Chapter 37 - Amitropan!
In the night's quiet, Teng Yu waited until Yin Xu's breathing steadied before opening his eyes. He gently nudged Yin Xu and softly uttered, “Huo Tian, Huo Tian…”
Observing no response, Teng Yu attributed it to the medicine's effect. He rose, dressed silently, and exited the tent.
Once alone, Yin Xu finally revealed a triumphant grin, his eyes fluttering open.
Hastily dressing, he positioned a pillow beneath his blanket to simulate a body, then hastened after her.
Within the Loong'an Temple, Mo Hanshan donned fresh attire, concealing his gleaming bald head under a hat.
“The Third Prince arrives.” A rare smile graced his lips, imbuing him with a youthful vigor.
Affirming, Teng Yu advanced toward the blood pool, his gaze fixated greedily on the woman encased within the crystal coffin. Six years had elapsed since his mother's passing, and memories of her gentle smile were fading.
Tonight might mark his final glimpse of her familiar visage, weighing heavily on Teng Yu's heart.
Eventually, Teng Yu turned to Mo Hanshan, inquiring, “Uncle Mo, shall we commence?”
Mo Hanshan manipulated his Buddhist beads, chanting scriptures with practiced ease.
Having embraced monastic life for years, he had resolved to aid departed souls upon Ru Er's resurrection, knowing it would not absolve his sins.
“The moment has arrived. Let us proceed.” With closed eyes, he signaled to the aged monk at his side.
A mournful cry soon filled the expansive stone chamber.
Expressionless, Teng Yu watched as blood streamed into the intricate array on the ground, illuminating the room as if piercing the celestial canopy.
With the formation's completion, the blood pool surged, crimson lines visibly penetrating the crystal coffin, ultimately converging at Empress Liu's celestial spirit cave.
The assembled individuals gazed intently at the transformations unfolding within the crystal coffin, fearful of missing even the slightest detail.
Moments passed, marked by the slow burn of an incense stick, stretching into what felt like days and nights. Teng Yu's fists clenched tightly, his sharp nails inadvertently piercing his palms.
Positioned in the corner nearest to the blood pool, Yin Xu observed the scene with rapt attention. He sighed with emotion: For an ordinary person to achieve this feat is already remarkable, though the revival of the woman in the crystal coffin remains distant.
True to Yin Xu's intuition, the situation swiftly evolved. The incessant flow of red threads into Empress Liu's Heavenly Spirit Point abruptly ceased, the once tumultuous blood pool reverting to tranquil stillness, leaving only the radiant glow of the Soul Gathering Formation.
While imperceptible to others, Yin Xu sensed it distinctly: the collective spirits of the deceased within, endeavoring to breach the woman's corporeal vessel.
A promising development! Yin Xu licked his lips, settling into a cross-legged position, withdrawing a handkerchief from his breast pocket. He pricked his finger, swiftly inscribing several runes upon it.
Though inferior to the 100,000 Dragon Soul Banner of yore, the efficacy of the Thousand Soul Banner was better than naught.
Tucking away the newly crafted rudimentary soul banner, Yin Xu barely had time to rise before a mournful cry pierced the air: “No… This cannot be!”
Following the source of the outcry, Yin Xu beheld the crystal coffin, once buoyant atop the blood pool, now gradually descending. The female cadaver within visibly withered at a discernible pace.
Mo Hanshan sprung forward, joined by the hastily arriving Teng Yu, lifting the crystal coffin from the blood pool.
Sensing the urgency, Yin Xu sprang into action. Like a zephyr, he glided into the blood pool, perching one foot upon the edge of the crystal coffin, his palm descending upon the female corpse's brow.
Simultaneously, Teng Yu and Mo Hanshan exclaimed, “Who goes there?” Though no figure was visible, the sudden shift in the coffin's weight raised their vigilance.
Wasting no time, Yin Xu secured the Soul Gathering Pearl before hastening back. Where he had stood moments ago, a gust from his palm struck a stone pillar, cleaving it in two.
Reflecting on the close call, Yin Xu acknowledged the potency behind Teng Yu's strike. A direct hit would have been fatal.
How ruthless! Yin Xu smirked, the remnants of his earlier guilt dissipated entirely. Casting a fleeting glance at Teng Yu, he departed the basement without further ado.
Teng Yu furrowed his brow, his concealed fingers quivering behind his back. Once more, that familiar scent—could it truly be him? But how could that be conceivable?
“No…” Ru'er… Ru Er… Mo Hanshan's thoughts raced as he lunged toward the crystal coffin, enfolding the desiccated female corpse tightly, sobbing inconsolably.
“Amitabha!” Several elderly monks assumed a cross-legged position, palms pressed together in prayer. Simultaneously, they commenced the chanting of the Book of Life.
Teng Yu observed the scene in silence, his countenance devoid of emotion. He stood rigidly erect, reminiscent of the night six years prior when his mother had drawn her final breath.
However, tears had long ceased to be within his realm. His heart, wrought with hatred, had solidified like stone, while even his blood had turned icy.
Mo Hanshan clasped the finger that Empress Liu could no longer discern, intertwining his digits as he murmured softly, “Ru'er… I deeply regret not dissuading you from marrying him back then… I had intended to seek vengeance for you, but…” His voice trailed off.
Arranging Empress Liu's opulent garments, he turned to Teng Yu with indifference. “Third Prince, do you know who took Ru'er's life?”
Teng Yu affirmed with a nod. “I do.”
“Then will you seek justice for her?”
“Yes!” Teng Yu replied resolutely.
“Very well!” “Very well!” “Haha…” With all meridians shattered and bones broken, Mo Hanshan summoned his last ounces of strength, crawling into the crystal coffin to lie beside Empress Liu. Grasping her hand, he uttered, “Ru'er… in the desolate Yellow Springs, let me be your companion…”
“General…”
Teng Yu shut his eyes, suppressing the anguish gnawing at his core. The continuous recitation of sutras failed to soothe his troubled mind for an extended period.
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