Chapter 069: The Cause

Chapter 069: The Cause

Funeral supply shop.

Gu Pushu followed the old Taoist priest here, and for the first time, she realized that such a small shop could be hidden in a bustling metropolis. However, it made sense—funeral homes needed items like paper money, and where there was demand, there would be shops to supply it.

As soon as she entered, she felt a chilling, gloomy atmosphere. It wasn’t dangerous, but filled with items associated with death and rituals, the environment had become saturated with heavy yin energy over the years.

There were no customers at the moment, and it was eerily quiet. A curtain hung over the door to block the view inside. Two candles were lit within. The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with white hair, looked extremely aged, her skin wrinkled.

When she saw Gu Pushu, the old woman merely lifted her eyes for a glance, didn’t greet her, and continued bowing her head to make paper money. The whole scene was somber and still.

"The old woman can’t speak or make facial expressions—she was injured in the face when she was young. She doesn’t need to go out and solicit business either. Life, aging, illness, and death—when people need something, they come to buy it themselves. They just explain what they need, and she prepares it; they pay, and that’s it. She doesn’t mean to be unwelcoming."

The old Taoist priest explained in a low voice to Gu Pushu. As he passed by the old woman, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Senior Sister, it’s been a while. This person is an honored guest. I had some matters to discuss that weren’t suitable to talk about elsewhere, so I had to come to your shop first. I apologize for not informing you beforehand. Please don’t be upset, Senior Sister."

The old woman didn’t say anything, just waved her hand, indicating she agreed to let them come in. The old Taoist priest thanked her again and led the way.

So they were fellow disciples. Gu Pushu took a closer look at the old woman, who glanced back at her with a gloomy stare, not looking like a good person—more like someone with ulterior motives.

This was not unexpected. The fact that they dared to approach her directly and wanted to take her away clearly meant they had a purpose. Gu Pushu knew this, yet she still followed along because she wanted to see what they were up to. Being on guard against thieves only goes so far; luring them out is the key.

"I see. But why did you bring me here, Master? Does fortune-telling and dispelling calamities require a specific place?" Gu Pushu asked, puzzled as she walked beside him.

She kept her eyes scanning the surroundings. Everything seemed ordinary, yet something seemed hidden in the shadows.

Was it a trap specifically set for her? Or were they using her as bait to lure Yin Zhu out and capture them together?

"This matter is of great importance. I was worried that if we talked outside, someone might overhear, which could affect your reputation," the old Taoist priest explained.

"We’re here."

He lifted the curtain. Inside, there was an altar with an incense burner holding three lit incense sticks. Around it, red ropes were strung in a circle, and in the center stood a black coffin. Beneath the coffin, a candle was burning, but no matter how long it burned, the wax remained the same amount.

The old Taoist priest took a handful of rice and placed it into rice wine. "Do you know, kind benefactor, what the evil entity clinging to you is?"

"If I knew, I wouldn’t need to ask you, Master," Gu Pushu raised an eyebrow, waiting to see what trick he was playing.

"A snake demon. This snake demon is quite skilled, specializing in devouring human hearts and souls. It has attached itself to you because it sees you as food. If this evil is not eliminated, within three days, you will surely face a life-threatening danger."

The old Taoist priest turned to her with a bowl of realgar wine, speaking as if it were all true. "The reason I sought you out, kind benefactor, is because I had already discovered this snake demon and fought it for several days. It later escaped and attached itself to you. If I allow it to harm another person, it would be my fault."

Gu Pushu: ...

He made it sound so real; she almost believed it.

"I see. That damned snake demon," Gu Pushu rubbed her temples, feigning a headache. "But how will you expel the snake demon and protect my life, Master? You are highly skilled; please, you must save me. As for payment, don’t worry—I will reward you generously."

"Getting rid of the snake demon is a trivial matter." The old Taoist priest preened a little at the flattery. He handed her the realgar wine. "This substance can counteract it. First, drink this, then lie down in the coffin. The snake demon will naturally emerge. Once it comes out, I will catch it and kill it on the spot, so it won’t harm anyone else."

"I see."

Gu Pushu nodded in understanding. She took the realgar wine, pretending to drink it, while her peripheral vision caught the old Taoist priest’s eyebrows twitching with barely concealed excitement.

The next second.

Gu Pushu splashed the wine and rice in his face, drenching the old Taoist priest. He stood stunned for a moment, wiping the wine from his face, then glared at Gu Pushu with rage.

