Chapter 77

At the Huaijiang Observation Bureau, demonic energy spread across the sky like thick black fog, completely enveloping the surroundings. The new office building was engulfed by dragon soul energy, now completely submerged in a black sea, causing even a quarter of the spiritual energy beneath the old office building to tremble.

Ordinary humans couldn't see these anomalies, but the supernatural beings inside the building could sense them all. Hong Ximing and other demons looked surprised, quickly moving to the windows where they witnessed the chaos.

The dragon soul emerged from the black mist, his face gloomy as he descended upon the iron gate, perching on the edge of the railing while looking down at the rising Observation Bureau. His wide, intricate robes billowed in the wind, just as they had when he proudly stood on battlefields years ago.

A thousand years ago, this place was desolate; now it flourished with towering buildings.

"Miao Li—" Hu Chenrui's office was in the new building. He rushed out through the entrance, wearing an elegant Tang suit with elaborate knots at the collar. He had dropped his concealment spell, no longer maintaining his usual modest modern appearance.

"I'm here."

Several black flames appeared as Miao Li arrived with the Observation Department members. He wore a dark Demon Suppression Robe fastened at the top with silver eye-shaped clasps, his cold expression confronting the black-robed dragon soul at the gate.

The dragon soul swept his gaze over the black cloaks worn by the demons, his brows furrowing and features twisting in anger: "Since you've already stolen my power, why do you still imprison the pearl!?"

The Demon Suppression Robes shared the same origin as the dragon god's demonic energy, clearly forged from his spiritual power, which gave them the ability to teleport and suppress demons.

"What are you talking about?" Miao Li replied flippantly, "We're just recycling waste. You think I want to wear this uniform?"

Hu Chenrui quickly arrived at the scene, also on high alert, and asked: "Where's the Divine Lord?"

With the dragon soul appearing, it was strange that Xin Yunmao, his primary enemy, was nowhere to be seen.

Niu Shi answered frankly: "He went farming."

Hu Chenrui: "?"

Fierce winds arose as two streams of black demonic energy collided, and suddenly the Demon Suppression Robes worn by the group dissipated!

The dragon soul swept his right sleeve, declaring harshly: "If you don't want to wear them, then take them off!"

"Tch, looks like we'll have to do this the old way." As Miao Li's Demon Suppression Robe gradually disappeared, it revealed a sleek, tight-fitting night suit underneath. His left arm was equipped with a gleaming iron claw that looked like it could be launched as a mechanical weapon.

Without modern attire or Demon Suppression Robes, the scene resembled their great battle from years ago, truly a moment of drawn swords and bent crossbows.

As cold demonic energy spread, Hong Ximing called for other personnel to take shelter, leaving the outside to Director Hu and the Observation Department.

Little Bug and Little Xia fled the building in panic, only to be stopped by Hong Ximing, who asked about the situation in the Economic Development Department.

"Jin Yu already left with Section Chief Wu, but Director Chu and the others don't seem to be in the bureau."

"That's good, go find Director He!"

In the courtyard, Miao Li noticed the dragon soul circling around, hesitating to launch a fierce attack. He taunted with a smile: "No way, no way, has the mighty Dragon God become so weak that he doesn't dare enter the bureau?"

"I get it now, having only one-eighth isn't enough. You were appointed by heaven and earth through the back door, no wonder that bamboo was useless from the moment it was born."

The dragon soul's face darkened as he raised his hand, sending forth demonic energy: "You're asking for death!"

The massive demonic energy took the form of a dragon, roaring to the heavens before crashing like a wave toward Miao Li!

Hu Chenrui gripped an ancient coin tightly, preparing to throw it: "Be careful—"

"I can handle it!"

Miao Li shouted back, curving his hands into claws, ready to tear apart the giant dragon. Suddenly, a green demonic energy gathered before him, directly blocking the fierce dragon head!

Countless green flames scattered like bamboo leaves, merging and neutralizing with the black dragon, falling to the ground in pieces before vanishing instantly.

Xin Yunmao appeared suddenly in the small courtyard, his long hair bound in a crown, wearing a deep green ancient robe. He frowned and said coldly: "Can't the cat clan avoid trouble? Must you provoke him to come destroy the vegetable garden?"

