After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 39

“No, a new Heaven’s Chosen will emerge…”

When Ying Buran returned to the group, Su Junying was staring at Zhao Chao’an in disbelief, her expression one of utter astonishment.

Zhao Chao’an shrugged, then crossed her arms, refusing to answer. Shen Cangwu said something that made Su Junying nod blankly.

It seemed they had already explained Zhao Chao’an’s true identity. They had mentioned before that Zhao Chao’an would eventually reveal her true face to them. Rather than risk a dangerous confrontation later, it was better to reveal the truth now.

Snapping out of her daze, Su Junying scratched her head and walked over to the silent Bai Zhi, her voice barely audible. “Master, I’m sorry. I ran off on my own earlier…”

Bai Zhi remained silent. Su Junying stole a glance at her Master and, seeing no response, continued in a low voice, “I was wrong. I’ll never do it again.”

Bai Zhi sighed and extended a hand. Su Junying flinched, thinking her Master was about to break her vow and strike her. After all, none of her previous escapades had been as dangerous as this one. She closed her eyes in fear.

The expected pain never came. Instead, a gentle pat on the head replaced it, and Bai Zhi’s voice drifted down from above: “This time, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have blindly trusted others and dismissed your research and theories without proper investigation, hurting you in the process. I’m the one who should apologize to you.”

Su Junying looked up in surprise, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. “Master…”

She didn’t know what to say, her mind momentarily frozen.

Seeing the awkward stalemate, Qu Lingyou stepped forward and playfully tapped Su Junying on the back of the head to snap her out of her daze. “Just accept it already! This is the first time I’ve ever heard her apologize to a junior. See? We can communicate properly after all.”

Bai Zhi’s lips twitched before she stiffly spat out two words at Qu Lingyou: “Shut up.”

Looks like their issues are mostly resolved now, Ying Buran thought, rubbing her nose and averting her gaze to avoid bursting into laughter alongside Qu Lingyou.

“With this matter settled, what should we do next?” Ying Buran asked, turning to Jiang Liuyan and Shen Cangwu.

Shen Cangwu smiled faintly, the expression fleeting. “We’ll wait for my disciple to arrive, activate the formation, and then decide our next course of action.”

“Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Ying. Let me reintroduce myself: I am Qi Yiwen, a disciple of the Heavenly Evolution Sect, and my Master is Shen Cangwu.” Qi Yiwen stood before Ying Buran, extending her hand with a radiant smile that seemed to carry a hidden meaning.

Ying Buran couldn’t decipher it and returned the handshake. “Long time no see?”

Qi Yiwen nodded, squeezed her hand twice, and released it under Zhao Chao’an’s watchful gaze. Her expression turned serious. “I’m here to assist my Master in activating the divination array. Our next step is to fight against the heavens. While divination can’t perfectly predict the future, it can provide valuable hints.”

“Indeed,” Shen Cangwu added. “Another reason is that the celestial being above has begun to awaken and intervene. Our future actions will only become more challenging.”

Jiang Liuyan clasped her hands in a formal greeting, then gestured for the group to follow her. “Thank you both for your efforts. We will protect you during the ritual, shielding you from the heavens’ prying eyes. Now, let’s move to the prepared site.”

The so-called “site” was actually a dark chamber similar to Yun Xiangwan’s hidden room, where an intricately patterned magic formation had already been drawn on the floor.

This was Ying Buran’s first time witnessing such a grand ritual. She curiously observed the formation, sensing something vaguely present, yet nothing concrete when she tried to focus.

Shen Cangwu and Qi Yiwen sat back-to-back at the center of the formation, while Jiang Liuyan, Bai Zhi, and Zhao Chao’an stood at the three corners, simultaneously releasing their power to form a protective barrier.

The formation began to glow faintly, and the three guardians closed their eyes, concentrating on maintaining the barrier. Ying Buran watched for only a moment before Yun Xiangwan covered her eyes.

“This type of magic formation is beyond your current comprehension,” Yun Xiangwan explained. “It’s safer to keep your eyes closed to prevent damage to your Divine Soul.”

Ying Buran nodded and waited quietly for the divination to conclude. With her vision blocked, her perception of time stretched endlessly until Shen Cangwu announced that it was over. Only then did Yun Xiangwan remove her hand, restoring Ying Buran’s sight.

