After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Jiang Dusheng turned his head to look at Meng Xueyan, who was standing quietly beside him, and asked softly, "Are you ready?"

Meng Xueyan's soul emitted a peaceful halo. She turned to look in Xu Yishuo's direction and smiled with relief.

"My obsession has been resolved; I am now free from all attachments."

Jiang Dusheng nodded and led Meng Xueyan toward the Xu family and Xu Yishuo, "Sorry, it's time."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yishuo stood up and, facing her grief-stricken parents and her brother who was trying to suppress his sorrow, forced a smile that seemed to brighten even her soul:

"Father, Mother, Brother, don't worry. The road to the underworld is long, but I... am not alone."

As she spoke, she floated over and took Meng Xueyan's hand. The two strands of soul light merged, making them even brighter.

She turned to her family and said, "With Sister Meng by my side, we've agreed to walk together. We'll keep each other company on the road, so I won't be afraid."

The Xu family had heard that Miss Meng had fallen off a cliff, but upon seeing Meng Xueyan's spirit, they realized that she was also lingering in the mortal world.

The sorrow in his heart intensified, but he found some solace in the fact that his daughter had been by his side in her final moments. He could only nod forcefully with red eyes, unable to utter a word.

Jiang Dusheng gestured to Xu Nanxun, "Young Master Xu, please have them come over, lower the coffin, and seal the earth."

Xu Nanxun suppressed his grief and waved for the servants and guards waiting in the distance to come forward.

The group carefully placed the coffin into the dug grave and then began to fill it with soil, shovel by shovel.

The sound of soil falling was particularly clear and heavy in the mountains.

Jiang Dusheng stood before the grave, his hands forming a mudra to soothe the soul, his expression solemn. His clear voice flowed gently with the mountain breeze as he chanted the incantation to guide the spirit away from the dead:

"May your soul return to its resting place, for your earthly ties have been severed."

"When resentment and filth dissipate, the mind will naturally become clear."

"Now, I have received the imperial edict to clear the way and guide the way."

"The Pure Path to Rebirth—Begins!"

The chanting seemed to carry an invisible power, brushing over the new grave and cleansing away all sorrow and gloom.

As the incantation rang out, Xu Yishuo and Meng Xueyan's souls became increasingly solid and luminous, radiating a soft halo that almost blended into the pure air of the mountains and forests.

After the earth was sealed and a small grave was erected, Jiang Dusheng said to the three members of the Xu family:

"Now, please each of you add a handful of soil to Xu Yishuo's grave, and silently offer your blessings to her. These blessings will accompany her on her journey to the afterlife."

Upon hearing this, Chen Baojuan stepped forward, his hands trembling, scooped up a handful of damp soil, and gently sprinkled it on the grave, weeping as he murmured:

"Yishuo, my child... I wish you could forget all the suffering in this life, and be reborn into a peaceful and happy family in the next life, where you will have a smooth and carefree life."

Tears streamed down Xu Yuan's face as he added soil to the offering, silently praying, "Father wishes you peace of mind, and that in your next life... you will be safe and happy."

Xu Nanxun grabbed a handful of soil, clenched it tightly, as if trying to infuse all his protection into it, and then slowly sprinkled it down:

"Little sister, go in peace. Your parents have me, and the Xu family has me. May you meet a good man in your next life, have a peaceful end, and never suffer from the storms of life again."

Three handfuls of soil, carrying the endless sorrow and blessings of the living, are gently covered and merged with the grave.

Finally, Jiang Dusheng changed her hand seals, and spiritual power condensed into a point of dazzling golden light at her fingertips. She gently swiped it towards the void in front of the grave.

"Yin and Yang are in balance, the soul has a path to return. The Gate of Hell—opens!"

As her decree was issued, the light in front of the grave distorted slightly, and a ghost gate, invisible to ordinary people, slowly emerged.

The inside of the door was shrouded in mist.

Xu Yishuo and Meng Xueyan smiled at each other, held hands, and turned back one last time to look at the Xu family who were extremely reluctant to part.

Xu Yishuo's voice came clearly, filled with relief, "Father, Mother, Brother... take care of yourselves, don't grieve too much. Your daughter is leaving."

Having said that, the two soul shadows had no more hesitation. Hand in hand, they floated lightly toward the gate of light.

Then, the portal slowly closed and eventually vanished without a trace, leaving only the faint sound of the mountain wind brushing against the new grave.

The ceremony is over.

As the Xu family gazed at the empty grave, a wave of loss and sorrow washed over them once more. Yet, the deep wound in their hearts seemed to have been gently soothed by this farewell.

The pain remains, but at least they know that their daughter has finally passed away peacefully, with companions by her side.

"Everyone, please accept my condolences. Go back now," Jiang Dusheng said to the Xu family, who were still immersed in grief.

Xu Nanxun took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Jiang Dusheng:

"We are deeply grateful and will never refuse Miss Jiang if she ever needs anything in the future."

When Jiang Dusheng returned to Changling City in the Xu family's carriage, the sun was already setting in the west, around 3:45 PM.

She politely declined the Xu family's repeated invitations to have dinner and disembarked from the carriage at an intersection a few streets away from the Jiang residence.

After watching the carriage leave, she did not rush back to the Jiang residence. Instead, she casually walked into a clean and simple-looking noodle shop by the roadside, ordered a bowl of clear soup noodles, and ate it slowly and deliberately.

Feeling a warmth in her stomach, she turned onto another, slightly busier street.

Finally, she saw the familiar "Ironclad Predictions" banner hanging next to the restaurant.

The stall was set up in the shadow cast by the high wall of the restaurant, illuminated by the last rays of the evening light and the faint glow of the lights from the neighboring restaurant.

By the dim light, Master Xu squinted as he flipped through an old book.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Jiang Dusheng. His face immediately lit up with a smile, and he quickly put down his book and stood up.

"Master! You've finally arrived! These past few days, while you were away, people have been coming every day to ask when you're coming. They're all repeat customers who witnessed your skills last time, and others who came specifically because of your reputation!"

Jiang Dusheng smiled faintly and sat down on a small stool next to the stall. "I've been busy these past few days. I finally had some free time today, so I came to have my fortune told."

Upon hearing this, Xu Banxian's smile widened, yet it also carried a hint of reluctance. He rubbed his hands together and said:

"Master, there is something I need to tell you. Thanks to your guidance, I will be leaving Changling soon to return to my hometown."

He was going to dispel the omen of dying far from home and secure a peaceful end for himself.

He pointed to the stall: "I've already arranged with my old friend that this stall will be yours to use after I leave. The location isn't the best, but it's in a good spot, and the regular customers recognize it. What do you think…"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright. Thank you very much then."

She took out a triangular amulet from her sleeve and handed it to Xu Bansian:

"It is fate that we have met. Wearing this talisman close to your body can ward off an ordinary calamity and ensure your safe journey home."

Xu Banxian was overjoyed and quickly accepted the gift with both hands, carefully tucking it into his pocket and bowing repeatedly.

"Thank you so much, Master! Thank you for your generous gift! I am deeply grateful!"

Jiang Dusheng waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for such formalities.

As she sat down behind the simple wooden table at the stall, a familiar figure sat down in front of her.

The newcomer was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with his hair tied up in a jade crown, and held an ivory folding fan in his hand.

He had a handsome face, and a gentle smile seemed to be naturally present at the corners of his mouth.

When Jiang Dusheng saw him, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: In a way, Jiang Wanqing and Chu Yanzhao were truly a match made in heaven.

Same...annoying.