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Chapter 514 The Difficult Livelihood of a Ghost Messenger (8,000 words)
Mr. Lan really didn't want to come.

He felt that this matter should not be handled by him, but by Mr. Cao.

But His Highness insisted on sending him.

Along the way, Mr. Lan gradually figured it out: His Highness had made up his mind to send Old Cao, and Lord Xu might be playing tricks on Old Cao, delaying their return.

But sending a rough fellow like himself—making this a case of "a scholar encountering a soldier"—means that even if Lord Xu had some tricks up his sleeve, they wouldn't work.

But this time, Your Highness has gone to unnecessary lengths.

Xu Yuan had indeed finished his "business" in Luocheng and was preparing to return home.

"Senior Lan, please wait for me."

Xu Yuan apologized, because he couldn't just leave like that.

Xu Yuan made a special trip to visit Zhu Yangshun.

They were a great help this time.

Zhu Yangshun was very enthusiastic towards Xu Yuan.

His wife, Zhu Zhanmei, and Zhu Zhanlei's mother also lived with her husband in Luocheng.

The lady was very pleased with Xiao Xu and insisted on having him stay for a meal at her home.

During the meal, the lady kept asking about her two children's situation in Champa.

Whenever Xu Yuan talked about it, he would start with Zhu Zhanlei, but in the end, he would always end up talking about Zhu Zhanmei.

Xu Yuan himself was unaware of this.

But the meticulous Mrs. Zhu smiled, feeling that this "prospective son-in-law" truly loved his own daughter.

I am very satisfied.

After Xu Yuan left, the lady said to Zhu Yangshun, "My cousin Yang Ping has been stubborn and dull all his life. He is not good at anything except official duties."

But this time, they finally saw one thing clearly: they chose the right son-in-law.

Zhu Yangping often spoke highly of Xu Yuan at home, praising him endlessly. Even before returning to Shunhua City from Luocheng, Madam Zhu had already heard many good things about Xu Yuan.

Madam Zhu has always looked down on Zhu Yangping, who is only good at solving cases.

It was rare for her to acknowledge the other person.

……

Then Xu Yuan went to say goodbye to the old man.

After a busy day, Xiang Qinghuai saw him off as he left Luocheng.

But this time Xu Yuan made an excuse and refused to ride a horse back; instead, he wanted to take a boat.

Mr. Lan thought that Xu Yuan was just stalling for time and didn't want to go back to see His Highness so soon.

Mr. Lan doesn't care, I'll just take the person back.

What's the point of Xiao Xu resisting?

Traveling by boat is slower than riding a horse—but Luocheng and Champa are not far apart, so how many hours could it be slower?

Your Highness has always gotten whatever you wanted since you were a child.

Mr. Lan even tried to persuade him: "Xiao Xu, listen to your uncle, don't resist in vain, just give in to His Highness."

While in the canal, Xu Yuan quietly retrieved the leather dragon and the other crafted items.

As for Gu Tongzhen, he would not leave Ghost Witch Mountain without Xu Yuan's instructions.

There will be no problems with Jiao and Tian Jing taking care of us in the mountains.

Someone will definitely investigate Murong Zunlong's death in the future.

Gu Tongzhen is the most crucial figure in the case.

Without finding Gu Tongzhen, this case cannot be solved.

But when Xu Yuan returned to Champa, he heard news that left him speechless:

His Highness has purchased three houses next to the Champa Office of the Purification Bureau!
To the east of the Champa government office was the Shanhe Si office.

The three houses His Highness bought are in the west.

It's just across the street from the Bureau of Purification.

The price is not expensive.

Two of the three houses have been vacant for several years.

In fact, during the Ming Dynasty, very few people were willing to live around the gates of the Three Offices of Strange Affairs.

In this era rife with evil spirits, living near the Three Offices of Strange Affairs would be safer.

However, the officials and people of our Ming Dynasty do not trust the Three Offices of Deceitful Affairs.

This is entirely their own fault; they earned it all through their own abilities.

At the gates of government offices in various places, incidents of evil spirits "escaping" occur frequently...

