Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?

Chapter 1218: Chapter 1214: New House

Time flies; the sea breeze outside the window is gradually infused with the warmth of the New Year. Unknowingly, another spring festival is approaching.

Since Shen Siyuan obtained the Qin Guangwang’s Treasure Seal, he has thoroughly grasped the power of the Yangzhou Netherworld.

This seal, bearing the legitimate power of the Ten Halls Yama, is like a key unlocking the full view of the Netherworld. In his eyes, the vast Yangzhou Netherworld holds no more secrets.

Those Mud Worms hiding in the depths of the Wangchuan River’s tributaries, lurking in the cracks of the Earth’s veins, those Muddy Ghosts hiding in abandoned Ghost Halls, growing strong by devouring dead souls, were all brought out by him one by one.

When encountering those with strong cultivation, he personally took action along with Xiao Yue, Dou Dou, and Duoduo. The Five Elements Magnetic Force, combined with Pure Yang Divine Fire, made it so that even the most difficult Muddy Ghosts couldn’t last more than a few rounds.

When dealing with those scattered and numerous small fry, he would directly use Qin Guangwang’s Treasure Seal to mobilize the Five Elements Magnetic Force deep within the Yangzhou Netherworld’s Earth veins. With just a thought, surrounding evil would be completely exterminated, leaving not even a trace of residual soul.

During the time spent purging the Netherworld, Shen Siyuan discovered several camps of ghost soldiers that had been petrified.

Besides the Wu Character Camp, which he first depetrified, four other camps, originally guarding the boundaries of Yangzhou Netherworld, remained petrified.

With the depetrification of the Shen, Hai, Mao, and Si Character Camp ghost soldiers using the seal’s authority, Shen Siyuan suddenly gained a large number of available hands.

These ghost soldiers were part of the legitimate Yin Department establishment, well-versed in the Netherworld’s terrain. Clearing the evil became twice as effective with half the effort, and in little over a month, most of the evil forces in the open areas of the Yangzhou Netherworld were cleared away.

However, not all of the twelve camps of ghost soldiers could remain intact.

The remaining seven camps were either destroyed during the evil outbreak, with all ghost soldiers’ souls scattered,

or they were corrupted by evil, completely falling into the Demon Path, becoming harmful Muddy Ghosts.

The Military Family Muddy Ghost, Huo Jingshan, whom he encountered before, was once the Commander General of the Ugly Camp, one of the few high-ranking members thoroughly corrupted by evil.

As matters in the Netherworld gradually settled, the festive atmosphere in the Mortal World grew stronger by the day.

That afternoon, as the sun shone warmly on the wicker chair on the balcony,

Shen Siyuan leaned back, gently stroking the partially refined Qin Guangwang’s Treasure Seal with his fingers. He turned to Ruan Hongzhuang beside him and said, "This year for the New Year, I want to bring Dad, Mom, and Grandma over here. With more people, it will be lively."

"I’ve been thinking the same thing."

Ruan Hongzhuang handed him a cup of warm honey water, "I was also thinking of telling my parents, asking them to bring Huichun over to celebrate New Year together. Only when the whole family gathers does it feel like a proper New Year."

Beside them, Taozi was sitting on a small stool watering the succulents on the balcony. When she heard their conversation, she paused with the water can in her hands, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She unconsciously stroked the handle of the watering can with her fingers as she started to feel a bit conflicted inside. She also wanted to invite her parents over to celebrate the New Year together.

But since her wedding with Shen Siyuan was set for after the spring next year, although both families had long agreed to the match, they hadn’t officially married yet. Would it be too abrupt for everyone to gather together during the New Year?

Moreover, with Ruan Hongzhuang’s parents there, would it be awkward?

"With so many people, the big flat we live in now may be a bit small, and there won’t be enough rooms. We need to find another place."

Ruan Hongzhuang calculated, and with around a dozen people in total, their current four-bedroom two-living-room apartment wouldn’t suffice.

"Um... I have a place..."

As soon as this was said, Taozi excitedly raised her hand, like a schoolkid eager to answer a question.

She stepped forward a few paces and started counting on her fingers, "In the batch of assets compensated by those people in Xiajing, there’s a stand-alone seaside villa in the villa district near Golden Beach. It’s just a five-minute walk to the seaside, three floors in total, with eight bedrooms, front and back yards, a large terrace that can hold two tables for Mahjong, and there’s even an entertainment room and gaming room in the basement. Not only for our two families, even with two more families, it would be spacious enough..."

Back then, those people in Xiajing compensated with a significant amount of assets, most of which were properties and shops in Bin Hai.

Shen Siyuan didn’t care much for these material things and gave them all to Taozi and Ruan Hongzhuang.

When dividing the assets, Taozi immediately took a liking to this standalone seaside villa. But over time, everyone got accustomed to living where they were, so it remained unoccupied, until now when it could finally be put to use.

Ruan Hongzhuang’s eyes lit up, and she patted Taozi’s head with a smile, "Rarely does it come in use."

Taozi pouted indignantly, reaching out to knock Ruan Hongzhuang’s hand away.

Shen Siyuan nodded as well, with a gentle smile in his eyes, "Then it’s decided here. Let’s visit this afternoon and see what needs to be added beforehand."

And so, it was decided.

In the afternoon, they drove to the villa district at Golden Beach. As soon as the car entered the community, they were enveloped by greenery.

Though Bin Hai in winter brought a cool sea breeze, the evergreen trees in the community remained lush. The standalone villas were arranged along the coastline, and every household had red lanterns hung on their courtyard walls, gently swaying in the wind, already exuding a strong New Year’s atmosphere.

The villa Taozi mentioned was in the most seaside position in the community.

With white walls and gray tiles, the Chinese-style courtyard had an iron gate with intricate designs. The front yard was paved with bluestone roads, flanked by neatly trimmed boxwoods, with a small koi pond in the corner, still hosting a few red carp swimming leisurely in the winter water.

The backyard was even more spacious, equipped with a platform made of anti-corrosion wood, outdoor tables and chairs, and a barbecue grill. Standing by the courtyard wall, one could see the golden beach and the surging blue and white waves not far away, with the sea breeze carrying a salty, moist scent that felt particularly refreshing.

Entering the house, the decor was a simple new Chinese style, spacious and bright.

The first floor featured a large lounge, dining room, open kitchen, and two elderly rooms facing south with independent small balconies, basking in the sun.

The second floor had four bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. Opening the windows offered a view of the sea.

The third floor had a large study and a panoramic observation terrace, while the basement equipped an entertainment room, billiards room, and game room, more than enough to accommodate a dozen guests, with even more room for a few friends.

"Wow, this is even bigger than my house," said Dou Dou, who followed along and ran around barefoot indoors in joy.

"Wait, wait..."

Tang Tang, dragging a Little Monkey plush toy, chased after Dou Dou with her little legs.

Her round eyes curiously examined everything inside the house, occasionally letting out an "Oh~" of admiration at the wide floor-to-ceiling windows.

Duoduo and Xiao Ya followed behind, two little girls walking quietly, their eyes full of delight.

Duoduo, quick on her feet, reached out and caught Tang Tang, who was running too fast and almost tripped over the carpet.

"han~"

The little one grinned at Duoduo, showing a foolishly sweet smile.

Then she stopped chasing Dou Dou and instead started tagging along with Duoduo.

Originally, Dou Dou ran forward in merriment, but when she turned around and saw Tang Tang not chasing her but rather holding onto Duoduo’s hem, smiling up at her sweetly, she felt her little jealousy pot tip over.

She immediately stopped, running back to squeeze herself between Tang Tang and Duoduo.