“My Lord, thank you.”
Chen Zhou nodded slightly. “Don’t mention it. You’ll have to pay me back later anyway.”
Jing Hui laughed. “Even at a time like this, My Lord is still joking.”
“In my life, I have committed many wrongs.”
“I have killed people, killed demons, killed my own comrades, and killed my own kin.”
“I thought I would never have a chance at redemption in this life.”
“But the heavens have been merciful, allowing me, a thousand years after my death, to see the descendants of old friends and to do one last thing for Tianchi Province.”
Jing Hui closed his eyes, and his paper body began to glow. A pale light surged from within him, cold as moonlight and pure as frost.
The light grew brighter and more intense. The little demons were blinded by it and shielded their eyes with their hands.
Chen Zhou squinted at Jing Hui.
He could feel that Jing Hui was burning his remnant soul, releasing all the death qi and plague origin he had accumulated over a thousand years.
These things were the foundation of his existence, but now he was uprooting them and returning them all to this land.
Filth energy gathered above his head, surging into his body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.
But he was only a remnant soul now; he couldn't possibly withstand such a massive amount of filth.
His body began to collapse and disintegrate, fragments of paper peeling off and scattering into the air.
“Lord Purity and Filth!”
Yang Dingding shouted with reddened eyes, trying to rush forward, but Jian Huaishuang grabbed him.
“Don’t go,” Jian Huaishuang said expressionlessly. “He is completing the final Purity and Filth Grand Sacrifice. You will only disturb him.”
Jing Hui’s paper body was riddled with holes, covered in cracks and leaks.
Filth energy leaked from his body only to be forcibly sucked back in by the Great Plague Heaven, a cycle that seemed to wring out every last bit of his value.
Yet he remained standing, his back straight as a spear.
“I, Purity and Filth, using this remnant soul as a guide and this paper body as a medium, do hereby sacrifice to heaven and earth to cleanse the eight directions.”
“May Tianchi Province henceforth enjoy clear skies and peaceful lands, and eternal prosperity for all generations.”
As the words fell, Jing Hui’s body exploded.
Pale light instantly filled the world, so bright that everyone closed their eyes.
Chen Zhou did not close his eyes. He watched as Jing Hui’s body turned into countless points of light, scattering into the air.
The points of light fell like snowflakes onto the ground, the stones, and the little demons.
Wherever they passed, filth dissipated, moss turned green again, and even the parched earth became moist.
Chan Yi leaned on his cane and walked tremulously toward the high platform. Looking at where Jing Hui had vanished, he sighed.
“True Lord of Purity and Filth, may you have a safe journey.”
The Mingchan clan followed him, bowing in unison as the cicada song rose once more.
The little gecko and the little rabbit hugged each other, crying their hearts out.
The system notification rang as expected.
【Ding! Your special building, the Myriad Herbs Life-Death Realm, has successfully guided a special soul to be born. Go take a look~】
【Ding! You have obtained two Sources of Divine Power.】
【Current Sources of Divine Power: 2/10】
Chen Zhou closed the panel with satisfaction and turned to Jian Huaishuang.
“Get ready. It’s time to go back.”
Jian Huaishuang nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
...
Less than a day later, the news spread that My Lord was returning to the City of the Wrongfully Dead. The little demons immediately panicked.
“My Lord is leaving?”
“Does My Lord not want us anymore?”
“No, My Lord! We don’t want you to go!”
The little demons swarmed around Chen Zhou, shouting over each other with tearful eyes.
Some pulled at his hem, some hugged his legs, and some knelt on the ground kowtowing, weeping loudly.
Plague Rat stood among the little demons, his gaze drifting as if he were lost in thought. Wu Gou called his name several times, but he didn’t react.
Chen Zhou looked at the little demons crowding his feet, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Who said I didn’t want you?”
The little demons froze.
Chen Zhou continued, “From now on, Tianchi Province is also my territory.”
“You are all my subjects and my believers.”
“How could I not want you?”
The little demons were stunned for a moment, then burst into earth-shaking cheers.
“Really? Really?”
“We’re My Lord’s subjects now too?”
“That’s wonderful! That’s wonderful!”
The little gecko wiped his tears and smiled through them. “I knew it! My Lord wouldn’t abandon us!”
Chen Zhou watched them crying and laughing, shaking his head.
These little demons were truly simple; a full meal and a single promise were enough to make them this happy.
Just then, Plague Rat spoke.
“My Lord.”
Chen Zhou looked at him. Plague Rat stood there, pacing back and forth and rubbing his hands together, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Plague Rat hesitated for a moment before summoning his courage. “My Lord, this rat wants to stay in Tianchi Province for a while longer.”
