The Truth

Grandfather remained silent, and no one around uttered a sound. This feeling only made me feel lost in life.

It turned out that twenty-some years of daily closeness, those moments of attachment and care, were merely fleeting like wind and clouds, a dream of human life.

What pained me even more was that Grandfather—my only kin—turned out to be a stranger in the end.

In agony, I relentlessly questioned him.

It wasn't that I wanted to speak harshly, but simply that I wanted him to admit that everything was a play:

"Chu Yao is your grandson, so what am I?"

Grandfather raised his hand, intending to comfort me, but I brushed it away.

"Chu Ling, will you listen to me for a moment? I had no intention of harming you. I wanted what was best for you."

I gave a bitter laugh; all the pain in this world seemed destined to fall upon me at once. The more Grandfather spoke, the more I felt every word was false affection and pretense.

I said resentfully:

"Wanted what was best for me? If you wanted what was best for me, then take him out of my world."

Grandfather no longer reacted, for a deceiver like him did not deserve to speak another word.

Su Er came to my side, comforting me:

"Chu Ling, the ancients say the kindness of upbringing surpasses the act of birth. Grandfather has raised you for so many years, have you ever lacked anything?"

I stared at Su Er, my eyes revealing a hint of pain:

"Upbringing surpasses birth? Do you know, he only saw me as a cocoon to protect Chu Yao?"

Su Er lowered her head dejectedly, saying nothing more.

The Innkeeper approached Grandfather and me, fanning himself with the fan in his hand as if he had seen through the mortal world, and said:

"Every encounter in life stems from fate. You blame him for deceiving you, but why don't you consider that this was originally a destined karmic connection?"

I looked at Grandfather, feeling only hatred had filled the deep affection we once shared.

This was not a destined connection; this was an ill-fated karma.

My body suddenly ached uncomfortably, my brain was taut like a bowstring, and the blood in my veins seemed to congeal. The pain was bone-deep, my internal organs felt as if they would explode.

Grandfather came to support me. I was writhing, but upon seeing him, my first reaction was to avoid him:

"No need for hypocrisy."

Grandfather froze, his eyes as faint as the desolate autumn wind, causing others who looked upon them to feel heartache.

Su Er helped me up, observing me thoroughly, and asked:

"Chu Ling, are you alright?"

I suppressed the pain and shook my head.

My body trembled once more, then gave a violent jolt that made me uncontrollably scream, "Ah!"

Suddenly, a young man appeared before me. He wore a gray long robe and a mandarin jacket, his hair neatly combed to both sides, exuding the scholarly demeanor of the middle class.

The moment he appeared, the pain in my body also vanished. I scrutinized him, tilting my head to ask:

"Who are you?"

He sighed, bowed his head before me, then turned to Grandfather:

"Grandfather, it is I who have caused you such difficulty."

Ah! So this man of extraordinary temperament was Chu Yao—the one pursued and hunted by the female ghost. No wonder, with such looks, he possessed both intellect and valor; even ghosts and demons would contend for him.

He was also the one who stole my Grandfather, who stole my former peaceful life.

Just looking at him, the fire of hatred in my heart surged, threatening to erupt. I walked over to observe him, then ceaselessly disparaged him:

"Tsk, it seems this body of mine is quite good, isn't it? It raised you so well that your skin is fair and your hair is long, while I have suffered no small amount for your sake."

Chu Yao maintained his virtuous, humble, and tolerant expression.

Even Su Er continuously defended him. She tugged at my sleeve, whispering:

"Say less, please."

Grandfather looked at me with a hint of sorrow and said:

"Chu Ling, will you help Chu Yao preserve his life so he can reincarnate? Whatever you want me to do, I will do it."

But these words were like daggers directly tearing at my heart; a feeling of jealousy surged within me. I glanced at them and said:

"You ask me to help him. Then, of all the hardships I've endured, which one isn't related to you all? Do I deserve this?"

The more I spoke, the more I felt everything was within Grandfather's calculations. At this moment, his words constantly echoed in my mind. Could it be that from the very beginning, Grandfather intended to use me to open the Yin Yang Gate, enter the Underworld, and change Chu Yao's fate?

No one spoke; the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy, causing an uncomfortable sensation.

But I didn't give up, resentfully continuing:

"You all used me; you don't deserve this help."

The Innkeeper spoke again:

"This is precisely the bond of ultimate love and affection that I wish to take."

I was so angry I became reckless, my words faster than my thoughts:

"I agree to the exchange."

Su Er, Grandfather, and even Chu Yao stared at me as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard. I thought that after these words, everyone would consider me a coward, clinging to life and fearing death.

Considering a hundred paths and a thousand ways, this was the only thing I hadn't expected: Chu Yao, surprisingly, spoke with courage and solemnity to the Innkeeper:

"It's just one of three souls. If it can bring him peace, I accept."

I couldn't believe my ears. Why would he help me? Weren't you all trying to use me?

Grandfather patted Chu Yao's shoulder and said:

"Thank you, my child, thank you for helping Chu Ling."

He remained gentle, smiling:

"It's what I should do, Grandfather. He has suffered no small amount for me."

Excellent! A well-rehearsed play, almost moving. Don't think I don't know what you want to do: use this body to continue escaping those previous ghost souls. If I die, you will have no place to hide.

I looked at Grandfather, my eyes filled with hatred, and said:

"After this, our paths shall not cross. But Chu Hai, hear me clearly: my birth grandfather gave you life as you have it today; I hope you use it for a righteous purpose."

With that, I knelt and kowtowed three times:

"These three kowtows, consider it that neither of us owes the other. From now on, even if the world turns upside down, we shall never meet again."

Upon hearing this, Grandfather's eyes suddenly reddened, his withered hand reaching out to hold me, but in the end, he could not.

The more Chu Yao saw Grandfather's helpless, speechless expression, the more he felt it was not worth it. At this moment, he finally spoke:

"Chu Ling, I apologize for hiding this from you, but Grandfather has long considered you family. Whether as Chu Hai or Zhong Han Wei, he has always cared for you."

The more Chu Yao spoke, the more ridiculous I found it. Repeatedly pushing me into danger and then saying he cared for me—these words were truly unbearable. I sneered:

"Care for me? Or care for this life of mine? He only sees you as his flesh and blood."