Chapter 204: The Messenger Arrives

Below Five Finger Mountain.

"Yu Lin, little brother, your friend seems to be in danger."

"Won't you go help him?"

Sun Wukong spat out a peach pit, turned his head toward the front where Yu Lin, lazily basking in the sun on a lounge chair, asked curiously.

Yu Lin shook his head, shifted to a more comfortable posture, and replied, "Just as the Great Sage, before you took a master, had to trek over mountains and rivers and endure many other trials."

"This is also his inevitable path; if I intervene now, I'm afraid it would backfire."

"Let nature take its course."

Sun Wukong, hearing that, grabbed a peach and bit into it hard, a flash of brilliance in his eyes, and said, "Indeed! Though this Zhong Kui is impressive!"

"It carries the spirit of my old self, old Sun! Unbending, good!"

He suddenly grinned:

"Since he intends to enter the Underworld, I, old Sun, will lend him a hand!"

Speaking so, he plucked a single hair and gave it a gentle blow.

The hair transformed into a streak of Golden Light, instantly traversing thousands of li before vanishing.

Sun Wukong said proudly, "When his soul enters the Underworld, a convenient gate will appear."

"Of course, if the King of Hell sees it yet refuses to open it, then don't blame me for, after I leave here, causing them trouble again!"

Yu Lin gave a slight smile, did not object, and softly said, "Then thank you, Great Sage."

Sun Wukong waved his hand, "A trivial matter! I, old Sun, cannot stand such grievances!"

"If I can get out, I will make that old Emperor taste the Golden Cudgel!"

"The Great Sage is mighty." Yu Lin praised once more, then fell silent, his gaze settling on the Chang'an Imperial Palace.

Facing the surrounding guards, Zhong Kui simply stopped concealing himself.

He let out a low shout, his aura surged like a tide, shaking the guards into retreat.

Li Yuan felt the familiar aura, his brows tightening sharply: "The Heavy Mysterious Profound True Scripture?! Where did you learn it from?!"

He already had an answer in mind—this is a secret of Louguan Tai not passed down, even disciples within the sect must undergo multiple screenings before they can practice.

Since Zhong Kui received the true transmission, it must have been personally bestowed by Qi Pingding.

At the thought, Li Yuan couldn't help but regret: Had he known this child had such a connection to Louguan Tai, out of respect for Qi Pingding, it need not have come to this!

But Zhong Kui's gaze now was as cold as ice: "What does this have to do with you? Are you scared? Does the Son of Heaven, a true ruler, fear a mere commoner like me?!"

Those words pierced Li Yuan's heart like a sharp blade.

The last hint of his conciliatory intent vanished completely, his eyes cold as frost: "Indeed, you think you can defy the heavens! Believing that learning a few skills lets you despise imperial authority? Men, seize them!"

More than ten Taoist figures suddenly appeared, all wearing Grand Historian's official robes, shouting, "Awaiting Your Majesty's command!"

"Capture them."

"Yes!"

The group spread out, forming a formation, and together chanted the sealing incantation: "Seal!"

In the center of the Imperial Palace, the dragon pillar suddenly burst with Golden Light; the Golden Dragon perched upon it awoke violently, let out a thunderous roar, and lunged straight at Zhong Kui!

Even though Zhong Kui gave his all, employing many techniques, the Golden Dragon was a manifestation of the dynasty's qi, how could he possibly contend?

With a single clash, he was flung back like a kite with its string cut, crashing through the palace walls and slamming onto the ground!

Fresh blood spilled from his mouth, his breath rapidly fading.

Zhong Kui gazed at the deep blue sky, and in a daze saw Zhong Xiao Mei's smiling face.

He struggled to raise his hand, as if to touch his sister's face one last time:

"If I go… what will you do........"

His powerless hand fell, stirring a fine dust.

Li Yuan stood in the shadow of the palace gate and said lightly:

"I, the Son of Heaven, will grant a lenient opening, not hold him accountable for insubordination. Send him back, and inter him in his native land."

