Chapter 60: Two Threads of Merit

The things Zhu Guangfa had mentioned were not unconsidered by Shen Siyuan; although he had obtained a heaven-shaking opportunity, he was still just an ordinary person, not yet strong enough to fight a nation single-handedly. A single peanut could send him straight to the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, so there was nothing to show off or be arrogant about.

So for now, he still needed to lie low, develop slowly, and let things be as they were.

He could show a bit of skill, but he must not show too much skill.

As for money, it was indeed within easy reach for Shen Siyuan now; he had countless ways to make himself immensely wealthy. And then what? Enjoy life? He was already enjoying life quite well; why take a huge detour just to enjoy life afterward?

Of course, this was also related to Shen Siyuan's own personality and family. The elders at home were in good health, his parents had modest assets, and apart from urging him to marry, he bore no responsibilities whatsoever. This was the fundamental reason why he did not strive for progress and simply coasted at Guanghui Comics, waiting to die.

If he had even a shred of ambition, he would have long ago quit his job. Even returning home to raise chickens with his father would likely earn him more than his salary at Guanghui Comics and offer better prospects.

But he did not.

As for whether he had considered the future, whether he had ever felt lost or panicked, he certainly had, but not much.

But now it was completely gone; the Ten Thousand Souls Banner had become his greatest confidence and, for now, the most profound influence on him.

This is like a wealthy man with several small goals lying in the bank, returning to the countryside to live a plain life; that is called enjoying life.

Whereas a person with nothing, returning to the countryside to live a plain life, is not enjoying life; it is simply surviving.

To put it plainly, one has the right to choose, the other does not.

One can say no to life; the other is ridden over by life.

Before the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, Shen Siyuan actually already had the right to choose, but that right was given to him by his parents, so he was happy.

And after obtaining the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, this confidence was merely a bit greater.

So there was no need to make himself so tired, to fight, to snatch, to climb upward; that would not be him.

Shen Siyuan was very clear-headed; although life was bland, this was the essence of life.

If he wanted to change, he could do so at any time, because he possessed the right to choose.

Perhaps some would say that life is short, only a hundred years, so naturally one must live brilliantly and dazzlingly, but for Shen Siyuan, what he lacked least right now was time.

Perhaps one day, when he grew tired of it, he might make a change and try a different life.

Although only one bottle of wine was drunk, the meal was very enjoyable, at least that was how Shen Siyuan felt.

Zhu Guangfa's cooking was very good, at least much tastier than what Shen Siyuan could cook himself.

So Shen Siyuan was in high spirits, but Zhu Guangfa and his daughter were not.

Because Du Xiuzhi began to fade in their eyes, her body becoming illusory.

They knew that Du Xiuzhi was about to "leave."

Of course, the "leaving" in their eyes meant that Du Xiuzhi had fulfilled her wish and would re-enter the cycle of reincarnation; perhaps there would be a day of reunion, though they would not recognize each other, but this was still something to look forward to.

But for Du Xiuzhi, her leaving meant she would disperse into the heavens and earth, never to be seen again.

Her wish had been fulfilled; everything that needed to be said in the afternoon had been said; she would no longer participate in the future lives of the father and daughter.

"Mom, are you leaving?"

Zhu Tingting asked pitifully, tears swirling in her eyes.

Du Xiuzhi held her in her arms, kissed her forehead, and comforted her: "Every parting is for a better reunion."

"Didn't you say you wanted Mom to be your baby in the future? So, we will meet again," Du Xiuzhi said.

Her voice choked involuntarily, because she knew this was impossible.

Beside them, Zhu Guangfa was already in tears, sobbing and convulsing; he never expected a grown man like him to cry so badly. No wonder Du Xiuzhi called him a crybaby; perhaps his emotions were naturally richer than others', and his tear ducts more developed.

He looked at Du Xiuzhi, seeming to sense something.

Then he turned to Shen Siyuan and asked sadly: "After a person dies, do they really re-enter the cycle of reincarnation?"

Zhu Tingting, in her mother's arms, also looked at Shen Siyuan with tear-filled eyes, full of pleading.

Shen Siyuan nodded and said: "Of course, your mother will definitely re-enter the cycle of reincarnation and become your baby in the next life; I promise you."

Since Du Xiuzhi did not want to speak, Shen Siyuan simply went along with her words to comfort Zhu Tingting.

But as soon as his words fell, two threads of merit descended from the air, entering his body through his brow.

"Eh?" Shen Siyuan exclaimed in surprise.

He had helped Watching Dou Dou fulfill a wish and only received one thread of merit; why did helping Du Xiuzhi yield two threads?

But he quickly understood; one thread was indeed for helping Du Xiuzhi fulfill her wish.

The other thread was for promising Zhu Tingting to help her mother re-enter the cycle of reincarnation.

This could also earn merit, but if so, it precisely proved the existence of the Underworld.

But the Underworld had been closed for hundreds of years; the dead ghosts had no way to enter. How could he enter the Underworld to send Du Xiuzhi into reincarnation?

Thinking of this, he instinctively reached out to touch his waist, where a Soul-Hooking Chain was coiled; perhaps this object could provide some clues.

"Wife."

"Mom~"

Just then, Du Xiuzhi completely vanished before the eyes of the father and daughter.

Du Xiuzhi released her daughter, stood up, and took a deep look at her husband and daughter.

Having fulfilled her wish, she seemed to have no more attachments; she turned and bowed slightly to Shen Siyuan, saying: "Mr. Shen, thank you."

Then her body seemed about to disperse.

Seeing this, Shen Siyuan flipped his palm, and the Ten Thousand Souls Banner appeared in his palm; he formed a seal with his fingers and directly drew her into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

She could not disperse now; since Shen Siyuan had promised Zhu Tingting and received the merit reward, he would try to see if he could send her onto the Path of Reincarnation to re-enter the cycle; until then, she would first sleep within the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Everything that happened before their eyes was naturally invisible to Zhu Guangfa and his daughter.

They were very sad now, crying in waves, rising and falling with rhythm.

Shen Siyuan stood up and poured a cup of water for each of them.

Zhu Guangfa seemed to come to his senses then, sobbing as he stood up, and even tried to help Shen Siyuan clear the dishes.

But Shen Siyuan stopped him.

"I'll handle the rest myself; you take the child home."

"Thank you. In a few days, I will return to express my gratitude." He said this while holding his daughter.

"No need, haven't you already thanked me?" Shen Siyuan pointed to the mess on the table.

"How can that be? This..."

Shen Siyuan waved his hand, telling him to say no more.

He casually said, "I help you to perform a good deed and reap a good result. If you come to thank me three or four times, wouldn't that make my good deed in vain?"

Shen Siyuan said this simply because he feared being disturbed three or four times.

If helping one Zhu Guangfa is already like this, what about helping more people in the future? Would he not be annoyed to death every day?

However, Zhu Guangfa clearly believed Shen Siyuan's words. Holding his daughter, he left with endless thanks.

"Goodbye, big brother."

Zhu Tingting, with tear-filled eyes, still did not forget to wave goodbye to Shen Siyuan.

"Goodbye~"

Shen Siyuan also waved, and a faint sense of loss suddenly rose in his heart.

Perhaps this is life; life is a series of partings.