Chapter 23

Edited by yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmers

The next morning, after Deputy Director Jiang’s* departure, Shi Tou tidied up his backpack, carrying it on his back as he followed his daily routine of lighting incense sticks for the plaque.

Huh? What happened? Shi Tou moved closer to see. The newly painted plaque that was in a good condition before, now had a slit breaking down from the top. He took it down to take a closer look, a feeling of unease grew inside him.

He shook his head and quickly placed the plaque back, then bowed towards the East with his hands together. May all the Gods above help, Ah-Jiang is traveling back today on a plane, please don’t let anything happen to him.

Except, life just had to be so damning. Good events never become reality, yet bad omens will constantly be chasing after one.

Right as Shi Tou left, he heard his neighbors gossipping about a car accident that had occurred on the newly paved road outside the village last night. A car crashed right into a truck and along with the slippery snowy road, the car had rolled over and broke in half.

His gossiping neighbors were all talking at once, making the scene to be extremely frightening. He rubbed his hands together and rubbed his face, thinking that there was no way it’d be that big of a coincidence…

“Hey, Ah-Can, you don’t know what happened right? You’re definitely going to be happy when you hear this. I heard from Xiao Liu and the others earlier, there were three people in the car. Guess who they were? One of them was that Deputy Director Jiang* who came to our place a while ago!”

Shi Tou was suddenly lost, his scalp numbed as he raised his head in a trance, even his voice seemed to be weak. “Who, who did you say…?”

“Deputy Director Jiang*! The one, the one that was said to have abandoned you──ouch! Old man, what are you pinching me for?!”

The woman wanted to continue but to her surprise, Shi Tou immediately inquired with an anxious expression. “Where is he now?!”

Shi Tou usually always spoke in a gentle tone. Never had he really yelled at anyone like this before. The woman on the receiving end was a bit stunned. In the end, the old man on the side replied in a hurry, “They were still in our village last night. They got transferred to the hospital of the neighboring town this morning. Wait a moment! If you’re going, I’ll tell Xiao Liu to give you a ride there.”

The car ride from their place to the neighboring town was at least two hours long. Shi Tou didn’t say anything on the way while Xiao Liu explained all the ins and outs of Deputy Director Jiang’s* current situation.

The car crash must’ve been very serious if the whole car had been split in half. The three inside also receive severe injuries as well. Although the driver and the secretary were saved securely that night, only Deputy Director Jiang* was still in a critical state. They had already transfused multiple bags of blood, but nothing could seem to lessen the severity of his situation. Taking the risk, they transferred him to the hospital with more resources in the early morning. It was said that many professionals had already been sent over in a hurry from the Central Committee.

Shi Tou was distressed from hearing the details on the whole way there. His head was heavy, nothing felt real. He pinched his hand a few times to realize that none of this was a dream.

Although they finally arrived at the hospital, they were stopped. No matter what, people weren’t allowed to enter the hallway that led to Ah-Jiang.

In the end, Shi Tou almost had to kneel when the doctor finally let out some information. Not only was the current situation unwell, it was even worse than what Xiao Liu had described in the car. Deputy Director Jiang’s* heart and blood pressure stopped twice that morning and was saved from resuscitating. The surgery was still ongoing, the current situation didn’t seem very optimistic either.

Towards the end, Shi Tou was almost completely numb. He had Xiao Liu return first as he sat outside the long corridor, his heart set on waiting.

He didn’t eat or drink anything. Every time a bodyguard or staff member walked out of the corridor, he would go over to ask about how the procedure was going. At first, they were all aggressive towards him but after some time, they grew sympathy and would leak out some bits and pieces. Shi Tou guarded outside the room from day to night, the hospital staff tried to kick him out before they had to ask the guard to get him out. Shi Tou didn’t go too far though, he roamed around the entrance.

The moment the hospital opened back up the next day, Shi Tou quickly got up to rush in and ask about Deputy Director Jiang*.

Almost everyone in the hospital knew him now. Some were guessing what relationship the young man had with Deputy Director Jiang*, but most were sympathizing with him. It was obvious that no matter what relationship they had, there was no fraud to his sincereness.

Then for some reason, the people inside loosened up as they let Shi Tou in.

Shi Tou was taken to clean his body first, then told to change into aseptic clothing. His face was grey and defeated, he seemed more dead than an actual dead person.

They went to the isolated area inside the ICU. Shi Tou followed step by step, despite how short the path was, he could remember all the things he and Ah-Jiang had gone through in their past nine lives together. The memories were so vivid, from beginning to end, it was always Ah-Jiang who protected him. It was fortunate that he had Ah-Jiang too. For the others who try to recollect their soul pieces, most would always die at a young age. Good thing he had Ah-Jiang who always—without knowing it—guarded him against countless dangers.

