Chapter Ninety-Nine: Obsession

After the corpse-devouring ghost’s spirit dissipated into nothingness, the three talismanic battle symbols caused the group of vengeful spirits to flee in panic, countless other ghosts turning to dust and smoke.

The remaining ghosts scattered desperately, fleeing for their lives.

Although Li Yue’s voice was exceedingly weak, it was remarkably clear.

“She was innocent. You, burdened by your duty and obsession, let your daughter suffer such torment. Her life had barely begun before she became a ghost.”

“But you failed to protect her soul, allowing her to fall into the hands of the corpse-devouring ghost. She endured years of torture worse than death. And now, you only think of leaving everything to her while contemplating an end for yourself.”

“Isn’t this avoidance? What else could it be?”

“Do you really need to die?”

“Absolutely not.”

Li Yue’s words shifted from trembling to a chill that felt like a rebuke.

This tone was less a plea and more a stern accusation.

“You are simply afraid because you are selfish. You made her suffer the pain of death and the slow erosion of her lifespan by Qianshui Town. Your incompetence allowed the corpse-devouring ghost to torment her for so many years. It’s not your body she pains when she devours your flesh, nor is it the suffering you imagine she endured. It’s your unwillingness to face your own actions and your failure!”

Li Yue grasped my wrist tightly. Her body trembled as she stood unsteadily and whispered, “You don’t need to die at all. You are a ghost suppressor. Once you return, the yin energy will naturally extinguish the soul fire within you. You’ve studied so many Taoist arts; you know how to survive.”

“We have fulfilled the promise we made to you. The corpse-devouring ghost is dead. The lingering ghosts of the town are already wounded and nowhere near as powerful. You can handle them. We will not solve your problems for you.”

After speaking, Li Yue pulled me along toward the outskirts of Qianshui River.

Her steps were faltering, on the verge of collapse, yet she moved with unwavering resolve, never glancing back, nor signaling for me to stop.

Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring memories of my mother.

As we moved forward, I looked back, my voice hoarse: “The three soul-sealing talismans on me were placed by my mother. She paid a great price to save me. The last time I used the Thunder God Talisman was when she used the last of her soul to protect me. Though I have escaped now, I am determined to grow stronger at any cost, to find those who can help me, because I must return. My mother still has a chance to live.”

“Whether mother or father, blood is thicker than water and surpasses all else. If you cannot face your own mistakes, even if your soul is torn apart, in the end, you will remain pitiful. Your daughter will spend eternity in torment.”

Wang Gongming said no more. He turned his back to us, and his soul fire only burned brighter.

After more than ten minutes, we finally emerged entirely from beyond Qianshui River.

A little further ahead, the hillside where the City God Temple stood came into view.

Li Yue stopped, swaying unsteadily before collapsing outright.

My heart clenched. I immediately reached out to catch her.

Her eyes remained tightly shut. Though her breathing was faint, it had steadied considerably.

I glanced back once more toward Qianshui Town.

By the riverbank, Wang Gongming’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

A sigh escaped me. I did not know if he chose to let himself dissipate or if he returned home.

If he could not face what awaited, then I would have to enter Qianshui Town once more.

The threat of the lingering ghosts still loomed. Only by eliminating them could I fulfill Wang Gongming’s final charge.

After all, he had unlocked the second seal of the three soul seals for me, allowing my earth soul to be freed.

My injured hand throbbed painfully, numb and nearly powerless.

With only one hand unable to lift Li Yue, I could only support her body as I climbed the hillside.

The night was silent and still as water, and the pain within me began to intensify anew.

At that moment, a tall, stout figure suddenly emerged from the City God Temple, rushing toward us with anxious shouts.

“Xie Yuan! Are you alright?” The voice was unmistakably Wang Erjun’s.

Relief washed over me. With Li Cangshui here, Li Yue would surely survive.

That brief easing of tension nearly caused me to collapse.

Wang Erjun reached me quickly, his face filled with fear.

“How did you get so badly hurt?”

“Take Li Yue up to Li Cangshui—have your master heal her. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine,” I rasped, gasping for breath.

Wang Erjun understood the severity. His face paled as he lifted Li Yue and ran up the hillside.

---

Dragging my body upward, exhausted and in pain, I refused to stop or let myself pass out.

Arriving before the City God Temple, I caught a glimpse of Li Cangshui’s back disappearing inside.

Wang Erjun walked just ahead of him.

I sat down by the wooden box nearby.

Inside were the peach wood sword and the spirit-sealing mirror, though their garments remained.

One hand rested on the box; the injured hand lay on my lap.

From this distance, Qianshui Town appeared once more like a cap on the horizon.

But this time, I sensed far less yin energy.

Instead, a faint, misty white light enveloped the entire town.

It resembled the dimming soul fire of Wang Gongming.

