Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
As soon as the female ghost left, I immediately turned to Qin Ling and said, "Don't think about it anymore. We can't let this opportunity slip away."
Qin Ling glanced at me with cold, unfeeling eyes, his entire demeanor radiating displeasure. I ignored him completely; to me, this was a chance that couldn't be wasted. The longer we delayed, the more dangerous it would be for Molin, and the longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for Jun Chong.
So no matter how unwilling Qin Ling was, I had to go to that place.
"If you don't agree, I'll go alone."
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, I pouted and turned to leave. Just a few steps out, I was yanked back with force. "Troublesome spirit, stop right there."
"Why are you pulling me if you're not going? Although that female ghost is the Underworld King, it's a bit strange that she can't handle a Vengeful Spirit. But I think it's worth a shot—what if it's true? Today is already the sixth day; we can't afford to wait for another round."
Qin Ling didn't respond but instead narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to me. "It's midnight now, the best time for ghosts to roam. If you want to go out and get torn apart, I won't take responsibility."
His words made me smile brightly. "Then let's rest and sleep now."
Suddenly, I noticed a small black circle appear on his forehead, like a fleeting whirlpool that vanished in an instant. Qin Ling frowned and pressed his hand against his forehead, deep in thought. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but seeing his expression told me he wouldn't share, so I held back my question until he finally sat down beside me.
Every night these past few days, he had drawn a Circle around me while I slept. Although I was a troublesome spirit, he still chose to protect me.
Even though he hadn't said anything during these days, I could sense his loneliness and desolation, along with a faint hint of unwillingness. Everything seemed forced upon him; he had been severed from something precious and had struggled for rebirth only to find himself unaccepted.
"Qin Ling," I began cautiously, "I heard that your existence came about because Molin was harmed by ghosts back in the day. Molin's master sealed you away for his sake. You must have had a hard time all those years, right?"
Qin Ling kept his eyes closed and did not respond. After a long while, he moved his lips, "I don't remember. I only feel an inescapable darkness surrounding me." He opened his eyes to gaze at the endless night, "Just like it is here."
"Do you hate Molin?"
"Hate?" He let out a cold laugh, filled with deep sarcasm. "At first, he didn't even know I existed. When he saw me for the first time in Underworld Palace, he looked so surprised; I still remember that expression vividly."
"Perhaps there’s a way for you both to coexist—one in the human realm and one in the underworld?"
"Impossible." Qin Ling firmly rejected the idea. "Only one of us can exist. Our other halves are empty; neither of us has a complete soul to form the Three Souls and Seven Spirits. The only outcome is annihilation—either I devour him or he retaliates against me."
I noticed his hand, resting at his side, clenching slightly. Thinking of Molin made my heart ache. If it weren't for the appearance of that Vengeful Spirit back then, perhaps today’s existence wouldn’t have come to be.
But whether it was fate or not, it was all predetermined; not just humans, even spirits cannot escape the calamities of destiny.
A sense of helplessness ignited within me, and the unspoken feeling was far from pleasant.
Qin Ling's expression remained indifferent, but there was a flicker of light in his eyes as he stared into the impenetrable darkness. He spoke softly, "The king gave me new life and taught me. My existence is solely for him. Therefore, I will do whatever it takes to complete my mission."
"So you are even more grateful to him?"
I had once heard my grandfather say that an incomplete soul is very weak. If one appears strong, it only means they are burning away their fragmented soul; eventually, there will be nothing left.
I worried that Qin Ling was like this, which is why he had become so powerful. But I didn’t know him well enough to experience those dark pasts. Although my selfish choice was to save Molin, I didn’t want Qin Ling to simply fade away; after all, he truly existed.
"The King of Hell once told me that whether Molin can be saved depends on my choice." I looked up at Qin Ling, tears welling in my eyes as I forced a smile. "If I choose Molin, will you hate me?"
Qin Ling slowly turned his head, his deep black eyes like ink spreading on white paper, absorbing everything around.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth for the first time, and then he closed his eyes. "Your choice has nothing to do with me. But even if there is only a glimmer of hope, I still want to—live."
With a sudden crack, I felt something break inside me. Tears streamed down my face as I pressed my hand tightly over my mouth, trying not to make a sound.
No matter how cold and ruthless he was, or how bloodthirsty and combative, it could never compare to a simple wish: to live.
When dawn broke, I opened my eyes to find that Qin Ling was already awake. As usual, when he saw me stir, he tossed over a piece of bread and a jug of water. I ate while following him on our journey.
By the time I leisurely finished eating, Qin Ling stopped. I quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
"Eastern Ten Miles of Land is a bit far from here. I'll take you there."
He reached out his hand, and without hesitation, I took it. He pulled me close, and with a push from his toes, we soared into the air like the wind. I glanced at Qin Ling, who remained as cold as ever, as if last night's words had never been spoken.
That fleeting glimpse of desire from Qin Ling was merely an illusion.
