CHAPTER 490: CHAPTER 490 : WALKING AWAY

Deep in the Underworld, there was a small oasis, a piece of heaven in the middle of the land of the dead, where Dizang* resided with his disciples. These were the exceptional souls he personally handpicked from the sea of souls that passed by the Underworld.

The stay at Dizang’s oasis was comparable to the stay at the Garden Watcher’s Garden of Passing Souls, save for one distinct difference -- those who became Dizang’s disciples did not have to re-enter the samsara cycle if they did not want to.

Indeed, Dizang could not recall any of his disciples ever wanting to leave, save for a single one.

"Dizang, I wish to return to the Heavenly Realm," his newest disciple said, as he did the previous day and the day before.

Dizang lifted his head and stopped watering the plants in his lush garden with a sigh.

"Xie Jianyu, come over here," he said while beckoning Xie Jianyu toward himself.

Xie Jianyu obediently complied and approached Dizang.

"You have just gone through a horrific experience," Dizang scrutinized the soul of the Crown Prince from head to toe while stroking his long beard. "Shouldn’t you rest a little more? It has only been five days since you arrived here."

Xie Jianyu gently shook his head.

"I can’t, Dizang. My husband and children need me."

Dizang heaved a sigh.

"My child, familial connections end upon one’s death. By that definition, they haven’t been your family members for more than five years.

I see a great deal of you in the future. Stay here for a while longer, clear your heart and mind, and I will personally recommend you to ascend to immortality. How does that sound?"

Again, Xie Jianyu shook his head. He raised his fists and cupped them before Dizang in respect, but he remained steadfast in his resolution.

"I am sorry, Dizang, but I still wish to go back to the Heavenly Realm."

Dizang stared at the stubborn soul before him.

"What if your husband and children no longer need you? What will you do then?"

Xie Jianyu shot Dizang a desperate smile.

"I have promised to return to their sides. If they no longer need me, then I will not force them to accept me."

"Then why not just assume that they no longer need you? A mortal’s life is but the time it requires for a candle to burn out. They might mourn your passing, but eventually they move on."

"Because I am sure that they are waiting for me to return," Xie Jianyu replied confidently. "So I am going to fulfill my promise and return."

Dizang shook his head in disbelief. He then abandoned his water pitcher and walked away from Xie Jianyu, who insisted on following after him.

"If you leave this place, you will re-enter the samsara cycle. There is no guarantee that you will return to the Heavenly Realm."

Xie Jianyu bowed his head.

"It will be a step closer to my family," he murmured. "Dizang, I will be more than grateful to move on."

The bodhisattva heaved a long sigh. So many souls begged him to take them under his wings whenever he passed by the ten courts, and here was Xie Jianyu, begging to leave.

Then again, he knew from the very beginning that this would happen.

The bodhisattva retrieved a luminous pearl and held it in his hand. It was the Chintamani Stone, a wish-fulfilling jewel that could grant anyone their heartfelt desire.

"This is for you," Dizang took Xie Jianyu’s hand and pressed the pearl into his palm. "Although we are not fated to stay together right now, I wish you all the best in your upcoming journey."

Xie Jianyu widened his eyes in surprise.

"But Dizang, I... This is too precious. I am not worthy..."

"Haiz... Take it, take it."

Dizang waved Xie Jianyu off.

"I am just returning it to its original owner. Take it, take it."

"But..."

"Aren’t you in a hurry to return? The gate to the Underworld is going to close in ten minutes. Afterward, you will have to wait until tomorrow before you can leave," Dizang warned him.

Xie Jianyu quickly bowed his head in gratitude.

"Then... I shall take my leave, thank you Dizang!"

Swift like a sparrow, Xie Jianyu escaped from the oasis that no one before tried or wanted to escape from.

"Haiz."

Dizang let out another sigh and continued watering the beautiful flowers in his garden.

He lost another bet with the Goddess of Fate and Destiny.

That little girl was getting more and more brazen these days...

Xie Jianyu hurried down the path toward the gate Dizang referred to.

It was guarded by two hell creatures, who were about to close it when Xie Jianyu cried out, "Please wait! I wish to leave!!!"

The hell creatures exchanged impassive looks for a while before they eventually let Xie Jianyu pass.

Once he was outside, Xie Jianyu knelt before the gate and bowed his head one last time.

"Thank you for everything, Dizang."

He then started walking the winding and dark path leading toward the entrance of the Underworld.

And yet before long, he came face-to-face with a familiar figure.

--------

Author’s note :

Ahem. This author is here for more lessons about the Chinese culture ヾ⁠(⁠*⁠’⁠Ｏ⁠’⁠*⁠)⁠/

So we have visited the Underworld with Fengxi previously, but we have not gone into details about the rulers of the Underworld.

The Underworld, according to Chinese culture, is ruled by Nine or Ten Kings of the Underworld, who passes judgment to the souls in each of their courts.

Aside of these Kings, there is a figure known as Bodhisattva Dizang, who served several important roles in the Underworld, mainly to guide lost souls, help them achieve enlightenment in the next life, review their merits, and offering a more favorable reincarnation.

He is especially inclined toward young souls who died early and the ones who suffered a lot of hardship in life.

We can all agree that Xie Jianyu’s life hasn’t been easy at all, be it as Xie Jianyu or Qiao Wei.

Quiz time!

Who did Xie Jianyu meet when he left the oasis just now? ╰⁠(⁠⸝⁠⸝⁠⸝⁠´⁠꒳⁠`⁠⸝⁠⸝⁠⸝⁠)⁠╯