Das Leben der Landbevölkerung in der Stadt während der Song-Dynastie

Kapitel 27

"Master, what's wrong with Sister Zhu'er? I've never seen her like this before," Hu Yi said worriedly.

"I don't know either. She's been so distraught ever since she met the deity."

"The God Lord?" Hu Yi looked puzzled. It seemed that he, like Ling'er, knew nothing about the Realm of Light.

“Yes.” Ling’er described to Hu Yi the situation after Lei Zhu’er returned from the God’s place.

"Could it be because of your identity?" Hu Yidao couldn't understand why Leizhu'er was so concerned about Ling'er being a hunter.

"I don't know, but I feel that she has known me for several lifetimes, so she must know me very well. In some ways, she even knows me better than I know myself."

"That's true, at least she knows more about your past lives than you do." Hu Yi looked up at Lei Zhu'er, he really couldn't understand it!

"Sigh! Looks like we'll be eating instant noodles again this month!" Eighteen, who had been walking beside Tearsdrop, exclaimed loudly. He was trying to get Tearsdrop's attention, but he didn't succeed because she acted as if she hadn't heard him at all, still lost in thought. Just like Qingluo, who had her brows furrowed.

Ling'er, however, couldn't help but ask curiously when she heard his words: "Why do you say that?"

"Because you lost money this time!" Kuang Ao also looked pained, but luckily he bought a computer in time.

"Loss? What did I lose?" Ling'er ignored Kuang Ao's pain. You can't trust what this guy says. He threatens suicide every day, but he never takes any action to show it.

"Oh, right, Master, the God of Wealth just called and said that the higher-ups are pressing him hard. He had no choice but to write a report saying that you are also powerless to help and that the case should be closed," Hu Yi explained.

"He called?" Ling'er wasn't too surprised when Hu Yi told her that Zhang Guoqiang had closed Qingluo's case, but she was a little annoyed that he hadn't informed her beforehand. She understood that "closing" meant fabricating some plausible lies to appease the ordinary people living in that city. After all, society needed stability more than the truth. If Kuang Ao said she lost money, he probably meant she didn't get the bonus. That didn't matter; she didn't do these things for money, but simply to do something for kind and innocent people—something every hunter must do. Besides, even if Zhang Guoqiang "closed" Qingluo's case, she would continue investigating until the truth was revealed. Moreover, there was the connection with Lei Zhu'er.

"Yes, you were in the Realm of Light at that time, and we couldn't contact you, so we had no choice but to do this!"

Ling'er took out her phone to call Zhang Guoqiang and tell him that there was some progress in the case. However, his phone was always off, so she had to give up.

We remained silent the entire way.

The underworld.

"Qingluo, this is the Underworld. Can your current spiritual power protect you? Should I set up a barrier around you?" Ling'er was about to chant a spell when Leizhu'er stopped her. "Master, just temporarily place the Blue Tear on her body!"

"Blue Tears??" Qingluo exclaimed in surprise. The Blue Tears, which possessed powerful spiritual energy, was actually here with the Holy Lord? She had always thought that the Blue Tears only existed in legends.

"Is there something wrong?" Ling'er asked, puzzled. Blue Tear was just an ancient magical artifact, so why was Qingluo so surprised?

Qingluo glanced at Leizhu'er but said nothing, only her eyes revealed utter shock.

"I'll tell you about this when you want to regain your memories." Tears welled up with a slight smile, but it carried a hint of helplessness.

Ling'er didn't say anything more, but silently took out the Blue Tear and handed it to Qingluo.

"Ling'er, you're back so soon?" Tingting, dressed in white, suddenly appeared before everyone. However, her smile froze the moment her gaze fell on Qingluo. "This...this is the Nuwa clan member you were looking for?"

“Yes, she is that unfortunate woman, her name is Qingluo.” Ling’er nodded and said, “Qingluo, this is Tingting, a ghost messenger from the underworld, and also my good friend. We will have to trouble her today.”

Upon hearing this, Qingluo trembled and bowed down, saying, "Qingluo thanks you..."

"You're too kind. I'll do my best to help you with anything I can!" Tingting looked at the pitiful woman in front of her with heartache.

