixun’s body and sat beside the lounge chair, quietly watching his lover’s sleeping face.
The spring breeze was intoxicating.
Ye Li seemed enchanted. He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on Yan Shixun’s forehead.
Sleep now, my love.
There are already too many things you have to care about. For now, you can forget them all and drift into deep slumber.
With me here beside you, I will keep watching over this world—and over you.
Ye Li held Yan Shixun in his arms, and together they lay among fallen petals, sleeping peacefully in the spring breeze, safe and content.
Only Jing Xiaobao, who had been thrown aside, puffed up his cheeks in protest.
Weren’t we supposed to be bonding?! How did it end up with just the two of you getting closer? So unfair!!!
When Yan Shixun woke from his restful nap and slowly opened his eyes, the smell of grilled meat wafted from nearby, accompanied by Jing Xiaobao’s continuous cries of “Wow!”
He lazily turned his gaze and saw Ye Li standing in front of the grill, expertly preparing food, while Lu Xingxing and Zhang Wubing had transformed into his fanboys, clapping like seals and exclaiming in awe.
At first, Yan Shixun was stunned, then he remembered—while Ye Li didn’t know how to cook, as a former general, he was very skilled in wilderness camping and grilling.
He immediately felt relieved, for once allowing himself to be lazy, lounging in the recliner and watching Ye Li’s figure with a rare sense of leisure.
Sensing Yan Shixun’s gaze, Ye Li turned to look back at him, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile. “You’re awake? Just wait a little longer and we can eat. Take your time waking up, there’s no rush to get up.”
“Alright.”
Lying under the blanket, his limbs still limp from sleep, Yan Shixun swayed gently. He felt that this tranquil life in the present world, the peace and serenity, was exactly what he had fought so hard to preserve.
This human world that he had saved with all his might… was so beautiful.
Yan Shixun smiled softly, his eyes and expression full of warmth.
……
They had a thoroughly satisfying camping trip at the riverside park, only slowly packing up and heading back the next day.
The gear that Father Zhang had chosen was indeed top-tier and professional. With Ye Li and the lead wolf around, this camping trip could only be described as perfect. They stood in stark contrast to the many flustered families camping nearby.
As they were leaving, some people even tried to ask about the “dog’s” breed or enviously inquired how they managed to camp with such skill and composure.
—Other people’s barbecue had turned into charcoal, but only Yan Shixun’s family had meat that smelled so delicious it filled the entire park.
When asked, Yan Shixun simply smiled and patted Ye Li beside him, saying, “It’s very simple. First, you need to find a Lord of Fengdu who’s been a general. Then, you can just sit back and wait to eat.”
Everyone: “…?”
Just as Yan Shixun and the others got into the car, a call came in from the abbot of Haiyun Temple, informing them that Taoist Li, who had been in deep meditation, had awakened and wished to see them.
At the same time, Taoist Song Yi also called Lu Xingxing, sternly demanding that he return immediately.
Yan Shixun frowned slightly and casually performed a quick divination. It showed that Taoist Li’s body was healthy—so long as he didn’t peer into the heavenly secrets again, he still had decades of life ahead of him.
What could this mean…
Unclear of the situation, the group hurriedly drove to Haiyun Temple.
…….
Taoist Li had a dream—one that felt immeasurably long.
In the dream, everything looked familiar, and yet strangely unfamiliar.
It was still Haiyun Temple that he knew well, still the coastal city and the world he recognized, but Haiyun Temple had become much more deserted. The mountain gate had even collapsed, leaving behind a scene of devastation after a fierce battle.
In a daze, Taoist Li climbed the mountain steps, only to be met by a figure walking toward him—one that looked incredibly familiar.
The man wore Taoist robes and had a serious expression. His lips were pressed tightly together, as if burdened with countless worries threatening to crush him, yet he could only grit his teeth and endure.
It was clearly Lu Xingxing’s face.
But unlike the always-smiling Lu Xingxing from his memory, the one in the dream had dull, lifeless eyes.
