Yesterday, when Qing Ji spoke of this, her expression was filled with helplessness.

"Husband."

"Have something to eat." Su Ziyu had just taught a few words when Qing Ji approached carrying a wooden box. Behind her followed three other Snake Princesses, each watching with curiosity as a Snake Princess drew lines on the ground with a stick.

Those were the second, third, and fifth Snake Princesses, and the other two should be in the kitchen.

Qing Ji's six younger sisters all looked nearly identical, making it impossible for outsiders to tell them apart. However, Su Ziyu could easily distinguish them, as he identified them by their spirituality, not appearances.

"Hmm. Let's eat first." Su Ziyu clapped his hands and stood up.

Just then, another Snake Princess emerged from the kitchen, her cheeks puffed up, holding a large plate of white dumplings, devouring them happily. Noticing Su Ziyu's gaze, she quickly turned around and slipped into the room, seemingly fearing that Su Ziyu might take her food.

Teaching these six sisters transformation is no easy task for Qing Ji.

Su Ziyu stayed at his residence until noon, then set off for Abe no Seimei's residence.

Abe no Seimei appeared older by the day, now looking like a man in his sixties. When Su Ziyu arrived, he was admiring flowers in the courtyard. A witch named Shenle sat beside him, wearing a gentle smile. She nodded slightly to Su Ziyu before rising to brew tea. She seemed to be from Abe no Seimei's era, yet her high cultivation prevented her from showing age. Given her demeanor towards Abe no Seimei, there was likely some affection, though it was unclear why Abe no Seimei had married a mortal woman.

"Lord Su has arrived. Please have a seat." Abe no Seimei looked more at ease than the day before, perhaps having resolved his inner thoughts.

Just as Su Ziyu sat down, his expression shifted slightly, murmuring, "You..."

"It's nothing." Abe no Seimei's aura grew more fragile, and at this rate, he was unlikely to live past eighty.

Confronted with Su Ziyu's astonishment, Abe no Seimei shook his head slightly, then gestured toward two young men about Su Ziyu's age who cautiously approached. Aided by the nearby witch, he solemnly stood and addressed them, "Yoshimasa, Yoshihiko."

"Come here."

"Hurry up and pay respects to Lord Su!"

These two young men were Abe no Seimei's sons. Their mana had grown significantly since Su Ziyu first met them. Considering Abe no Seimei's current weakness, Su Ziyu had formed a few guesses.

"Greetings, Lord Su!"

"Greetings, Lord Su!"

Abe Yoshimasa and Abe Yoshihiko came before Su Ziyu and solemnly bowed to the ground. Fusang, at this time, adhered to Han and Tang ceremonial traditions, where kneeling was a serious gesture, unlike the casual attitudes of the later Qing Dynasty. Abe no Seimei's sons performed the kowtow, a rite reserved for fathers, masters, and kings during this era.

Initially, Su Ziyu intended to avoid it, but recalling the day Abe no Seimei exhausted his cultivation to fight Orochi, Su Ziyu chose to remain and earnestly received their grand salute.

"Neither of these sons of mine is accomplished," Abe no Seimei smiled slightly, seeing Su Ziyu accept the gesture. "I know that one must be cautious in passing down the law, but my days are numbered."

"I do not dare to hope for Lord Su to take these sons as disciples; I only hope that, should troubles arise, you may lend them assistance."

Abe no Seimei currently led Fusang's Yin Yang Bureau.

Predictably, his sons would assume his position, but their strength was far weaker than Abe no Seimei's, and their talent was nowhere near his level. Abe no Seimei hoped Su Ziyu might help them in troubled times.

"Very well." Su Ziyu nodded slightly, then, after a moment of thought, produced two peculiar beads, gently raising his hand to send one to each of them.

Mountain Child's Principle.

Jorogumo's Principle.

Su Ziyu had been unsure how to use these, but in this world, Yin Yang Masters could cultivate with them. Having received such a grand gesture from the elders, it was natural for him to reciprocate slightly.

"Accept them." Abe no Seimei nodded slightly, and only then did his sons cautiously accept the beads.

Su Ziyu, though not their master, could be considered of an elder generation, and having them call him uncle was appropriate. He was reciprocating Abe no Seimei's gesture, leaving a legacy in this world, especially as Qing Ji would continue to live here. This gesture brought Su Ziyu and Abe no Seimei closer, perhaps because of imminent death, Abe no Seimei seemed less arrogant, treating others with a spring-like breeze.

His days were numbered.

Seeing Abe no Seimei now, Su Ziyu couldn't help but recall his own experiences facing death. For Abe no Seimei to confront death so calmly and stoically arrange his affairs demonstrated his greatness in this era.

By the time Su Ziyu left Abe no Seimei's residence, it was already evening.

Su Ziyu returned to check on Qing Ji, telling her he might not return tonight. Although Qing Ji had changed significantly from the Dream World, Su Ziyu still worried she might lose her temper if she didn't see him.

As night deepened.

At midnight, Su Ziyu arrived near Rashomon, where Abe Yoshihiko, responsible for guarding tonight, bowed and greeted, "Lord Su."

"Ah, Yoshihiko." Su Ziyu nodded slightly, "The Netherworld is not yet settled, I must go to the Underworld."

"Tonight, some ghosts might escape."

"Be extra cautious!"

Abe Yoshihiko, showing respect, said, "Yoshihiko understands. Lord Su, you too, be cautious."

With over twenty Yin Yang Masters present, Kyoto was still not very safe. Regular people could not return until all dangers were eliminated.

Clang clang.

Just as Su Ziyu passed through Rashomon, a clear ringing of bells could be heard, causing him a momentary jolt of spirit before returning to normal. Ahead, a carriage engulfed in ghostly flames appeared, with Aoandon serving as the coachman. She held a golden bell, slowly approaching along the Vermilion Bird Dao. With each chiming bell, translucent spirits emerged from the ruins, transforming into ghostly flames that amassed on the carriage until they resembled a small mountain.

"Lord Su!" Aoandon, with her familiar gentle smile, greeted him.

Hmph.

Su Ziyu gave her a glance, then turned to head towards the Imperial Palace.

Still angry?

Aoandon, a bit vexed, watched Su Ziyu's departing figure, twirling her long, falling hair with one hand. Propping her chin, she murmured, "I should have told him earlier."

The Imperial Palace loomed ahead.

Meow!

Just as Su Ziyu reached the gates of the Imperial City, a cat's cry came from a nearby rooftop, and with that, the Nine Lives Cat descended. She scrutinized Su Ziyu to ensure he was unharmed before cheerfully saying, "Lord Su!"

"Lord Yama said I should accompany you today!"

"When are we going to the Yellow Springs?"

"Could this be what the books describe as a journey to the Yellow Springs together?"

Pah!

Crow's mouth!

Think having nine lives is impressive? Always speaking nonsense!

Su Ziyu rolled his eyes at her, grabbed her by the neck, and playfully rubbed her cat ears before releasing her.

.........

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.