Ah-Jiang didn’t know that everything was fate. Just like how he followed Ah-Jiang to the city early in the year, along with the last piece of his soul that he regained. They were all fated due to Ah-Jiang bringing him the opportunity.

His souls would’ve never been so easily found if not for Ah-Jiang. Not to mention, sooner or later, his soul would’ve dissipated from the hundred cycles of reincarnation.

“Just stand here, you can’t go in and look.” The doctor said before moving out of the way.

Shi Tou raised his head to look through the window at the person lying on the hospital bed. In such a big room, Ah-Jiang was the only one there with countless machines Shi Tou didn’t know on the side. Ah-Jiang’s eyes were closed peacefully, as if he could continue his deep slumber forever.

The doctor said he had an excessive amount of internal bleeding in the skull, causing cerebral hernia. There were over twenty wounds on him with three major ones…whether he can wake up or not, it was all going to depend on his luck.

“Thank you for your troubles, doctor. Thank you.”

The doctor nodded and surprisingly, patted his shoulder as he admired how dedicated he was.

The outsiders all left first. Shi Tou slowly stuck his palm onto the window. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t reach through it, he couldn’t touch Ah-Jiang.

He remembered the past nine lives, plus the time when he was abducted by the Hua She from thousands of years ago. Has Ah-Jiang experienced this kind of pain when parting as well? Ah-Jiang sure wasn’t to be blamed. Instead of just taking it easy as the East Ghost Lord, he embraced the ultimate burden. Ah-Jiang called him a stupid child all the time, but in the end, who was the real stupid one?

With the return of Shi Tou’s soul, thousands of years of memories rushed back into him. Including his memories as a golden pill. Ah-Jiang had fused him into his own primordial spirit to take him around the world with him. That journey lasted for years. Sometimes, he would take him out carefully under the moon as he held him in his hand with a pained expression on his face.

Jiang Yanyun wished to exchange all of his cultivation to be by the Blessed Star’s side, helping him gather all his souls back as fast as possible.

Events from years ago flashed in front of his eyes. Just how much debt did Lord Yi, Jiang Yanyun, owe Shi Tou from hundreds of years ago? Not only did he use all his cultivation as an exchange, he even had to suffer through demising pain for several lives

Shi Tou looked at Ah-Jiang persistently. He wanted to remember Ah-Jiang’s face deeply, engraving it into his soul and never forget for eternity.

He finally made his choice. He took a few steps back before turning the other way.

As for where Shi Tou went, that won’t be discussed.

Within the unclear setting, Lord Yi, Jiang Yanyun walked onto the shore. He wore a bleak armor, with a three-legged golden crow crown. His peerless appearance resembled one that not even the gods could rival.

He wore the outfit that Lord Yi had worn thousands of years ago, before he’d jumped into the river. When he transformed into a malicious ghost at that time, the underworld didn’t take care of him. He succeeded in his cultivation before falling down to become an Asura. He was supposed to be detached from all three realms, but he had reincarnated ten times for the next thousand years due to the Blessed Star. As all parts of the golden pill’s soul were close to piecing itself together, his soul finally returned to the underworld. He walked across the Bridge of Helplessness as Lord Yi.

Although the little ghosts there didn’t know him, they could sense the malicious aura that naturally surrounded him. After all, Jiang Yanyun had the cultivation level of an Asura, not to mention, he had been in the living realm for thousands of years. All the little ghosts created a path for him cautiously, allowing Lord Yi to go first.

There were already emissaries sent by the ten Yamas on the other side of the bridge waiting for him. Jiang Yanyun had taken the lives of too many innocents during his lifetime. Even if they didn’t account him for the sins of an Asura, even he had been rid of all his cultivations now and returned to the underworld; all his murders as Lord Yi were still in the records. The ten Yamas were afraid it’d be hard to tame him, so they sent hundreds of ghost escorts, as well as armies borrowed from the Heavens to receive him. If Jiang Yanyun doesn’t accept his punishments, they’ll have to take the violent route. Even if that meant there would be a possibility of his soul dispersing, that was simply how the way of things went.

Jiang Yanyun already knew what was waiting for him, he happily accepted his punishment. But while he was crossing the bridge, he turned around slowly once again to veer over the other shore.

There was only a mere few steps of distance between the realms of the dead and alive. He’d killed too many, there was no doubt that great punishments were going to be bestowed upon him. He wondered if he could ever have the chance to reunite with that person again in the future.