After escaping, he first rushed into a nearby residential area and had a hearty meal.

Gradually, no one dared to settle down nearby.

In Champa, the houses around the government office were originally empty.

That household was still inhabited; it was only after Lord Xu took office as the head of law in Champa that they moved back.

These three houses were not originally very large.

However, the land plots of the three houses, when connected, are quite large, and they are exactly square.

When Xu Yuan returned, His Highness had already demolished half of the three houses with astonishing speed.

Yu Yunhang was very attentive, leading a team of captains to maintain order in the vicinity.

Firstly, to avoid bricks and tiles falling and hitting passersby when demolishing houses and walls.

Secondly, it serves as a precaution against the possibility that some hidden evil spirits might lurk in these old houses and suddenly pounce out to harm people.

Upon seeing his own Chief Lawyer, Yu Yunhang smiled and reported, "His Highness said that everything will be demolished and rebuilt, so that when she comes to Champa in the future, she will have a place to live."

Xu Yuan's mind was buzzing: What?! She's coming again?
He even built himself a huge mansion in Champa; he'll probably stay there for a long time next time he comes...

Yu Yunhang was naturally happy.

Everyone in the yamen has long seen that His Highness favors our master.

This is a great thing.

Xu Yuan glared at Yu Yunhang and went back dejectedly.

Yu Yunhang was completely baffled: "Even I, Yu Yunhang, have had my flattery backfire?"
Isn't it usually Lao Qin who does this kind of thing?
Xu Yuan went to pay his respects to His Highness first, since His Highness was still staying at the Champa government office and there was no way to avoid him.

Princess Ruicheng was dressed in what appeared to be casual home attire today.

Leaning back in the chaise lounge, she spoke with a hint of resentment: "Lord Xu is busy with official duties. I'm afraid that my staying here will annoy people?"

Xu Yuan dared not admit it. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It is an honor for the entire city of Champa to have Your Highness stay here."

Champa is indeed honored, but I am not.

Princess Ruicheng then placed an account book on the table: "Take a look at this too. It contains the specific details of our future business."

Xu Yuan then picked it up and examined it closely.

A faint pang of sorrow lingered in His Highness's heart.

But it cannot be driven away.

I got up early this morning and carefully dressed myself; it took me almost half an hour just to choose my clothes.

But you, you only glanced at me when you came in before lowering your head.

But his eyes lit up when he looked at the account book!
His Highness secretly used his jade-like hands to cruelly torment the hem of his robe.

But His Highness still wore a warm, gentle smile.

Xu Yuan was watching when suddenly a commotion came from outside.

But it wasn't a human voice.

Xu Yuan sighed, closed the account book, and said apologetically to His Highness, "My family is in turmoil. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I will take my leave now and go to deal with it."

His Highness covered his mouth and laughed.

"During the days Dafu was away, the geese and water birds kept to themselves, but as expected, they started making a ruckus as soon as they returned."

Xu Yuan turned around and came out, but felt something was wrong. When he turned back, he saw that His Highness was watching the show with great enthusiasm and followed behind him silently.

"Your Highness..."

Princess Ruicheng coughed and asked, "Can't I go and take a look?"

The last "ma" has a rather coquettish tone.

Xu Yuan could only nod: "Of course."

But the two had only taken two steps, and hadn't even reached Dafu's yard, when they suddenly heard a burst of fierce barking.

Xu Yuan was taken aback, and His Highness immediately sensed something was wrong: "My mastiffs..."

not good!

The spectacle ended up happening to them.

The two quickened their pace.

When we arrived at Dafu's yard, it was already in chaos. Birdsong, dogs barking, and Dafu's rather weak "ang ang" sounds filled the air without stopping.

To make matters worse for Her Highness, her mastiffs went from barking loudly to whimpering pitifully.

The two hurriedly stepped over the gate and looked around; dog hair was flying everywhere in the yard…

Dafu stood alone in the courtyard, at the highest point of the pond and rockery, but he no longer had his usual high-spirited demeanor.

His neck folded up and retracted.

Its wings were tightly folded in.

