After Marrying the Lord of the Underworld

The sound of rain fell on the wooden roof of the cabin, making a “dada” sound. Since they arrived here, the rain had been getting smaller and there were even signs of it stopping.

 

Several anchors had compressed biscuits, jerky, and three packs of instant noodles.

 

Originally, they had nothing to boil water with, and they were worried about how to cook the noodles. Fortunately, someone rummaged through their bag and found a small kettle.

 

The kettle was really small, and when filled with water, it could probably only make one cup of tea.

 

But in order to eat something warm, they showed amazing patience. First, Ye Feng lit a fire with talisman paper, and then they slowly boiled the water, burning it for almost twenty rounds before finally managing to cook the three packs of noodles.

 

The instant noodles were cooked this way and were a little undercooked, but as soon as the seasoning was added, the fragrance immediately spread, making everyone’s mouth water and their eyes turn green. Someone even added beef jerky to it, and it surprisingly looked good.

 

However, the three packs of noodles had to be divided among nine people, so each person could only get a little bit.

 

After the noodles were cooked, the person in red clothes wanted to go find Lu Yingjiu and ask him to come and eat while it was still hot.

 

But Lu Yingjiu smiled and said, “I don’t need it, you guys eat it.”

 

He added, “Leave my portion to your friend.”

 

He pointed to the person in red’s friend, the one who was bitten by a spider before and was still running a high fever. If it weren’t for Lu Yingjiu’s talisman paper pressing down on him, improving his condition significantly, he would definitely not have been able to keep up with this mountain road.

 

Now the person was resting in the cabin.

 

He should be able to hold on for tomorrow’s journey.

 

“Oh, how can I accept this?” The person in the red clothes immediately became anxious. “I haven’t even had a chance to repay you for saving my life, and now you’re busy helping us along the way. If it weren’t for you, we would have…”

 

“It’s okay,” Lu Yingjiu interrupted him. “I have my own food. Don’t worry, I am the main force here and I’m not foolish enough to let myself go hungry.”

 

The person in the red clothes was relieved to hear this and thanked him repeatedly before going back to continue dividing the noodles.

 

Lu Yingjiu wasn’t lying.

 

At times like this, he wouldn’t hide his needs and would ask for what he wanted directly, whether it was food or drink. If he couldn’t maintain his good condition and encountered any other situations, these people would be in real trouble.

 

However, he had already eaten enough snacks given by Jing Xian, and the calories in those snacks were more than enough.

 

As soon as the person in the red clothes left, Ye Feng came over and handed him a cup of hot water.

 

Lu Yingjiu took it and said, “Jing Xian and I will keep watch tonight. You and Xiao Li can rest.”

 

“Aren’t you going to sleep?” Ye Feng asked.

 

“Sleep,” Lu Yingjiu said, glancing over at Jing Xian. “But look how energetic he is. He can keep watch for a while longer.”

 

“Oh, okay.” Ye Feng also glanced over at Jing Xian, feeling like this man had never been tired before and had an unusually strong energy. “You two also need to rest. If you can’t hold on, just let me take over.”

 

Lu Yingjiu nodded.

 

But Ye Feng stood in front of him, not moving or speaking for a long time.

 

He waited for a while before hearing Ye Feng hesitantly say, “Um…”

 

“What’s wrong?” Lu Yingjiu asked.

Ye Feng hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, “No matter what happened, no matter what those photos were about, I want you to know that I became friends with you without any ulterior motives.”

 

Lu Yingjiu couldn’t help but laugh. “Hm, I know.”

 

Ye Feng relaxed a bit after hearing this.

 

He then said, “Do you want me to ask my elders at home what really happened? They might know something.”

 

“No need,” Lu Yingjiu said. “Not for now. Let me think about it first.”

 

“Oh…” Ye Feng scratched his head. “To be honest, I’m feeling really confused right now. Anyway, if you need me to do anything, just tell me. I’ll definitely help you find out the truth!”

 

Lu Yingjiu smiled and agreed.

 

Ye Feng went to eat, while Lu Yingjiu held the hot water and went to the edge of the mountain lake.

 

Jing Xian was sitting under an old tree by the lake.

 

Lu Yingjiu didn’t recognize what kind of tree it was, but he felt that its branches were strong and its leaves were extremely lush, exuding a sense of age and stability. Even the sudden gust of wind couldn’t destroy its branches and leaves.