Jiang Yanyun’s lips suddenly curved up a little. How could he forget? Little Rock had formed a golden pill. So even if he’d reached his life’s end, he’d ascend to the Heavens and escape the cycle of life.

So that means…they won’t ever meet again?

Jiang Yanyun closed his eyes. Finally, he ended up like those lonely ghosts who didn’t want to cross the bridge. He raised his sleeves, choking on his tears silently.

A ghost escort walked over and bowed with his fist. He hurried the other carefully. “Lord Yi, please come with me.”

Jiang Yanyun was still the East Ghost Lord, the escort didn’t dare to show any rudeness.

He gazed towards that end, knowing their fate had come to an end. Well well, he just wished that in his next life, when he lifts his head to the Heavens, he can identify which star…is Little Rock.

Locks were supposed to come next, but the escort was generous enough. He still treated Lord Yi with respect due to his status as a ghost lord. With his punishment already in order, Jiang Yanyun was to be reincarnated as an animal for the next twenty lives. Even as a human in the future, his life would have a bare minimum of happiness. Who knows if his soul would be able to take that many years of suffering…

Just as Jiang Yanyun was about to step a foot onto the other shore, a wide area of golden light cleared up the dark clouds. All the ghosts ran for a hiding spot, creating a ruckus.

The ghost escorts all panicked, scared to see which mighty god had decided to show up. But they were also afraid of Jiang Yanyun escaping, so they quickly tried to cage him in a circle. Despite that, they lacked compatibility as one crashed onto another, causing a domino effect of falls. Looking over, only Ah-Jiang was standing up straight within the sea of beings. He faced the golden light with no fear at all.

The golden light was pretty familiar to Jiang Yanyun. There was only one god’s light that could both shine over every land of the east and make the underworld see daylight.

Since he wasn’t an Asura anymore, he quickly got on his knees to bow towards the East God. Jiang Yanyun felt great gratitude towards the East God’s blessing and was just about to show his respects when an unexpected “ouch!” came from above.

Huh? Not only Jiang Yanyun, but even the ghosts raised their heads while trembling. Was the scream just now…from the East God of the Rising Sun?

Within the bright concentration of light, the figure of a monk in a golden kasaya appeared in front of Lord Yi. His physique was strong and tall, standing at least 2 meters. It was the East God of Rising Sun.

Thousands of ghosts were frightened upon the East God’s appearance. The ten Yamas saw the golden light and rushed over to pay their respects as well.

The East God had a merciful appearance. Though as Jiang Yanyun stood close to him, he could obviously see how strange the East God’s smile was. His robe seemed to be jumping like something was hidden inside.

Once all the Yamas have given their respects, the East God said he needed Jiang Yanyun for a moment before spreading out a golden barrier to block off the others.

With all the bystanders gone, the golden pill that hid behind the East God suddenly leaped out. It boldly hit the East God’s bald head.

“Patience, patience, you naughty…” Even the mighty East God of Rising Sun had that kind of moment. The golden pill knocked his bald head a few times. But it seemed like it’d just realized Jiang Yanyun’s presence. The ball’s golden light instantly brightened and tossed the East God aside to fly towards Ah-Jiang.

Jiang Yanyun raised his hands, allowing the golden pill to land safely on his palms.

Now that the golden pill had all its soul gathered, it shone bright like the top of the East God’s head, full of energy. But within Jiang Yanyun’s hold, its light turned gentle as it rolled around his palm affectionately…

Jiang Yanyun let out a crisp chuckle from the sight. The beauty’s smile instantly made the golden pill stop in its tracks. It went red a little then started rolling again, in both a bit of embarrassment and a bit of desire to please the other…

Jiang Yanyun lowered his head to touch it with his forehead. The golden pill finally calmed down to get on the same page as him.

The East God’s hands were clasped together as he viewed the scene in front of him. He was smiling without a word.

Jiang Yanyun lifted his head again. He handed the golden pill back to the East God before taking a few steps back. At last, he kneeled to give a sincere bow. “Jiang Yanyun isn’t able to repay the East Lord’s blessing, but please accept this bow.”

The East God kept his unperturbed look. He pulled his sleeve back to support the other up, he asked, “Do you know the reason why all the ten lives in which you helped the Blessed Star gather his souls never ended in wellness?”

Jiang Yanyun shook his head, patiently waiting for the East God to reveal the answer.

The East God gave a benevolent smile. “Jiang Yanyun, your cultivation would’ve never been wiped away as an Asura if not for the Blessed Star’s sake. The disasters you faced for ten lives were punishment bestowed to you by the Heavens. Protecting the Blessed Star earned you some merits as well. Not to mention the last ten short and harsh lives; the murderous sins you’ve committed in the living realm as Lord Yi may be reprieved.”

