MMJWQC Chapter 48

Twenty years ago, their first encounter with each other was at the Qingyue Sect. That time, when Feng Qi woke up, it was clearly a masterpiece of Chu Ruochun.

Unfortunately, even though Feng Qi was released at that time, he didn’t recognize himself.

Chu Ruochun had long since become accustomed to it. As long as he made sure the curse imprisoning Feng Qi wasn’t removed, and as long as his brother’s soul didn’t perish, he could continue to live.

There was indeed a unique book in the Qingyue Sect hundreds of years ago that could lift the curse on the Feng family. Chu Ruochun burned it, and in this world, no one could remove the curse on Feng Qi except him.

When Feng Qi had just awakened, he asked Chu Ruochun why he had lied to the Feng family couple. Chu Ruochun did indeed lie, and it was a massive lie, claiming there was a curse on the Feng family. This was all part of the play Chu Ruochun put on to bring Feng Qi back to life, including the ancestral manual left by the Feng family’s ancestors, which he had imitated. The original manual had been replaced.

The Feng family ancestors hoped that the Feng family would find that curse-lifting book. If they could find it, they could break the curse that had plagued them for generations.

Chu Ruochun was not a purely good person. For the sake of his brother, he could do many things, including risking his own life.

He waited for his brother to wake up, and he had waited for many years.

Feng Qi recalled the events of those years, feeling more joy than pain. The damned people were all dead, and his revenge had been achieved. Time would always dilute everything.

However, as old problems were resolved, new ones arose.

For Feng Qi, this was a piece of bad news.

Feng Qi proved to his parents that he was fine, and then let them go, repeatedly assuring them that he wouldn’t act recklessly.

Before, Feng Qi’s physical problems were visible to Feng Jiu and Yang Wenxin, but now, they couldn’t see anything. His body seemed to have been reinforced with steel and concrete, and nothing could be seen.

Yang Wenxin was still a bit worried about Feng Qi. She suggested, “How about you stay here and rest, and Mom will come over tomorrow to make some soup for you?”

Feng Qi shook his head, and he couldn’t refuse, saying, “Not for now. You go back first. I still have some matters to attend to, and I’ll explain everything to you later.”

Feng Jiu and Yang Wenxin were his parents, and that was an undeniable fact.

Bai Yichen didn’t ask too much about Chu Ruochun and Feng Qi’s affairs. This time, after Feng Qi’s awakening, the changes were even more significant. Even Feng Jiu and Yang Wenxin were starting to doubt whether this person was still their son. He also used the excuse of having something to do to drop Feng Jiu and Yang Wenxin off on his way back.

On the way back, Yang Wenxin asked Bai Yichen, “I feel like Chu Ruochun and Feng Qi are hiding something from us. Yichen, when you stayed at Ruochun’s house, did you notice anything different about him?”

Bai Yichen recalled, “Not really. Everything seemed normal every day. However, last week when we were recording the program, he dealt with something. People from the Special Cases Department came to see him, and he was out for half a day. I don’t know what they discussed, but when he came back, he seemed fine, and there was nothing unusual.”

“Ruochun seems gentle and reliable, but we actually don’t know much about his background,” Yang Wenxin worriedly said. “Our son used to dislike us engaging in feudal superstitions, but he wouldn’t become indifferent. But now, he’s changed as if he’s a different person.”

“Before, you also agreed to let him treat Feng Qi, hoping our child would survive,” Feng Jiu said with frustration. “I thought the changes in temperament would be subtle, but I didn’t expect such a drastic transformation.”

“Is this the final treatment?” Bai Yichen asked. After Feng Qi’s first treatment, even he felt that Feng Qi wasn’t the same as before.

“There’s one more session,” Yang Wenxin said. “I remember Ruochun said it would be three sessions.”

“Then maybe we should wait a bit longer. I refuse to believe that my son wouldn’t remember me,” Feng Jiu said. He had been hurt by Feng Qi’s cold attitude during this time.

–

After the two of them left, there was no one else at home except for Big Fox, and even Big Fox was a bit afraid of the current Feng Qi. It had hidden on the balcony to sleep.

After their emotional reunion, Feng Qi and Chu Ruochun calmed down. They were no longer the teenagers they were in their previous lives. Over the years, they have undergone significant changes in their perspectives and attitudes towards the world.

Awakening from their despair in their past lives, Feng Qi was eager to inquire about Chu Ruochun’s well-being. “I’ll accompany you to the Ghost Abyss. What do you intend to do there?”

