Chapter 697: Extra Chapter 2: Almost Becoming a Wife‑Waiting Stone

Everyone says I've changed; all day long, with nothing to do, I just float out and wander.

They all know I'm going to look for Zhao Zixun, and they all urge me to quickly lure Zhao Zixun back to the pawnshop.

But at first it wasn't going smoothly.

Zhao Zixun was avoiding me.

He had a troop of yin soldiers under his command, rode a horse, and often before I even arrived, he'd get word and hide.

Fortunately, the Red Flag Child gets along well with me; the little guy always secretly passes along news, so I could soon accurately intercept Zhao Zixun.

Actually he's quite simple, just shuttling between two places: either the small grove beside the stream, or the hill across the Pearl Disk River.

After the Taotie vicious formation was resolved, that hill's corpse-rearing ground became Zhao Zixun's territory; the yin troops gathered there, and the corpse-rearing ground's yin lethal qi was suitable for their survival.

The first time I cornered Zhao Zixun in the small grove, he was like a headless fly, leading his warhorse around and around in the grove.

He's a corpse with a solid body; I'm a soul. Since I've blocked him, how could I let him slip out of my palm?

I wasn't in a hurry either; at first I just floated slowly behind him.

Floating along, I found just watching him dart about everywhere a bit unsatisfying, so I flew up into a tree and sat on a high, concealed branch, looking down on the person and horse wandering wildly in the woods.

Let's see how long he can avoid me.

Before long, he noticed I wasn't chasing him from behind.

In that instant, he slumped completely, holding the horse's reins, shoulders drooping, like an abandoned puppy.

Actually, given his cultivation level, he shouldn't have failed to notice me hiding in the tree.

But he just didn't.

My heart instantly turned sour; this guy is much harder to deal with than a hundred years ago.

A hundred years ago, when we were together, he was always open and straightforward.

I had wanted to tease him, but seeing him like that I couldn't bear it; I flashed down and sat directly on the warhorse.

The warhorse seemed to recognize me; its two front hooves pawed the ground, and it blew two gusts from its nostrils, sending the dry leaves in the woods flying.

I also said nothing, just sat on the horse's back watching Zhao Zixun.

Zhao Zixun was also looking at me.

After that, things got a bit strange… He didn't speak to me, just took the reins in one hand, leading the horse that carried me, all the way from the grove by the stream back to Xijiekou in Wufu Town.

Back at the pawnshop, I dove into the spirit tablet and wouldn't come out.

I was angry!

I stayed in the spirit tablet for three days.

Those three days kept the Mysterious Cat and Li Qingying busy.

The Mysterious Cat would sometimes come scratch my spirit tablet, sometimes grind its teeth on top of it; it was measured, just trying to make a bit of noise to see how I was.

Li Qingying would come every morning to offer incense to all the spirit tablets, and she often prepared special meals for me.

After those two days of incense, she would stand before my spirit tablet muttering, urging me not to lose heart; a girl, for her own happiness, must keep fighting bravely.

By the third day, Li Qingying's words changed, her tone turning gossipy: "Wanwan, Little General Zhao is leading his horse and standing at Xijiekou, as if waiting for you."

"Today it's overcast with a light drizzle, perfect for the two of you to go out and play; Little General Zhao came early leading his horse—will you give him face?"

"Wanwan, look how many days it's been—are you in seclusion or just sulking? Come out and show your face; Little General Zhao is almost becoming a wife‑waiting stone."

"……"

The Mysterious Cat also meowed from the side.

One person, one cat, singing and harmonizing, disturbed my peace of mind.

On the fifth day, I finally broke my retreat and floated out of the spirit tablet.

The Mysterious Cat immediately jumped into my arms, constantly rubbing its head against me, and Li Qingying still urged: "Go take a look; Little General Zhao comes every day, looking rather pitiful."

I snapped, "He deserves it!"

"Yes yes yes, it's all his own doing." Li Qingying said, "These past two days, Hui Lao Wu came back, happened to run into him, and gave him a thorough scolding; Little General Zhao must have realized his mistake by now—shall we give him another chance to mend his ways?"

Li Qingying pushed and shoved me toward the door.

Although I've cultivated Ghost Cultivation, my soul body looks almost solid, but the feel is still different.

If I weren't willing, Li Qingying couldn't even touch me, let alone push me out.

As soon as I appeared at the pawnshop doorway, Zhao Zixun immediately led his horse over.

He stood at the bottom of the steps, his gaze level with mine; the Mysterious Cat crouched in front of me, huffing at him in a threat.

I picked up the Mysterious Cat and smoothed its fur.

Zhao Zixun finally spoke up: "Fu… Wanwan, tonight the opera troupe at the Grand Assembly Hall is putting on a show… I… I'd like to invite you to watch the opera, all right?"

I thought, I shouldn't agree too easily; I need to give him a taste of his own medicine.

But when I opened my mouth, only one word came out: "Okay."

Zhao Zixun's eyes lit up instantly, and he said, "It's still early; would you like to take a walk with me?"

Me: "Okay."

I didn't show it on my face, but I was extremely annoyed inside.

Fu Wan, Fu Wan, can't you have a bit more ambition?

Someone offers you a step up, and you just eagerly go down?

Was all the anger you endured before for nothing?

You totally deserve it!

Zhao Zixun led me toward Xijiekou, while Li Qingying and the Mysterious Cat watched us go.

After a recent rain, the air was damp.

Zhao Zixun's warhorse I don't know where it went; the two of us walked side by side along the bank of the Pearl Disk River.

Zhao Zixun took the initiative to find a topic: "The Pearl Plate River has changed quite a bit."

I: "Yeah."

"The feng shui pattern has changed twice."

"Hmm."

"I've been at the Pearl Plate River all along."

"Me too."

"……"

Awkward chat.

Just like that, he said a sentence, I responded with a sentence, we two walked along the Pearl Plate River for about five or six li, and the topic still made no progress.

Maybe my bland attitude provoked Zhao Zixun, or maybe he suddenly figured it out.

He suddenly stopped, looked at me, and said: "Wanwan, back then... I was sorry to you."

My heart gave a jolt, and I couldn't help clenching my fists.

Zhao Zixun continued: "Back then, the battle at Small Camp Mouth went poorly; Chen Ping wanted to quickly settle that side, return to Wufu Town, and take the path of ascension—you should already know all this."

At that time, I couldn't control myself; I had a few brief moments of clarity, immediately ran back to Wufu Town, but couldn't find you—I only found that silver ring.

After experiencing Chen Ping's battle a hundred years ago, I have figured out the details.

Everyone was compelled by circumstances; no one can blame anyone else.

After I regained my memory, I have never blamed Zhao Zixun from back then.

On the contrary, at this moment I became a bit nervous, head down, fingers pinching the hem of my clothes, after a moment of hesitation I said: "Since the events of the past have been clarified, you also know about my being violated, right?"

Saying this, I lifted my eyes, stared straight at Zhao Zixun, and said: "Zhao Zixun, I am not pure anymore……"