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Chapter 177 Love and Separation (Part Two)

No senior sister?!
Wang Xi immediately felt that it was absurd and inexplicable.

From the moment he arrived, he saw his senior brothers and sisters, as well as the taciturn senior sister Huo Siling. They all lived under the same roof; how could they not recognize each other?

But soon, Wang Xi realized something.

Throughout the entire process, apart from himself, it seemed that his senior sister never interacted with anyone else.

Even though everyone was standing together, no one else noticed Huo Siling's presence...

It was just that I had a preconceived notion and mistakenly thought she was my senior sister.

So, who exactly is she?

"Her name is Huo Siling."

Wang Xi said in a deep voice.

He then discreetly observed the expressions on everyone's faces.

Senior brother Yu Ruiyang and junior sister Huo Qiao'er looked blank, as if they had never heard of this name before.

However, the master and mistress's expressions changed drastically.

They looked at each other and saw an expression of disbelief on each other's faces.

Siling...

It's their daughter's name.

However, Huo Siling died of illness at the age of five, and Huo Qiao'er was born later... Now, nearly twenty years later, when they hear this name again, the couple feels as if they have been separated by a lifetime, but they will never forget it.

"Xi Zhi, you...you really saw Si Ling?"

Master's wife, Huo Shenglan, stepped forward and asked with red eyes.

Wang Xi glanced at the rain outside the door, silently walked over and closed the door, then closed the window as well, before turning around and giving his teacher's wife a solemn nod.

"See you."

"But...but this..."

The master's wife was filled with disbelief, yet she couldn't suppress that faint glimmer of hope.

What if what Xi said is true?
If Siling were still alive, for the past twenty years, she would have been silently watching their every move from a corner of the martial arts school, though she was invisible to the naked eye.

If that's true, that little girl who died young back then should be a grown woman by now...

"Si Ling! Siling!"

Huo Shenglan, with tears in her eyes, shouted loudly.

Her voice, tinged with tears, held a hint of pleading: "Come out and see your mother!"

Immediately, Huo Qiao'er stepped forward to help her mother up, her eyes red as she whispered words of comfort.

Master Huo Mingchuan stood with his hands behind his back, sighing.

Wang Xi watched this scene and thought of many things.

The Lantern Boy is an old, monstrous creature, while the Green Grain God is a creature whose obsession lingers after death and attaches itself to objects... And what about Senior Sister Huo Siling?
He remained silent and strode into the inner courtyard.

Immediately, one could see a palm-sized alms bowl placed under the porch on the right, with a stick of incense stick with wisps of smoke sticking out of it.

It was a half-burnt "rain-praying incense".

A slender figure leaned against the wall, his pale profile lost in thought.

"Senior sister?" Wang Xi stopped in his tracks and asked tentatively.

Huo Siling turned her head and looked at him blankly.

"Junior brother, the messenger from the underworld has come to see me..."

A realization flashed in Wang Xi's eyes.

The Black and White Impermanence outside the martial arts school were actually there to capture her.

He glanced at the "rain-praying incense" and was reminded of the legendary tales of the Seventh and Eighth Masters—

Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu were sworn brothers who were as close as brothers. One day, the two were passing under the Nantai Bridge when they were caught in a sudden downpour. Xie asked Fan to wait under the bridge while he went home to get an umbrella.

Fan kept his promise, but the floodwaters rose unexpectedly. Unwilling to break his promise and leave, he was eventually drowned. When Xie returned, he found Fan had already drowned, and in his grief, he hanged himself on a bridge pillar.

Moved by their integrity, Yama appointed the two as soul-collecting messengers, known as "Black and White Impermanence."

So, Seventh Master and Eighth Master dislike rainy days, and can the "rain-praying incense" temporarily hinder their actions?

Wang Xi guessed.

But the incense is almost burned out.

Once the rain stops, my senior sister will surely be taken away by the two unseen beings.

At this moment, Huo Siling was heard talking to herself:
"Junior brother, I don't know what changes have occurred to you, but only you can see me..."

Perhaps they knew their fate was sealed.

She began to confide in Wang Xi.

It turns out that when Huo Siling was seriously ill and bedridden, she left behind a lingering attachment to her parents, her desire to live, and her reluctance to leave her home before she died. Her soul lingered at the Huo family martial arts school for a long time.

By chance, she became attached to a pillar in the martial arts school and gradually became a kind of "house spirit".

Having lost his physical form, he silently protects his family.

If that were all, she wouldn't have attracted the wrath of the underworld, since she had become a monster-like being, like the Qinghe God.

Monsters are not under the jurisdiction of the underworld.

Until half a year ago.

An old Taoist priest who was traveling around came to ask for water, and Huo Shenglan warmly welcomed him. The old priest was quite moved, and before leaving, he looked around the martial arts school and finally gave her a talisman.

