After Marrying the Lord of the Underworld

The two little ghosts led Lu Yingjiu through several vermilion doors.

 

Memories of the past kept emerging, with various people he had never seen before appearing in the memories, most of whom were from the older generation of the aristocratic families.

 

They were either running around, studying talismans related to the Heavenly Way, which included the formation to go to the ghost world. A hundred years ago, Lu Yingjiu and Chu Qianju drew the prototype, and after so many years, the aristocratic families have been improving it, finally making it near perfect.

 

The formation required seven exorcists to go to various places to start.

 

Those locations, Lu Yingjiu had already explored clearly when he was in the ghost world.

 

So he saw, in the stormy sea of Yunshan Port, no fishing boat dared to go out to sea, but there was a lone boat braving the waves. Countless servants swarmed over the sea like a school of fish, climbing onto the bottom of the boat, gnawing with sharp teeth and scratching with sharp claws. The man at the bow of the boat held a talisman, and the glow illuminated half the sky;

 

In the university town of Shangyang City, during the holiday, there was no one, only a falling sunset. A short man stood on the rooftop of the school, his knife cutting across his palm, drawing a formation on the ground with his blood. The servants followed him like shadows, climbing up the outer wall of the school. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining like torches, and his ordinary body burst out with unimaginable agility, fighting with them like a cheetah;

 

At the Mt. Gassan Nursing Home, a strange woman surnamed Ye stood in the woods. The wind and rain were about to come in the mountains, and the dark clouds were pressing down. She carried heavy talismans on her back, sticking them one by one on the tree trunks. The wind blew her soft long hair. She glanced at the bushes, snapped her fingers, and the snake burned the servants hiding in the dark with fire.

 

There were also old hospitals, late-night bars, deserted lakes…

 

They were not always successful.

 

It was unknown how many times they had tried before they could set up the formation.

 

Finally, a scene was fixed on the turbulent Kangli Bridge.

 

Zhang Haokong, who also went to set up the formation, was attacked and died in the car. When Lu Yingjiu pushed Jing Xian away and confronted the Heavenly Way alone, he came to the bridge.

 

He “just happened” to meet Zhang Haokong, who had already turned into a skeleton. Zhang Haokong pointed under the bridge, that “just happened” to be the entrance to the ghost world.

 

Looking back now, these were not coincidences.

 

It was clearly a planned escape that many people had planned for many years.

 

After passing through countless doors, Lu Yingjiu saw more people.

 

He didn’t recognize any of them.

 

The only one he knew was Chu You.

 

Chu You, as the former head of the Chu family, had early onset dementia. His biggest hobby every day was sunbathing and reading newspapers. Before his death, his son couldn’t make it back. Chu You mistook Chu Banyang for his son and held his hand and said, “You go tell Lu Yingjiu, his time is coming.”

 

Chu Banyang was confused.

 

And like everyone else, the old man had died with this secret.

 

Lu Yingjiu just kept walking.

 

He didn’t know how long it had been, but there were no more red doors in front of him, only a dark path ahead.

 

The two little ghosts led them forward with their green lanterns.

 

The light was dim, but it finally illuminated the formation on the ground.

 

The formation was very large, and they walked for a long time just around the edge.

 

As they gradually approached the central area, Lu Yingjiu saw two clusters of green flames burning on a structure similar to an altar from a distance.

 

The altar was high, with nearly a hundred steps.

 

A woman dressed in an exorcist’s robe sat in the middle, her face pale, resting with her eyes closed.

 

The little ghosts led the way, leading Lu Yingjiu and Jing Xian to the highest point. After bowing respectfully again, they disappeared.

 

And the woman slowly opened her eyes.

 

She looked extremely tired, and her voice was filled with fatigue. “You’re finally here.”

 

Her gaze fell on Jing Xian.

 

A bit surprised.

 

It seemed like she had seen him before.

 

Lu Yingjiu asked, “Are you Zhang Shuwan?”

 

“…Yes.” Zhang Shuwan nodded, “On the way here, you probably have a lot of questions.”

 

“I guess you don’t have the patience to listen to me play dumb anymore. I’ll just get straight to the point and explain everything to you.”

 

She closed her eyes. “This matter has to start from when I was a child. The first time I heard your name, I was probably seven or eight years old. My father suddenly called me into his study…”

 

At that time, she was just a child.

 

That day, Zhang Haokong brought her into the study with a serious face, saying he had something to tell her.

 

—So Zhang Shuwan learned about the existence of the Heavenly Way, and learned that hundreds of years ago, the Zhang family sacrificed 59 infants for power.

 

Among them was a survivor. The Heavenly Way was not satisfied and cursed the Zhang family.

 

In recent years, it had become increasingly restless, and soon, the largest night walk of a hundred ghosts in history would occur.

