Dusk was approaching, and the low murmur of bells drifted from afar.
The sound did not seem to come from an object. Rather, it seeped up from underground, overflowing from some elusive void, passing through mortal flesh to hammer at the soul, stroke after stroke.
It caused no dull ache, but carried a presence impossible to ignore.
Fang Rou looked up and smiled in acceptance. "Looks like it's time for us to go."
The bells that made souls tremble brushed past the dust floating in the air like rustling dead leaves, as intangible as the moon reflected in water.
They drew closer from afar, trailing a lingering resonance into the hall.
The argument stopped, and everyone looked toward the arrivals.
The Guard Army led several ferrymen into the hall. Beyond the open doors, a vast expanse of sunlight poured inside.
"Everyone, the ferrymen of the River of Forgetfulness have come to take you into the river for the River of Forgetfulness Reform."
The ferrymen walked in, while the souls gathered here walked out. As they passed each other, many souls patted the ferrymen, brushing away the thick sorrow brimming in their eyes.
"We're old friends who see each other often. We couldn't say hello before, but now we have to tell you: thank you for all your hard work."
Sunlight shone through the insubstantial souls onto everyone.
Mu Bingge's father stood in the light. His raised hand passed through her cheek, and he loosely encircled her in a deeply cherished embrace.
"You've grown up..."
Fang Rou stood before Chen Ze. Light passed between them, separating them by an unbridgeable distance.
She gazed at the spot of light falling between Chen Ze's brows and said with a smile, "The sunlight passed through my soul and landed on your forehead. That counts