[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele":3,"chapter-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-155":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Invincible Female Ghost Is A Bit Of A Hopeless Romantic",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1706343,2180,"Chapter 155: We Are Humans, Not Malevolent Spirits","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-155",155,"\u003Cp>Lu Yuan’s words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing the newly kindled flame of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those swirls of ecstatic mist instantly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sickly green, dingy yellow, ashen white motes flickered uncertainly, then all dimmed together, like a candle guttering in the wind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>dead silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deeper, heavier stillness than before blanketed the mountain gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Recumbent Ox Stone Lord’s pair of sickly green pupils stared unflinchingly at Lu Yuan, the motes trembling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that trembling there was no trace of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only an embarrassment and pain as if flesh had been peeled back to reveal the most rotten scar beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist... we....”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing these “deities” act so pitifully, Lu Yuan already knew it was hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had guessed as much a moment ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they still manifest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, because some divinity remained, enough to sense the most devout prayers of believers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, because their divine bodies had long since had their life force utterly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So weak that even forming humanoid shapes cost them, so weak that a breeze could scatter their divine light, so weak they could not even protect themselves, how could they possibly protect others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spring Mother’s dry voice sounded faintly, carrying three hundred years of bitterness and unwillingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We... are... too weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If a believer comes sincerely to pray...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We... perhaps can only respond once, let them know we heard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if they want blessings bestowed, if they want hands extended to help....”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grayish-white mist surged violently, as if trying with its last breath to prove it was not useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the mist billowed for a long time and ultimately collapsed, unable to coalesce into anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a deadlock with no solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were going to “die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they avoid death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they wanted to live, they had to receive offerings!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they get offerings?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to manifest, they had to be useful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were so weak now that they had to receive offerings just to survive; otherwise they would “die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were going to “die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So how to avoid it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receive offerings!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to get offerings?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Show a manifestation, be useful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good grief, this was an infinite loop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the reactions of the group in front of him, Lu Yuan said directly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I figured as much already!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s an urgent problem, but there’s a way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Yuan finished speaking, the whole world fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These “deities” looked a little dumbfounded, not knowing what method could possibly exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan, indifferent as if nothing had happened, didn’t make a fuss and said plainly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then just open your mouths and bob your heads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group of “deities” grew even more resentful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean by opening mouths and bobbing heads?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan widened his eyes and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Borrow, of course!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they had time to grasp the deeper meaning, Lu Yuan swept a decisive hand, his tone brooking no argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since I allowed you to set up deity benches beside Zhenlong Temple’s mountain path, then you must follow my rules!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the deities barely cared about rules, nearly instinctively bowing their heads in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was hope for survival; they would agree to anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the “deities” prepared to hear what Lu Yuan’s rule would be, he shifted his tone, waved his hand again, and added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you’ll actually be allowed to set deity benches is not certain yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have to go back and consult my temple’s Patriarch. If it’s possible, I’ll tell you. For now, wait down here at the mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Lu Yuan didn’t look back at them and turned, heading up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left behind were the many deities, full of unsettled doubts and turbulent feelings, standing and staring at each other in the mountain wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain path was silent, only Lu Yuan’s footsteps echoed in the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked at a moderate pace, his mind calculating how to “communicate” this to the Patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his footsteps paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far ahead, beneath the shadow of a tree, a figure had silently emerged from the woods, as if it had always been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the Deity of Beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Zhenlong Temple’s receptionist, Elder Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhou had been among the earliest priests to come to Zhenlong Temple with the old man, even earlier than Lu Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the old man took Lu Yuan traveling around the world, Zhenlong Temple was mainly managed by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhou was conscientious and responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they say, even the most skillful cook can’t do much without ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how Zhenlong Temple had been before, no amount of responsibility could accomplish much,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and also because the old man previously had little intention of reviving Zhenlong Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Lu Yuan decided to stay did the old man warm to the idea a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhou was not from beyond the Great Wall; he had followed the old man from inside the Wall years ago, so he lacked seniority in the borderland ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus Elder Zhou’s early lineage and methods were not originally Zhenlong Temple’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relationship between Elder Zhou and the old man...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan thought about it: if the old man were like Guan Yu, Elder Zhou would be Zhou Cang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then Elder Zhou was saved by the old man in the interior and had followed him ever since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan and Elder Zhou did not have a deep relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, Lu Yuan had only transmigrated a little over a year ago; when he first arrived he traveled with the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning to Zhenlong Temple, Lu Yuan ran errands and jobs outside often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On ordinary days they would greet one another, then each go about their business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan only knew Elder Zhou came from the interior, his given name was Zhou Shouzhuo; he didn’t know much else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Zhou, you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan looked at the suddenly appearing Zhou Shouzhuo with some surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo’s gaze first passed calmly over Lu Yuan to the dim godlight below, then slowly returned and settled on Lu Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed slightly, his manner respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was preparing to enter meditation and sensed my senior brother had gone out; I felt uneasy and came to look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the word “senior brother,” Lu Yuan felt a little awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Zhou, there’s no outsider, don’t call me that. It feels odd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan had no intention of telling Zhou Shouzhuo about the wild deities outside the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least he would ask the Patriarch first before revealing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Shouzhuo seemed to see through Lu Yuan’s thoughts and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhenlong Temple’s incense has already grown prosperous; with you bearing the title of Celestial Master, being recognized among the top of the sects is only a matter of time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some rules should be established; some should be upheld.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, he stopped fussing over the form of address and his gaze grew deep as he asked bluntly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother, do you truly intend to receive these wild deities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the sound of it, Zhou Shouzhuo knew everything!