There was no Yan Shixun here, and Hermit Chengyun had already died years ago from peering into the heavenly secrets and being annihilated by the Great Dao.
But the Great Dao, once in collapse, cared not for anyone’s intentions.
It had started with the loss of just one or two lives—only a few failed exorcists.
The owner of the Gui Mountain Hotel thought the place was haunted and invited an exorcist to help. There, they discovered a female ghost from a century ago. Talismans flew and peachwood swords flashed—but they had only enraged her.
In her fury, before dying once more, the female ghost broke open the boundary between Ghost Mountain and Gui Mountain. The balance between yin and yang unraveled, creating a rift. Evil spirits once sealed in the underworld managed to pass through Ghost Mountain into the human realm. Those living near Gui Mountain began dying horribly one after another.
The exorcist who had provoked it was already dead, but his sect flew into a rage and swore to exterminate every evil spirit from Gui Mountain.
By the time Haiyun Temple got wind of it and arrived, it was already too late.
Countless exorcists had perished, their yang energy feeding the vicious ghosts, making them even stronger. They broke through the restrictions the female ghost had once set and escaped Gui Mountain, spreading to Binhai City and surrounding regions.
While everyone was being thrown into chaos by Gui Mountain’s mess, the evil deity of Wild Wolf Peak silently ascended to power.
It reversed yin and yang, distorted black and white. In its territory, yin became yang, black became white. All exorcists and civilians who tried to enter Wild Wolf Peak met miserable ends and were turned into its puppets, making the place a true land of the dead.
The mountain god was slain, with no hope of rebirth. A shaman sacrificed herself in an attempt to stop the evil deity—but failed.
Within a ten-mile radius of WWild olf Peak, everything died. Not a single blade of grass remained.
Haiyun Temple also lost several Taoists there. Taoist Ma died still in the posture of drawing a talisman and roaring in anger—refusing to fall, even in death.
Deathly energy spread. And to make matters worse, the calamity of the Yin Deity erupted.
The village secretary had invited a master in hopes of protecting the villagers and their families—keeping them safe from the ghost of a bride who had died filled with hatred. But the master scoffed at the ghost’s words. He only guessed that she had formed through a ghost marriage and rashly acted without caution. Though he merely drew a drop of her blood, it completely enraged her, causing her to fully erupt on the night of the full moon when yin energy was at its peak.
The entire mountain hollow fell and became a ghost domain, and the female ghost ascended as a deity of the underworld.
All the nearby corpses turned into skeletons in an instant, becoming soldiers under the ghost deity’s command.
Meanwhile, over a hundred miles away, an old policeman surnamed Chen died of a fever in the middle of the night. Before dying, he clutched an old photograph in his hand, muttering the name “Jiang Yanran” with tears streaming down his wrinkled face.
In Binhai City’s concession district, the malicious spirit that had died with Evil Spirit Bone Transformation. The Taoist who entered Jing Residence failed to sense the deep resentment of the ghost child in time. Instead, he was deceived by Chi Yan’s one-sided story and mistakenly protected her, drawing the ghost child’s ire.
All the Taoists and exorcists who entered the concession district died within. Despite their efforts to stop it, they failed—the ghostly aura crossed the river and spread across most of Binhai City.
By dawn, the entire city had turned blood red.
The abbot sacrificed his life to protect the civilians. Taoist Li was severely injured and fell into a coma. Haiyun Temple lost its command, and Taoist Song Yi temporarily took charge.
Only half of Haiyun Temple’s Taoists remained.
Eight Taoists who had gone out in search of the Yin path rushed back in haste, but they brought even more terrifying news.
The Yin path had already entered the urban area of Binhai City.
Evil spirits rampaged, and rivers of blood flowed through the mortal world—it was like hell on earth.
Taoist Song Yi was killed by a vengeful spirit, not even a trace of his body remained.
Lu Xingxing nearly went mad.
But misfortunes never came singly. The forces of Nanming Mountain proclaimed themselves the new Great Dao. All those who died nearby, and even the residents around the area, seemed bewitched. They refused rescue from the outside world, regarded the authorities and Haiyun Temple as demons, and worshipped Nanming Mountain as their god.
