Chapter 70: Love can break the soul
Lin Zhuyue felt the need to visit Zhao'an Temple. Her suggestion was met with approval from her companions. After a brief conversation with An Ning, they left the school and drove to Zhao'an Temple in the north of the city.
Lin Zhuyue was puzzled and asked:
"The person who made the wish was An Ning's mother. How could the 'God of Wealth' take away An Ning's spiritual power?"
"Because Du Jicui and An Ning are mother and daughter."
Shi Chan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, replied,
"Although times have changed, most people still believe that children are independent individuals. But metaphysics can be old-fashioned and conservative. From a metaphysical perspective, children who have not yet reached adulthood are the property of their parents, and aging parents are the property of their children. If one parent makes a mistake, the other parent must also be punished."
"Furthermore, when Du Jicui's wish came true, An Ning was the beneficiary. Or perhaps, Du Jicui's wish was made for An Ning's sake. An Ning has better material conditions because of her mother's wish, so of course she should pay the price for it."
Deng Jiayu added:
"If that God of Wealth really isn't the real God of Wealth, he must be someone who knows some evil magic. People who take the wrong path can often do things that good people can't."
On the way to Zhao'an Temple, it started raining in Linxi City. Raindrops pattered against the car window. The downpour wasn't heavy, but the sky had become overcast, making it feel uncomfortable.
However, Zhao'an Temple is very lively.
The parking spaces outside the temple were full of cars. Deng Jiayu was only allowed to park his car inside the temple after showing his ID to the staff.
Lin Zhuyue opened the car door and got out.
The temple was bustling with people, many of whom had bought incense from the Jieyuan Pavilion and carried it to the main hall. They lit the incense in the incense burner in front of the hall, bowed three times in each of the four directions, and then inserted the smoking incense into the burner.
Ye Yangjia stood between Lin Zhuyue and Shi Can and asked:
"Sweeper, mosquito swatter, do you two feel anything is wrong?"
Ye Yangjia would ask Lin Zhuyue and Shi Can first because these two people have strong inspiration and clairvoyance. If there is a problem, they will be the first to notice it.
“It’s a very uncomfortable feeling.”
Lin Zhuyue looked up at the hall above and said,
"My chest feels stuffy, my head feels a little dizzy, and my eyes..."
Shi Chan's eyes also felt uncomfortable.
He took out a pack of wet wipes from the car, pulled out one, wiped the corner of his eyes, and said:
“It feels like I’m blinded by smoke.”
Lin Zhuyue also took a wet wipe to wipe his eyes.
"What's enshrined in this temple is definitely not something serious."
Shi Chan put the wipes back into the car and said,
"In temples dedicated to righteous gods, even if the incense is burning fiercely, once you enter, you will still feel comfortable and refreshed, and your body and mind will be relaxed. This place looks very beautifully renovated, but it is actually full of smoke and foul smells."
Lin Zhuyue asked: "Do you want to deal with it?"
Deng Jiayu shook his head and said:
"For a temple of this size, the Spiritual Master's House must be aware of its existence. They have not dealt with it yet and have allowed it to be open to the public. There must be a reason for this."
"I've already informed the Spiritual Master's Office. We'll decide whether to proceed or not after they respond. Let's take a look around the temple first. Please be careful. If the staff asks you for a donation, don't agree. It's not good to form a worship relationship with the 'gods' of this temple."
The trainee spiritual masters agreed and divided into two teams, entering the main hall and side halls to inspect the situation.
Lin Zhuyue and Shi Can entered the hall together.
In the main hall of Zhao'an Temple, there is a huge statue covered with gold. The craftsmen have exquisite craftsmanship and the statue is majestic and solemn.
On the table in front of the statue, there are various fruits, spiritual stones, steamed buns and tea.
In addition, there are many lotus-shaped candles. These candles are very expensive, and usually only two are lit to fulfill a wish. Judging by the number of candles, it seems that many people have had their wishes fulfilled here.
"The aura of the statue is not right."
Lin Zhuyue's eyes swept across the statue and the altar, and said,
“It feels like both good and evil.”
"The statue is now just an empty shell. There's nothing inside, only the remaining breath."
