Chapter 40

When You Yin finally felt he had found someone to rely on, he burst into tears, sobbing, “In this world…there is still one good person…”

The child, looking like a beautiful and delicate sculpture, appeared especially pitiful when crying. Xue Ming felt a pang of sympathy and reassured him, “This is the ghost realm; there aren’t many people, just ghosts everywhere. Once we’re out, you’ll find good people everywhere.”

Gu Jinglan shrugged indifferently and said, “If I don’t tie him up, he won’t stay put. He’s always thinking of running.”

Xue Ming thought: Of course, he’d want to escape if you captured him.

Already resentful towards the fake Ning Caichen, she angrily snatched the rope from his hand and pulled You Yin aside to untie the knot around his neck. Freed, You Yin didn’t leave immediately. His sobs gradually subsided, and he quietly asked, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Xue Ming was surprised that the first thing the little ginseng spirit did wasn’t to run away but to express concern for her. She seated him at the table and poured him some tea, assuring him she was okay. Then she asked, “Aren’t ginseng spirits supposed to be elusive and hard to find? How did you get caught twice?”

You Yin, embarrassed, blushed and, after drinking some tea, said, “These ghosts are too cunning. Earlier, one of them transformed into a little girl trapped in a mire and called for help. I let my guard down and got caught.”

Xue Ming imagined Bai Ya transforming into a little girl and couldn’t help but laugh. She asked, “Shouldn’t you be more cautious after being deceived once? Why didn’t you leave immediately?”

You Yin looked at her apologetically and said, “You were captured because of me. How could I abandon my benefactor and not care about your fate? When they started fighting earlier, I tried to take you away, but the evil ghost suddenly changed the terrain, and I got lost…”

He turned angrily towards Gu Jinglan, who was talking to Yan Yuhe at the door and said hatefully, “This ghost disguised itself as you to trick me. I wanted to save you but didn’t see through the ruse and got captured…” His voice grew quieter and embarrassed towards the end.

Xue Ming remembered Lu Man saying ginseng spirits were known for repaying kindness. They would go through several lifetimes to repay a favor. So it made sense that You Yin had been deceived. She asked, “Aren’t you a thousand-year ginseng spirit? You should be savvy by now. How did you fall for such a simple trick?”

You Yin, feeling ashamed, hung his head and said softly, “I’m slow in cultivation. It took me a thousand years to take human form. This is my first time in the human world; before, I was rooted deep in the mountains.” Then he raised his head, leaned close to Xue Ming, and whispered, “I can take you away. With a jump, we can leave without any restraint.”

But as soon as he finished, Gu Jinglan’s sinister voice called out, “Little radish, what mischief are you plotting?”

You Yin stiffened, furious at the insult, but dared not say anything. Without looking back, he muttered, “I’m a ginseng, not a radish. And in this room, you’re the only ghost, so it’s your mischief.”

Gu Jinglan laughed coldly. Xue Ming thought You Yin’s words made sense. She patted his head and gently reassured him, “Don’t worry. Once we settle things here, we’ll leave.”

At that moment, Yan Yuhe glanced at Xue Ming’s hand, and with a slight movement of his fingers, two golden ropes flew from his sleeve and quickly bound You Yin.

Frightened, You Yin screamed and jumped up, but the ropes pulled him to Yan Yuhe, whose cold face made him stop crying instantly.

“You want to eat me?” You Yin asked nervously. “A single whisker from me can extend a human’s life and health. If you overeat, a mortal body can’t absorb it. I can give you a whisker…”

Yan Yuhe said indifferently, “Ginseng has a strong earthy taste. I don’t like it.”

You Yin turned red, wanting to argue that he didn’t have such a taste but quickly realized it was better if Yan Yuhe disliked him. At least he wouldn’t be eaten. So he nodded eagerly, “Yes, yes, I’ve been buried in dirt for years, in all sorts of filthy places. No matter how you eat me, I taste weird. I’m not tasty.”

Seeing the child in such a state, Xue Ming couldn’t bear to watch and said to Yan Yuhe, “Why capture him? He’s suffered enough. Let him go.”