At the same time, the Ghost Dao rose in the southwest, nearly replacing the Great Dao in existence.
As the Great Dao waned, Taoists who relied on borrowing power from the Great Dao and deities from all directions could only watch helplessly as their strength slowly diminished.
They fought desperately to rescue the human world from hell, but corpses lay everywhere, and exorcists died or were gravely injured in droves.
Haiyun Temple mobilized all forces down the mountain, just as it had done a century ago.
Yet once again… only one in ten returned.
As Haiyun Temple stood on the verge of collapse, Lu Xingxing wiped away his tears and stepped up to shoulder the burden.
The once-playful young Taoist who used to laugh and joke in front of his mentors grew into everyone’s pillar of support overnight.
When his masters were alive, he could afford to be carefree, even if others said he was unreliable and unmotivated, even if his teachers chased him up and down the mountain—he could still smile and say he was happy.
But now, all of Lu Xingxing’s uncles and elders had perished.
Haiyun Temple, once vibrant with incense and believers, fell into ruin in a single night—so empty it brought panic.
Those who remained were only a few heavily injured Taoists clinging to life, the rest were untrained young Taoists and child acolytes.
Other sects sighed, saying that the centuries-old legacy of Haiyun Temple would most likely end here.
But Lu Xingxing picked up a peachwood sword, donned his Taoist robe, held his yellow talismans and compass, and mimicked the way his master used to look—standing in front of everyone, he charged into the crowd of vengeful spirits.
He carved a bloody path out with sheer determination.
After that battle, the name Lu Xingxing finally became known.
He clenched his teeth and bore an immense burden, doing everything he could to shield all of Binhai City behind him. Each time he returned to Haiyun Temple, his body was covered in injuries. His once strong and handsome frame was now layered in scars, and the innocent sparkle in his eyes had long vanished.
Without a master, Lu Xingxing took on the role himself—teaching the young Taoists who hadn’t yet graduated. He taught them scriptures and talismans, taught them how to protect themselves, and how to protect others.
Lu Xingxing became like a sword, finally sharpened—when drawn from its sheath, he astonished the world.
In this hopeless situation where the Great Dao was crumbling, countless cultivators died or were maimed. Some even took their own lives to escape the harsh reality… but Lu Xingxing gritted his teeth and pressed on. Not once did he consider giving up.
If he could live one more day, he would. If he could save one more person, he would.
Lu Xingxing, true to his name, was like the morning star in the sky—guiding all remaining strength to slowly come together into one cord. Difficult as it was, he moved them all in the same direction with steadfast determination.
Taoist Li, caught in this long nightmare he couldn’t awaken from, watched Lu Xingxing’s growth and remembered something his junior brother once said to him.
Hermit Chengyun had said that Lu Xingxing was exactly like Taoist Li in his youth—unreliable, dismissed by everyone, but in the end, it was Taoist Li who turned the tide and carried Haiyun Temple through its crisis.
At the time, Taoist Li had assumed his junior brother simply understood him, that he saw through the emotions he had for this young disciple’s disciple.
But what he hadn’t expected was that Li Chengyun’s reputation for unparalleled brilliance wasn’t just talk.
What Li Chengyun had said back then was, in fact, prophecy.
He had already foreseen another possibility.
A future without Yan Shixun.
He knew that if all of them failed—if the world fell into an irreversible collapse—someone would still find a star amidst the ruins.
A star that had always been overlooked, but had never stopped shining.
Taoist Li felt as though his breath had stopped. Staring at the lifeless-eyed Lu Xingxing in his dream, he seemed to see his past self.
But back then, he had Li Chengyun by his side.
Lu Xingxing, however, was completely alone.
He was walking toward death, yet he didn’t waver for a second.
In that moment, Taoist Li felt a sour ache rise in his chest, but what filled his heart was pride.
Look! This was a disciple of Haiyun Temple. They could die, but they would never retreat. This was his grand-disciple—a child worthy of all his pride.