Shi Can was also looking at the statue carefully and said,
"I don't know if he hid away after seeing the Spirit Master, or if it was for some other reason. Wait until the Spirit Master's Mansion reports back. We'll carefully understand the depth of this 'god'. If necessary and we can deal with him, we'll find a way to find him."
Lin Zhuyue nodded.
She and Shican walked around the hall for most of the way.
As he walked, Lin Zhuyue heard an old, hoarse voice:
"Little girl, little girl."
The hall was very noisy, but when this voice sounded, all the noise was blocked out and became hazy, and only this voice fell into the ears with incredible clarity.
Lin Zhuyue turned around.
She saw an old man dressed in black and leaning on a cane.
The old man had a kind smile on his face and asked:
"Little girl, don't you want to make a wish?"
Lin Zhuyue shook his head and said, "I'm not short of money."
"You don't have to ask for money. You can make other wishes."
The old man walked closer to Lin Zhuyue and said,
"Live as an ordinary person, do well in exams, and have good health for your family...any wish is fine. The God of Wealth is not only about bringing wealth."
"What's the price?"
Lin Zhuyue asked calmly,
"My spiritual power?"
The moment Lin Zhuyue saw through the other party's intention, he saw the old man turned into black wind from head to toe, carrying the smell of fireworks, and blew out of the hall door.
Shi Chan's panicked voice rang in his ears:
"Lin Zhuyue? Lin Zhuyue! Wake up!"
Lin Zhuyue gradually came back to his senses.
She opened her eyes and found that she had lost consciousness at some point and was lying in Shican's arms with her head resting on his arm.
People gathered around, and a young-looking girl wearing glasses took off Lin Zhuyue's shoes and was about to pat the soles of her feet to give her first aid. After Lin Zhuyue woke up, she kindly put her shoes back on before stepping away.
Lin Zhuyue said: "I..."
Shi Can interrupted Lin Zhuyue's words:
"I know, let's talk outside."
There are too many people watching them in the hall now. This is not a place to discuss metaphysics.
Lin Zhuyue stood up from Shi Can's arms, thanked the girl who had just helped her, and then took Shi Can's sleeve tightly and walked out of the hall with him. They went down the stairs and turned to the parking lot before starting to talk.
Shi Can said that just now, while walking in the hall, he felt a gust of wind blowing into the hall. Lin Zhuyue, who was walking beside him, immediately collapsed as if she had no bones. When Shi Can called her, he could clearly feel that her consciousness was playing a game with something.
Lin Zhuyue described what he had seen and heard in detail.
"That old man must be the 'God of Wealth'."
Lin Zhuyue guessed,
"He probably really wants my spiritual power, so he showed up to lure me. And he has a peaceful aura about him. He must be the one who took away my peaceful spiritual power and caused trouble."
Shi Can listened to Lin Zhuyue's description and said:
"Things might be a little difficult. You were protected by the Amber Fire, and he dragged your consciousness away without alerting it. Also, although I noticed him making a move, by the time I reacted it was too late to stop him."
"These two points prove that he is very strong and difficult to deal with."
Deng Jiayu, Wen Miyan and Ye Yangjia rushed over here. They had already learned about what Lin Zhuyue had encountered from the message sent by Shi Can.
Wen Miyan asked with concern: "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's okay, I didn't get away with it."
Lin Zhuyue asked,
"Has the Spiritual Master's Mansion responded to the message?"
Deng Jiayu shook her head: "Not yet."
But at this moment, Deng Jiayu's phone rang. She took out her phone, unlocked the screen, and entered the message interface.
"News from the Spiritual Master's Mansion has arrived."
Deng Jiayu looked down at the message, and as she read, her brows furrowed, and she said,
"Zhao'an was once an excellent spiritual master. Unwilling to live and die as an ordinary person, he turned to evil and became a Yin master. After his death, he was subdued by Ming Hui and did many things for Ming Hui. He longed to be worshipped like a god, and led people to build a temple in his honor. He also promised the spiritual master's mansion at the time that he would never do a bad thing."
"The Spiritual Master's Mansion couldn't afford to offend Ming Hui, and because Zhao An had made a solemn oath, they allowed the existence of Zhao An Temple."