 

Raindrops fell on the lake, creating gentle ripples. The water plants swayed, and various fish swam through them. Occasionally, they would float to the surface, opening and closing their mouths to release a series of bubbles before disappearing with a flick of their tails.

 

Lu Yingjiu walked over to Jing Xian and asked, “Why are you sitting here?”

 

Jing Xian turned around and smiled, “Isn’t this a place to find some peace and quiet?”

 

He moved over to make room for Lu Yingjiu.

 

Lu Yingjiu sat down next to him.

 

As soon as he sat down, he had a large thermos cup in his hand. He opened it, and the aroma of noodles wafted out. The noodles were topped with barbecue and braised beef, a few green vegetables, and a soft-boiled egg in the center, with a smooth and delicate egg white.

 

Lu Yingjiu was stunned for a moment.

 

He had given up on trying to figure out where these things came from. Jing Xian’s bag had all sorts of strange things in it.

 

He just smiled and said, “What is this, your secret stove for me?”

 

“Of course,” Jing Xian said, with a look of wanting to be rewarded for his good deed. “You haven’t eaten anything properly all day, and I feel sorry for you.”

 

Lu Yingjiu wasn’t really hungry.

 

His first reaction was actually to consider whether to share these noodles with the others, just like the snacks and hot tea he had shared on the road.

 

But…

 

Lu Yingjiu turned his head and saw the cabin filled with light. The people inside were drinking noodle soup and eating compressed biscuits and beef jerky – the beef jerky was really tough, as hard as a rock, and they were grinding their teeth to eat it. But no matter what, this meal was definitely enough.

 

He turned back to Jing Xian, who was staring at him intently.

 

Lu Yingjiu knew that Jing Xian didn’t care about those people at all.

 

Jing Xian’s full tenderness was always only shown to him. Even if he spoke a word, Jing Xian could take him away from this mountain range without caring about the life and death of others.

 

He didn’t try to correct Jing Xian’s beliefs.

 

Ghost’s beliefs were like this, there was no right or wrong.

 

“Try it quickly,” Jing Xian urged.

 

Lu Yingjiu saw the anticipation on his face and couldn’t help but smile.

 

He didn’t worry about anything anymore and picked up a chopstick of noodles, blowing on it lightly before putting it in his mouth. Every taste bud was delighted by the delicious broth.

 

He didn’t feel hungry at first, but now his appetite was immediately aroused, and he took several bites in a row.

 

Jing Xian sat quietly next to him, it was unknown what he was thinking.

 

After a while, when Lu Yingjiu had eaten enough, Jing Xian asked, “What did you see in the cabin? Why were you distracted after coming out?”

 

Lu Yingjiu didn’t show any abnormality on the surface.

 

But Jing Xian could tell, and he wasn’t surprised.

 

After taking another sip of noodle soup and organizing his thoughts, Lu Yingjiu told Jing Xian about the iron box and the photos in detail.

 

Jing Xian listened carefully and asked, “So, what do you think?”

 

This time, Lu Yingjiu smiled with a rare self-deprecating smile and said, “Ever since I saw the text message that Mrs. Chen sent before she died, I’ve been thinking about how many people know about the ‘time has come’ thing.”

 

He continued, “But since even Chen Zheng doesn’t know, it’s likely that no one in the Chen family knows either. I contacted some people to try to find out from other members of the Chen family, but it was all fruitless.”

 

“What I didn’t expect was that besides Chen Minlan, other aristocratic families were involved. Now it seems that the Ye family and the Zhang family may also have connections.”

 

He sighed lightly, “There are only four major aristocratic families in exorcism, and I find it hard not to suspect that the Chu family also has participants.”

 

A gust of wind blew, rustling the leaves like whispers. A falling leaf drifted down and landed on Lu Yingjiu’s black hair.

 

Jing Xian reached out and gently removed it for him.

 

Lu Yingjiu said, “I have always had a high level of trust in aristocratic families.”

 

“Although they all have some dark history, such as the Chen family’s human skin masks or the drugs abused by the Ye family, overall, since I started to get in touch with them, their performance has been quite positive. Many of my friends from aristocratic families are not arrogant and are very honest and brave.”

 

“But now, the situation seems to be different.”

 

“At least the older generation of people has made me suspicious.”