Chu Ruochun, absentmindedly toying with the tassels on a pillow, paused for a moment. “I will destroy it. It should never have existed.”

Recalling their past interactions and Chu Ruochun’s vindictive nature, Feng Qi knew that his younger brother would always seek retribution against those who wronged him, albeit through softer means. His actions left a lasting impression and had enough deterrent effect on his adversaries.

Perhaps due to the substantial consumption of spiritual energy earlier in the day, Chu Ruochun fell asleep while conversing with Feng Qi.

Feng Qi, as usual, covered him with a blanket and, feeling exhausted himself, dozed off on the couch.

As Feng Qi’s breathing gradually became steady, Chu Ruochun opened his eyes and gazed at him. The influx of information from hundreds of years ago threatened to overshadow his modern-day memories. This was not ideal.

He needed to plan their trip to the Ghost Abyss carefully.

During the past few days, Feng Qi had been staying with him, only returning home on weekends for the recording of the program. After digesting the recent events, it was time to have a proper conversation with Feng Jiu and Yang Wenxin.

–

At the same time, Director Jiang from the National Special Events Department contacted the elderly men and women who had been in seclusion for many years.

After obtaining the consent of the elderly men and women, Director Jiang carried the gifts and went to their residence.

To his surprise, the elderly masters didn’t live in the mountains and forests but had bought houses in a small neighborhood in Beijing, where they lived together.

When Director Jiang arrived at the neighborhood, the first person he encountered was Master Zhou Wansheng, who was playing table tennis at the elderly activity center.

“Master Zhou, you’re here?”

“Oh, Little Jiang, you came?”

Master Zhou was the most approachable among them. While the other masters were reluctant to leave their seclusion, he had agreed to Chu Ruochun’s request. He couldn’t go back on his word, and besides, the National Special Events Department had long wanted to eliminate the Ghost Abyss. If he could accomplish this during his tenure, it would look good on his record.

“Yes, I came to see you all. I didn’t expect you to live in Beijing.”

Unless there was a significant special case, they wouldn’t mobilize these masters. They were precious assets in the department, and they wouldn’t easily call them out, mainly because of their eccentric personalities.

Master Zhou Wansheng was a bald man, and by his appearance alone, you couldn’t guess his age. He looked to be in his early fifties, but according to official records, he was over a hundred years old. All of them were centenarians, and you couldn’t underestimate them.

“Haha, you little guy, you didn’t come to see us,” Master Zhou said straightforwardly. “We’ve all seen the talisman you sent us. It’s powerful. We old guys probably can’t match the other person’s level of cultivation. Where did you find this person? I’ve lived for so long, and I never knew there was such a hidden talent in the metaphysical world.”

“I came here to discuss this matter with you,” Director Jiang said as he took the bag with the paddles from Master Zhou.

“Alright, let’s go sit in our courtyard. These guys spend their days playing chess, drinking tea, and listening to operas. I’ll call them down.” Master Zhou was very enthusiastic.

Director Jiang followed Master Zhou Wansheng home, and half an hour later, five masters with diverse personalities gathered in the courtyard. He didn’t dare to refer to them as old men and women.

Liu Zhaodi was skilled in Southern Jiangshu Witchcraft, and she looked like an 18-year-old girl with two long braids. The National Special Events Department didn’t know her actual age.

“Aunt Liu,” Director Jiang called her.

Liu Zhaodi glanced behind him and asked, “You didn’t bring anyone else?”

“Just this little bird-hearted Jiang. He didn’t dare,” a man who was currently cutting a piece of wood with a folding knife replied. His face bore a long scar, and he had a Qilin tattoo on his arm. Some might even believe he was a gang leader. This man was called Ah Nian.

On the other side, two middle-aged men were playing chess. They had average appearances, but Director Jiang didn’t underestimate them. These were brothers named Lu Yao and Lu Yuan, and when they cooperated, their power was boundless. They were not to be trifled with.

The last person was an elderly lady who had come out of the kitchen. She was indeed older, but her voice was still strong. Despite being the eldest among them, she could communicate with spirits and was known as Xu Shaman.

“Little Jiang, you’re here. Why did you bring so many things? Just put them on the table,” Xu Shaman said loudly and with a sharp gaze.

They didn’t consider Master Zhou’s place as someone else’s territory and acted quite casually.

“I say, Zhou Wansheng, why did you invite us here?” Liu Zhaodi glanced at Director Jiang.

“Of course, it’s because Little Jiang has something to discuss with us, something important,” Master Zhou said.

