Chapter 131: Final Chapter

Huang Jun’s husband family is in the distant south.

This household, while not considered wealthy, maintains a clean and upright family tradition, known far and wide for their diligence and simplicity—a reputable family.

Huang Rang journeyed all the way from the capital to this place, facing hardships that could be described as crossing mountains and traversing waters.

However, this place lacked the grandeur of Huang’s family, and at first glance, it seemed even less impressive.

After standing for a moment, a servant came out and, upon seeing her, was momentarily surprised.

“You…” the servant hesitated, “bear a striking resemblance to the goddess Xirang worshipped in the temple…”

—You really have a keen eye. Huang Rang asked, “Is Lady Huang Jun at home?”

The servant realized and quickly said, “Yes, please wait!”

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Mbl plahydv, zynjkdt kd xyddlap, eked’v kdhkvl Twydt Sydt kdpkel cwv bwaaklezu oldv kdvs vbl nswavuyae. Rd y pbsav obkzl, Twydt Kwd nyxl swv okvb y zkvvzl tkaz kd bla yaxp.

Mbl zkvvzl tkaz oyp nwvl, okvb nblljp yp aspu yp yrrzlp.

Twydt Kwd bye clld rzyukdt okvb vbl nbkze yp pbl oyzjle. Ebld pbl pyo Twydt Sydt, pbl oyp xsxldvyakzu pvwddle, cwv yqvla y obkzl, pbl pktble.

Tla lmralppksd alxykdle nyzx. Twydt Sydt zssjle yv vbl zkhlzu nbkze kd bla yaxp yde ypjle, “Pke usw byhl ydsvbla nbkze?”

“Ebyv dsdpldpl…” Twydt Kwd pnszele, “Fbl’p uswa taydeeywtbvla.”

Twydt Sydt oyp prllnbzlpp yde nswze sdzu vyjl vbl nbkze qasx bla bydep. Mbl zkvvzl tkaz eked’v alnstdkgl ydusdl yde alynble swv vs tayc vbl bykarkd sd Twydt Sydt’p blye.

Twydt Kwd pvsrrle vbl nbkze, blze Twydt Sydt’p byde, yde pyke, “Usxl, zlv xl xyjl usw y xlyz.”

Tszekdt bla taydeeywtbvla, Twydt Sydt nswzed’v blzr cwv qllz y xuakye sq lxsvksdp. Mbl nbkze oyp nwakswp yde alynble swv okvb bla vldela, obkvl bydep vs vswnb Twydt Sydt’p qynl. Twydt Kwd iwknjzu vssj vbl nbkze, pllxkdtzu yqayke vbyv pbl xktbv xlpp wr Twydt Sydt’p yrrlyaydnl.

Someone in the courtyard shouted, “Mother! Ke’er’s shoes are wet.”

Huang Jun responded, “Then change them; it’s such a trivial matter, and you still need to ask around. Just take the gray ones that were just dried!” After saying this, she looked at Huang Rang and smiled. “My daughter-in-law is young and not good at making decisions. Come inside.”

Huang Rang remained silent for a moment and said, “Back then, letting my sister marry here was a last resort. In fact… if you had gone to find Aunt, she would have settled everything for you. You could have lived freely, just like in the third dream, doing as you pleased. With your martial arts skills, in time, you would have shone brightly.”

Huang Jun listened with a look of longing, saying after a while, “Maybe. Although Shi Wenyu caused harm to many, I’m quite grateful for the dream. I tried a different way of life, and Aunt even said that if I worked a bit harder, I could inherit her mantle. But…” She raised her hand, gently stroking Huang Rang’s hair. “There are also some people in this world who make me willing to sacrifice my freedom.”

The little girl in her arms babbled, and Huang Jun playfully teased her, saying, “Look at how cute she is, isn’t she?”

Huang Rang lowered her head, witnessing the tender life frolicking and playing in the warm embrace.

In this world, some people, despite gazing at the sun, moon, and stars from afar, still dared to devote themselves to the mundane tasks of daily life.

Some mocked their foolishness, while others admired their solitary courage.

In the courtyard, an elderly man came out and asked, “Who’s here?”

Upon seeing Huang Rang, he was momentarily bewildered. “You are…”

Huang Jun said, “Don’t worry about it; go in and prepare the meal.”

Upon hearing this, the man said, “Alright, don’t let the guest talk outside. Everyone, come inside.” As he spoke, he walked over, took the child from Huang Jun’s arms, and carried her into the courtyard.

Huang Jun said, “He’s your brother-in-law.”

Huang Rang nodded. She didn’t have much of an impression of this brother-in-law; they hadn’t met many times, and he was known for being mild and gentle.

Looking at him now, decades later, he still had an unremarkable appearance but a kind and gentle demeanor.

Huang Rang asked, “Then why didn’t you tell him I’m his sister-in-law?”

Huang Jun replied, “We finally meet again after so long; I naturally want to know how you’ve been. What’s the point of telling him? Have you seen Uncle and Aunt? After so many years, you must miss them too.”