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her people who trembled at the sight of strangers. A pang of pain shot through her heart. How long would this shadow haunt her? A thousand years? Two thousand years? Or perhaps even longer?

The group followed Tingting to her residence, a simple yet exquisite house. Sitting around in the living room, Qinglu recounted her story in detail once more. The process was incredibly cruel, but there was no other way; to find Yuxiao's soul, she had to repeatedly reopen her wounds. "Yuxiao," Qinglu thought silently, "if you knew how much pain I'm in now, wouldn't you feel heartache? Would you still hold me in your arms and say you'll always be there?" Her heart ached as if pierced by a sharp blade.

“I also think you are right! It wasn’t Yu Xiao himself who killed you!” Tingting said after thinking for a moment after hearing the whole story.

"Really?" Qingluo trembled as if struck by lightning. Finally, someone shared her thoughts! Large tears fell again.

"Yes, believe me! I just ordered someone to look for his soul. If nothing unexpected happens, you can meet in half an hour. Then, everything will be clear."

"So soon?" She was about to see him again, and suddenly she felt scared, with a desire to run away. What if he really didn't love her anymore and was tired of her? Could she accept that fact? Qingluo felt so conflicted. When she couldn't see him, she couldn't wait to ask him face to face, but now that she was really about to face him, she wanted to run away.

Tears welled up beside her. Although she was indifferent to love, she could still sense something. So she held Qingluo's hand tightly.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Tingting stood up and said to Qingluo, "It might be Leiting who brought him!"

He's here? Qingluo gritted her teeth, her body trembling violently. She wondered how she should react the moment they met. Should she cry? Should she laugh? Should she scold her? Should she embrace her? Or should she simply gaze at him quietly, just like their first encounter a thousand years ago?

The door opened, but Qingluo froze, because only a strange man entered.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ling'er, I haven't been able to complete the task you entrusted to me. I can't find the soul of that person named Yu Xiao!"

"What?!" everyone exclaimed in surprise!

Qingluo collapsed to the ground as if her bones had been ripped out. Ling'er and Leizhu'er quickly helped her up, but they didn't know what to say, so they just watched her silently.

"How is this possible? Thunder, why is this happening?" Tingting asked in disbelief.

(7) More trouble arises.

"I don't know. I've tried everything but I can't sense his presence." Thunder sighed helplessly.

“Perhaps Yu Xiao isn’t in the Underworld?” Ling’er asked.

"Maybe!" Didn't Tingting herself wander around the human world for a while after she died?

"No! That's impossible!" Thunder's voice shattered Qingluo's last hope. She knew it; heaven was punishing her for her thousand years of willfulness.

"Why? When I died..."

Before Tingting could finish speaking, Leiting waved his hand to interrupt her: "Although you didn't come to the Underworld at that time, we could still sense your presence. Yu Xiao is different; his situation is very bad."

Upon hearing this, Qingluo felt as if she had been abandoned in an ice cave. How could this be? Didn't she just say she could see him? How could things change so quickly?

"What's the worst-case scenario?" Qingluo's unfocused gaze revealed despair. She neither cried nor laughed, which only made her more pitiful.

"His soul has been scattered." Thunder's answer was exactly what everyone expected.

"Maybe it's not that bad, or maybe he's been imprisoned by hunters..." Ling'er comforted him.

“Master is right, that’s possible. Qingluo, there’s still hope.” Tears welled up as she held Qingluo’s soft yet cold hand.

"I think we should go back to the human world and look for it," Hu Yidao said after a long silence.

"Who knows, there might be some unexpected gains!" Eighteen and Arrogance chimed in.

"All right."

After returning from the Underworld, Ling'er first took Qingluo back to her residence. Everyone needed rest, including Qingluo. Ling'er had a vague feeling that Yu Xiao's condition was very bad, as bad as Lei Ting had described. What if he really had been completely destroyed? How would Qingluo accept that? She looked at the Blue Tear in her hand, still faintly emitting a pale blue light. When they returned from the Underworld, Lei Zhu'er had suggested that Qingluo possess the Blue Tear, since she was a spirit and it was best not to be discovered. Besides, the spiritual power within the Blue Tear could protect her. Tingting had originally wanted to come along, but unfortunately, the King and Queen of the Underworld were not present, and there were many things for her and Lei Ting to handle, so she couldn't leave. When they arrived, she stopped Ling'er and told her not to mention to Cai Meng that she had saved him. The story of Qingluo and Yu Xiao had made her realize that a love without a future would only cause suffering for both people. If it had to be this way, she would rather suffer herself.

