Afterglow

After a moment's thought, Hu Mang asked again, "In other words, as long as I set up this 'Dragon-Shaped Meridian Diagram' properly, there won't be any problems?"

Eighth Master Hui exclaimed in surprise, "It seems you really don't want to be an official, kid? You don't want any kind of official position?"

"More or less."

If it weren't for the fragments, Hu Mang wouldn't mind having a stable job, but now, he'd rather be a middleman.

In this respect, we could learn a thing or two from Eighth Master, the tomb raider.

So how do you plan to settle things?

"Then how would you like to settle things, Eighth Master?"

Eighth Master Hui chuckled, "If you really don't want to do it, that's fine too. Then I can borrow this thing of yours for a couple of days to study. I'll announce to the outside world that the Ghost Lord confiscated it. That way, apart from the Dragon-Slaying Department, most other forces will probably ignore you."

"OK."

"So generous?"

"Didn't you say that Innate Law Treasure Cultivation Method and treasures for enlightenment? It doesn't matter who looks at them, if you can comprehend them, that'll be your skill."

"Eighth Master I like straightforward people like you, so I'll be frank with you too. I won't take yours for nothing. You said before that this meridian diagram probably has five levels: claws, scales, whiskers, head, and eyes, right? I dare say that after this old man finishes studying it, the probability of comprehending at least the 'whiskers' and 'scales' is quite high. Once this old man comprehends them, I'll teach you what I've learned."

"Beard" and "scales?"

Hu Mang suddenly recalled the scene he had witnessed at the Liu Household where the Ghost Dragon Vein had degenerated, first the dragon whiskers turned into a snake shape, and then the dragon scales disappeared.

Is it the evolution of the Ghost Dragon Vein, or is it serpentine?

"Good."

"Also, since you don't want to be an official, then you can be an advisor, just offering advice without actually asking any questions, just going through the motions."

Eighth Master Hui casually tossed over a token.

The Hu Mang took it; it was heavy, exuding a faint Yin Qi, and the character "yin" was engraved on it.

What's the use of this brand?

"It'll be easier to go down there, and it'll be easier to find me too. If you want to find me, just go to the Eighth Hall, the Hall of the City, to avoid going to the wrong place. Some people in the Underworld Bureau aren't as easy to talk to as you, Eighth Master."

The Eighth Hall of Yama? The Twelve King Yama?

King of the City resides in the Jade Reality Palace and is in charge of the Great Hell of Great Scorching Anguish, where he judges those who are unfilial to their parents and those who betray their loved ones.

So, is the "eight" in Eighth Master Hui's name the same as this "eight"?

Hu Mang silently put it away.

"We're all modern people now. Give me or Manqing a call before you come, so you don't come looking for nothing."

Eighth Master Hui pulled out a black-cased cell phone and exchanged numbers with Hu Mang. According to Eighth Master, this phone was called "Yin Hub No. 1," which was a special phone for the Underworld, and the signal had been specially tuned.

While typing Liu Manqing's phone number, Hu Mang couldn't help but look at his former fiancé, who was chattering away with his mother, and whispered, "Eighth Master, what's the deal with this Liu Household girl? Who possessed whom?"

"If it weren't for the Yin-Yang Passage, Liu Wuniang would definitely have succeeded. Even if she hadn't succeeded, Liu Manqing would have died and there would have been no way she could have possessed her body."

"But the coincidence lies in the fact that it is Yin-Yang Passage, where life and death can transform into each other, causing the mother and daughter to be unable to determine a winner for a time. Then, because Liu Wuniang used her serpentine nature to attract the Soul-Binding Willow, she was captured by the Ghost Willow and nourished by the Yin Qi the digested ghosts."

"The Yin and Yang were already in conflict, but then they were given a major boost, and then something went wrong. The conflict between Yin and Yang turned into harmony, and the harmony of Yin and Yang gave rise to Tai Chi. As a result, a new personality that inherited both the mother's and daughter's personalities appeared. She can perfectly control the snake's nature and, like you, is a highly skilled individual. Now she works for me and is also a Yin official."

Eighth Master Hui spoke eloquently; he hadn't been idle these past two days and had already figured out Liu Manqing's situation.

"Won't a person with two kinds of memories develop a split personality?" Hu Mang wondered.

That's generally true, but she's not an example of a typical case.

When Eighth Master Hui got into the mood, he dipped his finger in some wine and drew a yin-yang symbol on the table. He drew the dividing line between the yin and yang fish with particular spirit, making it look like a thin snake.

"See? She is the snake nature of the Soul-Binding Willow, which is her third personality. This personality is even more stable than that of an ordinary cultivator. Neither Yin nor Yang can exist in isolation. She uses the snake form to transform Yin and Yang in the human body, so no method of controlling the mind or spirit will work against her. Her cultivation speed will definitely be a thousand miles a day. Moreover, hehe," Eighth Master Hui paused and stopped talking.

Hu Mang understood what the other party meant. According to the other party, this "Liu Manqing" as a "human-shaped Snake Vein" would be even more valuable than Hu Mang himself if she were only in the Underworld Bureau. Her perfect snake nature could possess all the Ghost Dragon Vein!

"Any other requests? Just tell me, and I'll fulfill them for you right now if I can."

Hu Mang thought for a moment and told Eighth Master Hui about Old Third's idea of getting promoted. He also asked if the higher-ups knew about Old Third's live-streaming ghost encounter.

