Chapter 148

I carefully stroked that copper coin; it was one size larger than ordinary copper coins, very heavy, and its color was not that of ordinary copper coins—it leaned toward gold, its surface engraved with countless tiny runes.

I couldn't read those runes, but I could vaguely tell they were probably Sanskrit.

The red string threaded through the copper coin was also not an ordinary object; it had undergone special treatment.

The copper coin was cool, just like Liu Junyan's current body temperature.

After the west room door opened, his whole body temperature dropped considerably.

Even…… was cool.

I took hold of Liu Junyan's hand that was covering my cheek with a reverse grip, but I didn't pull it away; I slightly tilted my head and actively rested my cheek against his palm, saying, "Let me help you, Liu Junyan. I've long been trapped in the formation; I can't stay out of it alone, and I don't want to one day drag you down."

Since he has been walking this path all along and will continue to do so, I will surely accompany him to the end of the road.

Or…… the end of life.

"Good." Liu Junyan kissed my forehead again, holding me tightly, "We will be husband leading, wife following."

In the latter half of the night, I only slept three hours; when I woke up in the morning, it was still before seven.

My mind was full of things, so I couldn't sleep soundly.

When I finished washing up and went to eat breakfast, Liu Junyan and the others were already there.

What I didn't expect was that Liu Junyan and Hui Moqiong's outfits had completely changed today.

Before, they both wore long robes with their hair tied up; I don't know when they got their hair cut and bought new clothes.

Liu Junyan got a buzz cut, his hair short down to the roots, wearing a beige thin sweater, black straight-leg pants, and over that a dark gray wool overcoat.

He half-leaned against the chair back, his right hand holding prayer beads lightly resting on the edge of the table, head lowered as he looked at something; his whole body emanated an aloof, icy aura of a monk that kept strangers at bay.

At first glance, my steps came to an abrupt halt, and a feeling of having known each other for ten thousand years welled up in my heart.

He…… always manages to give me unexpected surprises.

"Old sis, staring dumbfounded?" Hui Moqiong's voice startled me awake, "How is it? Don't you think your husband is the most handsome, unbeatable guy in the world? Do you feel even a little sense of crisis?"

I smiled slightly and glanced at Hui Moqiong.

His hairstyle had changed too—his long hair was cut short, styled with a volumized side part, the sideburns' wispy hairs dyed gray-white, perfectly echoing the white tuft at his forehead, making him both handsome and full of presence.

He was wearing an all-black leather outfit today, a loose biker style, with the jacket's zipper pulled all the way up to the top of his neck; I instinctively glanced at Li Qingying—this was exactly the style she likes!

When she first came to my place, she already liked wearing an all-black leather outfit.

At this moment, Li Qingying sat quietly beside Hui Moqiong, head lowered, silently stirring the noodles in her bowl.

Abnormal.

Very abnormal.

Usually Hui Moqiong talks nonstop, and Li Qingying grows impatient, wishing she could sew his mouth shut with a needle.

Today…… she was unusually quiet.

Liu Junyan waved at me: "Xiao Jiu, come over."

I sat down beside him and asked curiously, "How did you two suddenly change your look?"

"We're not going out to run errands; dressing too flashy would attract attention," Hui Moqiong said, flicking his slightly curled bangs, then added, "Although I prefer tied-up hair and long robes, with my looks here, any outfit can turn heads, Yingyingzi—don't you agree?"

He nudged her with his elbow, tilting his head to look at her.

Li Qingying gave him a big white-eye: "Narcissist."

I smirked inwardly; even dressed like that, stepping out would still be eye‑catching.

I then asked Liu Junyan, "Are we going out? Where are we headed?"

"We're going to stay near the prison for a few days," Liu Junyan said. "You and Qingying also come along; Mo Qiong has already rented a place."

I let out an oh and hurriedly ate.

After the meal, we each packed some daily necessities and drove to Xu Cheng.

This time we didn't go straight to the mountains; instead we detoured to the small town nearest the prison.

The town isn't big—just a few dozen households—but almost every family is in the funeral business.

Selling coffins, selling funeral garments, selling paper offerings…… it's practically a one‑stop funeral service.

Short‑term rentals here are plentiful, usually lasting three to five days, at most half a month; they are simple civilian homes where you can move in with just your luggage.

The reason this strange scene appears is entirely because of that prison.

The prison is huge, and inside are held only death‑row inmates.

Those who come here are almost always doing so for these death‑row inmates—sometimes to visit, sometimes to…… see them off.

Coming from afar, they only want to escort the prison's inmates on their final journey, which takes just a few days, so they rent a short‑term place as a stopover.

Everyone chooses to buy the needed supplies ready‑made in town, even if the prices are much higher than outside, because it's convenient and complete.

Hui Moqiong rented a relatively good place in town—a clean, tidy little courtyard whose owners work year‑round in the county seat; this courtyard has therefore been rented out continuously.

The courtyard has three rooms total; Liu Junyan and I share one, while Hui Moqiong and Li Qingying each have their own.

After we finished tidying up, it was already noon.

We came to handle business, not to settle down, so we had no intention of lighting a fire; we simply went out to find a cheap eatery for a meal, and incidentally observe the local customs.

This morning, three groups of people came in total; two of them were here to see off the condemned prisoners.

After buying all the funeral supplies in town, they squatted at the intersection facing the prison, burning the items one by one while murmuring something, amidst sobs.

And the third group was a troupe of lamas.

What surprised me even more was that I recognized one of those lamas.

At that moment we were eating; the group of lamas passed by the restaurant entrance, and Li Qingying sprang up instantly—I grabbed her and pushed her back down into her seat: "Stay calm, don't disturb anyone."

Li Qingying lowered her voice: "Xiao Jiu, you saw that too, right? The lama walking on the right just now—isn't he the one the Bai Family once rescued?"

I nodded: "Yes."

Back then he collaborated with the Bai Family, hoping to ferry the calamity‑cat sandalwood; as a result I crippled one of his hands, his leg was lame, and his whole body was lashed by Li Qingying's long whip until it was a bloody mess.

After the Bai Family took him away, we almost regarded him as a cripple.

But how long has it been since then? He actually showed up in this remote little town of Xu City with a group of lamas—what are they here for?

Hui Moqiong was a latercomer; he didn't know about this, so Li Qingying pulled him aside and gave him a rough outline.

Afterwards, Hui Moqiong stood up to go pay at the counter; after a few words he became acquainted with the shopkeeper's wife, and they chatted for a while before he returned.

"That group of lamas goes to the prison to hold a ritual," Hui Moqiong said, sitting down. "Every year at year's end, the prison invites that group of lamas to hold a ritual to help liberate the souls of executed prisoners; the ritual lasts seven days total."

"The ritual is held at night; during the day they stay in a temple on the mountain. Today should be their first day arriving, they need to set up the ritual, so they came early."

I frowned: "They actually stay in a mountain temple..."