 

Lu Yingjiu took a sip of water and looked towards the lake.

 

The rain was really about to stop, and there were only scattered ripples on the water’s surface. In the distance, where the talisman paper fire couldn’t reach, it was pitch black, and only the towering mountains could be vaguely seen.

 

The road ahead was long, that was their journey tomorrow.

 

After an unknown amount of time, he continued, “If aristocratic families have been paying attention to me since I was young, then they must be aware of what I have encountered, including my innate misfortune and my innate tendency to encounter ghosts.”

 

“Why didn’t they lend a helping hand? Is there a conspiracy? Or is this the result they wanted to see?”

 

“I’m just thinking, is it possible that these things are related to them? After all, according to my birth chart and destiny, I shouldn’t have this kind of constitution.”

 

“Worst-case scenario, my family has never been involved in exorcism, and if my misfortune was ‘grafted’ from someone else, they wouldn’t be able to detect it.”

 

Lu Yingjiu closed his eyes, “If that’s really the case, I can’t imagine what kind of mentality they had when they saw me grow up safely, step by step learning to exorcise ghosts, and becoming the chief of the Green Lantern Association.”

 

“If that’s really the case…they make me sick.”

 

The remaining noodle soup was placed next to him, already cold, with only a few green onions floating on top.

 

The group of anchors behind him had finished their meal, satisfied, and returned to the cabin to rest. Some light came through, illuminating the long night.

 

The surroundings became quiet.

 

The rain had completely stopped, and the wind blew, causing small ripples on the lake’s surface.

 

Jing Xian gently held his hand.

 

He said, “I don’t understand the things about aristocratic families, but I can assure you that as long as I’m here, you will be safe.”

 

“……Um.” Lu Yingjiu responded.

 

He closed his eyes again, took a deep breath, and let the moist air fill his lungs.

 

The air in the mountains after the rain was slightly cool, mixed with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

 

When he opened his eyes again, he had restrained all his emotions, without anxiety, unease, or confusion…the muscles on his face relaxed, and he returned to his usual self, Lu Yingjiu.

 

He was always so restrained, almost compulsively demanding himself to maintain a calm mind at all times, suppressing personal emotions, and doing everything flawlessly.

 

Now was not the time to be emotional.

 

He still had to safely lead this group of people out of the mountains, and it would be best to find clues about the spider mother and eliminate her to prevent future troubles.

 

Lu Yingjiu hid his emotions and looked back at Jing Xian, smiling, “Let’s talk about these things when we get back. We still have to keep watch tonight…uhm.”

 

He felt a cool sensation on his lips and involuntarily widened his eyes——

 

Jing Xian had kissed him directly!

 

His whole body stiffened like a stone, and he was about to retreat, but the back of his head was firmly pressed down, and he was almost pinned to the grass by Jing Xian.

 

Jing Xian didn’t give him any room to resist.

 

This sudden kiss was like a storm, catching him off guard. Their lips and teeth intertwined passionately. He could feel Jing Xian licking his sensitive upper jaw, their breaths blending together, the man’s aggressive breath unavoidable. It felt like he was shaking all over, with tiny electric currents running wild on his spine.

 

…It was too crazy.

 

His brain went blank, and it took several seconds for him to realize that the others were not far away and might see them!

 

He wanted to push Jing Xian away, but the sound of their clothes rubbing against each other was even more piercing. At this moment, any sound was like an explosion in his ears, including their breathing and heartbeats. His Adam’s apple rolled up and down, swallowing each other, making him blush and his heart race.

 

After what seemed like a long time, Jing Xian finally let go of him.

 

The two slowly separated.

 

As they looked at each other, Lu Yingjiu felt his ears and face still burning, not knowing what to say, and his heart was in chaos.

 

After a long time, Jing Xian reached out and stroked his temple, whispering, “You always suppress your emotions and never speak out, even though you can tell me. I just wanted to hug you and tell you that you can rely on me more, but unexpectedly didn’t manage to bring it under control…I’m sorry, are you angry?”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

He wasn’t really angry, and he couldn’t ask or blame him for anything.

 

In any case, Jing Xian had hit his soft spot too hard. How could he say anything harsh with this kind of attitude?

 

After all, Jing Xian was Jing Xian.

 

As the saying goes, one thing can subdue another. Lu Yingjiu scared other ghosts every day, making them cry and howl, chasing them all over the place, but in the end, he was still subdued by another ghost. Even if he was almost at his limit, he couldn’t get angry.

