One Step Too Late

Having resolved the matter of Master Yao, it seemed this trip was in vain, because the one who knew the truth was Master Yao, but in the end, he died a sudden and unnatural death. There was no way to neutralize the Corpse Poison within Young Master Zhou.

The three of us finally bid farewell to the Old Blind Man to return to the Zhou family.

Before we left, the Old Blind Man did not forget to advise us: "Our meeting can be considered destiny. If you ever need help in the future, just head west toward the Kunlun Mountains; you will surely find me."

We bowed our heads in farewell. I didn't forget to press a packet of medicine into the Old Blind Man's hand and said, "If I truly become a Ghost in the future, I must still rely on you to protect Su Er and Grandfather."

The Old Blind Man teased me with a laugh: "You little brat, your innate Righteous Qi is already strong; it's impossible for you to completely become a Ghost. Your grandfather will surely save you, so rest easy."

After saying that, the Old Blind Man advised Grandfather again: "The first of July is the final deadline for the Half-Ghost; you must hurry to resolve it. On the days of the full moon, absolutely do not let him go to places with strong Yin Qi."

After a round of advice, we bid each other farewell. Grandfather, Su Er, and I headed to the Zhou family, while the Old Blind Man went west toward Kunlun.

As soon as we arrived at the Zhou family, before we could even take a step inside, we saw the front gate covered in white cloth.

This was the large stone that had been weighing on my heart for so long; in the end, we were still one step too late.

Aunt Zhou wore a mourning veil on her head but still suppressed her emotions to come to the gate to greet us.

Upon seeing us, Aunt Zhou couldn't help but sob in pain: "Zhou Ying just passed away last night, Master Zhong."

Separation by death is the greatest pain in a person's life. A person who loses a husband is a widow, one who loses a wife is a widower, a child who loses parents is an orphan, but for parents who lose a child, there is no word.

Because that pain is too great, perhaps it is so large that it exceeds the scope of language.

Now Aunt Zhou was the white-haired person seeing off the black-haired one. This parting was a separation of a thousand autumns, with no date to meet again.

Before we could finish offering our condolences to the family, unexpectedly Grandfather made a proposal that went beyond my thoughts: "Forgive me, Madam Zhou, but I have a request; I wonder if it's possible?"

Madam Zhou used a handkerchief to wipe away the tears that were falling: "Please speak, Grandmaster Zhong."

Grandfather pointed to the coffin placed in the center of the house: "May I open the coffin lid to look at Young Master Zhou?"

At this, Madam Zhou was a bit stunned and instinctively hesitated for a moment: "This... it's almost time to move the coffin. If we open it, I fear it might not be good."

Grandfather quickly explained: "I have no intention of offending; I only want to know if Young Master Zhou's death will affect the family."

Madam Zhou seemed to understand something and instructed the servants to help Grandfather open the coffin lid.

After the coffin was opened, Grandfather went to look it over, then he said to Madam Zhou: "Madam Zhou, currently Young Master Zhou's soul can be considered liberated. As long as you bury him in a place with good Feng Shui, I am certain the Zhou family will not encounter any more trouble."

Madam Zhou felt somewhat comforted upon hearing this and ordered the servants to bring money for us.

Of course, we did not accept it, because the promise to save Young Master Zhou was, in the end, unfulfilled.

I took the money and gave it back to Madam Zhou: "I cannot accept this money. The promise to save Young Master Zhou could not be completed; please forgive us. Master Yao of Yuanhuan Village has also died; the matter will likely end soon here."

Madam Zhou said to me: "If he set his heart on harming my son, then this is his own evil retribution. As for your inability to save my son, it is understandable. Saving the living is easy; saving one who is already dead is what's difficult. This was perhaps Zhou Ying's fate."

With that, Aunt Zhou quietly went into the house, her silhouette flickering on the threshold, making others feel a sadness that reached the heart.

The scenery today remained, but the person of old had long since vanished.

From this day on, the bustling Zhou manor would be replaced by a scene of gloomy sorrow.

Everything had finally come to an end.

After leaving the Zhou family, Grandfather, Su Er, and I went home together. Today was also the Dragon Boat Festival, a time for family reunions.

Grandfather went into the kitchen to show off his skills by making the sticky rice cakes that I liked best.

This moment was perhaps my happiest, because since my parents died when I was young, my only relative was Grandfather, and my closest friend was Su Er.

Today both of them were by my side; I could only wish for time to stop here, because I was too tired of the things that had happened to me.

I only hoped for life to soon return to normal—the sun rising, Grandfather and I going out to help others, living a life free of worries.

Su Er was pensive, as if seeing through my thoughts, and said: "Zhong Lăng, are you not happy?"

I smiled and shook my head: "No, I'm very happy."

She pouted and frowned at me: "Then why do you keep looking so dejected?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent face: "I'm not."

Su Er patted my shoulder gently to comfort me: "Don't worry about the Half-Ghost matter. Grandfather will find a way to treat you."

I smiled and nodded.

Grandfather carried a very large tray of sticky rice cakes out from the kitchen, looking at me with a smile: "You two, eat the sticky rice cakes."

The three of us enjoyed the cakes together.