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he know about the wild deities, he had also overheard Lu Yuan’s conversation with them a moment ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time Lu Yuan was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t noticed Zhou Shouzhuo standing nearby at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did Lu Yuan belatedly realize: in his current state, he wouldn’t have perceived a living person, let alone something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t feel embarrassed; if Zhou Shouzhuo already knew, there was nothing to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’ve encountered them, if we can help, we should help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said this while continuing up the mountain, glancing sideways to ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From Elder Zhou’s tone, do you have other thoughts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo did not answer immediately; instead he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, the whole of Zhenlong Temple relies on you to decide; whatever you say is final.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was respectful yet carried a hint of distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, I am curious why you would involve yourself in such karmic ties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter brings no gain and invites trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo paused and his tone grew a few degrees more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, the number of these faded deities in the world is countless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason their incense can’t be maintained already proves one thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“they are insufficient in ability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan stopped in his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and looked at the receptionist at his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight like water spilled over Zhou Shouzhuo’s composed face; his expression showed no ripple, as if he were stating the most straightforward truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insufficient ability?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan repeated the four words softly, as if savoring the chill within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo inclined his head slightly, hands clasped behind him, posture straight as a pine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mountains have mountain gods, waters have water gods; every plant and tree may become a spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But among those who can enjoy a thousand years of incense and be revered by the masses, how many have there been since ancient times?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was low but exceptionally clear; in the quiet mountain path each word struck the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ancient books say: A god is one who is relied upon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relying on things, depending on thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the thing is destroyed, the god is harmed; if the thought is cut off, the god perishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo’s gaze passed over Lu Yuan and returned to the dim motes below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was not a trace of pity in his eyes; it was as if those were merely stubborn, dead stones, not deities about to fade away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their present state did not come without reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did offerings stop? Why did believers forget?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plainly put, it’s that they no longer respond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When drought strikes and people pray for rain, it should respond; when floods come and people ask for clear skies, it should respond; it cannot supply what people ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One time, two times, people’s hearts cool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When people’s hearts cool, the thought of faith breaks too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the thought breaks, the god naturally should perish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo withdrew his gaze, looking directly at Lu Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother, this is not cruelty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The heaven-and-earth operate by immutable principles; deities are within that cycle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One who can answer the prayers of the masses will keep incense burning; one who cannot should return to dust, return to silence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like crops in the field: those that bear plump ears are treasured by farmers; those that bear nothing can only become spring soil.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This, is the root of the god-teaching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone eased, but his words carried greater weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are kind-hearted, Senior Brother, I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there are too many gods in the world who need saving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Save these seven today, and tomorrow seventy or seven hundred may come knocking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what will you do, save them or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you save them, even Zhenlong Temple’s prosperous incense cannot fill such a bottomless pit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you do not save them, what is the worth of today’s good deed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, Zhou Shouzhuo fell silent, watching Lu Yuan quietly for an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain wind passed, lifting his washed and faded robe; the moonlight made him seem even more aloof and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to admit every word Zhou Shouzhuo said stood firmly on reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought along the same lines himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incense, at its core, is a fair transaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You pray, I respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If answered, the incense continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, people move on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is natural and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Lu Yuan lifted his eyes and glanced again at the dim motes swaying in the wind below, on the verge of being extinguished,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he turned back, his gaze calm and clear, meeting Zhou Shouzhuo’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Zhou, you are wrong about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crack finally appeared on Zhou Shouzhuo’s otherwise unruffled face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was taken aback:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan looked at him, speaking each word distinctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand all those grand truths you mentioned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s true that if incense stops, a god should perish, that is rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan shifted his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what we plan to do is simply give them a few deity benches, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not taking over Zhenlong Temple’s main hall, not sharing the main incense burner—just on the mountain path, find a sheltered corner and give them a place to stay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much trouble is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhenlong Temple’s incense is now prosperous. Pilgrims stream through daily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few unremarkable deity benches along the mountain path—how would that bother anyone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be kind pilgrims who are willing to offer a humble stick of incense; that would be their own merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if none give even one incense stick, letting them stay there and wait, what loss is that to us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why can’t we do such a small, easy thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo’s brow rose slightly, as if he wanted to retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Yuan didn’t give him the chance and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For such a small matter, why pull out the heavy moral cudgel of ‘the heaven-and-earth are pitiless’ to press people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for your worry that seven today will lead to seven hundred tomorrow—that’s needless anxiety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the faint lights below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many of these wild deities, mustering their last breath to make it to Zhenlong Temple’s mountain gate, do you think there are in the world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The vast majority won’t live to see this day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They either fade away quietly in unknown corners,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“or get devoured by some passing malevolent spirit, or they fail and degenerate into evil gods that harm others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those that cleanly manage to reach our door are very few.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan looked at him, his voice deepening with an uncommon seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s one more point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not agree with your doctrine that heaven-and-earth are pitiless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shouzhuo trembled slightly and turned to look at Lu Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say their incense ceased because they lack ability, because they are no longer responsive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So by your logic of ‘heavenly rules,’ they should be eliminated, left to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan fixed his gaze on him, asking each word with emphasis:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then if one day the old man grows so old that he struggles even to eat or dress, can’t do anything—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I then abandon him in the back mountain and let him return to silence by himself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan stared at him, syllable by syllable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are both human, not malevolent worships.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only malevolent worships talk about survival of the fittest, only they say the useless should die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why be so heartless? Reaching out to pull someone up won’t harm us!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2466,"2026-06-06T14:45:54.833Z",1,"novelbin.me","c05a460d04cb668ac0d4a03012c4531538260529cf51e25746e2f45827986989","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-156","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-154",241,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-cover.jpg"]