In Order To Ascend, I Became A Modern Wage Slave - Chapter 19: The Cherished Immortal Lord (18)

Chapter 19: The Cherished Immortal Lord (18)

 

The previously chaotic and tangled threads finally wove together into a thick rope at this moment.

 

In an instant, everything became crystal clear!

 

Shi An said eerily, “It was he who said it himself, going up the mountain to pray to the gods, seeking a lifetime together, never to part.”

 

Xi Yu asked, “What god is on the mountain?”

 

Shi An replied, “This mountain had no god; later, there was one.”

 

People carve idols of gods, and though their appearance is mostly imagined based on people’s understanding of deities, it is never baseless. The image of a husband and wife joined as one wasn’t because the sculptor believed the two were so deeply in love that they should be physically united to symbolize their inseparability. Rather, when people saw them at that time, they were already inseparably together.

 

Lian Bei suddenly asked, “Why?”

 

Xi Yu responded, “Is there a problem?”

 

Lian Bei rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps my thinking is unconventional, but if I were to exact revenge on someone I detest, I would either kill them outright or, if I were being more twisted, make them experience a fate worse than death. Eating them… forgive me, but I can’t understand it. It feels like self-punishment, unless…”

 

“Unless what?”

 

“Unless her feelings toward him weren’t purely hatred.”

 

At this, Shi An let out a sinister laugh. “I hated him! If he didn’t love me, why did he agree to my desperate pleas? Why did he promise and then not deliver, spending his days deceiving me with empty words?”

 

Before Shi An’s death, she was already consumed by resentment. Not long after her death, she transformed into a ghost and emerged from the earth. She was so familiar with her husband’s scent that she either found him at the mountaintop or intercepted him halfway. Ultimately, to fulfill their agreement, they ended up at the peak. Her husband, being a mere mortal, couldn’t resist and was eventually devoured by her at the summit.

 

They would never part!

 

Xi Yu asked, “Why didn’t you run?”

 

Shi An’s eyes burned red. “Run? Why would I run? He said he loved me!”

 

After consuming her husband, a large part of Shi An’s resentment was satisfied, so she did not descend the mountain to harm others. Instead, she stayed at the peak, keeping the only remnants of her husband—his clothes—by her side. Later climbers witnessed the scene: the woman, said to have died of illness halfway up the mountain, was sitting at the summit next to her husband’s clothes.

 

Rumors always evolve over time. But changes are never without reason; they often reflect people’s desires and wishes.

 

At the time, Shi An was merely 17 or 18 years old, while Chen Bu Nan had long passed 30. Their marriage, arranged by their parents and matchmakers, left no room for choice. Such a vast age gap almost made love impossible. Yet, most people of that era were in similar situations, and they yearned for true love.

 

Thus, this bloody tragedy gradually transformed into a stunningly beautiful love story.

 

After Chen Bu Nan’s death, people posthumously honored him as “Lord of Cherished Love,” elevating him to godhood and worshiping him for a thousand years—a thousand years!

 

Both love and hate, truth and lies, ghost and god intertwined.

 

Shi An’s voice wavered between low and high: “I later realized, everything he said was a lie. I was wrong! I should never have forgiven him! I should’ve woken up sooner!”

 

Lian Bei pondered and added, “So, between the two of you, who exactly wanted the couple to kneel and worship?”

 

This question indeed required reflection, but at that moment, a sudden change occurred, disrupting any chance of maintaining a relatively calm atmosphere for questions and analysis.

 

“Watch out,” Lian Bei said softly, quickly pulling Xi Yu aside and switching places with him. An unconscious Xiao Mingqiang, who had somehow regained consciousness, grabbed a broomstick nearby and swung it at Xi Yu. Fortunately, Lian Bei reacted in time, and the broom landed on his back instead of Xi Yu’s head.

 

Lian Bei groaned, the pain briefly flashing across his face before he composed himself. Grabbing the end of the broomstick, he yanked it away. Xiao Mingqiang, not intending to fight, quickly let go and dashed forward.

