Chapter 8 Restoration of Sight
With a wave of his long sleeves, the Nine-Headed Monster statue in the hall immediately began to rotate. Then, the two large doors in the hall slowly opened, and a white mist spread out. Qin Wuyan's vision blurred, and he felt that he could not see anything. He couldn't help but close his eyes. When he opened his eyes, it was as if he was in a fairyland. The mountains and rivers were beautiful, the birds sang and the flowers were fragrant. The sound of the babbling water was crisp and pleasant. Under his feet was a small bridge over a stream. On the other side of the bridge, several small houses were scattered in a neat and orderly manner, and there was also a unique little building built against a crabapple tree. Light gauze fluttered on the upper floor. From a distance, it was simply a fairyland. Who would have thought that this was the Nine Netherworld, which made people tremble with fear?
Qin Wuyan followed the Underworld Emperor towards the bridgehead, carefully observing his surroundings. He then discovered that the water flowing beneath the bridge was stained a deep crimson. The Hehuan Bell swayed more violently, its clear sound seemingly tinged with excitement and anticipation.
Before even reaching the bridgehead, the sound of a guqin drifted from afar. The music was melodious and graceful, yet also melancholic and sorrowful, filled with repeated sighs.
Wild grasses grow wild and desolate, white poplars rustle in the wind.
Severe frost in mid-September saw me off to the distant suburbs.
Vast and boundless, gone without a trace, coming and going without a word.
The former dynasty of Huashao bowed down before his eyes.
How can I go to the distant clouds alone when my dream is not yet over?
Who will laugh and talk with me again in the future...?
(The above quotes are from the lyrics of "Qingyi Ballad")
Qin Wuyan was filled with mixed feelings. His steps became heavier and slower, while the Hehuan Bell swayed so violently that it seemed about to fly away.
The Underworld Emperor walked to the front of the small building, turned around and saw Qin Wuyan walking heavily, his brows furrowed, and his face filled with tension and unease. He couldn't help but smile, sighed softly, and urged, "Aren't you in a hurry? She's inside."
Qin Wuyan stepped forward and suddenly said earnestly, "Biyao is loyal and righteous. Please, Emperor of the Underworld, do not let Biyao know about the transaction just now."
He knew in his heart that even if Biyao didn't love him, if she knew about the sacrifices he had made for her, she would definitely not be willing to leave the Underworld. The only option now was to lie to her one more time. Thinking of this, he sighed heavily.
The Netherworld Emperor smiled and said in a comforting tone, "Don't worry, I won't tell her. But you should be careful. After she is resurrected, she will forget all her memories of the Underworld. She will forget that you were the one who saved her. So, after she is resurrected, you must seize the opportunity and not let someone steal your credit."
Qin Wuyan nodded and quickly followed. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw the Underworld Emperor preparing to go upstairs, but suddenly called out to him, "Wait!"
The Nine Netherworld Emperor turned around, puzzled: "What's wrong? Afraid to go in?"
"Could you please tell her for me, Emperor of the Underworld? I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll frighten her." He was somewhat flustered and unsure of what to do, feeling both overjoyed and panicked.
Seeing this, the Underworld Emperor smiled and said, "Then you can wait outside." He turned and walked upstairs.
"He's here!" A woman's sweet voice rang out in the pavilion. She turned and glanced at the woman in green who was playing the zither.
She stopped playing the zither, raised her head slightly, but her deep, clear eyes showed no emotion. Her voice was crisp and cold as she said, "It's not like he's never been here before. There's nothing strange about it."
The acacia bell in Qin Wuyan's hand suddenly stopped playing along with the zither music. He felt even more nervous. Wasn't he looking forward to seeing her? Why was he suddenly at a loss for what to do...?
He lowered his head and gave a bitter smile. Yes, he longed to see her, but he knew that the person she wanted to see... was not him!
Another woman in the attic was about to speak when she was interrupted by a loud voice: "No, this time is different. I brought someone else with me to see you."
The Netherworld Emperor walked in with a smile and said to the person playing the zither, "There is someone who risked his life to come to the Netherworld for you. Would you like to see him?"
"Who is it?" The woman in green immediately stood up in surprise. Her skin was as white as snow, and she was incomparably beautiful. Even in the underworld, she was still as radiant as a fairy. However, her bright black eyes were empty and lifeless.
Another woman standing nearby also stared in astonishment.
The Underworld Emperor stepped forward and said, "Biyao, tell me first, do you want to see him?"
"Of course I want to see him!" she answered almost without thinking. Who could it be? Xiao Fan, is that you? No...no...why would he come to the Nine Netherworld? Could it be that he...?
