Chapter 593

Back then, was it Wang Fuchen who, for his career, stabbed Yu Nian in the back?

But the actual situation seems to be the opposite.

The party whose body could never remain intact was Yu Nian!

So it was likely that Yu Nian, for Wang Fuchen's career, flipped the Mandarin Duck Heart-Lock at the critical moment... This is something that silly girl Yu Nian could do.

Jūnzhú Shān Chenghuang Temple lies hidden, but if the Heavenly Tribulation still exists, the Chenghuang Hall in the Nether Realm should show a reaction; should we go verify it?

As a result, I hadn't decided yet, but Hui Moqiong's side already had the information gathered and returned.

He said: 'Someone is undergoing the great tribulation over at the Chenghuang Hall; this tribulation is strange, like a dull knife cutting flesh, and it has lasted about ten days.'

Indeed so.

Hui Moqiong also said: 'There's another matter; on my way back, I passed the Wangchuan River, Xiao Jiu, guess what I saw?'

Li Qingying anxiously reached out and slapped his shoulder, urging: 'What are you keeping secret for? Just spit it out!'

Hui Moqiong wasn't annoyed either; instead, he grabbed Li Qingying's hand, held it, unconsciously kneading it while saying: 'It's the ferry boat, a pitch-black one, moored on the Wangchuan River, sinking and floating.'

My heart gave a sudden thump: 'Is anyone on board?'

Hui Moqiong shook his head: 'I didn't see anyone, but I had people watching; any movement and the news would be sent back quickly.'

The Hui Xian lineage is top-notch at gathering information.

I joked: 'Can Fifth Lord Hui's hand now reach into the Nether Realm?'

'Only able to patrol the outskirts,' Hui Moqiong said, 'During the days we followed the Seven Halls Yama around Wangsi City, we weren't idle either; we had already mapped out the terrain of that area thoroughly, and even made contact with the talkative ghost officials.'

I pondered, then said carefully: 'Our Yin Dang Hang is hard to establish, everywhere constrained; perhaps soon there will be a tough battle to fight.'

Hui Moqiong angrily said: 'We dealt with Ting and Dìshì, lightening the burden on the Nether Realm side so much; how could they turn against us so quickly, always seeking trouble? I say, Xiao Jiu, why should we be subject to others? Let's go solo.'

"The more we talk, the less sense it makes." Li Qingying retorted, "Even though we've become much stronger, can we really take on the Nether Realm? That's just like a mayfly trying to shake a tree. Xiao Jiu's been irritable lately; don't stir up trouble, okay?"

Hui Moqiong shrugged helplessly: "I just want Xiao Jiu to understand that no matter what choice she ultimately makes, we will follow her to the death."

"Thank you."

That thanks came from the heart; I genuinely felt grateful to them.

They are forever my confidence.

Although the thought of going solo has popped up in my mind more than once, my confidence isn't something I can just squander.

Of course, if it ever comes to a point of no return, I'm not a soft persimmon to be squashed and rolled at others' whim.

What I didn't expect was that, in the latter half of the night, news came back from the Gray Immortal side.

Li Qingying came to knock on the door; Liu Junyan wasn't there. After being startled awake, I hurried out of bed to open the door: "Sister Qingying, what happened?"

"Old Five Hui just got word that someone's on the ferry." Li Qingying was very agitated, her lips trembling, "It... it seems like... Yu Nian."

Although I had suspicions, when the guess was confirmed I still let out a long breath: "Senior Sister is back! I want to see her."

Hui Moqiong poked his head out from behind Li Qingying and said, "My people say Yu Nian's condition is off. Since she suddenly appeared on the ferry, she's been lying on her back at the bow, staring at the Nether Realm's hazy sky, wondering what she's thinking. My people have been watching; in my view, Xiao Jiu, your senior sister probably just wants to be alone right now."

Hui Moqiong's reminder made me realize that this time Yu Nian has returned whole.

Not just her body, but her memories as well.

Those memories include not only us, but also Wang Fanchen, as well as the ferryman.

She needs time to digest these.

"No, I still have to take a look." I said firmly, "I need to see if there's still any trace of that crow's aura on her; I won't disturb her."

Hui Moqiong didn't stop me then.

I changed clothes and headed straight for the Nether Realm.

When I stood by the Wangchuan River, it was almost 4 a. m.

On the Wangchuan River, there indeed was a black ferryboat, rising and falling with the river's flow.

On the ferry's prow was planted a banner, very like Yu Nian's Thousand Soul Banner, but it looked newer and lacked the original banner's mana.

Yu Nian lay there flat on the prow, her whole person appearing lifeless.

But I saw no trace of that crow's aura on her.

In the tribulation of the Shíjiǔ Dòngtiān, Yu Nian successfully passed through.

I kept my promise, didn't disturb her, but I urged Hui Moqiong to make sure someone kept a close watch on Yu Nian, absolutely no more slip-ups.

Returning to Wufu Town, I was still uneasy.

Over the next two days, the feedback from Hui Moqiong's side was all the same.

Yu Nian continued to lie flat, days passed with no change.

Of course, later not only did the Gray Immortal side send news, but my aunt also passed along information.

Even A Cheng had seen Yu Nian from afar.

A Cheng only said, "Give her some time."

And so three days passed.

On the fourth night, Yu Nian appeared in Wufu Town without any warning.

At the time I was sitting behind the counter, holding that stone in a daze.

The closer the appointed day came, the more torn I felt.

Should I or shouldn't I hand this stone over to that pawnbroker?

Just then, footsteps sounded at the doorway.

I jerked my head up and saw that familiar figure, more familiar than ever.

Yu Nian had grown much thinner, wearing a patchwork of hundred-family clothes, as if we'd stepped back to the scene of our first meeting.

I sprang up with a whoosh, turned and ran from behind the counter, lunging toward Yu Nian, my steps a bit unsteady.

I grabbed her in a tight embrace, holding her hard, and let out a sob.

Li Qingying heard the noise and ran out; seeing us, she also followed and wiped her tears.

Sister...

Sister!

At this moment, the breath I had been holding in my heart finally came out with each call.

Before Yu Nian truly returned, I felt guilty in my heart.

I always thought it was I who shot her dead with an arrow.

I killed her.

Yu Nian also hugged me tightly: "Xiao Jiu..."

"Sister, you've come back, you won't leave again, right?"

"Will you come back to run Yin Dang Hang?"

"We'll be together, never to part again."

I looked at Yu Nian eagerly, waiting for her to nod.

But Yu Nian took my hand and said, "Xiao Jiu, I came today to ask you for something."

I was stunned: "What?"

"A stone." Yu Nian said, "The piece you brought out from the Sānshēng Diàn..."