Although called talismans, they are actually paper-cuts with imperial edicts drawn on them.

Following the old Taoist's instructions, Huo Shenglan pasted the sticker on one of the pillars in the martial arts school.

From that day on, Huo Siling discovered that she had regained her physical form and could move freely within the martial arts school, even touching inanimate objects.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xi thought of the "soul-retaining paper-cutting" of the eldest daughter of the Qi family in the provincial capital—the effects were somewhat similar, both allowing the soul to linger in the mortal world.

So, could that mysterious old Taoist priest be a master of "paper-cutting"?

Wang Xi continued to speculate.

It's no simple feat to allow a "homebody spirit" that has been around for over a decade to regain its physical form and continue wandering as a soul.

But it was precisely this good intention that made Huo Siling a target of the underworld.

"Siling! Siling! Your parents miss you so much!"

Huo Shenglan's cries echoed through the martial arts school again.

"Come out and see your parents..."

"Mother." Huo Siling heard her mother's call, but her face was blank and her eyes were filled with sorrow.

She glanced at the "Rain Prayer Incense," which was only a third full, and then looked into the martial arts hall.

time is limited.

Huo Siling also wanted to see her parents one last time, but she was just a soul and could not see them with her mortal eyes.

This is destined to be an irreparable regret.

"Junior brother..."

Huo Siling opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

Her eyes held a hopeful look, as if she wanted to seek help, but she also felt that the hope was slim.

Wang Xi suddenly thought of something.

The gifts chosen by the peddler all followed the principle that "fate has its own plan." Since the appearance of the "rain-praying incense" foreshadowed the arrival of the messenger of death, there must be one of these gifts that could make up for the regret.

"Bring me the bronze mirror I gave to my master's wife..."

Wang Xi suddenly said to his senior sister.

The latter was taken aback.

Without the slightest hesitation, Huo Siling disappeared from the spot.

In just two breaths, when she reappeared, she was holding the bronze mirror "Love and Separation".

Wang Xi took the bronze mirror and said, "Here."

He led Huo Siling back to the martial arts hall, only to find his master's wife had collapsed to the ground, with Qiao'er, his master, and others comforting her.

"Master's wife, I've found my senior sister."

Wang Xi strode forward and handed the bronze mirror to Huo Shenglan. Before she could ask any questions, he said, "Use this mirror to look at yourself."

Huo Shenglan had no suspicions and immediately picked up the bronze mirror.

next moment.

Then she saw her own face.

Behind her stood a young face that was both strange and familiar. Huo Shenglan was first stunned, then tears trembled and streamed down her face.

Huo Shenglan turned around abruptly, took two steps forward, her fingertips hovering in mid-air, but dared not touch the face that seemed similar to her memory—it was her daughter who had died young twenty years ago, her eyebrows and eyes were the same as before, only she had lost her childishness and transformed into a graceful young woman.

Perhaps it was the effect of "love and separation" that revealed Huo Siling's soul form, allowing everyone to glimpse it.

"Ling'er...?"

Huo Mingchuan's voice was hoarse and out of tune. His towering body swayed, and Yu Ruiyang caught him.

Tears streamed down Huo Siling's chin, leaving dark marks on the blue brick floor. She suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily, crying, "Father, Mother, your daughter is unfilial..."

The last syllable was swallowed by a sob.

Huo Qiao'er stood frozen in place. She had never seen this woman before, yet a strange sense of closeness welled up within her. Seeing her parents weeping uncontrollably, she suddenly understood and rushed forward to hug Huo Siling tightly: "Sister!"

With this call.

Huo Shenglan rushed forward and hugged her two daughters tightly. Huo Mingchuan's large hand trembled as he placed it on the top of his eldest daughter's head. The moment his palm touched her, this tough martial arts master also shed tears.

Outside, the rain poured down, but inside, it felt as if a spring breeze was blowing. Huo Siling was enveloped in the warmth of her family, and twenty years of loneliness melted away.

She looked up and saw Wang Xi standing at the boundary of light and shadow, smiling, his lips silently saying, "Thank you, junior brother."

Wang Xi only understood at this moment.

Why is that bronze mirror called "Love and Separation"?

Everything is the will of Heaven.

Boom! !
Suddenly, a thunderclap was heard, and the doors and windows shook violently.

While everyone was still immersed in the joy of reunion, Wang Xi's expression suddenly changed. The rain outside was gradually subsiding, and two figures, one in black and one in white, were already standing silently at the door.

Through the wooden door, water dripped from the edge of the white-robed boy's umbrella, while a chain dangled from the sleeve of the black-shirted boy, rattling loudly.

"The time has come," Fan Ba ​​said coldly.

Wang Xi glanced back at the reunited group of people, then looked at the tightly closed wooden door.