Fortunately, he had arrived in time, having guessed that Miao Li would act and potentially tear the bureau in half.

Miao Li justified himself: "If it's destroyed, can't we just rebuild it!?"

"Let's end this quickly, not in the bureau," Xin Yunmao said decisively, "No destroying things."

The dragon soul stared at the handsome man in green robes, golden pupils churning with blazing flames as he berated: "Xin Yunmao, I never expected that even after becoming a god, you would be in league with them, actually allowing yourself to be confined by a mere human woman. How despicable."

"Sorry, unlike you who has no name, my name is Yunmao." After proudly showing off, Xin Yunmao looked confused and retorted, "What confinement? She's clearly the one who's keeping me in the courtyard—"

Hu Chenrui's expression turned peculiar as he quietly reminded: "Divine Lord, there isn't only Director Chu among human women. Have you considered that you might have misunderstood?"

The dragon soul clearly wasn't referring to Chu Zhishui, but to another human woman.

Yet the Divine Lord had publicly revealed details about being a kept man, completely confirming the bureau's long-standing rumors.

Xin Yunmao: "..."

"Since you're here, I should leave." Black flames burned around the dragon soul as his face gradually disappeared into the demonic energy, like ashes scattering in the wind.

Miao Li sneered: "Making escape sound so elegant?"

Watching the dragon soul leave, Hu Chenrui suddenly realized: "No, he came to disperse our Demon Suppression Robes so we can't move..."

Ordinary demons don't all have teleportation abilities; the Observation Department's ability to move through space mainly relied on the Demon Suppression Robes. In fact, this was the Dragon God's innate talent from years ago, which he could naturally control at will.

"Divine Lord, isn't Director Chu with a human girl..." Hu Chenrui turned around abruptly, but saw no one. "Divine Lord?"

Xin Yunmao had already vanished; where he had stood moments ago was now completely empty.

Meanwhile, things weren't going well in the tea garden. After Xin Yunmao left, Chen Zhuhui suddenly felt unwell, experiencing full-body fever and dizziness that left her unable to stand. She was helped to rest on one side, sitting directly on the ground as she couldn't make it to the cabin. Now her forehead was covered in sweat, her face pale with pain.

Old Bai kept circling around Chen Zhuhui anxiously: "What's wrong? Suddenly fallen ill?"

"Water's here! Have some water!" Huang and Hei returned from the cabin with mineral water.

"I'll call emergency services. Don't move her unnecessarily; it could be an acute condition." Chu Zhishui had been worried about the bureau, but seeing Chen Zhuhui fall ill, she quickly took out her phone and asked softly, "Zhuhui, do you still have strength to speak? Where exactly does it hurt?"

Only by knowing where the symptoms were could they find a way to provide first aid and describe the condition over the phone.

Chen Zhuhui spoke in a barely audible voice: "My back... it's burning..."

Chu Zhishui froze: "Your back?" She had thought it was acute gastroenteritis or something similar.

Old Bai was extremely anxious: "Was she stung by a poisonous insect?"

Since Old Bai and the other demons couldn't check, Chu Zhishui hurriedly stepped forward and lifted the other's clothes slightly, seeing the familiar black marks. She hadn't had a chance to see the full extent before, truly believing it was just a birthmark or blemish, but those spots exposed to the light were clearly the same as the burn marks on Xin Yunmao's sleeves.

Chen Zhuhui's features contorted as she gritted her teeth in endurance: "My head hurts too... it's about to explode..."

Countless memories that didn't belong to her surged forth, showing scenes of men and women with blurred faces wearing ancient clothing. They were laughing and talking while appreciating lanterns on a bridge, only their embracing silhouettes visible.

[Precious Pearl, is it beautiful?]

[It's beautiful. Where did these lanterns come from? I thought I had missed them. I heard they were already gone.]

[It was simply a matter of having them hold another lantern festival.]

[Indeed, 'Ten miles of street markets connect, on the moonlit bridge watching immortals.' You truly are an immortal.]

Chen Zhuhui softly recited these verses, suddenly experiencing a spiritual shock: "On the moonlit bridge... watching immortals..."

"What?" Chu Zhishui listened to the verses in confusion. Seeing the other's dazed state, she quickly asked, "Zhuhui, are you alright?"

