Chapter 26 Spring's Melody Fades Away, Returning to the Dust 2 Yan Chao saw, the mural…
Yan Chao saw that on the mural, she was chained by the neck, her limbs bound, and suspended in the air. She was being devoured by thousands of evil spirits in the raging fire and freezing ice, almost to the point of being unrecognizable. Her heart was pierced straight through by a long sword, on which was engraved a flower, which was the Spring God's planted flower, Ji Chun Chao.
The way he died was truly gruesome.
That feeling only lasted a moment; when I looked again, my heart was no longer stirred. It wasn't fear, just a bit of surprise.
After all, it's been a long time since I've seen anyone or anything so eager for her to die.
Thinking of this, Yan Chao couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Her life is in her hands; if you want her dead, you'd have to ask her if she agrees.
Suddenly, the mural in the middle parted and opened up to both sides, revealing a narrow, dark path. Yan Chao looked around; there was only this one path on either side. Without thinking, he walked in.
The mural depicting her death suddenly changed, and two men and a woman appeared. One man killed his father in front of everyone, another man was devoured by thousands of ghosts in the Thousand Crossing River, and the woman finally killed all three of them one by one.
Along the way, there was a faint, flickering light, and the faint sounds of flowing water and crying could be heard.
Yan Chao walked for a long time. Although it was a straight road, it seemed to be going downwards, and he had a feeling that he was going to a deeper underground. Suddenly, he saw a faint light in the distance. He must have reached the end. Yan Chao quickened his pace and met a little boy dressed in white with his hair down at the exit. He was sitting alone on a rock.
When the boy heard someone coming, he slowly turned around. Yan Chao was shocked. Wasn't this a miniature version of Zhu Jing?
Yan Chao asked, "Are you Zhu Jing?"
The boy jogged up to her, grabbed her sleeve, smiled, and said, "It's me! Are you here to play with me?" His tone was full of surprise and anticipation for the newcomer.
Yan Chao looked at him, remained silent for a long time, and after thinking for a while, still didn't know what to say. Finally, she asked, "Have you been staying here alone all this time?"
Xiao Zhujing nodded, then shook her head, and said, "Actually, there was someone else with me, but he never said anything, so I was just playing by myself."
Yan Chao asked, puzzled, "Who is the other person?"
Little Zhu Jing led Yan Chao to the edge of the cliff, pointed, and said, "Look, it's right there."
Yan Chao glanced at the scene, which was truly bloody and horrifying. A disheveled man dressed in blood-stained clothes was suspended in the air by a barbed iron chain, swaying back and forth with a creaking sound. The barbs on the chain were deeply embedded in his flesh, and blood dripped down the hem of his clothes, staining them even redder, as if the blood would never run out.
Upon closer inspection, his clothes revealed nothing beneath; his incomplete body stubbornly supported his head, which seemed poised to break at any moment. With each sway, the black hair plastered to his face came loose, revealing a pair of dark eye sockets and a mouth that had been sewn shut.
That was Zhu Jing's body.
Yan Chao thought to himself, "What deep-seated hatred does this person have for Zhu Jing that he would harm him to this extent? This is not only to leave him without a complete corpse, but also to ensure that he will never be reincarnated."
But things are not that simple. No matter what, we still need to rescue Zhu Jing first.
Little Zhu Jing suddenly said, "Can you tell me a story?"
Yan Chao nodded, and Xiao Zhu Jing pulled her to sit on the rock, saying, "This is my own story. I hope you won't find it boring."
Yan Chao smiled and said, "Okay."
Little Zhu Jing sat upright to the side and said leisurely, "My name is Zhu Jing. I am the fifth son of King Shiyue. I was born to a singing girl and have been neglected in the palace since childhood."
Zhu Jing's mother was originally a noblewoman, but due to her family's decline, she was forced to become a concubine. She was unexpectedly favored by the King of Yue, but after being favored, she was neglected in the deep palace until the birth of Zhu Jing. In order to ensure that Zhu Jing grew up safely, his mother always dressed him as a girl. Because he looked very much like a woman, no one suspected anything.
His mother taught him to read and write, and how to conduct himself in society, shaping him into an upright and kind person. She only wished for her child to be safe and healthy, uninvolved in court intrigues, and one day able to leave the deep palace and live a free life. Unfortunately, this happy period was short-lived. His true identity as a man disguised as a woman was revealed, and he suffered oppression and humiliation from the princes, led by the eldest prince. King Shiyue remained forever indifferent to this.