He knew that this door could not stop the unpredictability of life.

After hesitating for a while, Wang Xi gritted his teeth, stepped forward, opened the door, and then stepped out.

He immediately clasped his hands in a gesture of respect:
"Could you two please grant us some more time?"

Rain dripped down his clothes, but it couldn't hide the determination in his eyes.

The black-clad youth, Fan Ba, had a cold face, the chains in his hands twisting like venomous snakes, his voice like the clash of cold iron:

"Huo Siling's soul has lingered in the mortal realm for half a year, which is already a serious crime. Because she has not done any evil, the underworld has turned a blind eye, but now that the time has come, she must be taken away."

Xie Qi, the White Impermanence, held a plain white oil-paper umbrella, raindrops falling like beads on its surface. His eyes were gentle, yet tinged with a hint of helplessness.

“Young master, it’s not that we are heartless, but it’s not good for her or for the living if her soul lingers in the mortal world. If we delay any longer, I’m afraid she won’t even have the chance to be reincarnated.”

Wang Xi took a deep breath.

He bowed slightly and said sincerely, "My lords, Huo Siling has stayed in the mortal realm only because she has not let go of her obsession and is worried about her parents and family. She has never harmed anyone; on the contrary, she has silently protected the martial arts school for many years."

"If we're talking about unseen virtues, I, Wang, am not talented, but I have rid the people of evil and accumulated some good deeds... I wonder if this can offset part of her guilt?"

Fan Ba's eyes were fierce, and the chains had already sprung up in a winding pattern:

"The underworld is a strict and secure place; there is no room for bargaining."

Xie Qi gently pressed Black Impermanence's wrist, shook his head, and laughed:
"Don't be anxious, my dear brother."

He turned to Wang Xi, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

“Young Master Wang is a man of deep affection and righteousness, which reminds me of some past events… Well then, since your virtue is indeed profound, if you are willing to share some of her merits, I can grant her the privilege of being spared punishment.”

Wang Xi replied without hesitation, "Thank you for your kindness, Seventh Master!"

Fan Ba ​​frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his elder brother's unauthorized concession, but ultimately did not refute it further.

Xie Qi's smile deepened, and he tilted the umbrella slightly to shield Wang Xi from some of the wind and rain: "However, humans and ghosts are different, and she will eventually have to come with us."

“Of course.” Wang Xi nodded. “But… could she be allowed to say goodbye to her family? Half a day would be enough.”

Just as Fan Ba ​​was about to refuse, Xie Qi calmly spoke up:
"It's still early, we can wait until evening."

He glanced at the gloomy sky, his gaze carrying a pointed meaning:
"The rain will eventually stop."

...

...

By evening, the rain had already stopped.

Black and White Impermanence stood silently outside the house, Fan Ba ​​stood with his hands hanging down and said nothing, Xie Qi closed his umbrella and leaned against the wall, his fingertips lightly tapping the umbrella ribs.

The martial arts school members gathered at the entrance, and Huo Siling changed into a clean, bright red wedding dress—a treasure that Huo Shenglan had found after rummaging through her belongings.

When the master's wife was sewing Qiao'er's wedding dress, she could never forget Ling'er, who had died young, so she made an identical one by hand. Now, this wedding dress, which carries two heavy memories, is finally worn by its true owner.

"The time has come," Fan Ba ​​said curtly.

Xie Qi sighed, but still urged gently, "Miss Huo, please."

Huo Siling glanced at her parents one last time, then looked at Wang Xi, a smile appearing on her lips: "Junior brother, take care."

The chains jingled softly as the Black and White Impermanence escorted her to the edge of the twilight. The crowd watched the red-clad figure gradually disappear into the mist swirling at the alley's entrance.

Huo Qiao'er suddenly rushed forward a few steps, shouting in a tearful voice, "Sister—"

no respond.

Only the evening breeze rustled through the treetops, sounding like weeping.

...

...

Projection hosted

"The World I Live In: Mysterious"

Exploration: 1.8%

"Legend Level: 3 (You joined forces with the 'Amazing Swan Class' to eliminate the evil demonized Qinghe God. Although this is not known to the general public, your yin virtue is abundant... The fact that you valued loyalty and righteousness and used your yin virtue to save your senior sister from punishment has also spread in a small circle in the underworld through Xie Qi.)"

"Advent Cooldown Countdown: 44 hours and 59 minutes"

"Retirement Preview: What you did for the Huo Family Martial Arts School moved your master, mistress, and others."

"Huo Mingchuan wanted to marry Qiao'er to you, but you politely declined. You decided to leave and went to Fengdeng, the provincial capital, with the 'Jinghong Troupe'."

