The girl was a transmigrator.
Yu Yang could clearly see the overlapping modern aura surrounding her.
【Taiyin Black Ledger】
【Wei Suli, born June 8, 2011, currently 19 years old, remaining lifespan not yet exhausted. Evil deeds recorded in Black Ledger: 0】
【Refrain from all evil, practice all good. Cultivate virtue and perform meritorious deeds to prolong life. Judged accordingly: Wei Suli, return to the human realm】
Yu Yang became thoughtful.
A transmigrator.
And a transmigrator sent to Changsheng Temple by the Tianji Guard, North Guard.
That old man must be the National Preceptor Xie Chi mentioned.
The old man crouched before the girl and took out a small knife.
“Child, don’t be afraid.”
The girl was crying uncontrollably, emitting muffled sobs.
Yu Yang could faintly hear those sobs calling for help.
The old man raised the small knife, pointing the tip toward the girl’s forehead.
With a heavy, muffled sound.
A few drops of blood seeped from the girl’s forehead.
The old man took out a yellow paper, brushed it over the blood, then stood up and walked behind the table.
He picked up a brush and began drawing a talisman.
As Yu Yang watched the talisman, she felt as if it was being drawn directly into her heart. Despite its complex patterns, she remembered every detail clearly in an instant.
The moment the talisman was completed.
The old man whispered: “Soul oh soul, I wish to return. With blood as guide, see countless lanterns, with thought as bridge, seek to cross yin and yang, soul return, back to your former dwelling.”
A cool breeze blew from above.
Yu Yang looked up.
The ceiling seemed to have suddenly developed a black hole.
Countless shadowy Kongming lanterns with written names floated out from the black hole, each bearing different names and birth dates.
Some lanterns were lit, while others remained dark.
One lantern drifted before the girl.
Words were written on it.
【Wei Suli, born June 8, 2011. Lili, wake up and look at mom, my child, please don’t abandon your mother…】
The girl suddenly became quiet.
Staring fixedly at the Kongming lantern before her, she cried and sobbed the word “mom.”
The old man seemed relieved.
“Good, the lantern isn’t extinguished. Your yang lifespan isn’t yet exhausted.”
The girl looked at the old man, threw herself to the ground, but still attempted to kowtow.
The old man said: “Don’t rush, child. Listen to me now – these Kongming lanterns are formed from people’s thoughts and memories. Since your lantern exists, it means someone in that world still remembers you. As long as someone remembers you, you can return home. So don’t be afraid later, just like someone is holding your hand, you’ll cross the Black River and go home, understand?”
The girl looked up at the old man, struggling to make affirming sounds.
The old man smiled.
He ignited the talisman in his hand.
Chanting in a desolate yet powerful voice: “By the Supreme Decree, return you to your body. Wei Suli, three hun and seven po, return swiftly!”
As the words fell.
Wei Suli’s Kongming lantern suddenly burst into flames, eventually transforming into a white thread. One end connected to the girl’s forehead, while the other extended into the black hole.
The next moment.
The girl’s soul floated upward, pulled by the thread, heading straight for the black hole above.
The black hole seemed about to close.
In that instant.
A dark lantern drifted before Yu Yang.
【Xu Shixing, born April 12, 2004. Ah Xing, your sister misses you very much. Are you doing well over there? Sister hopes you can be free from illness and disaster there, growing up safely and happily.】
Yu Yang’s pupils constricted sharply.
Xu Shixing…
Wasn’t that her name from her previous life?
The lantern suddenly disappeared.
The old man also turned around in shock.
“You… you…”
“Cock-a-doodle-doo—”
The rooster’s crow reached Yu Yang’s ears.
Yu Yang woke up.
She sat up swiftly.
“You… you…”
As the quilt slipped down, a slight chill seeped into her collar, finally snapping her back to reality.
Was that just a dream?
What was that old Daoist doing?
Was he sending transmigrators back?
Yu Yang sat for a while, her hand touching the space between her eyebrows. That talisman didn’t seem too difficult to draw?
No.
The old man had said, “If your lifespan isn’t exhausted, you can return home.”
She had transmigrated twelve years ago and was certain she had died from illness—probably even cremated by now. There was no way her lifespan wasn’t exhausted.
Moreover, the Kongming lantern of the girl who was sent back was lit, while hers was dark.
Clearly, only those with lit lanterns could return.
Yu Yang leaned against the headboard, lost in thought for a moment.
The imperial court’s attitude toward transmigrators wasn’t friendly at all.
