Logo
Home

Chapter 560: Wish Fulfilled, Departing with the Immortals

Upon entering the Zhou residence, they saw numerous paper figures bustling about, decorating the house with lanterns and white fabrics. The Civil Judge gazed towards the inner courtyard, then glanced at Ji Yuan and exchanged a look with the Martial Judge before taking out his judge's brush.

"Since Lady Bai and Master Zhou are to be wed, the groom certainly cannot remain bedridden."

"Indeed!"

After the Martial Judge assented, the Civil Judge, holding his judge's brush, opened a book and quickly wrote some characters on a page. He then pressed the brush tip firmly at the end of the writing before sweeping it forward.

The stroke left no ink on the page; instead, it swept away the characters he had just written. These characters flew towards the backyard, drawing the surrounding yin energy towards them.

In Ji Yuan's perception, within moments, Zhou Niansheng's aura from the backyard had substantially solidified. Though merely an illusion, it was enough to enable Zhou Niansheng to summon his energy for his final moments.

"Many thanks, honorable Judges!"

Bai Ruo bowed deeply to the Judges, then turned to Ji Yuan and Wang Li. As she was about to speak, Ji Yuan anticipated her.

"Go ahead and attend to your preparations; we will make ourselves comfortable."

"Understood!"

With Ji Yuan's permission, Bai Ruo withdrew, taking Zhang Rui with her to the backyard.

Zhou Niansheng was dressing in his former bedroom. Bai Ruo, using her abilities, moved the dressing table to another room, where Zhang Rui helped her prepare. Both women, clad in white, looked like sisters in the mirror.

Zhang Rui carefully combed Bai Ruo's long hair. Despite not having seen each other for seventy or eighty years, they shared an instant familiarity and warmth. Zhang Rui styled Bai Ruo's hair and adjusted her ornaments, while Bai Ruo applied her own eyebrow and cheek makeup, then used her lips to transfer rouge from red paper.

"Rui'er, do I look beautiful?"

Bai Ruo's voice was soft, to which Zhang Rui replied with a cheerful and confident tone.

"Stunning! The bride is always the most beautiful!"

Next door, in Zhou Niansheng's dressing room, the two women could hear activity that belied a ghost on the verge of fading. They chuckled aloud, especially when Zhou Niansheng asked the paper figures which outfit made him look more spry, then grumbled about their sluggish responses.

In the front courtyard, Ji Yuan and the others were not idle. Given the paper figures' clumsiness, they pitched in to rearrange awkward setups and add any necessary preparations, striving to make this underworld wedding as formal as possible. The busiest, however, seemed to be the little paper crane, flitting from one side to another, observing everything.

Ji Yuan personally arranged all the pastries and fruit platters on the main table. With a wave of his sleeve, he dispelled the murky energy from the Zhou residence, leaving only pure yin qi. He then addressed those nearby.

"Honorable Judges, have you ever witnessed a wedding in the underworld?"

Both the Civil and Martial Judges shook their heads.

"Weddings are common in the mortal realm. There's also a 'ghost marriage,' which is quite sinister and usually performed by powerful, malevolent spirits. However, a grand celebration like this one in the Zhou residence, held in the underworld, is truly a first for us."

As they spoke, they all turned their gaze, sensing that the preparations in the backyard were complete. The Martial Judge calculated the time, nodded, and addressed Ji Yuan and the others.

"Not much time left. Let's keep things simple. Mr. Wang, be sharp in a moment!"

Wang Li nodded, having mentally rehearsed his role several times. Today, he was to serve as the master of ceremonies.

Fifteen minutes later, the Zhou residence, both inside and out, was completely prepared. Ji Yuan sat in the place of honor, the two Judges sat to one side, Wang Li stood in the center of the hall, and numerous paper figures served as guests, arrayed along the sides of the hall and outside.