Lin Zhuyue showed a confused expression and asked:
"Isn't his current behavior a violation of his oath? Can an oath be taken casually?"
Deng Jiayu shook his head and said:
"In the metaphysical world, taking an oath is a very serious matter."
Lin Zhuyue immediately grasped the key words: "Originally?"
"Yes, originally. Don't people often like to say 'God will strike with five thunderbolts' when making vows? Nearly a hundred years ago, if a spiritual master and a deceased soul made such a vow and broke it, they would actually be struck by lightning."
Shi Can explained to Lin Zhuyue,
"But as time went on, spiritual energy dried up too quickly. Breaking an oath won't lead to a thunderbolt strike. If the Spiritual Master's Mansion doesn't investigate, those who break their oath will basically receive no punishment."
Ye Yangjia added:
“You cry out to the heavens, but no one will answer you; you cry out to the earth, but no one will answer you.”
Shi Chan nodded: "About the same."
Wen Miyan turned her head, originally just wanting to take a casual look at the surroundings, but when she scanned the stairs in front of the main hall, her eyes were fixed on a figure.
Wen Miyan asked, "...Is that Du Jicui?"
Everyone looked up in astonishment.
A middle-aged woman wearing a light pink top and black pants that just reached her knees was slowly walking down the stairs. She was carrying a replica Louis Vuitton floral bag and raised her free hand to tuck her hair behind her ears.
"Why is she here?"
Shi Can had a bad feeling and asked,
"Is she here to make a wish, or to fulfill a wish?"
Deng Jiayu had already walked straight towards Du Jicui. She frowned and spoke to Du Jicui who had stopped:
"Sister Du, what are you doing here?"
"What brought you here?"
Du Jicui hadn't realized that something was wrong yet. She turned around, looked at the plaque in the hall, and said,
"Wishing here is very effective. I'm here to make a wish for An Ning. I hope the gods will bless her so that she doesn't become a spiritualist and can live an ordinary life."
Deng Jiayu: "You..."
Deng Jiayu was speechless. She turned around and walked down the stairs at a very fast pace, heading straight for her SUV. While opening the car door, she urged the trainee spiritualists to get in.
After starting the car, Deng Jiayu conveyed Du Jicui's words to the trainee spiritual masters verbatim.
"The connection between Zhao'an and Anning was originally established through Du Jicui's wish."
Deng Jiayu drove away from Zhao'an Temple and said,
"The more Du Jicui makes wishes for her, the more likely Zhaoan will affect Anning. I'm worried, so let's go to the school to check on Anning. Let's call the school and ask them to pay attention."
She handed the phone to Shi Chan who was sitting in the passenger seat.
Shi Can took the phone, found Deng Jiayu's call history, and dialed the number that Deng Jiayu had dialed before going to school.
After the call was connected, Shi Can didn't explain too much, but just asked the person who answered the phone to go and check on An Ning.
About ten minutes later, the number called again.
Shi Can picked up the phone. After listening to just two sentences, his face darkened. He turned around and said:
"...An Ning is not in the classroom. I don't know where she went. The person on the phone said they would check the surveillance footage right away."
Deng Jiayu looked heavy-hearted. She stepped on the accelerator to speed up the car.
The rain, which had just stopped for a short while, started falling again.
Raindrops hit the windshield and were scraped away by the wipers.
Bad news comes one after another.
"The surveillance camera was broken and didn't capture anything."
After Shi Can answered another call, he conveyed An Ning's situation to Deng Jiayu and the three classmates in the back seat.
"An Ning went out during recess and hasn't come back. She's been in very bad shape, and her deskmate thought she was feeling unwell and went to the school clinic. Classes are closed now, and all the students are looking for her in the school. I'm not sure if they can find her."
Zhao'an Temple is not really close to Linxi No. 4 Middle School.
Deng Jiayu drove very fast, but it took forty minutes before he arrived at Linxi No. 4 Middle School.
An Ning's classmates have searched everywhere in Linxi No. 4 Middle School, including the toilets, the school clinic, the multimedia room... However, they have not found any trace of An Ning.
Deng Jiayu stopped the car on campus, took out a compass from her bag, and hurried to An Ning's classroom.