At that time, he secretly made up his mind that one day he would take his mother away from here and live a peaceful life.
He was exceptionally talented but did not flaunt it. He also possessed a beautiful voice just like his mother's. As a prince, he could frequently enter and leave the palace. He took the money he had saved to a thatched hut on the outskirts of the city and entrusted it to a young woman for safekeeping.
He rescued the girl from a broker when he first left the palace at the age of eight. He didn't know where the girl came from, only that she had her name embroidered on the inside of her clothes—Huaiyu.
Having been sold multiple times by brokers, Huaiyu had been living a life of constant wandering since childhood. She had long forgotten where her home was and who her parents were, and as a result, she was naturally sensitive and thoughtful, unwilling to easily trust others. Zhu Jing was about the same age as her, and thinking of his own situation, he did not want her to continue wandering. However, he could not bring her into the palace, so he settled her in a small house on the outskirts of the city.
As the two grew older, Zhu Jing discovered that Huaiyu had an exceptional talent for dance. There happened to be a retired courtesan in the palace, so Zhu Jing asked her to teach Huaiyu. The two complemented each other perfectly, singing and dancing together. They made a pact that after Zhu Jing left, they would take his mother and find a place to open a music and dance studio.
Although the royal family members may be skilled in singing and dancing, it is considered extremely low-class if they make a living from it.
Zhu Jing didn't care about any of that.
At the age of fifteen, Zhu Jing displayed his singing talent at a spontaneous festival celebration held by the common people outside the palace. Everyone who heard him was captivated, and some of the people exclaimed: "It is as if the god of spring has descended!"
Zhu Jing's deeds quickly spread to the palace, arousing suspicion and resentment among the other princes. Rumors circulated that Prince Shiyue would make Zhu Jing the crown prince. And indeed, this was the case.
But this was just a deal between the King of Contracts and Zhu Jing.
At that time, natural disasters were occurring frequently in various places, causing unrest among the people. Taking advantage of this, Shiyue recommended Zhu Jing as the crown prince to appease public resentment, on the condition that his mother leave the palace after the matter was settled.
Zhu Jing cared deeply for the people. If this matter succeeded, he could leave safely with his mother. If it failed, he would atone with his death, at least ensuring his mother's safety.
With utmost devotion, he sang the "Ode to the Spring God," moving all the people deeply. Shortly after the ceremony, the disasters in various regions miraculously subsided, and the people wrote letters of thanks to Zhu Jing. Seeing this, the King of Shiyue felt that this young man had a bright future, so he commissioned a white porcelain statue of him and thus broke his promise to prevent Zhu Jing from leaving.
This action angered the other princes, who, upon learning from a wandering Taoist priest that Zhu Jing would soon ascend to godhood, obtained a vicious and evil spell from the priest. On the day of Zhu Jing's ascension, they conspired with Huai Yu to assassinate him, sacrificing his limbs, gouging out his eyes, splitting his soul, killing his mother, and sealing him at the bottom of a snow mountain. Huai Yu then took Zhu Jing's place and ascended to godhood.
Huaiyu is now known as Myeongseong-no-jun.
Not long after, the eldest prince murdered the king and seized the throne, announcing to the world that the former king had no words to face the people and had abdicated and gone into seclusion.
May Zhu Jing be forever plunged into darkness.
Xiao Zhujing stood up and said, "The story is over, I should go now."
Yan Chao had a bad feeling and asked, "Where are you going?"
Xiao Zhujing chuckled and said, "Thank you for saving me. If you see her, could you please pass on a message for me?" As he spoke, he backed away, getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff.
Yan Chao seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move. She said urgently, "What are you trying to do? Go outside and talk to her yourself. I won't accept this!"
Little Zhu Jing said, "Tell her for me, 'I don't blame her anymore.' Also, tell that couple, 'Thank you, I'm sorry.'" As soon as she finished speaking, Little Zhu Jing jumped down.
"don't want!!!"
A blinding white light flashed, and with a "crack," the iron chains binding Zhu Jing's body snapped. His body, along with the broken chains, fell into the ground and returned to dust.
Yan Chao rushed forward, but it was too late. She knelt on the edge of the cliff, looking down into the bottomless abyss. Suddenly, she understood Zhu Jing's intention. He knew from the beginning that he couldn't get out. Only by dying completely could the seal here be broken and the innocent people involved be able to leave.
