Section 10

The white mandarin ducks nodded repeatedly, resembling chicks pecking at grains, yet in their hearts, they were thinking that when that fragrant monster returned, they must take another whiff.

Clearly, the umbrella seller does not find it particularly moving; he speaks without any surprise or emotion, just like his character, which is inherently unperturbed by praise or humiliation

What does it mean to know everything?

Zhao Chen nodded, not at all angry: "Life is meaningless, so I rely on you guys to bring me some amusement."

At that time, a young member of the Phoenix clan saw him on the battlefield, his breath faint, and the weak light of his spirit flickering in and out, ready to dissipate at any moment. The young man carefully cradled this indistinct mass of flesh and blood and sought a magical infant grass that could bring the dead back to life, wrapping the blood-soaked bundle in the plump, infant-like lotus palm of the magical infant grass, soaking it in the purest jade mountain spring in the Eight Desolations. However, he had been frail since childhood, unable to even lift a magical artifact. The young man carefully cradled this indistinct mass of flesh and blood and sought a magical infant grass that could bring the dead back to life, wrapping the blood-soaked bundle in the plump, infant-like lotus palm of the magical infant grass, soaking it in the purest jade mountain spring in the Eight Desolations. However, he had been frail since childhood, unable to even lift a magical artifact.

He knows nothing at all, only that he knows the town of Jiujiu Bridge, and that he must wait

The flowers of the other shore bloom vigorously along the road to the underworld, and there are many souls being escorted by ghostly messengers, weeping and looking back three times with every step. However, this is not unusual in the realm of the dead. If one were to visit the Nostalgia Platform, they would see souls who refuse to drink the Meng Po soup, insisting on taking a last look at their loved ones in the mortal world before departing. This final glance is even harder to part with, resulting in cries that shake the heavens and tears that flow like rivers

However, Bai Qingming's expression was particularly heavy, and he only asked him: "Then how could you forget your own name?"

The umbrella seller silently bowed respectfully before leaving with his bamboo basket on his back

Zhao Chen is a person of refined character, a gentleman, but unfortunately, he is a hypocrite. His actions are despicable, yet he maintains a demeanor of gentleness and weakness, never admitting to his wrongdoings. In the three realms, anyone who is aware of his temperament would not dare to speak a word to him.

Zhao Chen smiled and said with a hint of annoyance: "Only you, with the surname Bai, would dare to command me like this"

In the town of Liucang, Jiujiuqiao, Xie Ling... passed away in the 92nd year of the Nine Nations Calendar, and in that same year, he was reincarnated in the town of Jiujiuqiao, named Xie Yu... Oh, he didn't even take a breath, reincarnating into the womb of his sister-in-law! How relentless... passed away in the 116th year of the Nine Nations Calendar... Both lives were of military generals, both dying on the battlefield... In this life, at the age of twenty, he was still born in the town of Liucang, named Jian Xianyu.

Why should I help you

The artist is somewhat puzzled; the master, who has always emphasized the importance of making money, why is he so stubbornly intent on repaying the favor of those two umbrellas, even to the point of seeming to offer something in return. He does not understand, but he does not inquire further. Bai Qingming must have his reasons for doing this.

Zhao Chen's fingers skimmed across the surface of the water, and the book of fate continued to turn its pages

"You just need to know." Zhao Chen gently caressed the young phoenix in the jade pillow, feeling a bit more cheerful, "I particularly enjoy making you young ones cry."

Zhao Chen knew that he was angry, and he dared to say anything, which made him happy. His expression became endearing and amiable, once again resembling that of a refined gentleman. The two exchanged a few pleasantries like ordinary people before beginning to discuss serious matters

Anyway, it is not now

Although the ghostly officials Yun Mo and Yun Qing can assist, their investigation is quite time-consuming. By the time they find the reincarnation of Xie Ling, many years may have passed. He cannot afford to wait and can only seek out Zhao Chen

Bai Qingming, do you know how much longer you have to live?

Bai Qingming said: "Look at my master ancestor"

Anyone in the Three Realms who hears this will surely stumble

Your Highness Zhao Chen, I humbly request your assistance

Bai Qingming looked at this ledger of fate and felt that something was amiss, yet he could not pinpoint what it was at that moment

Bai Qingming was waiting for him to point at his nose and scold him: "You are the one who is uninteresting, the entire Jin Guan Fang is uninteresting."

What is known is what it is

Bai Qingming's Danfeng eyes narrowed with a smile as she said, "Actually... I also really want to make Your Highness cry."

Bai Qingming detached from his physical body and, with the aid of a guiding incense, made his way to the banks of the River of Forgetfulness

Bai Qingming smiled: "Of course, it is because... Your Highness, life is rather dull for you."

Zhao Chen could only rise, as the maidservant brought a soft pillow to place at his waist, and then fetched water to wash a cloth to wipe his face. He sat there lazily, entirely at the service of others. It must be said that Zhao Chen was truly born with exceptional beauty, like an orchid emerging from a secluded valley, exuding fragrance without the need for wind, naturally noble and attractive. Simply gazing at him, one could be captivated for a hundred or eighty years.