The whole goose looked like a giant white egg placed on the tip of a rock.

The yellow warbler somehow appeared and was flying around the yard triumphantly.

Geese and waterbirds are chasing after it and pecking at it fiercely!
However, it was all in vain; they didn't have the ability to do so, and with one beak, they passed right through the yellow-bodied warbler.

They surrounded and blocked the Yellow-bodied Warbler, but the warbler simply floated right through them.

The real victims were the mastiffs.

The mastiffs were subdued by Dafu.

He acknowledged Dafu as his "elder brother".

Today, Dafu's family is in turmoil, and in his anxiety, he called all his younger brothers over.

Let them separate the noisy geese and waterbirds.

Then every mastiff got its fur flying everywhere from being pecked by the birds.

They knew these were all older women, so they didn't dare to actually bite them and could only get beaten up.

Xu Yuan sighed, silently withdrew, and went to expose "Dreams Come True".

The relationship between Huang Shenying and Dafu was completely innocent.

This is absolutely "Dreams Come True" doing something bad behind the scenes!

Dafu had always wanted to build a nest on the roof of the "Dream Come True" car, but the "Dream Come True" car was very petty and would take any opportunity to retaliate against Dafu.

This truly shows that everything has its counter.

Dafu was lawless all day long, and he would go and chisel a hole in anyone he could catch.

But "dreams come true" always seems to come true with ease...

The "Dreams Come True" motto is hidden under the wall outside Dafu Courtyard.

When Xu Yuan found this guy, it was happily waving around.

The magnitude is enormous!

"Alright!" Xu Yuan snapped, "Quickly call the Yellow-bodied Oriole back."

While the "dream come true" was still dragging its feet, Xu Yuan kept his eyes on it.

"Dream Come True" realized it couldn't get away with it, so it had no choice but to obediently call the Yellow Oriole back.

But the fire had already started to swell, and the courtyard was still a scene of chaos.

Xu Yuan tapped his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"Dreams come true" always has its own meaning.

This piece is truly extraordinary.

"Your Highness, please call the mastiff back as well."

"Oh," Princess Ruicheng replied guiltily, and stood at the courtyard gate whistling a few times.

The mastiffs hesitated.

"Big Brother" won't let us leave, what should we do?
Xu Yuan roared, "Great fortune!"

Dafu quickly flapped its wings and squawked.

The mastiffs, with their tails between their legs, darted out of the yard like arrows released from a bow.

Then a dozen or so mastiffs circled around His Highness's feet, heads bowed, whimpering and complaining of their grievances.

Miserable!

It's truly heartbreaking to hear and brings tears to the eyes of anyone who listens!
With the source of the chaos, the yellow warbler, gone, the courtyard became noisy for a while, but no one knew what method Dafu used, and it finally gradually quieted down.

Xu Yuan was exhausted and didn't bother with it anymore.

He returned to his courtyard, and before he could sit down and have a moment of peace, he saw Old Qin sticking his head out from outside the door, looking ashamed.

First, he looked into the yard cautiously.

After confirming that no one else was around, he crawled in: "Sir..."

Xu Yuan said impatiently, "Speak up if you have something to say, or shut up if you have something to say!"

Old Qin hurriedly said, "The two young ladies have arrived."

"Who?" Xu Yuan didn't react for a moment.

Old Qin winked and said, "It's those two people you saw outside..."

"Stop!"

Xu Yuan glared at Lao Qin, feeling furious.

You've ruined my reputation, which is that of an innocent boy.

But we've already punished Lao Qin by making him guard the gate, so what other punishment can we give him?
We can't really make him go and check the outhouse, can we?
"Bring it in."

The process of Lao Qin bringing the fox sisters in was simply unbearable to watch.

Walk close to the wall.

We were extremely cautious the whole way, like thieves.

Before they even reached an intersection or a turn, Lao Qin would give a hand signal, telling the fox sisters to stay behind him while he peeked out first…

Anyone who saw this wouldn't think that Xu Yuan and the two little foxes had a somewhat ambiguous relationship.

Lord Xu waited in the courtyard, completely unaware that he had been tricked by Old Qin again.

