Chapter 138: The Path of the Netherworld
Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly.
He was truly fortunate to have met such a gentle and virtuous woman.
Mao Ruoyu blinked her beautiful eyes, a playful smile on her lips. “Were you touched by my words, Sir?”
“How could any man not be touched by your words, Madam?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and embraced her, his arm around her slender waist. “You’re so kind and considerate. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Repay?”
Mao Ruoyu leaned against him, her voice soft. “I don’t need you to achieve fame or fortune, Sir. I just want you to be safe and happy. That’s enough to make me content.”
“Madam…”
“I-if you’re truly touched, Sir, then spend more time with me and Miss Cheng.” Mao Ruoyu’s eyes sparkled, and she shyly played with her braid. “If you’re away for too long, I’ll feel lonely and worried…”
Lin Tianlu shook his head with a smile, gently stroking her hair. “If I have to travel far, I’ll take you with me, Madam.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes lit up, her face filled with joy. “Then I’ll take good care of you, Sir, making sure you’re well-fed and comfortable.”
“So that’s what you’re worried about.”
“You have extraordinary abilities, Sir. I trust that you’ll be safe.” Mao Ruoyu’s voice was soft and affectionate. “But traveling can be tiring and dangerous. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Alright, I’ll remember your words, Madam.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and embraced her, their hands intertwined, resting on her flat stomach.
This intimate gesture made Mao Ruoyu blush, her heart fluttering.
But feeling his strong arms around her, she felt safe and secure, leaning against him like a delicate bird.
As they enjoyed the scenery, she whispered, her face flushed, “Although I’ve given myself to you, Sir… you should be moderate in our… intimate moments. Too much indulgence can drain your energy and harm your health.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t resist teasing her. He stroked her cheek gently. “You seem to be the one who gets lost in the moment, Madam. Perhaps I should be the one reminding you.”
“Mmm—”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened, her face burning with embarrassment. Her body felt warm and flushed.
She tried to retort, but no words came out. She could only glare at him playfully, her eyes sparkling with a thousand emotions.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “I was just joking, Madam. Don’t take it to heart.”
Mao Ruoyu sighed softly and placed his hand on her chest, her voice shy. “If you truly desire it, Sir, I will gladly serve you. But if I can’t handle it… you can always go to Miss Cheng… Mmm!”
By the end, she was so embarrassed that her heart was pounding. She coughed lightly. “Forget what I just said, Sir! I was just being silly!”
…
“How sweet~”
Yun Yue, curled up on a tree branch nearby, murmured softly, watching the couple’s playful interactions with a faint smile.
“Perhaps this is what true love looks like, two hearts intertwined.”
She lazily wagged her tail, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Ruoyu was more eager than she had expected.
Her rational mind and concern for her lover constantly reminded her to be patient, but her voluptuous body craved his touch. The clash between these two emotions made Yun Yue chuckle at Ruoyu’s flustered and embarrassed expressions.
However…
“In the end, it’s still Ruoyu who’s being taken care of.”
Yun Yue sighed inwardly.
The intensity of Lin Tianlu’s Yang energy was the most terrifying she had ever seen. Even with Ruoyu’s natural charm and the nourishment of the strange energy, she was still left exhausted and breathless every night. If it weren’t for his restraint and consideration, she wouldn’t know how many times she would have fainted.
She looked at the vast and clear river, feeling the cool autumn breeze, her heart filled with joy and gratitude.
This was the life she had longed for for a thousand years.
“—Ruoyu, I’m sorry.”
Yun Yue rolled over lazily, her eyes fixed on the couple’s embrace. “I… can’t just sit back and watch anymore.”
…
As night fell, an unprecedentedly dense Yin energy rose from Jianggai County, as if the entire town had transformed into a ghostly realm. Eerie howls echoed in the air.
Ghosts appeared on the streets, one after another, heading towards the riverbank, a magnificent yet terrifying sight.
Lin Tianlu and Mao Ruoyu had been waiting there for a long time.
They could see Old Master Shang and four other ghosts standing at the riverbank, performing the ritual to activate the Path of the Netherworld.
With heavy steps, as if ascending a heavenly ladder, they rose into the air, countless strands of Yin energy converging to form a river, then condensing into a massive mystical array formation above the water, emanating a profound and eerie glow, overflowing with death energy. Ghostly shadows seemed to swirl within it.
Solemnity and silence were the only melodies in this place.
Countless candles lit up along the riverbank, their flickering flames casting an eerie glow in the dim moonlight, like a path leading to the underworld.
“Are those four people helpers sent by the Luo Xing?”
“Yes!”
Shang Han, who was standing beside them, quickly replied, “Every time the Path of the Netherworld ritual is held, members of the Luo Xing come to assist. Otherwise, Grandpa wouldn’t be able to handle it alone.”
