Chapter 009: Brother-in-law

Ye Jingwen knew that this was her first time entering the world of the living. She explained beside her: "The world of the living and the underworld are two sides of the same coin; everything is opposite. This applies to day and night as well as to the passage of time."

"When it is deserved, it is deserved." The fox spirit became anxious, her eyes reddening.

The girl in the red dress, who came in with great momentum, instantly turned her angry brows into a flushed face, clearly indicating the formidable impact of the words "Wan Wenshi." Indeed, since ancient times, there have been very few mistresses who could brazenly stand before the legitimate wife; even if there are some, they are merely posturing, feeling more insecure than anyone else.

However, I never expected that just over six months later, I would encounter a situation involving a third party's interference. I felt displeased and wanted to ignore it, but then I thought again. Over the past six months, Wan Qing had taken great care of her. Even if there were no feelings, there was still a debt of gratitude. I am not the kind of person who forgets kindness, so I might as well help him once; it can be considered as repaying her kindness.

I am undeserving of such praise

It is uncertain whether that fox spirit is merely infatuated, or if Wan Qing also has feelings for her

As she pondered, Wen Zhao's emotions gradually intensified. She lowered her head in silence, lost in thought while playing with the Haoran sword that Li Buping had given her. This sword was neither long nor short, a typical three-foot green blade. By visual estimation, it was neither an inch longer nor shorter, with a narrow blade, sheathed in cowhide. Perhaps due to the passage of time, the blade had lost its luster, now covered in patches of rust.

The fox spirit broke into laughter, resembling an innocent young girl, and said: "My name is Hu Fei, my nickname is Liu'er, just call me Liu'er, sister."

It is extremely frustrating to be burdened with Wan Qing's troubles. Why should it ultimately fall on her shoulders? She and Wan Qing are not truly married, yet she has no avenue to voice her grievances. In fact, when she first realized her situation, her immediate thought was to dissolve her marriage with Wan Qing. To this end, she even went to the Underworld Affairs Office, but they refused to grant the divorce. What is most infuriating is that the officials at the Underworld Affairs Office insisted that their refusal to grant a divorce was to maintain the image of the Underworld. Otherwise, if legal marriages in the mortal realm could be dissolved upon reaching the Underworld, it would imply that the Underworld engages in immoral acts.

Wen Zhao raised his head and looked ahead upon hearing a sound, only to see a pitch-black expanse before him. However, this darkness varied in depth, and at first glance, it seemed as if something terrifying was hidden within, instilling a profound sense of unease. Between the realm of the dead and the living, there are three points of connection. One is the Yellow Springs Road, a one-way passage that allows entry but not exit. The second is the Reincarnation Road, also a one-way path that permits exit but not entry. The final point is the Ghost Gate, which allows both entry and exit, but is exclusively for the ghostly messengers. Only those in possession of the Underworld Token can freely come and go.

Wen Zhao felt a sense of doubt in his heart, but upon seeing the red-clad young woman before him, whose body felt as ethereal as his own, he realized that she too was a spirit. She was undoubtedly the object of his mission to catch in the act. Thus, he cleared his throat, casually concealed his long sword beneath the belly of the donkey, then bent slightly in a gesture of respect and calmly said: "I am Wan Wen, and I have the honor of meeting Miss Fox."

Wen Zhao rolled the word "sister" around in her mouth a few times, finding it utterly absurd. This fox demon had taken hundreds or even thousands of years to attain human form, enough time to be her great-grandmother.

Is this the fox spirit?

Sister-in-law, this is the foot of the Western Mountain. Let us wait here for a moment, as the fox demon has eyes and ears all over the Western Mountain, and will surely arrive shortly

With the token, passing through the Ghost Gate becomes exceedingly easy, akin to the sensation of traversing through a curtain of water. A chill envelops the body, and then one is greeted by a sky full of stars, breathing in the fresh air

Is this about to make you cry? Wen Zhao found it both amusing and perplexing. After some thought, she ultimately did not dare to confront the fox spirit directly, so she gently said: "In that case, I shall take the liberty to call you 'Fox Sister' this once."

Initially, Wen Zhao was still reluctant, but later she observed that Wan Qing had a relatively good temperament and was willing to agree to her terms. As her mind gradually cleared, she realized that in this unfamiliar place, without a man to protect her, she would indeed find it quite difficult to navigate. Thus, she settled down. She began to contemplate nurturing a relationship with Wan Qing, thinking that when she felt secure enough, she would become a true wife to this man.

Before this sentence was finished, a young girl dressed in red had already fallen from mid-air, coincidentally meeting Wen Zhao's gaze. Wen Zhao's expression was gentle, with a slight smile, while the girl had almond-shaped eyes filled with anger and cheeks flushed with rage, resembling one side as calm as still water and the other as fierce as blazing flames

Before Ye Jingwen's words had finished, a delicate voice called out from afar: "Heiwuchang, you have quite the audacity to return. I wonder what kind of reinforcements you can bring back with your so-called 'map'"

Sister Zhao Niang

Durian sister

The token felt light as a feather in her hand. Just as she was about to lower her head to examine it closely, she saw the token slowly sink into her palm, transforming into a complex rune. Shaking her hand, she couldn't help but smile; this was quite convenient, at least she didn't have to worry about accidentally losing the token

Ah ... ... Oh ... ... Ah ... ... So it turns out to be my sister ... ...

She demonstrated a few stances for slashing and thrusting, feeling quite doubtful in her heart. With a sword in such a rusty state, it was not only incapable of slaying a fox demon, but even a slight exertion of force could likely break it into several pieces. Its actual utility was probably far less than its psychological effect. Carrying such an object was merely for the sake of bravado, at least it could be sheathed in the scabbard. Who knew it was on the verge of breaking due to rust? However, if that fox demon truly unleashed its power, she would undoubtedly turn and flee on her donkey.

This is the mortal world ... ? ... She took a deep breath, then wondered, why is it nighttime?

Wen Zhao finally understood. It makes sense; if one were to emerge from the underworld into the world of the living, encountering a bright sunny day right away, the souls of the dead would surely perish in the light. Not everyone is as fortunate as that fox spirit, who was born into a good family and had elders to protect her even in death. For someone as unfortunate as her, to find a man as good-natured as Wan Qing is already a blessing from a previous life.

Wen Zhao felt a sense of discomfort in her heart. This fox demon, was she truly innocent or just pretending to be confused? Unable to figure it out, she simply followed the tone of the conversation and said: "My name is Wen Zhao, and my husband has always called me Zhao Niang, so you may call me that as well, Liu Er younger sister." She found it quite awkward to hear the term 'sister'.

Sister-in-law, ahead lies the Gate of Hell. Take this token; without it, you will not be able to pass through the Gate of Hell.

Ye Jingwen stood by, dumbfounded. Had the sisters really recognized each other so quickly? Was his sister-in-law truly prepared to welcome this fox spirit into their home? As he pondered this, he heard Wen Zhao softly say, "Sister Liu'er, I have come back to take your brother-in-law home."

Ye Jingwen led the way ahead, and inadvertently turned back, just in time to see Wen Zhao brandishing a sword and gesturing. He immediately shuddered; a woman who clings stubbornly is always to be dealt with ruthlessly, without exception, throughout history. However, he had seen many underhanded tactics, and this was the first time he had witnessed someone directly brandishing a sword.

This fox spirit has a powerful backing, so it is best not to offend it lightly. The city god's office is unreliable; they pushed this woman out to be a scapegoat. If she still does not know how to save herself, then she deserves to die once more