Tears welled up and left, without saying where she was going. Hu Yi went straight to get a facial after entering the house. It was quite a miracle that he hadn't caused any trouble these past few days. Shi Ba had also ordered a lot of delicious food, enough for an ordinary person to eat for half a month, but for Shi Ba, it was just a small amount. As for Kuang Ao, he was naturally in his room with his laptop, continuing to tell his ghost friends on Tianya about his experiences over the past few days. However, anyone with a normal mind would think that his thinking was abnormal.

Ling'er was actually quite envious of them. These big, rugged guys seemed to have nothing to worry about but dry skin, lack of meat, and not being able to go online for a while. She put the blue tears in her bedroom, took her phone to the balcony, dialed Chang Xiao's number, but didn't press send. The weather was getting cooler, but the leaves outside hadn't fallen, still exuding the scent of summer. People came and went on the streets, some walking quickly, others strolling slowly. How wonderful it would be to be an ordinary person, but people can't choose their own destiny. In the months since she met Chang Xiao, so many things had happened. What kind of person was she in her past life? She didn't seem to be mortal; otherwise, why would the Holy Maiden of the Nuwa Clan recognize her as her master? And Chang Xiao—his identity was also a mystery. Thinking about it carefully, there were so many mysteries surrounding her, but she really didn't want to know. The heart is a container; it can only hold so much, and she was afraid she couldn't bear it.

Just as her thoughts were drifting, her phone rang. Ling'er was overjoyed, wondering if it was Chang Xiao. But when she saw the number, it was Cai Meng, and she felt a little disappointed.

"Senior sister? Why can't I get through to you no matter how many times I call you?" Cai Meng's anxious voice came through the phone.

"Something happened these past few days, I'll explain later. By the way, is there anything I can help you with?"

"One good news, one bad news, which do you want to hear first?" Mengmeng asked.

Ling'er thought for a moment: "Let's start with the bad one!"

"The Hunters Guild has run into trouble again..."

"What happened to my master?" Ling'er asked hurriedly before Cai Meng could finish speaking.

“This time it’s not my senior master! It’s some junior brothers!” Cai Meng explained.

"Some? How many is 'some'? What happened?" Although she was now expelled from the Hunters Club, she still worried when she heard that something always happened to the Hunters Club.

"There are six people involved in the incident so far. They are all level four or five hunters, and they are in the city where you are right now. Haven't you seen the news?" Cai Meng asked.

"How could I have time to watch the news? Besides, it's all a lie. Tell me what really happened!" Qingluo was already too busy with her own affairs to have time to watch TV. It's like one problem after another!

"Two days ago, the Hunter Headquarters received a report that hunters in S City had been involved in a series of accidents, resulting in the deaths of six people and serious injuries to two others. The injured had lost all their spiritual power. This is the first time in decades that the Hunter Association has suffered such a great loss. The Hunter King is taking it very seriously and has sent two Level 1 Hunters and Elder Swift Lightning to investigate. Senior Sister, you should also keep an eye on things."

"So that's how it is, I know. By the way, Mengmeng..." Ling'er wanted to tell him about Tingting, but then stopped.

"What's wrong?" Cai Meng asked when she stopped talking.

"It's nothing... You're here too?" Well, fate is predetermined, and she was afraid that she might have made things worse.

“I have a mission to complete in a few days. Besides, I know you’ll be fine, with Chang Xiao here! Hehe.” He knew Chang Xiao’s strength; if it weren’t for Chang Xiao, he would probably be buried in that terrifying extreme region by now.

"What's the good news?" Ling'er changed the subject. Chang Xiao hadn't even bothered to contact her! She was a little angry at his heartlessness.

"Good news! The Hunter King says you were rewarded for rescuing your master in the Extreme Domain last time, so he's reinstating your hunter status ahead of schedule!"