Ghosts?
Come to think of it.
Since ancient times, there have been tales of subduing demons and vanquishing evil, as well as the saying, “If they are not of our kind, their hearts must be different.”
Even people sharing the same world would fight each other, let alone those from different realms.
In her previous world, concepts like aliens, Trisolarans, and subterranean beings all demonstrated humanity’s fear of extraterrestrial life.
How could the people of this world tolerate transmigrators whose thoughts and perceptions differed from theirs?
Perhaps the emperor’s measure of ascending the altar to seek talents was meant to conceal the existence of transmigrators—a preemptive move to placate the populace and prevent panic from spreading.
Just as Yu Yang grew wary, she suddenly remembered: her life was nearly over anyway, so what was there to fear?
The dawn light began to break.
Yu Yang finished breakfast with Xie Chi.
Xie Chi said, “I must take my leave. I heard your aunt is not home, so I cannot pay my respects. When she returns, please convey my regards.”
Yu Yang saw Xie Chi to the entrance of the secret passage.
She smiled and said, “My aunt enjoys drinking, so she went to the neighboring county to attend a wine festival. When she returns, I’ll definitely tell her that the Shizi asked after her. My aunt often says that she and my uncle have no parents left in this world and misses paying respects to the prince with my uncle. She’ll surely be delighted to hear that the Shizi inquired about her.”
Xie Chi chuckled softly.
After a moment of silence, he finally said, “Then, until we meet again.”
Yu Yang whispered, “Farewell, Shizi.”
The stone door slowly closed.
Yu Yang walked out of the courtyard.
A maple leaf drifted down and landed in her palm, its crimson hue strikingly vivid.
It had also been autumn back then.
At ten years old, she had passed through the stone door and escaped the Yu family via the secret passage, only to bump into the young Xie Chi, who was searching for the entrance.
She stood in the shadows inside the door.
Xie Chi stood in the light outside, like a splendid jade tree, making her feel ashamed of her own inadequacy.
Just as she was about to step back.
Xie Chi smiled and said, “You’re Uncle Yu’s relative, named Yu Yang, right? Could you trouble yourself to take me to your home?”
The passage was straightforward.
She turned sideways, bowed her head, and pointed into the passage.
Xie Chi told her, “I’ve brought a divine doctor with me. If that doctor can’t save you, I’ll take you away from home and find you a courtyard where you can live out the rest of your days in peace. How does that sound?”
She lifted her head slightly and looked at Xie Chi.
Xie Chi’s eyes were as gentle as the autumn sun.
…
Yu Yang twirled the stem of the maple leaf.
She raised her voice and said, “Cheng Liu, go buy a few books on Daoist talisman drawing, along with some yellow paper and cinnabar brushes for drawing talismans.”
Cheng Liu was surprised but replied, “Yes.”
First, the young mistress was interested in fishing, and now she’s taken an interest in drawing talismans.
Probably trying to save herself… After being given a death sentence by Divine Doctor Ji, it’s only natural to pin hopes on methods beyond medicine…
Cheng Liu sighed inwardly.
Before long.
The study desk was now adorned with several books and talisman papers.
After Cheng Liu withdrew.
The door closed once more.
Yu Yang’s mind vividly recalled the Daoist’s talisman paper.
She mimicked the design and drew a talisman.
She lit the talisman paper.
Nothing happened.
Yu Yang: “……”
After a moment’s thought, she took a needle from her person and gently pricked the center of her brow.
Rubbing a piece of yellow paper against her forehead.
It was stained with two drops of blood.
She drew the talisman again.
Upon finishing, she softly chanted: “Soul, oh soul, I wish to return. With blood as the guide, behold the myriad lanterns; with thought as the bridge, I seek to cross the realms of yin and yang. Soul, return, back to the old abode.”
As the words fell.
A faint coolness emerged.
To Yu Yang’s astonished gaze.
A black hole, as if capable of devouring everything, truly appeared above her line of sight.
Numerous Kongming lanterns drifted out from the void.
Just like in the dream, a dim lantern floated toward her.
[Xu Shixing, born April 12, 2004. Ah Xing, your sister misses you dearly. Are you doing well over there? Sister hopes that there, you can be free from illness and disaster, growing up safe, sound, and happy.]
Yu Yang looked at the familiar handwriting.
Recalling the old Daoist’s words: “If there is a lantern for you, it means someone in that world still remembers you.”
So, this lantern exists because her sister Xu Shiyue still holds her in remembrance?