 

Zhang Shuwan asked after listening, “If he can get to the ghost world, will he be safe?”

 

Zhang Haokong nodded. “Yes. That’s why we’ve been studying a formation. It can stabilize the entrance to the ghost world and greatly reduce the danger.” He laughed, “But, this kind of thing is still too incredible. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to survive entering the door.”

 

“Ah—” Zhang Shuwan said, “What should we do then?”

 

“There will be a way.” Zhang Haokong patted her head, “Even if there’s only a slight chance, we have to try.”

 

He also warned. “You can’t tell anyone about what happened today.”

 

So months passed, and Zhang Shuwan went fishing with Zhang Haokong.

 

The sky was high and the clouds were wide, the sea was blue, and they set off on a small boat.

 

When they reached the sea, they stopped the boat, and all they could see was blue between heaven and earth. They fished together, baited two fishing rods, cast them out, and then sat side by side on the edge of the boat.

 

While they were fishing, Zhang Shuwan suddenly asked, “Dad, why do we have to save him?”

 

Zhang Haokong’s movements stopped.

 

The sun was dazzlingly bright. Zhang Shuwan gathered her courage and continued, “According to what you said, wouldn’t it be fine if we just give him back to the Heavenly Way? Our Zhang family has been cursed by the Heavenly Way and has fallen. If we give him back, our family can start over.”

 

She spoke faster and faster, “And there won’t be that Hundred Ghosts Night Parade anymore. In other words, we indirectly saved more people. This is the best choice both emotionally and rationally.”

 

Zhang Haokong didn’t answer her immediately.

 

In the world of blue, only a snow-white bird flew over their heads.

 

After a long time, Zhang Haokong slowly said, “It’s our family that owes him.”

 

“It’s been so long!” Zhang Shuwan exclaimed, “Why should we be responsible for something that happened hundreds of years ago! We didn’t sacrifice him! He just happened to be reincarnated in this era!”

 

Zhang Haokong said, “Someone has to take responsibility. It’s only right and proper for the Zhang family to clean up the mess it made. Besides…”

 

He paused, “Since ancient times, the Zhang family has coveted the power of the Heavenly Way and has done many things that violate human ethics – just from this point of view, the family being cursed is our deserved retribution.”

 

“We can’t regret the past, and we can’t save the other 58 deceased. Lu Yingjiu is our last chance, a chance to redeem ourselves.”

 

His attitude was gentle yet firm.

 

The fishing rod suddenly sank, and a fish had bitten the hook.

 

Zhang Haokong pulled the rod, gritted his teeth and wrestled with the big fish. When he finally pulled it up, the fish’s tail brought up a sparkling water light.

 

Zhang Shuwan bit her lip on the side.

 

Until they returned to the dock by boat, she didn’t say much.

 

Zhang Haokong knew her mood was not right, and sighed lightly. He rummaged through the boat and took out a lantern.

 

The lantern was lit, and the flame was green.

 

This was the symbol of the Green Lantern Association.

 

The way back was a mountain path, and they walked through the woods with the lantern.

 

In the midst of the chirping of insects, Zhang Shuwan spoke again, “…What about the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade? You have to consider the safety of others, right? If sacrificing one person can save more people, isn’t that a good thing?”

 

“That’s not the case.” Zhang Haokong sighed, “Shuwan, it’s not like that. Some principles must never be compromised.”

 

He gently lifted the lantern in his hand, “I’ve told you the story of the Green Lantern Association many times, do you still remember its original intention?”

 

Zhang Shuwan said softly, “Exorcise ghosts and save the common people.”

 

“Right.” Zhang Haokong said, “Whether it’s ten thousand people, a thousand people, a hundred people, or ten people, they are all common people. The value of life is not measured like this.”

 

Zhang Shuwan seemed to understand but not quite.

 

Zhang Haokong patted her head and laughed, “So, the idea of ‘sacrificing one person to save the world’ is wrong. No matter how many people there are, we have to protect them equally. One person is the common people, one person is the world.”

 

“If this time we sacrifice one person and solve the problem. What about next time? Will the price be ten people next time, or will it be a hundred people? How should we choose then?”

 

The wind passed, and the green lantern swayed.

 

He continued, “We are just ordinary people, we can’t judge what is absolutely fair, we just strive to have a clear conscience.”

 

“Once the principle is shaken, it will go wrong step by step. Our family was too arrogant in the past, thinking that relying on the Heavenly Way would provide peace of mind, but in fact, in the numerous sacrifices, we have long lost our original intention.”

 

Zhang Shuwan asked blankly, “What is our original intention?”

 

Zhang Haokong didn’t speak, but handed her the lantern in his hand.