Zhou Niansheng, impeccably dressed in a black brocade robe with white floral ribbons, entered the hall first. He bowed respectfully to Ji Yuan and the others. Though he didn't recognize them, he understood that everyone present, apart from the paper figures, was a figure of great importance, and the one seated in the place of honor was a profound benefactor.

"The bride is here!"

Zhang Rui's voice announced the bride's arrival, and she entered the main hall, leading Bai Ruo by the hand. Bai Ruo wore no veil, her fully adorned face visible to all. She slowly approached Zhou Niansheng, and as their eyes met, he seemed momentarily lost in a trance.

Wang Li, who had been quite nervous moments earlier, took a deep breath as the couple arrived. He clasped his storytelling fan and instantly composed himself, standing calmly to the side.

"The couple has arrived, the auspicious hour is upon us—"

The storyteller's voice was loud and full of vigor. After a prolonged echo, Wang Li took a breath and spoke again.

"Today, Zhou Niansheng, a son of the Zhou clan, and Miss Bai Ruo are joined in a proper marriage, standing before this hall. This ceremony will unite them. Let the bride and groom, with sincere hearts, perform the rites!"

"First bow: to Heaven and Earth—!"

As Wang Li's voice concluded, Bai Ruo and Zhou Niansheng bowed together, facing outward, in homage to Heaven and Earth.

"Second bow: to the revered elders—!"

After rising, Bai Ruo and Zhou Niansheng turned to face the place of honor. Ji Yuan remained composed, yet he felt a subtle nervousness within him—it was his first time being bowed to as a parental figure. Outwardly, however, he betrayed nothing. He remained diligent, his divine eyes fully open, observing the shifts in the couple's auras, particularly Zhou Niansheng's.

The newlyweds completed their bows to Ji Yuan, then rose once more.

"Third bow: the couple bows to each other—!"

Wang Li's voice resonated far beyond the Zhou residence, reaching the ghost city that encircled the mansion. This drew the curiosity of the spirits outside, some of whom instinctively began to gather near the Zhou residence.

Inside the main hall, after the couple bowed to each other, Wang Li skipped any mention of a bridal chamber. Instead, he continued loudly.

"United as one—!"

Bai Ruo and Zhou Niansheng drew closer, smiling at each other. Ji Yuan and the two Judges exchanged knowing glances, understanding the moment had arrived.

At this precise moment, a white, smoke-like yin energy began to emanate from Zhou Niansheng, a prelude to the dissolution of his three souls.

"My dear Zhou!"

Bai Ruo instinctively looked at Ji Yuan, seemingly wanting to plead for something. But upon meeting Ji Yuan's calm gaze, as serene as the moon reflected in water, her hopeful illusions vanished.

"My dear wife, my heart's desire is fulfilled. Having been with you in both the mortal and spiritual realms, I have savored all the joys life has to offer. You are a cultivator, and you've been delayed for nearly a century because of me. I know you will certainly cultivate well, and I know I should only encourage you to do so now, but I..."

Zhou Niansheng looked at the smiling Bai Ruo, reached out, and gently caressed her face, whispering.

"My dear wife, please don't forget me..."

Bai Ruo reached out and grasped Zhou Niansheng's hand, holding it firmly for but a moment. Then, before her eyes, his spectral form began to dissolve: his celestial soul and earthly soul separated, the earthly soul dispersing directly into the ground and vanishing. His celestial soul lingered above the fading phantom of his ghost body, while his life soul gradually dissipated. As Zhou Niansheng's spectral form blurred and vanished, his life soul transformed into a faint, ethereal light that ascended into the sky.

"My husband..."

Bai Ruo's hand was now empty, but her emptiness extended beyond just her grasp. She stared blankly at the spot where Zhou Niansheng had vanished, as two drops of her demon-soul tears drifted down, transforming into two crystalline pearls upon reaching the ground.

A single sentence, two tears—both seemingly calm, yet in Ji Yuan's spiritual perception, the profound ties they held were as tangible as if they had transformed into reality with the changing qi.