When the two little foxes came in, Xu Yuan realized that it wasn't them who were looking for him, but the white fox.

The white fox invited Xu Yuan to meet at the White Moon Pavilion.

Sister Fox added, "Grandma said, please don't bring Young Master Zhu and Young Master Miao. This time, we have important business to attend to."

Even the white fox knew that Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu were never doing anything productive.

All they know is eating, drinking, and having fun.

Xu Yuan went directly to Xieliu Lane with the Fox Sisters.

When Baihu wasn't doing business, she didn't bother with dressing up. Upon meeting Xu Yuan, she got straight to the point: "Those people in the cracks asked me to come forward and discuss some things with you, sir."

"In the cracks" refers to the turbid space.

Zhuojian always felt that he was caught between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

"what's up?"

The white fox did not answer directly, but asked, "Has Your Excellency met with that City God recently?"

The last time we met was before Xu Yuan went to Luocheng.

The auspicious stone from outer space was lent to the City God.

"What did the City God do?" The white fox smiled bitterly: "Some ghost messengers set up stalls at the old market, and the prices of their goods were 30% cheaper. Those guys lost a lot of business and dared not speak out against it."

Xu Yuan was taken aback: Setting up a stall?

Lu Chenghuang borrowed auspicious objects, and Xu Yuan guessed that he must be planning to do something.

But setting up a stall in the old market—that has nothing to do with auspicious items, right?

Moreover, Lu Chenghuang went to great lengths and took huge risks to stay in the mortal world just to earn this little bit of money.
The white fox continued, "Those people also don't understand what the City God wants to do, so they asked me to come and ask."

Xu Yuan's eyes darted around; the white fox wasn't the kind of person who would help for nothing.

The Yin-Yang Pythons must have given them benefits.

Xu Yuan originally wanted to share some of the profits, but then he thought that he often made the fox sisters work for free... Oh well, he'll just consider it as paying them wages.

"I could try to find out what the City God Lu is thinking," Xu Yuan said. "But I'm very busy with official duties and don't know when I'll have time to do this."

The white fox laughed and said, "Don't worry, sir. They said they won't make you work hard for nothing."

Xu Yuan then nodded.

What is my status? You bunch of evil spirits, you ask me for help, so I have to help you?
The fact that the underworld messengers suddenly set up a stall at the old market and stole their business is a minor matter; what's more, these major evil spirits are terrified, not knowing what the City God is up to.

Xu Yuan came out after discussing things with Bai Hu, but before he even left Xieliu Lane, he ran into Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu.

Miao Yu gave a mischievous grin and gave Xu Yuan a knowing look.

Xu Yuan was speechless when Zhu Zhanlei said less politely, "You can't come here again. I'll pretend I didn't see anything today, but if you come again, I'm going to tell my sister..."

Xu Yuan glared at him: "Are you asking for a beating, Dafu?!"

Zhu Zhanlei, like a startled bird, darted several meters away in a flash.

He was genuinely afraid that if Xu Yuan shouted, a big lucky charm would appear out from behind him.

The lesson learned last time was too painful.

"Hahaha!" Xu Yuan laughed loudly and left.

Zhu Zhanlei was sullen, and even after sitting down in the Baiyue Pavilion, he still looked unenthusiastic.

Miao Yu handed him a glass of wine: "What's wrong?"

Zhu Zhanlei immediately put on a mournful face: "Brother Miao, I'm so miserable! Third Sister has bullied me since we were kids, and now she's bullying me even with her new man. I... I'm going to be tormented by these two of them from now on. When will it ever end..."

Miao Yu silently drank a cup with him.

Zhu Zhanlei said indignantly, "He runs to places like this, and I'm keeping an eye on him for my own good."

His future is so bright, how could he let himself be ruined in a place like this? He's truly biting the hand that feeds him, ungrateful for a kind heart.

Zhu Zhanlei grabbed his hand again: "Brother Miao, promise me, if you marry my older sister, you can't be like him and bully me together."

Miao Yu did not answer, but looked at Zhu Zhanlei with a complicated expression, and drank a glass of wine.

