Lu Ziyuan’s gaze turned fierce.

What is this fate that exists in the shadows?

This kind of ambiguous, mystifying talk, he’s heard enough of it in the past two years to grow calluses on his ears.

It’s nothing more than the tricks of these mystical wanderers roaming the world. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

His face was cold as ice, "Master, do you have anything else to say?"

If it’s just these few words...

Master Kongjian clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, saying, "Although the benefactor carries heavy sins of killing, he also has unparalleled achievements, and his grace extends for generations. He is truly a person with deep blessings."

Lu Ziyuan’s eyes showed mockery.

Now that’s something new.

He’s always heard people say he has too much blood on his hands, but to hear such flattery when death is near, even this seemingly unyielding old monk can deliver a few compliments.

"I have a word of advice," Master Kongjian said, "The benefactor should commit fewer sins and accumulate more virtues; there will come a time when wishes are fulfilled."

"Oh?" Lu Ziyuan smirked, "And which wish might that be?"

Advise him to be virtuous, for a chance at rebirth?

He would be willing to believe that.

If being virtuous could exchange for a fresh start, he could ensure that in this life he would never kill another.

But can these words be believed?

If he blindly believes in being reborn, and goes to his death cleanly...

Wouldn’t that be too foolish?

...But if he doesn’t believe, then what?

Isn’t he already at the end of his rope?

Lu Ziyuan shut his eyes tightly, "Why don’t you first discern where my Empress is right now, Master? If her spirit can’t be summoned, has she already been reincarnated?"

He must be shown something.

See that his obsession runs deep, his inner demon binds him.

Master Kongjian sighed softly, finally speaking, "Please write the deceased’s birth date and time on a piece of paper for me."

......

A ’creak’.

The tightly closed room door opened from the inside.

Lu Ziyuan stepped out.

In a dark robe, with a jade crown holding his hair, his posture was tall and straight, appearing as unyielding as ever, but as he descended the steps, he stumbled slightly, nearly falling.

"Your Majesty!" Mingjian, who was guarding the courtyard, hurried forward, reaching out to support him, only to be avoided. Then he realized, his master, who remained unflustered even when a mountain collapsed, now had red eyes and a dazed expression, as if his spirit had been severely shaken.

This was truly a long-forgotten scene.

This kind of master was not unfamiliar to Mingjian.

In the year after Miss Xie left, he often saw it.

The old monk inside indeed had some skill...

What exactly did he say?

Lu Ziyuan stood rigidly in place, lost in thought.

Not dead.

They had been engaged, exchanged betrothal letters.

He knew Wanwan’s birth date and time by heart from his past life.

And now, the old monk said Wanwan wasn’t dead.

No wonder...

No wonder he couldn’t summon her spirit.

In his past life, he couldn’t summon her spirit because she had already been reincarnated and left.

And in this life, it was because she wasn’t dead at all.

Lu Ziyuan suddenly closed his eyes.

Almost...

He almost went with her.

If not for fear of the possibility...

The possibility they wouldn’t get a chance for rebirth, at least he would know she had been reincarnated, rather than her body sinking into Dayang Lake, unable to transcend.

With hands stained in blood, never believing in ghosts or gods, only when it concerns that girl does he know reverence, know fear.

Master Kongjian is renowned; he thought to give it one last try.

To see if he could get a definite answer from the old monk.

Could he truly have another chance at rebirth?

But what did he hear?

...She’s not dead, then where did she go?

His entire body trembles from agitation, yet Lu Ziyuan’s mind remains extremely calm.

He is carefully considering.

Where could she go...

Is there something, some clue he hadn’t noticed?

Person, or object.