Lin Tianlu nodded thoughtfully.
“S-Sir…”
“Hmm?”
Shang Han fidgeted with her fingers, her head lowered. “I didn’t know how to face you yesterday.
When the Netherworld opened, I acted impulsively and said some strange things. If I offended you, Sir…”
“It’s alright.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and patted her shoulder. “I saw your bravery yesterday. And your words, ultimately, were meant to protect me from danger. I understand your good intentions.”
Shang Han blushed and looked at Mao Ruoyu, who was smiling silently beside her, her expression flustered.
“Madam, I didn’t…”
“It’s a good thing that you have such a kind heart, little sister.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently and patted her head.
Shang Han blushed and nodded.
Hum—!
Suddenly, a surge of Yin energy erupted from the river, swirling and condensing in the air above.
Ripples appeared on the surface of the river, and the array formation expanded to an enormous size, illuminated by the flickering candlelight.
Shang Yan and the others turned around and announced, “Everyone, the Path of the Netherworld is now open. However, the ritual was severely affected, and some passages have been closed. The dangers within are unpredictable. Your fate will depend on your own choices and fortune.”
“Thank you for presiding over the ritual, Old Master Shang.”
“We appreciate the help of the Luo Xing members.”
Many ghosts and ghost practitioners expressed their gratitude.
Shang Yan bowed in return, then stepped aside with the Luo Xing members, gesturing towards the river. “Please, proceed.”
As soon as he finished speaking, many demons and ghosts stepped into the river, disappearing beneath the surface.
Lin Tianlu was surprised. “So this is the Path of the Netherworld? Entering the river?”
“Yes.” Shang Han explained softly, “Unlike the forced opening of the Netherworld a few days ago, this ritual still requires a medium. This river, which gathers the Yin energy of the entire county, is the perfect altar.”
This kind of ritual was quite novel.
“Aren’t you entering the Path of the Netherworld, Miss Shang?”
“Grandpa told me not to take any risks this time. Sir, Madam, why don’t you—”
“Don’t worry, we’re just going to take a look.” Lin Tianlu smiled gently.
Shang Han nodded, then said with concern, “Sir, Madam, when you enter the Path of the Netherworld, remember not to travel with others. It’s best to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lin Tianlu and Mao Ruoyu walked towards the riverbank.
As they passed by the Luo Xing members, the latter frowned, their eyes fixed on Lin Tianlu with a strange expression.
“Young friends, this gentleman is the one who helped me close the Netherworld and killed Qiu Fei of the Lingluo Valley.” Shang Yan stroked his beard and chuckled. “Although he seems like a mortal, his power is unfathomable.”
Hearing this, the Luo Xing members’ expressions changed, and they quickly bowed. “Please forgive us, Sir.”
Lin Tianlu simply nodded, then took Mao Ruoyu’s hand and stepped into the river.
As expected, there was no sensation of water. It was like stepping onto a thin membrane. Beneath their feet, stone steps appeared, leading them deeper into the river.
Until…
The scenery before them changed.
…
“Sesame seed cakes for sale—!”
A hawker’s cry startled Lin Tianlu. He looked around to see a bustling crowd, everyone craning their necks to look at the names posted on a board.
It was the announcement of the imperial examination results.
A strange feeling washed over him as he looked back.
Familiar streets, familiar faces…
This was Guangyuan County, his hometown in this world.
“I didn’t expect this Path of the Netherworld to bring back my forgotten past.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head with a wry smile, then reached out and tore at the scene before him.
The image distorted and shattered, dissolving into smoke, leaving behind a dark and hazy void.
“Sir?”
A worried voice sounded beside him. “Why did you suddenly stop?”
“I just saw something interesting.”
Lin Tianlu didn’t dwell on it and looked down at his feet.
They were standing on a straight, dark path, paved with ancient stone. Pale flowers grew on either side, seemingly representing the Path of the Netherworld.
But…
“The concentration of Yin energy here is much stronger than outside.”
“Indeed.” Mao Ruoyu’s expression was grave. “I had heard rumors about the Path of the Netherworld, but I never imagined it would be so… strange.”
Faint whispers echoed around them, like the murmurs of ghosts.
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes narrowed.
“Are those ghosts too?”
“No. They’re just impurities formed from pure Yin energy.”
“I see. So such things exist.” Lin Tianlu flicked his sleeve, and the impurities on both sides of the path vanished, along with the eerie whispers.
As they walked forward, faint ghostly flames ignited along the dark tunnel, dimly illuminating the path ahead, a seemingly endless road leading into the unknown.
“Hmm?”
Mao Ruoyu frowned and let out a soft groan.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel a slight pressure.” She looked up at the ceiling, which was too dark to see.
“And the further we go, the stronger the pressure becomes.”
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