Chapter 559: Regrets Cannot Be Complete

Ji Yuan walked with the Civil Judge leading the way and the Military Judge behind, guiding everyone along the paths of the Underworld. The surroundings were dim. After they left the Underworld's administrative area, faint outlines of mountains and trees became visible, and in the distance, the silhouette of a city emerged.

As they arrived before the ghost city, a small bulge appeared in the clothes Ji Yuan was holding. Then, a small paper crane flew out. After circling Ji Yuan a few times, it flew directly into the ghost city on its own.

"Don't wander off," Ji Yuan called out. "If you get lost, it will be a bother for others to find you."

The paper crane paused in the air for a moment, fluttered up and down a few times, and then continued flying into the city.

Ji Yuan's words were, of course, a jest. The paper crane might get lost, but it would never fail to find him. In places like cities, the paper crane often flew off to observe others. Perhaps, in its eyes, the ghost city was just an ordinary city.

Although the paper crane briefly caught everyone's attention, their pace did not falter. Ji Yuan and the Civil Judge occasionally discussed matters of the Underworld, while the Military Judge, walking behind, primarily looked after Zhang Rui and Wang Li.

The environment of the Underworld was completely different from what Wang Li had imagined, being far more orderly than he had conceived. Yet, it was also exactly as he had imagined, as the eerie and terrifying feeling lingered. Many of the surrounding Underworld Emissaries had fierce, ghastly visages. This made Wang Li unwilling to stray more than three feet from Ji Yuan. At such times, as a mortal, he instinctively clung to Ji Yuan, seeking a sense of security.

Although Zhang Rui was also a bit nervous, she had, after all, been to the Underworld of Changyang Prefecture before, so she wasn't particularly uncomfortable with the environment. As for her safety, she had no worries at all.

Noticing Wang Li's clearly startled and unsettled expression, and that neither he nor Zhang Rui dared to speak much, the Military Judge proactively spoke up.

"You two don't need to be so reserved," he said. "Just converse normally. Though the Underworld is the realm of the dead, it is also orderly."

Wang Li managed a weak smile, his gaze falling upon the two teams of Underworld Emissaries accompanying them. Some had chains around their waists, others carried sabers or spears, and most had extremely terrifying expressions. The oppressive feeling was simply too strong.

The Military Judge looked at Wang Li, then followed his gaze to the emissaries, and said thoughtfully,

"The Underworld Emissaries most frequently deal with living souls and malevolent ghosts. Each emissary possesses a certain aura of infernal energy, which they use to deter villains and petty criminals. That's why many evil entities and malevolent spirits either flee immediately or dare not resist when they see an emissary. However, their intimidating appearance does not mean they are ferocious and evil beings. On the contrary, only those with good hearts and extraordinary abilities are allowed to become Underworld Emissaries."

"Oh, I see, so that's how it is," Wang Li responded. "My sincere apologies!"

Hearing this, Wang Li bowed slightly to the surrounding Underworld Emissaries as he walked. A dignified judge of the Underworld would not stoop to lying to a mere mortal like him, and even if he didn't believe it, Wang Li wouldn't dare to refute it.

Seeing Wang Li's demeanor, the surrounding Underworld Emissaries all nodded and smiled at him. However, with the exception of a few, most of their smiles were more terrifying than usual.

Ji Yuan, walking ahead, looked back at Wang Li, shook his head, and smiled. Noticing that the Underworld officials seemed interested in Wang Li and Zhang Rui, he said,

"This man is Wang Li, the storyteller who wrote *The Tale of the White Deer*. And that woman, Zhang Rui, once received kindness from my white deer. She is now a practitioner of the divine path—though, she has been a bit negligent in her cultivation."

Hearing Mr. Ji say this about her, even Zhang Rui, with her usual composure, couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It felt as if an elder was scolding her for neglecting her proper duties.

The story of *The Tale of the White Deer* had spread throughout the land for over twenty years, and was particularly well-known in the capital region. It was unlikely the Underworld hadn't heard of it either, which made the surrounding ghosts and deities look at Wang Li with renewed interest.