“My Lord, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that this rat wants to leave you. It’s just that...”
He scratched his head, struggling to find the words. “This rat was born in Tianchi Province and later received some of that old fellow Purity and Filth’s inheritance.”
“Now that the old fellow is gone, Tianchi Province is left with only these pitiably weak little demons.”
“This rat... truly can’t rest easy.”
“This rat wants to stay and help them. Consider it... consider it a final gesture on behalf of that old fellow Purity and Filth.”
After finishing, he stole a glance at Chen Zhou and quickly lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong.
Chen Zhou looked at him and suddenly smiled.
“Fine. You stay.”
Plague Rat was stunned. He hadn’t expected Chen Zhou to agree so readily.
Then he grew anxious.
“My Lord, please don’t misunderstand! It’s not that this rat doesn’t want to go back to the City of the Wrongfully Dead! It’s just that...”
He paced around in a panic.
“This rat belongs to the City of the Wrongfully Dead in life, and will be a dead rat of the City of the Wrongfully Dead in death!”
“This rat’s loyalty to My Lord can be seen by heaven and earth, witnessed by the sun and moon!”
“This rat just... just...”
Plague Rat stammered, his face turning red with urgency.
Chen Zhou waved a hand, signaling him to stop.
“I understand what you mean. You were born and raised in Tianchi Province; it’s natural for you to have feelings for this land.”
“Purity and Filth gave you his final inheritance. It is only right for you to watch over this land for him and fulfill that karmic bond.”
“I am not an unreasonable person. If you want to stay, then stay.”
Hearing this, Plague Rat sniffled and puffed out his chest. “My Lord, don’t be so good to this rat, or I’ll feel embarrassed.”
Chen Zhou laughed. “You actually know how to feel embarrassed?”
Plague Rat huffed. “Of course! This rat has principles!”
Chen Zhou smiled and continued, “Since you’re staying, Nie Chaoxi and Su Xue should stay as well.”
“Most of the filth has been cleared from Tianchi Province, but there might be some left in the more remote areas.”
“Nie Chaoxi, travel around more and help purify them.”
Nie Chaoxi nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
Chen Zhou then looked at Su Xue. “Su Xue, you did a good job with the greening work in the Western Region. Do the same for Tianchi Province.”
“Let Yang Dingding help you. All the little demons are at your disposal; use them as you see fit.”
Su Xue was slightly taken aback, then nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
Finally, Chen Zhou looked at Plague Rat. “Plague Rat, follow Nie Chaoxi and travel around. See if there are any other survivors in Tianchi Province besides those in the stone forest and the underground city.”
“If there are, bring them all into the fold.”
Plague Rat nodded vigorously. “Understood! Rest assured, My Lord, this rat will get it done!”
Chen Zhou nodded. “You all stay in Tianchi Province until Purity and Filth has grown back.”
Plague Rat was stunned. “Purity and Filth can come back?”
Chen Zhou smiled. “It shouldn't take too long. When the time comes, I’ll have Wu Gou come and fetch you back to the City of the Wrongfully Dead.”
Upon hearing this, Plague Rat’s eyes lit up brilliantly.
He let out a howl and jumped up, shouting, “Don’t worry, My Lord! This rat will definitely protect Fourth Sister and Sixth Sister!”
“Once Tianchi Province is on the right track, this rat will return!”
“This rat will always be My Lord’s man!”
Just as he finished, a notification popped up on Chen Zhou’s system panel.
【Ding! Your Fanatic Believer, Plague Rat, has undergone faith sublimation and transitioned into a Saint.】
Diting squeaked a few times, expressing its anger and dissatisfaction.
Fetch people again? Crossing realms so many times in a short period was very taxing!
Wu Gou put an arm around Diting’s neck, smiling as he blocked its mouth full of sharp teeth.
“No problem, no problem. But my darling Diting is quite exhausted; it needs plenty of nourishment.”
He looked at Chen Zhou and said with a grin, “My Lord, you see...”
Chen Zhou waved him off. “Go find the Heavenly Chef after we get back. It’s been a while; the Golden Buddha’s meat should have grown back by now.”
Satisfied, Wu Gou pressed his palms together. “Namo Amitābha. My Lord is merciful.”
Diting gave a few resentful cries but eventually opened its mouth and spat out a huge bubble.
The bubble was crystal clear, emitting a faint glow as it hovered in mid-air.
Chen Zhou stepped in first, followed by Jian Huaishuang, Lian, and Wu Gou.