 

When people are involved, things become infinitely more troublesome. They’ll risk everything, fighting like there’s no tomorrow. Hit them too hard, and they might die on the spot; hold back, and they’ll cling to you like persistent flies. The situation was especially vexing now—a man and a ghost to deal with.

 

Xi Yu pulled Shi An to block Xiao Mingqiang, then turned to Lian Bei, kicking him aside. “Run farther away; don’t come near,” Xi Yu ordered sharply.

 

Xiao Mingqiang, adept at exploiting gaps, took advantage of the chaos. By the time Luo Yang groggily woke up, he saw someone charging toward him like a raging bull in a bullring. The sight instantly jolted him awake. Xiao Mingqiang hid behind Luo Yang. Xi Yu had no choice but to hold back his attacks. Xiao Mingqiang then overturned the table in front of the shrine, creating an obstacle.

 

“Are you okay?” the woman beside Luo Yang asked, concerned.

 

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Luo Yang quickly replied, standing up.

 

Bowls and dishes shattered on the ground, mixed with scattered candies and fruits rolling around. The incense burner fell, spilling ash everywhere. Xiao Mingqiang’s chaotic movements stirred up clouds of dust.

 

Xi Yu held his breath quickly, while Luo Yang, caught off guard, coughed violently from the irritation.

 

Xiao Mingqiang had gone completely mad!

 

Luo Yang instinctively reached out to pull the woman away, wanting to take her to safety, only to realize she was no longer there.

 

Xiao Mingqiang had dragged her away!

 

Xi Yu swiftly ran in another direction, but Xiao Mingqiang and the woman had already knelt on the cushions before the shrine. Xiao Mingqiang forcibly pressed the woman’s head down, bowing repeatedly to the idol.

 

It was too late. Xi Yu stopped in his tracks, looking up at the idol.

 

Shi An dragged her body closer, her ghostly figure exuding malice. Upon seeing this, she burst into laughter. Suddenly, she froze, realizing something was wrong.

 

Her shrill voice pierced the air: “You didn’t offer the tribute money?!”

 

Xiao Mingqiang searched his pockets but found no cash. He glared at the woman, who shook her head. “I didn’t bring any. Can we use something else instead?”

 

It seemed there was still time. Xi Yu quickly approached the shrine, leapt onto the platform, and grabbed the idol.

 

Xi Yu intended to destroy the idol and sever the unfulfilled prayer before the offering was made!

 

Shi An’s eyes widened in panic. She screamed and rushed at Xi Yu. “Hurry up and make an offering! Don’t you want to stay together? If you don’t, your woman will run off with another man!”

 

Xi Yu raised the idol high, ready to smash it down. The idol left his hands, about to shatter into pieces.

 

“No! No! No!” Shi An shrieked. “Just a little more, just a little more!”

 

The woman suggested, “You said you love me. Why don’t you offer your life instead?”

 

Xiao Mingqiang hesitated. “This…”

 

The woman pretended to be sad, lowered her head to wipe her tears, and said sorrowfully, “It seems you don’t love me enough after all. Were all the things you said before lies? If that’s the case, I won’t marry you either!”

 

Xiao Mingqiang immediately panicked and shouted, “I’m willing! I’m willing!”

 

The woman urged, “Then hurry and say it!”

 

The statue hadn’t fallen. Shi An crawled forward, sliding her hand across the ground, and at the critical moment, she caught the statue firmly!

 

The statue was saved! It wasn’t damaged!!!

 

She was overjoyed, the mad ecstasy almost bursting out of her. Just then, Xiao Mingqiang loudly swore and solemnly offered his own sacrifice.

 

“I offer my own life as a pledge, hoping the deity can always protect us both.”

 

In an instant, the statue in Shi An’s hands radiated golden light, shining on her face!

 

Blinded by the dazzling light, a cracking sound was heard.

 

The golden light instantly disappeared, and everything returned to calm… The shock and panic on Shi An’s face were striking as she looked at her hands in disbelief.

 

Xi Yu followed her gaze. The statue had cracked down the middle, separating the two figures that had been joined together.

 

It broke!

 

It had shattered on its own without any external force!