 

His expression involuntarily softened.

 

Lu Yingjiu took a deep breath and said, “I’m not angry. But Jing Xian, you…”

 

Can you get off me first?

 

You’re still pinching my waist, and I don’t see any sign of remorse from you.

 

Before he could finish his sentence, footsteps suddenly approached, and Ye Feng’s voice came, “Lu Yingjiu! I found second grandfather’s…ah?!!”

 

He saw the two of them on the grass at a glance.

 

Jing Xian had one hand on the ground and the other around Lu Yingjiu’s waist, and if he lowered his head a little, he could kiss him again.

 

Ye Feng: ?!

 

Ye Feng: “What the f***?!”

 

He made the highest pitch of his life and instinctively began to retreat rapidly, “I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything…”

 

He had retreated more than ten meters when Lu Yingjiu caught up with him.

 

He was covered in rainwater and grass stains, all from the chaotic kiss.

 

He grabbed Ye Feng and said, “You misunderstood, we didn’t do anything.”

 

Ye Feng: “Really??”

 

“Yes, yes,” Lu Yingjiu falsely assured him, “He just fell. What did you find out about the second grandfather? Speak quickly.”

 

Ye Feng was still uncertain and skeptical.

 

He quickly looked Lu Yingjiu up and down and spoke twice as fast, “I found his notes in the library, which show that he has extensively studied the Spider Mother, including how to pray to her, how to use bone ash to resurrect the dead, and a series of plans and drawn talismans.”

 

He concluded, “It’s almost certain that he prayed to the Spider Mother to resurrect my second grandmother. The bone ash in my little crocodile toy is hers, but she didn’t succeed in coming back to life and is still running around in the mountains.”

 

Lu Yingjiu listened carefully.

 

As Ye Feng spoke, he gradually calmed down.

 

He thought to himself that Lu Yingjiu’s expression didn’t seem like anything had really happened. Could it be that it was just his misunderstanding?

 

It was.

 

Lu Yingjiu was already with a charming female ghost.

 

And Lu Yingjiu doesn’t like men. A good person, how can he say he’s bent? It’s not a fox tail grass, that it falls when the wind blows.

 

Once Ye Feng understood this, he became much calmer.

 

So his tone of voice gradually returned to normal as he spoke, “Anyway, I don’t know whether or not to tell my family about this.”

 

“If I don’t say anything, I’ll be letting down the people who disappeared or died in the hospital, as well as innocent people like Ah Mei. But if I do say something, second grandfather’s image will be forever ruined, and the strict rules of the Ye family might even lead to him being removed from the family tree…”

 

“I’m still struggling with it. I think I’ll eventually tell them.”

 

“But my heart is too chaotic right now.”

 

Ye Feng took a deep breath, covered his face with his hands, and rubbed it hard.

 

He said, “The person that second grandfather was willing to exchange for, in the end, wasn’t normal.”

 

“Looking at it from a different perspective, if I were Second Grandmother, I might prefer to die rather than be resurrected. She was from a family that exorcises ghosts, but was saved by such a vicious ghost god, at the cost of who knows how many lives. She might live a life worse than death, burdened with guilt for the rest of her life.”

 

“Seeing my second grandmother like this, I am also very sad.”

 

He looked at Lu Yingjiu again and forced a smile, “But now, I don’t have time to dwell on it so much. If my heart is in chaos, it won’t do me any good for the road ahead.”

 

“All I can think of when I close my eyes are these things. I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Lu Yingjiu, can you talk about something else to temporarily clear my mind?”

 

“Something else?” Lu Yingjiu asked.

 

“Yes, something more exciting,” Ye Feng said. “I got inspiration from you. Just now, when I thought you two were kissing, my mind was blank. I want that kind of effect. Disrupt my thoughts, the more exciting the better.”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Lu Yingjiu was silent for a moment.

 

The evening breeze blew his soft black hair, and his brown eyes shone like glass in the firelight.

 

Then, in Ye Feng’s expectant gaze, he said, “We did kiss.”

 

Ye Feng: “……?”

 

Lu Yingjiu added, “Do you remember my ghost marriage? Jing Xian is that charming female ghost.”

 

Ye Feng: “……???”

 

Ye Feng: ??????