Had he returned?

Though he was avoiding his fate, Wang Gongming was willing to dissipate his spirit to save his daughter.

My thoughts drifted back to my mother and her three corpse spirits.

One day, I would rescue her three corpse spirits. But by then… would she even remember who I am?

Closing my eyes, my heart steadied.

No matter if she remembered me or whether her three corpse spirits were good or evil, she was my mother. I would save her.

I looked down at the mark on the back of my hand—the talisman Wang Gongming had drawn still remained.

The dream’s echoes replayed in my mind.

This was a parasitic ghost, a bond between Chan Shu and that man.

Originally, my soul still harbored a hidden danger, incomplete fusion with another soul. Now, it had fully merged.

Yet, the coffin—the breath that beat against my hand, the faint, elusive call—

I clenched my fists tightly.

To be with Chan Shu, I had two choices.

One was to erase that man’s existence completely, eliminating all future threats.

The other was to take Chan Shu away, never to return.

But was that right?

Such thoughts flooded my heart.

“You hesitate? Your soul wrestles within you.”

A calm voice suddenly whispered in my ear.

I jolted from my reverie and turned to see Li Cangshui behind me, hands clasped behind his back.

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

The silence was profound but brief.

“Li Yue… is she alright?” I rasped.

“She’s fine. I’m pleased with her performance. Your choice surprises me as well. I thought you would run when danger struck. Had you done so, I wouldn’t have helped you. Not even the friendship between you and Wang Erjun could change that outcome.”

I felt little stir within, and forced a hoarse smile.

“If I had fled, I wouldn’t deserve to return. I wouldn’t deserve to face my mother, nor to…”

My voice broke off abruptly.

“You don’t need to decide immediately. You have time to wrestle with your doubts.”

“And don’t force yourself to endure. Since I promised, I will follow through. You saved Li Yue’s life. Once you recover, I will tell you where to go.”

“I have been watching here, though I don’t know what happened in Qianshui Town. But on the riverbank, your abilities surprised me. Your soul is heavily depleted now. My advice: rest and recover. It is far better than devouring ghosts and souls. What you consume will never truly be yours.”

---

“Devoured… will never be yours…”

“Stolen… will never be yours…”

My heart trembled, and a strange fragrance wafted beneath my nostrils.

It was the same scent I noticed when I first met Li Cangshui, when he asked those questions.

My eyelids grew heavy, uncontrollable, and resistant.

My consciousness slipped away, and I fell backward.

I lost all control of my body, unable to open my eyes, sinking into a deep sleep.

When I awoke, it was already the following evening.

Opening my eyes, Li Yue still lay unconscious beside me.

I was resting on the ground inside the City God Temple, beside a massive stone statue of the City God.

Outside, only Wang Erjun remained on the hillside, brewing medicine.

His round face was slick with sweat. He turned and looked at me in surprise.

“Xie Yuan, you scared me! I thought you were done for. Master says your life is tougher than a cockroach’s. So you really woke up.”

I forced a weak smile, glancing awkwardly around.

Wang Erjun wiped his forehead. “Master went to Qianshui Town at noon. He said many townsfolk were possessed by ghost energy. Those who should save them were too busy. He went to rescue them and to help someone else as well.”

Relieved, I wondered if Li Cangshui had gone to help Wang Gongming.

I sat down to rest.

Wang Erjun brought me a bowl of medicine, excitement clear in his voice.

“Drink this quickly. Master taught me to make it. It’s called Returning Yuan Soup—great for replenishing vital energy.”

The dark, murky liquid made my facial muscles twitch.

I braced myself and drank it down; the bitterness nearly made me gag.

Wang Erjun’s eyes widened in anticipation.

“How is it? Master said this soup should be sweet and fragrant when done right. It looks dark, but it’s been simmering for half a day. It should be fine.”

My mouth twitched, but I smiled faintly.

“It’s indeed quite sweet. Want to try some?”

Wang Erjun took it seriously, immediately pouring himself a bowl and blowing on it to cool.

Just then, a figure appeared on the hillside.

Soon, the person arrived before us.

Li Cangshui held a leather box calmly.

“You don’t need to see him again. He asked me to give you this and to thank you for awakening him. He said to give it to you and to return to Qianshui Town once you have fulfilled your obsession.”

My heart skipped a beat. Hesitating, I took the leather box.

As I reached to open it, Li Cangshui suddenly said, “Erjun, let’s enter the temple.”

Wang Erjun paused. “What’s wrong? Master, my Returning Yuan Soup?”

“This is for Xie Yuan alone. I have already promised.”

With only me left on the hillside, I hesitated before opening the box.

Inside lay a book—a white-covered book.

It felt strikingly similar to the blue-covered book.

My heart thundered.

I turned to the first page—