To Raise a Soul 45.1

Recently, something big happened in B City. Qiu Feiqian, the boss of Xiangfei, called the cops and had her own father arrested. The event transpired because Old Master Qiu had been overcome by his superstitious beliefs and tried to feed her two children food contaminated with corpse oil and corpse powder.

When the news broke, the calm, which had been maintained for a while since the new year, exploded into smithereens. 

Corpse oil! Corpse powder! A grandfather harming his blood-related grandsons!

The Yin family has cut off relations with the Qiu family!

Either of those statements on their own would have caused a huge stir! Combined together they made a huge mess! 

People within the business circle were eating melons^[1] and their inner enthusiasm was set aflame. Those of the older generation noted that Yin Yan was rarely seen when Old Master Qiu was in charge. The middle-aged group discussed how the break up between the Yin and Qiu family could bring about a change in the business circle. The younger generation was most interested in the corpse oil and corpse powder. They were curious about what the old master was hoping to do to Yin Yan with things that clearly sounded wicked and disgusting.

During that short period of time, the mood of the Yin family members was gloomy. 

The investigation didn’t progress well.

Although corpse oil and corpse powder were found in the snacks, the bottle which Old Master Qiu handed to the police only contained sweetener, and there were no cameras in the kitchen. The old man insisted that a wicked-hearted housekeeper tried to drive a wedge between the Qiu family and the Yin family by switching out the sweetener and then refusing to confess. The police couldn’t do anything to him. 

With the old man’s age and the ruthlessness of the Qiu family’s lawyer, the old man was separated from the family and sent to a hospital under the pretense of a heavy illness. Since then, they also stopped cooperating with the police.

Meanwhile, the Qiu family tried their best to think of all the ways they could mend their relationship with the Yin family. They called over and over again in attempts to settle the case out of court. Their constant hounding vexed the Yin family.

On another weekend, just after lunch, Yin Yan received a call from Wu Xuan. 

“I heard that your family has been dealing with some legal proceedings recently. Would you like some help?”

Wu Xuan got right to the point. His tone was familiar, rather like he and Yin Yan were very good friends.

Yin Yan responded in kind and reduced his distant politeness. He replied, “No need. The problem will be settled very quickly.”

Wu Xuan was silent for a while before he let out a sigh. “I know you don’t want to owe me one, but this issue… I heard a bit of news. Qiu Feixiong somehow managed to connect with some people from the National Studies circle, and he’s working on gaining their support. As you know, those from that circle have spread very deep roots in B City. They’re the local tyrants. If Qiu Feixiong’s efforts with them pay off, we won’t be able to deal with them.”

The National Studies circle was a very mysterious group in B City. Whether or not they were truly carrying out studies and research was unclear. But everyone knew that they had strict joining requirements, were very mysterious, and were very difficult to win over with money.

Upon hearing that piece of news, Yin Yan’s attitude became even more resolute. “If that’s the case, then it’s even more important that we don’t implicate the Wu family. I appreciate your goodwill, but don’t worry. This issue will be resolved very quickly.”

Having heard Yin Yan emphasize twice that the problem could be solved, Wu Xuan decided against urging him again. He replied, “Alright. If there’s a problem, call me. My phone is on 24/7.”

“Thanks.”

Yin Yan hung up and the whole Yin family turned to look at him.

“That was Wu Xuan.” Yin Yan then took hold of Yu Zhen’s hand and pulled him up. He looked towards Qiu Feiqian and Yin Hexiang and continued, “Yu Zhen and I are returning to the flat. He’s growing a few pots of flowers there. If we don’t go back soon, they’ll die.”

Qiu Feiqian smiled and waved a hand. “Go on. Are you two coming back tonight?”

“We might not. I’ll call in advance if we’re not coming back.”

“Ok. Go on, and drive carefully.” 

After saying farewell to his unhappy parents, Yu Zhen let himself be led to the car. He opened up the passenger side door and got in, and then he put on his seatbelt with a frown.

Yin Yan walked around the front of the car to get in. He asked, “What are you thinking about?”

With furrowed eyebrows, he turned his head and stared blankly out of the window. Yu Zhen hadn’t heard Yin Yan’s question. 

Yin Yan glanced at him and then started the car without another word.

Yu Zhen hadn’t been into the dimensional pot in a few days, but the orchids, which previously only had a few leaves, had bloomed and grown new buds. There was a noticeable difference between the new growth rate and the previously snail-paced growth. 

“You’ve improved a rank so the dimensional pot also improved,” Yin Yan explained from outside the pot. He then asked, “Tonight, do you want to have Eight Treasures Cubed Rabbit?”

Yu Zhen left the dimensional pot and, standing in front of Yin Yan, he asked, “Will this pot continue to become more powerful with me?”

“En. It’s a magical tool that can improve. The area of land within it will also slowly grow and expand. In the future, you’ll be able to carry it with you.” Yin Yan explained and then asked again, “Tonight, do you want to have Eight Treasures Cubed Rabbit?”

Yu Zhen returned his gaze, nodded and replied, “Yeah.”

“Then you’ll have to catch the hare first.” Yin Yan stepped closer and held Yu Zhen in his arms. In the next moment, the world around them spun.

When Yu Zhen and Yin Yan appeared before the mountain god again, it wanted to uproot itself to get away from them. It had only had a few days of peace, and now it wanted to run away from the two nutcases. 

But Yin Yan didn’t let it have its wish. He released a hare into the forest and motioned for Yu Zhen to catch it. Then he leaned against the mountain god.

The mountain god wanted to shake him off, but there was a big gap between their powers, so it could only play dead. 

Having learned from his experience from the last time, Yu Zhen immediately unleashed his spells on the hare as it dashed off. He moved more skillfully and nimbly than he did during the last hunt. 