You think Xu Yuan has a bright future, so you don't want him to come to a place like this.

what about me?
They all want to marry daughters of your Zhu family, so why do you keep a close watch on Xu Yuan while you spend all your time hanging out with me in places like this?!

Does Miao Yu have no bright future?

I, Miao Yu, was once the youngest law master in Southern Jiaozhi, a prodigy of the South, wasn't I?
But now... Miao Yu thought about it and decided to forget it. He was always by Xu Yuan's side, so what was the point of talking about becoming a prodigy?

Zhu Zhanlei asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's alright." Miao Yu sighed inwardly and patted Zhu Zhanlei, saying, "Little brother, don't confide in others anymore."

The truth is—that really hurts.

……

Xu Yuan returned to the yamen and summoned Mr. Cao: "Where is Senior Ge Bei'er?"

Mr. Cao's eyes lit up: "You want..."

Xu Yuan nodded.

When they met last time, Xu Yuan noticed that Ge Bei'er was not in a good mood.

At the time, it was said that Ge Bei'er could be taken to see "an existence," and perhaps there was still hope.

Mr. Cao and Ge Bei'er have known each other for over ten years and are old friends. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, Mr. Cao will try his best to help Ge Bei'er.

"I'll take you."

Ge Bei'er also lived with His Highness in the yamen, but Xu Yuan didn't know exactly which room she lived in.

He lived in the room in the government office that received the most sunlight.

The sun was almost setting, but Ge Bei'er still carried a chair and sat in the yard, basking in the sun and looking somewhat sleepy.

However, a trace of coldness still emanated from him.

You can clearly feel it as long as you get within five feet.

The footsteps startled Ge Bei'er. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw the two men: "Old Cao, Master Xu, what brings you to visit this old man?"

Mr. Cao said, "Lord Xu has been keeping that matter in mind since we last talked about it. Don't be so pessimistic. Since Lord Xu has spoken about it, he must have some confidence in it."

Ge Bei'er clearly didn't have much hope, but since the other party had meant well, she couldn't refuse them, so she nodded and said, "Alright, I'll do whatever you say, Master Xu, is that alright?"

Xu Yuan said, "Let's eat first, then we'll go out together tonight."

Liu Hu has been following Mr. Wenqi around lately, serving him hand and foot. I don't know how much favor Mr. Wenqi has gained from him.

Xu Yuan ordered someone to order a table at a restaurant outside. The three of them ate and drank until dark, when Mr. Cao took his leave. Xu Yuan took Ge Bei'er out, and Ge Bei'er didn't ask where they were going.

However, after leaving the government office and walking a long way, Ge Bei'er did not see any evil spirits and couldn't help but say in surprise, "The city of Champa under your rule is indeed extraordinary."

Even in the northern and southern capitals, evil spirits would emerge on the streets after nightfall.

Xu Yuan stammered twice.

The absence of evil spirits on the streets surrounding the yamen is thanks to Dafu, and has little to do with Lord Xu's governance.

As they walked, Ge Bei'er saw an ancient building ahead.

At first he didn't care, but gradually he realized that Xu Yuan was heading straight there.

"City God Temple?"

Xu Yuan turned around and smiled: "Exactly."

Upon arriving at the temple gate, Xu Yuan pushed open the door.

The heavy door creaked loudly in the darkness, the sound carrying far.

The evil spirits inside were not startled and did not scatter like frightened snakes and rats—this was exactly what Ge Bei'er had anticipated.

In this vast world, almost every City God Temple has been occupied by evil spirits, both large and small.

Instead, it became a place that living people feared and dared not interfere with.

“This City God Temple is very clean,” Ge Bei’er said in surprise.

Suddenly a voice rang out from deep within the temple: "What are you talking about? How could my place be unclean?"

Ge Bei'er's eyes widened; the voice clearly wasn't Xu Yuan's.

Who is speaking in the temple?!

Ge Bei'er is a divine cultivator. Although she has encountered some problems in her cultivation, she can still use most of the abilities of a divine cultivator.