 

Shi An’s terror quickly turned into a sneer. She smashed the statue onto the ground, breaking it completely into countless fragments, just like the bowls and plates scattered around, now reduced to shards.

 

“See! All men in this world are like you—full of lies and insincerity! What’s this nonsense about needing just one more offering to break free from me and ascend to the heavens! Bah! Dream on! The only deity you had is now destroyed. How will you ascend? What becoming a god? Go to the underworld like me!!”

 

—I did hear that Luonan Temple supposedly reconciles true loves and severs ill-fated relationships…

 

From a distance, Luo Yang shouted, “What’s going on? Why did the door suddenly close? And it’s pitch dark all of a sudden… Why does this feel so familiar?”

 

The burning candle in front of the statue extinguished abruptly. The smoke rose in wisps, curling and eventually forming the image of a young boy.

 

Before anyone saw the figure, they heard Mo Dai’er’s voice, “Hello! Long time no see!”

 

A ghost general had come to take someone away. Shi An understood and obediently walked over to Mo Dai’er’s side. The black smoke gradually enveloped her, and when it dispersed, she was gone.

 

Xi Yu asked, “Aren’t you from the hospital?”

 

Mo Dai’er smiled and replied, “Yes! So it’s not me taking her away. I’m here to catch someone else. Hey, are you really going to leave with her without coming out to say hello?”

 

After those words, the scattered black mist reassembled, eventually forming a little girl who stepped out.

 

Xi Yu was momentarily surprised. “It’s you?”

 

The girl spoke with a hint of childish temper, “You’re so dumb.”

 

“…” Xi Yu threatened her, “I really might hit a child.”

 

The girl said, “I don’t believe you.”

 

Mo Dai’er interjected with a laugh, “Alright, alright. She just lost control of her emotions last time and did something embarrassing. Now she feels awkward seeing you.”

 

Xi Yu clearly had no memory of this. “What embarrassing thing?”

 

Lian Bei, who had silently walked up to Xi Yu, recalled for him, “She cried with snot and tears flying everywhere and tried to fight but got flung aside. Isn’t that right?”

 

“…”

 

Lian Bei looked at Xi Yu. “Do you remember now?”

 

Xi Yu said, “I think I have a vague impression.”

 

“…”

 

The girl puffed up angrily and said, “I’m really mad now. I’m going to tell him…” She paused abruptly, the atmosphere falling silent. Lian Bei smiled knowingly and asked, “Tell him what? Your name?”

 

The girl pouted and said, “…Yes, my name is… Bai Fumei…”

 

Xi Yu nodded. “That’s a nice name.”

 

Bai Fumei widened her eyes in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

 

Of course, he was serious. The name carried a good meaning.

 

Luo Yang curiously asked, “Who gave you that name?”

 

Bai Fumei remained silent. It seemed she didn’t like the name much. No wonder she hadn’t introduced herself during her time at the hospital. Xi Yu chose not to say anything further.

 

When the temple went dark, it had already been sealed, making it impossible to leave. Xiao Mingqiang finally realized he was afraid and ran around the room in a panic. Mo Dai’er suddenly appeared in front of him and said, “Alright, come with me.”

 

Xiao Mingqiang cursed, “Who the hell are you?!”

 

Mo Dai’er, uninterested in answering, enveloped him in a cloud of black smoke and took him away. He then looked at the equally terrified woman nearby and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’m only taking him.”

 

The woman’s voice trembled, “Who are you?”

 

Mo Dai’er replied, “A ghost general from the hospital. I hold a very high rank.”

 

“Where is he going?”

 

“The underworld.” Mo Dai’er didn’t hold back. “That ugly guy you were with? He was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer at the hospital two days ago. He didn’t have much time left.”

 

The woman lowered her head and murmured, “No wonder…”

 

Mo Dai’er concluded, “Alright, business is done. I’m leaving! Bye-bye! Bai Fumei, let’s go!”

 

“You’re so angry you’re turning red all over. Why not change your name to Hong Fumei?”

 

“If you say one more word, I’ll make sure Granny Meng doesn’t give you any food!”

 

“Then I won’t eat!”

 

“Fine, don’t eat then!”

 

…

 

Their voices gradually faded away…