It was unclear if Yan Jue was telling the truth.
However, Tang Xiaomin still found Meng Lan somewhat suspicious. Normally, ordinary ghost messengers wouldn't dare to pry into their affairs. Not only that, but even Lu Xing and Zhong Li adhered strictly to their professional ethics and didn't dare to peek.
"Perhaps, I'm mistaken."
...
Tang Xiaomin couldn't recall anything from this trip. After forcing Yan Jue to swear an oath not to harm the Nine Yama Kings, she went home.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the final exams. As a sophomore, Tang Xiaomin was also engrossed in intense revision. As they left school, Shu Ya cheerfully shared some good news with Tang Xiaomin.
"Xiaomin, Xiaomin, I just got hired at Tang Ye's company. I'll be interning there from now on."
This...
Tang Xiaomin couldn't believe her nonsense.
"Are you going there to pursue him or to work?"
"Only children make choices; adults want both."
"Xiaomin, just wait until we become one big family."
...
*Pfft...*
Tang Xiaomin almost spat blood.
"Can't you have slightly grander ambitions?"
Shu Ya shook her head.
"My mom said, men conquer the world, and women conquer men. I'm not that foolish. So, let's go to your brother's company together now."
Tang Xiaomin refused without a second thought.
"I still need to go to the library; you go by yourself."
"Alright then."
Shu Ya left happily. Watching her triumphant back, Tang Xiaomin sometimes envied her life. Perhaps, everyone had their own destiny, and it couldn't be learned.
Upon arriving at the library, she had originally intended to find some math materials. Remembering Yan Jun, she inexplicably went to borrow some books on quantum mechanics. She tried to figure out why Ye Fengxing, who had reincarnated before she died, was already in Modu.
Unknowingly, she read until evening and only left the library just before it closed. After assuming possibilities all afternoon, she suddenly felt she understood something. If Yan Jun had entered reincarnation before her, then he became Ye Fengxing. And since Yan Jue had thrown her into reincarnation later, it could explain why Ye Fengxing was a few years older than her. Time couldn't be rewound; that was certain, so this was the only explanation for such a phenomenon. This meant Yan Jun was thrown into reincarnation before her. But at that time, Yan Jue was just a weakling being chased by minor ghost messengers, not possessing such power. So how was it possible that Yan Jun's first reincarnation had nothing to do with Yan Jue?
...
One question was resolved, and a new one arose. Or perhaps, she was just overthinking it.
Sitting in the back seat of the car, Tang Xiaomin thought a lot, a great deal. After much deliberation, she realized she might genuinely need to know what kind of past she and Yan Jun had, perhaps that would unravel the mystery.
Zhong Li noticed Tang Xiaomin's unusual demeanor and asked, "Miss Tang, you seem so worried. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. By the way, what has Yan Jue been up to lately?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Miss Tang, General Yan has been very busy lately. He seems to be inspecting the territories of the Ten Yama Kings. He's only visited three places so far and still has six more to go."
"Oh."
Snow began to fall outside. With matters weighing on her mind, Tang Xiaomin returned to the Underworld once more during the holiday. This time, she brought a precious jade Buddhist rosary and went to the Hall of Ksitigarbha. Just like the last time when she brought Yan Jue to search for memories, Ksitigarbha was still tirelessly chanting scriptures to save the souls of the deceased. The only difference was that in a corner of his simple hall, a jade Buddha statue was covered in dust. It seemed that after being placed there, he had never bothered with it.
Tang Xiaomin walked forward and respectfully greeted him.
"Ksitigarbha, I wish to ask you a question?"
"Queen, you have returned. I regret not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."
"Ksitigarbha, there's no need to be so polite. I believe you already know the purpose of my visit."
Ksitigarbha shook his head.
"I don't know. I don't know."
"Ksitigarbha, don't be so humble. I've come this time to retrieve my memories of the Supreme Commander."
As Tang Xiaomin spoke, she placed the precious rosary she brought in front of Ksitigarbha. However, this time, Ksitigarbha remained unmoved.
"What, is it not enough?"
Ksitigarbha shook his head.
"Your memories are already within your own mind. Why do you need to consult me?"
It seemed he had misunderstood. So, Tang Xiaomin emphasized again.
"I want to know about Houtu."
"Please forgive me, I cannot divulge any information."
"What! You won't tell me?"
Tang Xiaomin became enraged immediately, and her aura turned dangerous. But no matter what, Ksitigarbha remained unmoved.
Tang Xiaomin added, "Ksitigarbha, with your great compassion, you must know that the Underworld has just experienced war. To prevent such incidents from happening again in the future, please return my memories to me."
This time, Ksitigarbha shook his head.
"As the saying goes, heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. Queen, if you believe in fate, you should understand that some things, once spoken, will never happen. And what the Queen wishes to know now is something that cannot be peered into. Therefore, please return."
Fate, cannot be spoken, or it won't happen. The words were somewhat baffling, but Tang Xiaomin believed them wholeheartedly. The future could only be speculated upon but not peeked into. Ksitigarbha was someone who could divine fate.
"Since this matter is so significant, it seems I have come to the wrong place."
Tang Xiaomin said this and left. She knew that even if she were to kill Ksitigarbha, it would be fated, and he wouldn't reveal any heavenly secrets.
Returning to the dungeon with nothing, Tang Xiaomin went to the dungeon again. At this time, all the Yama Kings except Yan Jun had been transferred elsewhere. In the empty dungeon, only Yan Jun remained imprisoned. Tang Xiaomin walked very quietly, so Yan Jun didn't notice her arrival. Yan Jun was in rags, his formerly upright long hair now loosely tied with a hair tie, falling behind him. He was using a stone to scribble on the prison wall. In the dim light, Tang Xiaomin saw the face he was drawing: a woman in a magnificent gown. The woman was resting her chin on her hand, looking at something with interest. That woman must be the Supreme Commander.
After Yan Jun finished drawing, he threw away the small stone. He muttered to himself.
"What do you want me to do for you to remember me?"
"I've always done as you commanded, why is it my fault now?"
"Why... did you fall in love with another man? Why did you say you didn't love me?"
"Why?"
...
From his choked voice, it was clear that Yan Jun was crying. Men shed tears only when it's deeply moving, yet he was crying now for a woman in a painting. To what extent did he love the woman in the painting?