Chapter 643: 645, Chu Jin, Deceased! (second update)

Chu Jin stood on the phoenix’s tail, reaching out to pluck the strings of her instrument.

Mystical music flowed from her fingertips.

This melody.

Unique.

It could purify the soul.

With the music, a miracle occurred.

Dragons and phoenixes danced.

It could bring the dead back to life.

It could heal the dead and flesh out bare bones.

The legends of the Konghou were not false.

In the sky, a burst of golden light! Auspicious clouds appeared one after another.

The Golden Dragon and the phoenix rose at dawn, circling above Chu Jin’s head, wailing, as if reluctant to leave...

"Jin, don’t do it!" Zi realized something was wrong and screamed out loud.

Glaciers melted, the earth revived.

Evil cultivators all scattered like ashes to the tune.

The wounds of those lying on the ground began to slowly heal.

Upon closer examination, one would find that the breathless had begun to breathe feebly.

Battered trees started to return to their former state.

The evil cultivators had scattered like ashes, yet only Zhao Yiling and the Elder Chu Tian, along with their two spiritual pets, remained in their transformed states, wriggling on the ground, yearning for the golden light to grant them a new life.

Alas.

The life-restoring sounds of the Konghou had no effect on them.

Yet, they still did not give up, crawling like reptiles, wriggling their bodies towards the direction of the Konghou.

"Jin, stop playing, if you keep going, you will die..." Zi had already broken into sobs.

"To exchange my death for their lives, it’s worth it... Besides, if I die, you can be completely reborn, a good thing," Chu Jin’s voice could no longer be discerned of any emotion, hollow, sad, cold...

It turned out.

She had known everything all along, she just hadn’t exposed it.

"Jin, I’m sorry..." Zi slowly lowered his head, tears blurring his vision.

"Don’t tell me you’re sorry," Chu Jin’s voice weakened gradually, "It’s all about survival. I was already a dead person, no matter how much I did, it couldn’t change the present. Zi, I should be the one thanking you. If it weren’t for you, I might not have had the chance to be reborn at all. You at least allowed me to live this long, which is enough..."

"Jin, the one who revived you isn’t me..." Zi wept as he spoke, "It’s Xuanyuan Shangchen. It has always been him. I just exploited a loophole to lodge myself in your consciousness, you aren’t Qin Jie, you are the sovereign phoenix, the real Qin Jie was killed by Shen Lingtian long ago, that so-called past life is nothing more than a dream I wove for you, making you forget your own identity, making you think that you are Qin Jie..."

Zi sobbed, confessing everything.

It turned out, from the beginning to the end, it had all been a plot. He simply wanted to use the spirit of the Empress within Chu Jin to nourish himself, in order to achieve rebirth.

Tarot cards, energy crystals, these were all things he used to restrain Chu Jin.

But he never expected that Chu Jin would break free from his control, becoming one with the Tarot cards and even conquering the energy crystal.

Those Faith Values gained from fortune-telling also could not sustain Chu Jin’s life.

All these Faith Values were the energy he needed daily.

This energy could make Zi powerful.

So, Zi had always been using Chu Jin.

Only Chu Jin could grant him rebirth.

However, he never expected that Chu Jin would step by step ascend to the peak, becoming a fortune-teller revered by everyone in China mainland, using Tarot arts to help so many.

All this was beyond Zi’s imagination.

Chu Jin showed him the kindest side of humanity.

Alive with passion, punishing evil and promoting good, she lived freely and unrestrained.

And he, a heart once cold and selfish, was melted by Chu Jin.

From the initial emotionless, cold system entity, he became the current Zi, capable of crying, laughing, and even gluttonous.

He willingly called her Jin.

Even.

He wished to lodge in Chu Jin’s consciousness forever.

He abandoned his initial decision and became Chu Jin’s closest kin.

Yet, he had not anticipated that things would come to where they stood today.

Chu Jin was about to vanish, he should have been happy about it.

But.

He was so sad.

So sad that tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Jin..."

Therefore.

Chu Jin had always been Chu Jin, but because the main soul had not returned, she had been an easy target.

Chu Jin was indeed the ninth life of the sovereign phoenix.

Qin Jie was nothing but a past forcefully imposed on her by Zi.

After Zi wept and finished telling this, he thought that Chu Jin would be angry, but Chu Jin still had a calm demeanor, she chuckled, "That’s life, isn’t it? There’s deception, but also genuine emotion. Zi, live well from now on and stop deceiving people; not everyone is as generous as me."

Chu Jin said, smiling.

The curve of her lips gradually faded, turning pale.

"Puh!"