As Yu Zhen gave chase to the hare, Yin Yan asked, “What did he talk about the last time he came to see you?”

The mountain god continued to try to play dead. I’m only a regular tree.

Yin Yan turned around and looked at its bark.

The mountain god was on edge, wondering why the two nutcases kept coveting its bark.

Yin Yan waved a hand, turning some spiritual energy into a sharp blade which cut into the tree. With a flash of green light, a palm-sized piece of bark appeared in Yin Yan’s hand.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Bandit!

Angered, the mountain god’s branches shook frantically.

“There’s no harm in not speaking. With his pure and simple disposition, it’s fine as long as you don’t bully him.” Yin Yan’s words were magnanimous, but the bark in his hand spoke of his wicked ways instead.

Who’s bullying who?! Who can I provoke when I grow here?! Who can I trick?!

“How many cultivators are in B City?”

The mountain god’s branches stopped shaking. Not even a leaf stirred. It quieted to the point of looking like a painting.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to harm the common people that you protect.” Yin Yan stored away the bark and then knocked on the tree trunk. “I just want to deal with some rotten apples. The young have to practice, and wrongdoings which have occurred in dark corners will need to be cleaned up.”

The mountain god shook its leaves gently as if hesitating.

“The cultivation world is no longer the same. The old way of operating has long been discarded, but a new way of doing things has yet to be established. If we just let things take its course, there’s a chance that the outcome will not be good.”

The mountain god stopped moving. A wind blew through the forest like a person’s sigh.

Yu Zhen improved rapidly. Compared to last time, it took him only half the time to catch the spirit hare this time. 

When they were returning, Yu Zhen held onto the hare and dispiritedly buried himself in Yin Yan’s arms. Without his notice, these moves were done with practiced ease, as if it was an action he had done hundreds or thousands of times. 

Yin Yan’s body stiffened. He looked downward at Yu Zhen who had another far away look in his eyes. He gently brought Yu Zhen closer and took them back to their apartment.

After arriving at the apartment, Yin Yan didn’t let go of him. He tilted Yu Zhen’s chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. “Yu Zhen, what are you thinking about?”

Yin Yan was very good looking. His irises were very dark and his gaze was calm and steady, making Yu Zhen feel more at ease.

Yu Zhen’s mind returned to the present and he stared blankly at Yin Yan for a few seconds. Then he began to talk about what he had been struggling with for the past few days.

“Yin Yan, there are lots of cultivators who have extraordinary strength. They can secretly do evil, and give dangerous things to ordinary people who wish to do evil. The law can’t get its hands on evidence of their wrongdoings so it can’t punish them. The heavens also don’t seem to restrain them, and are incapable of punishing them. For example, Qiu Xiehua has clearly committed sins, but he has many children and grandchildren, and he has lived to a ripe old age. For this issue, we haven’t even seen a tiny bit of justice or fairness. Are the heavens really watching us?”

Boom!

Suddenly, the muffled sound of thunder boomed and the weather turned gloomy. Heavy rain fell without warning.

Startled, Yu Zhen looked towards the window with widened eyes.

“Heavenly law has existed all along.” Yin Yan waved his hand and laid down a boundary. Then he covered Yu Zhen with his spiritual energy and raised a hand to tousle his hair. “Yu Zhen, don’t question the heavens. That’s very dangerous.” 

As a person with negative energy within and an unstable heart, if he questioned the heavens, all of his efforts thus far might be turned to dust.

The heavens can be cruel or benevolent. Leaving the past aside, Yin Yan was grateful that the heavens gave Yu Zhen a chance for rebirth.

Yu Zhen looked up at him. He remained silent, but his eyes conveyed the growth of a small, secret fire within him.

Are the heavens a dictatorial or autocratic existence? It can’t even be questioned?

The world is a dangerous place. As long as people have the seven emotions and six desires, an ideal world can never be achieved. But evil people are not punished, and good people suffer and are tormented. I wish that justice would stand on the side of those who are good.

But no. For our case, I don’t see any justice.

“Yu Zhen.” The hand on his head moved down to his face. He stroked it, applying a gentle pressure. His voice held the hint of a rare sigh from him. “The heavens only have one set of rules. Qiu Xiehua does indeed have many descendants, but his sons are unfilial and his daughters have left him. He’s destined to spend his final years in desolation. He hasn’t reached his old age in peace, and he has met us. Don’t forget we’re also people who work within the limits of heaven’s rules.”

Yu Zhen stared blankly.

“Qiu Xiehua has been muddle-headed for many years to only gain some peace and stability in his final years. And similarly, Mom and Aunty have gained freedom for the remaining half of their lives. Now he’s awake and clear headed, but he has run into you and me. We’ve ruined his plans and even if we weren’t here, San’er would be here. He is the greatest culmination of Qiu Xiehua’s karma.

“Yu Zhen, heavenly law was never intended to let evil people have good endings. You’re spending time on a problem you cannot solve.”

The feeling of walking into a dead end overtook him, and the flame within him slowly extinguished. His straight back became bent and he leaned his face against Yin Yan’s palm. He had the look of a child who had just realized its mistake. Gloomily, he asked, “Master, did I do the wrong thing again?”

Yin Yan stiffened. Without his notice, the hand which had gently rubbed Yu Zhen’s cheeks pressed down heavily. He raised Yu Zhen’s head and hoarsely asked, “What did you just call me?”

What did I call him?

Yu Zhen returned his gaze with a vacant look. His expression was simple and childlike.

Yin Yan’s heart leapt. Realizing that something was wrong, he glanced at the window and saw that black clouds continued to roll outside. He pulled Yu Zhen into his chest and yelled, “Xu Wu!”

The white cat appeared and transformed into a pagoda tower. Yin Yan walked in with Yu Zhen in his arms.