Yan Chao inadvertently glanced at two lines of writing on the ground. The writing had heavy scratches, but it was still legible.
You mock me for being trapped here in the light, nine parts smug; little do you know that I am not in the darkness despising the light, completely at ease.
Zhu Jing, his body returned to dust, letting go of old grudges.
What a stubborn person.
If you don't want to agree to the conditions, just say so. Why beat around the bush like this?
"Peach Blossom, how are things on your end?"
Lianxi's voice suddenly rang out, and Yan Chao paused for a moment before saying, "Zhu Jing is dead, and his body can't be found either."
Lianxi said, "It seems we're all the same."
Yao Xu said, "They're all dead..."
It turned out that the general Lianxi had met was a general from the Kingdom of Mushu, stationed on the border year-round, named Cheng Jin. His wife, Danwen, was a dancer in a restaurant. He was separated from his wife and daughter. In a battle between Mushu and Jiuli, the generals leading the armies of both kingdoms were killed in action. Mushu narrowly won, and the king issued a decree of reward, allowing Cheng Jin to return home.
Unexpectedly, when Cheng Jin returned home, he learned that his daughter had been kidnapped by a broker, and his wife, unable to save their daughter, was burned in the fire, suffering physical and mental trauma.
Cheng Jin was filled with grief and indignation, but he had no choice but to pull himself together. He resigned from his post and began to treat his wife while searching for his child.
Although Cheng Jin's wife gradually recovered, her body was covered in burns, and her former beauty was long gone. She also suffered a mental breakdown because she failed to protect her daughter and was rarely lucid. To take care of his wife, Cheng Jin would stay in each place for a year or two. If he didn't hear from his daughter, he would take his wife to the next place.
And so, year after year they searched.
The year Zhu Jing was sealed away, they arrived at Shiyue and unexpectedly stumbled upon Zhu Jing being kidnapped. Cheng Jin thought of his daughter and wanted to save Zhu Jing, but he was caught up in the mess and, along with his wife, was sealed underground. Time was frozen at that moment forever.
Before leaving, Cheng Jin entrusted Lianxi with two things.
"Don't hurt that child. He's a good child, but he's been harmed. I can't get out of here. If possible, please take my wife and that child away from here."
"Please help me find my daughter. Her name is Huaiyu. If you can see her, please tell her, 'Your parents didn't abandon her. It's my fault for losing you. Your parents will always love you.'"
Yao Xu sighed and said, "Although that woman is mentally unstable and has even forgotten herself, she still remembers her husband and daughter."
Unfortunately, Zhu Jing could not leave this place, and they did not hear Zhu Jing's thanks and apologies.
The seal was broken, and the three returned to the stone platform.
The white porcelain statue shattered, and the Twenty-Eight Mansions disappeared; Zhu Jing was freed.
Yao Xu said, "I never thought this matter would drag another god out of heaven. I wonder how many things we have to solve. If we drag out a god for every single one, wouldn't the heavens be in chaos?" He said this with a hint of indignation and a touch of schadenfreude.
Yan Chao said meaningfully, "Perhaps things are not over yet."
Lianxi said, "Let's leave this place first; there's still a lot of business to attend to outside."
......
The three returned to Shengchun Town, only to find it completely changed.
The streets were deserted, the houses were dilapidated, and weeds grew everywhere. White banners were hung all over the town of Shengchun.
The three looked at each other, wondering what had happened. They returned to the Chi family shop and saw Granny Chi and Xiaoshan sitting solemnly at the table as soon as they entered.
Upon hearing the door open, the grandmother and grandson looked in the direction of the sound and were overjoyed to see the three of them return. Grandma Chi said, "You're finally back! You've been gone for more than ten days, and I thought something had happened to you." Grandma Chi put her hands together and said, "Thank God, may the gods and Buddhas protect you, you've finally returned safely."
The three of them found it unbelievable after hearing what Granny Chi said. They had only been gone for less than a day, yet so much time had passed outside.
Lianxi asked, "What's going on outside?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Chi shook her head and said, "What a tragedy! They, they are all dead."
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Author's Note: Human traffickers are swindlers; we must resolutely crack down on them!
I need to revise the text; this is really my weakness (bursts into tears). Thank you to all the readers who have saved this post and don't mind (bows in gratitude).
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