A mouthful of fresh blood spattered onto the strings.

Yet even so, the music did not stop.

Sometimes, being forgotten is a blessing in itself.

Zi cried and nodded, her little face covered in tear stains.

He regretted it.

He wanted Brother Jin to be alive.

Just like before.

"Zi, ’A man’s tears should not be easily shed,’ stop crying. There’s no banquet in the world that doesn’t end,"

Heart-wrenching pain spread to his limbs, but Chu Jin clenched his teeth tightly, his hands strumming the strings of the instrument without slowing down, and continued.

"Tell Mo Zhixuan to live well, to carry on my share as well, and also... little White. I might not be able to help feed it anymore. I’m not good at caring for pets; it’s better for it to do it itself. Remember to tell it not to get tempted one day and secretly eat the fish, and then blame it on the bread-loaf hairstyle. If you’re a cat, be a cat with a conscience..."

"Zi, eat fewer sunflower seeds in the future. Eating too many can cause stomach issues, and... you shouldn’t eat too many chips either..."

Zi could no longer cry out, just sobbing and nodding continuously.

"Ah..." she sighed softly, "I really don’t want to leave this world..."

She didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to leave Mo Zhixuan, didn’t want to leave everyone.

Mo Zhixuan, such an old-fashioned and serious man, besides herself, would likely never charm any other young and pretty girls again.

And there was Zhao Yan; she had just woken up and now had to experience the grief of losing a daughter. If she were gone, Zhao Yan would surely be heartbroken. Her health had only just recovered; could she withstand such a blow then?

Miao Xinran came back, and she hadn’t had a proper conversation with her yet,

She hadn’t witnessed with her own eyes Miao Xinran and Mo Qingyi finding their happiness.

She wouldn’t see Chu Xiu and the little loli come of age; she, as a sister, was leaving first...

And those fans who loved her, would they be sad if they knew she was gone? Would they cry?

Yes.

And Qin Zhenglin.

She hoped that after she was gone, he would manage theking well.

There were still so many people and sights she hadn’t had the chance to see.

This life was too short, too short...

Chu Jin’s voice grew weaker and her consciousness increasingly blurred as her entire being seemed to sink into a boundless black hole. At that moment, she distinctly felt something being pulled out of her mind.

"Brother Jin, goodbye."

The sky burst into golden light.

The music abruptly stopped.

Golden light spread across the land as the sun quietly peeked out from the clouds.

It was sunny and bright.

The people who had already died were now, at this moment, slowly opening their eyes and looking around with a blank expression.

Their first reaction was to look at their own hands, questioning in their minds.

Hadn’t they already died?

Is this... hell?

Mo Zhixuan suddenly stood up, lifting his gaze to the sky. The sky was clear, the clouds scattered, and the Heavenly Dao no more. Vaguely, he sensed something wrong and looked down beside him.

With that glance, the always composed Mo Zhixuan revealed panic in his eyes.

"Chu Jin!" he ran swiftly towards her, unable to believe what he saw before him. He felt as if his feet were filled with lead, unable to take another step.

Had the sky fallen?

It had.

She was his sky, his everything.

Mo Zhixuan stood stunned, looking ahead as the blood in his body ran in reverse, a great sorrow enveloping him!

He saw.

The ancient Konghou was covered in blood, a bright red, so vivid that her hair was even stained with it, making her delicate cheeks appear white as paper, except her lips were red as fire, forming a slight smile, with dimples lightly etched at the corners.

It gave the illusion that she was still alive.

Mo Zhixuan’s breath was unsteady, and he staggered several steps before ultimately kneeling down, trembling hands pulling her into his embrace, kissing her forehead.

"Jin, Jin..." Mo Zhixuan’s voice was hoarse, panicked, and helpless.

How could things have turned out like this?

Why was she the one who had died, not him?

Mo Zhixuan couldn’t believe it was all real. He reached out to grab Chu Jin’s wrist and checked her pulse. There, there was no longer any trace of life; her breathing had stopped too.

She was truly gone.

Mo Zhixuan felt dizzy, the earth seemed to quake, but he forced himself not to fall.

He couldn’t fall.

His life was what Jin had exchanged with her own.

How could she bear it?

How could she bear to leave him behind.

Mo Zhixuan’s lips trembled as he held her tightly in his arms, his cheek against hers, softly patting her back with his left hand, "Jin, don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid! I will stay with you, always stay with you..."

Mo Qianjue and Xuanyuan Shangchen left the place.

They walked toward the distance.

Nobody knew where they were heading to.

The others also got up from the ground and walked over to Mo Zhixuan and Chu Jin, watching the scene in disbelief, not even sure how to face what had happened.

