Volume XII: Invitation to Hell - Chapter 55: The Return Journey

Yao Guang returned to her quarters in a state of near trance. Back in the dormitory, everyone was still awake. Seeing Yao Guang return in such a dazed condition, both of them could not help but feel a wave of worry.

It was at this moment that Yao Guang truly understood how bitter an experience it was to be unable to distinguish dreams from reality.

Fortunately, upon seeing their familiar faces, Yao Guang gradually adapted to reality and finally returned to a normal state.

This was the final night in the Ghost Market, and no one slept through it.

Yao Guang sat on her bed, eating some food and drinking water.

Xuan Chen asked, "Did you gain anything?"

With a wave of Yao Guang's hand, Shang Liyie's soul flew out from within her body.

"Master?!" The moment Die Wuying caught sight of that soul, she could no longer control herself, lunging straight toward it, only to grasp at empty air. Seeing her master's ethereal, ghostly state, Die Wuying burst into uncontrollable tears.

"Get up," Shang Liyie said, at a loss for words upon seeing Die Wuying's appearance.

When Shang Liyie caught sight of Huang Quan, a flash of astonishment crossed her face. She bowed deeply to Huang Quan and said, "This disciple was wayward and implicated a True God. It is a grave sin."

"Senior, please do not be so formal. It is all a matter of fate, no harm done," Huang Quan replied with a serene smile. Die Wuying had poured her everything into Zhu Qinghuang, and Huang Quan had compromised her own humanity for Die Wuying—in truth, all of this was dictated by fate.

Die Wuying wept for a long time before finally standing up. She sat on a stool, her expression deeply sorrowful.

"Xiao Die, how did you learn the Yin-Yang Dual-Body Grand Technique?" Shang Liyie asked.

"Huh? Didn't you teach it to me, Master?" Die Wuying asked, a look of complete bewilderment on her face.

As soon as Die Wuying said this, everyone in the room froze in shock.

"Me? When on earth did I teach you that?" Shang Liyie's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Master, what are you doing? Please don't try to scare me like this!" Die Wuying grew even more alarmed.

"Tell us what happened first," Shang Liyie sighed.

"It was a year ago. Qinghuang's soul was growing increasingly weak, and I searched everywhere for a way to keep him here, but no one could help me. I was utterly heartbroken and was drowning my sorrows in alcohol at a bar. Just as I was half-drunk, a man walked over, struck up a conversation with me, and said that if I had any grievous troubles, I could try my luck at the Nether River Ghost Market. Then he left me a slip of paper. Holding that note, I made inquiries everywhere and finally found the Nether River Ghost Market. During the third trial, I met you in a very, very dark tent, Master. I was so excited that I told you everything, and you gave me a secret manual. You even warned me that by practicing this mystic art, my lifespan could not be permanent, and in the end, both of us would be reduced to ashes. Then you chased me out, Master. That's how it happened." Die Wuying finished speaking and looked at Shang Liyie.

"A year ago? But Senior, didn't you enter the Dark Night Ghost Market a hundred years ago? How could you have come out?" Yao Guang asked in astonishment.

"If I had been able to get out, do you think I'd need to have my fate intertwined with yours?" Shang Liyie glanced at Yao Guang and said.

Die Wuying was smart after all. Upon hearing the exchange between Yao Guang and Shang Liyie, a moment later, she froze as well: "Could it be... could it be... How is this possible?"

"Your guess is correct. That person was fake," Yao Guang nodded.

"But that person looked exactly like my master," Die Wuying argued.

"The environment at the time was dim; who could guarantee that you saw clearly? Furthermore, you had been separated from your master for many years, and reuniting would fill you with immense joy, preventing you from paying attention to whether the person was real or fake. When that person told you they could solve your problem, you were naturally overjoyed. When they warned you about the drawbacks of the mystic art, you naturally assumed it was your master's indulgent pampering, blinding you like a leaf before your eyes. It wasn't easy for you to see the truth, but what I'm wondering is, what was the reason for that person to do this?" Yao Guang lowered her head in thought. "Xiao Die, after leaving the Ghost Market, did you encounter anyone else, or any other events?"

"After I left, a cultivation sect found me and helped me practice the Yin-Yang Dual-Body Grand Technique. I wondered why they wanted to help me, and their answer was very simple: they had some connection with my master, Shang Liyie, and had been entrusted by my master to take care of me in all matters. But the people from that sect came and went like phantoms. They were extremely mysterious," Die Wuying replied.

Yao Guang looked at Shang Liyie. Shang Liyie frowned, pondering for a long time: "Heretical cultivators using my name to trick Xiao Die. I can guess a thing or two about who these heretical cultivators are, but what is their purpose?"

"You can guess a thing or two?" Yao Guang asked.

"There are former disciples of mine among them. As for who specifically, it requires deeper investigation, but as for their purpose, I cannot fathom it for the moment," Shang Liyie shook her head speechlessly.

"Let's not dwell on it for now. Once we leave the Ghost Market, we can plan our next steps at length. However, Senior, there is one matter I must inform you of: Xiao Die must face judgment. This time, the death penalty is unavoidable," Yao Guang sighed softly.

"This is the karma Xiao Die has forged, and she must bear it herself," Shang Liyie sighed. "What about Xiao Die's soul?"

"Send her back to the Demon Realm. Xiao Die is, after all, a member of the demon race," Yao Guang sighed.

"Ah, I suppose that's the only way. What about Zhu Qinghuang?" Shang Liyie asked.

"He has already been delivered across. As for his future, it will depend on his own fortune," Yao Guang said.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

The Ghost Market had come to an end by this point, and all supervision had completely relaxed. Many people chose to set off overnight. After all, everyone had gained more or less something in the Ghost Market, and setting off overnight could at least afford them a sense of security against being coveted.

Yao Guang and her group also packed their belongings and began to leave the Ghost Market.

Walking outside in the lingering night, there was suddenly a sense of the bustling glory having faded away. The once lively commotion could instantly turn into a landscape of utter desolation, and what a person had to adapt to was never the flourishing splendor, but rather the solitude one must bear after the flowers had all bloomed and fallen.

Under the rich night sky, with the twinkling stars, waning moon, gentle breeze, and chirping insects, there were simply too many thoughts. Yet reality never allowed one's thoughts to drift too far. Leaning against a large tree with a cigarette between her lips, Yao Guang said, "We've finally made it out."

The others also leaned against the tree. Xuan Chen said, "We can close the case now, can't we?" As he spoke, he glanced at Die Wuying.

"Yes, the Hell Invitation Case is closed, but those heretical cultivators remain a thorn in our side and a grave threat," Yao Guang's expression turned worried. "There are still a few matters to handle when we return. First, I must help Huang Quan cross over and ascend. Second, I need to send Xiao Die's soul back to the Demon Realm. Third, Senior Shang Liyie must find a physical body, and we will have to rely on the Senior to track down the whereabouts of those heretical cultivators. Fourth, we need to check on how Zhu Qinghuang is being arranged in the Underworld. Once these matters are settled, it will take quite some time."

"Very well, you go ahead and handle these affairs. We'll keep an eye on things here at the police station," Xuan Chen said.

Yao Guang nodded.

The night passed quietly. Upon stepping out of this mountain range, she saw Yitian waiting by the car for her.

The car sped all the way forward, kicking up countless specks of dust...