Chapter 700

After Li Qingying successfully leapt over the Dragon Gate and transformed into a flood dragon, her status indeed changed.

She would become the river god, and I was not surprised.

But she would soon take over the position of Chenghuang of Jūnzhú Mountain, which is something I dare not even imagine.

The Chenghuang Temple of Jūnzhú Mountain was breached by Xiao Jiu Zhanggui and his group more than a year ago; the whole matter is deeply involved, and it is the place that can directly connect to the Chenghuang Hall of the Nether Realm.

If Li Qingying truly became the Chenghuang of Jūnzhú Mountain, she would be the true parental official of both yin and yang realms in this area.

The authority is great.

But upon careful thought, this is actually quite reasonable.

After all, she has already become a flood dragon; now returning to report for duty, this area ought to have a place for her.

I felt excited inside: "Sister Qingying, congratulations, and please help me investigate thoroughly; I just need one definite piece of information, I won't make it difficult for you."

Li Qingying smiled and said: "We're all sisters, Wanwan, you don't need to be so polite with me."

We chatted a while longer, then I returned to the spirit tablet to rest peacefully, patiently waiting for news from Li Qingying.

Two days later that evening, Li Qingying had found news about Zhao Zixun and came specially to tell me: "Wanwan, I discovered that Zhao Zixun left Wufu Town riding his own warhorse; his whereabouts are now unknown, but one thing is certain—he is no longer within my jurisdiction."

I hurriedly asked: "Then, what was his condition when he left?"

"Very good." Li Qingying said, "There's no sign of decay on his body; he exudes the special killing aura unique to a general—overall, his condition is fine."

Zhao Zixun's health has recovered; this is good news.

But him leaving Li Qingying's jurisdiction means he chose to distance himself from our group, distancing himself… from me!

Huh, why?

We clearly have already renewed our fate, our hearts are in sync; why, after his health recovered, didn't he come to me first, but instead chose to leave without a word?

Zhao Zixun, what on earth are you thinking?

"Wanwan, are you alright?"

Li Qingying waved her hand in front of my eyes; I immediately came to, shaking my head: "Sister Qingying, I'm fine, thank you for helping me find his news."

Li Qingying still wasn't reassured, she comforted: "Little General Zhao might have something to attend to; once he's done, he'll come back, and when he returns I'll talk to him—I need manpower to manage the Zhu Pan River."

I went along with it, but deep down I knew Zhao Zixun would never return.

He chose to part ways with me.

Otherwise, it's just across a river; no matter how urgent the matter, there would be time to say a word to me.

Moreover, the news Li Qingying found didn't mention that he left in great haste.

Zhao Zixun made the final decision; now it's my turn to decide.

Should I choose to be reincarnated, or stay at the pawnshop entrance as a member of Clear Wind Hall?

When Li Qingying left, she also reminded me to think it over well, urging me to decide soon, preferably staying in Clear Wind Hall.

The past two days, Xiao Jiu Zhanggui's side has also been busy.

After Shan Shan was born, auspicious signs indeed appeared frequently.

First, a fire broke out among the Phoenix clan.

Of course, this fire is different from an ordinary blaze; it seems to be because Shan Shan's appearance triggered a response from the Cangwu Dark Seal, releasing the Fire Seed that caused it.

Xiao Jiu Zhanggui brought Shan Shan back to the Phoenix clan.

Shan Shan is no ordinary child; it's said that upon returning to the Phoenix clan, she spread her wings and flew high, crying out loudly, and soon subdued the scene.

She not only can fly and walk, but also speak.

Soon I witnessed this myself.

Li Qingying saw I was upset, told Xiao Jiu about me and Zhao Zixun, and Xiao Jiu came over holding Shan Shan to find me.

We sat down to chat, and Xiao Jiu also asked about my plans: "Wanwan, you were tragically killed back then, your soul lingered in the human world for a hundred years; given your situation, you cannot enter the normal reincarnation process. I could use lamp oil to ferry you into reincarnation, but are you truly willing? I very much hope you can stay and help me manage Clear Wind Hall."

I felt conflicted.

Actually, even I myself am not clear about what I truly want, so I've been unable to make a decision.

"Ayi has had a hard life, but after death she holds great fortune." Shan Shan suddenly spoke, blinking her big eyes at me, giving me a sweet smile, then she said in a crisp voice, "Ayi, you should go out and walk around more."

Xiao Jiu couldn't help but gently pinch Shan Shan's little nose, chiding: "Adults are speaking; children shouldn't interrupt rudely. You've only been born a few days—Wanwan, don't listen to her nonsense."

Shan Shan, however, refused to back down: "Mom, you underestimate me; I am the genuine new Phoenix Lord, I can sense Spiritual Power, I won't be mistaken—whatever Ayi worries about will surely turn around; if you don't believe me, we can make a bet!"

Saying that, she raised her little fist.

Xiao Jiu grabbed that chubby little fist and pressed it down, both amused and exasperated: "Okay, okay, okay, we believe you can't do that yet—stop betting all day, we're not gamblers."

Shan Shan then laughed again, snuggling affectionately into Xiao Jiu's embrace, and lifted her little face to kiss Xiao Jiu.

Xiao Jiu's eyes were full of smiles, her whole body radiating an aura of maternal love; this scene was truly warm enough to make people envious.

Though Shan Shan is young and her words slight, we should have brushed them off with a smile, yet we three present all took them to heart.

Xiao Jiu and Li Qingying stopped urging me further, respecting my choice.

I chose to go out and have a look.

On the day I left, Xiao Jiu Zhanggui repeatedly urged me: "Wanwan, go around and come back; Dang Pu is forever your home—no matter where you go, remember to return home."

It's impossible not to be moved; I reached out and hugged Xiao Jiu, then embraced Li Qingying, and finally left alone.

The world is vast; searching for a person without any clues is undoubtedly like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I had no goal whatsoever, only knowing that Zhao Zixun is at least not in the area near Wufu Town close to Jiangcheng.

I couldn't guess where he would go, so I simply stopped guessing.

Shan Shan said I would have great fortune, and the matters I worry about will surely turn around; thus I will follow heavenly decree, let go of my obsession with finding Zhao Zixun, and first do what I've always wanted to do but haven't.

I plan to make a trip to the Zàng Qū to see the black cat I miss so much.

I want to listen to Xingchen chant sutras, be immersed in Buddhist teachings, and let my mind settle completely.

Perhaps after returning from the Zàng Qū, I will be able to understand many things.

Of course, this journey is bound to be perilous; after all, I am merely a ghost. Though I have been cultivating Ghost Cultivation all along and my Xiūwéi is not bad, there are mountains beyond mountains and ghosts beyond ghosts, so caution is still the best.

But as soon as I stepped out of River City, I met someone.

That person was not unfamiliar to me; her name is Tang Xun.

She is Xiao Jiu's younger aunt.

Tang Xun also had a boy following her, and I knew he was A Cheng.

They came specially to block me.

A Cheng said to me: "I divined last night and got some information possibly related to General Zhao. Miss Fu, we need your help..."