They felt as if they had a fishbone stuck in their throats.

The sunlight was so good, yet they suddenly felt as though the sky had fallen—

The world, engulfed in darkness.

She had traded her death for their lives.

"Jin, I’ll take you home, let’s go home," Mo Zhixuan said as he held her, slowly standing up, his legs shaking. His black hair rapidly turned white in the sunlight.

Mo Zhixuan was still wearing his wedding attire.

In the sunlight.

So striking red it hurts the eyes.

He held Chu Jin in his arms, walking with a shaky, tentative step, as if he could collapse at any moment.

Mo Qingyi and Miao Xinran held their heads and wept bitterly.

Tong Zhi’s eyes were also swollen from crying.

And Duanmu Zhe, Zhou Xunian, and others from the Superpower World, all had tears streaming down their faces.

Xiao Bai stood stunned in the crowd, almost frightened to breathe too loudly.

Only...

Mo Zhixuan didn’t shed a single tear.

His hair turned white, yet not a drop of tear fell from his eyes.

"Old Nine..." Han Zixiu said worriedly, wanting to give Mo Zhixuan a hand, but he retracted halfway, not knowing how to comfort him.

In the hall,

the decorations were still joyous and festive.

Mrs. Mo heard footsteps outside and quickly went to greet them.

She was startled when she saw Mo Zhixuan carrying Chu Jin inside and quickly asked, "Zhixuan, what happened to Jin?"

Mrs. Mo didn’t even notice that Mo Zhixuan’s hair had turned white.

Mo Zhixuan, as if he didn’t see Mrs. Mo at all, carried Chu Jin upstairs with no sign of life in him.

Then, Mrs. Mo saw Tong Zhi, Mo Qingyi, Miao Xinran, Duanmu Zhe, Zhou Xunian... entering from the door.

Their expressions were very off, incredibly so.

Tears streamed down their faces.

Especially Tong Zhi, Mo Qingyi, and Miao Xinran, their eyes were swollen from crying.

In that moment,

Panic struck Mrs. Mo, her footsteps faltered, and she hurriedly steadied herself with a nearby vase, a foreboding atmosphere enveloping the surroundings.

"Sister," Tong Zhi came to Mrs. Mo’s side, weeping, "Jin is gone!"

Gone?

The ever-composed Mrs. Mo felt a darkness before her eyes and fainted dead away.

Chu Jin was gone.

How was Mo Zhixuan to live after this?

How was their entire Mo family to live after this?

"Sister!" Tong Zhi quickly supported Mrs. Mo.

"Mom!" Mo Qingyi broke down completely, wailing loudly.

Upstairs,

Mo Zhixuan gently laid Chu Jin down on the marriage bed.

On the bed were items such as lotus seeds and peanuts.

Mo Zhixuan slowly collected the peanuts and lotus seeds and then opened the wardrobe to take out Chu Jin’s favorite outfit.

A white shirt.

Black trousers.

Mo Zhixuan calmly looked at their clothes hanging in the closet.

These garments still seemed to retain her scent.

His Jin.

She loved cleanliness.

Now, covered in so much blood, she must be so uncomfortable.

"Jin, don’t be scared, I’ll clean you up," Mo Zhixuan approached the bed, caressing Chu Jin’s cheek. His stern face showed no emotion.

Mo Zhixuan bent down to carry Chu Jin to the washroom.

He removed her red wedding dress, placed her in the bathtub, and with a towel, carefully wiped her body.

The water was tinted red, bit by bit.

After what seemed like ages, Mo Zhixuan carried Chu Jin out of the washroom, laying her gently on the bed.

He picked up the clothes and slowly dressed her.

The white shirt and black pants made her appear so pure and elegant, as if she was still alive.

Mo Zhixuan bent down and kissed her bloodless lips tenderly, lingering, intertwining, reluctant to part...

The people downstairs didn’t dare to disturb Mo Zhixuan.

They simply stood guard in the hall,

until the next day when the ice coffin was brought over, and Mo Zhixuan finally carried Chu Jin downstairs.

Everyone watched as he carried Chu Jin, stepping closer with each footfall.

They thought Mo Zhixuan would lose control, go mad, or collapse.

But unexpectedly,

he was always calm, frighteningly so, with an aura of chilliness emanating from him.

The chill was penetrating,

as if it could freeze people solid.

"Brother," Mo Qingyi stepped forward, wanting to comfort Mo Zhixuan. She barely uttered a syllable before she started crying herself.

"I’m fine," Mo Zhixuan glanced at Mo Qingyi, slowly uttered three words, and then, very carefully placed Chu Jin inside the ice coffin, calmly closing the lid.