The little demons stood outside, watching them with tearful, expectant eyes.
“My Lord, you must come back!”
“We’ll miss you!”
Chen Zhou stood inside the bubble without turning back or looking away. “I will.”
Diting swallowed the bubble and slowly sank into the ground.
Diting tunneled rapidly through the earth, crossing the border of Tianchi Province and entering the territory of Gloomlight Province. Soon, they reached the edge of the Dead Man’s Forest.
Diting slowly ascended directly beneath the City of the Wrongfully Dead, finally stopping in the wide plaza. The bubble burst, and Chen Zhou stepped out.
A crisp voice called out from the distance.
“Sister Lian! Sister Lian!”
Chen Zhou looked toward the source and saw a paper girl running from afar, followed by a group of children of various sizes.
The paper girl ran swiftly, reaching Lian and grabbing her hand.
“Sister Lian! You’re back!”
Lian’s eyes lit up when she saw her, and she grabbed her hand in return.
“Xiaoyun, I’m back!”
The two girls held hands and spun around in place, laughing like blooming flowers.
The children behind Xiaoyun also crowded around, chirping with questions.
“Sister Lian, where did My Lord take you?”
“Sister Lian, did you bring back anything tasty?”
“Sister Lian, did you run into any bad guys?”
Lian puffed out her chest, looking proud. “I went to a very dangerous place—super, super dangerous!”
Xiaoyun asked curiously, “How dangerous?”
Lian thought for a moment and spread her arms wide. “That dangerous!”
“The ground was full of cracks with black gas coming out, and there were gray-green clouds in the sky that smelled really stinky!”
“And there were lots of bad guys. There was one called Wan Xiu who was very powerful, but our Lord is even more powerful. He killed him in just a few moves!”
The children listened with wide eyes and looks of adoration.
“Wow! Sister Lian is so cool!”
“Can Sister Lian fight bad guys too now?”
Lian became even more smug and patted her chest. “Of course! I’m very strong now. My Lord personally said my combat power ranks in the top three!”
“My Lord even gave me something good!”
As she spoke, black spots emerged from her body and instantly transformed into Jiao Mu Jiao on the ground.
Jiao Mu Jiao remained expressionless, coiled in place like a statue.
Lian patted Jiao Mu Jiao’s body and said proudly, “My Lord gave this to me. It’s called Jiao Mu Jiao! It’s very powerful!”
“It was injured while fighting bad guys before, but I’ve already nursed it back to health!”
She then commanded Jiao Mu Jiao, “Come on, do a somersault!”
Jiao Mu Jiao: “...”
Jiao Mu Jiao gave her an expressionless look but eventually had no choice. Its body twisted as it performed a mid-air flip and landed steadily.
The children gasped in surprise, followed by thunderous applause.
“So cool!”
“Do another one! Do another one!”
Xiaoyun’s eyes were glued to the sight. The two girls held hands and whispered secrets to each other, laughing happily about whatever they were saying.
Chen Zhou stood to the side and called out to Jiu’er, who was among the children.
Jiu’er snapped back to reality, quickly tearing his gaze away from Jiao Mu Jiao and bowing respectfully.
“What are your orders, My Lord?”
With a wave of Chen Zhou’s hand, his system space opened, and a large pile of exotic beast eggs clattered out, stacking up like a small mountain on the ground.
The eggs varied in size; the largest was bigger than an adult, while the smallest was only the size of a fist. They were different colors—some smooth, some rough, and some faintly glowing.
Jiu’er was curious. “My Lord, what are these?”
Chen Zhou said directly, “These are ancient beast eggs. You are an Auspicious Noble with good luck, so help hatch them.”
Jiu’er looked at the pile of eggs, then pinched the fat on his belly with a troubled expression.
“My Lord, how am I supposed to hatch them? Do I just sit on them? I don’t have any experience!”
“And I’m so heavy now, I’ll probably crush them!”
“What if I hatch them to death?”
Chen Zhou couldn’t help but laugh at his expression.
“Take them back to the Gathering Fortune Pavilion. Just look after them while you’re watering the unaging pine.”
“These beast eggs managed to maintain a sliver of life in the harsh environment of the Eternal Scars. The Gathering Fortune Pavilion is the place with the most abundant spiritual rhythm in the City of the Wrongfully Dead; they shouldn't die so easily.”
“Don’t worry too much.”
Chen Zhou handed the beast eggs over to Jiu’er. But there were too many for him to carry alone, so Jiao Mu Jiao had to help by carrying them on its back.
Chen Zhou followed behind them, opening his system panel as he walked.
Rate on N.U.