“The next Heavenly Sacrifice will occur in two years, and they will still choose to sacrifice a Heaven’s Chosen. Beyond that, there are other things: an island, a sword, a Heavenly Path… But the specifics remain hidden, not by the Spirit of Heaven, but by the laws of the world itself.” Shen Cangwu frowned slightly, his intuition telling him that these hidden elements were connected to Heaven-Slaying’s goals, and perhaps even to Ying Buran herself.

In every vision, Ying Buran’s figure was visible. Yet on the Heavenly Path, she was gradually fading away.

I should discuss this privately with Jiang Liuyan and Zhao Chao’an later, he thought.

Zhao Chao’an waved dismissively. “It’s fine. She’s with us. We just need to protect her.”

Shen Cangwu shook his head. “No, a new Heaven’s Chosen will emerge.”

“Huh? A new Heaven’s Chosen? Isn’t there only supposed to be one at a time?” Zhao Chao’an stared in disbelief.

“In three months, a new Heaven’s Chosen will descend. Strictly speaking, she isn’t truly alive. Though she retains the abilities of a Heaven’s Chosen, the heavens might mistakenly believe the Heaven’s Chosen no longer exists, prompting the creation of a new one,” Shen Cangwu explained, glancing at Ying Buran.

Ying Buran pondered for a moment before asking, “Was this Heaven’s Chosen born with their abilities, or did they suddenly acquire them?”

“Based on what I’ve seen, they suddenly acquired them. We don’t yet know who or where they are—this involves the Heaven’s Mandate, and I’ll continue investigating.”

Jiang Liuyan nodded. Gathering even this much information from their hastily arranged formation was a significant achievement, especially considering they were peering into heavenly secrets. “Thank you for your hard work.”

“Our top priority now is this new Heaven’s Chosen. Time is running out. We also need to find a way to achieve Heaven-Slaying as soon as possible,” she said, looking at the group.

With limited time and urgent tasks, completely resolving Heaven’s Wrath and the Heavenly Sacrifice required destroying the Spirit of Heaven.

No one knew what the world would be like after the next Heavenly Sacrifice, so resolving everything before the one two years from now was ideal.

Zhao Chao’an thumped her chest and harrumphed twice. “Leave the Heaven-Slaying to us. You just focus on finding the Heaven’s Chosen and stopping them.”

After a brief discussion about their next steps, they all departed. Shen Cangwu and Bai Zhi each led their disciples back to their respective sects to continue investigating the Heavenly Sacrifice and Heaven’s Wrath, while Qu Lingyou remained in Chasing Wind City.

“Do you have a plan?” Ying Buran asked Zhao Chao’an, who showed no sign of urgency, after they returned to their room.

To her surprise, Zhao Chao’an shrugged and declared matter-of-factly, “No plan, but this task is definitely better suited for us, mainly due to our unique positions.”

“In the current Lower Realm—the Mortal Realm—the Spirit of Heaven, though a false god, still reigns supreme. It’s nearly impossible to act against Him when you’re of a lower rank.”

Ying Buran nodded and pressed, “If they can’t do it, why can we?”

Zhao Chao’an pulled up a chair and sat opposite Ying Buran, her tone firm. “Of course. You’re the Heaven’s Chosen, the one most favored by the heavens and earth—though those damned meddlers have obscured your true potential. Even so, compared to anyone else, you have the greatest chance of reaching that level.”

She pointed to herself. “As for me, I’m not even from the Mortal Realm, so I’m naturally beyond His jurisdiction.”

As long as King Yama approved her actions, she could proceed. Her extensive negotiations in the Ghost Realm hadn’t been in vain.

“I see…” Ying Buran nodded, feeling a subtle pressure and an urgent desire to recover her memories. Her intuition told her that the solution might lie within them.

Sensing her tension, Zhao Chao’an reassured her, “Of course, there’s no need to feel pressured. Just let things unfold naturally. This isn’t something you have to do alone. I, your family, and your friends will all support you.”

Ying Buran’s lips curved into a slight smile, appearing more relaxed. “Alright.” The smile faded as she said earnestly, “For the next three months, I plan to go into seclusion. I want to try a new cultivation method and see if I can touch the existence of ‘Heaven’.”

With her current abilities, she couldn’t contribute much to the team. As a Heaven’s Chosen, she should seize this opportunity to cultivate diligently, ideally combining spiritual energy with ghostly energy. If she could freely switch between forms, it would greatly simplify future operations.

Zhao Chao’an nodded, unconditionally supporting Ying Buran’s decision. “Alright, I’ll stay by your side. If any problems arise, I’ll be there immediately.”