Wen Miyan and Ye Yangjia caught up with her.
Lin Zhuyue originally wanted to chase after him, but as soon as she got off the car, she felt a severe headache.
"Are you carsick?"
Shi Can sat in the back seat, reached out and touched Lin Zhuyue's somewhat cold forehead, and said,
"...It might be affected by the Yin energy. Let's not go upstairs for now. Let's wait here."
Lin Zhuyue leaned on Shi Can's shoulder, her face pale.
An Ning's classmates had already begun to return to the classroom. Deng Jiayu asked where An Ning's seat was, then, ignoring the glances of the teenagers, approached An Ning's desk with a compass. The compass needle began to spin wildly, its speed so rapid that it seemed to jump off the dial.
There are ghosts haunting here.
Wen Miyan and Ye Yangjia also took out their compasses.
They looked for supernatural reactions everywhere in the classroom, followed the reactions all the way outside the classroom, walked to the end of the corridor, turned left, and followed the supernatural reactions upstairs.
In the car downstairs, Lin Zhuyue's condition was getting worse.
"Why is your nose bleeding?"
Shi Can pulled out a tissue to wipe Lin Zhuyue's nose and said,
"Hold on for a while, I'll take you to the hospital."
Shi Can tore a piece of paper, rolled it up, and stuffed it into Lin Zhuyue's nostrils. He pushed open the car door and wanted to get to the driver's seat to drive Lin Zhuyue to the hospital.
Lin Zhuyue got out of the car right after him.
She staggered back to her feet and stood in front of Shi Chan.
Shi Can saw that Lin Zhuyue raised his head as if he realized something.
In the reflection of Lin Zhuyue's eyes, a figure was climbing over the mesh guardrail on the rooftop of the teaching building.
The figure looked familiar. It was clearly the middle of summer, yet he was still wearing the school uniform with long sleeves and long pants.
It is peace.
She stood on the edge of the rooftop, clinging to the railing. She lowered her head, looking down at her feet, her eyes dim, not revealing the slightest fear.
The next moment, she jumped down.
Like fallen leaves, they turn into spring mud to protect the flowers.
It's like porcelain, about to be shattered into pieces with a deafening sound.
A pale golden scroll stretched in the air, wrapping itself tightly around the fifteen-year-old girl's waist before she landed. But the scroll's hold didn't stop the girl's fall. As if being dragged along, she crashed hard and fast into a car parked in front of the school building.
Lin Zhuyue gasped from his throat.
The gasping sound was not continuous enough, as if it was trembling.
She took a step back and fell down when her calf hit the side of the car.
Shi Chan took out his phone and dialed the emergency number.
The ambulance arrived with sirens blaring. The medical staff quickly and professionally moved An Ning into the car, and while providing first aid, they took her to the nearest hospital in the ambulance.
Deng Jiayu got on the ambulance and Ye Yangjia followed in her car.
Shi Can sat in the back seat with Lin Zhuyue, whose body was still shaking. She gritted her teeth and shed silent tears.
The spiritual energy in the car was chaotic, most of it coming from Lin Zhuyue, whose spiritual energy was close to going berserk. Shi Can couldn't tell whether she felt empathy for An Ning's pain and despair, or was having a stress reaction from witnessing the suicide.
Witnessing a suicide is a very painful thing.
Lin Zhuyue didn't scream or shout, which was better than many people who experienced this kind of thing.
Ambulances can switch lanes at will and go straight ahead regardless of traffic lights.
But Deng Jiayu’s SUV is not allowed.
Ye Yangjia was quickly left behind by the ambulance and rushed to the hospital according to the navigation.
When they arrived, An Ning had already been sent to the emergency room. Deng Jiayu was waiting outside, calling Du Jicui on her cell phone.
Shi Can took Lin Zhuyue to the emergency room.
Lin Zhuyue had a fast heart rate, but her electrocardiogram showed no problems. However, because her condition was very bad, the doctor still checked her myocardial enzyme spectrum and gave her an injection to stabilize her heart rate.
After the injection, Lin Zhuyue's condition gradually improved.
They did not stay in the infusion room.