At that moment, the sky had somehow become covered in dark clouds, countless streams of demonic energy gathering above the tea garden, rolling like dark waves as the clouds gradually took the shape of a dragon.

Strange sounds came from afar, whether thunder from an impending storm or angry dragon roars was unclear.

From the black mist, the dragon soul in his ink-colored ancient robes appeared, looking straight ahead until he quickly locked onto his target, staring at Chu Zhishui and Chen Zhuhui. Sёarᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"It's him—" Old Bai exclaimed, "Director Chu, run quickly!"

If the Dragon God knew about the relationship between Chu Zhishui and Xin Yunmao, he would never let her go and would surely eliminate her without hesitation.

Dragon Soul stepped forward dejectedly, saying, "Baozhu, I've come to get you."

Old Bai, seeing him walk straight toward the two women, recklessly rushed forward to block his path to Chu Zhishui and Chen Zhuhui, trying to buy them time!

Dragon Soul brushed Old Bai aside with one palm: "You fool who doesn't know life from death!"

"Yunmao—"

A pure white light suddenly appeared, violently rushing toward Dragon God. The Dragon Bone Umbrella and Xin Yunmao appeared almost simultaneously!

When Chu Zhishui saw Dragon God, she both reached for her umbrella and called out to him at the same time, truly achieving two things at once!

This strike sent Dragon Soul tumbling backward, preventing him from releasing demonic energy to dissolve it, because the white light itself contained no demonic energy.

Immediately after, blue-green demonic energy surged forth like a vast forest, covering the sky and earth as it rushed forward, directly trapping him again, transforming into unbreakable green branches that bound him tightly.

Deep black flames rose up, attempting to burn away the branches and leaves, but proved ineffective under the suppression of the demonic energy.

Xin Yunmao arrived at the summons and sneered: "You think I'm the same as a thousand years ago, that you could burn through me again?"

Dragon Soul said hatefully: "You're just showing off because my power isn't complete!"

Xin Yunmao mocked: "Who got their hand cut off a thousand years ago? Need me to help you remember?"

"So you actually have a believer here..." Dragon Soul glared at Chu Zhishui in the distance, "No wonder you came so quickly, and she's even holding Baozhu hostage."

He was deliberately stalling for time, waiting for Xin Yunmao to leave so he could seize the opportunity to take Baozhu, but he hadn't expected him to leave a follower behind.

"Sorry, but you're wrong. I'm actually her follower," Xin Yunmao said irritably. "Unlike you back then, gathering a bunch of demons when you couldn't win, she at least just called for me, showing some principles."

Back then, Xin Yunmao had been surrounded by Dragon God and his followers in a bitter battle, and only briefly allied with other demons afterward to truly escape the predicament, winning despite being outnumbered. At that time, Dragon God's influence was overwhelming, and few demons dared to oppose him - this was the original force of the Huaijiang Observation Bureau.

Huang and Hei had already run over to check on Old Bai's injuries, fortunately finding nothing serious.

After Dragon Soul was caught, Chu Zhishui lowered the Dragon Bone Umbrella but remained beside Chen Zhuhui, asking in confusion: "Wait, what did he say? Who am I holding hostage?"

Dragon Soul roared: "Shameless wretch! Actually holding Baozhu hostage!"

The next moment, the green branches slapped him across the face, forbidding him from shouting at Chu Zhishui again.

"Baozhu?" Chu Zhishui was completely bewildered. She glanced at the person in her arms and suddenly had an epiphany, "Zhuhui, do you know him?"

Dragon Soul clearly wasn't looking for Chu Zhishui, and there was only one other human present.

Chen Zhuhui was now weak and powerless. She had been terrified when she saw Grandpa Xu rush forward earlier, and was still shaken. She stared at the strange man and shook her head in confusion.

She had never seen Dragon Soul since birth.

Dragon Soul: "Impossible, don't you remember? We used to go on spring outings together and write poetry, and whenever you were unhappy at home, we would sneak out to guess lantern riddles at the night market..."

Chen Zhuhui became even more confused. She struggled to sit up and said in surprise: "I've never been to a night market."

She had few recreational activities, and even going shopping in the city only started after she entered university, and that was with the Economic Development Department.

Chu Zhishui: "Writing poetry? Guessing lantern riddles?"