“I’m fine, and I’ve seen Uncle and Aunt.” Huang Rang was surprised at Huang Jun’s calmness and recounted her resurrection and the search for the couple.

Huang Jun listened attentively, and in the end, she nodded. “Uncle and Aunt were right to be concerned. Regarding this matter, it’s better not to publicize it.”

Her expression remained calm to an excessive degree, and Huang Rang was accustomed to her reserved nature. She said, “I won’t join for the meal; I’m leaving.”

Huang Jun nodded quietly and saw her off in silence. Walking quite a distance, Huang Rang asked, “Are you planning to send me back to the capital?”

Huang Rang was puzzled. “Why would I disappear?”

Huang Jun murmured, “Every time I saw you off in the past, I woke up.”

After being separated for half a lifetime, meeting again felt like a dream. Huang Rang’s eyes were reddened.

Late March.

The Celestial Court held a grand sacrificial ceremony.

The location was at the temple of the goddess, presided over by the chief of the Celestial Court’s Di Yiqiu, with Shi Zhenlang in attendance.

Because of the grand ceremony, many people arrived early. The capital was bustling with activity, and the streets were crowded.

Surprisingly, even Xie Hongchen, who had been in seclusion for many years, was alarmed.

On the day of the ceremony, almost all the eminent figures from the immortal sects and the court were present.

The people discussed it excitedly.

One person said, “The court and the immortal sects have been at odds for many years. It’s none other than goddess Xirang who can bring all factions together like this.”

Another person added, “Isn’t it? I heard even the head of the Yuhu Immortal Sect, Master Xie, is here. Hey, in that case, our goddess Xirang in the capital is the true orthodox goddess!”

Some complained, “Goddess Xirang is truly efficacious. But with so many believers, it will be impossible to burn incense and offer prayers in the future…”

As people chatted among themselves, Huang Rang hid in the crowd, participating in her own “sacrificial ceremony.”

Suddenly, a path opened up, and Huang Rang turned around to find a person dressed in white riding a sword towards her. He had a clear and cold demeanor, untouched by dust, as if he existed outside the turmoil of the mortal world.

Without uttering a word, the crowd parted. He walked through the dust with a divine presence.

“Master Xie! It’s indeed Master Xie!” someone exclaimed.

Xie Hongchen didn’t look at where the person was speaking; unimpeded, he walked forward gracefully, each step exuding an extraordinary bearing.

However, as he passed by Huang Rang, he suddenly turned his head.

Huang Rang smiled lightly and gave him a gentle bow.

After so many years, her ex-husband was still willing to set aside grievances and come to pay his respects. She felt grateful, but of course, it was only gratitude.

A fleeting astonishment flickered in Xie Hongchen’s eyes, but he didn’t turn back. The news of Huang Rang’s resurrection had not leaked from the Celestial Court, indicating that Di Yiqiu did not want anyone to know.

Now, at the grand sacrificial ceremony in the temple of the goddess, with such solemnity and seriousness, it was undoubtedly to garner more believers and increase the worship of the goddess. Xie Hongchen understood this very well, and that’s why he came.

Regardless of whether this action would be effective or not, he, like Di Yiqiu, didn’t want this person to fade from everyone’s memory.

But now, Huang Rang was quietly observing the ceremony in the midst of the crowd.

Under the gaze of thousands, Xie Hongchen couldn’t make any rash moves.

He could only stand below the platform, respected and feared by the crowd. So he silently stepped back, maintaining an arm’s length from them.

As the ceremony began, Xie Hongchen remained silent and motionless, quietly observing the ritual. Numerous times, he wanted to turn around, but the crowd surged like a tide, and he had no qualification to lose composure.

The intricate rituals of the ceremony held little interest for Huang Rang after a while. As the former lady of the Yuhu Immortal Sect, she was well acquainted with the proceedings of such ceremonies.

Today, the divine power in the temple of the goddess was unusually abundant, and she could distinctly feel her own strength increasing. This sensation was comforting. Trying to squeeze out of the crowd, a crisp and tender voice sounded in her ears: “Daddy, I want to eat candied haws!”

Huang Rang wasn’t surprised, but another voice said, “Watch the ceremony first; we’ll buy some later!”

This voice was too familiar!

Huang Rang turned abruptly, only to see a tall man also observing the ceremony. He had a three- or four-year-old child perched on his neck—clearly his son.

“No, I want to eat candied haws!” The child fidgeted and swayed.

Impatient, the man threatened, “Keep moving, and you’ll go home by yourself!”

As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly, and Huang Rang caught sight of those familiar eyebrows and eyes.

—Huang Yang.

Time is like a cycle, with everything rising and falling, cycling endlessly.

Huang Rang went to a roadside stall, bought two strings of candied haws, and squeezed back into the crowd. She handed one to the child on Huang Yang’s neck. The child hesitated, and “Huang Yang” turned around, only to see a stranger.

He could confirm they didn’t know each other, yet he felt inexplicably familiar.

“Oh… how can I accept this?” he laughed. Huang Rang said, “Just eat it.”

“Huang Yang” then said, “Thank you, sister!”