 

Zhang Shuwan took it, and the soft light fell into her eyes.

 

In the past, the young people of the Zhang family walked at night with lanterns like this.

 

They didn’t take a penny, didn’t ask about the future, risked their lives just for the peace of the world. With such a bright lantern, illuminating the long night, there was the succession of exorcists for the next hundred years, and there was the prosperity of the next hundred years.

 

One person, one lantern, one journey at night.

 

That’s the spirit of an exorcist.

 

Zhang Haokong said, “This is not just about protecting Lu Yingjiu, but an unprecedented game, a game between man and heaven, man and fate.”

 

“This lantern cannot be extinguished in our hands. We have to win gloriously and lose without regret.”

 

They walked on the mountain road with the lantern like this.

 

After a long time, Zhang Shuwan still didn’t speak.

 

A tear quietly fell on the back of her hand holding the lantern.

 

She sniffed and said with a sob, “I… I understand all this. But, I’m so afraid that something will happen to you…”

 

Zhang Haokong was stunned, then hugged her tightly and comforted, “Don’t be afraid, daddy will be fine.”

 

In the swaying trees of the mountains, the green lantern stretched their shadows very long.

 

After that, Zhang Shuwan slowly grew up and came into contact with more and more people.

 

Most of them were elders, all aware of Lu Yingjiu’s existence.

 

They came from different families, with completely different identities, but their purpose was very unified: to protect Lu Yingjiu.

 

Some were responsible for depicting the formation, some were responsible for speculating on the Heavenly Way, and some were studying the appearance rules and weaknesses of the servants. They all made a contract with the Di Ting, so as to pass on information in a secret way without being detected by the Heavenly Way.

 

From them, Zhang Shuwan, for the first time in her life, experienced what was the spirit and persistence of a family, what was the bravery and kindness of an exorcist.

 

No one had ever defied the Heavenly Way before.

 

But these people seemed determined to fight to the end.

 

——And Lu Yingjiu didn’t even know them.

 

Zhang Nianyun was responsible for reporting on the situation of Lu Yingjiu’s family.

 

She had to provide photos and reports every week, and if traces of servants were found, she would notify the family in time.

 

Chen Minlan was responsible for planning the formation to the ghost world.

 

One after another, the exorcists went forward and succeeded, just to open the door to the ghost world, so that Lu Yingjiu had a way out when confronting the Heavenly Way.

 

And Chu You was responsible for another formation.

 

Zhang Shuwan didn’t understand that formation, she only knew that they have to go into the mirror world to set it up every time, and it’s a big deal.

 

It was there that she saw the Ghost King for the first time.

 

Zhang Shuwan didn’t know why a ghost would be willing to cooperate with an exorcist, or why the family allowed his existence.

 

The first time she saw the Ghost King, she was really scared for a while.

 

That handsome man sat quietly in the corner, seemingly indifferent, watching the formation slowly set up. Occasionally, he looked up and met her gaze, and there was nothing in those black eyes like the abyss.

 

But she was terrified.

 

It was like the sharp bloody smell had turned into a sharp knife, pressing straight between her eyebrows.

 

That was the most terrifying ghost she had ever seen.

 

Just occasionally, the Ghost King would remember something, and his eyebrows would become gentle.

 

Later, Zhang Shuwan saw him several more times.

 

No one knew his name, and no one knew his purpose.

 

When the formation reached the most critical step, it needed someone to step into it, sever their soul, and offer it up to maintain the continuous power.

 

But no exorcist could do that.

 

Human life was too short, and the soul was far from strong enough. Not to mention that kind of pain was enough to destroy one’s sanity.

 

So the Ghost King severed his own soul, and nearly half of his cultivation, to fill the gap in the formation.

 

The pain of losing a soul was unimaginable.

 

Just watching that scene, Zhang Shuwan felt her scalp numb.

 

But the Ghost King didn’t have too many emotions, not even a tremor in his hand – maybe after being overwhelmed by deeper sorrow, physical pain was nothing.

 

After that terrible sacrifice, Zhang Shuwan never saw him again.

 

It was said that he fell into a long sleep.

 

It was said that hundreds of years ago, he had done the same thing many times.

 

It was said that he has been waiting for someone.

 

Occasionally recalling the day of the Ghost King’s sacrifice, and looking at all the people around her, she still felt shocked.

 

It’s like that green lantern in the long night.

 

And those who were illuminated never need to know the existence of the lamp holder – they just need to know that there was light burning forever, until dawn, that’s enough.

 

Life was full of hardships. Those who contend with the Heavenly Way would always encounter misfortune in their fate.

 

Half of these people died or were injured.

 

Zhang Nianyun sacrificed herself in a critical moment to appease the Heavenly Way, Chen Minlan died unexpectedly, and even Zhang Haokong died on the way to set up the formation.

