CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 100: THE BUDDHIST BEADS SHATTERED!

"The lady is right, it was my selfishness that disregarded Jun’er’s wishes, all I wanted was to bring him back to life." Hua Niang smiled bitterly, "Even if I forcefully resurrected Jun’er, if he knew his revival came at the cost of others’ deaths, he would surely be very upset. My child, I know his temperament well. Back then, my obsession was too deep, trapping him in the nether world as a wandering spirit. Now, I just want to be with him, even if it means being wandering spirits together, at least we’d have each other."

Hua Niang had lost all will to live, her physical body was gradually decaying, beginning to merge with the nether pathway.

"You don’t carry the aura of having killed, where did all those internal organs in the yard and the irrigated blood come from?"

"They were all bought from the Black Market. I learned of this resurrection method from a wandering Daoist, but how could I bring myself to kill? I could only think of ways to buy these items."

"Black Market?" Yu Nianzhao had never been to such a place.

"Yes, there is indeed a Black Market outside Shangjing, it’s unregulated. Inside, it’s a mix of all sorts of people; as long as nothing major happens, they mostly look the other way." Xie Jiuxiao’s cool voice came through.

"Then who did you buy these items from in the Black Market?"

"That person is elusive, usually it’s through letters. I’ll place a letter in the Black Market’s mailbox the day before buying, and the next day someone will take me to collect the goods."

"So you’ve never seen who the person is?"

"No, I’ve never seen them."

"A wandering Daoist can teach you how to open the nether path; Hua Niang, your words are not trustworthy. Your talismans and methods, without some knowledge, you wouldn’t have the capability. I can walk openly on the nether path and can crush your souls to dust."

"This..." Hua Niang glanced at Yu Nianzhao’s cold eyes, gritted her teeth, "My flower cultivation skills were taught at the Silver Flower Building, and my Daoist techniques... half were learned from a wandering Daoist, and the other half were guided by Qingyun Taoist Temple. Lady, my words are absolutely true, I haven’t lied to you. I’ve already decided to stay here with Jun’er, not return to the living world, so there’s no need to lie to deceive you."

"Sister, I’m sorry!" Jun’er bowed to Yu Nianzhao, "My mother is very kind, she must have done wrong for the sake of Jun’er, sister please don’t blame mother."

Hearing Jun’er’s innocent words, Yu Nianzhao’s eyebrows softened slightly.

"I know, but wrongdoing must be punished."

"Yes, I understand, I’ll accompany mother to accept the punishment." Jun’er clenched his little fists, an expression of determination on his dark green face.

"Jun’er..." Hua Niang was deeply moved, the familial love softened the anger on her face.

She reached out to hold Jun’er’s hand, and this time managed to touch Jun’er’s spirit without any obstruction. Excitedly, she pulled Jun’er into her embrace, the mother and son enjoying a brief moment of warmth.

"Alright, you two should hurry and leave here."

Yu Nianzhao formed a seal, and a lamp glowing with gentle light appeared in front of them.

"Is that the guide lamp?" Xie Jiuxiao raised his eyebrows, seeing the guide lamp for the first time.

"Yes, Hua Niang, you’ve come to your senses. In light of Jun’er, I’ll give you one last chance. Follow the guide lamp ahead, and you’ll reach the underworld. The wrongs you’ve committed will face judgment and punishment. Once you accept the punishment, you can reincarnate with your son." Yu Nianzhao’s voice seemed so close yet incredibly ethereal.

An invisible pressure loomed over, Hua Niang knelt and bowed to Yu Nianzhao gratefully, "Thank you, lady, truly thank you. Even in the next life, Hua Niang will never forget your grace."

She understood that Yu Nianzhao’s status was unusual, her gaze filled with reverence.

Such an outcome was the best she could ask for, truly grateful, she held Jun’er’s hand, following the guide lamp as they slowly disappeared from sight.

"I will send them back first, staying too long on the nether path isn’t good for them."

Yu Nianzhao gently tapped Xiao You’s forehead with her fingertip, a golden light embedded into her brow, Xiao You slowly closed her eyes, falling into slumber.

Yu Nianzhao supported Xiao You, drawing a Rejuvenation Talisman on her, the golden talisman carried Xiao You all the way to the exit of the ghostly path.

"Xie Jiuxiao, we must leave here too." Yu Nianzhao turned to take Xie Jiuxiao’s hand, only to find Xie Jiuxiao looking rather off.

"Zhaozhao, it seems... I can’t leave." Xie Jiuxiao furrowed his brows, raising his hand slowly to reveal the increasingly dull-colored Buddha Beads on his wrist.

"What happened? Your Buddha Beads are damaged?" Yu Nianzhao realized, "You’re still a living person, the ghostly air on the nether path has harmed you. Your Buddha Beads shielded you from the ghostly air, and now it’s nearing the end of its life."

Crack, crack!

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xie Jiuxiao’s Buddha Beads shattered entirely.

Kehehehe——

In the ear was the laughing of wandering spirits, they were drawn by Xie Jiuxiao’s evil qi, continually colliding with the talismans’ barriers.

The hordes of spirits made the golden light of the talisman gradually fade, soon they would destroy the barrier, and all would rush in. By then, Xie Jiuxiao’s body would be torn apart by those wandering spirits.

"Zhaozhao, don’t worry about me, leave here first." Xie Jiuxiao tightened his lips, as thousands upon thousands of spirits tugged at him from behind, he resolutely pushed Yu Nianzhao out of danger.

"Idiot!"

At the moment the talisman disappeared, she heard the cheers of the wandering spirits, each vying to tear Xie Jiuxiao’s body apart, she almost instantly saw Xie Jiuxiao’s back, drenched in blood, anger bursting from her eyes.

"Who dares touch my person!"

Yu Nianzhao’s furious roar shook the entire nether path.

Uwaaahhh——

King Yan’s wrath wasn’t something all wandering spirits could withstand, they let out terrified cries, even wanting to escape but too late.

"Jiu, eat them!"

Yu Nianzhao pulled Xie Jiuxiao over, noticing his back already covered with blood marks, anger rising in her heart, she coldly swept her gaze over them, calling out.

The shadow of Jiu Ying appeared behind her, each snake-head with blood-red eyes stared at the wandering spirits coldly, lunging at them without mercy.

[Hehehe, time to feast, I’m starving!]

Moments ago so arrogant, the wandering spirits became Jiu Ying’s meal, the ghostly path cleared considerably. Realizing the danger here, the remaining spirits scattered to flee, those unable to escape became Jiu Ying’s meal.