The pear tree on the wall is snowy and delicate

Chapter 489 A Long-Awaited Reunion Brings Regret
On a donkey cart loaded with hay, Adao lay comfortably, a straw dangling from his mouth, his legs crossed, his little feet occasionally swaying with the cart, looking quite content.

As they approached the city gate, the driver called out, "We're here! We're here!" Adao jumped off the cart in a flash, bowed deeply to the driver, and then headed into the city.

Looking at the huge plaque above the city gate, Adao tightened his pack on his back and let out a long sigh of relief.

After a year, I have finally returned to Guyang City. I wonder how everyone is doing, whether Zhanli has taken good care of his master, and whether Grandma is still in good health.

A year ago, in order to ask Yue Niang of Liuyunxuan for help, Adao signed a hundred-year indenture, claiming that he wanted to see what was so different about the demon chosen by the ancient god.

Although she didn't understand what the old monster was saying, fortunately, she was still quite righteous and allowed Adao to go home to visit his family for a month every year.

Moreover, besides having Adao do chores, Yueniang would also guide him in his cultivation when she had free time. Over the past year, Adao's cultivation had greatly improved, and he was quite grateful to Yueniang.

The thought of seeing his master and Zhanli soon, and being able to visit his grandmother, made Adao extremely happy. His little legs practically flew as he ran.

The old city of Guyang used to be bustling with people in its streets and alleys, but three years of hardship have made the city much quieter.

Fortunately, the city lord governed well, so Yangcheng was much better than the jurisdictions of those incompetent officials outside, and even received commendation from the imperial court.

After a year of recuperation, although the people's pain has not been completely healed, smiles can be seen on their faces.

Ah Dao skipped and hopped all the way to the familiar street corner. The shops on both sides were still doing business, and the familiar shouts made him feel very warm.

The three golden characters "You Ran Ju" on the newly painted plaque stirred A Dao's heart.

The master said that gold can bring wealth, so the gold characters on the newly made plaque are exceptionally large.

Just as Ado was about to shout loudly, preparing to give everyone in the house a surprise, a chaotic "clanging and banging" sound suddenly came from inside the house.

Before Adao could react, a large black rat darted out of the house, followed by a broom that flew out and smashed the bluestone slab at the doorway.

The "surprise" stuck in his throat. Looking at the fear in the mouse's tiny, darting eyes, A-Dao suddenly felt hungry.

He quickly tapped his head—Moon Lady said that to become a great demon, the first thing to do is to learn to control one's animalistic instincts.

That mere mouse dared to try and break his spell? How despicable!
Just as they were about to start cleaning up, Lingxiang's powerful roar came from inside the house again:
"Zhanli! How many times have I told you! You don't need to use force to catch mice!"

The roof tiles rattled and jingled. Zhan Li jumped out, covering his ears, his face expressionless, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

Su Tong also came out of the house, tugged at Zhan Li's sleeve, and was about to speak to persuade him when she turned her head and saw A Dao staring in disbelief. She was overjoyed.

"Junior sister, look who's here!"

Lingxiang didn't seem to buy it and shouted, "Senior sister, you're just spoiling him! It's only the beginning of the month, and this kid has already broken so many of my medicine bottles!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Lingxiang came out, carrying a feather duster and standing aggressively with her hands on her hips.

"It's no use who comes today!"

Adao's eyes were a little moist. Lingxiang hadn't woken up when he left, but seeing her so energetic now, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

"Master!"

A little bundle of flesh whimpered and snuggled into Lingxiang's arms. Lingxiang was taken aback at first, then happily hugged and rubbed Adao, completely forgetting about Zhanli breaking the medicine bottle.

Su Tong finally breathed a sigh of relief, and Zhan Li also breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, he was actually terrified.

Zhanli was truly puzzled. His master, who had always been gentle, had suddenly become like a tigress in the mortal world.

Humanity is indeed no good place...

After a long separation, the reunion was naturally marked by warm greetings and inquiries about each other's well-being.

In the dead of night, while everyone was still asleep, Zhan Li sat on the roof again.