After the group entered the ghost city, the Underworld Emissaries dispersed, leaving only the two Judges to accompany them. Their pace also slowed.

Wang Li observed the surrounding "people" who seemed to be living normally in the city. He knew they were all ghosts, yet he was immensely curious. However, as soon as any "person" looked his way, he dared not meet their gaze and would immediately avert his eyes.

They walked along main roads, through narrow alleys, across streets, and over small bridges. After traversing a good distance within this eerie yet somewhat picturesque ghost city, a rather grand mansion appeared in Ji Yuan's sight. The Civil Judge pointed ahead and said,

"Mr. Ji, that is the Zhou family's nether-mansion. Master Zhou only has half a breath of yin energy left. Should we go inside or..."

Ji Yuan shook his head.

"Let's wait outside," he said. "Don't disturb the couple in their final moments."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan opened his Dharma Eye completely. The aura of the entire ghost city in the Underworld was fully revealed to him. Whether in his direct view or peripheral vision, the grand or tidy nether-mansions and streets faintly revealed the illusory image of a grave mound.

Bai Ruo's husband was named Zhou Niansheng. This name, differing from the old beggar's by only a surname, left a stronger impression on Ji Yuan. Compared to the nominal celestial beast, the white deer, Ji Yuan was actually more concerned about Master Zhou Niansheng.

'If my prediction is correct,' Ji Yuan thought, 'their bond must be one of the main causes of "that matter"!'

Ji Yuan pondered this, so his Dharma Eye was already fully open. He gazed at the nether-mansion from afar, observing the two main auras rising within it.

At this moment, several paper figures carrying baskets slowly approached in his peripheral vision.

"Excuse me, everyone, excuse me..."

The paper figures' voices were utterly lifeless, their walking postures were peculiar, and their exaggerated makeup looked especially eerie. Wang Li and Zhang Rui both moved aside, as did Ji Yuan and the two Judges, allowing these paper figures to walk towards the Zhou mansion.

As the paper figures arrived before the mansion, the main gate of the Zhou mansion opened, and several more paper figures, resembling house servants, emerged. They hung new large white lanterns by the gate, with the character "囍" (double happiness) written on both.

"Mr. Ji," Zhang Rui asked, "Sister Bai and them?"

Zhang Rui couldn't help but question Ji Yuan, as the scene before her was a bit baffling.

Ji Yuan glanced at the two thoughtful Judges. When it came to matters of love between men and women, he, Ji Yuan, was not truly an expert, but he still felt a sense of emotion.

"Ask what love is in the world," he recited, "that it can teach life and death to pledge to each other..."

Wang Li, who had originally been feeling quite unnerved, suddenly had his eyes light up. He wished he could immediately grab a brush and write it down, but the current situation offered no such opportunity. He could only commit it to memory, hoping he wouldn't forget it.

Hearing these words, Zhang Rui's eyes became hazy with emotion, and the two Judges also bowed slightly towards Ji Yuan. A few words from a profound person could reveal the depth of human emotions.

Inside the Zhou family's nether-mansion, three to four dozen paper figures, of various sizes and genders, were busy. There was no sound of conversation, nor any slacking off. Although clumsy, they meticulously completed their tasks: some hung lanterns, others draped white silk, and some tidied the courtyard. Amidst this expanse of plain white, a mortal seeing it would assume it was a funeral, but in reality, the character "囍" (double happiness) was displayed everywhere.

If all the white in the Zhou mansion were rendered red, it would undoubtedly be a grand wedding. However, this wedding did not seem to involve inviting guests.

At this moment, Zhou Niansheng lay weakly on the bed, his ghostly aura barely visible. He no longer appeared as an old man but looked very young, gazing at Bai Ruo in the room with a smiling face.

He saw his wife dressed in a white top and white silk skirt, sitting at the dressing table, getting ready. He couldn't see her face, but Zhou Niansheng knew she must be feeling terrible.

"Ruo'er, don't be sad," he said gently. "At least before I leave, I can give you the wedding we never had."

