Chapter 136: A Miracle Occurs

Judging by the tone of my aunt’s voice, it seemed I had been severely injured. In truth, I felt it too; even speaking was a struggle, and my body felt hollow, as if nothing remained but an empty shell.

"Aunt, how is it? Is Yueyue alright? Did the Yin-Absorbing Technique succeed?" I asked, forcing myself through the physical agony.

"The final trace of yin energy couldn't be driven into your dantian. I cannot say for certain if the transfer was successful, but I am sure that the yin energy and the technique have left Yueyue. Her body is extremely fragile, but with time and proper care, she will recover," my aunt replied.

A sense of relief washed over me. It was good that Yueyue was safe. As I lay there, Pangshao helped Yueyue into the room. The girl was gaunt, looking as if a strong breeze could carry her away. Her complexion was sallow, and her expression was filled with guilt, but the lingering malice in her eyes had completely vanished.

"Yueyue, do you recognize me?" Seeing her brought a strange pang to my heart.

"Big Brother, I always recognized you, but there was a power inside me suppressing me, keeping me from doing good or acknowledging you," Yueyue said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"And now? Do you feel better?"

"Big Brother, I’m completely better. I feel like my old self, just like when I was studying in school." Though young, Yueyue was sensible and sat down beside my bed. "Thank you, Big Brother! If not for you, I’d probably still be a villain doing wicked things."

"Don't dwell on the guilt. Being well is what matters. Yueyue, do you remember what happened before?" My primary concern now was Wang Ying and Wei Qi.

"I remember some of it. Ask away."

"Wang Ying—I saw her with you that day." My heart raced at the mention of her name.

"Wang Ying is a ghost. Her soul is controlled by Xing Yun, so she has no choice but to obey him."

My worst fears were confirmed; Wang Ying was under Xing Yun’s control, forced to do his bidding. A crushing sadness filled me. "Yueyue, what does Wang Ying do?"

"Zhao Wuji is dead, his soul dissipated. Wang Ying has taken over his duties, managing and training the yin soldiers," Yueyue explained.

I was astonished. Wang Ying had such capabilities? Regardless, once I recovered, I would save her. "Yueyue, do you remember Wei Qi? The chubby guy. What was he doing there?"

Yueyue shook her head, stating she hadn't seen Wei Qi at Xing Yun’s place. As for the Xing Yun Rod in Wang Ying’s possession, it had been given to her by Xing Yun. She had never seen Wei Qi at Dinglin Temple.

Hearing this brought me a sliver of comfort. Though my beloved was still with Xing Yun, at least my friend had escaped. But where had Wei Qi gone?

My aunt asked why Xing Yun was committing such atrocities—harvesting souls and digging out hearts. Yueyue said she didn't know; she only followed orders, her mind filled with nothing but obedience and no consciousness to resist.

After a while, seeing my weakness, my aunt led Yueyue away, leaving me alone with Wan'er.

"Brother, how are you feeling?" Wan'er gripped my hand, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"I'm alright, don't worry. Can you help me sit up for a moment?" Learning about Wang Ying made me desperate to recover so I could save her.

Wan'er leaned in to lift me. She had decent strength, but the moment she let go, I slumped back down. I felt limp, as if my spine had been pulled out.

Wan'er touched my shoulder. "Brother, rest. Don't be so anxious; you'll get better slowly."

I had no choice but to lie back. Was the Yin-Absorbing Technique really this devastating? It had completely hollowed me out. I had to wait and recover.

At noon, my aunt prepared herbal medicine, saying it would help me mend. But things didn't go as planned. After seven or eight doses, there was no sign of improvement.

More than a week passed. Yueyue had regained her health and filled out, but I remained stagnant, my body as limp as if I suffered from a bone-softening disease.

My aunt brought in many doctors, both traditional and Western, but none could diagnose me. Two old herbalists suggested I prepare for a wheelchair. A Western doctor even claimed my veins were blocked and told me to settle my affairs, which left Wan'er in tears.

At first, I fought the thought, but eventually, I began to lose hope. Over a month passed, and I still couldn't stand.

Wan'er was truly devoted. She tried to pull me up, but every time she let go, I collapsed. Finally, my aunt and Wan'er agreed to buy me a wheelchair.

Looking at the brand-new wheelchair, I wept. If I spent my life in this chair, how could I save Wang Ying? How could I avenge Li Danian? A man in a wheelchair was a waste, and I refused to accept it.

"No, no! Take it away!" I roared at the stainless-steel chair.

Wan'er cried, and Pangshao and Yueyue tried to console me. Yueyue, who could have gone home, had been kept by my aunt as a disciple because she was a "Supreme Yin Messenger" who would constantly attract ghosts.

I was full of frustration and internal conflict. Why was I like this? If I had to be paralyzed for life, I would rather be dead.

"Wan'er, I don't think I'll ever recover. You should leave. I don't want to drag you down anymore." Looking at her, I felt a deep ache. She had waited 2,000 years, only to end up with a cripple and a failure.

"Dachuan, are you looking down on me? You broke into the tomb of the Duke of Ju for me; can't I endure this much? I have no other ambitions; I am happy just being able to see you." Wan'er smiled through her tears, and I nearly broke down.

I didn't want her to leave, but reality was cruel. Even though my aunt said she had plenty of money and I could stay forever, I wouldn't do it. If I was to be a bedridden invalid, I preferred death.

A bold idea formed: suicide. If I died, I could use my soul to control my body, achieving a union of corpse and ghost. That way, I could be with Wan'er on equal footing.

But Wan'er watched me like a hawk, handling my every need without a word of complaint. Her devotion made me feel even more guilty.

"Wan'er, can I ask a favor?" I grabbed her hand.

"Dachuan, tell me." She had stopped calling me "Brother" and used my name—a sign of growing closeness despite the distance.

"Help me get some sleeping pills. If I take them, I'll be free. Then I can merge with my corpse, and we can be together."

Wan'er pinched my shoulder hard. "You heartless fool! You think I mind that I'm a ghost and you're a human?" She burst into sobs.

It was clear she wouldn't help me die. I would have to do it myself. I had to stand up; being human or ghost didn't matter. Wang Ying, Wan'er, and my aunt were all ghosts, and they lived just fine. Why did I care so much?

I began to brew a plan for my suicide.

That afternoon, while Wan'er was in the kitchen, I noticed a sweet osmanthus tree in a ceramic pot near my bed. It was heavy enough that it should be able to kill me.

Enduring the weakness in my limbs, I used every ounce of strength to grab the tree.

But as I gripped the trunk, a miracle occurred. The osmanthus tree began to tremble, and a surge of energy flowed from the plant into my arm. Suddenly, my limp muscles felt a spark of strength.

Within seconds, the tree withered, its leaves cascading to the floor.