Chapter 15: Night Visit to the Courtesan House—Part 6

“So, after that incident, all the officials were either exiled or executed, except for Lord Wang, who merely had his home confiscated and was demoted to a local position. But soon, the ill consequences of the wish began to manifest—starting with the snake demon’s attempt to steal the soul artifact. The real Ranqing and the snake demon swapped bodies, and Lord Wang discovered all the secrets.”

Yusang, now enlightened, quickly pieced everything together and proudly explained it all in one breath. She was feeling quite pleased with herself for connecting the dots so quickly, but before she could fully enjoy her moment, she received a sharp look from Yan Qige.

“More importantly,” Yan Qige added, “the soul artifact was lost.”

Yusang, surprised and slightly disgruntled, looked at Yan Qige doubtfully.

However, seeing his certainty, she turned to Madam Wang for confirmation.

Madam Wang was also surprised by Yan Qige’s statement but showed little shock.

With a mix of confusion and admiration, she nodded and said, “Yes, the soul artifact was indeed lost that day.”

“I not only know that it was lost that day,” Yan Qige continued, “but I also know that the artifact ended up inside the belly of the snake demon. During the chaos of that day, while you were fighting the snake demon, she must have swallowed the artifact. But later, when she and Ranqing accidentally switched bodies, the artifact remained trapped within the snake’s body, making it impossible to retrieve.”

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Madam Wang, in particular, looked at Yan Qige in utter disbelief.

After a long pause, she finally asked, “Everything you’ve said is absolutely true. But I have never told anyone these details—not even my son knows. How did you figure it out?”

“I guessed.”

Upon hearing this, Yusang immediately pursed her lips and muttered quietly, “Showing off his cleverness again. Would it kill him not to brag?”

Even though her voice was soft, Yan Qige still heard her.

He squinted dangerously, casting her a warning glance, which made Yusang promptly zip her mouth and pretend to be a well-behaved little demon.

“I’ve been wondering for a while now,” Yan Qige said.

“Why did the Wang family harbor a snake demon all these years? And why, despite escaping for so long, did the snake demon come back now, risking everything? Initially, I thought you simply couldn’t bear to kill her despite knowing she wasn’t human. But the reason the snake came back must be because something within the snake’s body is worth both parties fighting for. And that something… is the soul artifact. The snake demon desperately wants the artifact, but she’s afraid of Madam Wang. So she plotted to have a demon collector kill Ranqing, thinking that once Ranqing was dead, she could take the soul artifact from the snake body.”

“And how are the murders in the city related to all of this?” Yusang asked.

“They’re deeply related, of course,” Yan Qige replied, “but the details are best left for madam Wang to explain.” He cast a glance at madam Wang.

Madam Wang understood from his gaze that he already knew the entire story.

The reason he wasn’t saying it himself was out of respect for her, allowing her to confess.

Appreciating his consideration, she nodded gratefully and began to speak: “I’m already sixty-six years old, and half a year has passed since my sixty-five birthday. By saying this, I believe the young master already understands.”

Yan Qige nodded.

Yusang, however, was still in the dark, feeling increasingly frustrated by the cryptic conversation.

Just as she was about to ask for clarification, Yan Qige stopped her.

“How did the steward die?” Yan Qige asked.

“He saw something he shouldn’t have, so I had no choice but to kill him to silence him,” Madam Wang replied.

“So you’re willing to confess to these crimes?”

Madam Wang nodded, her face filled with guilt.

She didn’t say much more, but she extended her arm, pricked her finger, and let a drop of blood fall onto the silver hairpin.

She then placed the hairpin on her palm and raised it upward.

The silver hairpin emitted a faint glow, rising into the air and releasing a silvery light.

“I beseech the venerable guardian of the soul artifact to appear before us,” Madam Wang humbly intoned.

Suddenly, from the silvery glow, a blinding light burst forth.

Instinctively, Yusang shielded her eyes, and when she lowered her hand, she saw a white-robed woman standing in the room.

Amidst the firelight, the woman floated in the air, holding a silver flute.

Her long, silver-gray hair cascaded down to her feet, intertwining with the flames. An ethereal glow surrounded her.

“The guardian of the soul artifact… it really is her,” Yusang thought, astonished.

Though she had already suspected it when they entered the barrier, seeing the guardian in person left her speechless.

Madam Wang kneeled before the guardian, bowing her head in reverence.

“Guardian, I know I have committed grave sins and dare not beg for forgiveness. I only ask that you spare my son. I am willing to accept any punishment you see fit.”

The guardian stood serenely amidst the flames, smiling softly.

“Your pact was fulfilled long ago—one wish, one karmic debt. There’s nothing left to settle. However, I never imagined you would, after your lifespan had ended, cling to the mortal world by using the soul artifact to steal life force from others. Such an act is unforgivable and can only be atoned for by having your soul scattered.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang, in despair, lifted her head and gazed at her son, County Magistrate Wang, who remained frozen like a statue.

She reached out with trembling fingers to brush the hair at his temples, but he remained unmoved, like a carved figure.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I stayed by your side all these years as your mother, unable to let go of you. I thought it was all for your benefit, but in the end, it has only harmed you.”

“Madam Wang…” Lu Ranqing started to speak, but Madam Wang raised her hand to stop her.

“Saving you all those years ago was a fleeting moment of kindness. I was never your true family, but you sacrificed everything for my son and the Wang family. I only hope that after this, you can reincarnate and find a better life in your next cycle.”

Lu Ranqing bit her lip, silently crying.

Madam Wang no longer looked at her and instead focused on the soul-guiding lantern that Yan Qige held.

“I once heard that the soul-guiding lantern is a sacred object of the Fengjian Clan. Two thousand years ago, the founding emperor destroyed the Fengjian Clan, burning all the soul-guiding lanterns, except one that survived, protected by the souls of the Fengjian ancestors. It’s said that whoever offers their soul to the lantern as a tribute can request a single favor from the lantern bearer. Is this true?”

Yan Qige remained silent, but his calm gaze confirmed it.

Seeing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in Madam Wang’s eyes.

She took a few steps forward and kneeled before Yan Qige, her voice trembling with emotion.

“I couldn’t let go of my attachment to this world and extended my life through the soul artifact by stealing the life force of others. I know my sins are grave, and I am destined to die here today. I only beg you to ensure my son’s safety. I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice.”

Offering one’s soul as a sacrifice was a fate far worse than death.

When a soul is scattered, there’s still a faint hope that some remnant may survive, allowing for reincarnation centuries later.

But to offer one’s soul as a tribute meant eternal torment, with no chance of rebirth.

Both the snake demon and Yusang were shocked to hear this, but Yan Qige remained unnervingly calm, as if he had anticipated it all along.