The divine cultivator can see in the dark.

He then saw a figure descend from the statue in the center of the City God Temple in the dim light!
When he looked again, he was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth.

That figure looked exactly like the statue!
There really is a City God in Champa?!

Moreover, there was no change in strategy.

Xu Yuan glanced at the City God Lu—this City God hadn't been idle all this time.

The statues in this temple have been changed to resemble the City God of Lu.

Xu Yuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Brother, please don't be offended. This is Senior Ge. He doesn't know much about Champa."

Lu Chenghuang was a straightforward person, and he waved his hand and said, "No, no, my friend is my friend. Come in quickly."

Ge Bei'er was still in shock and mechanically entered the City God Temple.

There are just too many unexpected things about Champa.

Xu Yuan said to Lu Chenghuang, "I've come here because my senior has encountered some problems in his cultivation. I would like to ask you for help to see if there is any way to save him."

"Easy," Lu Chenghuang replied, glancing only at Ge Bei'er before saying, "She couldn't resist and had an affair with her own Yin General, getting drained dry..."

"Cough cough cough!" Ge Bei'er coughed repeatedly.

Xu Yuan was also taken aback.

I wonder if I misheard.

Lu Chenghuang said nonchalantly, "What's wrong with saying this? I've seen plenty of people like you. When a divine cultivator makes a mistake in their cultivation, it's mostly because they were careless and ignored the principle that humans and ghosts are on different paths. They rely on their status as a divine cultivator and think they can withstand it..."

“This…” Ge Bei’er had to explain to herself, “It’s not entirely because of human desires. When a divine cultivator controls Yin soldiers and Yin generals, the higher the level of understanding with them, the better.”

Although the ghost soldiers can act according to the will of the divine cultivator, if the intimacy between them is insufficient, and it's merely a matter of master commanding servants, the ghost soldiers will lack much of their spirituality.

He explained it to Xu Yuan in detail.

Simply put, there is a method in spiritual cultivation that involves treating Yin soldiers and Yin generals as one's own family and friends, which can quickly make one become close to them.

Ordinary Yin soldiers are fine, but if you subdue a high-level Yin spirit, you can directly refine it into a Yin general, then this sense of intimacy becomes very important.

The difference in combat strength between a Yin general who harbors inner resistance and one who has unreserved trust in the divine cultivator is enormous.

Ge Bei'er was at a crucial moment back then.

They are about to face a formidable opponent of equal skill.

He wasn't confident of winning, but if he lost, everything would be over, so he had no choice but to take this "shortcut".

Ge Beier said somewhat embarrassedly, "In the end, neither of us could control ourselves, and one night I was seriously injured."

Lu Chenghuang listened from the side, scratching his beard from time to time, and gradually became a little impatient: "Why say so much? It's just a matter of mutual consent and love between men and women, what's the big deal?"

Ge Bei'er smiled sadly.

How could it be nothing serious?

I haven't dared to make a move for three years.

The longer one's lifespan is, the more quickly their lifespan will decrease.

I'm only in my early fifties this year. I used to be able to try my luck at becoming a fourth-rate writer, but now I can only eke out a living and wait to die.

Xu Yuan, however, understood the unspoken meaning in Lu Chenghuang's words: "Brother, do you mean this matter is not difficult to handle?"

Lu Chenghuang grinned: "Whether it's difficult or not depends on his underworld general."

"What do you mean?"

Ge Bei'er didn't understand either, and looked at Lu Chenghuang with a puzzled expression.

"If his underworld general is determined to kill him, then there's nothing I can do, brother."

Ge Bei'er hurriedly shook her head and said, "Seventh Sister is truly devoted to me. If it weren't for Seventh Sister's patience and for not absorbing my vital energy all these years, I would have died long ago."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan felt that it was entirely justified for the old man to be injured.

You said that Qi Niang is sincere to you, so it's clear that you are sincere to her too.

Even in this situation, you still have to speak up for Seventh Sister.

Regardless of whether Ge Bei'er's words were true or false, Lu Chenghuang waved his hand and said, "Release her. I will know as soon as I see her."

