An Unwavering Awaiting

The ritual to summon the Yin Messenger was one Qi Gu had long mastered. Before long, a dense fog swiftly spread throughout the General's Manor, enveloping all things in heavy layers. Within the thick mist, the familiar clanking of iron chains echoed, deafening to the ears. Though it was a bizarre and eerie scene, it warmed Qi Gu's heart, filling him with the joy of a scholar returning to his ancestral home.

The colossal Ghost Official, shrouded in the mist, spoke in a majestic and solemn voice, "It has been long since we last met, young friend. For what reason have you summoned me here?"

"The ghosts within the General's Manor have all gathered here. I respectfully request that you handle them in accordance with justice." Qi Gu looked up at the Ghost Official. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if he had returned to his childhood. Back then, as a young boy, he had looked up to his master, who seemed infinitely tall, believing that this man could shield him from all wind and rain.

"My thanks to you, young friend, for your assistance," the Ghost Official replied. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, he drew the two ghosts of the former dynasty and the half-ghosts on the ground into his garment. He then turned his gaze toward Zeng Qinghuan, who stood beside Qi Gu clad in armor.

Qi Gu asked, "The Ghost Prison you mentioned last time—how is the situation?"

"Indeed, there is an anomaly. I found this object within the prison." Upon the misty hand of the Ghost Official lay a piece of Glazed Glass Bone, emitting a brilliant green light.

He naturally noticed the several pieces of Glazed Glass Bone in Qi Gu's hand. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since you are also collecting this object, I am willing to leave this piece in your care."

With this piece added, the several pieces of Glazed Glass Bone in Qi Gu's hand coincidentally assembled into a single entity. It was a strangely shaped small skull, connected to a bony eye socket that emitted a pale blue light. This object did not resemble a human skull; as to what it specifically was, even if one were to invite a biologist, they would likely fail to identify it.

Before long, a terrifying possibility crossed Qi Gu's mind: if this entire skeleton belonged to a single humanoid being, then once all these bones were scattered and reassembled, he feared this world would be destroyed and restarted.

Noticing Qi Gu's doubt, the Ghost Official said slowly, "When soldiers arrive, we shall block them; when water rises, we shall raise the earth. Since you have shouldered such a heavy responsibility, if you have need of me in the future, feel free to summon me."

Qi Gu thought to himself that the old man still held some master-disciple affection for him. A faint smile touched the corner of his lips as he said, "I have one more favor to ask."

"Does it concern him?" The Ghost Official had already cast his gaze upon Zeng Qinghuan, who stood straight and proud, his eyes as steadfast as a white poplar.

"You are indeed wise." Qi Gu cupped his hands in a polite bow and said, "Mo Zhou, the famous Mo Zhou in our Great Hua's history—do you have any impression of him? This person is his wedded husband. Currently, he wishes to know of Mo Zhou's recent situation and desires to meet him just once."

Fearing it might be inconvenient for his master, Qi Gu quickly added, "Just to look at him once, without disturbing Mo Zhou's current life, nor making things difficult for you."

After all, after taking one last look, once Mo Zhou's current life reached its end, it wouldn't be impossible for Zeng Qinghuan to intercept Mo Zhou's soul in the Yin Underworld.

"Zeng Qinghuan?" the Ghost Official asked.

"My Lord, I am indeed Zeng Qinghuan." Zeng Qinghuan's expression was respectful as he gazed at the Ghost Official, who held the power to decide whether he could see Mo Zhou again.

"Your fortune is indeed profound; this person has not yet reincarnated and is currently serving a post in my Yin Underworld," the Ghost Official said. Amidst Zeng Qinghuan's astonished and joyful gaze, he activated the Golden Bell in his hand, gently striking the hanging ornaments several times, producing a series of clear clangs.

Immediately afterward, a ghostly figure slowly emerged from the white mist. The spirit wore a tall hat, a sword girt at his waist, and a Soul-Hooking Chain draped over his hand. His face carried a pale, gloomy ghostly aura, yet the moment he saw Zeng Qinghuan, a soft, gentle smile graced his lips.