"Oh, him? He's also one of our top candidates. Since he's in such a hurry to get things done, let's give him a spot. As for the live stream you mentioned," Eighth Master Hui paused for a moment, then chuckled.

"This can be considered an experiment. We have people specifically monitoring this. In ancient times, Yin and Yang were separate, but we later investigated and found that this separation was one of the reasons why Spiritual Qi was difficult to cultivate in ancient times. However, bringing ghosts completely into the Yang World would probably create even bigger problems, whether social or ethical."

"So don't you think that live streaming is a great way to harmonize yin and yang?"

Is this even possible?

Hu Mang inexplicably thought of a poem.

When I was a child,

Nostalgia is a small stamp.

I'm on this side, and my mother is on the other.

When they grow up,

Nostalgia is a small live broadcast room.

I'm on this side, and the bride is on the other.

Later,

Nostalgia is a low, humble grave.

I am in the Yang World, my mother is in the Underworld.

I'm in my mother's live stream.

What a fucking awful ghost story!

Gravesite visits, live streams of deceased wives, live streams of three generations living together, online burning of paper money, but the signal is too bad to receive the money.

The thought that this situation might actually occur in the future made Hu Mang feel like he was about to lose his composure.

"So, Little Python, since you don't want to be any kind of official, what do you want to do?" Eighth Master Hui asked.

Hu Mang pondered for a moment, then said:

"I plan to go overseas after I get back."

"What are you going overseas for this time?" Mama Hu interjected.

"I've roughly figured out what happened back then. I plan to find some people and kill some of them. There should still be quite a few remnants of the Holy Son Cult from back then."

Hu Mang had no intention of hiding anything and briefly recounted his demonic aptitude, the Sealed Holy Son, and the matter of the Bone-Molding Pill from back then.

After hearing this, Mama Hu and Eighth Master Hui exchanged a glance, both looking surprised, especially Mama Hu, who never expected that the baby she had picked up by chance back then would have such an experience.

"So, you want revenge?" Eighth Master Hui pressed.

"Yes," Hu Mang said expressionlessly.

Actually, no, Hu Mang just wanted to find a place to carry out smuggling, but the regulations in Heavenly Gate were too strict, and he felt very restricted.

The vastness of the land overseas, far from the reach of the emperor, makes it quite suitable.

The reason of revenge is perfectly reasonable, and it's something Hu Mang has come up with for himself these past few days.

There were almost no flaws; after all, he was a genuine Sealed Holy Son.

Mama Hu hesitated, though she was very reluctant to let her precious son take the risk. However, given Hu Mang's background, it seemed that she, as his adoptive mother, couldn't say much.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Hu Mang suddenly grinned, "It's not that exaggerated. I'm just looking around and searching according to the clues left by that old demonic cultivator. If I find them, great; if not, I'll come back. It could be a few months at the shortest, or a year and a half at the longest. And you don't think I'm going to my death, do you? If I really encounter a master, I'll just run away."

Eighth Master Hui pondered for a moment, then said:

"With Little Python's abilities, there's not much to worry about his safety. After all, with his strength, he can even challenge Golden Core Nascent Soul from overseas who dare to show themselves, they are all under close surveillance by the Heavenly Gate, especially the demonic path, which has been thoroughly wiped out. In the past few decades, we've hardly heard of any demonic Nascent Soul."

"Well then, the Underworld Bureau governs those below, not those above, and those inside, not those outside. I have no influence overseas either. However, I have a friend. If you encounter any special circumstances overseas, you can call her, and I'll explain things to her."

Eighth Master Hui quickly entered a number. Hu Mang glanced at it and thought the beginning of the number sounded a bit like a military connection—perhaps a phone number from an overseas military base?

"Okay, thank you, Eighth Master."

"We've eaten enough, it's time to call it a day. While you still have time, spend some more time with your mother."

Eighth Master Hui got up, and Mama Hu and Hu Mang wanted to see him off, but Eighth Master waved his hand and staggered away into the night.

Liu Manqing smiled at the group, then picked up the two sets of Shen Household heirlooms that had been handed over and followed them.

Then Mama Hu stood with her hands on her hips, frowning as she stared at Hu Mang.

Just when Hu Mang thought his mother was about to explode, she sighed and said, "Go if you want, just be careful."

"You didn't even stop me, you didn't even scold me?" Hu Mang said.

"You're such a grown man, what's there to scold? Besides, you listened even when I told you not to go. I did tell that Xie guy not to rebel, but he listened and then led his men into the palace. He even brought me a wine pot with a human head, supposedly made from the old emperor's head. Tell me, who can I possibly persuade?"

So, when I said I'd seen the old emperor, I meant I'd seen his head!

Hu Mang grunted and looked at Old Xie. There were precedents to follow, so the old lady had gotten used to it.

"Besides, it's good that you have this idea. At least if something happens to me, you can remember to avenge me!"

That is.

"When you're abroad, remember to make at least two phone calls a week."

"No problem."

"I'll pack your clothes when I get home. Oh, and I'll prepare your food in advance too; you can't get pickles overseas."

Before Hu Mang could even make any plans, his mother was already busy.

Hu Mang clicked his tongue. "Alright, it's a good thing the old lady has spirit." Just then, his phone rang, so he went out for a walk to relax and answered the call.

"I have successfully formed my core," was the opening line from the other side.

"National Standard Golden Core?"

"Certainly."

"Awesome."