“Yes, it’s about the Ghost Abyss,” Director Jiang, as the younger generation, didn’t dare to beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

“Ghost Abyss again? Didn’t several major sects and prestigious families reinforce the formation together ten years ago? Isn’t it secure now?” Xu Shaman took out some melon seeds from her pocket and cracked them as she spoke.

Director Jiang shook his head. “No, it’s not about that. It’s Chu Ruochun. He wants several of you to come out of seclusion and go to the Ghost Abyss with him. His goal is to destroy the Ghost Abyss.”

“Which young brat is so audacious?” Liu Zhaodi stroked her long braid, her eyes filled with disdain. “How many young people with a savior complex think they can wipe out the Ghost Abyss? Besides dying in the Ghost Abyss, what other ending is there? Little Jiang, didn’t you mention the horrors of the Ghost Abyss to him?”

Zhou Wansheng shook his head. “Let’s hear what Little Zhou has to say first. Have you all seen the talismans that were sent over a couple of days ago?”

Ah Nian said, “Tested them. Top-notch.” His evaluation was quite objective and hit the mark.

Director Jiang continued, “Those six talismans are what he provided. He said that as long as you look at the talismans, you will…”

Zhou Wansheng took out his own talisman and examined it carefully. “These are indeed excellent talismans. I’ve lived for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen something like this. However, the task of flattening the Ghost Abyss is too monumental. Just us won’t suffice. Even if we gather all the experts in the field of metaphysics, it wouldn’t be enough. Do you know how the Ghost Abyss came into existence?”

Director Jiang settled on a small stool, ready to listen to the story. “How did it come into existence?”

The younger generation had no idea about the origins of the Ghost Abyss; only the older generation here knew.

Zhou Wansheng rubbed his bald head and began, “Five hundred years ago, there was a Lingyang Sect, and it produced a genius Daoist. The emperor of that era believed in Daoism and sought the elixir of immortality. He then summoned this genius Daoist to the imperial palace. However, what no one knew at the time was that this emperor was the enemy who had murdered the Daoist’s father. But the emperor invited Daoists from various sects, including one who engaged in a fierce battle with the genius Daoist. Eventually, the genius Daoist’s true identity was revealed, and the emperor, fearing retaliation, ordered his execution by a gruesome death.”

“But what no one knew was that this genius Daoist had a younger junior brother who had even greater natural talent than him. While the elder disciple learned orthodox Daoist techniques, the younger one dabbled in unorthodox and forbidden practices like curses, spells, and cultivating gu. He mastered all of them with great precision while also learning orthodox Daoism at the same time.”

Director Jiang asked, “If he knew everything, why didn’t he save his senior brother?”

Zhou Wansheng replied, “His master had calculated that the senior brother had a short lifespan from the beginning. He adopted this child, who should have been executed along with his entire family, out of gratitude for a past favor. This younger junior disciple had run away from his master in secret. When his master was about to he, he only saw his senior disciple reduced to a skeleton.”

“This child was clever. Before his senior brother left the mountain, he secretly placed a curse on him. The mother of the curse remained with him, and he used it to find the offspring of the curse, gradually restoring his senior brother’s physical form, and finally merging it back into his senior brother’s body.”

Director Jiang was impatient, “But what does this have to do with the Ghost Abyss?”

Zhou Wansheng explained, “The Ghost Abyss is a formation he set up for his senior brother. He knew that his senior brother wanted to take revenge personally, so he retrieved his senior brother’s soul and arranged a Ghost Gathering Formation. He threw all the captured spirits into the formation and had his senior brother devour them. His senior brother ultimately transformed into a vengeful spirit and achieved his revenge. However, this Ghost Gathering Formation still exists. Over the years, it has absorbed many wandering spirits and ghosts. Year after year, it has transformed into the Ghost Abyss, inside which countless Ghost Kings have been born.”

Director Jiang asked, “What happened to the two disciples?”

Zhou Wansheng shook his head, “Nobody knows. It’s a rumor from five hundred years ago, and no one can confirm it.”

Who could imagine the fate of a vengeful spirit raised by a Daoist and a great Daoist himself? If they had survived, the metaphysical world would have known by now.

Suddenly, Xu Shaman spoke up, “What’s the name of that young man you just mentioned?”

Director Jiang replied, “Are you talking about Chu Ruochun?”

Xu Shaman’s face changed slightly. “Chu? I remember when my father told me this legend, he mentioned the name of that junior brother, Chu.”

Could this young man be the descendant of that junior brother?

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