A year has passed, and Zhanli still can't get used to sleeping deeply. Every time he falls asleep, his childhood experiences in the Demon Realm turn into nightmares, haunting him and making it hard for him to breathe. Just when he was most helpless, Zhanli met Lingxiang and Adao, like a door suddenly opening in a dark and closed room, bringing him warm light and a refreshing breeze.

After a sip of wine, the aroma of the wine lingers in the throat.

If one were to ask what is the best thing in this world, besides Lingxiang and Adao, only wine could catch Zhanli's eye.

The crescent moon hung like a hook, playfully touching the treetops, and Adao huffed and puffed as he climbed onto the roof.

A year of experience had made Adao much more composed. He sat down next to Zhanli, looked up at the moon, and seemed lost in thought. The latter simply sipped his wine, savoring it carefully.

"Still no news about Long Qi?"

Zhanli didn't answer, but poured himself a full glass of wine. Adao understood, but didn't press the matter, and sighed like a little adult.

Not long after returning from the underworld a year ago, Long Qi disappeared without a trace. No one knew where he went; it was as if he had vanished into thin air.

My senior sister Su Tong once said that it was probably the effect of the Twin Blossoms Technique.

At that time, Long Qi's hair turned white overnight, which stunned everyone.

Adao had only heard of such things in Lingxiang's stories; this was the first time he had experienced it firsthand.

Master Su Tong also said that one's hair turns white overnight because one's heart is broken.

Adao didn't understand. How could he live if his heart was broken? Sutong just said that Adao was still young and would understand when he grew up.

Not only Long Qi, but many things have changed since returning from the underworld.

With the threat of the demons gone, the protective mountain formation was no longer needed, allowing Zhan Li to live in Guyang City. The elders of the Yuanqing Sect also retired to the mountains, and the position of sect leader was passed to Han Yang, with the Elder with the Bamboo Staff assisting in the administration.

Chi Yanzi has gone on another journey. In his own words, the Fairy Tu Mi taught him to follow the natural way and to make the world his home, so he will not stay in one corner, but will roam freely in the mountains and rivers.

Mai Dong volunteered to go to the Hexi Cave on Siguo Cliff, saying she wanted to atone for her sins. Although everyone said it wasn't her fault, she couldn't forgive herself.

Xin Yi went to You Lu Lu's house and settled down at Si Guo Cliff after returning. Occasionally, she would go down the mountain to visit the city lord's family and sometimes visit Youran Residence.

As for Zhao Wuyang, it is said that he was injured by the Netherworld Qi during the battle in the Ghost Realm, and could only be saved by borrowing the Emperor's fortune. Now he has been sent to the palace to follow the Emperor and cultivate with Baili Wudao.

Liu Xia brought back Banxia's soul, but the soul could not return to her body. Master Donghui said that it was probably because the soul had been separated from the body for too long that it had become like this.

Over the past year, with Liu Xia and Lian Qiao by her side day and night, Banxia's soul finally returned to her body, but she never woke up.

Liu Lan married Sang Mu, and the two lived in seclusion in Jiuque Mountain, becoming neighbors with the Luo Li couple, and enjoying their lives to the fullest.

Lu Ying returned to the Supreme Sect and was said to have obtained the position of Peak Master, and was highly valued by True Person Xunfeng.

Everything was moving in a positive direction, except for Lingxiang...

During dinner, Adao tried to test Lingxiang, but Lingxiang didn't remember Long Qi at all, as if Long Qi had never appeared.

Even though she had mentioned Long Qi just a moment ago, when asked again, Lingxiang acted as if she was hearing the name for the first time.

Like a vicious curse, it erased Long Qi's name from Ling Xiang's memory and refused to allow him to exist.

"Isn't there a way to break this?"

Adao was somewhat unconvinced, but Sutong shook her head.

Su Tong was also unaware that before Fairy Tu Mi passed away, she only said that this was the only way to save Ling Xiang, but she did not tell her that it would turn out this way, nor did she say how to break the curse.

“Everything comes at a price, let alone saving a life,” Su Tong sighed.

"Forgetting is the most heartbreaking thing for both oneself and others; perhaps this is the price of going against nature..."