Xin Yunmao, who had been reading current news lately, said flatly: "How outdated, those things aren't even done in this era anymore."

Seeing her bewildered face, Dragon Soul tried to help her remember: "And that time when your parents scolded you and you missed the lantern festival, we went to the long bridge together to watch the lanterns, you were so happy that day..."

Chen Zhuhui hesitated as images flooded her mind: "...Lantern festival?"

Chu Zhishui calmly interrupted: "You must have the wrong person. There's no lantern festival in Huaijiang, and she's not who you're talking about."

Dragon Soul: "Impossible! Baozhu has my mark on her, no matter how she changes, I can recognize her!"

Old Bai, sitting to the side, suddenly became enraged and shouted hoarsely: "She's not Baozhu! She's Chen Zhuhui - Chen from Chen Dongfan, Zhuhui meaning she's not anyone's precious pearl, but born with wisdom!"

"This is the name her grandfather gave her back then, and I haven't forgotten a single word!" He suddenly raised his voice, openly challenging the Dragon God, arguing, "Her name is Chen Zhuhui, not Baozhu!"

Names hold special meaning for demons, and Old Bai wouldn't allow Chen Zhuhui's name to be erased, creating quite an impressive scene.

"Grandpa Xu..." Chen Zhuhui's eyes grew hot at these words, and she was almost moved to tears. She managed to gather some strength and struggled to stand up.

Seeing her stubbornly rise, Chu Zhishui had to help support her, not knowing what she intended to do.

Chen Zhuhui gathered her courage and looked directly at the bound Dragon Soul, asking: "Did you put the mark on my back?"

Dragon Soul's eyes lit up: "Yes, you finally remember. As long as you have that, I can..." find you.

"Why would you do such a thing? Do you hate me that much?" Chen Zhuhui's eyes darkened as she lowered her head, "I discovered long ago that even a knife couldn't remove it."

When Chu Zhishui heard "knife," her heart jumped as she suddenly realized. Back then, Chen Zhuhui's refusal to go to the hospital wasn't because she feared the laser would hurt, but probably because she knew it couldn't be easily removed.

Old Bai also showed a shocked expression and anxiously said: "Zhuhui..."

"Don't worry, Grandpa Xu, that was when I was young. I won't do such things anymore," Chen Zhuhui softly reassured him. "I was just ignorant then, and after hearing hurtful words, I made mistakes."

Her grandfather had scolded her severely then, but also shed hot tears, blaming himself for not taking better care of her.

She began to learn to be more sensible, realizing that while some people might never accept her, she needed to live for those who did accept her.

Chen Zhuhui looked at Dragon Soul, her eyes glistening with tears as she said sadly: "Why did you leave this mark? What did I do wrong in the past to make you hate me so much?"

She couldn't understand why she was born with the mark, just as she couldn't understand why life was so bitter - losing things she held, watching loved ones constantly leave, making it hard to breathe, like an endless night without even a glimmer of light.

She had thought others were lying when they said she brought bad luck, but after all this time, it turned out to be true, and the culprit had even come looking for her.

Dragon Soul looked at her helplessly, wanting to say something but finding himself too heartbroken to speak.

He wanted to speak of love, but she spoke of hate.

She believed meeting him was a misfortune.

The demonic energy binding him wasn't particularly painful, but her words made him feel suffocated, a truly fatal blow.

Xin Yunmao suddenly said: "Without an agreement, demons can easily affect humans with just a slight touch, especially after ascending to godhood - it's as easy as crushing an ant. Once the mark is made, you can't resist or struggle free."

In the past, Dragon Soul had freely given many things to please Baozhu, not realizing he had inadvertently made things worse. Once Chen Zhuhui was touched by even a bit of dragon flame, her fate could never be straightforward, as some mysterious law would always take something away.

No matter how strong human will is, people always lower their guard around those close to them and rarely refuse their goodwill and gifts. The gifts from ascended demons aren't just gold and jewels - they can even bring power to families. Anything reasonable in the world can be smoothly achieved.

Baozhu could probably make things happen just by mentioning them. Even if she didn't know it, she had already received these benefits.

Most people hope for good fortune to come their way, and few can think clearly when luck is on their side - why is it happening to them specifically?