"Really?" Ling'er jumped up with joy upon hearing this. It was truly wonderful news for her. Although she always comforted herself that being removed from the list was better and that she was much more at ease now, she had to admit that it was just a helpless act of wishful thinking.

"Of course! Shouldn't you treat me, senior sister?" Cai Meng took the opportunity to rip her off.

“No problem! You want the stars in the sky right now, and your senior sister will pluck them down for cute little Mengmeng…” Ling’er said with a smile.

"Ugh..." Ling'er was in an extremely good mood after ending her call with Mengmeng. Seeing that Leizhu hadn't returned yet, she decided to go share her happiness with those men.

"Ah Yi, how come you're getting more and more handsome? I don't think you need to wear a face mask anymore! You're the most handsome one I've ever seen~" She said, tearing off the face mask from his face and pinching Hu Yi's cheek.

"Eighteen~~ How could you eat this? Throw it all away right now, it's bad for your health! Tomorrow I'll have someone order you a nutritious meal plan—guaranteed to help you lose weight~" Before Eighteen could react, the fried pork chop and smoked chicken leg on the table were thrown out the window. Immediately, loud shouts and curses could be heard from downstairs: "Who is it? So immoral? Throwing things downstairs?!"

Upon hearing this, the arrogant man stood up, ready to retaliate against the unfortunate man downstairs, but Ling'er grabbed him, saying, "Forget it, forget it~ It was all my fault first~ Wow, arrogant man, is this a novel you wrote? I absolutely adore you! You're practically the Shakespeare of our time!"

The three men stared at each other, completely bewildered, unsure of their master's next move. "Master, what's wrong? Did you suffer some serious blow?" Hu Yi mustered his courage and approached, touching his pinched cheek as he examined him.

"Me? I'm fine~ I'm great~ Hehe, hehe." Ling'er chuckled foolishly.

Eighteen cautiously reached out his greasy hand and touched her forehead. It was a little hot, but it shouldn't be this abnormal, right? He asked worriedly, "Did Changxiao dump you?" Ling'er didn't blame Eighteen at all. Her forehead was shiny with oil, which looked quite comical. She was still smiling foolishly.

Arrogant and clueless, even though he had only recently come into contact with humans, he vaguely remembered Confucius (or Tung Chee-hwa?) saying that women can change their minds faster than turning the pages of a book! He had to be extra careful! So he casually placed his notebook in a safe place, thinking that even if something unexpected happened, as long as the notebook wasn't damaged, it would be fine!

"I have great news to tell you! I've regained my hunter status!" Ling'er's eyes sparkled.

So that's how it is! Upon hearing this, the three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief! Since their master was so happy, not only were they safe, but they might even be able to take advantage of the situation and make a killing.

"No way! Senior Brother Hunter King is just too good to me! You three, hurry up and think of a way to repay him!" Ling'er frowned and paced back and forth in the room.

"Just try your best when you have a mission in the future!" Hu Yi replied casually.

“Oh right! Something happened to the Hunter Association recently! And it happened in S City. Although Senior Brother didn’t ask me to get involved, I still have to do something for him!” Ling’er gave Hu Yi an appreciative look.

"Ugh..." Isn't this just asking for trouble? Hu Yi wished he could slap himself! Shi Ba and Kuang Ao also glared at him fiercely!

"Well, Master, don't forget that Qingluo's matter hasn't been resolved yet! How can you have time to worry about anything else?" Hu Yi quickly changed his tune, saying that while she was making contributions to the Hunter Association, it was the men who suffered the most.

"Oh right, and Qingluo too. It seems I really don't have time to deal with her..." Ling'er sighed helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Shiba and Kuangao laughed! "He really is a sly fox!" The two secretly gave him a thumbs-up, meaning: "Brother, you're something else!"

Hu Yi tossed her long hair triumphantly and smiled silently: No, no! You flatter me!

"Sigh!" Ling'er gritted her teeth and said, "I originally thought that we would share the good times and the bad, and fight against evil together, but now, only the three of you have gone!"

Three loud noises followed: "Bang," "Thump," and "Clang." Oh no, it would have been better to investigate together; at least then I could have slacked off a bit.