Liu Shinian descended from Wanxue Mountain, heading straight for Cang Mountain without a backward glance.
On that desolate dark road, alone, he stumbled along, his already fragile heart burdened with new wounds.
He couldn't fathom why Muye was the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
She was clearly just an ordinary little girl, one who had wholeheartedly helped everyone.
Why her?
At that moment, thunder boomed overhead. Liu Shinian vaguely raised his head, gazing at the pitch-black sky where streaks of flowing light slowly flickered.
He recalled Yingwu's words.
"The King of Ten Thousand Ghosts will give you the answer."
Was this, then, the answer, the answer for him?
He let out a bitter laugh, supporting himself with one hand on a roadside tree, his head bowed, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Just then, lightning flashed incessantly, winds churned, and a torrential rain suddenly poured down.
He suddenly looked up, facing the wind and rain alone, letting the water stream down his face and onto the ground.
He could no longer distinguish if his tears were among them.
All he knew was that every time he forced a smile, his heart ached intensely.
Finally, he wiped the rain from his face and, lost in spirit, made his way home.
Behind him, atop the densely wooded, elevated terrain, stood two figures.
One in flowing red, the other standing still in white. The falling rain, as if alive, did not touch them.
Liu Xiang gazed at Liu Shinian's receding back, then looked back at Wanxue Mountain, his thoughts adrift, pondering unspoken matters.
Only after Liu Shinian's figure had long since vanished did he slowly speak.
"He... still couldn't bring himself to do it."
Upon hearing Liu Xiang speak, Jin Yulan already anticipated this outcome. He understood Liu Shinian better than Liu Shinian understood himself.
"I believe it's due to lingering affection."
Liu Xiang smiled faintly. He knew the man's character. His plan had not succeeded, and he felt a touch of disappointment.
He then said to Jin Yulan:
"Regardless, dealing with the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts requires Liu Shinian. He won't be willing to leave his mountain again after this.
Go and invite him personally, by any means necessary."
"Yes."
Although Jin Yulan agreed, a sense of doubt lingered in his heart.
With Liu Shinian's strength, he was still no match for the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
For some reason, why must he be the one? Could it be... could it be.
The one he must deal with is not the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, but Liu Muye.
Now, the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts and Liu Muye had merged into one. Her death meant his death, her life meant his life.
Their fates were inextricably linked.
If the goal was only to deal with the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, it would be difficult to resolve quickly. As for Muye, she was merely a mortal.
She would cry, she would laugh, and naturally, she had feelings for Liu Shinian.
However, now that Liu Shinian had seen her true form, with his disposition, would he still help her?
He was unsure of the elder's intentions, but it was likely there was a deeper purpose.
With these thoughts, he understood and sighed inwardly.
He proceeded to follow Liu Xiang's instructions and personally went to invite Liu Shinian.
Within a few days, Jin Yulan arrived uninvited, using the pretext of paying respects to Master Liu to act as Liu Shinian's persuader.
Upon entering the old imperial residence, he was met with an overwhelming sense of desolation. The vast courtyard was devoid of any soul.
His gaze fell upon the tomb beneath the willow tree. The swirling willow catkins, like long-awaited snow,
rose with the wind and settled on the tomb, as if blanketing it in a layer of snow.
He smiled faintly, asking himself inwardly:
"Why hasn't Liu Shinian cleared away the willow catkins?
I recall him saying that his memory was always filled with snow.
Perhaps this is his true intention for not cleaning it."
With a soft "Got it," the nearby door was pushed open. He slowly turned his head and saw Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian, carrying a bucket of water, emerged from the house with a heavy expression.
Knowing Jin Yulan was there, he acted as if he weren't, walking to the willow tree and slowly watering it.
Jin Yulan smiled faintly, not intending to blame him. Instead, he slowly approached Master Liu's grave and bowed.
He spoke to the elder:
"Senior Liu, though I never met you, your reputation is known throughout the world.
Your junior, Jin Yulan, is a friend of Liu Shinian. I am here today for some personal matters.
I arrived in haste and only brought a piece of South Sea Jade. I hope that in the netherworld, you will be able to guide it to the Pure Land."
South Sea Jade was originally ordinary mountain jade, later passed down to common households.
The city of Nanhai had a custom of using burial objects, making South Sea Jade the perfect choice for accompanying the deceased.