They ignore what they have and only desire more, thus giving rise to troubles, as the five poisons and eight sufferings burn ever stronger.

"You think I don't know?" Dragon Soul wanted to tear Xin Yunmao apart and said angrily, "If she could ascend to godhood and gain boundless life, everything would naturally be offset."

If he had succeeded back then, how could he possibly be bound now?

Only by transcending both humans and demons could one gain true freedom in heaven and earth.

"Why would I want boundless life?" Chen Zhuhui shook her head repeatedly, her voice trembling, "Isn't this bitter life long enough already?"

Dragon Soul hurriedly said: "How could it be bitter? When you're above all others, the troubles you spoke of before will mean nothing..."

Chen Zhuhui silently looked at him, as if finding his words absurd.

"Not everyone thinks that way. You're just projecting your own thoughts onto others, mistakenly believing that's what they want, merely moving yourself emotionally," Chu Zhishui said. She then turned to Xin Yunmao and asked, "Is there any way to solve this?"

"If it's about the marks on her body, you can use the Dragon Bone Umbrella to resolve it," Xin Yunmao glanced at Chen Zhuhui and calmly said, "But if it's about her fate, that's something only she can change."

If Chen Zhuhui continued to harbor pessimistic thoughts, no matter how many times others helped her up, nothing would change. People may not learn from being taught something a hundred times, but they'll understand after experiencing it once - it all depends on personal enlightenment.

Destiny is determined by heaven, but fortune is created by oneself. When she truly lets go, she'll achieve enlightenment.

Chu Zhishui asked gently, "Zhuhui, do you want to remove that mark?"

Chen Zhuhui was stunned: "Can it be removed?"

"Let's try, I'll be careful," Chu Zhishui gripped the Dragon Bone Umbrella, "We can't give up easily, can we?"

"...Alright."

After receiving guidance from Xin Yunmao, Chu Zhishui took Chen Zhuhui a little distance away, asked her to lift her clothes, and instead of touching with the umbrella tip, aimed at the burn mark from afar.

Pure white light gathered, slowly covering the area, not as a forceful attack but flowing like warm water, silently washing away the black marks.

Chen Zhuhui, facing away from Chu Zhishui, suddenly exclaimed, "It's really gone!"

"How do you know without looking back?"

"Because it doesn't hurt anymore."

When they returned, Chen Zhuhui felt light as a feather, freely stretching her arms, her face no longer showing signs of torment.

Old Bai excitedly circled around: "Is it really better? Is it really better?"

Chen Zhuhui: "Yes, it's really better."

Xin Yunmao expressionlessly secured the dragon soul and looked toward Chu Zhishui: "Now call Hu Chenrui and that cat to deal with him, the Demon Suppression Robe should work again."

Old Bai hesitated: "My Lord, then we..."

Chu Zhishui remembered the original task and looked at the sapling, suggesting: "Since we're here, why don't you go with Zhuhui to plant the fruit tree?"

Today was supposed to be a pleasant tree-planting day, who knew an uninvited guest would appear.

"Alright!"

As Chen Zhuhui followed Old Bai, already halfway there, the dragon soul suddenly spoke.

"Was what you said earlier true?"

Chen Zhuhui stopped in her tracks, fingers tightly clenched, and turned back: "What?"

The dragon soul said gloomily: "Such bitter days are too long..."

Hearing these words, Old Bai showed concern, also watching Chen Zhuhui.

"Yes, I used to feel that way often, every extra day was unbearably painful..." Chen Zhuhui lowered her eyes, "But you have to keep living to encounter good things, perhaps if you hold on a little longer, dawn will break."

She hadn't expected to join the bureau before, but if she hadn't persevered, none of this would exist now.

She didn't know what the future held, nor would she imagine endless longevity. For those lacking happiness, a long life doesn't feel like a blessing, but rather a curse like purgatory.

However, she was gradually experiencing happiness each day, still unable to imagine the joy of longevity, but could now envision tomorrow's happiness.

She would work at the bureau, chat with Chu Zhishui about the silver university, laugh and eat during lunch breaks, tinker with the ice cream machine with Jin Yu, pick vegetables in the evening, and secretly cook special dishes in Niu Shi's cafeteria. In her spare time, she would run to the tea garden and eat fruit with Grandpa Su.