Seeing her nervous expression, the Underworld Emperor continued, "He brought the missing wisp of your soul with him this time. Your eyes will soon be able to see again!"
Biyao asked excitedly, "Who is it? Let him in quickly." She was both surprised and delighted, her eyes widening in surprise and delight.
The Netherworld Emperor shouted, "Come up here quickly!"
After hearing the Underworld Emperor's words, Qin Wuyan quietly walked upstairs step by step.
The people in the attic waited in silence. Hearing the soft, harmonious footsteps, Biyao gripped the hem of her dress tightly, standing still. The footsteps grew closer and closer, entering the room and stopping. Suddenly, the Hehuan Bell rang loudly. Another woman saw the Hehuan Bell, astonished. She then leaped forward with a flourish of her long sleeves, snatched the Hehuan Bell from Qin Wuyan's hand, and asked suspiciously, "Who are you? Why is the Hehuan Bell in your hands?"
Qin Wuyan had been watching Biyao the whole time and hadn't noticed. When he saw the Hehuan Bell being taken away, he frowned, his face showing anger, and he was about to take it back when he heard Biyao's joyful voice: "Hehuan Bell? Xiaofan, is that you?"
Aside from Zhang Xiaofan, she couldn't think of anyone else at the moment. But would Xiaofan really come to this underworld for her? She looked on with anticipation and joy, waiting for someone to reply.
Qin Wuyan felt as if his heart had been stabbed.
Although he had expected this kind of meeting, he still couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart.
She still longed for Zhang Xiaofan. She hoped to see him again, that the person who would come to save her would indeed be Zhang Xiaofan! But where was Zhang Xiaofan? ... He closed his eyes, his face full of pain. Biyao, Biyao, didn't you think of me at all?
Seeing that Qin Wuyan remained silent for a long time and refused to answer, the Netherworld Emperor knew that Biyao had probably mistaken him for someone else. So he said, "Biyao, don't be in a hurry. Let's put your soul back in its place first."
Then he turned to the woman who had snatched the Hehuan Bell and reached out his hand, saying, "Jinling, give me the Hehuan Bell first!"
Upon hearing the Underworld Emperor's words, Biyao felt a surge of disappointment. She couldn't wait any longer. She walked up to Qin Wuyan, reaching out to grab him, but then slowly withdrew her hand, saying sadly, "I know, you're definitely not Xiaofan, but who are you? Are you Brother Qinglong? Or Aunt You? Why did you come to this Netherworld for me?"
Her father was focused on the sect's grand ambitions and would certainly not come here to find her personally. Since it wasn't Xiao Fan, she couldn't think of anyone else besides her closest friends, Qinglong and Youji.
Qin Wuyan looked at the woman before him with heartache. She was still as lively and beautiful as ever, but her eyes, devoid of their former luster, seemed to be reminding him that the person he had longed for for so many years was not thinking of him. He didn't know how to answer her, so he remained silent.
Lady Jinling glanced at Qin Wuyan and Biyao, and seeing the Underworld Emperor's serious expression, she knew she could not disobey, so she reluctantly handed the Hehuan Bell to the Underworld Emperor.
Seeing that Qin Wuyan remained silent, the Nine Netherworld Emperor gave him a wink. Qin Wuyan immediately understood and realized he couldn't waste any more time. He took a deep breath and slowly said in a trembling voice, "Biyao!...It's me...Qin Wuyan."
His voice grew weaker and weaker, and he let out a long sigh of relief after saying the last three words.
But Biyao still heard clearly; after so many years of blindness, her hearing had become exceptionally sharp. She was even more surprised, and somewhat embarrassed: "Qin Wuyan? It's you! But how could you..."
Qin Wuyan replied softly, "A lot has happened in the ten years you've been gone. This time, it's the Ghost King..."
He lowered his head slightly, paused for a moment, then raised his head and said, "It was your father who resurrected the Beast God to save you, and by chance, he received help from a master who set up a magic array to separate my soul from my body and bring me to this underworld to rescue you."
Upon hearing this, Biyao looked puzzled and was about to say something when Qin Wuyan continued, "Your father was seriously injured before, and Qinglong and Youji had to protect the magic array. Moreover, now that the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect has been destroyed and I have submitted to the Ghost King Sect, they had no choice but to send me!"
Upon hearing this, Biyao asked anxiously, "Then are my father, Aunt You, Brother Qinglong, and the others alright?"
Qin Wuyan knew she probably already believed his story, so he relaxed a little and reassured her in a calm tone, "They're alright! Don't worry! The most important thing now is to merge the soul in this Hehuan Bell with yours. Then, I'll take you back."