"Unfortunately, you and Mei Yanxi did not get to meet the storyteller surnamed Hu as you wished. Instead, you encountered strange things at the 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion,' where guests often disappeared in the middle of the night."

"At night, a snake crawls into your bedding and you kill it. You discover that it is actually a beautiful woman in disguise."

"Soon after, you found Mr. Hu, but he was indifferent and unmoved even by the dogwood token."

"You've missed your chance with Mei Yanxi..."

Wang Xi opened his eyes and sat up from the sofa.

The analysis in this "Seclusion Preview" was brief, but it was easy to see that killing the "beautiful snake" who attacked at night seemed to cause Mr. Hu's attitude to worsen.

He remembered this detail.

'correct. '

Wang Xi remembered something.

In the previous "Retirement Preview", the "Haunted Martial Arts School" incident was mentioned, which led to the tragic deaths of the master, senior brothers, and others.

He was constantly on guard against this, but it never happened.

After some thought, Wang Xi had an epiphany.

It seems that the "haunted martial arts school" would only be triggered if his junior sister and master's wife encountered misfortune while visiting relatives in Maoli Village. Now that he has successfully rewritten this ending, he has naturally avoided the subsequent disaster.

'The source is probably Senior Sister Huo Siling…'

Wang Xi already understood.

Without his intervention, the senior sister, overwhelmed by grief at losing her loved ones, would most likely have turned into a demon and gone mad.

Fortunately, he rewrote the tragedy.

Let's draw a card.

Wang Xi sat up straight, thinking to himself.

"Consume 400 energy points (5020 remaining)"

In my mind, four orbs of light—one deep blue, two blue, and one deep green—shone brightly.

hum-

First up is the deep green card "Swarm Resonance" dropped by "Qinghe God's Right Protector". It's a support skill card that can control nearby low-level insects for a certain period of time, and its effect is linked to its cost.

Then there's the "Qinghe God" card pool, which features two blue cards: "Sympathy for Farmers" and "Locust Transformation".

"Sympathy for Farmers" can accelerate the ripening of crops within a certain area by consuming energy, and has a chance to grant beneficial effects such as "resistance to diseases and pests", "increased yield" and "improved quality".

"Locust Transformation" can forcibly transform a creature into an obedient, puppet-like locust monster. Regardless of the creature's strength in life, it will be uniformly reduced to a blank three-star level after transformation.

The conversion limit is fifty.

"Wow, this card is amazing..."

Wang Xi was amazed.

What he was referring to was "sympathy for the farmers".

"Swarm Resonance" and "Locust Transformation" are both very good, belonging to the Legion deck category, just like "Mix Mud into Soldiers", but they both have limitations.

The concept of "sympathizing with farmers" holds extraordinary significance in the new era.

The vast land of China, with its mountains and seas, is mostly uninhabitable wilderness, and the areas suitable for cultivation are very limited.

This makes food scarce and precious.

This blue card can effectively increase your harvest.

Its value far surpasses that of "blue".

The last deep blue card that "Qinghe God" dropped turned out to be an item card.

The card is made of that black bamboo pole with a burlap sack tied to it.

"Qinghe's Compassionate Wish (Item Card)"

"Quality: Dark Blue 3-Star (Cannot be upgraded)"

"The object that the Green Rice God possesses. This object has three unique characteristics: First, it is a bamboo pole that marks the day, appearing at dawn and returning at dusk, without any deviation from the hour; second, it is a burlap sack that holds the sky, trapping insects and evil spirits like a cocoon; third, it is a fertilizer that transforms evil into manure, trapping demons within and gradually turning them into fertilizer."

"After use, you will possess it. You can trap the target in a sack and gradually refine it into nutrients, especially effective against pests and evil spirits."

"Top-tier item card!"

Wang Xi was amazed.

He actually drew out "Qinghe God" directly.

With this insect-catching net in hand, even the most powerful and evil insects with copper frames and five stars could be caught and refined in an instant.

Even a silver-framed five-pointed star can trap it.

It's just that unreasonable that Tianke Zhuanwu is so powerful.

After thinking it over, Wang Xi decided to keep "Sympathy for Farmers" and "Qinghe's Compassionate Wish," while listing "Swarm Resonance" and "Locust Transformation" for sale in the "Hat Hole" section.

After doing all that, he glanced at his phone.

There are several text messages.

The messages came from Chuna, Cupid Housekeeping, and the Hero Association, and weren't anything particularly important.

However, Li Xingduan, the vice president of the Yongxie Association, sent a message of congratulations, saying that the submitted list of "promoted" officials had been approved and that Wang Xi could prepare in advance.

The Yongxie Association has arranged a wilderness hovercar, which will depart in three days for Lucheng, the capital of the Southern Continent.

Gucheng has a total of 20 people this year.

Wang Xi was one of them.

(End of this chapter)