When there was no visible hope of victory, how long could a person hold on?
How long could that one burning belief last before it faded?
Taoist Li didn’t know.
He desperately wanted to hold Lu Xingxing’s hand and tell him that he had already done enough, that he shouldn’t give up—but also shouldn’t be too hard on himself.
If fate had already decreed that there would be no final hope under heaven, and Fengdu had already judged the mortal realm beyond salvation…
If the Great Dao was fated to die at this moment, and heaven and earth were collapsing, with ghosts and deities perishing—
Then what could ordinary humans still do?
They could give their all.
And then, face death with peace and a smile.
That was all.
Taoist Li knew that this wasn’t just a nightmare—it was a possible future.
If not for Yan Shixun, if not for Ye Li, if not for that single glance at the candied apple on the market years ago… even Li Chengyun himself wouldn’t have been able to breathe new life into a hopeless dead end.
A clever housewife can’t cook without rice. Even if Li Chengyun saw it, calculated it, in the end, without Yan Shixun, that sliver of hope would have no vessel. The miracle would never happen.
Now, Yan Shixun had successfully become the new Great Dao. As the old Great Dao rested, it revealed to Taoist Li the future it had once foreseen.
It told him that, for the old Great Dao, this was a future of death.
Taoist Li stood alone amid the blood-soaked ground. He stood outside the ruined mountain gate of Haiyun Temple, watching as Lu Xingxing’s figure grew smaller in the distance, gradually disappearing from view.
Finally, he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
When he opened them again, Taoist Li was still sitting in meditation in his own room.
But this time, after entering that state, he felt no lightness or clarity that would allow him to connect with heaven and earth—only a deep, heavy weight in his heart.
Taoist Li summoned Taoist Song Yi. He looked at this disciple who had died in another possible future, and after a long moment, waved his hand and told him to go find Lu Xingxing and bring him back.
Soon, Yan Shixun and the others entered Haiyun Temple.
Seeing this, Yan Shixun’s face was serious, worried something had happened to Taoist Li. He immediately approached the abbot and asked for a clear explanation, insisting that the truth be told.
The abbot, after a moment of silence, sighed and said, “Taoist Li… had a nightmare.”
Yan Shixun was stunned.
At Taoist Li’s level of cultivation, even dreams were no longer mere dreams.
They were visions.
But now that heaven and earth had stabilized, what kind of nightmare would cause Taoist Li to urgently gather everyone again?
Could it be that some disaster had occurred that he hadn’t yet noticed?
Confused and full of questions, Yan Shixun went to see Taoist Li.
“Xiao Xun… Great Dao.”
To his surprise, Taoist Li bowed to him and said, “Blessing of the Heavenly Lords. Thank you, Xiao Xun. You saved this world.”
Yan Shixun was shocked and quickly stepped forward to help Taoist Li up, saying firmly that he shouldn’t do this.
Lu Xingxing also hurried over, eyes full of worry. Seeing the expression on his grandmaster’s face, he nearly cried.
Taoist Li, however, grasped his hand and, for once, showed him a rare gentleness. “Xingxing.”
Lu Xingxing was caught completely off guard, feeling as if fireworks were going off in his head.
Taoist Li’s eyes were filled with emotion.
This still somewhat naive youth standing before him—if that irreversible future had come to pass, it would have been this very boy, with his not-yet-strong shoulders, who would have carried the lives of everyone and become the new pillar of Haiyun Temple.
Taoist Li thought of his own master and his own childhood.
Generations of Taoists like them had all faced danger—sometimes even near-total destruction of the temple. But in the end, they always endured.
Heaven, earth, and life itself had continued for thousands and thousands of years.
The lineage had never broken.
Yan Shixun and Ye Li exchanged a glance. With the Dao upon them, they slowly came to understand.
“Master Uncle,”
Yan Shixun, for the first time, acknowledged Taoist Li with a soft voice: “Please rest assured.”
“All beings are safe now.”
“There will be peace and joy, for a long, long time.”
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