He turned and took the Hehuan Bell from the Underworld Emperor's hand. The Hehuan Bell shook violently: "Biyao, don't move for now. Close your eyes and don't worry about anything else. I will tell you everything after your eyesight is restored."
After hearing what he said, Biyao had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Qin Wuyan took three steps back, standing directly in front of Biyao, raised the Hehuan Bell high, and shouted, "The remnant soul leaves the body, the nine souls return!"
The acacia bell rose into the air and swayed, instantly creating a whirlwind in the room, causing the light gauze curtains to flutter wildly. He continued to cast a spell on the acacia bell, chanting the soul-returning incantation that Qiao Nan had taught him:
"The three souls and seven spirits gather to form a god. By uniting the god and searching for the spirit, heaven and man become one!"
The Hehuan Bell made a "hissing" sound in mid-air, and then a wisp of white smoke flew out, heading towards Biyao and disappearing above her head.
The Soul Returning Spell was extremely exhausting. Qin Wuyan's face was flushed, and he was panting heavily. He didn't even have time to catch the Hehuan Bell as it fell from mid-air. He only heard a crisp sound when the bell hit the ground.
Meanwhile, in the Incense Valley of the mortal realm, Zhang Xiaofan's body had almost fully recovered after careful care! Tian Buyi was still worried and told him not to move around unnecessarily. He was sitting idly in his room when suddenly, the Bloodthirsty Bead shone brightly, and the red light became increasingly dazzling. Then, after the Bloodthirsty Bead shone brightly, the red light suddenly disappeared, and everything seemed normal.
Zhang Xiaofan frowned, looking worried.
In the Netherworld, Biyao slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Qin Wuyan, who was looking at her with a tender and expectant expression. Remembering that she had mistaken someone else for someone else, she felt a little embarrassed and looked away. When she saw Lady Jinling, she couldn't help but walk over quickly, grab her hand, and excitedly say, "Lady Jinling, I can see now! I can see you! I can see this world!"
Lady Jinling was genuinely happy that her eyesight had been restored. Both of them were deeply in love and had come to this terrifying Netherworld because of the Love Curse. Having shared the same suffering for so many years, she had long regarded her as family.
Biyao turned to look at the Nine Netherworld Emperor, her eyes glistening with tears, and said gratefully, "Emperor, thank you for your kindness." She was an extremely intelligent woman, and of course she understood that if it weren't for the Nine Netherworld Emperor's help, Qin Wuyan might not have been able to see her.
From the day she arrived in the underworld, it was he who brought her to this place, allowing her to accompany Lady Jinling. Although she never knew that the Nine Netherworld Emperor would treat her so well, over the years, without his protection, her soul would probably have been eaten by ghost beasts long ago, and she would never have had a chance to survive again.
The Netherworld Emperor looked at the bright-eyed woman before him and smiled, "No need to thank me. The person you should thank the most is him." He then pointed at Qin Wuyan.
Biyao lowered her head slightly, then walked up to Qin Wuyan. The look of surprise in his eyes and his gentle, sincere gaze made Biyao believe for a moment that this man truly loved her. She composed herself and smiled brightly at him: "Qin Wuyan, thank you!"
Qin Wuyan stared blankly for a moment before he reacted: "Biyao... you don't need to thank me, I was just following orders."
Upon hearing this, Biyao quickly realized that her previous thoughts had been somewhat presumptuous. Yes, he was merely following orders. How could that ruthless Poison Prince, who was only concerned with survival and securing a way out for himself within the Ghost King Sect, possibly be deeply in love with her?
Lady Jinling picked up the Hehuan Bell from the ground and looked at Qin Wuyan: "Then can you tell me now why the Hehuan Bell is with you?"
Qin Wuyan looked at Madam Jinling and was about to speak when he heard Biyao say, "Madam Jinling, I found this Hehuan Bell in the Dripping Blood Cave in the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Cave. I recognized it as your treasure, so I brought it back to the Ghost King Sect."
During her time with Lady Jinling, she didn't want to talk about the past. The Underworld Emperor, fearing she would be depressed, specially taught her to play the zither. Lady Jinling, however, simply watered the flowers and weeded each day. Learning from Biyao that the ruthless old man had ultimately died for love, she became even more melancholy and silent. Therefore, Biyao also didn't bother to mention the Hehuan Bell.
Qin Wuyan looked at the Heartbreak Flower, which had already grown its sixth petal. He immediately took out the Demon-Controlling Flute and blew it three times.
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