Chapter 31: Reincarnation

The sky had turned dark, and the Immortal in white radiated auspicious light, standing in mid-air above the roiling Western Sea. Cheng Shan was momentarily lost in amazement. After a while, she regained her senses and remembered hearing about the name “Changchun.” She felt a mix of joy and shock. She was joyful that she had escaped the fate of being cooked alive but shocked that even Ouyang Jun was difficult to deal with, and now Changchun had personally appeared, making it likely that saving her father was hopeless.

Cheng Shan’s eyes turned red with tears. She lowered her head and saw the soul-calming flute beneath her feet. She trembled as if walking on thin ice and stammered, “Imm… Immortal, is my father… is he in the flute? Does he… know that I’m stepping on him?”

Changchun chuckled, casually recited an incantation, and created a transparent barrier around them, blocking out the tumultuous sounds of the sea and cooling the air. With the surroundings finally quiet, Changchun’s expression became solemn. He said to Cheng Shan, “How do you think your father feels when you forcibly keep a trace of his soul in the mortal realm?”

Cheng Shan was taken aback by the question and didn’t know how to answer. Changchun shook his head and said, “Why not ask him about his own wishes?” Without further ado, he made a gesture, and a wisp of blue smoke emerged from the Soul-Calming Flute. In the air, a humanoid figure formed, and it was Cheng Qian. However, he seemed a bit hazy and not quite alert.

Changchun, with a smiling expression but a dignified demeanor, slowly said, “Cheng Qian, life and death are predetermined. Do you accept the path of reincarnation dictated by the heavens and the great Dao? Are you willing?”

Cheng Qian’s gaze seemed vacant for a moment. Finally recognizing the person in front of him, he quickly clasped his hands and respectfully said, “Immortal above, this humble one dares not disobey.”

“Dad…” Cheng Shan’s nose twitched, and her heart felt desolate.

Cheng Qian, seeing Cheng Shan beside him, was shocked. He said, “Shan’er, why are you here?”

Cheng Shan firmly said, “I’ve come to take you back. Don’t be afraid of them.”

“Shan’er,” Cheng Qian interrupted, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed, “Forgive your father for being selfish this time. I won’t stay in the mortal realm to accompany you any longer. Earlier, the little Immortal Ouyang promised to help recommend me for a position in the netherworld, and I thought it was a good idea.”

Cheng Shan didn’t understand. “But, Dad, the mortal realm is so beautiful—vibrant flowers, delicious food, sunshine, and rain. Why would anyone want to stay in the netherworld?”

Cheng Qian smiled bitterly. “Shan’er, in all these years, I’ve long felt that your mother is no ordinary person. I just didn’t dare to ask, thinking I’d live until whenever fate determined. Actually, I don’t really want to live to the point of having white hair and wrinkles. Should I let your mother accompany an old man? Staying in the netherworld might give me a chance to see your mother again, and our family can hope for a reunion.”

Cheng Shan lowered her head, and tears fell. Cheng Qian also choked up a bit and helplessly said, “My Shan’er has grown up and dares to come here. I believe you can live well on your own in the mortal world.”

Cheng Shan shed tears silently for a while, realizing that saying more was futile. At that moment, the barrier at the junction of the sea and the shore flickered and gradually dissipated into mist. Changchun said to Cheng Qian, “The barrier has fallen, the gates of reincarnation are open, and your turn has come. I will personally send you in.”

Cheng Shan’s eyes blurred with tears. Cheng Qian’s soul silently merged into Changchun’s palm. Cheng Shan, enveloped by Changchun’s barrier, was also sent to the shore, landing unscathed. Yang Taizai and Hong Ying stood silently to the side. Changchun nodded faintly, took Ouyang Jun, and flew toward the Halls of Reincarnation.

Cheng Shan silently watched Changchun and his disciple disappear. Her heart felt empty, and Yang Taizai patiently waited for her to calm down before saying, “This is not a place to stay for long. Since your father is unwilling himself, let’s go.”

Cheng Shan, with teary eyes, turned and asked, “How did you know?”

“I guessed.” Yang Taizai smiled bitterly. The barriers of the Western Sea and Changchun’s enchantment were transparent. Although they couldn’t hear the sound outside, they could see everything clearly.

“Go?” Cheng Shan muttered. “But where do I go now?”

Yang Taizai said, “At least return to the mortal realm first.”

Cheng Shan, in a daze, turned and followed Yang Taizai back the way they came. Finally, she looked back at the cycle hall. The dimming lights there seemed to be the most unique lighthouse in the Three Realms, pointing out a new direction for all the lost souls. Cheng Shan sighed lightly, instantly feeling relieved. Perhaps, for her father, this was indeed a good choice.

Lost in thought, Cheng Shan suddenly noticed many figures emerging from the cycle hall, slowly moving towards them. The figures loosely formed two rows, one black and one white, wearing hats resembling wide-brimmed hats that almost covered their entire faces, making it impossible to discern age or gender.

“What is that?” Cheng Shan couldn’t help but ask.

“Those are the Ghost Messengers of Impermanence,” Yang Taizai, with a change in demeanor, casually replied.

Seeing both him and Hong Ying waiting at the crossing, Cheng Shan reluctantly suppressed her curiosity, climbed onto Yang’s back, and disappeared with Hong Ying behind the teleportation crossing. The two teams of Ghost Messengers of Impermanence paid no attention and followed suit, soon disappearing at the crossing as well.

On the west coast, the sea breeze gently blew, and the starry sky stretched into the distance. The Cycle Hall, now at night, appeared even more majestic with its towering buildings. Soon, two figures streaked out like shooting stars from the Cycle Hall, landing at the spot where Cheng Shan and the others had stopped before. It was none other than Changchun and Ouyang Jun’s masters and disciples.

Changchun looked towards the crossing, appearing contemplative. Ouyang Jun respectfully stood behind him and couldn’t help but speak in a low voice, “Master, that girl…”

Changchun’s eyes flickered, and after a while, a smile appeared on his face as he sighed, “Metal, wood, water, fire—the daughter of the Dark Feminine has now manifested the four.”

Ouyang Jun exclaimed, “Master, you mean that girl… is like me? But she’s the daughter of a mortal…”

Changchun smiled and shook his head, whispering, “She is more perfect than her birth mother, more perfect than any of you.”

Ouyang Jun’s expression became complicated at these words. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “So… do we bring her back to Lingxiao Mountain?”

“No need,” Changchun said without hesitation. “The heavens and earth are the furnace, and she still has great potential and fortune. Let Lin Yuandai keep an eye on her.”

“Master’s meaning is to give up on that Yiniang?” Ouyang Jun asked.

Changchun pondered for a moment, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his eyes. “You go find out when Xiyi will come out of seclusion.”

“Yes.” Ouyang Jun bowed slightly, turned, and walked towards the crossing, disappearing.

The author has something to say:

Ah, I’ve been drifting for several days again. Speaking of which, a while ago, I almost made a commitment to daily updates, but fortunately, I held back in the end. I haven’t made one before… right?