Jin Yulan placed the jade before the tombstone and bowed piously.
Liu Shinian watched from the side, feeling some comfort, but he had always disliked Jin Yulan.
He found him condescending and distant. He suspected Jin Yulan had ill intentions for coming.
He scoffed:
"No one paid respects when you were alive, yet you play the filial son after death. Remarkable, truly remarkable."
Unfazed by Liu Shinian's sarcasm, Jin Yulan calmly turned, looked him in the eye, and said:
"Since parting ways at Wan Gui Forest, you haven't returned to my Qian Ji Hall.
Everyone says you were heartbroken. It seems you truly wept for a long time."
Liu Shinian smiled faintly, ignoring him, and slowly bent down to continue watering.
Jin Yulan did not mince words and got straight to the point:
"My purpose in coming today is to ask you to join us in eradicating the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
Liu Shinian offered another cold smile, preoccupied with tending to the grave and sweeping away the fallen willow catkins.
Seeing his indifference, Jin Yulan continued:
"I know you hold a prejudice against me, but this has nothing to do with eradicating the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
Liu Shinian let out a cold snort and questioned him back.
"That person, you sent them, didn't you?"
Jin Yulan knew who he was referring to and did not deny it, admitting:
"Yes, I sent them."
Liu Shinian gave another cold smile, shaking his head in resignation.
"I don't know what your intentions are. If you want to go, go by yourself. Don't bother me."
With that, he turned to leave.
Jin Yulan smiled faintly, attempting to lure him with fame and fortune.
"Anyone who kills the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts will receive special favor.
Don't you always like Xue Ji? I can speak to her, and she will understand you."
Hearing this, Liu Shinian's anger intensified.
The goddess he adored, who paid him little attention, was now a pawn Jin Yulan could manipulate at will.
If love was obtained through such shameless means, he would rather not have it.
He quickened his pace, returned indoors, and slammed the door shut with a force that seemed directed at him.
Jin Yulan was not angered. Adopting a benevolent demeanor, he slowly approached the door and said loudly:
"I know you can hear me. You must understand that you are not the only one who will be dealing with the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
It is a task force composed of various experts from different realms.
Once they capture the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, they will surely tear him limb from limb and scatter his ashes to vent their hatred.
Imagine, if she fights alone, she will eventually be exhausted and die."
Jin Yulan's words were loaded with meaning, seemingly a deliberate reminder to Liu Shinian about the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts' safety.
Liu Shinian, pressed against the door, heard his words and understood his implication.
It seemed Jin Yulan already knew that the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts was Liu Muye.
Then, was the reason for him to come out of seclusion merely to save Muye?
Or did he have other motives?
Liu Shinian mused again:
"Whether it's true or not, I already knew he was this kind of person. To personally come and invite me, what are his intentions? I suspect they are not good."
With this thought, he slightly paused, then slowly opened the door.
Seeing him open the door, Jin Yulan thought he had reconsidered and said:
"I believe you won't refuse this opportunity."
Liu Shinian remained silent, instead quietly walking to the willow tree to wipe the tombstone.
Jin Yulan sighed deeply, opened his fan, and put on a show of helplessness.
Fanning himself, he walked to the doorway, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned back to say:
"There is news that the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts is hiding in Wanxue Mountain.
We have already assembled a large force and plan to surround Wanxue Mountain the day after tomorrow."
Liu Shinian suddenly froze, deep in thought.
"Oh, right. This is what Muye asked me to give you earlier."
Saying this, he took out a wooden whistle from his embrace and tossed it to Liu Shinian, who caught it.
Jin Yulan smiled faintly, fanning himself, and descended the mountain.
Liu Shinian looked at the wooden whistle in his hand, recalling the words he had spoken to Muye when he gave it to her.
"If you ever encounter danger, just blow this whistle, and I will come to your side."
Now, this whistle had returned to his hand.
He thought:
"If Muye had told me earlier that she was the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, perhaps I wouldn't have been so resolute."
He suddenly recalled Jin Yulan's words:
"We have already assembled a large force and plan to surround Wanxue Mountain the day after tomorrow."
If they surrounded Wanxue Mountain, then Muye, facing numerous experts alone, would surely have vulnerabilities, no matter how powerful she was.
But, she is the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, she should be fine, right?
No, she treated me so well. How could I let her face danger alone? I must go and save her.