Jiang Yanyun couldn’t respond to the news, but he knew there must be something else to this as his eyes shot straight towards the golden pill.

The golden pill found itself guilty from the stare so it quickly flew behind the East God to hide, merging into one with his golden lights.

Jiang Yanyun seemed to have realized what was going on. He quickly kneeled down and spoke sternly, “East God, please do not listen to the Blessed Star’s words. I, Jiang Yanyun, will take all responsibility for my own actions!”

The golden pill was not pleased upon hearing those words. It jumped out angrily to start hitting Ah-Jiang as well.

But no matter what, Jiang Yanyun would not get up. He was firm with his decision. He’d rather himself be tormented endlessly than ever allowing Little Rock to sacrifice anything for him and suffer.

The golden pill kept knocking him, creating loud sounds. Seeing how stubborn the other was, it became more and more distressed as it hit, its light dimmed as it seemed to let out sobs…

There was no way Jiang Yanyun could take it. His heart immediately broke upon hearing the weepings, reddening the frame of his eyes.

The East God couldn’t help but sigh upon the sight. It was out of everyone’s expectation, even the Heavens’, to witness the romance of a Blessed Star and an Asura. Their will to sacrifice everything for each other.

The East God spoke, “For any ordinary soul to become the Blessed Star, they would have to experience millions of hardships and help others for centuries before they can form a golden pill. The Blessed Star wished to use all of his blessings as the gratitude to your helpings to him in the last ten lives. There is nothing for me to speak against, there are causes and effects to everything, I’ve already granted him the wish.”

“No…!” Jiang Yanyun still wanted to beg the East God to rethink it, but the East God came over to pick up the golden pill.

The golden pill had cried its whole heart out, it circled within the East God’s palm, whining endlessly.

It is hard to keep a child once they grow up… That thought entered the East God’s mind discreetly. The Blessed Star had received the blessing from his light so that it could bring blessing to humans once it entered the living realm; it wouldn’t be wrong to call it a child of the East God.

The East God smoothed it in a comforting manner before lifting it up, he put on a stern face to hurry it back inside.

The golden pill flew up, he looked back at Ah-Jiang, not wanting to part. But at last, it disappeared into the golden light.

Jiang Yanyun watched it go away with deep emotion displayed in his eyes, he desperately wished he could’ve gone along with it.

Once the East God saw the golden pill had left, he turned with a kind smile. “Jiang Yanyun, here’s your order.”

Jiang Yanyun was a little caught off guard. He finally retracted his senses as he bowed respectfully.

Once the golden pill returned to its physical body, Shi Tou opened his eyes to come to realize that he was sitting in the hospital. The moment he got up, he hurried over to grab onto the doctor to ask how Deputy Director Jiang* was doing.

To his surprise, the doctor furrowed his brows. “Deputy Director Jiang*? Which one?”

Shi Tou raised his brow from the odd response. Was there a second Deputy Director Jiang* aside from Ah-Jiang?

When the doctor finished listening to his descriptions, he swayed his hand at him in annoyance and said, “We don’t have any patients like that at our hospital. You came to the wrong place.”

How could that be possible? Shi Tou didn’t give up, he asked a handful of others the same questions. In the end, they all gave the same response that they had no such patient. Shi Tou even went to peek outside the ICU, none of the bodyguards and government officials were there anymore…exactly what is going on?

Shi Tou seemed to have realized. He returned to the village with a stomach full of suspicions, he would ask every person he crossed path with, “Do you know who Deputy Director Jiang* is?”

Everyone shook their heads, saying they’d never seen nor heard of someone like that.

Shi Tou was dumbfounded. He proceeded to run to the Jiang* Family’s family compound and…oh god, all there left was flat plain. He ran back home too, all the clothes and ties that Ah-Jiang had left in his house before disappeared without a trace.

What about Ah-Jiang? Where did Ah-Jiang go?

Shi Tou walked out of the room stiffly. He looked towards the offering place──the plaque vanished as well.

Shi Tou still didn’t give up. He went to the city, researched on the internet, flipped through records of all the members of the Central Committee. Not a trace of Ah-Jiang was found.

Deputy Director Jiang* never existed in this world? Shi Tou won’t believe that even if he were to die. As he reached the edge of despair, he went back to the village again to find the painting in his storage.

As expected, since there was no Deputy Director Jiang*, the painting didn’t exist either.

Shi Tou searched for months, to the point where many others had become concerned for him. They were wondering if his head wasn’t in the right place again, or else, why would he always be murmuring about trying to find this person called Deputy Director Jiang*?