He flicked his sleeve, turned, and vanished into the deep palace.

The ministers exchanged wordless glances; the last elder let out a long sigh, stepped forward and said:

"Then let this old man handle it............"

"Everyone, look! Zhong Kui has disappeared!"

The crowd looked where Zhong Kui's corpse had been; now there was nothing—no bloodstain, vanished without a trace, as if nothing had occurred.

The onlookers stared at each other, at a loss for what to do, and hurriedly turned to chase after Li Yuan.

Zhong Kui's vision, which had sunk into endless darkness, was suddenly split by a WhiteLight breaking through the Chaos.

When his sight returned.

He stared blankly at his own "corpse" on the ground, unable to recover for a long time.

Until the Great Sun at the horizon was obscured by a white cloud, and a shadow spread.

The Soul Reaper stepped out of the shadow, his voice ethereal:

"Zhong Kui, your mortal destiny this time has ended; please follow me into the Underworld."

Saying so, the chain in his hand moved to clasp Zhong Kui's wrist.

The previously silent Zhong Kui suddenly lifted his head:

"No! I cannot go with you now, at least not now!"

He turned and sprinted wildly toward the distance.

The Soul Reaper was about to give chase, but a flash of Golden Light suddenly appeared, pinning him firmly in place!

When Zhong Kui's figure completely vanished, the Soul Reaper resumed his movement.

He helplessly bowed in a direction:

Well then, I'll give the Great Sage some face.

As his words fell, he carried Zhong Kui's "corpse" and silently vanished, leaving only a wisp of cool breeze brushing over the empty palace grounds.

And Zhong Kui ran all the way.

He ran out of the Imperial Palace, out of Chang'an, and kept running until he reached Zhongnan Mountain, where he stood on the slope and looked down at the Zhong family village.

Zhong Kui stood on the slope of Zhongnan Mountain, his gaze penetrating layer after layer of eaves and walls, finally coming to rest in that familiar courtyard.

Zhong Xiao Mei was sitting on the small stool in front of the house, her head bowed as she washed wild vegetables.

Her movements were gentle and focused, her strands of hair floating lightly in the breeze, sunlight falling on her slightly flushed cheeks, casting a soft halo.

Zhong Kui's lips pressed into a straight line.

How he wished to draw nearer, to get a good look at his sister's appearance, and hear her call out "big brother" once more.

But thinking of the separation between humans and ghosts, he ultimately just let out a long sigh and gave a deep bow to Du Ping, not far behind Zhong Xiao Mei.

After the bow, he resolutely turned and strode away.

As his sleeves fluttered, they lifted a few withered leaves that swirled in the air.

In the courtyard, Zhong Xiao Mei suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, inexplicably lifting her head to gaze toward the slope.

Du Ping also seemed to sense something, and at the same time looked toward that slope.

"What's wrong?" Du Ping asked, seeing Zhong Xiao Mei frown and clutch her chest, concerned.

Zhong Xiao Mei opened her mouth, but could not say why.

That feeling was like the most important string suddenly snapping, leaving a hollow ache.

She ultimately just shook her head: "It's nothing, just a little worry for my big brother. I hope he comes back soon."

Du Ping comforted her softly: "Given Brother Zhong's abilities, he's likely unharmed."

"I'll have someone inquire in Chang'an later; don't worry."

"Mm, thank you, Elder Brother Du." Zhong Xiao Mei replied softly, lowering her head again to wash the vegetables.

But as she washed, her eyes suddenly grew sore.

She raised her hand to rub them, and her fingertips touched something wet.

These inexplicable tears came in a flood, unstoppable as they fell drop by drop into the vegetable-washing basin, sending out ripples.

Du Ping watched, feeling heartbroken and unsure how to comfort her; finally he pressed his lips and strode out of the house.

After borrowing a horse from the village chief, he headed toward Chang'an.