Zeng Qinghuan was incredibly moved. He rushed forward a few steps to stand before Mo Zhou, only to see Mo Zhou looking at him with a surprised yet gentle smile.

Then, Mo Zhou gently touched the corner of his upturned lips, seemingly wondering why he was smiling.

The smile in Zeng Qinghuan's eyes instantly froze, and a world-spinning pain suddenly crashed down upon him—Mo Zhou did not recognize him!

"Do you not remember me?" Zeng Qinghuan wanted to ask, but he was terrified that once he spoke, he would only receive that cruel answer.

Mo Zhou's fingers, which had been stroking his lips, gently fell. He looked at the grieving Zeng Qinghuan and said slowly, "Forgive me, there are many things I cannot remember clearly. I only know that I am waiting for a departed soul. I do not remember if they are male or female, old or young, but I think... the one I am waiting for must be you, is it not?"

Within Zeng Qinghuan's phoenix eyes, pearly tears welled and spilled without end. Mo Zhou was startled, not knowing what to do, only feeling an immense ache in his chest—just like earlier, when he first saw Zeng Qinghuan's gaze amidst the crowd, his heart had throbbed with pain.

On the seventh day after Mo Zhou's life ended, he followed the Yin Messenger to the Yin Underworld.

The Yin Underworld was filled with countless wandering souls. Some willingly drank Meng Po's Soup, wishing to quickly forget the past; others resisted with all their might, the obsessions in their hearts difficult to dissolve.

Meng Po looked at these infatuated men and grieving women, only offering a faint, mocking smile.

Mo Zhou did not understand what was so amusing about this, but over time, he came to realize—these infatuated lovers would only grieve for a brief moment. Before long, they would cling to each other again and reincarnate together even sooner.

There were also those who returned to the mortal realm during the Zhongyuan Festival to contest family estates, only to find that the lovers who had sworn to accompany them for a lifetime had already found new partners, completely casting them aside. In their resentment, they would drink Meng Po's Soup and forget everything.

Meng Po had witnessed thousands of joys, angers, sorrows, and delights of the mortal world here, so she naturally found everything amusing.

At first, she thought Mo Zhou was merely one of them, who would soon yield and let go. Yet in the blink of an eye, three years passed. During those three years, Mo Zhou kept watch by the Naihe Bridge, waiting tirelessly.

He never told anyone whom he was waiting for, but he persisted longer than any other souls who spoke of love.

Yet he waited and waited, and the departed soul he anticipated never arrived. Even when the Ghost Gate opened wide during the Zhongyuan Festival and he went to search, he could find nothing.

On the contrary, his turn for reincarnation arrived. At that time, the Yin Underworld had strict rules; once one's turn came, they had to reincarnate. Thus, Mo Zhou was forced by several Yin Messengers to drink bowl after bowl of Meng Po's Soup, yet his obsession remained unforgotten; he merely could no longer recall who that person was.

It was also the first time the Yin Messengers had encountered someone forced to drink so much Meng Po's Soup yet still holding onto an obsession that prevented reincarnation. On one hand, they wondered what kind of heavenly being could be so unforgettable; on the other hand, they sought instructions from their superiors for a solution.

The superiors thought that since becoming a Yin Messenger required drinking Meng Po's Soup anyway, if Mo Zhou did not wish to reincarnate, they might as well let him remain in the Yin Underworld as a Yin Messenger to continue his wait.

The surrounding ghosts generally knew of Mo Zhou's story and often advised him not to be so stubborn and to reincarnate quickly. After all, his destiny in his next life was so blissfully complete, something others could only dream of. Yet Mo Zhou remained stubborn in his love for this life, never wavering.

He agreed to become a Yin Messenger also to search the four corners of the earth for Zeng Qinghuan's soul.

Though he had no memories, he still firmly believed that he would recognize that person at first glance.