"Bitch! You won’t take a hint, so you’ll have to suffer! Today, you and that snake demon will become my nourishment!" The old Taoist priest dropped his friendly facade, revealing his malicious nature.

"Tsk tsk, so you never intended to let me live even if I got into the coffin," Gu Pushu laughed.

She was no delicate flower. Since childhood, she had learned self-defense and often went on adventures with friends. She had plenty of courage and sharp instincts.

As soon as she entered this funeral shop, Gu Pushu sensed ill intent.

Naturally, she didn’t need to think too hard. In the current situation, anyone would want to capture her to gain power, immortality, resurrection, eternal youth—just one of these would attract countless people.

"Your body is the perfect vessel. Letting you live would be a waste," the old Taoist priest laughed maniacally, his greedy eyes fixed on Gu Pushu’s slightly protruding belly. "As long as I obtain these two divine fetuses, I will be invincible! I can refine them or even eat them—both are great tonics!"

"Enough! Why waste words with her? Let’s act!" The old woman entered the room, holding red string and a handbell.

Her eyes stared darkly at Gu Pushu’s face. She had once been beautiful, but time had made her old and withered. If she could get them, her beauty could be restored, and she would gain immense power.

The old woman shook her bell, and the little bells hanging on the red ropes inside the room all jingled along, creating a loud noise.

But Gu Pushu didn’t react at all. The old woman frowned and shook the bell even harder.

"I’m not going to fight you," Gu Pushu chuckled softly. "Master Taoist, you said you fought with the snake demon, didn’t you? Since that was a lie, let’s make it true today. Let you really have a fight with the snake demon."

"Naughty. I’ve told you many times—I am not a lowly creature like a snake demon."

A circle of light appeared behind Gu Pushu, and a tall, handsome man stepped out. He wore casual clothes, was barefoot, and hovered a few centimeters above the ground. He looked at Gu Pushu with a doting gaze.

"It wasn’t me who said that; it was the old Taoist. Argue with him," Gu Pushu spread her hands.

Yin Zhu’s gaze fell on the two people. He pointed a finger in the air, and they had no chance to resist—they were thrown backward, crashing to the ground, shattering their ribs. The old woman was knocked unconscious, half-dead.

"Who are you!" The old Taoist priest coughed blood, staring at Yin Zhu in horror.

He couldn’t even resist a single move! Impossible! His master had taught him this technique and said there was a snake demon—if he hunted it, he could achieve immortality. He had followed the information his master provided and found it, expecting only an ordinary snake demon. He had been overconfident.

"You don’t even know who I am, yet you dare to plot against me." Yin Zhu didn’t even consider them a threat. He raised his hand, and the old Taoist priest was forced to his knees and dragged forward.

Yin Zhu placed his hand over the old man’s head without touching it. An invisible stream of light flowed out from the old Taoist priest’s body.

Through the old Taoist’s memories, Yin Zhu saw a forest where a man with a celestial aura was sitting cross-legged in meditation.

Suddenly, the man opened his eyes and looked upward. An eye appeared within a circular portal—it was Yin Zhu’s vertical snake pupil, and Yin Zhu’s voice sounded.

"Yuan Bai, why send such a useless pawn to test me? And you targeted my wife. Remember this: hide well, because if I catch you, you will die a very ugly death."

Yuan Bai watched the portal disappear, rage burning in his heart. They were all worthless!

He hated Yin Zhu and also feared him. Back then, if it weren’t for Yin Zhu guarding the gate of the divine realm, he could only watch helplessly as the sealing of the gods was completed and the gate closed—he couldn’t get in. Otherwise, he would have returned to godhood long ago. Why would he have fallen to the mortal world, reincarnating life after life, restricted to living as a mortal! Now that his memories had returned, he would capture Yin Zhu this time, no matter what. This was his final life; if he failed, there would be no hope.

"Your magic is incredible. From now on, we don’t even need phones to keep in touch," Gu Pushu said in amazement. She wanted this ability too!

"I’ll teach you later." Yin Zhu pulled her into his arms and stepped into the portal.

In an instant, they were back home. They were far from home, but crossed the distance in a blink. This teleportation ability is amazing!

Gu Pushu: !!!

"Yin Zhu, teach me quickly! Then I can go to work in just two seconds. This magic saves so much time and effort, and it would be perfect for business trips."

She couldn’t wait to learn it. With this ability, she would never be late, clock in right on time, and get perfect attendance every month!

Yin Zhu: ...

His wife, always thinking about work.