I stretched out my hands, trying to grab Han Qiu.
However, the essence of the soul is inherently ephemeral and intangible. Han Qiu is not an actual ghost in the traditional sense; he merely possesses a living essence.
His soul essence became slightly more ethereal for an instant, and I didn't manage to grab it. Instead, I made him kneel before me, his entire body sprawling on the ground.
"This..."
For a moment, I didn't know how to respond.
This matter is quite complicated.
Whether it's about feeding Han Qiu to the ghost or supervising the Taoist abbey to retrieve his main soul, both are extremely difficult to handle...
The former would mean destroying the few friends I have left.
The latter would thoroughly offend Han Cuaizi...
That's why I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Regardless of whether it's the latter or the former, how could a woman like her be so ruthless?
Being eaten by a ghost is a complete and utter annihilation.
Once fully digested, there is no chance of reincarnation; it is completely and utterly gone.
"Why not choose to explain clearly...or, cross the boundary to be reborn?" I twisted my brow into a knot.
"Can't explain, can't be reborn."
It was Si Yan who spoke, her expression unusually complex as she walked into the living room.
"Master Han, he has wandered into a state of madness. No one can awaken him; his obsession is actually to prevent Master Han from 'walking' away."
"I know he went to the City God Temple once. That city god is just a man of the wind and doesn't have the power to let Master Han cross over. Moreover, even if he wanted to cross over, it would require an intact soul essence."
"Even if Master Han's soul essence were intact, he would immediately attract Master Han at the City God Temple."
For a moment, I didn't say a word.
For some reason, my thoughts about right and wrong don't seem as clear as Master Han's.
I understand Master Han Cuaizi better than Master Han Qiu.
Perhaps due to the different experiences I've had since childhood, to me, being able to live, paying a certain price, is something I can bear.
Even if the cost is a little bit of my conscience.
Just, I'm not Han Qiu. I have reasons to live.
Master Han Qiu's belief is that one must comply with the will of heaven...
"Brother Luo, help me," Han Qiu raised his head again, his eyes filled with pleading.
My expression was extremely complicated, and I replied honestly:
"Master Han, you overestimate me. I've only a few friends in this lifetime, and I can't destroy them."
"As for my current situation, making Master Han very angry and causing him to die, I cannot do it either, and certainly cannot."
Han Qiu became momentarily stunned, unable to speak for a long time.
"Is there no better way?" I furrowed my brows and looked at Si Yan again.
For a moment, Si Yan looked extremely difficult.
"The method, is not nonexistent, but it is also impossible to do."
"I demand you say!" I asked firmly.
"The perpetual light can't last that long. We have to revive Han Qiu's soul and hide it somewhere. Wait until a year later when Master Han Cuaizi departs, naturally, Master Han Qiu won't force others to harm them. However, Master Han Cuaizi must have done a lot of things to his main soul. If we retrieve his soul without dealing with it quickly, it will also be found."
"Breath is something that can't be cut off," Si Yan said with a hint of helplessness.
A chill ran through my heart, and I murmured, "Who said the breath cannot be cut off?"
Upon finishing my words, I reached out and took out the Ba Gua banners directly.
The black flags, with inscriptions that are obscure and profound, have helped me a lot. If it weren't for them, the earth's qi would have been exposed to everyone long ago.
Si Yan's face slightly tightened in surprise, staring at the Ba Gua banners. She raised her head again, her expression slightly alert.
"The artifact of the Tian Shou Taoist Academy? Though this banner seems mysterious, its sinister and dark aura is extremely heavy... I once heard my senior mentioning that it should be the Ba Gua banners?"
I nodded, confirming it.
Normally, I should not have brought out the Ba Gua banners.
Now, the Ba Gua flags are no longer of much use to me. The earth's qi cannot be used anymore, making them redundant.
"Master Han, I understand you and also understand Master Han Cuaizi. Indeed, when a person dies, their life is extinguished, but a person is not just past memories; they also have a myriad of futures to come. The Daoist master Si Yan mentioned to me is indeed more reasonable."