The child happily took the candied haw from Huang Rang’s hand and sweetly said, “Thank you, sister!”

“Good child,” Huang Rang comforted, but then handed over the other string of candied haws. “Huang Yang” was stunned.

Huang Rang smiled, “For you.”

“Me…?” “Huang Yang” looked incredulous. “Miss, you’re joking. I’m a grown man; I don’t need this. You should keep it for yourself.”

He spoke with a smile, and Huang Rang exerted all her strength to conceal the gleam of tears in her eyes. She whispered, “Eat it.”

Perhaps because her words were too gentle, “Huang Yang” involuntarily took the string of candied haws. The hawthorns coated with syrup were sour with a hint of sweetness. “Huang Yang” took a bite, and when he looked up again, the woman had already disappeared.

He didn’t know who this girl was; he just smiled and took another bite of the hawthorn.

—Regardless of who she was, these candied haws were indeed flavorful. Like the endless ages, filled with dried-up love and debts.

Huang Rang returned to the temple. Xie Hongchen’s gaze was slightly condensed; Huang Rang might deceive others, but apparently she couldn’t escape his eyes.

He saw Huang Rang blend into the goddess statue like a wisp of clear smoke.

…Could she be resurrected through the power of wishes and incense? He knew this could shake the immortal sects, arousing endless desires among cultivators. Naturally, he also understood why Di Yiqiu refused to make Huang Rang’s resurrection public.

Huang Rang listened to him narrate her life achievements at the closest place to Di Yiqiu. Nowadays, the prestigious families involved in breeding are no longer distinguished. The government-operated academies, thanks to figures like Sha Ruo’en and Zong Qiguang, were no longer mere facades.

The court presented her with many superior breeds. Many of these breeds had already been updated and improved upon their original breeding. Huang Rang looked down, occasionally commenting. The praise in her ears was already indifferent. She only waited for the ceremony to end so she could follow Di Yiqiu back home.

He spoke so much today; she could make him a roasted pear for dinner to soothe his throat.

Ah, speaking of roasted pears, her sister made the most delicious ones. She wonders if she’s here?

Huang Rang searched through the ant-like crowd and saw in the distance Huang Jun and her husband, along with their son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, attending the ceremony together. The couple whispered to each other, and Huang Jun, who usually had a reserved expression, even showed a hint of a smile.

“Huang Yang” still held his son, eating candied haws while watching the ceremony.

The gentle spring breeze caressed them, and as the sun gradually set in the west, time passed silently. Huang Rang even felt that perhaps Xi Yin had quietly grown up somewhere in this world?

In this human realm, fame and fortune are often illusory. Those thrilling and mysterious events, in the end, inevitably fall into the fireworks.

With the setting sun captivating her gaze, Huang Rang had no choice but to wait for the ceremony to end and the crowd to disperse along with the brilliance. Then she could follow Di Yiqiu back home.

The congratulatory speech was too dull; she became impatient and sent a message to the chief overseeing the ceremony.

“Husband,” her voice was sweet and dripping, each word a soul-stirring tease, “the sun is so scorching today. I’ve endured the sun’s exposure, but I can’t endure missing you…”

The chief’s body stiffened, almost reading the wrong congratulatory speech.

Then he evidently quickened the pace.

Huang Rang looked pleased, and then she saw Master Xie below, also visibly shaken.

…He… can… hear… this…

Goddess Xirang wished she could find a crack to slip into.

Finally, the ceremony concluded.

Master Xie gazed deeply at the goddess statue in the temple, then turned and left. Many years ago, on the Qilu terrace, that person had once nestled close, exchanging tender words. The words still echoed in his ears, but everything had changed.

He rode his sword into the setting sun, traversing the fading daylight, returning to that secluded, dark room. Memories were extinguished, and a person by his side took a cherry, dipped it, and brought it to his lips.

Facing his suspicion, the woman smiled cunningly, “The fruit isn’t sweet; I want to dip it in a little honey…”

In those complicated and confusing past events, half sincere and half insincere, the first sword immortal flying through the skies unexpectedly got injured by time. From then on, the wound never healed, and memories tortured him for a lifetime.

In the temple of the goddess, Huang Rang stayed within the goddess statue, waiting for Di Yiqiu to come and embrace her.

The chief escorted Shi Zhenlang away, finally turning back to the goddess statue. He tilted his head slightly, opening his arms toward her, saying, “Come.”

Huang Rang chuckled lightly, gracefully falling into his embrace.

Di Yiqiu lifted her, and she continued to mutter, “Later, we’ll go to the outskirts to pick pears. I know a place with mutated pear trees that should be ripe now. How about I make roasted pears for you tonight?”

“Sure.”

“you transform into a snake, I want to ride on your back. I haven’t ridden a snake before.”

“Let’s ride later.”

“Do you know, today I saw Huang Yang! I’m so happy! Husband, do you think if we have another child, it should be a person or an egg?”

“No more picking pears.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Ride a snake.”

…

Darkness descended, and the earth sank into obscurity.

In the serene twilight, the noisy crowd gradually dispersed.