Ji Yuan had been observing Zhou Niansheng from beginning to end. At this moment, he suddenly reached out, and the two tear pearls flew into his hand. Then, forming a sword incantation with his left hand, he flicked one of the tear pearls from his right fingertip towards the sky.

A thin, white stream of light, like a shooting star, raced skyward, merging with the celestial soul just before it vanished.

Bai Ruo, whose heart felt utterly empty, did not perceive this. Neither did Wang Li and Zhang Rui, who were focused on the couple's farewell. However, the two Judges witnessed it, exchanged glances, and remained silent.

Having completed these actions, Ji Yuan appeared thoughtful.

Zhou Niansheng, unfamiliar with cultivation, did not realize the profound impact his final words could have on Bai Lu's practice. If this sentiment evolved positively, it would enhance the White Deer's cultivation, deepen her remembrance of human affection, diminish her demonic nature while strengthening her human qualities, ultimately benefiting her greatly on the path to enlightenment.

However, if it developed negatively, this deep affection could also become a significant obstacle in Bai Ruo's cultivation.

Yet, everyone understood that even if Zhou Niansheng had said nothing, Bai Ruo was destined never to forget him.

The hall fell silent. Zhang Rui, Wang Li, and the others were unsure whether to offer congratulations or condolences. The paper figures remained still and dumbfounded, while Ji Yuan and the Judges sat motionless.

After a long while, Bai Ruo finally returned to herself. She neither wept aloud nor made any dramatic gestures; it was as if a knot in her heart had been undone. Smiling, she performed a deep kneeling bow to Ji Yuan before looking up.

"Thank you for your great mercy, venerable one! This humble one's wish has been fulfilled!"

Her voice carried gratitude, a lingering fondness, a sense of detachment, and a unique feeling that transcended both sorrow and joy. Having spoken, Bai Ruo did not rise but transformed directly into a majestic white deer, its body low to the ground.

Its entire body shimmered, long antlers extending gracefully, its markings orderly, and a luminous white sheen rippled across its form, emanating a self-generated, ethereal aura.

The white deer remained prostrate before Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan understood the situation and decided it was best to see things through to the end.

Ji Yuan flicked his sleeve, collecting the remaining tear pearl, then stood and approached the white deer.

"This love across two lifetimes is a trial in your cultivation, yet it is also a profound blessing."

Having spoken, Ji Yuan seated himself sideways on the deer's back and nodded at the white deer, which then slowly rose. From atop the deer, Ji Yuan nodded to those assembled and declared.

"Everyone, the matter is concluded; we may now depart!"

The Civil and Martial Judges seemed to snap back to attention, quickly rising and stepping forward.

"We shall lead the way. Please follow!"

The two Judges led the way, followed by the majestic white deer, stepping forward with an air of divinity. Zhang Rui guided a slightly dazed Wang Li along, while the small paper crane flew down from the courtyard and settled on one of the white deer's antlers.

As the group exited the Zhou family's haunted residence, all the paper figures inside dissolved into ghostly flames and burned away.

Outside the Zhou residence, a large crowd of ghosts had unknowingly gathered, peering in like curious onlookers in the mortal world. As the white deer emerged, the spirits instinctively scattered, only then realizing that the Judges were leading the procession.

The previously dispersed ghost officers slowly regrouped, clearing a path ahead and behind. Under the watchful eyes of countless spirits in the ghost city, the Immortal riding the deer and his procession slowly vanished at the end of the city's main road.

This scene was deeply etched in the hearts of all who witnessed it, even the ancient ghosts who had spent years hiding from underworld inspectors, having long outlived their natural spectral lifespan, as they watched from a distance within the ghost city.

Back to novel Lan Ke Qi Yuan
COMMENT
Write Novel
Beyond the Divine States

14785 · 0 · 28

Qingshan

17761 · 0 · 45