Lin Zhuyue walked in front, and Shi Can followed behind with the IV rack. The two returned to the waiting area of the emergency room one after the other.
Not long after, Du Jicui rushed to the hospital.
With tears in her eyes, she anxiously asked about An Ning's condition.
Deng Jiayu said she didn't know yet, as the doctor hadn't come out to explain. She paused, then told Du Jicui everything that had happened to An Ning and the reasons for her difficulties.
Deng Jiayu tried her best to remain calm.
But Du Jicui couldn't keep calm. She sat on the cold chair, lowered her head, and burst into tears. She couldn't accept that she went to the temple to make a wish with full expectations, but instead caused her daughter to fall from the building.
"I just hope she doesn't follow in her father's footsteps and can live safely and healthily..."
Du Jicui shook her head and cried,
"Why did it become like this?"
Lin Zhuyue, who was receiving an IV drip with her head bowed, asked:
“…What does it mean to be safe and healthy?”
Her face was pale and her tone was calm, but her words were as sharp as a knife, without any mercy.
"Have you ever asked your daughter what kind of life she really wants? Has she ever said she doesn't want to be a spiritualist? Has she ever said she wants to be an ordinary person? Is the happiness you hope for really the future she wants?"
Lin Zhuyue raised his head and asked,
"Are you really sure that you didn't force your imaginary happiness on her?"
"Do you understand spiritual masters? Do you know that she has no other way to survive except becoming a spiritual master?"
Lin Zhuyue asked question after question, plunging Du Jicui into complete silence.
"Even if she did, you wouldn't listen."
Lin Zhuyue pointed out the facts sharply and said,
"Before she pays a painful price, she has no right to speak in front of you, and you will not understand her."
"What do you know?"
Du Jicui finally couldn't help it and said angrily,
"It's because I paid a terrible price that I don't want her to become a spiritual master!"
"Of course I understand, because I am the same as her!"
Lin Zhuyue raised his voice and said,
"My father is dead! Because of his death, my mother still can't fully accept that I became a spiritual master. She thinks there's still room for me to escape! But there isn't. People like us are born without a choice!"
An Ning's life experience was much calmer than hers, not as dangerous as hers.
However, as the descendant of a spiritual master, she possesses spiritual power, which is enough for her to weather storms. Because of her spiritual power, she will be targeted by various people and ghosts. Her only choice is to become a spiritual master and learn the means of self-preservation, or ascend to the Heavenly City and spend her life under the protection of the spiritual master's mansion.
Lin Zhuyue has a relatively good temper.
Shi Chan rarely saw her lose her temper like this.
Shi Can lifted Lin Zhuyue up, holding the IV stand in one hand and Lin Zhuyue in the other as they walked out:
"The test results should be out soon. Let's go to the lobby and check. Be careful not to get the needle stuck on the back of your hand."
After taking two steps outside, Shican turned around.
"I want to remind you."
Shi Chan's voice was calm.
"Once spiritual power awakens, it becomes extremely important to a person. If spiritual power is taken away, that person will not be able to live a peaceful life. Instead, they will become weak, like a plant without water, and may even die."
"You should be able to see more clearly than I do what kind of condition your daughter has been in during this period."
Shi Can walked to the drinks vending machine in the lobby before releasing his grip on Lin Zhuyue. However, he still held the IV stand tightly, fearing that Lin Zhuyue would take the opportunity to run back with it and continue the argument.
Lin Zhuyue said, "I want the farmer's orchard."
"What should I drink during my period?"
Shi Can took out the electrolyte water and a bottle of warm eight-treasure porridge, stuffed them into Lin Zhuyue's hand, and continued walking towards the hall with the IV stand, saying,
"Don't open the can, it's hand warmer. I ordered you some vegetable and mushroom porridge, which will be delivered to the hospital shortly. Oh, and I just saw a store selling brown sugar and ginger water with eggs. Would you like some?"
He wouldn't go so far as to ask a girl to drink a can of eight-treasure porridge that costs four yuan during her menstrual period. He felt that if he did that, Ye Yangjia would laugh at him until graduation.
Lin Zhuyue: "..."
She couldn't accept someone mixing brown sugar water with eggs, nor could she accept the connection between ginger and eggs.
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