Chapter 751: Extra Chapter 3: Closing the Shop

Over the past half day, Xiao Jiu's thoughts have been extremely chaotic.

In everyone's heart, the Empress of Earth is a sacred, inviolable presence.

Xiao Jiu was no different.

So when she realized the truth about the Earth-Covering Qilin, her belief collapsed with a bang.

For a moment, she completely lost the direction of her struggle.

She didn't even know how to tell the Big Family, fearing everyone would end up like her.

A team with such strong cohesion, once its belief collapses, turns into loose sand—that's fatal!

Xingchen was like a beam of light; he not only brought warmth to Xiao Jiu, but also strove to light the path ahead for her.

"As the saying goes, those in the midst are confused." Xingchen continued, "You're in the midst of it, perhaps unaware of just how great the power you now hold really is."

"Traveling between yin and yang, guiding yin souls directly into reincarnation, soul judgment, private dealings with yin officials... any one of these, if someone truly wants to hold you accountable, Mom, you cannot escape calamity."

Every word Xingchen spoke struck Xiao Jiu's soul heavily.

Yes, up to now, no one truly in a high position has stepped forward to point out the impropriety of Xiao Jiu's actions.

Every time, she managed to turn danger into good fortune.

Later, she even became obsessed with finding the person who had been secretly oppressing her, preventing power from falling into her hands or into those of the Yin Dang Hang.

But in fact, the power she held had long surpassed that of most people.

Xingchen further reminded: "Without rules, nothing can be properly formed; the Yin Dang Hang has its own operating principles, the pawnshop has its own rules. When the two are combined, and when your power is maximized, Mom, what else do you most want to do?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiu suddenly lifted her head, staring into Xingchen's eyes, which were like an endless sea, and could not regain her composure for a long time.

When the Yin Dang Hang was struck down by heavenly thunder, at the moment of deciding to turn the Wufu Town Pawnshop into the Yin Dang Hang, what was the first reaction of Xiao Jiu and all the members of the pawnshop?

They thought of maximizing their power, expanding their business dealings, and even considered merging the halls of the Jiuyan District into the Yin Dang Hang... Of course, Xiao Jiu also considered that if this continued, the Yin Dang Hang might spiral out of control.

After all, the Wufu Town Pawnshop has a rule: "If there is a request, it cannot be refused."

Xiao Jiu suddenly understood.

What this world has always lacked is not a pawnshop centered on doing business, but a Yin Dang Hang that can uphold justice, guide wandering souls, and maintain the order of both yin and yang.

Xiao Jiu is precisely the one who has been selected but has not yet passed the examination as a yang-world yin envoy.

Xingchen was right—there are far too many aspects of Xiao Jiu that need to be tested.

Even if we set aside all the pawnshop's own actions, just considering Xiao Jiu's own identity constitutes a tremendous test.

At the moment Xiao Jiu successfully achieves Nirvana, her decision becomes crucial.

Whether to stay in the pawnshop or return to the Feng Clan as its phoenix matriarch—a single decision could change everything.

Xiao Jiu ultimately chose the pawnshop, and Shan Shan's birth made this decision even more set in stone.

Xiao Jiu passed this trial without even realizing it.

But there are still many more trials awaiting her.

What Xingchen has seen and what he hasn't seen are immeasurable.

Xiao Jiu, however, suddenly became enlightened.

What she once clung to has, at this moment, become entirely a joke.

Letting go of her former obsessions, Xiao Jiu found that everything seemed to have become simple.

She murmured, "Do good deeds without asking about the future."

Xingchen smiled.

He took out the Buddhist bead bracelet he had just put away, personally placed it on Xiao Jiu's wrist, and solemnly said: "Mom, I believe you can withstand all trials, and I also believe the future of the Wufu Town Pawnshop will surely be bright; I will always pray for the pawnshop and for you from the Zang District."

Xiao Jiu felt moved to tears, she grabbed Xingchen's hand and anxiously asked: "Do you have to leave now? When will we meet again?"

Xingchen smiled but did not answer Xiao Jiu's question.

He stood up, placed his palms together before him, and bowed to Xiao Jiu: "Amitabha."

Xingchen left.

The Mystic Cat left with him.

They came in haste and left in haste.

Liu Junyan chased after the person and the cat for a long distance, but in the end was forcibly pulled back by Hui Moqiong.

He was about to explode: "This brat, running all the way back from the Zang District, aside from saying 'Amitabha,' what else did he say to me? Does he really not have me as his father in his heart?"

By the end, his tone held not a shred of blame, only utter humility.

Everyone then gathered around to persuade him.

But as they kept persuading, they discovered that persuading Liu Junyan was pointless.

The reason is, as they kept persuading, he began to boast about everything in exhaustive detail.

His son Xingchen has been talented since birth, thoughtful, rushing back at crucial moments—not only helping his aunt Yu Nian, but also enlightening his mother, handling things with clear goals and decisive efficiency, bearing his father's demeanor...

Then he went from praising his eldest son to cherishing his precious daughter.

He left no room for anyone else to get a word in.

Everyone had grown accustomed to it.

He bragged about himself, and everyone just listened half-heartedly, then went on with whatever they needed to do.

Liu Junyan said what he said, but what he cared about most was still Xiao Jiu.

After speaking for a while, he went back to his room to check on Xiao Jiu.

Xiao Jiu still sat on the bed, unsure what she was thinking, somewhat lost in thought.

Liu Junyan walked over, sat beside Xiao Jiu, and pulled her into his arms.

Xiao Jiu lifted her eyes to glance at him and asked, "Has Xingchen left?"

"Mm, he went back to the Zang District." Liu Junyan asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Jiu, lost in thought, said: "I'm thinking about what Xingchen said to me, and also the future development direction of our Dang Pu."

Xiao Jiu told Liu Junyan everything about the buried qilin and Xingchen's analysis.

Liu Junyan, after hearing, was also greatly surprised, he exclaimed: "Truly, the authorities are confused; we have been struggling and obsessing, only to find ourselves stuck in a dead end. This child Xingchen truly lives up to being a Buddhist devotee; his vision is grand."

He then asked again: "Xiao Jiu, what do you plan to do next?"

"Establish rules." Xiao Jiu decisively said, "Not only to re-establish rules for the Dang Pu, but also to set rules for ourselves; only by demanding strictness of ourselves and not forgetting our original intentions can we safeguard the Dang Pu, as well as our descendants and all who follow us."

Liu Junyan immediately expressed his stance: "Xiao Jiu, do whatever you want to do; I will always be your strongest support."

He lowered his head, lightly kissed Xiao Jiu's forehead, and sincerely said: "Xiao Jiu, thank you for bearing me such fine children; I, Liu Junyan, am truly fortunate across three lifetimes to have met you."

The night was pleasant, and deep affection was not betrayed.

The next day, Wufu Town Pawnshop issued a notice: the Dang Pu would temporarily close for business, internal integration, reopening time to be determined……

(There's only one chapter today, I feel a bit palpitated and uncomfortable).