Nothing earth-shattering, just small mundane things, but they made life interesting.

She was an intern at the bureau, learning to be happy.

Hearing this, Chu Zhishui felt relieved and comforted her: "Alright, go plant the tree!"

Chen Zhuhui's expression also relaxed, her steps becoming lighter as she left with Old Bai and the other spirits.

The dragon soul watched Chen Zhuhui's retreating figure, seeming drained of all strength: "She's not Baozhu. Baozhu would accept me, she would definitely understand my thoughts."

Baozhu was born into a noble family, while Chen Zhuhui grew up in the countryside, naturally unable to comprehend many things.

If Chen Zhuhui had grown up in wealth, she would have tightly held onto everything she had, refusing to let go.

Hearing this, Chu Zhishui frowned slightly and objected: "Would she accept you, or would she have no choice but to accept, only able to listen to your imposed ideas?"

The dragon soul's thinking was so rigid, he probably didn't understand Baozhu back then either.

His eyes blazed: "What are you saying..."

"Ten li of bustling market streets connect, watching immortals from the moonlit bridge. Life is best ended in Yangzhou, with Chanzi Mountain's light perfect for a grave." Chu Zhishui recited methodically. "In such beautiful times, the poet unexpectedly turns from 'life' to write of 'death.' It seems unsentimental at first, but upon careful thought, it's ingenious. Incorporating death into poetry makes it more vivid, truly the highlight of the piece."

"This was knowledge from the college entrance exam, and you and Baozhu were closer to this poem's era, shouldn't you understand it better?" she said calmly. "Is it that you don't understand, or are you pretending not to?"

This was the poem Chen Zhuhui had just mentioned, and Chu Zhishui vaguely guessed something but didn't want to pressure her, so she hadn't said anything.

She didn't believe Chen Zhuhui was Baozhu; perhaps the residual black flames had brought the dragon soul's memories, causing Chen Zhuhui to inexplicably recall certain scenes, just as Xin Yunmao had been forced to entangle with the dragon god and feel his consciousness.

The dragon soul looked at Chu Zhishui in disbelief. He certainly knew the poem's origin - it was from Baozhu's happiest day.

He thought Baozhu hadn't mentioned the second half, perhaps feeling it was inauspicious, never considering she might have been hinting at something.

[Indeed, ten li of bustling market streets connect, watching immortals from the moonlit bridge - you are the immortal.]

[Why do people have so many troubles? One thing after another, it's suffocating.]

[Then escape this state, stop being human, and you'll have no troubles.]

[It's not that easy. Do spirits have no troubles? I see you're tired from interacting with them too, they don't understand you either, and they've been secretly discussing you lately.]

[With their mindset, they naturally can't understand me. As long as you understand me, that's enough. You can become like me.]

[...Never mind, it's too exhausting.]

[As long as you have time to watch the lanterns with me, I'll have no troubles.]

But his affairs grew increasingly numerous, and his time became increasingly scarce. Even occasionally watching lanterns and traveling became mere fantasies.

The rise of new gods would inevitably lead to his decline. Without power to stabilize his position, everything would be like flowers in a mirror and moon in the water, fragmenting, and his followers would recede like the tide.

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He thought she would be happy; he thought he would gain happiness after victory.

The dragon soul looked devastated, suddenly becoming dejected, only able to stare blankly at Chu Zhishui, as if deeply shocked, thunderstruck, not yet recovered from her words.

Seeing the dragon soul's gaze fixed on her, Xin Yunmao immediately emanated a cold aura, tightening the branches forcefully to intimidate him.

Moments later, Hu Chenrui and Miao Li arrived, hurrying to the tea garden to check the situation.

Hu Chenrui anxiously asked: "Xiao Chu, are you all alright!?"

"Director Hu, we're fine, and the raw material site is unharmed," Chu Zhishui said. "The male spirit who was stalking the human female has been apprehended."

The dragon soul said dazedly: "I didn't..."

Miao Li quickly pulled out foot shackles, decisively arresting the dragon soul, and said casually: "Very good, a thousand years ago you were arrested for disrupting peace, now a thousand years later you're arrested for harassing women. You're really making progress."

"In the future, when introducing the Observation Department, what's imprisoned below won't be old gods, but male perverts who stalk women."

"..."