Chapter 748: Side Story 2: Reincarnation

Yu Nian steadied the ferry boat, stopping before the Heavenly Canopy Sinful Realm.

In the cabin, I and Zhao Zixun sat opposite each other, cross-legged and meditating.

When those bloody scenes that had once happened reappeared in my mind, a clear chanting voice immediately rang out, continuous and unending.

Although I was merely listening to Xingchen chant sutras, I instantly felt as if I had arrived at a bustling Buddhist hall, devoting myself to listening to the Dharma and sincerely repenting.

I once again reflected on my two hurried lives, the former sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all surging into my heart.

Buddhist Dharma washed my three souls and seven spirits, purifying my soul; Xingchen used the Dharma to dispel the karmic obstacles forced upon me.

I thought Zhao Zixun's situation over there must be exactly the same as mine.

This process needs to continue for a long time; obviously, the ferry boat cannot remain motionless in this body of water.

When the ferry boat set off again, the Mystic Cat leapt over, standing between me and Zhao Zixun like a loyal guard, protecting us.

When the ferry boat's prow entered the Heavenly Canopy Sinful Realm once more, the powerful force pressing down on the prow reappeared.

This time, however, it failed to press the ferry boat's prow into the water.

At the stern, Xingchen still stood firmly there, as straight as a pine on a cliff, inexplicably giving a sense of safety.

The prow slowly advanced, and the ferry boat gradually entered the Heavenly Canopy Sinful Realm.

All around was pitch black, yet this darkness was like a mirror, reflecting our past and present lives, illuminating the deepest parts of our souls.

The electric current of the lightning was like a net, spreading across the sky and earth to cover us.

At that moment, the Mystic Cat meowed, and from its body flew out sheets of scripture bursting with golden light, which flew toward the great net crackling with azure-blue current.

The golden light and azure current collided, merged, then separated, bursting into one splendid 'firework' after another on the dark canopy, vanishing in an instant.

Yu Nian seized this opening, swiftly pushing the ferry boat forward.

Immediately after, a second lightning net descended.

The Mystic Cat repeatedly shattered the lightning net with scriptures, firmly protecting me and Zhao Zixun.

But as time passed, that net pressed lower and lower, while the Mystic Cat grew increasingly strained.

When the lightning net fell again, a string of Buddhist beads flew from the stern and directly shattered the net.

A strong scent of incense came to my nose; when I opened my eyes, I found that in the vast expanse of canopy around us, there was no trace of lightning current left.

The sound of the Thousand Soul Banner constantly fluttering came; I saw Yu Nian rowing swiftly, saw Xingchen still standing at the stern, and the Mystic Cat lying in my arms… at that moment, my heart was utterly tranquil.

I lifted my gaze and saw Zhao Zixun also calmly looking at me.

We exchanged a smile.

If… if time could freeze at this moment, that would also be nice.

But, our gathering was hurried, and parting… came unexpectedly.

Thanks to Yu Nian's efforts, and with Xingchen and the Mystic Cat escorting us, the ferry boat safely crossed the Heavenly Canopy Sinful Realm; ahead lay the Reincarnation Platform.

Upon entering the Nether Realm, after judgment, many souls obtain the chance of reincarnation.

A long line queues beneath the Reincarnation Platform.

When they will enter the Reincarnation Platform, and whether they will be reborn in the human realm, the animal realm, or something else, is predetermined.

Zhao Zixun and I belong to the type that forces our way into the line, breaking the rules.

If we lack sufficient escort, setting aside whether we would be caught and judged by ghost officials, these queued souls could tear us apart alive.

However, reincarnation is not easy; every soul that gains a chance at reincarnation especially cherishes this opportunity.

Yu Nian is a ferryman; she has already prepared everything, and this ferry crossing is recorded in the ledger.

The process was arduous, but the outcome was good.

When Zhao Zixun and I stood side by side before the Reincarnation Platform, myriad feelings welled up.

Although we know we will enter reincarnation with our memories, saying we are not worried is impossible.

After all, whether any other interfering factors will arise during the reincarnation process is unknown to us.

But even the slightest mishap would cause our next life to be filled with uncertain factors.

We firmly imprint each other in our hearts; even though we have already deeply engraved each other's appearances, we still feel it is not enough.

But the moment of reincarnation will eventually come; Zhao Zixun and I enter the Reincarnation Furnace one after another.

The Reincarnation Furnace is deep and hot.

Falling from the Reincarnation Platform, the entire soul body is like dropping into an alchemy furnace; the soul body instantly fragments into pieces, turning to nothingness.

Ten months of pregnancy, one moment of birth.

At the moment I wailed upon birth, my vision was blurry, and my hearing was also blurry.

The whole world seemed veiled by a gauze, indistinct.

Figures in white robes bustled about, a humming sound surrounding me on all sides.

When I was placed in a warm embrace and heard a heartbeat that inexplicably felt familiar, a kiss fell upon my forehead.

I heard a young, gentle woman's voice softly say in my ear: "Baby, welcome to my side; Mommy loves you."

·

I am indeed born with some memories.

I remember that my previous life was Fu Wan, born in the early years of the Republic; I was the family's only daughter, with a kind father and loving mother.

In that tumultuous era, I not only entered a women's school but also became a female teacher.

I seem… to still have a young, handsome fiancé.

He is a soldier, with remarkable military achievements, called the 'Ever-Victorious General'.

He said that after finishing his battles he would return to marry me, riding his warhorse.

But I cannot recall his name, nor can I picture his appearance; I only remember that he told me to wait for him.

In this life, I have been born into a great family.

The eldest great-grandfather in the family is already nearly a hundred years old, and the family's descendants are thriving.

My parents are young and loving; above me are a pair of twin older brothers, and I am the apple of their eye.

I have been good at studying since childhood, perhaps because I carry some memories from a previous life; I write eloquently, my literary talent is outstanding, and all along my academic journey I have achieved abundant results.

Everything is fine.

The only thing is that I am constantly troubled by the same dream.

In the dream, I am always standing under the eaves of an ancient-style building.

I cannot make out the sign on the building's gate, but I can see what seems to be a hexagonal palace lamp hanging above.

Looking west from the eaves, there is a deep, secluded street corner.

This dream always ends with my gaze directed toward that street corner, falling upon a tall and straight figure.

This dream has haunted me for twenty years straight.

Until the National Day holiday of my third year of university, my roommate and close friend invited me to visit the ancient town near her hometown.

That year, the ancient town had many, many visitors.

My friend and I got separated in the crowd.

Just as I anxiously looked around, searching everywhere for my friend's figure, my gaze fell upon an ancient-style house.

The familiar gate, the familiar eaves—strangely, there was no hexagonal palace lamp hanging under the eaves.

Just as I was wondering, a tall soldier's figure slowly walked into my sight...