Shi Tou even went back to find the blind old man. Incidentally, the blind old man’s disciple greeted him with the information that his master had passed away a few months ago.

Finally, Shi Tou returned to the village exhaustedly. He came to the riverside, he took out a pot of wine from his bag, then opened it. He took a big enough gulp that instantly choked him, making him cough endlessly.

That crapass East God!

Shi Tou didn’t care if it was indecent or not as he pointed to the sky and yelled, “I knew none of those bald donkeys were any good!!!”

Just as his yelling faded out, a sharp scream came from the front. “A kid’s drowning!”

Shi Tou came back to his senses, he tossed the wine aside. Looking for the East God can be postponed, he needed to save the kid first.

He got through all the children, saw the spot where the kid was struggling in the water and leaped in, not caring how big the tides were.

March’s river water was at its highest level. Since days ago, great rain has poured down for nights. With how fast the waterflow was, no matter how good Shi Tou was at swimming, having to save another individual in this situation wasn’t the easiest.

After struggling, he finally managed to get to the kid. Other nearby adults had arrived from the commotion, they had a long bamboo stick reaching out to Shi Tou for him to pull onto.

Shi Tou swam over as someone came to the front to take the child away. Once the weight was lifted off of him, he suddenly felt eased. The river water flew over and he didn’t get to grab onto the hand of the man that reached out, he was dragged to the bottom of the river instantly.

Huge mouthfuls of air bubbles exited out of him. Shi Tou looked up in a daze, watching slight drops and pieces of light shine down through the water surface. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper. Groups of tiny fish swam by his field of vision leisurely, then slowly, a warm embrace of light wrapped around him.

Shi Tou closed his eyes.

He’d been looking for so long, in the end…this was where Ah-Jiang belonged.

The rescue team searched for an entire night. At last, they found Shi Tou washed up to an area of river shore from far away. Shi Tou sure had a steel life. It was rare to witness anyone coming back to life even after drowning.

Once Shi Tou woke up, he ran to the river shore again. No matter what the village secretary had to say, he didn’t listen as he built a tiny little shrine by the shore. He believed there was a river lord there.

Shi Tou had built up a good reputation for himself in the village. Along with the fact that he had come back even after drowning in the river, his luck was undeniable. According to him, it was the river lord who had helped him avoid the close meeting with death. So although society today mainly believed in science, most of the people who lived in the village were down to earth. The idea wasn’t bizarre to them. After all, accidents happen in that river each year, it wouldn’t hurt to build a little river lord shrine. Plus, it’d follow Shi Tou’s wish.

It sure was odd though, after the shrine was successfully built, the water that used to flood frequently came to peace. Then all the way till the end of the year, no accidents occurred.

The condition remained so for about two years. Slowly, the village secretary also stopped the complaints. When some villagers passed by, they would go to give the shrine some bows and leave some small snacks as gratitude.

With time flying by, the village started advancing throughout the years. The number of people coming back increased, the place seemed a lot more lively than before. The restaurant that Shi Tou worked at had plenty of business. Many visitors from other places had heard of its name before. His braised pork trotters became a famous local delicacy, all those who tried it would bring a box of it home as a gift.

In just another blink of an eye, winter had come.

Shi Tou led a group of young adults to shovel snow again. When he returned home, he first opened the heater.

The house was filled with the scent of braised pig trotters and other dishes. Since years ago, Shi Tou’s home would always be filled with the same scent each winter, as if he was trying to lure someone to come back.

He came out of the kitchen, rubbing his hands against each other. He didn’t even manage to get his seat warmed up from sitting before he heard two knocks on the door.

One tap after another, both so soft as if they were afraid they might frighten the one inside.

Shi Tou raised up in a trance. It was so late, who could be coming at this hour?

He stood up, taking one step after another. Although they were only a few short steps, it felt like thousands of years had passed.

Woosh….

The snow flying in the wind surged in upon the door being gently pulled open.

Then, within the pure white snow, an oil-paper umbrella dropped to the snow-covered ground. Only a set of clean, snow-white clothing, and a young man’s old tennis shoes were left behind.

From far away, it seemed like he could hear the sound of a group of children singing joyfully.

Clear and drawn out, for a long time.

──Ah-Jiang, The End──

T/N: The end! Though tbh, I’m not very satisfied with that ending, feels really underwhelming. But anyway, there are still 4 extras left, we’ll be uploading them all at once tomorrow to wrap this up!

Editor note: Hey I hope you guys liked this novel 🙂 me and crispy died every week translating and editing this hohoho