"Okay," Ge Bei'er agreed, then whispered, "Seventh Sister, did you hear that?"

After his core strength was damaged, he could no longer easily use his strongest Yin general.

Each time a Yin general is released proactively, it is a severe drain on oneself.

But when Yin comes out, this kind of consumption is much weaker.

Xu Yuan stared intently.

It all depends on whether this "Seventh Sister" is willing to come out.

If he refuses to come out... then Ge Bei'er's talk of "sincerity" will become a joke.

Since "Seventh Sister" wouldn't cooperate, Lu Chenghuang couldn't save Ge Bei'er's life.

The City God Temple was quiet.

Time seemed to slow down in this darkness.

Xu Yuan had a bad feeling.

Suddenly, a blood-red light shone behind Ge Bei'er!
The red light grew stronger and stronger, exuding a powerful and malevolent aura!

A graceful figure rose from the red light.

Her aura far surpasses that of Ge Bei'er now.

As soon as she appeared, Ge Bei'er groaned in pain, looking even older, her back hunched over as if she were carrying something incredibly heavy.

"Master!"

Seventh Sister let out a heart-wrenching cry and tried to retreat.

"It's alright," Ge Bei'er said hurriedly. "I can handle it."

Seventh Sister knelt before the City God: "Please, Your Excellency, save my husband's life! I am willing to perish, body and soul..."

The state of her relationship with Ge Bei'er was beyond her control.

The two sides are already entangled, and the problem cannot be solved simply by Seven Sister leaving on her own.

Xu Yuan sized up Qi Niang.

She was indeed extremely beautiful, and possessed an innate, gentle, and delicate temperament that made her seem pitiful to behold.

There is also a tear stain mole under the corner of my left eye.

It added a touch of allure.

"No wonder the old man couldn't control himself," Xu Yuan thought to himself.

"I don't need you to be completely destroyed." Lu Chenghuang waved his hand, still as carefree as ever: "But now that you're out, the problem now is you, Xiao Ge."

Ge Bei'er is bewildered. What does that mean?

Lu Chenghuang explained: "Your current situation is unsolvable in the mortal world, but it is actually very easy to resolve in the underworld."

Once you get married and register your household in the underworld, all problems will be solved.

Seventh Sister exclaimed, "Ah! This—"

Xu Yuan was confused. Was this a ghost marriage? Was it really that simple?
But judging from Qi Niang's reaction, it seems that things are not so simple.

Lu Chenghuang just stared at Ge Bei'er.

Ge Bei'er remained silent.

Lu Chenghuang then slowly said, "You are a divine cultivator, so you must already understand. Once you become husband and wife and register in the underworld, your marriage will be completely bound together for all eternity."

Seventh Sister is a Yin General. To become a Yin General, she must have accumulated countless sins! It's unknown how many lifetimes it will take for her to cleanse herself.

As husband and wife, you are one; you must share her sins.

"You two will surely be reborn into the animal realm. How many lifetimes you will be able to be reborn as humans is for the judge to decide; even I cannot say for sure."

Xu Yuan was puzzled again: all cultivators in the mortal realm knew that the Six Paths of Reincarnation had gone wrong.

Is the meaning behind Lu Chenghuang's words still in effect?

But problems don't necessarily mean complete collapse.

Lu Chenghuang then said, "But you cultivators who subdue wronged souls and evil spirits have merit in the underworld."

If you give up on this life, there is great hope for the next.

You should think about it carefully...

Ge Bei'er had already raised her head and calmly said, "No need to think about it anymore, I beg the City God to grant my request."

He knelt down along with Qi Niang.

He took Seventh Sister's hand and bowed deeply to the City God.

Ge Bei'er firmly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I did not tell the truth just now."

"Seventh Sister and I are deeply in love. I have been devoted to her since childhood, and I am not with her for the sake of cultivation."

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly.

Lu Chenghuang stared wide-eyed with curiosity and asked bluntly, "This old ghost is over three hundred years old, and you've been infatuated with her since childhood—what's the story behind it?"

Xu Yuan: ?!

(End of this chapter)