“It’s naturally useful,” Yan Yuhe said, raising his hand. One of the golden ropes binding You Yin slipped onto Xue Ming’s wrist, wrapping around twice and shrinking into a simple golden thread. The other stayed on You Yin’s wrist.

“What’s this for?” Xue Ming asked.

“If I can’t protect you in an emergency, he can help you escape,” Yan Yuhe explained.

Xue Ming suddenly understood that You Yin had been captured on Yan Yuhe’s orders. She recalled how Yan Yuhe had tried to reach her during Hundred Crow’s terrain shift but was intercepted. This experience likely made Yan Yuhe realize he couldn’t always ensure her safety in chaotic situations, so he had You Yin captured as a backup.

Thinking this over, Xue Ming realized that You Yin’s capture was indirectly because of her. She couldn’t help but laugh and, thanking Yan Yuhe, held You Yin’s hand to reassure him, “You heard him, right? No one wants to harm you, so don’t be afraid.”

As soon as she said this, Yan Yuhe abruptly grabbed her hand, pulling it away with a firm grip. Xue Ming looked at Yan Yuhe, puzzled by his slightly gloomy expression.

At that moment, Bai Duo let out a soft laugh, teasing, “Even you, Yan Chixia? No wonder people say they’d rather be lovers than immortals. This is making my heart itch.”

“Gu Jinglan,” Yan Yuhe said coldly, “If you have nothing to do, leave.”

It was then that Xue Ming learned Bai Duo’s real name. She couldn’t help but look at him. Gu Jinglan took advantage of the moment, saying, “How could you call my name so openly? What if someone hears and tries to harm me?”

Despite his words, his tone and demeanor suggested he didn’t care much.

After a few more words under Yan Yuhe’s cold gaze, Gu Jinglan left.

Xue Ming thought it was time to get to business. Trying to free her hand from Yan Yuhe’s grasp, she found his grip tightened instead. He said nothing but held on firmly.

Since burning the tree the night before, they had been holding hands on the way back. Xue Ming liked to swing their hands while walking, playing, and enjoying a good mood. It seemed Yan Yuhe had grown fond of holding hands and said calmly, “Let’s go.”

Xue Ming tried not to laugh, saying, “Don’t hold my hand. It’s too warm.”

Yan Yuhe tilted his head, “It wasn’t warm last night.”

“It was cooler at night, and no one could see us. Now, it’s broad daylight, and this child is following us. It’s not appropriate,” Xue Ming said, feigning seriousness.

Yan Yuhe frowned, “Your ancestors are older than him. How is he a child?”

Xue Ming glanced at the innocent-looking You Yin and said fairly, “He’s old but inexperienced, like a child.”

Yan Yuhe said nothing more. He wasn’t one to argue but didn’t agree either. Xue Ming felt his hand growing colder until it was like ice, making her fingers stiff. She shook his hand off and shouted, “Yan Yuhe!”

“You said you were warm,” Yan Yuhe said, not seeing an issue with cooling himself down.

“I meant let go, not turn into ice,” Xue Ming said.

Yan Yuhe adjusted his temperature and took her hand again, saying, “Don’t say such things next time.”

For the long journey ahead, Yan Yuhe held her hand. You Yin, initially walking beside Xue Ming, was moved to Yan Yuhe’s side by the golden rope. Yan Yuhe, too jealous, believed You Yin was an old and mature male, keeping him away from Xue Ming.

During breaks, if Xue Ming patted You Yin’s head, Yan Yuhe’s glare forced her to stop. Eventually, she gave up trying to pinch You Yin’s cheeks.

They walked for an unknown time, resting occasionally. The sky remained dusk-like, with clouds dispersing, revealing a blend of blue and yellow, signaling nightfall.

When Xue Ming felt tired, she saw a grand palace on the horizon. Imposing and dark, it seemed surrounded by jagged rocks. The pre-night sky gave it an eerie, ominous look, sending chills down her spine.

She thought this final Yin Gathering Array looked far more complicated than the previous ones.