"I'll find a way to distract Master Han Cuaizi. Daoist master Si Yan will take your main soul, allowing your essence and soul to reunite. Then, I'll use the Ba Gua banners to block the aura. A year's time is neither long nor short; it will pass quickly."
With those words, I helped Master Han Qiu up again. This time, his soul body was solid, and he didn't become ethereal anymore.
After standing up, Han Qiu's expression was stunned, looking at the Ba Gua flags in my hands.
Without hesitation, I handed the Ba Gua flags to Daoist master Si Yan.
"Just right, I'm going to Qi Family Village. I should be able to distract Master Han Cuaizi. In fact, this is also a chance to ask Master Han Cuaizi for help."
"Thank you," Si Yan said softly.
Han Qiu remained silent.
"Master Han, farewell." I bowed to Master Han Qiu and then walked directly towards the door.
"Going, Xiao Xiao."
I called out to Yu Xiao and then went out the door.
I didn't turn back to look at Han Qiu.
Rejecting him left me with a mixed feeling of some sort. After all, Han Qiu had not refused me when he helped me.
I had to consider both my friends and weigh the pros and cons.
Descending the stairs, onto the street, I hailed a taxi and drove straight to the supervisory Taoist academy.
Compared to before, the supervisory Taoist academy is in a state of utter decay.
When I knocked on the door of the Taoist academy, only one green-robed Daoist answered the door.
He looked at me with some caution, his hostility intense!
In fact, before, there wasn't that much contradiction between the supervisory Taoist academy and me.
At the mental health center, Ma Yousan altered the feng shui layout, resulting in the loss of many ordinary Taoists. Although some were from Four Regulations Mountain, the supervisory Taoist academy inevitably lost personnel as well.
After explaining my purpose, the green-robed Taoist led me into the rear hall to see Han Cuaizi.
There was no one in the rear hall.
The green-robed Taoist left.
After about ten minutes, Han Cuaizi finally arrived in the rear hall.
He wore a neat robe and stood with a straight posture.
Just behind him was a little Taoist disciple.
The young Taoist was about ten or eleven years old, keeping his head low and showing utmost respect to Han Cuaizi.
"The Divine Manifestation friend, you came to my supervisory Taoist academy, is there something you wish to ask?" Han Cuaizi's expression softened, and his gaze at me seemed to be thoughtful.
I immediately realized that Han Cuaizi thought I had come to ask about Sun Zhuo.
"It has nothing to do with Sun Zhuo," I directly opened my mouth and said, "Sun Zhuo was taken away right under my nose. Since I know that Master Han Cuaizi has tried his best, it's only because Mingjing True Man doesn't want to admit that he made a mistake and is unwilling to jump off the Leishen Cliff."
"I came here this time to ask Master Han Cuaizi to accompany me to Qi Family Village," I said.
"I want to break through the Tomb Mountain and Meat Forest to retrieve the heart of the corpse."
"The curse ghost that killed Han Qiu may have fled the supervisory Taoist academy and returned to Qi Village. I believe that Master Han Cuaizi would be interested."
I said this with a composed expression, revealing not the slightest hint of deceit.
Han Cuaizi's eyes shone brightly as he murmured, "Yes, I've wanted to go to Qi Village for a long time. But after Mingjing True Man came, his actions and behavior have been despicable and have wasted me a lot of time."
"Avenging the murder of one's child is not something to be taken lightly! It is a debt that must be repaid."
Previously, Han Cuaizi always had the demeanor of a high-ranking Taoist. After mentioning Han Qiu, his aura became considerably weaker.
"Young friend of the Divine Manifestation, to have a friend like you who cares about him is Master Han Qiu's fortune! In the underworld, he must be satisfied and grateful for you."
"I believe that if there is a future, you will still be his closest friend." Han Cuaizi spoke these words as if they were from the heart.