With these thoughts, he tightly gripped the wooden whistle in his hand.
When he saw her again, he would have to ask her properly why she had kept it from him. Perhaps she had her own unavoidable difficulties.
That night, a strong wind suddenly arose. He changed into his night-traveling attire and hurriedly descended the mountain, rushing towards Wanxue Mountain without stopping.
Although much of what Jin Yulan said was untrue, he believed that this time, Jin Yulan had not lied to him.
He only hoped he could go faster and faster.
As dawn approached, on the previously peaceful avenue, many people suddenly appeared.
Each of them held swords and carried sabers, their faces fierce.
They shouted some terrifying slogans.
"Defeat the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts! Avenge the departed! Defeat the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts! Avenge the departed!"
He heard them clearly from behind. Judging by the direction they were heading, they must be going to Wanxue Mountain.
Jin Yulan indeed hadn't lied to him.
Based on his understanding of these people, most of them hated the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts to the core. If they found Muye, they would likely devour her alive.
He pulled his horse and carefully turned into the woods, intending to bypass these people and reach Wanxue Mountain before them.
Leading his horse, he had only walked a short distance before he had bypassed those people.
Just as he was about to emerge from the woods, his horse suddenly stopped.
Curiously, he turned his head and saw a person with arms crossed, standing on his horse's back.
This person appeared more composed, with a cold demeanor, seemingly unapproachable.
He wore a gray cloak, a sword at his waist, and had a certain heroic air.
However, at this moment, he was busy rushing to Wanxue Mountain and wanted to dismiss this person with a few words.
So, he cupped his hands and said:
"Young sir, you are stepping on my horse. Please get down so I can continue my journey."
The person smiled faintly, his suspicion piqued.
"In broad daylight, you are wearing night-traveling clothes.
There's a main road nearby, yet you choose to travel through this wild forest. Could it be you're up to no good?"
Seeing his suspicion, Liu Shinian had to patiently cup his hands and say:
"Brother, we are strangers. I don't need to tell you what I'm doing."
"If you're going to steal money, pilfer grain, or harass women, I naturally won't interfere.
However, if it concerns the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, then I have every right to interfere."
Liu Shinian was momentarily speechless, guessing if this person knew about his act of informing.
Seeing Liu Shinian's silence, the person guessed half the truth and said:
"As I suspected, what is your relationship with that King of Ten Thousand Ghosts?
Could it be that you are a member of the Ghoul Clan?"
Liu Shinian looked at the person before him with utter speechlessness, thinking: Kid, your imagination is wild.
It seemed that if he didn't speak the truth, this person wouldn't let him go. He had no choice but to say:
"You are correct. I do have some relationship with the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, but it's not a good one."
"Oh, tell me about it."
"Do you happen to know Master Liu?"
"Master Liu? You mean from Cang Mountain Liu clan, Lord Liu?"
"Indeed. He is my master."
Upon hearing Liu Shinian say this, his cold face suddenly showed a trace of warmth.
Liu Shinian said:
"As everyone knows, my master was killed by the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
I thought I had avenged my master, but unexpectedly, the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts has been resurrected.
Thinking of my master's tragic death at his hands, I wish I could tear him apart myself.
I have come out of seclusion now to seek revenge on the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
As for my attire, it is simply because I have always been a solitary wanderer, and I intended to seek out the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts personally to avenge my master."
Seeing his righteous words and recalling that Master Liu was indeed killed by the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, the person was filled with respect.
He cupped his hands and said:
"In that case, you must be Liu Shinian."
Liu Shinian returned the gesture.
"That is indeed me."
"Your master's fate is truly heartbreaking. The King of Ten Thousand Ghosts is wicked and has killed countless people. Everyone wishes to see him eliminated.
Now, for young master Liu to go alone to avenge your master is truly admirable.
However, I have heard that the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts possesses great magical power, and I fear you may not be his match.
Allow me to accompany you. It would be one more helper."
Liu Shinian was surprised. He hadn't expected this person to offer to accompany him. How could that be?
He casually said:
"Young sir, I see you as a benevolent and righteous person. Your life is precious and should be preserved.
My master treated me as his own son. If I cannot avenge him, what face do I have to live in this world?
This revenge, I will end it myself.
I only hope, if I meet with misfortune, you will bury me."
Listening to Liu Shinian's sincere words, the person was almost moved to tears.