After Ying Buran began her seclusion, Zhao Chao’an left the room, casting a protective barrier behind her. This barrier would prevent interruptions while allowing her to monitor Ying Buran’s condition at any time.

Turning around, she found Qi Yiwen had returned to Chasing Wind City, or perhaps she had never left.

“Looking for her? Bad timing. She’s in seclusion right now,” Zhao Chao’an said with a raised eyebrow and a shrug, feigning regret.

Qi Yiwen glanced at the tightly sealed door behind Zhao Chao’an, genuinely disappointed. “In seclusion? I’ll have to wait for another time.” Her tone shifted, and she turned to Zhao Chao’an with a mischievous smile. “Actually, I had some questions for you too.”

Oh, she wants to talk to me? Zhao Chao’an crossed her arms. “Go ahead. If I’m in a good mood, I might answer.”

“I heard from Su Junying that you’re the Ghost King? And that you’re Zhao Qingxun from another world?” Qi Yiwen scrutinized Zhao Chao’an from head to toe. Aside from their appearance…

They were nothing alike.

If Zhao Qingxun was like an iceberg—or more accurately, a lost soul adrift without direction—the Ghost King before her exuded unwavering resolve, knowing exactly what she wanted and how to get it. And…

Zhao Chao’an exuded an air of recklessness and a penchant for stirring up trouble, occasionally flashing a condescending gaze.

“Hmm,” Zhao Chao’an hummed, neither nodding nor shaking her head. She crossed her arms, watching Qi Yiwen with amusement.

“I’m dying to gossip. What’s the relationship between you and Fellow Daoist Ying?” Qi Yiwen leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Zhao Chao’an’s lips twitched. She forced a smile, her tone laced with warning: “We’re comrades-in-arms for now.”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Qi Yiwen raised an eyebrow and, as if daring to escalate the situation, let out a dramatic “Ooh!” She shot Zhao Chao’an a teasing look.

Zhao Chao’an: …

If this woman weren’t Shen Cangwu’s disciple, Zhao Chao’an would have already slapped her. What was with that infuriatingly smug expression?

“What’s with the ‘ooh’?” Zhao Chao’an snapped, her voice sharp. “So what if we’re just comrades? Even that’s better than that guy!”

Sensing the Ghost King’s rising fury, Qi Yiwen quickly backed down, spreading her hands in a show of mock innocence. “Nothing, nothing. It’s just… Su Junying’s description made it sound like you two were… well, you know.”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. You actually believe that?” Zhao Chao’an rolled her eyes, a hint of resentment creeping into her voice. Everyone else can see it, but Ying Buran still seems oblivious, she thought. But I can’t blame her. It’s just how things are.

Qi Yiwen raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced. “Hmm?”

“…Fine, fine. I want to take things further, but you know how much we’re dealing with right now. The immediate priority is resolving those issues. Besides, she’s been through so much. How could she possibly throw herself into a new relationship so quickly?” Zhao Chao’an sighed softly, glancing at the door behind her, her voice softening. “I’m not in a rush. As long as she’s safe and by my side, that’s all that matters.”

Qi Yiwen’s teasing expression vanished, replaced by a thoughtful gaze. After a moment of observation, she nodded. “Despite the obvious differences, I can see some similarities. My mission here is complete. Time to go.”

With that, she turned and left without a backward glance, leaving Zhao Chao’an bewildered and wondering what had just happened.

Ten breaths later, Zhao Chao’an was hopping mad. “So you were just here to pry for information?! Hey! Come back here!”

Meanwhile, Zhao Qingxun returned to the Sect and reported the mission to Qin Li, deliberately omitting certain details—after all, there was no way to verify or prove them. “…And that’s how the matter was resolved.”

Qin Li rested her cheek in one hand, the other tapping impatiently on the armrest of her chair. The situation had completely deviated from her expectations, which was far from ideal.

She rubbed her fleshy brow in frustration, then exhaled deeply and waved Zhao Qingxun away. “If it’s resolved, that’s all that matters. I understand. You may leave.”

Zhao Qingxun’s expression remained unchanged as she bowed respectfully. “Yes, disciple obeys.”

After leaving, she returned to her room and sighed as she gazed at the withered flowers on the windowsill.

At least I found him.

“Fellow Daoist Qi?” The Heavenly Spirit Mirror trembled slightly—a message from Qi Yiwen. Zhao Qingxun clicked to view it, her brow furrowing and relaxing by turns as she read.

So that’s how it is? It seems there’s still a chance? They hadn’t yet reached that point. Could she still salvage things?

This time, she would seize the opportunity.