The sound of Wind Sound howled past us, and before long, we arrived at our destination. It was just a flat piece of land surrounded by red Magma, with the temperature soaring high. As Qin Ling landed with me in his arms, I clung tightly to him. He looked down at me with furrowed brows and coldly uttered two words: "Let go."
"No!" I refused. "It's so hot here; you're cool and comfortable. I'm just holding your hand; I won't do anything to you."
Qin Ling glanced at me as if I were an idiot, ignoring me as he surveyed the empty surroundings. There was nothing here.
"Come out!"
I heard him shout sharply, and then he revealed his sword in my direction. Startled, I immediately hid behind him. "Are they here?"
"I've always been here!" The female ghost appeared, her three thousand black strands cascading around her, exuding an enchanting charm. "You didn't notice from the very beginning? Your soul must be suffering more damage than I thought."
"Soul damage?" I exclaimed, anxiously looking at Qin Ling. "What’s going on?" I hadn’t noticed any changes in him!
Qin Ling remained cold and silent, but the female ghost continued with a smile, "He has a soul within him that isn’t integrating. If it weren't for the powerful spiritual energy granted by the King of Hell, he would have collapsed long ago! Tsk tsk, but it's strange—despite being the same Three Souls and Seven Spirits, why is there such rejection? Unless—"
"Unless what?"
The female ghost raised an eyebrow at me, narrowing her eyes as she twirled a long strand of hair around her finger. "Unless the other soul is stronger than him; only then would this situation occur. Look at the black circle on his forehead—that's the best proof."
Listening to her, I turned to look at Qin Ling's face, but saw nothing unusual. Yet last night, I had indeed seen a black circle.
Qin Ling frowned and slashed his sword toward the female ghost. "Even if I'm damaged, I can still kill you."
"I know your abilities well, but I cannot be killed!" The female ghost's smile faded as she spoke seriously. "I've discovered that Emerald Valley is right beneath this magma. Tonight is the new moon; the moonlight will be greatly weakened, making it the perfect opportunity."
"Is today really the new moon?" I asked in confusion, realizing that I had been here for a month already; it was indeed the first day of the month.
"Yes," the female ghost nodded, her expression turning grave. "I have been here for a long time and know that on the first day of each month, the aura of the Ghost General guarding the Emerald Feather Box will weaken from its strongest to its weakest. This is the easiest time to breach it. You will only have one chance to obtain the Emerald Feather Box. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the Emerald Valley, even when the Ghost General weakens, ordinary ghosts are still no match for it. That is why nothing has happened all this time."
"How long will the weakest period last?"
Qin Ling's expression was cold, focused solely on what mattered most.
"It will last for the duration of a tea break, about five minutes," the female ghost smiled. "After this time, their abilities will only become stronger than before, making it increasingly difficult for any ghost to confront them."
Qin Ling scoffed lightly. "That's enough."
"Hey," the female ghost chuckled. "I know that five minutes is enough for you. But don't forget that one of the Three Ghost Gods was killed while in a powerful state, and the other two were caught off guard, resulting in one death. So is five minutes really enough?"
"Enough," Qin Ling repeated those three words. I could see the determination in his eyes; I believed him but still felt worried. The female ghost nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's set off!"
"Wait."
"Little Girl, do you have any questions?"
"Why do you want Qin Ling to help you kill that Vengeful Spirit?"
"Because it devoured my husband, which is why it has become so powerful. If I do not avenge this grudge, I will never find peace."
At that moment, I finally felt how heavy the malice was within a Vengeful Spirit. Accompanied by a thick heaviness, her expression was sorrowful when she didn't smile, but when she did, she became incredibly beautiful.
I didn't ask any more questions, and the three of us jumped into the Magma. With the two of them around and the protective shield raised, I didn't notice how high the temperature of the Magma was this time.
It was just that the space beneath the Magma was vast. Last time, I thought I had merely entered the Emerald Valley, so I assumed it would be similar. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The entire area beneath the Magma was ablaze with a fiery red hue, with countless scorching flames burning all around, stretching endlessly without a bottom in sight.
"Last time I came down, I reached the Emerald Valley right away. What's going on this time?"
We had been down there for quite some time. Due to the intense heat of the Magma, the protective shield was becoming increasingly weak, and the temperature was rising along with it. If this continued, we would be scorched.
"Perhaps she doesn't want us to enter," the female ghost pondered for a moment before suddenly grabbing my hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Since she won't let us in, we can only use you as bait, Lord of the Ghost Fetus."
"What?"
Before I could react, a sharp pain shot through my arm, and crimson blood began to seep out, penetrating the protective shield and flowing into the Magma. Instead of mixing, it seemed to move forward as if it had a life of its own.
"Follow that," Qin Ling said. We moved forward and soon saw a lush expanse of greenery. I exclaimed in delight, "We've reached the Emerald Valley!"
Comment 0 Comment Count