His deep eyes betrayed no turmoil.

"Jin!" Tong Zhi and Miao Xinran couldn’t hold back and threw themselves onto the coffin, wailing aloud.

The others, seeing this scene, had their eyes reddened too.

The ice coffin was transparent, allowing a clear view of everything within.

Chu Jin just lay there, clad in white and black, with clear and handsome features, lips red as fire, and skin so pale it was nearly transparent. Her thick, curled lashes cast shadows over her face, making her look as if she were asleep.

Watching Chu Jin.

Chu Xiu’s emotions completely collapsed. He bent over, crouched on the ground, hands holding his knees, and sobs spilled from his throat, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

In Tian Luo’s laboratory where he had narrowly escaped death, he had not shed a single tear.

But this time.

He couldn’t hold back.

Seeing off a bride had turned into a farewell.

He had never imagined that one day, his sister would leave him.

His sister was so strong.

How could she leave him?

When Zhao Yan learned of this news, she fainted on the spot and was rushed to the ICU.

Three days later.

The funeral took place as scheduled.

Chu Jin’s body was not cremated but was directly buried underground with the ice coffin.

It was not interred in a public cemetery.

But buried in the Mo family’s garden.

It was drizzling from the sky.

When the little girl arrived, the grave was already dug.

The ice coffin was positioned to one side.

Ever since the wedding, Daddy seemed to have become a different person, drunk all the time. When she asked him what had happened, he did not answer.

The little girl had missed Jin’s wedding because of some matters.

Only today did she find time to visit Jin.

She had missed Jin so much after all these days.

If Jin had married Daddy, then she could see Jin every day...

As soon as the little girl approached the Mo family’s gate, she sensed something was wrong. Wasn’t a wedding supposed to be full of joy? Why were there white lanterns hanging from the Mo family’s gate?

She had never experienced life and death before, nor had she attended any funerals.

Hence, the little girl did not understand what was happening.

The little girl easily entered the Mo family’s gate.

What was strange was that.

Every servant she encountered along the way wore a very somber expression, their faces filled with sorrow, and white flowers pinned to their chests.

The air was so silent that not a sound could be heard.

The little girl found the backyard without difficulty.

But when she got there.

She discovered a group of people gathered there.

It was raining.

They were not using umbrellas.

The little girl found it odd, thinking to herself, have all the adults gone mad?

Why don’t they use umbrellas?

What was strange was.

Jin’s figure was nowhere to be seen among the crowd.

Hadn’t those servants just said Jin was in the garden?

The little girl quickened her pace, not bothering with an umbrella as she ran towards the crowd, "Jin, Jin."

Suddenly, a child’s voice appeared in the air, and everyone instinctively turned to look.

They saw.

A seven or eight-year-old child running towards them.

"Grandma, Grandaunt, Aunt, why are you all crying?" The little girl looked at them questioningly – why did the adults’ expressions all seem so strange?

"Where’s Jin? Why don’t I see her?" The little girl looked around in confusion.

Mo Qingyi couldn’t hold back and began to cry with her hand over her mouth.

"Auntie, did someone bully you?" The little girl tugged at Mo Qingyi’s clothes, her big eyes gleaming with concern.

Mo Qingyi seemed unable to bear her own body’s weight and knelt to the ground, sobbing softly.

She didn’t know how to answer the little girl’s question.

The little girl, feeling something was amiss, then walked over to Chu Xiu, "Brother Xiu, where’s Jin? Where is she? Speak to me!"

Chu Xiu turned away, his lips trembling violently, avoiding the little girl’s gaze, but the tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

The little girl panicked.

She continued to Mo Zhixuan, looking up at him, "Uncle Mo, where’s Jin? Where is she? Why won’t they speak?"

"I’m sorry," Mo Zhixuan’s voice sounded somewhat hoarse, "Pengpeng, I’ve lost Jin..."

The little girl stood rooted to the spot.

For a moment, she couldn’t digest the meaning of Mo Zhixuan’s words.

She looked around vacantly, hoping to see Chu Jin, but suddenly, her eyes landed on the ice coffin.

The little girl hurried over.

As she clearly saw the person lying in the ice coffin, she let out a sigh of relief, perhaps being too well-protected by Mo Qianjue, the little girl had no concept of life and death, thinking Chu Jin was merely asleep.

"Jin, why are you sleeping here? Get up, Pengpeng is here to see you." The little girl pounded on the ice coffin with force.

But the person inside the ice coffin did not respond at all.

"Jin, wake up..." In desperation, the little girl reached out to push the lid of the ice coffin.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read