Bai Qingming nodded and said to the dazed umbrella seller: "You should go back for now; I will first check on the news about that person."

two years

... ...

Bai Qingming asked one question after another, and with each question, the umbrella seller became increasingly bewildered. By the end, he could only lower his head and look at his empty hands

Where to go and what to do at that time

Wherever one comes from, one shall return to that place

Bai Qingming had finished feeding the fish, and more than half the day had passed. With little to occupy his time, he simply looked at the young phoenix nestled in the jade pillow beneath his neck

Liu Cang Country, Ninety-Nine Bridge Town, Xie Ling

The next day, the child got up looking completely sleep-deprived, even walking seemed unsteady.

Your Highness, there will come a day when you must release him

Bai Qingming sat not far from him, and the maid brought tea. He took the pastries from the table to feed the fish in the lotus pond. He somewhat understood Zhao Chen's temperament, which was not easy to deal with; if he did not open his eyes, it meant he did not want to pay attention to you. However, being invited over was clearly a sign of wanting to torment someone, to see how long you could endure.

The artist, seemingly unaware, engaged in a muddled battle, yawned, tidied up the cups and utensils on the table, and then returned to rest

As soon as he left, Liu Feiyin became unsettled, fanning herself and letting out a long sigh: "I have fallen in love."

Bai Qingming intends to investigate the reincarnation of Xie Ling from Liu Cang Jiu Shi Jiu Qiao Town

The white mandarin duck was being tugged by him by its cat ears, and it admonished with great distress: "Don't be so foolish, embracing anyone you see. What if that monster likes to eat cats? Your skin would be turned into a gauntlet today!"

Bai Qingming went directly to Zhao Chen's residence

The maid led Bai Qingming to the water pavilion by the lotus pond. In the ethereal white gauze canopy, a soft silk mattress made of heavenly silk was spread on the bamboo platform, where he lay sleeping, with a charmingly innocent little phoenix nestled in the jade pillow beneath his neck.

The stories of past lives and present lives are numerous in the Jin Guan Fang, many of which are even more tragic or astonishing than this one

After talking for a while, Zhao Chen appeared drowsy and ready to sleep again, so Bai Qingming stood up to bid farewell and leave

Zhao Chen resides in the realm of the underworld, renowned across the Three Realms for his nobility. Despite his frail body, he does not let it hinder his existence. He has a fondness for the color blue, and his feathered garments are woven from the azure feathers of the Qingluan. Even when drinking, he prefers a jade cup of aquamarine hue. The lotus flowers in the pond are predominantly blue lotuses. Recently, he has not been feeling well, as he was born with a celestial fetus that is inherently deficient. The long-lived deities in the heavenly realm only know that his parents perished in the Fourth War of Gods and Demons. Before his mother died, she used the Qiankun needle to extract the celestial fetus from her womb, using her last breath to protect that blood-soaked flesh bundle. Recently, he has not been feeling well, as he was born with a celestial fetus that is inherently deficient. The long-lived deities in the heavenly realm only know that his parents perished in the Fourth War of Gods and Demons. Before his mother died, she used the Qiankun needle to extract the celestial fetus from her womb, using her last breath to protect that blood-soaked flesh bundle

Everyone knows everything

I do not know. I fell asleep. The umbrella seller finally showed some emotion, furrowing his brow, "I woke up in Xie Ling's coffin, and he was already a pile of bones. I crawled out of the coffin, and the outside world was already in a state of peace and prosperity."

Bai Qingming quickly nodded in agreement

On the second day, Bai Qingming prepared to take a trip to the underworld

Bai Qingming glanced at him lightly, amused: "What do you know?"

Do you know how many years you have slept, and how many years have passed since Xie Ling's death? Has he been reincarnated, or is he merely a deity here to undergo tribulation? If he has been reincarnated, how old is he now? Is he an infant or an elderly person? What token of evidence does he possess, or does he simply have an identical appearance?

Zhao Chen revealed a gloomy expression, gently caressing the jade pillow he held, with a hint of wickedness: "He has died once, and has become like this; how can he still be your master ancestor?"

You... you are only able to speak recklessly here because you are relying on your master.

His action unwittingly touched the reverse scale of Zhao Chen, and the person who had been sleeping lazily opened his eyes, looking exceptionally displeased: "What are you looking at?"

While speaking, she extended her fingers, which were as tender as spring onions, and gently brushed across the surface of the lotus pond, creating ripples that spread out in layers, and on the water's surface, a page of a destiny book appeared out of thin air

He stared fixedly at Bai Qingming, his eyes dark and somber, remaining silent for a long time, lost in thought, before he finally spoke slowly after a considerable pause

The artist interjected, saying: "Master, in his case, we can only send a ghostly messenger to the underworld to check his fate."

Once the flesh has returned to the yellow earth, all past events turn to ashes. With him in this state, how can he still resemble my master