 

They died because of the misfortune brought down by the Heavenly Way. Before they died, they were all possessed by the Heavenly Way.

 

[Lu Yingjiu, your time has come]

 

This was the most vicious mockery of Lu Yingjiu by the Heavenly Way, telling him that these people all died because of him.

 

What’s more…

 

What’s more, the decline of the Zhang family was inevitable. By the time of Zhang Shuwan, there were only a few active exorcists left.

 

Now, she was the youngest guardian.

 

Perhaps also the last one.

 

She continued to set up and guard the formation in the mirror.

 

Alone, she did it for a long, long time.

 

Until today, following the guidance of the green lamp, Lu Yingjiu found her.

 

“…I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” Zhang Shuwan said, and then looked at Jing Xian, “I didn’t expect you to come together.”

 

Jing Xian nodded slightly in salute.

 

Lu Yingjiu was silent for a long time.

 

Then he said softly, “I’m sorry. Before I knew all this, I always thought…”

 

“Thought we wanted you to die, right?” Zhang Shuwan smiled weakly, “This is a reasonable inference, after all, no one has ever told you anything. They all deliberately hid it from you – if they knew about your misunderstanding, they might even be happy.”

 

“You don’t know them, but they understand your nature: if you knew that others had done so much for you, you would probably feel the need to repay.”

 

“What they most want to see is you living a stable life that you should have, preferably never knowing them.”

 

“But ah,” she showed a shallow smile, “since you have come to find it, it’s not against fate to tell you the truth. I’m not as noble as they are, I still selfishly want you to know everything.”

 

“I also want you to know that so many people have loved you sincerely.”

 

She raised her hand lightly.

 

Several groups of green flames flew out, illuminating the darkness, illuminating the huge formation on the ground.

 

Soon, the flames illuminated several talismans.

 

The talismans come from different periods, different families, and different people, each branded in different corners of the formation, with fine strokes.

 

Hundreds and thousands of them.

 

It’s as if until today, those people were still standing here silently.

 

“These are all drawn by them, basically everyone has left all their knowledge here.” Zhang Shuwan said.

 

“There’s another thing,” she propped up her weak body and tried to stand up, “this is what they want me to do.”

 

She bowed deeply to Lu Yingjiu.

 

With sincerity, guilt, and apology.

 

This was an apology for his fate. At this moment, she embodied the figures of countless people over the past hundred years.

 

Lu Yingjiu helped her up and said softly, “Now, I know everything…Thank you, thank you, all of you.”

 

“Zhang Shuwan smiled silently. “But, Lu Yingjiu, I can’t do more.”

 

“Now only I am left, and just maintaining this formation has exhausted me. This formation took hundreds of years to complete, my talent is not enough, I can never fully understand it. I only know that it can help you fight the Heavenly Way.”

 

Looking around, this formation that stretched for countless kilometers was complex to the extreme.

 

Every stroke was like an old tree and withered vine, tightly entwined;

 

Every line was like a sharp blade, outlining the sharpness.

 

No different from a heavenly book, and no known text or language could describe it.

 

This was an incredibly huge workload, the hard work of countless generations, and even the soul and cultivation offered by Jing Xian. Unfortunately, the people who understood it have long died at the hands of the Heavenly Way.

 

Zhang Shuwan smiled bitterly. “I have no idea what to do. In the end, we still couldn’t free you from your fate.”

 

“…No,” Lu Yingjiu shook his head, “There is still a way.”

 

“What way?” Zhang Shuwan was stunned.

 

Lu Yingjiu pointed to the formation and laughed, “Just give me a little time, and I can figure it out.”

 

Zhang Shuwan was still stunned, “But it…”

 

“You must know my talent since you and they have been paying attention to me for many years.” Lu Yingjiu said lightly, as if describing a very ordinary little thing, “As long as I want, where in this world is there an exorcism technique I can’t understand? It won’t be an exception.”

 

He smiled.

 

Still that kind of confidence and chic.

 

He continued, “What you left me is enough for me to win.”

 

“You don’t have to worry about that night parade of the hundred ghosts.”

 

“The spirit and backbone of an exorcist, courage and kindness, I have no less, even more. The person who can serve as the mainstay is only me, I will burn this long night to the end, I will solve everything, whether it is ghosts, the Heavenly Way or my fate.”

 

“And,” he laughed, “I’m not fighting alone.”

 

Lu Yingjiu’s gaze fell on Zhang Shuwan, fell on the green lantern, fell on the formation and the countless talismans floating in it.

 

Finally, his gaze rested on Jing Xian, full of tenderness.

 

He said, “You can rest assured to hand over the lantern passed down to you.”

 

“Next, it’s my war.”