Qianqian's Cause of Death

I looked at Qianqian and asked, "Can you tell me exactly how you died?

Uncle Liu said you called home the day before, but by the next evening, you said someone had harmed you."

Qianqian shook her head and said she did not know. I said that was impossible.

"You don't even know how you died? You said someone killed you—there had to be some kind of process, right?"

Qianqian kept shaking her head. "I don't know how I died either. I only remember going out with my classmates that day.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself inside a well. My corpse was floating on the water in the well.

At first, I didn't dare believe I was dead. I was shocked and terrified.

Later, when I saw the weeds in the well passing through my body, I finally knew I was dead.

Then I wanted to get out, but when I floated upward, a yellow light struck me back down.

After that, I tried again and again, but the result was always the same.

Then I couldn't accept the fact that I was dead. I got furious, and after that, I lost consciousness.

When I regained consciousness, I found that my soul seemed to have become solid again."

After Qianqian finished recounting what had happened to her, I was still only half-clear on it.

Then I asked Qianqian, "What does it mean to have no physical form, then suddenly have one again?"

Before Qianqian could answer, Nangong Yiyi's voice came over.

"This situation is called a mutation. It refers to certain people who have just died and suffer some kind of shock, causing their souls to undergo an abnormal change.

If a ghost wants to cultivate, there must be yin energy where it died. That is an absolute requirement.

Take me, for example. There is also another kind of situation, where someone deliberately creates a 'Ghost Cultivator.'

They seal a living person inside a place and let them die.

Then they use sealing arts to trap the soul. That way, the person's soul will mutate.

Of course, the chance of success is very low. Only a small number can succeed.

But if it succeeds, the spellcaster can control the dead person's soul.

After gaining control, they erase the consciousness from the soul, or make it lose consciousness on its own.

Then they feed it yin energy. Once it reaches a certain stage, they can make the soul do their bidding."

After hearing Nangong Yiyi's explanation, I seemed to understand a little.

Then I said to Qianqian, "Go on. What happened afterward?"

Qianqian nodded and continued, "After I discovered that my soul had become solid.

I tried several more times, but I still couldn't get out. Every time, I was struck back down.

Then, in a fit of rage, I grabbed my fleshly body soaking in the water and smashed it toward the mouth of the well. Then I got out.

Because of that, all my strength was completely exhausted."

Hearing this made my heart ache, because Qianqian had been the great beauty of our village.

I had always liked her, but I had never dared to say it.

Later, she went to study in the city, and I was away attending university too.

So we lost contact. But even so, she had remained in my heart.

I gathered my thoughts and said to Qianqian, "Since it has already happened, it's too late to say anything now.

Besides, even if you hadn't been harmed, you might not have survived after returning to the village."

Qianqian lowered her head without speaking, so I asked what she planned to do now.

She said she did not know. Then she raised her head and looked at me, asking whether I could retrieve her body.

Her corpse was still soaking in the water, and now her soul felt an icy chill that pierced to the bone every day.

The moment Qianqian said that, my nose stung, and several tears fell.

I wiped away my tears and said to Qianqian, "All right. I'll go retrieve your body right now."

With that, I raised my foot, ready to leave.

Martial Uncle grabbed me. "Do you know which well her body is in?

And she was clearly murdered. We don't even know who is behind it.

Are you planning to rush over recklessly and throw your life away? You've completely lost your bearings."

I froze where I stood, then asked Martial Uncle what we should do.

Martial Uncle said we should return to the Bamboo Forest first and talk after getting through the night. The matter was complicated and required careful planning.

I said all right, and afterward our group headed for the Bamboo Forest.

When we returned to the Bamboo Forest, Nangong Yiyi and Qianqian stared blankly at the jars and bottles in the courtyard.

Seeing them like that, Martial Uncle casually said, "They're just lonely ghosts and wandering spirits. No need to mind them."

Then Nangong Yiyi curled her lips and said to Martial Uncle, "They aren't merely lonely ghosts and wandering spirits.

There are formidable characters in there too. The old man is no simple person.

But compared to what is inside, I am more interested in the old man's identity."

Martial Uncle remained expressionless and said he was merely a useless old man. What identity could he possibly have?

After saying that, Martial Uncle returned to the wooden house by himself. Before long, firelight appeared inside.

Nangong Yiyi had met a rebuff, so she walked toward the jar sealed with a red stopper.

She simply stood there staring at the jar. After a while, a voice came from inside.

"Well, kid, not bad. You managed to come back alive, and it seems you've even made a breakthrough."

I ignored him. He went on, "Who is this young lady in white beside you?"

Before I could speak, Nangong Yiyi clasped her fists toward the jar.

"This little woman is Nangong Yiyi. May I ask who Your Excellency is?"

The jar fell silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know who I am either.

By the way, do you know who I am? If you do, please tell me."

Nangong Yiyi's face darkened...

Just then, Qianqian tugged at me. I turned around, and she said she wanted to go outside and talk with me.

I went out with her and found a place to sit.

The two of us remained silent for a long time, and the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

I was the first to speak. "What did you want to say?"

Qianqian seemed to gather her courage. Looking into my eyes, she said,

"Brother A Tong... I actually like you. I've liked you since we were little.

I can tell that you probably... have feelings for me too, right?"

I admitted it openly, but what use was that now?

Qianqian was already dead. The one speaking to me now was only her soul.

Our homes had stood side by side, and we were both only children.

We had always gotten along especially well since childhood. Calling us childhood sweethearts would not have been an exaggeration.

Qianqian paused before continuing, "I had planned to apply to the university you attended, so we could be together.

I knew you were thin-skinned, so I planned to confess to you myself. I never expected something like this to happen in the village afterward.

Brother A Tong, do you know? When I found out you were still alive,

I was truly so happy. Really, happier than if I myself had lived."

After hearing that, I remained silent for a long time. I pulled Qianqian close and held her in my arms. Her body was ice-cold.

I comforted her, saying, "It's all right, Qianqian. Everything is over now. We need to look ahead."

Qianqian smiled at me, her gaze gentle. I held her like that for a long, long time without letting go.

Then Qianqian asked whether my father had escaped. I said I did not know either.

If my father were still alive, he should have come looking for me by now. But after so long, he still had not come.

Probably... sigh!

Just then, I heard a rustling sound behind me.

Qianqian heard it too, and we both turned to look behind us.

"Nangong Yiyi?" I cried out.

I asked Nangong Yiyi in an unfriendly tone, "What are you doing here?

And do you know it's very rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversation?"

Nangong Yiyi walked over gracefully and said, "Don't get so worked up, little brother.

That guy inside is boring, so I wanted to come out for a walk. I just happened to overhear you when I passed by."

Then she looked at me teasingly. "Judging by the two of you, this is a love affair between human and ghost that remains unfinished. Want big sister to help you?"

I was stunned and asked Nangong Yiyi, "How would you help me? Qianqian is already dead. Don't tell me you can bring her back to life.

If you had that ability, why didn't you resurrect yourself?"