In the mortal world, when common folk marry, besides the usual rules of formal marriage with proper matchmakers, they also need to inform Heaven and Earth and honor their elders, and various sacrificial activities are indispensable. Back then, to avoid trouble, Zhou Niansheng never truly married Bai Ruo in his mortal life. That regret might never be fully made up for, but at least a part of it could be.

"It's just a pity there are no matchmakers, no elders to honor, and..."

"Don't say it... My dear, please don't..."

Bai Ruo did not turn around. Holding a beaded flower from the dressing table, she stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror. After looking down at the table, she finally turned and managed a faint smile at Zhou Niansheng.

"My dear," she said, "I'll go see if the rouge and powder have been bought."

"Hmm," he murmured.

Listening to her husband's weak voice, Bai Ruo left the room and closed the door. She leaned against the back of the door for a while before finally stepping away. She had thought that after twenty-six years of companionship in the Underworld, she was already prepared, but now that this moment had truly arrived, how could she let go peacefully?

Paper figures were sometimes very convenient, but at other times, very dull. When Bai Ruo walked to the front courtyard, she saw several paper figures who had gone out to procure supplies wandering back and forth in front of the main hall. The basket of the foremost paper figure had tipped over, and the round steamed buns inside had rolled out. It would pick up a few, only for more to fall out as the basket tilted. This cycle repeated endlessly; it could never pick them all up, while the paper figures behind it simply followed suit.

However, the arrangements inside and outside the Zhou mansion were mostly complete. Bai Ruo absentmindedly walked to the guest hall, took the basket from the foremost paper figure, and the other paper figures all stopped.

Taking the rouge and powder from one of the baskets, Bai Ruo was about to return to her room. As she turned, she suddenly saw a paper bird perched on the door frame by the mansion's courtyard.

There were many paper products in the Underworld, and it wasn't impossible for there to be paper birds. But this particular paper bird gave Bai Ruo a remarkably spiritual feeling. It seemed to truly be looking at her, perhaps even pondering something.

Just as Bai Ruo smiled and prepared to look away, the paper bird suddenly flapped its wings at her, then turned and flapped again, pointing towards the outside.

'Outside?' she thought.

Bai Ruo was stunned for a moment. After a brief thought, she walked towards the courtyard gate.

"Creak, creak, creak..."

The courtyard gate opened with a creaking sound of wooden pivots. In Bai Ruo's sight, Mr. Ji, the Civil and Military Judges, and another man and woman were standing outside the courtyard, which made her freeze in surprise once more.

Since the door was open, those outside couldn't pretend not to see her. Ji Yuan nodded towards Bai Ruo.

"It's been twenty-six years since we last parted," he said. "It's good to see things through to the end."

Ji Yuan's words had two layers of meaning, but only Bai Ruo understood the second. Upon hearing him, she reacted, immediately stepping out a few paces and putting down the rouge and powder before bowing deeply to Ji Yuan. She had originally intended to call herself a disciple and address Ji Yuan as "Master," but knew she didn't have the right. Yet, merely addressing him as "Mr." couldn't express the gratitude in her heart. Only as she was about to speak did she think of a suitable address.

"Bai Ruo greets the Grand Elder!"

After saying this, Bai Ruo looked up at Ji Yuan. As an impulse rose in her heart, her body had already knelt, and the words had blurted out.

"Grand Elder, your mercy," she pleaded, "you are like the reborn parents of this humble one and my Zhou. I beg the Grand Elder to witness this last ceremony for me!"

Ji Yuan looked up at the festive arrangements in the Zhou mansion's courtyard, knowing what Bai Ruo was asking for. It was not unreasonable, and he felt he was indeed qualified.

"Good," he said. "Today, as you two marry, we shall be your guests. Everyone, come in with me."

"Yes!" "It would be disrespectful not to obey!"

Zhang Rui picked up the rouge and powder from the ground, walked to Bai Ruo's side, and helped her up.

"Sister Bai," she offered, "I'll help you with your makeup."

"You are..." Bai Ruo murmured, then gave a soft "Hmm!" of recognition.

Bai Ruo initially didn't recognize Zhang Rui, but from the grateful look in her eyes, vague memories of the past resurfaced.